Remembering a Giant

The period of National Morning has begun, and US Flags on all Federal Buildings and Post Offices have been ordered flown at half staff by the President. The funeral plans have been announced by the family and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (d) Mass. will be buried with his brother's John and Robert at Arlington National Cemetery.

Regardless of your political leanings or what you believe happened that faithful night at Chappaquiddick one thing is certain, Senator Edward M. Kennedy was a Giant when it came to anything that happened in Washington for pretty much the last half century. He came from a family that arguably was the closest thing our country has come to Royalty since George Washington turned down the crown after accepting the surrender of the British. Like his brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy who both fell to assassins bullets in the 1960's he has fought the good fight, and regardless of what anyone else thought. If he believed in something he went after it with every fiber of his being and over his career in politics accomplished many of his goals. His last battle was one he has been waging for many years; the right of all American's to have health care.

Listening to Mr. Rush Limbaugh this morning (Wednesday August 26, 2009) the generally pontificating conservative talk show host spoke with great reverence to Senator Kennedy saying something along these lines. Ironically he fell ill to a serious illness that caused him to have to use the best health care system available in the world, sparing no cost. Of course he would want no less for anyone else. The battle to win health care for all Americans carries on, and perhaps someday it will be won. Whatever we end up with should not be a disgrace to his memory. There is no doubt however his good name will be used for political gain to pass something. Mr. Limbaugh had predicted that upon the Senator's passing that the vulchers would circle and attempt to make political hay out of the misfortune of their fallen colleague. I can recall after the passing of Senator of Paul Wellstone Minnesota in October of 2002 a memorial service was held and it became so politicized that members of Senator Wellstone’s family were so offended they got up and left. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa led a roaring crowd in a chorus of "Let's do it for Paul" that included a list of everything but the kitchen sink. I was offended and I only saw a clip. I cannot even imagine the agony and embarrassment felt by the family.

The Senator's long bout with brain cancer has been no secret and this day has been coming for many months. Media outlets have had ample time to put together exposes about his life and have them at the ready. They started running some of them within minutes of the announcement that he had died. . Likely these tributes will go on for days, and no doubt television movies about his life will follow. While it is a good thing for us to remember our fallen leaders, it is also good to give some respect to their family and friends. Constant coverage, interviews, etc. can only victimize people who are going through the grieving process. Yes it is true they can turn off the television or not watch the news, but why should they have to be a part of it themselves? A 24 hour news cycle offers no real excuse here. People should be afforded the respect they deserve, and the American people really deserve the same.
I have no doubt that he was a good man. I believe whatever happened at Chappaquiddick forty years ago was not an intentional act; even though the Senator may well bear responsibility, he expressed great sorry and remorse for the loss. Mary Jo Kopechne's death cannot be undone and whatever judgment is to be found has now come to pass. Senator Kennedy’s life has been in no way perfect since that night, but he has unquestionably done a substantial amount of good. I sincerely hope that both families will find peace in due time.

While my political views are for the most part diametrically opposed to Senator Kennedy's having a voice on the other side who can present a passionate argument allows for reasonable people to find common ground that can be made acceptable for all people. No one can be right all of the time, and generally speaking no one is ever completely right any of the time. There is always a second or third approach to a problem that will achieve the same or a reasonable end. Usually the difference ends up being cost or time or both. People talk at each other and not too each other far too much. Little children don't like to share their toys and chairmen of committees rarely ever want to share their gavels. If one thing can be learned from Senator Kennedy it is that if you truly want to get something accomplished you must work with someone across the aisle not against them. He did that, not often, but when he did some important things happened. That is not that is happening right now with this Health Care debate. In his memory perhaps folks on both sides of the isle can come back from their break and be truly bi-partisan. Maybe that way something good might actually happen.