For the good he did, Title Nine and getting the vote for 18 year olds who could die but not vote, and a lot more, Ted Kennedy is also tied to Chappaquiddick by those of us old enough to remember.

It’s Chappaquiddick.
Not Chapaquitic.

Polarizing? for sure. He even got under Jimmy Carter’s skin.

“If Kennedy runs, I’ll whip his ass.”

But he knew MA politics and voters and rainmakers. He got things done. He was a kingmaker in the Senate.

How long will it take for the cable newsers to start dredging up his past escapades? Since I don’t watch, I don’t know, but I’m guessing it’s happening now.

Will NBC give Ted Kennedy the same treatment as Tim Russert? Probably not. Remember Senator Edward Kennedy was the definition of liberal, and mainstream media already classified (wrongly) as having the same political bias.

No matter how many troubles you have, none – NONE – compare to what the Ted Kennedy family has endured.

• Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr.  Killed in action in the second world war.
• Rosemary Kennedy – institutionalized from failed lobotomy
• John F. Kennedy – assassinated
• Robert Kennedy – assassinated

Forget about the extended family grief and problems. And yet, there has never been a hint of bitterness what our “civilized” society has done to the Kennedys and said about the Kennedys.

They continue to serve.

For that we are very lucky as a nation.

(comments are closed because I won’t be able to tolerate the venom this post might generate.)