After a beautiful, heartfelt tribute from his niece, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, and a majestic filmed tribute, Senator Edward M. Kennedy was introduced to the Democratic National Convention tonight. Unless you've been off the planet the last six months, you know that Sen. Kennedy is fighting a brain tumor that typically takes the life of those who are stricken with it within a year. There was a lot of speculation about the Senator's attendance at the convention, and if he were able to appear, whether he would be able to speak. He answered both questions powerfully.
At 76 years of age, with a miserably bad back that causes him to stoop and keeps him from raising his arms above his shoulders, and just a short time removed from brain cancer surgery, Teddy was awesome. He again lent the Kennedy imprimatur to Barack Obama. The Old Lion of the Senate and the party roared out the great theme of his legislative life: healthcare for every American. He invoked his brother's inaugural speech in calling for the passing of the torch to yet another generation of American leader. He was strong. He was clear. He was Ted.
I will readily confess that I cried throughout Caroline's speech, the film, Teddy's speech and his farewell as his children, nieces and nephews and all of their children crowded the stage around him. Any realistic reading of his prognosis suggests that this will be the last time that Ted Kennedy will rally the Democratic faithful in convention. We can hope and pray for better, and, after all, I didn't think he would make this one. But the Kennedy name has been The Name in Democratic politics longer than I have been alive. Ted Kennedy has been in the United States Senate since the year after I was born. He couldn't go earlier, when President Kennedy left the seat upon his election to the Presidency, because he wasn't old enough yet. I cannot imagine our country, and certainly not my party, without him.
He has done more for the unemployed, the working poor, the old, the young, those without healthcare, the immigrant, the disabled, minorities, women, and any other downtrodden person you would care to name, than any other person in this country, period. He has taken seriously his obligation as a privileged man to work for the good of others. He is reckoned by many as the greatest Senator in the history of our country.
Ted Kennedy is anathema to the right wing. They raise great amounts of money off of his name to this day. But they raise that money from people who do not want others to succeed, or find assistance. Ted is the boogeyman to everyone who wants to keep the minimum wage below a living wage; who wants to abuse their employees by witholding healthcare; who wants to be able to discriminate in hiring and firing; who wants to keep poor children poor by denying them an equal start; who wants to throw the elderly to the wolves; who thinks that disabled people don't deserve to have lives. He wears that great label, "Liberal," as the badge of honor that it is. Ted has room for all people, and believes that government should always, always, always act in the interest of those having trouble making their way.
He is not perfect. Everyone knows that. But Ted Kennedy has served this country well. He has fought for those who couldn't fight for themselves. And he will be one of my heroes as long as I live.
At 76 years of age, with a miserably bad back that causes him to stoop and keeps him from raising his arms above his shoulders, and just a short time removed from brain cancer surgery, Teddy was awesome. He again lent the Kennedy imprimatur to Barack Obama. The Old Lion of the Senate and the party roared out the great theme of his legislative life: healthcare for every American. He invoked his brother's inaugural speech in calling for the passing of the torch to yet another generation of American leader. He was strong. He was clear. He was Ted.
I will readily confess that I cried throughout Caroline's speech, the film, Teddy's speech and his farewell as his children, nieces and nephews and all of their children crowded the stage around him. Any realistic reading of his prognosis suggests that this will be the last time that Ted Kennedy will rally the Democratic faithful in convention. We can hope and pray for better, and, after all, I didn't think he would make this one. But the Kennedy name has been The Name in Democratic politics longer than I have been alive. Ted Kennedy has been in the United States Senate since the year after I was born. He couldn't go earlier, when President Kennedy left the seat upon his election to the Presidency, because he wasn't old enough yet. I cannot imagine our country, and certainly not my party, without him.
He has done more for the unemployed, the working poor, the old, the young, those without healthcare, the immigrant, the disabled, minorities, women, and any other downtrodden person you would care to name, than any other person in this country, period. He has taken seriously his obligation as a privileged man to work for the good of others. He is reckoned by many as the greatest Senator in the history of our country.
Ted Kennedy is anathema to the right wing. They raise great amounts of money off of his name to this day. But they raise that money from people who do not want others to succeed, or find assistance. Ted is the boogeyman to everyone who wants to keep the minimum wage below a living wage; who wants to abuse their employees by witholding healthcare; who wants to be able to discriminate in hiring and firing; who wants to keep poor children poor by denying them an equal start; who wants to throw the elderly to the wolves; who thinks that disabled people don't deserve to have lives. He wears that great label, "Liberal," as the badge of honor that it is. Ted has room for all people, and believes that government should always, always, always act in the interest of those having trouble making their way.
He is not perfect. Everyone knows that. But Ted Kennedy has served this country well. He has fought for those who couldn't fight for themselves. And he will be one of my heroes as long as I live.
1 comment:
I cried too. Then I blogged.
I hope mine is as good as yours.
Barbara
http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com/
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