I have something to say about Ted Kennedy..... [View All]

In light of Senator Kennedy's hospitalization I am going to RP something I wrote about him after he harshly criticized the Iraq War several years ago. -WB

Subject: I have something to say about Ted Kennedy

This is going to be a short story about my feelings about Ted and his family.

Growing up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, I listened to the stories my grandfather used to tell me with total veneration. You see, my grandfather, Walter "Blackie" Wetzel was an Indian Liaison in Washington D.C., as well as the former Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Council and a former President of the National Congress of American Indians. In the due course of his work, he met and became friends with a great many powerful and interesting people.

Among them were three brothers who went by the surname: "Kennedy"

There I was a young child, wide-eyed and awestruck as my grandfather told me stories and showed me pictures of himself seated, standing nearby or shaking hands with the President of the United States and his prominent brothers. To me, the Kennedy's have been more than a famous name. More than the "First Family of American Politics." More than just my heroes.

They have always seemed like an extension of my family.

Over the years, through the trials and tribulations, I identified with the youngest brother and the only one of the four brothers left. (remember oldest brother Joe Jr.?) I was saddened as Teddy had to endure family scandals, tragic deaths and the constant media attention. The last one left to carry the brunt of everything good and bad.

It cannot be easy to be Ted Kennedy.

I recall one time while reading a book my parents bought regarding the trip JFK took to Montana when he was campaigning for President. There was Ted, bright-faced and smiling in the pictures. Late 20-ish, stuck somewhere between slight maturity and good-natured mischievousness. Enough serious politician to be in on the business side of the campaign trail, but enough daredevil to do something crazy outside of that realm. Somebody told Teddy his brother would get votes if he rode a bronc in a rodeo.

So in that instant, Ted Kennedy launched his short-lived rodeo career.

When informed the horse he rode was named "Sky Rocket," he reportedly quipped afterward:"Pretty soon, I was heading for the sky myself.

Ted Kennedy got bucked off, but nobody ever accused him of not having any sand.

So fast forward to September 2003.

After two years of turmoil, lies, hypocrisy, favors for the rich and a push toward a global empire headed by ideologues who have no business running a country as great as the United States, Ted Kennedy strapped on his boots and spurs for one more ride.

He called the war in Iraq a "fraud" and questioned the political motives behind it. He questioned everything that I have and many others out there have done for the last two years. He spoke the truth for innocent civilians, prone soldiers, and the record droves of war protesters who gathered around the world against these actions. He spoke the truth because America- The Great Ideal- was at risk due to the corruption of a few ignorant, pathetic extremists, who wish to endanger the world for the satisfaction of legacy and fatter bank accounts.

So I remember those stories my grandfather always told me. The vision of Camelot-however naive the notion may be. A time when young men from Boston ushered in an era of change. Before Vietnam and on the cusp of massive civil rights movements. He told me stories of men who a young boy from a poor reservation in Montana could look up to and respect. Who were not perfect, but, somehow, still managed to be both inherently good and larger than life. And if you all have read this far you will understand just what Ted Kennedy, his words and dissent mean to me. In a time when most politicians never stand up for what I believe in, he did something that few others would. This he did despite knowing the hateful repurcussions that would follow from the likes of some of the most cowardly, gutless men who have ever lived. He took that risk because he knew doing so was right.

Nobody ever accused Ted Kennedy of not having any sand.

The same can't be said of the people criticizing him for it.


Here is the original post from 2003:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x412909