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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHappy Birthday to Senator Ted Kennedy~ He would have been 82 years old.
Teddy is celebrating here on his 77th and last birthday B-Day on Planet Earth with Victoria, the Obamas and Friends in 2009..
"President Obama, along with the First Lady, led a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Sen. Ted Kennedy, at a star-studded 77th-birthday tribute to the political legend at Kennedy Center on Sunday night.
Among the stars who performed at the celebration were comedian Bill Cosby, actresses Lauren Bacall and Bernadette Peters, singer James Taylor and conductor John Williams."
Barack and Michelle Obama celebrate Ted Kennedy's 77th birthday at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night.
Obama leads the singing of "Happy Birthday," alongside singer James Taylor.
The First Lady greets Senator Kennedy and his wife, Victoria, as Senator John Kerry listens.
More pics.. the rest of the story..
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/09/obamas-celebrate-ted-kenn_n_172947.html
Sorry, this is so late in the day.. I just realized it was Teddy's Birthday today(out here on Kaua'i) and well, bless his heart. Mahalo, Teddy Kennedy~
Cha
(297,935 posts)it myself then alone
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Cha
(297,935 posts)I love those pics
Excellent, ProSense Mahalo!
DonViejo
(60,536 posts)I wonder how differently the last 5 years may have gone if he had been with us. Thanks for the great pics and Happy Birthday Senator!
Cha
(297,935 posts)Happy Birthday, Senator Kennedy~
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Not sure what to think about that singing picture. Wonder if Obama was miked on that?
Cha
(297,935 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Cha
(297,935 posts)"In his comments, President Obama observed, "I can think of no one who engendered greater respect or affection from members of both sides of the aisle. His seriousness of purpose was perpetually matched by humility, warmth, and good cheer... And that's one reason he became not only one of the greatest senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy."
the rest..
http://usliberals.about.com/od/tedkennedyliberallion/a/ObamaKennedyDeath.htm
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Cha
(297,935 posts)Thank you!
TexasTowelie
(112,619 posts)Teddy was one of our best advocates in the health care debates. It's sad that he didn't live to see the changes that are occurring.
Cha
(297,935 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)they all look so happy ... Happy Birthday EMK!
... and to all the guests at Teddy's last bash!
Cha
(297,935 posts)more or less. I was out running today and I thought Teddy's birthday is on the 23rd of Feb.. so I got home and discovered it was the 22nd!
Good call giving the happy guests a .. thank you, ucr!
Happy Birthday Senator Ted Kennedy~
Hekate
(90,978 posts)Somewhere on my hard drive I still have the tribute cartoons of his passing. My favorite depicted his three brothers coming by for him in a sailboat -- the three of them so young, and Teddy grown to be the elder statesman....
BlueDemKev
(3,003 posts)I just wish it could have lasted a little longer...like until he was 85...or 90...or...100.
Cha
(297,935 posts)Cha
(297,935 posts)Hekate
(90,978 posts)You just know that when he steps aboard, the years will fall away.
Cha
(297,935 posts)awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)but he holds some of the blame for getting Reagan elected. You do NOT primary a sitting president, unless he is some sort of monster or something.
Cha
(297,935 posts)we're celebrating all the good Senator Kennedy did, today.
[url=http://postimage.org/][img][/img][/url]
Statement on Passing of Beloved Senator Edward Moore Kennedy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2009
Statement of Robert J. Haynes, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO on the passing of beloved Senator Edward Moore Kennedy
Today the working families of Massachusetts mourn the passing of the biggest voice and the biggest champion of the little guy to ever serve in the United States Senate. His legacy on workers rights, civil rights, and human rights lives on in the quality of life and freedoms he ensured would be extended to all Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, disability, economic status or any other factor. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO joins the entire world in expressing our condolences to the Kennedy Family during this incredibly solemn time. The enormity of the loss of Ted Kennedy cannot be overstated, especially in terms of the impact his life has had on the pursuit of social and economic justice in this country. Ted Kennedy epitomized humanity in every sense of the word. His larger-than-life presence was only outpaced by his kindness in the form of even the smallest, most humane gestures. Few public figures had the impact on others that Senator Kennedy had, traversing the entire spectrum from the indelible mark he left in both the history books and on individual lives.
The great lesson of his life is that even the hardest challenges are no match for determination in the pursuit of what is right. The working men and women of organized labor, and all working families, have been so fortunate that Senator Kennedys mission for a better country matched the virtues of our Labor Movement. We are overcome at this monumental loss, but we will honor his life and his legacy the only way we know how. In the spirit of one of Ted Kennedys favorite poems, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will strive, seek, find and not yield in the pursuit we shared with our Senator of improving the lives of all workers in this nation. Through that work, the dream will indeed live on.
http://www.massaflcio.org/statement-passing-beloved-senator-edward-moore-kennedy
We miss you Teddy. Happy Birthday~
Beautiful Cha, just beautiful~
Cha
(297,935 posts)the merrier!
This is classic!
Barack Obama and Ted Kennedy - confer before State of the Union speech by President George Bush, Washington DC, January 28, 2008
http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/barack-obama/photos/198527/19662
Mahalo, she, for the statement on his passing from Robert J. Haynes, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO!
"We are overcome at this monumental loss, but we will honor his life and his legacy the only way we know how. In the spirit of one of Ted Kennedys favorite poems, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will strive, seek, find and not yield in the pursuit we shared with our Senator of improving the lives of all workers in this nation. Through that work, the dream will indeed live on./
sheshe2
(84,005 posts)Happy Birthday to a much loved Senator from Massachusetts.
His legacy will live on.
I miss him~
Cha
(297,935 posts)That's right.. Mahalo, sheshe~ The Dream Shall Never Die~
BlueDemKev
(3,003 posts)82 candles for arguably the greatest United States senator our country ever had.
Cha
(297,935 posts)Samantha
(9,314 posts)At the last minute, a few years ago, I learned of a book signing by him at Border's Book Store. I thought of everything he has given this Country, and I decided I needed to attend to say thank you. It was a privilege I will never forget to be able to stand so close and listen to his remarks. It was the only time I saw him in person.
Thanks for posting this thread, Cha.
Sam
Cha
(297,935 posts)a gift from the Universe that you became aware of the "book signing" and were able to go at the last minute.
Just brilliant!
You're Welcome, Sam.. Thank you!
bkanderson76
(266 posts)it shows in this country.....Salute Mr. Ted Kennedy....RIP
Cha
(297,935 posts)Nuclear Unicorn
(19,497 posts)Well, the one person who was supposed to got left in a river.
sheshe2
(84,005 posts)snip
But today I'm simply compelled to remember Ted Kennedy as my father and my best friend. When I was 12 years old I was diagnosed with bone cancer and a few months after I lost my leg, there was a heavy snowfall over my childhood home outside of Washington D.C. My father went to the garage to get the old Flexible Flyer and asked me if I wanted to go sledding down the steep driveway. And I was trying to get used to my new artificial leg and the hill was covered with ice and snow and it wasn't easy for me to walk. And the hill was very slick and as I struggled to walk, I slipped and I fell on the ice and I started to cry and I said "I can't do this." I said, "I'll never be able to climb that hill." And he lifted me in his strong, gentle arms and said something I'll never forget. He said "I know you'll do it, there is nothing you can't do. We're going to climb that hill together, even if it takes us all day."
Sure enough, he held me around my waist and we slowly made it to the top, and, you know, at age 12 losing a leg pretty much seems like the end of the world, but as I climbed onto his back and we flew down the hill that day I knew he was right. I knew I was going to be OK. You see, my father taught me that even our most profound losses are survivable and it is what we do with that loss, our ability to transform it into a positive event, that is one of my father's greatest lessons. He taught me that nothing is impossible.
Nothing is impossible, nothing.
Thank you Cha! You honored a very great man.
Cha
(297,935 posts)tribute to his father's passing.
It would be so traumatic for any kid to lose his leg..
I knew I was going to be OK. You see, my father taught me that even our most profound losses are survivable and it is what we do with that loss, our ability to transform it into a positive event, that is one of my father's greatest lessons. He taught me that nothing is impossible.
What a father to have to teach you such a valuable life lesson~
sheshe2
(84,005 posts)yes Teddy you did!
niyad
(113,771 posts)would look right now if he were still with us, and still working.
Cha
(297,935 posts)think his dynamics would have made a huge difference in the Senate if he were able to be with us longer.
Loaded Liberal Dem
(230 posts)He did more as a Senator than most Presidents!
Cha
(297,935 posts)a brilliant workhorse, Loaded Liberal Dem.
tritsofme
(17,422 posts)with his betrayal of President Carter. But his prior and subsequent work was admirable and he was a great man committed to public service.
Cha
(297,935 posts)I wonder if Teddy ever kicked himself for that?
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)I honestly can't remember Teddy's challenge but I do remember the hostage crisis and I don't think Carter had a chance, poor guy. He was forked just like Obama was nearly forked by forces beyond his control, so to speak. In any case Teddy made a few mistakes just like we all do but I don't for a minute doubt that he did what he thought he had to for the benefit of the country. That's the strong impression I got from watching a YouTube of his 1980 convention speech a few years ago which left the impression that he'd made a painful decision.
Cha
(297,935 posts)two people have mentioned it on this thread. I didn't start paying attention to politics until 1999.. so I had on clue.
Here's an interesting thread I found on it from the DU archives..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6334222
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)great thread, with some really thoughtful analysis!
Cha
(297,935 posts)Very enlightening to me.
Cha
(297,935 posts)After winning a second nomination for president in 1980, President Jimmy Carter, left, shakes hands with Sen. Edward Kennedy on the podium at the Democratic National Convention in New York's Madison Square Garden
Your morning jolt: How Ted Kennedy and Jimmy Carter created each other
Fascinating..
http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2009/08/26/your-morning-jolt-how-ted-kennedy-and-jimmy-carter-created-each-other/
Guess who's between them?
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)and behind Teddie Charlie Rangel looking very chipper and behind Carter it looks like Jerry Brown with hair! The others look familiar too but I can't place their names . . . will click the link and see ...
Cha
(297,935 posts)now.. a young Jerry Brown and Charles Rangel.
Doesn't say in the link who anyone is besides Carter and Kennedy.
BlueDemKev
(3,003 posts)While I'm happy that Kennedy did run for president at least once, I'm surprised that he chose to give it a go in 1980, when we had a sitting Democratic president. Yes, Pres. Carter had his share of problems and he would have had an uphill battle against Reagan in the fall no matter what. However, Kennedy challenging him for the nomination deeply divided the party, plus Carter entered the fall campaign still limping from a bruising primary.
I wish that Kennedy had run against Reagan in '84. Doubtful he'd have won, but he would have been a far better candidate than Walter Mondale.
Cha
(297,935 posts)Jenoch
(7,720 posts)incident with Mary Jo Kopechne.
Cha
(297,935 posts)a man in later life like Ted Kennedy and his remorse with his involvement in Mary Jo Kopechne's death?
orpupilofnature57
(15,472 posts)Thanks for deciding to help us, and taking the heat for your humanity, instead of living a life of unchecked opulence, and Entitlement as you were Born with the wealth to do it .