Readers on Kennedy: Chappaquiddick, passion

Mmm. Whatever your political beliefs, it would be wise to remember that as much as you value and cherish your perspective, your perspective is by definition extremely limited. That is why a smart Christian always tries to remember that judgment in the hereafter is reserved for God.

As to this world, he was tried, found guilty and sentenced for what happened that night in Chappaquiddick. Although you are once again entitled to your highly valued personal opinions, we have a legal system that considers the crime and the outcome, as well as the circumstances, then enforces measured retribution. We have these because personal opinions make a terrible foundation for justice.

Cling to your righteous indignation and make whatever judgments you wish. I prefer to leave that to my Higher Power who understands much more about it than I do, and I will instead choose to be grateful that the Senator was able to re-define his legacy and continue with his work in a long, dignified and respected career.

Right on with your comments, just another rich family that did what they wanted. Maybe now he can face Mary Jo and tell her why he left her there to die...that is IF he's in heaven.

Now there is a thought. I think people are confused. The bible clearly says "an eye for an eye" If you kill someone you deserve to die. I think the death penalty should be in every state and enforced. You folks who think that people should just go to prison and have 3 meals a day, exercise time, TV, college education, visitation deserve exactly what you get. What you are getting is more and more crime. There is NOTHING to deter anyone from killing someone. You can say it's not their fault as they had a horrid childhood. You can say he/she is mentally ill, you can say whatever you want. One thing for sure, the innocent victims that lose their rights to live don't have a voice at all. Everyone just sits around and watches the drunk leave the bar with his/her carkeys and no one does a damn thing because it isn't their business. Let it become one of your loved ones that was just "murdered" by a drunk and see how the story changes!!!! I say bring back the death penalty and put these freaks out of their misery within one month of their sentence and watch the murder rate drop.

My initial feeling about Ted Kennedy's passing is the same as I felt for him all along! Numb!

Death comes to us all and mourning happens for most... but not all. Ted Kennedy was not John Kennedy... nor was he Robert Kennedy. He was on the longest political coattail ride in history... a history that will now be put to rest... I hope.

The first real interest that I had in politics was when he ran that car off of the bridge and then left the scene. Any other person would have been castigated! But the brother of the befallen President and Senator would not be convicted and we never came to know the truth of the whole affair. This made me realise that I was an expendable part in the eyes of justice... and that money and family name was more important in the eyes of the world. (Many thanks to God for having a differing view)

His personal life was a mess, and he must have been working to get his mind off it on a daily basis. Maybe that's why he championed the causes he did. I hope Massachusetts can come up with a decent senator to balance all the years they hoisted his on us. (One with a clear conscience would be good)

I don't cast any dispersions on what his standing before God is. I just know that my emotional impact of his passing is still the same as it was in his living! He doesn't cross my mind unless his name and picture are thrown in front of me.

(Reprise)

One less tyrrant in the world!

i do not like when people speak ill of the dead. Everyone makes mistakes and all of you people professing religion are the hardest people of all. H was young and did swome wild and stupid things like the best of us, let the guy be remembered for all he did to help this country and people who could not speak on capitla hill, he stood up when if would have been easier to fold and join the crowd, a good and decent man. May his family be peaceful and blessed during their time of loss.

Well, this going about like I thought it would. The left praising Kennedy, and the right disrespecting him. Good to see that we're still a divided country. Maybe in a few years when the bottom falls out we will become two nations. One for the left and one for the right. Then we can get into some real hatred as we go to war with each other. Yep, we're saturated with "good American values", and never bother to use any of them.

amen to that. I was in my twenties when that h appened. To me he is finally going to answer for a murder he committed. I think she was pg also. A good way to get rid of her. He could never atone for that one. HIs family name got him out of that one but not in my book. ever. There was no justice for her or her family.

JustAThought08.........he may have been tried and sentenced and all that,,but do you really believe for a minute that justice was done for the woman that died in his car. ? I can not see how...for this man to have waited until her body was found to admit to anything...anyone else would have been in jail..but his family and his money kept him out of jail...granted, he may have done a lot of good for some people..but that one woman never had a chance,,,he took her life as well as anyone killing someone else.

Nice to see the "birthers" and "deathers" are out in force, still unhappy and unable to deal with the fact that America actually has a fully capable Black President.

Way to go haters, go ahead and take it out on one of the greatest Statesman America has known in the last 50 years. Could someone please mention Jane Fonda just to bring into complete focus.

If you pure in heart right wingers want to discuss murder as the headstone for senator Kennedy let's go on with it.  But, let's also discuss what the afterlife might hold for man who marches hundreds upon hundreds of our youth to their deaths.......knowing it was a lie.  What might Dick Cheney expect to be judged on?   Would God buy his torture excuse?  Do you want to go on morons?

Chris N - Nice to see the "birthers" and "deathers" are out in force, still unhappy and unable to deal with the fact that America actually has a fully capable Black President.

You have been on about three or four different vines today spouting the same line. Yet, so far, I have not seen one comment above about obama or race, so I'm not sure why your are spouting it here again. And just because someone disagrees with obama, does not make them a racist. If anything, obama is the racist that is dividing this country based on the comments he made about a cop doing his job. Get over it.

As to Kennedy, which is what this thread is about, his family name and money is the only thing that kept him from going to jail or face any consequences for leaving a young pregnant girl to die at Chappaquiddick. On July 19, 1969, barely 40 years ago, he left Mary Jo Kopechne, who was 28 years old, to die. The only charge put against him was leaving the scene of an accident and was given a suspended sentence. I don't think John Kennedy would have approved of his behavior. If the average American had done that, they would have served jail time for vehicular homicide. But in this case, he skated and never once repented for what he did. Instead, as a true politician, not a statesmen, he has been screwing this country ever since.

To read all of these glowing messages for an unrepentant killer is sickening. The rest of our politicians in Washington right now are no different and all incumbents need to be voted out in 2010 and 2012.

Bleat and Jason Jones:

Bleat, try doing a little reading and you'll know the answer to when Obama will draw us out of Iraq. Also, research the cold war with Kruschev and Castro and then try to paint JFK as a warmonger. And "Christian crap"? I bet that goes over well on a far-right, conservative blog.

Jason, you need to keep reading. You're stuck on Old Testament teachings. If you kept reading, you'd get to the part where Jesus speaks of "turning the other cheek" and "loving your enemy." Maybe you should quit shaking that book at people and crack it open sometime.

Despite what you both clearly believe, this country was NOT founded on Judeo-Christian priciples unless you're willing to count genocide and slavery as one of those priciples.

Troubled-

Although I disagree with you, it is obvious to me that you came to your opinion through lucid, rational thought and knowledge of the facts relative to said opinion.

Thank you for at least knowing what you're talking about. Too many people seem compelled to shout about that which they KNOW they don't know anything about.

Ah, the passing of an American icon - Ted Kennedy. You pray, and pray, and pray and Mary Jo Kopecky is still gone... left dying; gasping for air in the back of a sinking car as the bloated cheat and life-long drunk swims for safety and cover! Yes, an icon - but really one noted for his cowardice... He is the iconic example for the public erosion of a system that lets you buy your way out of a killing and still raise up to be the bull (expletive excluded) of our American Senate! My American flag will not be lowered for this contemporary Caligula. As Obama thinks' about his eulogy for this "icon," he should instead remember at least one person we know of who is unavailable for comment - Mary Jo (1940-1969). I'll drink to that!

Actually the Camelot analogy is quite apropos. I always thought how humorous it was how "Morte D'Arthur" was put to a musical. It's a story of murder, betrayal, incest, deceit, adultery, greed and power. All these attributes fit very nicely with this Irish family of thugs. They bullied and bought their way into power, never looking back, no remorse, shameless and always looking for the angle in a deal which was most beneficial to themselves. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely".

Say all you will against the man, but Senator Edward Kennedy was a person of ideas and ideals. He strove to better the plight of the working poor when he was rich, he helped when he could have just looked on, he fought for those who could not stand for themselves.

In the Senate, he stood as One of many. He withstood the barbs of the dullards who attacked him, and he did it with grace. He became a symbol of a better America at a time when greed and selfishness dominated our politics. 'Ted' Kennedy did all this when he could have easily retired to a quiet, simpler life.

His drive and passion are what made him more than just part of the family dynasty. He kept on when tragedy and scandal rocked his world. He persevered when the tides of time were against him, and led the way when the times were favorable, and was rewarded by seeing his beliefs win out. While his brothers will be known for their accomplishments and oratory, Edward Kennedy will be known as the brother who stayed behind to do the work.

Couldn't agree more - he's gone ---makes you wonder what horrible person will take his place

Bleat on, you need to relax. This site is for readers' recollections on Ted Kennedy's life, his legacy, it's not a battleground. Are you going to belittle everyone who had a tad of respect for the man, a musing different than yours? You aren't telling anyone anything they don't already know. You're starting to sound haggish.

Bleat-

Who said I was a democrat? (No capital necessary, FYI) Or even Christian, for that matter. (I may have read the book but so have many Jews, Muslims and Buddhists. Are they Christians, too?) If you need to label me, let's use "non-denominational independant". YOU appear to be hypnotized by the 2-party system. Every republican is good and every democrat is insane. Is that it? How can millions of people completely agree on EVERY aspect of EVERY political issue? Simple. By thinking what they're TOLD to think.

Speaking of consistant; nice job deciding who I am and what I think without having any imperical evidence. Do you really believe that only republicans can be real Christians? As far as convictions go; it seems like the GOP are the ones who abandon their "Christian values" whenever it's convenient or profitable. Christ did not support war or torture for ANY reason. He died as PROOF of His belief in "peace at ALL costs".

Again, I submit that your opinions are based on bias and conjecture, not to mention intolerance for anyone who doesn't see things your way. What a great American. Cheney and Rove would be so proud of you.

I don't intend to come back for your reply, so feel free to load it with mis-information and animosity toward anyone with an opposing view. You'll find plenty of support for that type of thinking here.

Thank God Camelot is over!!!

To Justathought 08, Please do not hide behind your smug CHRISTIAN beliefs! The easiest thing in the world is to say I believe in a higher power. How about all the priests molesting children? Well anyway, the Kennedy's have never been among my favorites. If you look back at history you will see there fortune was made from running ILLEGAL BOOZE! There was a price to pay for JOE'S life and two sons were murdered for it. Ted's dirty money bought him out of a problem with Mary Joe but it could not save him this time. I wonder if the health care he was fighting for would have let him be as comfortable during his last days.

I don't give a rats ass about Kennedy. He was a murderer that never did the time for the crime. You libs are saying we feel this way because we now have a black president?? AND I can't believe you still bring up the previous administration even in response to this article. GIVE IT A REST. Maybe the Bush administration killed Teddy?? Condoleezza slipped something in his beer?? There should be an investigation. LMAO

Please plant this guy before the people who post here elect him as the next KING of the free world.

Entertainers, journalists, politicians when they pass its like the world stopped. What a bunch of self serving, pompous hypocrites. Why do we need weeks of stories about these people. Everyone loses someone in their family at some point, are they any less important than these people? In truth, no they are not. Death is the great equalizer, nobody escapes it and no one takes anything with them. There are many who serve their fellow man with none of the fan fare these self serving people relish and are routinely ignored by the media. Most of our leaders are nothing more than a creation of their handlers and the media who either hypes them or tries to destroy them. I am sorry this man who thought his vision was more relevant than mine has passed, enough already, he was a very imperfect person just like the rest of us! Lets move on.

You hit the nail on the head!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can bet, if the bridge incident happened in the past 5 years, the media would have had a field day with it and America would have known the truth, sooner or later. Back when the bridge incident happened, the media wasn't as strong as it is know and feared the Government. Know the media thinks they are bigger than the government and can make any party, they want, succeed. The Kennedy's were all plagued with extra martial affairs, back to Marilyn Monroe. If people want to forgive them, so be it. I will not. When you choose to be in politics, have money and think you are above the law. You lose. The media made Kennedy who they wanted him to be. To me, he was just another name in the corrupted political world. Problem is now, who is going to keep Obama in his place. This country is going to He|| in a handbag and too many people don't see it.

Your view is limited. Here is the beginning of Senator Kennedy's legislative achievements, starting in 1965, which he continued successfully despite his struggles with alcoholism, and his fear that he would be assassinated, too.

"The first major bill that Senator Kennedy managed on the Senate floor was the Immigration Act of 1965. It was enacted and stood as a major turning point in immigration and civil rights policy because it eliminated discriminatory immigration quotas which favored European immigration, but restricted immigration from other parts of the world. The 1965 Act gave priority to immigrants based on their skills and family relationships. Senator Kennedy also won passage of a bill establishing The National Teacher Corps, which awarded scholarships to college students who agreed to teach for at least two years in economically-distressed rural and urban areas after graduation, a program which continues today. He was also a strong and vocal supporter of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, to end discrimination against minorities in voting. "

That was just the beginning. How does it match up to your resume?

Ted Kennedy was a disaster for the US ... his sponsor of the Immigration Reform bill of 1965 forever changed the face of America from that which the Founding Fathers had envisioned.

JustAThought08......just how limited does a persons view have to be...when that woman died...and Kennedy hid until she was found...that to me speaks volumes...what he may or may not have attained for the rest of his life after that can not ever make up what what he did to that woman...

Ted Kennedy - One girl drowned in an accident in which booze was involved.

George W. Bush - Hundreds of thousands killed in an illegal/immoral "shock & awe"

Anyone care to explain the difference here? One went to trial and was absolved by that trial, and the other has yet to go to trial. No one is above the law.

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". And they all had to walk away.

The difference is that you will go to any lengths to accept the unacceptable, excuse the inexcusable and alibi for your disgraceful compatriots so that they don't look as bad as what they are, and in some sort of bizarre fashion, this acquits your view of the world.

I love how liberals bring up religion when it's convenient. "Our religion" teaches us to forgive....unless it's a republican congressmen....

"Our religion" also teaches "Thou Shall Not Kill", too....

And, I thought liberals despised streotyping and profiling? Where do you get off assuming that every Republican/Conservative is religious???

And, awfton....there's a huge difference between your examples....if you don't get it, therein lies the problem with the liberal mentality. How come your same logic didn't apply to the cowards who flew the planes into the towers? How come your same logic didn't apply to Republican Guard that invaded a soveriegn country? How come your same logic didn't apply to the gassing of the Kurds? The genocide of the Shiites? The maiming of the Iraqi soccer team? Need I go on?

I know why....because hypocracy is the fabric of liberalism

I was young & don't remember much about him killing the pregnant woman (girlfriend?) was it suppose to be his baby? I've never heard that part.

Ralph-

What kind of America do you think our Founding Fathers, who were themselves immigrants, envisioned?

Perhaps a gated community of 50 states?

America was occupied by Native Americans that our Founding Fathers dealt with and then proceeded to claim the US as their own..................I guess they did not realize there might be others who would have the same idea and want to act on it also.

Well, we are a country of immigrants from all over the world..................the vision is that we all live here in peace and work together to make this country the best country in the world.

Not an easy task but definitely doable.....and the Kennedy Clan helped to pave the way for that success, although there is soooo very much left to do. Hopefully we all are up to the task, because I doubt the US will ever be what it was over 200 years ago.....we have evolved and so has society (well a lot of society, anyway) and though change is difficult and many resist it out of fear it is inevitable. Embrace change as the Kennedy's did and watch how much better the US can be.........................just breathe.

The Bush administration had him murdered.

Give the jerk a Senate "CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE" and be done with it.

JustAThought. There are many people that have good values, but when you choose the life the Kennedy's chose, it's a life they chose to live, knowing their evil ways behind them. If you think Kennedy was your hero, so be it. As far as I'm concerned, he was a miserable person in the corrupt world of politics.

And awfton you need to understand life and politics a little more. You try to make people compare a young girls death with War. You don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Senator Kennedy pled guilty and was sentenced for his mistake at Chappaquiddick. He never denied his responsibility for the event.

And I would let God decide what happens in the hereafter, if I were you.

It was a murder, not a mistake!!

My initial feeling about Ted Kennedy's passing is the same as I felt for him all along! Numb!

Death comes to us all and mourning happens for most... but not all. Ted Kennedy was not John Kennedy... nor was he Robert Kennedy. He was on the longest political coattail ride in history... a history that will now be put to rest... I hope.

The first real interest that I had in politics was when he ran that car off of the bridge and then left the scene. Any other person would have been castigated! But the brother of the befallen President and Senator would not be convicted and we never came to know the truth of the whole affair. This made me realise that I was an expendable part in the eyes of justice... and that money and family name was more important in the eyes of the world. (Many thanks to God for having a differing view)

His personal life was a mess, and he must have been working to get his mind off it on a daily basis. Maybe that's why he championed the causes he did. I hope Massachusetts can come up with a decent senator to balance all the years they hoisted his on us. (One with a clear conscience would be good)

I don't cast any dispersions on what his standing before God is. I just know that my emotional impact of his passing is still the same as it was in his living! He doesn't cross my mind unless his name and picture are thrown in front of me.

JustAThough08, you say he was sentenced. To what? Nothing, that's what.

I can't believe that there is some moron out there that believes Kennedy was setup for Chappaquiddick to "derail his presidential bid". It is amazing how we can raise such stupid idiotic people.

JustAThough08, his only sentence was suspended, and the charge was only leaving the scene of an accident. If the average american did that, they would have been charged with vehicular homicide and went to prison. He never admitted what he did and it was not a mistake. He may have sponsered or voted on a lot of laws, but it does not make up for what he did. And some of the laws he sponsered, such as the immigration act, has brought this country to it's knees today as Kennedy was also championing for illegal immigrants who are violating our laws, just like Kennedy did and are bankrupting us.

What makes you people even say when he stands before God, he may not even make it in. To you people that say Bush started an illegal war look back and see how many liberals voted for that. It's like everything is Bush's fault, doesn't that line ever get old with you. He acted on the intel he was provided as did all the liberals who voted to invade Iraq. As for you always bringing Obama and the race card up what part of half white don't you get? You should be more concerned with our economy and lost jobs We are so far in debt we'll never dig our way out and that was your precious Obama who did that. What I would like to know is where do you people think the money is going to come from to pay for all this debt including the illegals. Americans are hurting here and need these jobs. As for you talking about immigrants coming hear if you recall most where legal and came through Ellis Island. They learned our language and wanted to be citizens of the United States not Mexicans living in America. Kennedy and his bill for giving illegals amnesty didn't profit this country one bit, it just put us more in debt paying for them and all their kids, and it keeps rolling on.

JustAthought. Do you even remember the Mary Jo incdident? If you did, you would understand your statement doesn't hold water. He was drinking heavily, he had a young girl named Mary Jo with him. He drove off the side of the bridge, killing her and left the scene. Now you go and do the same exact thing and see what happens to you. Then you will see how politics is corrupt and thinking they are above the law.

For those of you that think Kennedy acted morally that fateful night, here is what happened. Here is some factual script from that era.

"Kennedy contacted several aides that night, but failed to report the incident to the authorities until the car and Kopechne's body were discovered the next morning.^[6]Kopechne's parents said that they learned of their daughter's death from Ted Kennedy himself^[1] before he reported his involvement to the authorities, but that they learned Kennedy had been the driver only from wire press releases some time later"

Doesn't that sound like a moral person after driving off a bridge and killing someone? Really! You can see he called her parents to tell them, but did NOT tell them he was the driver. Pityful.

Not only did he get away with murder once but twice. After all she was with child. But when you have their kind of money you can and he did get away with murder.

Can you provide a credible source that states she was pregnant?

I'm not saying your wrong, but this is the first time I've heard this. (I don't believe it's true)

She was a 19 year old "boiler room" girl, she was drinking and they were likely on they're way to have sex, not an unusual activity for boiler room girls wanting to "make points" with the candidates.

what is sad abut that whole episode is . he kept right on drinking and partying to the point of liver damage. he learned nothing by killing that poor woman. as for his role in history. my look is he is the poster child for term limits. 47 years of spending to the point of bankruptcy. great point in history.

"....he learned nothing by killing that poor woman..."

If you knew what you were talking about, you would know he didn't "kill" anyone.

It obviously makes you feel good to say that, so you say it, without bothering to find out if it is true.

I was 30 at the time of that accident, and being involved in politics myself at that time, I followed the story closely.

Ted Kennedy did not kill anyone, on the night of that terrible accident, Kennedy dived repeatedly in an attempt to get Mary Jo out of the car. He simply was unable to get her out. Finally, knowing she was gone, he gave up.

There's much more to the story, but there is no value in going into it here,

"what is sad abut that whole episode is ....."

........ the man spent 47 years in the U.S. Senate, co-sponsored over 1,000 pieces of legislation and wrote over 300 himself. All of those new laws were designed to help people, ordinary people like you and me, they were not laws designed to help big corporations, or to put money in the pockets of "fat cats", they were laws for" the people", so "what is sad" is ....... the way the cruel, mean spirited people that did not like him dirtied every thread (over 17) posted on the Vine regarding his death, with their vile rhetoric and nasty comments, under the pretext of the "Right to free speech".

Fine, they can exercise that Right, just as Kennedys' friends and colleagues did as they celebrated his life and legacy. Those people, including people like Ex-Presidents, George Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, others like, John McCain, Orin Hatch, and many, many more people of prominence, in addition to the thousands and thousands of ordinary citizens that lined the highways as is funeral procession passed or waited in line to pay their last respects at his wake understood and respected what the man accomplished.

I highlight "respects", because that is a word that has little meaning around this place anymore. Too may people seem to think that when a person dies, it is the right time to spew vile, nasty, unkind rhetoric and cruel, vulgar insults on their memory.

Ya know, I'm sick and tire of all this, tired of dealing with small minded "nobodys", hiding behind pseudo names, banging away at their keyboards, thinking their comments have some meaning to the world.

This outpouring of filth that has been generated by this mans death is indicative of the low life mentality that today, permeates every blog like Newsvine.

It seems no issue can be discussed without vile insults, stupid comments, inanane commentary, asinine ideas and downright nasty rhetoric being used to express ones opinion.

I'm not so sure Newsvine has much of a future. MSNBC brought a cancer to what used to be a wonderful place, and I'm afraid that cancer is terminal. Even without the low life mentality that was imported with MSNBC, the younger generation lacks any degree of civility, they are mean spirited, cruel introverts that have no respect for anything or anyone including themselves.

I don't want to, but I think it may be time for me to hang up my keyboard, walk away from all this bull$hit and find something constructive to do.

The thing I remember most about Ted Kennedy was that he was a drunkard and as I watched in disbelief as he tried to explain how he drove off the Chappaquiddick bridge and left a young woman in his car to drown

I don't know what you "watched in disbelief", because that is not what happened.

In the first place he was not a "drunkard", he drank, lots of people did in those days, he was at a party that was being thrown for the "boiler room" workers that are the backbone of political campaigns.

He did not Leave a young woman in his car to drown. That's what you want to believe, so that's what you believe. If you wanted to know the truth, you would research your information.

The truth is, Kennedy dove numerous times in a attempt to get her out of the car. He just couldn't save her. Now, you can argue, and you probably will, that's he lied about trying to save her, but why would he have to do that?

If you or I, or anyone were in that situation, any of us would instinctively want to get help some, anyone, that was trapped in a car underwater. It would be a natural reaction. In his case, I'm sure he was thinking, "I have to get her out!" And, I'm sure he tried. To argue otherwise is ridicules.

As far as the subsequent events, your comment grossly understates what happened, and you did that just to make your opinion look good to other people that agree with your politics.

I don't think what Ted Kennedy did that night was right, but for different reasons.

The truth is, he did lie, not about trying to save her, but about why he was there in the first place. He didn't take a wrong turn, I was in politics myself at one time, and I know a little about "boiler room girls". He knew exactly where he was going, but he couldn't tell the truth about that, or he would have had to explain why a 37 year old married man, was taking a 19 year old "boiler room" girl to a secluded place to have sex! What good would that truth have done?! Cause her already distraught parents additional grief?! Do further damage to his already damaged political career?!

If you want to disparage someone whose politics you don't agree with, at least tell the truth.

What did he do? He got away with killing a young girl.

amen!!!!!!!!!

Come on...give him some credit. I just read today that his greatest political achievement in his 47 years as a Senator was the "No Child Left Behind" Bill. Yes that's right, while we heard all about how that was Bush and it was bad, now that Ted is dead, the media finally admits that Ted wrote the bill and it was his.

Ironic how Bush took the blame for Ted's greatest political achievement.

Minimum wage bill, access to all public buildings for the handicapped via ramps, there are sooo many bills that were chaired by him that yes, they were good. Unfortunately, his stupid drunkin accident that killed that woman will forever over shadow the GOOD that he did do. He must face his maker now and none of us here on earth, unless you are ALL absolutely perfect and have never made a single mistake in your entire life, or have never had one too many and drove home anyway, where I'm guessing there are not many. You have no right to judge another unless you judge yourself first.

The American with Disability Act is the biggest BS act ever.

you know what i think of. that poor girl who suffocated in a air pocket while he went and took a shower and drank coffee. then has the gaul to keep on boozing to the point of liver damage. he is the poster child for term limits on congress.

are you stoned or just plain stupid?

Chappaquiddick - Makes me wonder, when Lame Laura Bush killed a man because she ran a stop sign, did anyone test her for drinking? Since her idiot husband was no doubt drunk at that time, maybe Lame Laura was too? OR was her idiot husband in the car with her, for example did she take the heat for her idiot husband?

The key word here is.......may. She may be alive today. I don't excuse anything, I don't pretend to know what transpired that night. I do know that whether you are willing to admit it or not, he has done a great deal of good work for our nation. I know it, and many of his political opponents know and acknowledge it, the fact that you don't does not negate it.

KENNETH PHOENIX POSTED THE MOST INTELLIGENT STATEMENT HERE! The Bible REPEATEDLY instructs us NOT to judge. May God rest his soul. He wanted the health bill to pass and that would be a fitting final monument to his legacy of helping people in need. EVERYBODY NEEDS HEALTH INSURANCE!

I wish he would have taken a bunch of the liberal elite with him.

I have a feeling if he didn't make real peace with his maker, justice is being served on teddy right now...

If I do, I'll roast marshmallows with you!

Pard4u2, Why don't you tell all the Bush and Fox news bashers that? At least on Fox they give you both sides unlike all the other news media's. I'm sure on all the liberal news channels we'll hear about Saint Kennedy for weeks. Please just spare us all.

John and Bobby???? You mean the last guys who saw Marilyn Monroe alive?? those two who shared the same high-profile trollop?? (allegedly). And their wonderful brother who left a young girl to die in an icy river???? Seems like killing promising young ladies runs in the family. Good riddance to bad rubbish...and I agree with bleat on...there is a LOT of dirt in that family, you don't condone rape and lie for your nephew, you don't leave girls in cars in rivers, and you don't introduce powerful potentially deadly drugs up a young lady's rectum to avoid being found to have murdered her. Good men...pah. You have very low standards.

there is a LOT of dirt in that family,

Not as much dirt, filth, disrespect, vulgar, trash mouthed, low life garbage, as the Right Wingers have displayed on these threads.

Think about it Jerry, why would Ted Kennedy repetitively lie about "taking a wrong turn" to nowhere that night back in 1969. The right way to the ferry terminal was well marked, including reflectors.

Why did he not knock on the doors of nearby homes for help, just one phone call needed for professional help, help the could have saved her life? Then why would Mr Kennedy hide out, waiting around until 10:00 the next morning to report his accident to the police?

If I were her parents, I would have left the country.

I have thought about it karen, I followed the story very closely at the time it happened, as I was involved in politics myself at the time, and I think what happened was terrible and Kennedy was in the wrong.

The reason he lied about making a "wrong turn" is because he was 37 year old politician on his way to have sex (in the back of a car) with a 19 year old "boiler room" girl.

He did try to get her out of the car, according to the stores I read at the time, but was unable to save her. He didn't knock on any doors because he knew she could not be saved, and he probably was in shock (I would have been).

I have never thought what Kennedy did after the accident was right, it was obvious then, as it is now that he was trying to protect his political image when he delayed reporting the incident. However, the notion that his actions caused her death is completely wrong, as proved by the investigation.

What I take exception to, is the behavior and the language used on these (18 or 20) threads that have been posted regarding Kennedy in the past few days.

Regardless of the mans behavior on that terrible night, it seems the constituents of Massachusetts and his colleagues in Congress have forgiven him for what he did. He has served this country and his State for over 47 years and has had an indelible impact on every important social legislation passed during his tenure in the Senate.

I, at one time, disliked the man intensely, however, his valiant and constant battle to effect some kind of health care reform has caused me to view him in a different light.

The vile, cruel and vicious language that has been displayed on Newsvine vilify this man have sickened me. It is one thing to disagree with someones politics, and another to engage in vicious rhetoric to defame them.

"The vile, cruel and vicious language that has been displayed on Newsvine vilify this man have sickened me. It is one thing to disagree with someones politics, and another to engage in vicious rhetoric to defame them."

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Yeah Jerry, I agree with you on the repetitive foul language but to state the obvious, an article titled: "Readers on Kennedy: Chappaquiddick, Passion" is expected to generate some extreme anger.

To state the obvious, this comes from the "have nots" hate of the "haves" in our society, especially when the "haves" are career politicians living off the public dime. Those one or two line "zingers" of viciousness appear routinely on most Newsvines, especially anything that involves crime, political double standards, and money. I just read past the hate and look for substance. Speaking of substance, please consider another view that says it better than I can. Check out posting # 241 and 243 by Art Phillips. In my eyes, Kennedy himself lived like a glutten throughout his life, the political paradigm shifting a little after Chappaquiddick. His soft spot for the disadvantaged came from his own developmentally disadvantaged sister.