So I have botched my pledge to post more often; this is my first effort since May 2008. We live in an entirely different world since my last post; we now have a Democrat in the White House, our 1st African-American President; our economy has suffered an historical collapse; the Dow on Wall Street dropped from 14,000 to 6,000 and now around 9,000; California is near bankruptcy; the housing industry has collapsed with foreclosures at historical all time levels; unemployment has effectively doubled; Health Care as we have known it for 50 years is to be overhauled; the US has made Afghanistan it's main theater of operations in the war on terror; and Ted Kennedy, the last of the influential political brothers of the Kennedy clan has passed away. These are just the items that I have on the top of my head; I am sure there are more to come to mind.
On a personal level, the girls continue to excel in their University studies - Suzie has completed her 1st year of the Masters program at American University in Washington D.C. with all A's & 1 B+; Patti is on the President's list at Mira Costa College with a plan to do graduate work in Sociology upon graduation. Cathy & I continue to loyally run the law business with no real change except for the type of work coming through the doors; the tough economy has meant more bankruptcies, debt consolidations and financial assistance.
At this moment, as it is the day of the funeral and internment of Ted Kennedy, I will comment on the passing of this man and his legacy. There is no doubt that the Kennedy family has been a throw back to a time when politics was thought of as a way to serve one's country. Notwithstanding, the Kennedy family tradition includes winning at all costs and by all means necessary. In fact, they have been very good at this strategy over the years. A Kennedy has been a Massachusetts Senator for my entire lifetime - from 1952 to the death of Ted Kennedy this week. It seems that as of this date in 2009 there is not another Kennedy ready to take the "torch" and continue the legacy. In fact, Senator Kennedy effectively passed this torch to Barack Obama at the time of his endorsement for President and thereafter.
Much has been said over the past few days of Ted Kennedy's ability to make deals in the Senate. On the surface this seems like a good thing; however, some of the stories are a little troubling. They leave the impression that Ted Kennedy was able to convince people to move to his position on important issues in exchange for items so trivial as an envelope of cigars or plate of cookies. Hopefully legislators are not that superficial.
I was impressed with Senator Kennedy's ability to connect with people, his concern for others and his method of maintaining communications with those going through troubling times. The stories provided by Vice President Biden and those regarding Senator Kennedy's maintaining contact with the Massachusetts victims of 9/11 were particularly impressive. The comment by Major Garrett of Fox News to the effect that only Kennedy and Senator McCain treated their staff consistently with dignity and respect. Each recognizing how petty it would be treat those working for them improperly. As stated by Garrett, this is unusual in the Senate to the point that these are the only two that can be recognized in this way.
While I may have issues with many of Senator Kennedy's positions I find myself in agreement with him on some social issues such as universal health care and immigration reform. I also admire his stance on issues regarding education, gay rights and civil rights. However, I probably break with him on taxation, abortion and the growth of the Welfare State.
I can reconcile political differences with Ted Kennedy but I remain troubled by his personal behavior and lack of discipline. His infidelity in his marriage, his philandering, the legendary stories of his partying, the bad influences exerted upon those that admired him (the Smith rape scenario and the parties that led up to the incident) and, of course, the Chappaquidick matter. However, upon hearing the stories at the funeral from his children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren I was reminded of how he stepped up and became the partiarch for the entire extended family. I was especially moved by the story relating how Jackie Kennedy passed him a note at Caroline Kennedy's wedding after Teddy had walked Caroline down the aisle and the note stated "On you the carefree youngest brother fell a burden a hero would have begged to be spared. We are all going to make it because you were always there with your love." By all accounts he did a tremendous job in this regard and should be admired for this if nothing else; but of course there are many reasons to admire this man, the youngest of the Kennedy clan.
