Politics | 02/21/2009 5:00 am
Margo Howard: 'Here's To You, Teddy'
© AP
I have been following a multi-part series about Ted Kennedy running in his and my hometown paper, the Boston Globe. It is the prelude to a book about him called “The Last Lion.”
I, like you, have known about Ted Kennedy for decades. Even though the newspaper series is only now at the halfway point, I am, for the first time, persuaded that he is a truly great man.
Forget the booze, the babes, Chappaquiddick … the whole inventory of things you could enter in his debit ledger. The man has greatness to him, as a legislator and as a human being. Whether he got there as atonement I have no way of knowing. My guess would be no, because many of us would like to make amends for some horrendous action, but greatness is seldom available to us.
There is something poignant, at least for me, about only now beginning to understand and appreciate Ted Kennedy’s larger than life significance. It pleases me to now understand and give the man his due, perhaps because, though ill, he is still alive, and although I do not know him and cannot tell him, it does something for my spirit to acknowledge his greatness while he still walks among us. It is somehow more legitimate and meaningful than to come to this conclusion only after seeing him in the rear view mirror.
So here’s to you, Teddy. I think you may have been the most important Kennedy of all. Godspeed.
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Dear Margo: When Dad/Gramps Just Ain't Interested
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I heard about the book The Last Lion, and I’m looking forward to reading it. I have always respected Ted Kennedy. He always seemed to be a walking contradiction. The alcohol and women (I believed) were nothing more than a distraction for deep seated issues he was struggling with as it relates to his father and brother John. Possibly issues with his role in the family and the responsibilities laid on his shoulders. Expectations of what his father wanted him to be.
But through it all I always read that he took his role in the senate seriously. That politics for him was a true passion. He seems to be a complex and interesting man. I only pray that he makes it through this rough chapter of his life and that better times lie ahead for him.psychology?
Teddy is a tale of redemption. The baby of the family who inherited an obligation to be a support for the families of his murdered brothers, he has done well. In taking on the responsibilites of the fatherless children he chose the right way. He grew up and took responsibility and contributed to the country as a Senator.
Anyone who was around in the sixties or seventies can see that he outlived his useless playboy stage. I think the Kopechne family have probably forgiven him. He comes from an addictive family which is pretty evident by now. Addiction to drugs, alcohol, fame or sex is not unusual. Most ordinary people do not have to answer for every mistake they make in life.
I admire him for what he has done in the last 30 plus years. I hope he can survive his brain tumor problems but if not he will be missed in the Senate and by his family.
It is a sorry day as the Kennedy Brothers are nearly gone. Teddy has been an exemplary spokesperson for John and Bobby, and a pillar for the entire Kennedy tribe. I feel grateful to have lived and gotten to experience each one as they have contributed well, to the life and journey of this great country.
It is only fitting, I believe to salute Ted Kennedy for all the years he has given us, and all the positive he has done as a Senator, and as a human being.
Of course, we acknowledge he made a mess of things when he was younger. I don’t know what else to say, except, I feel certain his has been a heavy cross to bear. He carried it well, however.
Such a life of dedication to both his family and his country. I am grateful for him.
Thanks, Senator Kennedy! God’s Blessings along the way.
Each of us is faced with forgiving at some time or other. It isn’t easy to do because it is difficult to forget some things, and our natures don’t easily permit leniency. But Teddy has earned my forgiveness. I must admire him now, and in my book, I consider him a great man.
This sounds like a eulogy.
He’s not dead yet.
I haven’t heard anyone come out and say he’s got x months to live.
Au contraire mon cher ami B. Clark. I don’t find the postings sound like a eulogy at all. Because the condition of Senator Kennedy is so very fragile and uncertain at the moment, the tone of the postings are therefore composed very delicately and tenderly with hope the situation may improve. Could it be your readings are influenced by some melancholy feeling you are experiencing? Sometimes any music we hear turns out to be “sad songs“. It all depends how we feel when we listen to it. I feel the messages are sincere and encouraging. I trust that if he reads them he will accept them as warm wishes from his genuine admirers.
Thank you Margo for the link to this informative article…
As I attempted to say earlier, I’m a regular listener to Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s radio program "Ring of Fire". He’s an apple that didn’t fall far from the tree.
Happy Birthday, Senator Kennedy! [I love it that he shares a birthday with George Washington.]
I will never forget a day in 1975 when I was walking down a street in Berkeley and glanced across the street and saw Ted Kennedy walking down the street. I was awestruck. [He was visiting the law school and was ducking out for lunch.] That he is devoted to get a universal health care bill passed this year makes him all the more wonderful.