Well, unfortunately the inevitable has occurred-Senator Ted Kennedy has passed on after succumbing to a courageous battle with brain cancer. Although I have defected to the politically conservative side of the aisle, I do maintain a certain degree of measured respect for The Lion and to a larger degree the Kennedy clan for their tangential commitment to the Civil Rights struggle. But in accordance to my natural instincts toward moderate analytical precepts, my use of the phrase "measured respect" is not accidental. During my more progressive formative years, the Kennedy name, in our household (not unlike many Black/Brown homes) carried a lot of cache, familiarity and warmth. We also believed to a certain degree in the Kennedy curse. For more than 50 years, the public has witnessed countless tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family taking each respective life under premature, if not accidental circumstances. Or so I once thought. Now, as an adult who is more inclined to ascribe to empiricism versus the supernatural (or preternatural, for that matter), many of these deaths can be attributed to hubris, access and excess. Perhaps the ultimate lesson to be learned is that no political bent possess a cornerstone in corruption. The last time I checked, the adage, "All power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely," didn't have a political caveat attached to it. One could ask the late Mary Jo Kopechne for further clarification of what power means....but I digress. Let's take a look at the AFP's take on Senator Kennedy's passing:
End of an era for US as Ted Kennedy dies at 77
By Sebastian Smith (AFP) – 22 hours ago
HYANNIS PORT, Massachusetts — Edward Kennedy, the last of the storied band of brothers whose triumphs and tragedies dominated a generation of US politics, has died after losing his battle with brain cancer.
The "liberal lion" of the US Senate, once seen as an heir to his slain elder brother, president John F. Kennedy, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. He was 77.
"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," the Kennedy family said in a statement.
Tributes to Kennedy, who was a towering figure on the left wing of the Democratic Party during a 47-year career in the Senate, poured in from across America's political divide and from around the world.
As the Stars and Stripes was lowered to half-staff on all government buildings and in many private homes, especially close to the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis, President Barack Obama said he was "heartbroken."
"Even though we knew this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread," Obama said while on vacation on the east coast island of Martha's Vineyard across the Nantucket Sound from Kennedy's home.
"The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories which we have all witnessed is a testimony to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives."
Last year Kennedy defied the Democratic establishment by choosing not to support Hillary Clinton during the presidential primaries, throwing his weight behind Obama instead.
Already diagnosed with a brain tumor, Kennedy gave an emotional speech to the Democratic National Convention in August 2008 to back Obama and laud their shared commitment to health care reform.
For the remainder of the AFP piece, click on the link below:
End of an era for US as Ted Kennedy dies at 77
No comments:
Post a Comment