Senator Ted Kennedy dies

[Don]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8221686.stm

Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of ex-President John F Kennedy, has died aged 77 after a long battle with cancer, US media say.

The Democratic Massachusetts senator was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May last year.

He became a member of the Senate in 1962 to replace his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times.

He has been an active supporter of current President Barack Obama.

Correspondents say Senator Kennedy has been a dominant force in liberal American politics for almost half a century, especially on issues like healthcare and education.

The Kennedy family announced his death in a brief statement in the early hours of Wednesday.

"Edward M. Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port (Massachusetts)," the statement said.

"We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever."

Edward Kennedy was the only one of four brothers to die a natural death.

His brother Joseph was killed in an air crash in World War II, and both President John F Kennedy and presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy were assassinated.

His own presidential aspirations were badly damaged when he was given a suspended sentence for leaving the scene of a fatal accident on the Massachusetts island of Chappaquiddick in 1969.

[Arkansas]

Ya know, as much I dislike most liberals, and never cared for this man and his politics, I must say that America has been honored to have such a passionate public servant as this man, Ted Kennedy.

I once read where he diverted his total salary to charity, choosing to live off his family's wealth instead. I find that totally honorable.

Yes, I'm sure that many will dig up Chappaquiddick, and all the stories around that debacle...not to mention all his relatives' problems and indiscretions, however, his seniors, his juniors, his complete family - far & wide - must always be proud of him.

I'm a conservative, very strongly an anti-liberal, but this man, Ted Kennedy, was a strong brilliant man who must go down in the history books as a true American patriot.


later~

[Jubilee]

Wow...very sad. The end of an era, or perhaps a dynasty.

[stevew2]

Thats really sad,he devoted his life to public service,Like him or not, he made a difference,God bless him,not to mention all the sadness and greif he felt having his brothers killed way before theit time

[StevePerryHair]

I do feel bad for their family because they just burried Eunice. It's tough to lose close family so close together.

[RossValoryRocks]

I was saddened to hear about Ted Kennedy's passing this morning. Though I almost never agreed with him politically, I respected him as a statesman and a patriot.

He was consistently one of the few Democrats, in contrast to Harry Reid and others, who would reach across the aisle to find concensus.

He never actively sought to be in the limelight, he was thrust there simply by his birth. As the younger brother of both John Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy he was often overshadowed, and yet found his own path to greatness.

He bucked his own party in 1980 to run against an unpopular Democratic President, because it was the right thing to do, not because it was the best political move.

He campaigned for what and he saw as injustices and inadequacies in our government to help all Americans, and while I disagreed with him on the methods and execution of those plans, I never for one moment doubted his heart and true love for his country.

God speed Senator Kennedy, may your desire for a better America live on in the hearts of the people you long sought to help: All of America.

[strangegrey]

can't say I'll miss this guy, at all....

[Rhiannon]

I do feel bad for their family because they just burried Eunice. It's tough to lose close family so close together.

Exactly, and also with the 10 year of John Jr & Caroline. I feel for the family.

[Enigma869]

Whether you agreed with Senator Kennedy politically or not, this is a tremendous loss for our country. While we all know that Senator Kennedy was not a man without flaws, his nearly 5 decades of public service were most honorable. He's a man who came from unfathomable wealth, yet chose to always fight for the "little guy". He has a record of always fighting for the underprivileged, and his fingerprints are all over every piece of significant legislation over the past 50 years. He's a big reason the "American For Disabilities Act" was passed, and is a reason that the voting age was changed from 21 to 18. He always worked tirelessly to defend civil rights and any injustice he perceived. Those of us who grew up in the Boston area know that because of Kennedy's voice in Washington, our tiny state of Massachusetts was always heard and well represented. Kennedy loved Massachusetts and loved his country. There is nobody in Massachusetts under the age of 50 who even know a Massachusetts without Ted Kennedy, so it's definitely an odd feeling to have him gone. I can only hope that someone steps forward (whether a Kennedy or not) and carries on his immense passion for public service. May he rest in peace.

[Michigan Girl]

Very sad, indeed.... Well Stated RVR!!
He was also a stand-up father figure to his
brother's children!!!

[xflajrnylvr]

Very Sad day

[Babyblue]

Thats really sad,he devoted his life to public service,Like him or not, he made a difference,God bless him,not to mention all the sadness and greif he felt having his brothers killed way before theit time

That was so perfect Stevew he was a great man.Don't care about his private life that was his.He will be missed for sure.

[Jana]

I was saddened to hear about Ted Kennedy's passing this morning. Though I almost never agreed with him politically, I respected him as a statesman and a patriot.

He was consistently one of the few Democrats, in contrast to Harry Reid and others, who would reach across the aisle to find concensus.

He never actively sought to be in the limelight, he was thrust there simply by his birth. As the younger brother of both John Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy he was often overshadowed, and yet found his own path to greatness.

He bucked his own party in 1980 to run against an unpopular Democratic President, because it was the right thing to do, not because it was the best political move.

He campaigned for what and he saw as injusI tices and inadequacies in our government to help all Americans, and while I disagreed with him on the methods and execution of those plans, I never for one moment doubted his heart and true love for his country.God speed Senator Kennedy, may your desire for a better America live on in the hearts of the people you long sought to help: All of America.

Well said. He has left an amazing legacy as an elder statesman of the Senate. As the patriarch of the Kennedy family, this is such a loss for all of the family, especially so soon after Eunice Shriver.

[Vladan]

Whether you agreed with Senator Kennedy politically or not, this is a tremendous loss for our country. While we all know that Senator Kennedy was not a man without flaws, his nearly 5 decades of public service were most honorable. He's a man who came from unfathomable wealth, yet chose to always fight for the "little guy". He has a record of always fighting for the underprivileged, and his fingerprints are all over every piece of significant legislation over the past 50 years. He's a big reason the "American For Disabilities Act" was passed, and is a reason that the voting age was changed from 21 to 18. He always worked tirelessly to defend civil rights and any injustice he perceived. Those of us who grew up in the Boston area know that because of Kennedy's voice in Washington, our tiny state of Massachusetts was always heard and well represented. Kennedy loved Massachusetts and loved his country. There is nobody in Massachusetts under the age of 50 who even know a Massachusetts without Ted Kennedy, so it's definitely an odd feeling to have him gone. I can only hope that someone steps forward (whether a Kennedy or not) and carries on his immense passion for public service. May he rest in peace.

Well said John, as always. Where you been anyway?. We could of used you here recently!. Yeah got into some heavy Perry debates, all we needed was a post from you, and it would of been all she wrote, good night charlie to that debate.

RIP
Senator Kennedy.

[Lula]

the lion of the senate, one of the few people in america that still had any kind of sense of what legislation actually meant. it is a sad day indeed. i hope his colleagues can channel his spirit and get health reform passed in his honor. say what you will about the 'ugly' stuff in his past, but there is no denying his work to better the lives of all americans.

[RedWingFan]

can't say I'll miss this guy, at all....

ditto!

[Babyblue]

He was a true icon.

[epresley]

Very, very sad.

[RaisedOnRadio92]

can't say I'll miss this guy, at all....

ditto!

+1

[LordofDaRing]

RIP......Mary Jo

[Lula]

some real classy folks here today so predictable.

[Enigma869]

some real classy folks here today so predictable.

I agree Lula. Pissing on a man's grave before his body is even in the ground is beyond fucking classless. I certainly have ZERO issue with someone disagreeing with the man's politics, but the three or four people weighing in saying that he won't be missed are as classless as classless gets. I think W. is the biggest fucking moron I've ever seen in American politics. That said, if the man dropped dead tomorrow, I wouldn't make a single negative comment about the man!

[CatEyes]

the lion of the senate, one of the few people in america that still had any kind of sense of what legislation actually meant. it is a sad day indeed. i hope his colleagues can channel his spirit and get health reform passed in his honor. say what you will about the 'ugly' stuff in his past, but there is no denying his work to better the lives of all americans.

Amen!

[RobbieG]

July 18,1969

[Babyblue]

some real classy folks here today so predictable.

I agree Lula. Pissing on a man's grave before his body is even in the ground is beyond fucking classless. I certainly have ZERO issue with someone disagreeing with the man's politics, but the three or four people weighing in saying that he won't be missed are as classless as classless gets. I think W. is the biggest fucking moron I've ever seen in American politics. That said, if the man dropped dead tomorrow, I wouldn't make a single negative comment about the man!

I agree with you & Lula

[JasonD]

some real classy folks here today so predictable.

I agree Lula. Pissing on a man's grave before his body is even in the ground is beyond fucking classless. I certainly have ZERO issue with someone disagreeing with the man's politics, but the three or four people weighing in saying that he won't be missed are as classless as classless gets. I think W. is the biggest fucking moron I've ever seen in American politics. That said, if the man dropped dead tomorrow, I wouldn't make a single negative comment about the man!

I agree with you & Lula

Me too.

[strangegrey]

Good thing this man knew how to swim and had a strong sense of self preservation (at the expense of chivalry).....without these exceptionally honorable qualities, we would have never been blessed with such a true champion of socialist healthcare and redistributive economics for 30 years...

[RobbieG]

Good thing this man knew how to swim and had a strong sense of self preservation (at the expense of chivalry).....without these exceptionally honorable qualities, we would have never been blessed with such a true champion of socialist healthcare and redistributive economics for 30 years...

thumbs up

remember July 18,1969

[Enigma869]

I have never wished a man dead, but I have read a great many obituaries with a great deal of pleasure.---Clarence Darrow.


I have no sympathy for any man who would leave a woman in a submerged car. NONE! POS should have had manslaughter charges brought against him and did some time. Instead you libs make him out as a Saint or something, frankly it's sickning to me.

You're a fucking idiot!

[JasonD]

I don't think anyone's excusing Chappaquiddick. I think us "libs" are just saying let them man's body get cold before you grind him to a pulp.