The program will open with an undated quote from Kennedy: “For all my years in public life, I have believed that America must sail toward the shores of liberty and justice for all. There is no end to that journey, only the next great voyage. We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make.”
What struck me about Ted Kennedy’s funeral was how, I’m not sure what the right word is, but maybe “out of touch” or “non-normal” he was. I mean when you are a Kennedy you certainly lead a different life but few people will have eulogies saying how much you loved your yacht for example. Even more pedestrian activities like going to Mass everyday requires significant luxury and liberty to decide your schedule.
That isn’t a bad thing just an observation.
Perhaps one of the last of our Great NE Liberal Reformer Patrician Politicians. Once a grand tradition that even extended to NY’s other Teddy, TR, BTW. Yachting? For sure. Out of touch? Hardly ever where & when real policy & people’s lives, concerns & cares were at stake. The myriad examples of exemplary & extraordinary ‘constituent service’ down through the decades are noted almost everywhere (NPR etc.). But here’s where he played a stellar part in policy wrangles too. Just a small wonkish example:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/26/kennedys_quick_win_for_social_security/
The Bushs’ were true CT ‘yachting’ patricians too. They just played up to the ‘know-nothing’ RW ‘populism’ crowds and laughed all the way to the banks with their fattened corrupt & corrupting cronies. A far different grand NE political tradition to be certain too, but true ‘blue-blooded’ Rethugs, Always.
There’s true public service, and then there’s self serving while pretending to serve the public. JMP