Camelot Lost
"Don't let it be forgot,
That there was once a spot
For one brief shining moment
That was known as Camelot"
Lerner and Loewe
With the passing of Senator Edward "Teddy" Kennedy last night of brain cancer, the last of the dreamy image of Camelot has vanished into the air. The legend of the larger than life Kennedy clan was fashioned by Joe Kennedy Sr. - ambassador for FDR, power broker for decades, and yes, bootlegger to the thirsty. He was a man with a plan and he stuck with it. Originally, it was to be Joe Jr who would be President, but when the younger Joe was killed in WWII, the second son - Jack was tapped to fill those shoes. It was around Jack that the legend of American Camelot grew.
The Kennedy clan has often been termed as American royalty, and they maintained that image with care - even thought the three brothers had their share of human weaknesses. Through all of it, each Kennedy son took on the responsibility of trying to craft a better world. Jack - a fierce defender of America and American interests promoted a strong military to push back at Soviet communism. He cut taxes to spur economic growth and took on the project that for a generation marked our national pride - the goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him back safely. Brother Bobby took on the task of conscience to the nation - taking on organized crime, the corrupt unions, and promoting racial equality.
If Jack was Camelot's King Arthur, Bobby was it's Sir Lancelot - the legendary friends and partners who aspired to the betterment of life for all citizens, though both men proved to be very human in their personal failings.
What then of brother Teddy - the youngest. Not Arthur or Lancelot, perhaps the Camelot figure who best describes him is Sir Percival. The last of the Knights of the Round Table, who perseveres on after Camelot crumbles, in his quest to find the Holy Grail. He soldiers on into old age continuing in his quest - without pause or doubt. That will be the legacy of the late Senator from Massachusetts.
His start was rocky, but in getting past it, Senator Kennedy has proven to have a far greater impact on American society than either of his two brothers. He was a leading voice in civil rights legislation, women's rights, education, judicial reform and healthcare. He made this mark through dogged determination, and the ability to work with, rather than rail against those with other views. There is no doubt as to his liberal mindset, yet he was able to work and craft legislation that passed under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Perhaps his most noteworthy accomplishments were in teaming with President Ronald Reagan in the overhaul of Social Security in the 1980's and in co-authoring the "No Child Left Behind" act of the second Bush Administration. One can argue whether his ideas and successes were successes for the nation as well, but one cannot argue about the enormous impact that his causes have made on American life and thinking.
Aiding in his accomplishment, was a higher degree of modesty than his brothers exhibited - true, not in the early days, but as he matured, he saw the need to cast away his troubling personal habits and become what he was - the new patriarch of the Kennedy clan, and one of the few people in American government with stature. This modesty kept him always open to talking and persuading the opposition, and though partisan - he rarely engaged in the all too commonplace yelling matches that pass for debate today. He would champion his causes but felt no need to belittle his opponents. That example is perhaps America's greatest loss with his passing - the ability to argue your position well, and respectfully at the same time.
TPP takes this time to acknowledge the passing of a great American leader. Even though we differ on solutions in many areas, we are aware that Senator Kennedy remained aware that there were other ideas out there, and kept an open mind about them in incorporating them into what he tried to accomplish. We feel that his example would be best served if it could be adopted by the rest of the elected representatives of this country. To disagree is fine, to argue forcefully is necessary - to belittle the opposition is wrong and counter-productive. If politics in general could mold itself to his model, the country as a whole would be better served.
Rest in Peace Senator Kennedy - you have served your country well.
RLB
Categories: political leadership
Tags: in memorium Kennedy political leadership
Good article and fitting tribute. It is the end of an era. We have to wonder where to from here?
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Well, I wasn't much for his politics, but he did apply himself to doing what he thought was best for America - and once he gave up the booze and carousing, he pretty much did it with dignity. What will be missed most is that he's one of the last to remember what actual negotiation was about. The new pols in office have no clue about that. RIP Teddy
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Today America truly lost an icon - and not just a Kennedy, but a man who dedicated his life to making America better for the poor and neglected. They had a true champion in Senator Kennedy, and it will not be easy to fill his shoes. He will be missed.
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Not to speak ill of the dead, but remember this is the guy who publicly went after Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas - in ways that even by today's standards were way down in the gutter. He also was the instigator of the Bush 41 tax increase which tanked the economy, and every illegal alien amnesty proposal to surface in thelast 47 years. While we're at it, he also strongarmed the Mass. legislature to take appointment powers away from the Mass. governor, when that governor was Republican Mitt Romney so that if Kerry won in 2004, his replacement would not be chosen by a Republican - and from his deathbed he twisted arms to get the legislature to reverse themselves so that the current Democrat governor could choose his replacement. I can't ignore his politics - he did all he could to screw the middle class, and to further his own base of power. If he didn't already have money, I expect that he'd be on the take as well. Sorry that he suffered, but we suffered under his meddling as well.
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Talk about dropping that other shoe - can always count on you for clarity madhatr. Look all of the Kennedys were a product of Loe Sr's ambition - and all of them had plenty of faults, which we don't need to repeat - they are well known. Teddy proved to be the most liberal of the 3, but inn comparison to Pelosi or Reid, he really seemed like a reasonable guy. Picking on him for Thomas or Bork goes back 20 years - and were a matter of conscience for him (Yes - even Teddy Kennedy can grow a conscience). I thought some of his goals were wrong-headed, but the people as a whole control the outcome through elections. Massachusetts may have loved him but he got his clock cleaned challenging Carter (so America as a whole was really not ready for another Kennedy in the White House). He wasn't evil, he did his best - as do most elected reps. At the very least he deserves respect.
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Teddy Kennedy should be remembered for what he was - a principled man who knew when to cut a deal for the greater good. Reaching across the aisle is not only not a bad idea, sometimes it's the only way to make progress. Today's politicians would do well to follow his example.
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uess is that he learned how to cut a deal on that bridge in Chappaquiddick... I'm sorry for his pain, and my sympathy goes to his family over his death - but I'm not going to suck up and say what a great guy he was when in truth, he was just another lifelong Boston politician. The fact that all of his "great" accomplishments happened by cooperating with Republicans shows you how wrong his original positions were. The only real downside to Kennedy out of the Senate is Kerry now takes his place as the standard bearer. Maybe that's an improvement after all - no one takes Kerry seriously.
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You're going to break Ted Kennedy's stones over something that happened 40 years ago? Most of us do something horrible or stupid in our lives. The mark of a man is not his mistakes, but in what he did to overcome them and when possible, make good from them. Senator Kennedy had a troubling start, but he did more for this country than most - even most of those who serve in goovernment. Our society has lost a truly greatr leader.
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Personally I hope his first few days on the other side was getting punk-slapped by Mary Jo Kopekne. No amount of good works washes away that guilt. Not the causing her death so much, but his wheedling out of taking responsibility for it. A murderer who becomes a saint, still committed murder.
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