SoCalHoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
No es bueno
Posts: 1,313
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Post by SoCalHoya on May 21, 2008 11:16:38 GMT -5
We're also (I hope) judged on the totality of our life and not an individual incident. For all his failings, Senator Kennedy has done good for many Americans during his years of public service. And in any event, none of us have the power or right to judge. Well, if you're going to go about it that way, killing someone is a pretty big negative. Yeah, ask current First Lady Laura Bush. |
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by Boz on May 21, 2008 11:24:33 GMT -5
Hey, I am more or less opposed to everything Ted Kennedy stands for. And I think his bombast about the Bush administration is highly inappropriate (at best) for someone who wishes to be considered an elder statesman of the nation.
(just my opinion, you don't have to agree with me)
Having said that, I do respect that his has been a life of dedicated public service to his country. I don't agree with him, I may not even like him (or his public persona, since I don't know him), but that is deserving of the utmost admiration. And I feel sorry for him and his family, no matter what his past indiscretions may have been.
I do think it's tragic when a life has to end, regardless of whether it's 78 or 3 (or much younger). It is not an unnatural death, though modern medicine is making the term "natural death" nearly obsolete, and he has much to be grateful for. These are all good things, but it is still sad. I hope he is given as much time as possible in comfort to settle his life, say goodbye to his family and loved ones and make his peace. It looks like he could have anywhere from one to three years and that is more time than a lot of people get to do those things.
(As for bi-partisan commisseration, I recall that a LOT of people had only mostly negative things to say about Strom Thurmond when he died. Yes, he was a segregationist and, yes, some of his speeches from the 40s sound like downright hate speech by todays standards, even if they were not that outlandish for the times. But if you look at the whole of that man's life, he dedicated more of himself to his country than any 50 other people combined. And yet Trent Lott gets eviscerated for saying a kind word at his 100th birthday party and people excoriated him after his death as a hateful anachronism. I just thought that should be pointed out whenever someone has something snarky to say about Ted Kennedy.)
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Elvado
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,080
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Post by Elvado on May 21, 2008 11:29:39 GMT -5
It was appropriately sickening to watch that Old KKK member Byrd tear up. Should have worn his sheet to make his tribute.
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Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
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Post by Bando on May 21, 2008 11:30:59 GMT -5
At least he won't die alone in the bottom of a car while his drunken killer swims away to sober up. You stay classy, Elvado. |
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Elvado
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by Elvado on May 21, 2008 12:03:29 GMT -5
If classy means shedding crocodile tears for a loathsome creature, no thanks. If it means lining up with Robert KKK Byrd to lionize the old liberal clown, no thanks. Think I'll say a prayer for those who have died young, like Mary Jo Kopechne.
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DFW HOYA
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by DFW HOYA on May 21, 2008 12:06:54 GMT -5
No issues with Sen. Byrd's remarks. Byrd and Kennedy have been friends for 45 years, even though Byrd actively campaigned against JFK in the 1960 WV primary. But confined to a chair instead of standing on the Senate floor, and remembering his late wife in the speech (who died just before their 70th anniversary), the show of emotion was altogehter understandable.
Byrd is really the last of the old guard that used to domiante the Senate, and with Kennedy's illness, Warner's returement, and Spector's ongoing health issues, the thoughts of a 90 year old Senator (who became a Senator the year John McCain graduated from college) has to weigh heavily at moments like that.
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Elvado
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by Elvado on May 21, 2008 12:11:36 GMT -5
Once you get past the fact that he belonged to the Klan, he's a hell of a guy....
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TBird41
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
"Roy! I Love All 7'2" of you Roy!"
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Post by TBird41 on May 21, 2008 12:26:46 GMT -5
No issues with Sen. Byrd's remarks. Byrd and Kennedy have been friends for 45 years, even though Byrd actively campaigned against JFK in the 1960 WV primary. But confined to a chair instead of standing on the Senate floor, and remembering his late wife in the speech (who died just before their 70th anniversary), the show of emotion was altogehter understandable. Byrd is really the last of the old guard that used to domiante the Senate, and with Kennedy's illness, Warner's returement, and Spector's ongoing health issues, the thoughts of a 90 year old Senator (who became a Senator the year John McCain graduated from college) has to weigh heavily at moments like that. Well, you've still got Sen. Inouye from Hawaii and Sen. Stevens from Alaska, both of whom entered the Senate in the 1960s. They're pretty old too |
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kchoya
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by kchoya on May 21, 2008 12:55:23 GMT -5
Well, if you're going to go about it that way, killing someone is a pretty big negative. Yeah, ask current First Lady Laura Bush. Did she get drunk drive off a bridge and leave a young lady to die? I missed that one. |
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Post by Frank Black on May 21, 2008 13:16:46 GMT -5
I am opposed to Ted Kennedy's politics, across the board, and I think he has a lot to answer for. But this is not the time to discuss this. In all likelihood, none of you have any idea the hell that awaits Ted Kennedy and his family. Brain disease is a living hell, and I wouldn't wish it upon anybody. So please, save the invective for a more appropriate time.
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Elvado
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by Elvado on May 21, 2008 13:24:33 GMT -5
I'll save the invective, if others will save the praise.
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Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
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Post by Bando on May 21, 2008 14:49:42 GMT -5
Once you get past the fact that he belonged to the Klan, he's a hell of a guy.... Similarly for the Pope and the Hitler Youth, too. See, I can be as big an Edited as you! |
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Elvado
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by Elvado on May 21, 2008 14:54:27 GMT -5
Bigger. Can't you see the inherent difference between the Hitler "Youth" which Ratzinger wasplaced in as a child, and the Klan which Byrd joined as an adult?
Of course you can't, you dolt.
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Bando
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
I've got some regrets!
Posts: 2,431
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Post by Bando on May 21, 2008 15:06:23 GMT -5
Of course I can. I just wanted to see what it was like blatantly flame the HoyaTalk board as an outlet for my sanctimonious preening. I can see why you like it so much!
On another note, Byrd did just endorse the black guy for president.
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Elvado
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
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Post by Elvado on May 21, 2008 15:10:57 GMT -5
I believe in equal time. Frankly I'm shocked that so many people want to praise a known murderer like Senator Kennedy. To keep it balanced, I'll remind them of who he really is.
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by Boz on May 21, 2008 15:37:47 GMT -5
I blame Dan for posting such a clearly parochial Boston news item.
;D
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