Pat Oliphant for August 27, 2009

” Quality care shouldn’t depend on your financial resources, or the type of job you have, or the medical condition you face. Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U.S. senators are entitled to. This is the cause of my life. “ — Sen. Edward Kennedy

He’s not going anywhere with the sail luffing like that.

RIP, Ted

he was a good man who tried to do the best he could. even with all his faults and short-comings! hope his family is there to greet him when he gets to the other side of the lake.

Nice work, Mr. Oliphant.

RIP, Senator.

And well done, Pat.

Maybe he’ll see Mary Jo again …

Too bad Mary Jo Kopechne didn’t die as peacefully.

Why is he a swine? Because he doesn’t see Ted as a visionary and prefers to see him as a drunken lush who cost a woman her life? The least of attrocities that Ted performed in him life.. Just because someone is bitter about a man killing someone and getting away with it doesn’t make them a swine..

WestTex…yet when Laura Bush did the same thing, the righties made EXCUSES for her.

Give it up, you guys never REALLY cared about Mary Jo Kopechne. It was always just another excuse to ‘git them durty lib’ruls!’

Ted Kennedy attoned for his sins by a lifetime of service for those in need of health care. That includes children who otherwise would not have access to health care, cancer research, and working toward the goal of universal health care.

I’ve known a lifetime (64) of hatred and hypocrisy from the Religious Right having come from such a family. Ted K. made mistakes for which he may be judged. He was also a very good politician who fought for the poor and the downtrodden. Thanks, Ted, for all you did. Good luck at The Gate.

Actually I have nothing against him being kicked out of HArvard for cheating.. Enlisting then getting his enlistment shortened while being assigned to Paris away from the fighting.. Strings being pulled to readmit him after his service. I have nothing against his four citations for reckless driving including 90 in a residential after dark with no head lights one or even the mishap when he went and checked into a hotel to sleep off the booze before calling the police.. What was his quote? “There a blonde in every pong.” I just don’t think he’s woth canonizing as a saint when he has such a long list that could drag him from such a lofty title.. Anyway.. Right wrong or otherwise.. He’s dead and what is done is done.. but you can’t praise him as something he’s not without others detracting from such statements..

In his defense he was a good negotiator and worked well for bi-partisan measures and introduced some good programs into the system..

For the record, I’m not a fan of the Bush Legacy either..

Let the guy rest in peace for one day, anyhow, for cripe’s sake!

algurka, too bad many people didn’t die peacefully. I think of the thousands of Iraqis (not fighters, just folks who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time), who became “collateral damage.” I think of Afghanis in similar situations (wedding parties that get bombed, for example).

Millions of people die every year who one would hope did not. And many of them died because of someone else’s mistake or even malice. And yet, if you are a believing person, then you believe in redemption and forgiveness. If you believe in those, then you must acknowledge that whatever happened on that one occasion is between Ted Kennedy and God, it is none of our business. But given the totality of his life, the innumerable hours he put in to help people he would never know (and who were so far out of his social class that he’d never have to encounter them if he did not want to), I’d say the guy deserves more than a snarky and self-righteous snipe. Unless you are sinless, you will do better to hold your poison pen.

Show me the “perfect” politician, left or right, and I will show you someone few people will vote for. It’s out system.

He should be allowed to RIP without being ravaged for his many indiscretions. He should also not be raised to levels of sainthood or the most effective politician ever just because he passed. There are many politicians that were as effective or more effective over the years.

I did not agree with much of his politics, but my thoughts and prayers go out to the Kennedy family and may he RIP.

He is held in high regard by liberals for always sticking to his principles, but yet when a Repub does the same they are criticized by liberals for being stuck in the past and not able to change from their supposed wrong views. I am just tired of the partisanship (both sides) and double standards that dominate politics anymore. Sadly I agree with Chuck.

Gee, tho he could have done better in the Mary Jo case, I think his transgressions could never come any where near those of the folks that have caused the last 3 wars in this country and the thousands (maybe millions) of dead on their hands. He at least tried to make the world better for children (education and medical coverage), working folks (family leave), disabled folks (disability act), and all of us who are or will soon be in need of healthcare coverage when the bidnesses opt out of it.

Careful with the facts Churchhill.. They don’t like that..

West Tex, Since he was only 13 years old when the big war ended, I think it was only right that he be reassigned to Paris. The early discharge may be a bit much though.

^ (Korean War)

Church: While we’re on about facts, read my reply to your facts on Ted Rall’s 27th Aug ‘toon.