now reunited in another place and time.
The baby brother ...
... became a Lion
“I was not the lion, but it fell to me to give the lion's roar.” - Churchill
“Fear an ignorant man more than a lion” - a Turkish proverb
and the Senator fought ignorance and let out his roar for decades.
How I wish his dream for real healthcare reform could have come to be in his lifetime.
The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die - Senator Edward Kennedy
Peaceful Journey Teddy
44 comments:
The Liberal Lion roars no more. Ted was one of the hardest working, most legislatively prolific Senators in the history of this country.
Yes, he battled personal demons and poor decisions, but his committment to public service is unsurpassed.
The greatness of his work and sense of duty is incredible knowing that as a son of privilege, he could have just sat comfortably on the sidelines and not suffered the criticisms he has endured.
And another thing I liked about him? In these times, for whatever reason, Liberal has become a bad word. Even today, if someone were to throw that label on him in a negative tone, I can hear Ted saying, "You're damn right I'm a Liberal."
I soooo dig Teddy. RIP, and Cheers to you, Dianne!! MMMMwha!!
What a wonderful tribute Matty!
You are my brilliant beast.
once again the world has lost another man who fought for monumental changes. Lets hope we carry on the message he was sending the world with his hardwork and dedication.
I do hope we will have health care reform this year and I would love to see it named for his memory.
Broke my heart to hear this news this morning ...
I got tears in my eyes! A wonderful tribute, Di! Thank you so much!
This makes me soooooo sad. It's a beautiful tribute though Dianne.
Nice Tribute Dianne :)
Well done! The lion quotes are excellent. And yes, I have tears in my eyes, too.
Sine he could no longer work on it during his life, maybe Teddy's death will move those senators to pass health reform as his legacy.
Teddy, like all of us, had his flaws. He made many unforced errors in his day. But, on the whole, his positive contributions to society outweighed the bad.
Like Matt-Man said, what I admired most about him was his work ethic and the fact that he never just sat back and took it easy. He had a great sense of his responsibility to society because of the fact that he was born into privilege.
Sen. Kennedy's passing comes at a time when we are at a crossroads regarding the deplorable state of health care in this country. And as Matt-man said, at a time when "liberal" seems to be a bad word. I am so sad today, though we knew it was inevitable, but I can't help feeling like we have taken another step back. Rather than seeing this as a defeat, I hope this energizes his colleagues to do right by him in his memory.
They were a family like no other, they were men like no other and each one has been, will be missed. This is a lovely tribute to them. It is unlikely that the likes of their courage will be seen again -- certainly not in my lifetime.
Yes, indeed, RIP Teddy!
Another one gone - but as he said, "...the dreams shall never die."
It does not matter what side of the isle you were on, this man earned the respect of both sides. Many a president has listened to this man in time of great need or want. I feel a sense of deep sorrow today. How can one not think of the 3 when you talk of one.
RIP brothers kennedy, RIP.
You said it perfectly!
Well said Dianne...the entire family had huge flaws, but through it all they dedicated their lives to serve the public...did they use their money to get them there? yes...but they served and gave the most precious thing we have - their lives.
Beautiful and moving tribute, Dianne! What a loss, and yet, such accomplishments he's left us. No doubt he wished he could have voted one more time, for health care. I agree with Peach Tart, name it for him!
Beautifully said, Dianne. I think the thing that makes me saddest is that he didn't live to see health care pass... and I hope that it will. Perhaps he can work from the other side as tirelessly and passionately as he worked from this side. The flaws and follies of his youth that many people can't let go of were real, but as one who has lived through the murder of one sibling and been shattered by it, I can not imagine the strength of soul and character it must have taken to survive the violent death of three brothers, two on such a public plane... I don't think anyone who hasn't been there can conceive of the level of pain. I'm listening to the people who knew him talk about him not just as a great legislator but as a truly loving, compassionate person who was always there with a kind word or help. He used that gave that same passion and compassion to us as a nation and we have lost someone magnificent.
That man went through hell when he lost his first brother Joe, then his second brother Jack, then his last brother Bobby.
I liked Ted Kennedy, he was tough smile to beat.
And he LOVED to sail!
Wonderfully done....
The world will miss him indeed.
BRAVA Dianne!
FABULOUS tribute! And my mom would be cheering here with me.
Loved the two quotes you shared too!
Rock on, dear lady!
X ya!
THOM
as you know and appreciate I do not censor comments. I will say that I find yours exceptionally distasteful
your level of anger implies that you might have known the Kopechne family - if that is the case then I understand anger born from grief, although I will point out the grace of someone like Raven who manages to keep a civil tongue even when talking about her sisters murder
if your anger is politically motivated then I will point out to you that Laura Bush ran a stop sign and killed a classmate - some say she was drunk, others say she had a fight with him earlier and killed him intentionally, we never do know
both her father-in-law and husband went on to become President without this ever being dscussed
if your anger is socially motivated then I agree that the rich and powerful often get away with murder - literally and figeratively - I find it ironic that when I malign the rich and powerful for the state of healthcare or education or whatever you usually come back with a "blue bellied liberal" comment
so is it some rich are OK, and others aren't?
some deaths are OK, and some aren't?
I wish I could live in such a simple black and white world as yours Thom - I imagine it would be easier although it doesn't seem to have lessened your rage any
Excellent response to Thom, Dianne!
Lovely tribute ...
My thoughts and prayers are with the Kennedy family too.
Hugs and blessings,
The average man lost a giant of a defender today. May his dream not be lost and may his goals be reached, so he can rest easy. We are all better off for his life and efforts.
Lovely tribute.
Beautiful post and photo's Dianne. Thank you.
What a beautiful tribute, Dianne.
Lovely tribute Di, absolutely lovely...
Thanks for stopping by today, you leave such great comments...I truly appreciate them, speaking of coments - a whooaaa there to Thom...
I think maybe I should pop on over to his place and have a nice little chat...ya think?
SO well said!
I'm crying again....
Comfort Spiral
Thanks Dianne, for giving words to my feelings tonight. This afternoon and evening, watching the news, viewing the special aired by CBS about Teddy Kennedy, my eyes were constantly filled with tears. Especially seeing and hearing him deliver the eulogy for his brother, RFK. He may not have been an angel in life, but he surely should be one now for the tireless work ethnic he had -particularly for things that would aid the little guy. Just a tremendous loss for all over us -regardless of which party one favors. (And thanks for such an excellent rebuttal to Thom. Very, very tactful but the truth was there in your words, for sure.)
Nature abhors a vacuum someone of like character is getting ready to be sucked into that spot of speaking for the voiceless.
Journey well Edward to the place of no more concern.
A wonderful man,
May he rest in peace,
Much love, M
A beautiful tribute. You really are talented and gifted. Thanks for this.
What an era has passed. We will not see the likes of it again.
That was an absolutely beautiful post hun. Brought a tear to my eye. Very well done!!
I'm sorry I didn't leave a comment yesterday. I did read your excellent tribute and the comments that followed. One disrespectful comment sent me away to find my calm place.
Tonight I come back to say this...All men are flawed. Powerful men are powerfully flawed. The imperfections and mistakes of a public life are writ large, as are the triumphs. One cannot fail catastrophically without first deciding to try to succeed magnificently.
At the end of a powerful, flawed, imperfect, and sometimes triumphant man's life, I say be at peace.
Hi Di! Re: your comment on Ocala DP today - if you keep this up, we're going to both be walking around with tear-filled eyes all day!
Have a great day!
It is also wonderful to know and realize, that even with his mistakes -- some devistating -- he still stood up and did his best to do the right thing.
It gives hope to the rest of us, who do our best, but aren't perfect -- and often make mistakes, intentionally or unintentionally.
This is the end to an era that my children will not have been able to live through. It is also a family, reunited eternally.
Lovely tribute, Diane.
Indeed, Indeed! A sad time for his family and for us, too. Like you, I so wish he had lived to see Healthcare Reform that he fought so hard for--become a reality.
Blessings on him in his jurney. I wrote a little something about him in the post before my most recent one--I just couldn't let his passing go without some words. This family's devotion to "service" was and is so inspiring.
This was a well written tribute Dianne. Heartfelt condolences to his family - how deeply they must be feeling the loss.
Beautiful tribute!
Nicely done. Thanks for this, Di.
I had a long e-mail exchange with bro Travis about Teddy...
Teddy chose to serve his coutry, all the people in his country.
He stood up and gave a voice to people that had lost theirs, or had never been allowed to have one.
He served, despite the tremendous, tragic sacrifices his family was forced to make in the name of service.
He was a flawed man, but we all are flawed... We all make mistakes, and we have the responsibility as human beings to atone for them. Teddy paid the ferryman by taking a stance for those who could not stand up for themselves, many times over. I pray his journey is a peaceful one now.
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