Both Sides Of The Political Blogosphere Display Respect And Civility During These (one in a long history of many) Tragic Moments For The Kennedy Clan
Look, I will be the first one to say Senator Ted Kennedy has torqued me off more times than you can shake a stick at. He’s a Northeastern Liberal and I’m Dixieland Liberal, which means we have PLENTY of political differences between us. Not to mention the fact I’m PROUD to be an independent (small “I” on purpose) Liberal (large “L” on purpose) libertarian (small “L” on purpose) while Mr. Kennedy is proud to be a full-fledged, died in the wool, “old school” Democrat. Put us in the same room together and we’d probably get along pretty well until he started talking about controlling guns versus controlling the psychotic maniacs who steal them and use them against their fellow man for personal gain. But that’s not the point of this post.
Senator Ted Kennedy, like him, love him, despise him, or whatever; has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. That’s not good. Were he Osama Bin Ladin, I might just shrug and say “oh well; Darwin gotchya”. But he’s NOT OBL, “UBL”, or whatever the hell the guy’s name really is. He is my fellow American; an American who has dedicated most of his life to public service. While he didn’t strap on his combat boots and head over to the Desert like SOME of us did — the man has been an advocate of stopping the madness created by President Bush’s little “OOPS!” in Iraq. For that alone, I’m thankful. But again, that is not the point of this post either.
The point of this post is to thank my fellow political bloggers; at least the more well-known ones from the Right who’ve demonstrated the class to post their well-wishes and “get well soons” to the seemingly tragedy-cursed Kennedy family during this time of sadness. Of course, I, too, join them as well as those on the Left, the Middle and the North and South in those sentiments as well.
A “quickie” from the Associated Press (AP – Yahoo! News) — H/T to MemeOrandum for the find:
Ted Kennedy has cancerous brain tumor
By GLEN JOHNSON
BOSTON – Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor Tuesday in what could be the grim final chapter in a life marked by exhilarating triumph and shattering tragedy. Some experts gave the liberal lion less than a year to live.
Doctors discovered the tumor after the 76-year-old senator and sole surviving son of America’s most storied political family suffered a seizure over the weekend. The diagnosis cast a pall over Capitol Hill, where the Massachusetts Democrat has served since 1962, and came as a shock to a family all too accustomed to sudden, calamitous news.
“Ted Kennedy and the Kennedy family have faced adversity more times in more instances with more courage and more determination and more grace than most families have to,” said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. “Every one of us knows what a big heart this fellow has. He’s helped millions and millions of people — from the biggest of legislation on the floor to the most personal.”
Kerry added: “This guy is one unbelievable fighter.” …
“Fighter”? I hope so. I need this guy to get well SOON so I can get back to the “bidness” of calling him out publicly when he is absolutely, 100% WRONG-A-MUNDO, which is approximately 50% of the time he opens his mouth and says something from my own personal stand point. Just kidding. Kind of…
In all seriousness, I DO wish the Senator and his family well and I WILL be praying for his speedy recovery and for the strength to hang in there and keep the faith for his loved ones and friends.
And now, a little bit of a blogosphere roundup — my “faves” of the moment…
… “Are you worried about Senator Kennedy?” my wife asked me the other day. I told her I wasn’t. It was just a seizure, he seemed to be doing better, hell, from what I heard he was already working the phones for Obama.
Nothing to see here, people, move along.
Then there was this afternoon. Yanked out of bed by the sound of hailstones roughly the size of minvans pounding against my window, I do what I do every day in the hour between waking up and heading to the office; I checked the wires to see if I couldn’t plot out that evenings blogging schedule.
I suppose I should have been worried about Senator Kennedy after all.
Because the very first thing that I saw were the words, “Malignant” “Brain Tumor” “Kennedy”.
Ah jeez… “
Drudge Retort (Left — Yellow Dog Democrats — First commenter):
“We may agree on almost nothing, but get well soon, Teddy.”
“… this is indeed distressing news for all americans, let alone democrats and progressives. sen. kennedy was tireless in championing the poor and the down-trodden as well as the middle class and regular joe.
we at skippy international wish him and his family the best.”
“… Our best wishes to Sen. Kennedy during this frightening time, and our thoughts and prayers go out to him, his family and friends. May he have a full and speedy recovery. …”
Michelle Malkin (Not only Right, but HARD Right):
“Put aside your political differences and join me in keeping Sen. Ted Kennedy and his family in your prayers as they grapple with the news of his malignant brain tumor diagnosis.”
“… Ted’s a fighter… He has perhaps done more to fight for liberal and progressive causes in his long tenure in the Senate than any of his peers. I hope he’ll be back in there fighting for us soon.”
Scared Monkeys (Right):
“… There is a time to put politics aside and go to your separate corners and provide well wishes and prayers, this is one of those times. Even during times of war, opposing sides call a truce. …”
“… Senator Kennedy is not only an icon of liberalism, he also has authored or sponsored more significant legislation than any senator of his era. He also has championed national medical care since the 1960s. Some day, this nation will catch up with him.”
Hot Air (Hard Right also):
“… We talked about this on the show today, and it’s worth repeating here. Americans of all political beliefs come to the open forum and debate great issues with great passion. Everyone believes that they act for the benefit of America, even if others think their ideas dangerous and ill-conceived. We would rather have our ideas prevail because we convinced others of the rightness of our cause than to see opponents retreat because of illness and death.
Our opponents are still Americans and still human beings, and we hold Kennedy and his family in our prayers tonight.”
Townhall (Right):
“One needn’t be a particular admirer of either his personal life or his political views to feel for Senator Kennedy and his family on a human level. Certainly, our thoughts and prayers are with him and those dear to him as he begins this challenging battle.”
“… Kennedy is a fighter. He’ll fight this too. I hope like hell he can beat it. …”
LIKEWISE, Ya’ll…
It is times like these when I’m PROUD to be an active member of the political blogosphere; i.e., “The Press” our Founding Fathers had in mind when they risked their lives and poured their blood to protect it from the government.
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9:46 am on May 21st, 2008 1
Amen, Bro. As much as I despise his politics for the last 20 years or so, his personal life, and his ‘I’m better than you because I’m a Kennedy’ attitude, I’ll be praying for his swift deliverance from this disease.
11:46 am on May 21st, 2008 2
I pretty much agree with all you have to say here. And kudos to everyone who made some nice statements about the guy. Granted, the mans politics are just a tad bit left of mine. (sarcastic)
But incase you missed it, Dr. Savage did his own little tribute to Sen. Kennedy. For the Sen. he played the classice Dead Kennedys song “California Über Alles”. Which in my sick and twisted mind, was friggin hysterical.
Anyway, I hope he gets well soon. The right needs him, just as much as the left needs him.
1:06 pm on May 21st, 2008 3
I will echo the positive sentiments as well. All politics aside, the Kennedy family has endured many tragedies for decades, and they have done so under the spotlight of public scrutiny. After the deaths of his brothers, Ted Kennedy stepped up to help raise his nieces and nephews. There is good in all men. Sen. Kennedy will be in our prayers.
1:14 pm on May 22nd, 2008 4
As a founding member of the “Right Wing Death Squad Softball League”, I’m going to join the chorus. While “Teddy” has been at the top of our “you know what” list for awhile, I sincerely wish him a full and speedy recovery. Things just wouldn’t be the same without him. Sometimes you just have to give the devil his due, and acknowledge him as good and worthy adversary. What is the saying, “A man is measured by the greatness of his foes”?