MAY TEDDY KENNEDY REST IN PEACE

There is no doubt that your Commander rarely agreed with the positions espoused by Senator Teddy Kennedy, but I would be hypocritical if I did not agree that he was a significant force in our government for many years. Since his long anticipated passing last week the airwaves have been dominated by coverage of every aspect (both good and bad) of his seventy-seven years.

As a subscriber to a television insider newsletter called "Newsbluezette," I found its Editor’s comments about the coverage to be interesting and on the spot. Referring to Boston TV and cable news outlets he said’ “…they are deep into all-hands-on-deck, balls-to-the-wall, round-the-clock smotherage of the death, private memorial, and funeral of Senator Edward Kennedy.”

Also my local newspaper ran an interesting poll:

“For what will Sen. Ted Kennedy be most remembered?”

Campaign for presidency – 0%
Efforts at health care reform – 18%
Youngest son in prominent political family – 16%
Chappaquiddick – 67%

Frankly, I was a little surprised by that poll’s results, but I guess that in this time in our history we tend to be more interested in a person’s shortcomings rather than their achievements. The August 29th Washington Post ran an extensive story with a headline “He Remains the Man MANY Love to Loathe.” They pulled no punches in reviewing his many indiscressions along with his legislative initiatives.

There is no doubt that Teddy was dealt a very heavy burden with the tragic passage of sisters and brothers as well as the heavy handed reputation of his legendary Father. It is not my role to judge Teddy Kennedy, because in meeting his Maker final judgment has been rendered.

It is an interesting coincidence of history that Teddy’s funeral celebration started on the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech forty-six years ago. (8/28/63)

I sometimes wonder why there are so many devout liberals who happen to come from very financially well-off families or have achieved mega-financial independence. Just consider a few such as John Kerry, David Rockefeller, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Bobby Kennedy. One wonders if they feel guilty for being so privileged and try to make up for that guilt with their liberal causes. I also suggest that you do not see those liberals living within the poor or under-privileged communities, because they go home each night to enclaves of privacy, security, and the good life. Hyannis Port is certainly not a hang-out for the poor or minorities.

Hopefully, Congress will take to heart the fact that Teddy Kennedy was historically willing to reach compromises to secure passage of important legislation. He was willing to take baby steps to reach his goals and that approach certainly is most appropriate to achieve improvement of the pending Health Care legislation. If, in fact, true, bipartisan compromises can be reached and a palatable Health Care Bill passed, Teddy’s legacy just might be properly embossed in the history of our great nation.

Teddy paid a heavy price for his behavior and he was an imperfect human being, just like all of us. To have lived for over one year with the full knowledge that he had inoperative brain cancer must have been hell on earth. It is now time for all of us (his supporters and opposition) to extend deepest sympathy to his family and to say…REST IN PEACE.

COMMANDER GRANGER