Meet The Real Teddy Kennedy
The Daily Mail headline says it all: Ted Kennedy: The Senator of Sleaze who was a drunk sexual bully...and left a young woman to die. The article says a whole lot more.
Meet The Real Teddy Kennedy
The Daily Mail headline says it all: Ted Kennedy: The Senator of Sleaze who was a drunk sexual bully...and left a young woman to die. The article says a whole lot more.
My, my, I would love to see the reaction to this article in Boston. In that part of the country, the Kennedy clan is royalty, and one dare not criticize them.
The way it happened is a shame, but at least Ted Kennedy is finally out of politics. Of course, the inner circle will probably put another Kennedy clan member into his seat...
bradley13 at August 27, 2009 12:17 AM
Anyone remember enough details to know if this passage is correct?
It was nine hours before he reported the accident. In the meantime, he walked back to his motel, complained to the manager about a noisy party, took a shower, went to sleep, ordered newspapers when he woke up and spoke to a friend and two lawyers before finally calling the police.
Crid [CridComment @ gmail] at August 27, 2009 12:29 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/08/27/meet_the_real_t.html#comment-1664977">comment from Crid [CridComment @ gmail]From CBS News:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/26/national/main5267991_page2.shtml
Amy Alkon at August 27, 2009 12:41 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/08/27/meet_the_real_t.html#comment-1664978">comment from Amy AlkonCheck him oiling his way out:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5268078n&tag=contentMain;contentBody
A car goes off a bridge, but a known lush isn't drunk, and he supposedly goes back to get two friends to dive for the cops instead of the police, and those two friends go right along with him instead of calling the cops. And it's "some awful curse" rather than a callous drunk who cares nothing for anyone but himself. And then, in the morning, he calls for legal advice before he calls the cops. Why anyone ever voted for anything but a jail term for this scumbag is beyond me.
I read speculation that she had two hours of air in that car. Imagine the horror, if that was you, and you were conscious while help never came and never came and never came. Utterly reprehensible.
Amy Alkon at August 27, 2009 12:49 AM
"And it's "some awful curse" rather than a callous drunk who cares nothing for anyone but himself."
Yup. And if I read one more "liberal lion" quote I just might barf.
I almost did after reading this monumental rat turd from the Los Angeles Times:
"Sen. Kennedy's death leaves a void that won't be filled"
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-kennedy-mcmanus27-2009aug27,0,6025960.story
Feebie at August 27, 2009 12:59 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2009/08/27/meet_the_real_t.html#comment-1664981">comment from Feebie"Sen. Kennedy's death leaves a void that won't be filled"
So did Mary Jo Kopechne's.
Amy Alkon at August 27, 2009 1:16 AM
The Daily Mail calling someone sleazy is pretty funny... I was taught better manners than this. Maybe you should write a book about manners, Amy. Oh, um, never mind.
Disappointed,
B
Brian Linse at August 27, 2009 1:23 AM
Apparently it's true: only the good die young.
Here's a trivia question: before Teddy, who was the last Kennedy to die of natural causes, and when did it happen? (No, I don't know the answer.)
Rex Little at August 27, 2009 1:28 AM
Anyone remember enough details to know if this passage is correct?
I don't personally remember the incident, but I have read enough different sources and this is a fair representation of the facts. The detaila vary: why he went to the friends, what he did there, etc. But he definitely abandoned the car and the police were definitely informed hours later.
Given the nature of the accident and the undisputed fact that he was often drunk, it is widely assumed that he needed the time to sober up before the police saw him.
bradley13 at August 27, 2009 5:47 AM
Rex, his sister Eunice passed away a couple of weeks ago.
Sara at August 27, 2009 6:37 AM
It has long been known that Ted was a cheater, liar, drunken lush and murderer. He is the embodiment of what’s wrong in American politics. The very idea that he was the ethics committee chairman in the senate for all those years was a direct slap in the face of all Americans. We fought a revolution to rid ourselves of a monarchy and ended up with one anyway.
This man never earned our respect and I’m sure as hell not going to give it to him now. Good riddance and let’s all hope the imbeciles in Massachusetts finally get over their love affair for all things Kennedy.
ED at August 27, 2009 6:39 AM
I for one can't wait till the name Kennedy is gone with the wind.
momof4 at August 27, 2009 6:59 AM
"Instead of "Lion of the Senate", it should be "Lyin' in the Senate". (quote from Roger Kimball)
Nick at August 27, 2009 7:24 AM
while I agree with Brian about manners, the fact remains, Mary Jo is dead at the hands of Ted Kennedy. I am not old enough to have been around when it happened but I am old enough to have been indoctrinated into the Kennedy myth. (Several of my teachers idolized all things Kennedy and it showed in their lesson plans.) My parents knew the truth and cared enough to pass it along to me.
One side of my family is old enough and influential enough to have run in the same social circles as the Kennedy's. The man was a lush. The man was a sexual deviant and he DID kill Mary Jo. There is NO getting around that. He didn't show remorse for it and it was/is taboo to bring it up. It was/is the white elephant in the room.
I remember reading a study done by forensic scientists commissioned by an interested party. (It's out there if you care enough to dig for it.) Mary Jo had air in the car and she did suffer for approx. two hours. (The air bubble was in the back end.) When her corpse was brought up, her hands where curled up in the position one would use to claw at something. They were also scraped up. There is very little doubt that she did attempt to get out. There were scratches on the back portion of the car. (where the windshield meets the car.)
The poor woman was awake almost the entire time. (Unlike what some ppl believe that she was unconscious from booze etc...) It is theorized that she was on her knees, still clawing at the window, when she died. Such was the position of the body when found. (She was on her side; The water may have floated her on her side, or when the car was jostled, she may have fallen over.)
Her knees where also bruised from the ceiling of the car. From what I read, the bruises were not believed to be postmortem, but this can't really be confirmed, except from photos. The scientists did not have access to her corpse at any time. They did a reconstruction and took testimony from eye witnesses, the autopsy report, and I believe the coroner also told his account. They tried to get accounts from everyone involved, from start to finish, to make the study as accurate as possible. It was not biased in anyway.
The story he told about her being passed out does not wash, and if she was, she awoke very soon after the car went in the water. Very probably the impact was enough to wake her up. The force of it was enough to a woman her size and weight.
There also have been a couple computer simulations done based on the evidence, the position of the car, the body, etc... No way does the "story" Kennedy told holds up against any simulation. They have tried to recreate it based on just what he said, but they can't.
There is no doubt in my mind, that if this had happened in the last ten or so years, Ted Kennedy would have died in prison. The evidence would have convicted him and no amount of $ or influence would have saved him. In this culture that we have know, the press would have taken delight in bringing him down. I still remember the fiasco of the cousins rape trial. I was young enough to be more interested in cartoons than the "news". It saturated everything.
I can't help but wonder if he, in his last days, felt that his tumor was some sort of cosmic justice. To die from cancer is a horrible to go. Almost as bad as drowning in the back of a submerged car. His death was slower and more painful, but in no way, could it have equaled the mental anguish that poor woman must have gone through.
Everyone should know exactly what happened, both his story, and the facts as modern science has interpreted them. People can make up their own minds about what happened. It should be taught right alongside the Kennedy family story. Mary Jo does not deserve to be forgotten for as long as his name is not forgotten by the public. Maybe even longer. She is just as much a part of his "legacy" than any piece of politics he's done. So no, I don't get upset when this is brought up, and neither should anyone else. It is not rude or ill mannered.
Truth at August 27, 2009 7:24 AM
"The force of it was enough to a woman her size and weight."
This should read- The force of it was enough to wake a woman her size and weight w/ the same number/kind of drinks in her.
Sorry about that, I am trying to get my kid ready for school and I'm in a hurry. :)
Truth at August 27, 2009 7:28 AM
> Disappointed,
> B
In whom, and for what?
Crid [CridComment @ gmail] at August 27, 2009 7:57 AM
Is he clucking? Anybody mind if I go nuclear?
Crid [CridComment @ gmail] at August 27, 2009 8:02 AM
"My, my, I would love to see the reaction to this article in Boston. In that part of the country, the Kennedy clan is royalty, and one dare not criticize them."
Not all of us are Morons. Howie Carr has made a career out of dogging the Kennedy's. Here is his column in the Boston Herald today. He's being very kind compared to past columns:
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/columnists/view/20090827ted_kennedys_legacy_not_as_heroic_as_some_might_think/srvc=home&position=2
sean at August 27, 2009 8:15 AM
Can't for the life of me figure how this state of Massachusetts, with supposedly some of the smartest people in the country, elect people like John Kerry, Michael Dukakis and forever re-elected Ted Kennedy.
After all Massachusetts is home to Harvard, MIT and Boston University.
David M. at August 27, 2009 9:05 AM
"My, my, I would love to see the reaction to this article in Boston. In that part of the country, the Kennedy clan is royalty, and one dare not criticize them."
No one in my family cares for them.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. The extended family is really fucked up and lots of mysterious happenings have occured that authorities never really questioned but people talked about. Rumors, maybe, but it does go to show that a lot of folks around my 'hood don't really trust them as far as they can throw them. (South Shore.)
I only know a few people who really like the Kennedy's politics. And I don't really think they're that smart.
Gretchen at August 27, 2009 9:21 AM
Lucky you didn't get outed in The Village Voice, Amy. Be sure to read the comments as they clearly exhibit the mindset of the Far Left.
Ann Althouse has a lively discussion of the same. My favourite comment on her blog included this: "I'm also surprised that the village voice is still published.... it must be about 70 percent porn ads by now. nothing like wading through escort ads to read some bad writing affirming political things you already believe... i feel the same way about the national review these days ha."
Robert W. (Vancouver) at August 27, 2009 9:54 AM
"I can't help but wonder if he, in his last days, felt that his tumor was some sort of cosmic justice."
No, Truth, I'm sure he felt it was the Kennedy Curse and he was just another tragic victim.
Fink-Nottle at August 27, 2009 1:15 PM
"Mary Jo is dead at the hands of Ted Kennedy"
My god, this is an outrage. Why wasn't this investigated?!
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at August 27, 2009 1:16 PM
My god, this is an outrage. Why wasn't this investigated?!
For the simple fact that the Kennedy's were (are) rich, famous and totally above the law.
That was a few years after John's death, and only a little over a year after Robert's death.
I'd bet some family used their influence or money to make sure the investigation was done as quickly and shallow as possible. Here's the wiki on the Chappaquiddick incident. Notice the Autopsy and Inquest sections.
She was buried essentially two days after dying.
Jim P. at August 27, 2009 3:31 PM
Ok, thanks, I thought the police investigation, charges, court proceedings, and subsequent sentencing really didn't constitute an investigation either! My god, what do we have to do in this country? Have the cops drag suspects into court and have a judge pass sentence on their ass or something?! Of course I mean, a sentence we LIKE, not necessarily a sentence the judge passes down. I mean, like, WTF, are these judges working within their discretion as judges? What's up with THAT? Sentencing should be in accordance with the public opinion of the moment, not based on some "laws" or something. Jeez.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at August 27, 2009 6:53 PM
Re from Feebie: "Yup. And if I read one more "liberal lion" quote I just might barf.
I almost did after reading this monumental rat turd from the Los Angeles Times:
"Sen. Kennedy's death leaves a void that won't be filled"
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-kennedy-mcmanus27-2009aug27,0,6025960.story"
I've seen Doyle McManus on PBS's "Washington Week in Review" and I read the article.
I think McManus successfully wrote an objective account of Kennedy's career in Congress. I was no fan of Kennedy but I do wish Senators and Congresspeople would emulate Ted Kennedy to the extent that members of the two parties would collaborate. Congress usually does its best work when good and tractable ideas from both parties, and intelligent compromises make their way into legislation.
Iconoclast at August 27, 2009 7:07 PM
In which Gog proves that unpleasant facts about an unpleasant man can be brushed away if they bother you.
Firehand at August 27, 2009 7:14 PM
Iconoclast - sorry, bub, you lost me at "I think".
OK, I'll put my admitted bias for; cowardly, self-serving, murderous, cheating, drunk driving, perverse monumental shit-heads aside just for one moment to answer your post.
You think he was successfully objective. Huh? How can you *possibly* say this? Ducky Dale wrote this entire rag without one mention of his support and crafting of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) passed in 1978 - which limited the ability for the FBI and CIA to protect the American people. Or that fact that he collaborated with the KGB to further his own career.
For conformation of this fact (KGB collaboration), please see a letter sent on May 4, 1983, from Chebrikov to Andropov – the little Soviet helper, Kennedy is the subject.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2325800/posts
The full text of this letter is down a ways (see APPENDIX).
If Ducky pants didn't mention *this* in Kennedy's list of yeoman efforts as a Senator, it wasn't objective enough for me.
(and no, I am not done)
>> to the extent that members of the two parties >> would collaborate. Congress usually does its >> best work when good and tractable ideas from >> both parties, and intelligent compromises make >> their way into legislation.
Please excuse me, but this is complete horseshit. What's the valor in meeting someone half way on policies that exploit and extract value out of other human beings just because they can? There is none. And I wish more so called conservatives would get this, stand by their principles, do what is in the best interest of freedom for their citizens (and not some tainted policy)...and draw a line in the sand and stand their ground. Enough is a enough.
Feebie at August 27, 2009 9:11 PM
"In which Gog proves that unpleasant facts about an unpleasant man can be brushed away if they bother you."
In which Firehand proves that the American courts are only to be respected if they make decisions we like, precedent, law, procedure, and judicial discretion be damned.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at August 28, 2009 8:42 AM
Ya, I especially like it when judges and decisions have been bought and paid for.
Feebie at August 28, 2009 9:30 AM
"Ya, I especially like it when judges and decisions have been bought and paid for."
Wow. You should have brought this massive pile of evidence to the attention of the federal government, oh, what, 40 years ago?
Not to worry. You still have time to get Laura Bush's exoneration overturned for the death of her classmate in her car accident.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at August 28, 2009 4:17 PM
Non sequitur! Non sequitur!
Feebie at August 28, 2009 6:16 PM
In which Gog continues to think overlooking corruption and favor-buying by a rich political family shouldn't be worried about, because he likes the rich & corrupt politicians in question.
And demonstrates throwing in BS as a distraction method.
Firehand at August 29, 2009 1:51 PM
Re: Amy Alkon wrote "Kennedy was able to escape, but Kopechne drowned. Kennedy failed to report the accident to police until nine hours later." (and more).
There's no excusing what Kennedy did & failed to do 40 years ago. He acted like a disgraceful, slipper lowlife (at best) who got out of his jam almost certainly because of his family's huge political clout.
But Ted Kennedy was the kind of figure of whom the saying, "A person isn't one thing, but many things," aptly applies. Heartfelt emotion was discernable among both political bigwigs of both parties and ordinary people at his death. I'm sure that 100 years from now he'll be remembered as one of the greatest legislators in American history.
Another figure who's era overlapped with Ted Kennedy's comes to mind - Richard Nixon. Even now there are liberals who have nothing but scorn for Nixon. I think that's grossly unbalanced. The record about Nixon is clear - he thought he was above the law. But he was also the man who's administration negotiated the first nuclear arms agreement with the Soviets and initiated the opening with China. Many of his moves regarding domestic politics (but not all) were very rational. And he was a very devoted father.
A picture of people as all scum is usually far wide of the mark. Sure, it applies to historical figures like Hitler and Stalin. Unfortunately, the rise of overly tendentious commentators like Rush Limbaugh has distorted the more subtle view of reality that many people might otherwise have.
Iconoclast at August 29, 2009 6:12 PM
What does Laura Bush have to do with Kennedy?
Crid [CridComment @ gmail] at August 30, 2009 6:34 PM
"In which Gog continues to think overlooking corruption and favor-buying by a rich political family shouldn't be worried about, because he likes the rich & corrupt politicians in question."
I do? And you have proof of this - how?
I'm arguing that I respect the rights of the courts to sentence within the scope of the law, I'm not making a case for the wonderfulness of Ted's political or private life.
But the important part is you'll cling to your position in the face of all evidence, since you love the rich and corrupt Bush family. I know this to be true about you because I say it's true.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at August 31, 2009 2:07 PM
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