Senator Teddy Kennedy

**kaurand554** · 08-30-2009, 03:04 AM

Was anyone else "captured" by his funeral?

I live in Mass; but am in no way political! Have never met him or talked to him; I was amazed at how poignant, public, yet family oriented it was.....

And just how many people showed their support in both Boston and Washington; I don't remember another political person to get such attention; including Presidents.

Do you think it was tied to the Kennedy name? The first to die of natural causes? JFK? Or his work....

It was beautifully done!

**frugalfranny** · 08-30-2009, 03:16 AM

I had it on but was in and out of the room. Saw some of the speakers.

He had a very long and active gov't life and so was very well known and for the most part, respected. Also, the last of the Kennedy boys......of the main family.

**kaurand554** · 08-30-2009, 03:32 AM

I wonder if his wife will take the seat until the special election can be held? No other appointment; not wanting to be in politics; yet knows how he feels on all of everything that is pending; especially health care......

Again; not opening this up to debate, I have no feelings either way; I live in Mass we have mandatory health care: I just thought who better to serve with no political interest;

**Jamauk** · 08-30-2009, 10:51 AM

I wasn't captured by his funeral, I was disgusted by it. I'm not interested in getting into a political debate here, but it seems that upon his demise half the nation seemed to forget all of the ugly decisions he's made in his life.

**Nishu** · 08-30-2009, 11:21 AM

I didn't watch his funeral. I don't understand though, why didn't he give up his seat? He obviously didn't pass away suddenly and I doubt he was getting much senatoring done being in his condition.

**grneyegrl** · 08-30-2009, 11:48 AM

it always amazes me how some people who call themselves christiens(sp sorry) are so unforgiving... forgiving is not forgeting.. he tried to help those who didnt have money and all the advantages it brings..

this comment is not directed to anyone here but a general comment.. which is why i can never see my self joining any kind of church

**Jamauk** · 08-30-2009, 05:03 PM

I don't consider myself a Christian, but forgiveness is given to those who are truly repentent. Ted Kennedy never repented for a single thing he ever did.

**Jamauk** · 08-30-2009, 05:05 PM

Nishu ~ I thought the same thing. I think he didn't give up his seat because he was in love with power. He made a big deal over the last several weeks of his life about trying to the get the legislature of MA to pass an emergency bill allowing the Gov to appoint someone to take his place until the special election could be held.

If having his seat filled in a timely matter was that important to him, he should have stepped down when he was first diagnosed.

**AmyBoz** · 08-30-2009, 05:10 PM

I'm with you Kathy...I thought it was a very special tribute to a very special man.
I didn't get to watch it, but have been reading about it online.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-31-2009, 12:45 AM

I agree with Jamauk. He may be 'the greatest senator ever' to some, but the man did a lot of ugly things to get to where he was before passing on.

I respected his brother John a lot more than I could ever "respect" Teddy.

I don't understand why they had to preempt a lot of programming for that funeral. They could just have kept it on MSNBC, CNN or some other mainstream news channel. I didn't even bother watching it.

shubh · 08-31-2009, 01:19 AM

He was one of the most influential and longest-serving senators in U.S. history, a liberal standard-bearer who recovered politically from a string of personal scandals to become known as a consummate congressional dealmaker. Kennedy's death marked the twilight of a political dynasty and dealt a blow to Democrats.

**klean163** · 08-31-2009, 03:55 PM

I watched it all and i also taped it .I'm a big Kennedy fan I thought it was very nice service when the children came up that was wonderful. klean163

**shoiji** · 08-31-2009, 04:08 PM

I watched some the of the tv coverage. He had his personal problems, however he dedicated his life to public service and I think almost everyone will benefit eventually from what he accomplished in congress. From what I understand not an easy thing to do. Especially after having two brothers killed during public service. He could have walked away and lived a normal low key life.