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Can't Respect Someone In Death That I Never Respected In LIfe

by Rodge | August 26, 2009 at 10:59 am

467 views | 18 Recommendations | 9 comments

I'll never forget listening to Ted Kennedy's speech at the Capitol ceremony when President Ronald Reagan's body was placed to lie in State in the Rotunda. His tribute was very moving about how Reagan was such a patriot and a devoted public servant and how America has suffered a loss from his passing.

I thought I was going to be ill.

It wasn't the content of the tribute, that was MORE than accurate. The problem I had was with the person that was delivering it. Here was the same man who called Reagan "Satan" and the "Devil". Here was the same man that made screaming speeches on the Senate floor about how Reagan was going to be responsible for Armageddeon. It wasn't political either, with Kennedy it was personal. He hated this man and now, for a politically expedient spotlight, he stood and paid tribute to his sworn enemy.

Not me.

Not now.

I will express my condolences to his family as I am sure this is a very painful time but I WILL NOT pay tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy.

I will not pay tribute to a man who did nothing to protect the lives of children who never had a chance to live and in fact did everything he could to make sure they didn't if it wasn't convenient for the mother.

I will not pay tribute to a man who would not allow poor children a choice in education yet gave his own the best education money could afford.

I will not pay tribute to a man who championed the very health care bill that would have denied anyone else in the same situation much of the care he received in his last year of his life. The same care he would have received if the bill had passed while he was still alive. Funny, he was able to see the end of his life without government mandated "End of life counseling". I'm sure he was fine with that.

I will not pay tribute to a man who was too cowardly to alert authorities to a car accident in time to possibly get the help a young woman needed. Instead, he took 9 hours to surround himself with Attorneys and family while his date was drowning.

My respect for honesty, consistency and integrity demands that I not pay tribute to a man in death that I could not have paid tribute to in life.

Ted Kennedy is dead. That is all that needs to be said.

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Rodge

at 11:31 on August 26th, 2009

I wouldn't want anyone paying tribute to me in death that did not in life and frankly, I don't think I'm really going to care what anyone does or doesn't say at my funeral. I won't be there.

My character goes way beyond this piece and you know nothing about it. It is my respect for honesty that I choose to remain honest.

obi wan Kenobi (not verified)

at 18:35 on August 26th, 2009

It is very convenient for you that Ted Kennedy lived much of his life in public and therefore is vulnerable to judgments which men and women who disagreed with him in life would make. That is alright. He asked for it, he was strong enough to feel he could roll with the punches, and in spite of some major mistakes, I daresay he tried his best to narrow the gap between the man and the beliefs he espoused. That is why I think it is unfair for someone who lives a very, very, private life, to choose the occasion of his death to tar Edward Kennedy. Kennedy is an easy target. His faults as well as his many gifts are writ too large for anyone to miss. It tells more about your very nature, what trait you select to comment on and broadcast a few hours after his death. You are right that you will likely not care what anyone thinks about you at your funeral. But a few people who knew you and the sort of person you are would. That is if you can quit loping off the heads of those who actually live an active life of contributions to mankind, long enough to do anything that stands a chance of being the reason for people you have never met in your life to hate you with a bitter heart.

Rodge

at 18:45 on August 26th, 2009

It's very interesting that you think I live a very private life. You assume that I am not any kind of a public figure or that few people know me. The truth is I have a very visible life as a business owner of a service oriented business and employer of over 100 people. I am active in local politics and I have recently been approached about running for Supervisor of the town I live in which I declined. I would say my life is pretty much an open book.

I didn't hate Ted Kennedy. I just didn't respect him. Just because you don't respect a person doesn't mean you hate them. I disagreed with 99% of the decisions he made, doesn't mean I hated him. I also have no problem with those that want to pay tribute to him, as long as they are people that paid tribute to him when he was alive.

I suggest you learn a little bit more about a person before you cast judgment next time.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:53 on August 26th, 2009

"My respect for honesty, consistency and integrity demands that I not pay tribute to a man in death that I could not have paid tribute to in life."

You just did. Thanks for this, Rodge.

Rodge

at 19:03 on August 26th, 2009

Thank you for reading a commenting.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 20:39 on August 26th, 2009

You are very welcome, Rodge.

Barry ORegan

at 06:37 on August 27th, 2009

Well perhaps Ted will meet Ron in hell for a little tete a tete

Rodge

at 07:42 on August 27th, 2009

Your comment is offensive and unnecessary. Go play in someone else's yard.

vp (not verified)

at 15:43 on September 3rd, 2009

I have no idea your age..or knowledge...I respect your opinion. But the Kennedy family gave more to this Country than any family should have to bear...and having watched 2 brothers get murdered...Ted still chose to serve this Country. Whatever you think of him...he only has to answer to the Man upstairs..and let me tell you FIRST HAND..brain cancer is horrendous....so if you think Ted should be punished for his mis-doings he DID....and so did his loved ones. They suffered more than you know. So give this man respect..he atoned..he served..he doesnt have to answer to you OR me...he has to answer to God. And God is merciful..and Ted suffered on this Earth..and he is now at peace. AMEN