Senator Robert Byrd Breaks Down Over Ted Kennedy's Brain Tumor

Senator Robert C. Byrd became emotional while paying tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy on the Senate floor today. Byrd was reacting to news of Kennedy's malignant brain tumor.
"Ted, Ted, my dear friend I love you and I miss you," said Byrd.


Video link
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/20/senator-robert-byrd-break_n_102721.html

I'm not sure if age has made them move compassionate or they just feel more grief than those younger in age and experience. They don't have that macho thing to worry about any longer.

The older war Vets cry many times on TV talking about their lost friends, etc. in battle.

...old guys on the other hand are not so proud or vain.

OTOH...there is something to be said for having a little shame...

I'm only 36, and remember every one of my fuckups. Byrd is eight decades of living history, a textbook covering the bewildering reality of life in a coal-mining state during the Depression, a world war, nuclear infernos, a Korean war, a cold war, civil rights, women's rights, hippies, a moon landing, a presidential assasination, three more assassinations afterwards, watching his party destroy itself in Chicago, a lost war, stagflation, hostages in Tehran, a plague of yuppies, a wall in Berlin toppled, a dozen presidents, falling buildings, another lost war, Bob Dole falling off a stage, plus some other pretty bleak chapters about sheets, raw fascism, and membership in a club labled with the eleventh alphabet letter cubed...regrets? He's got a few.

I say he paid his debt several times over, and has made this a far better country, but the only opinion he has to face comes from the bathroom mirror. He's human, and along with everything else, seeing Teddy laid low probably has him wondering about how much sand is left in his hourglass, how many more times he'll get to laugh with his grandchildren, hold his own kids, or stand in defense of the Constitution he still carries in his pocket.

Few have served this nation better. I hope he can see his great old friend before the curtain comes down. And then hug his grandkids, and his children, and tell us again about the rule of law. Sic transit gloria.

That was his goodbye :(

mocking and laughing at him.

to and about Senator Kennedy.

Senator Byrd's wife died in 2006 and he's apparently still grieving over that loss. He'd be especially emotional at this time of the year because, next week, if Erma were still alive, the Byrd's would have been celebrating their 71st wedding anniversary.


(**sigh**)

Edited to add:

I understand and have compassion for what Senator Byrd is going through. My husband and I used to share our "Happy Anniversary" wishes with Senator and Mrs. Byrd this time of year; and, in return, we'd receive his warmest "Thank you." and "Happy Anniversary" to us on behalf of the two of them. Next week, if my husband hadn't died on Veteran's Day 2007, we would have been celebrating our 51st wedding anniversary.

:(