George Will’s Perspective on Teddy Kennedy
George Will, I think, captures eloquently the sagacity that everyone can admire in Kennedy:
In the Senate, as elsewhere, 80 percent of the important work is done by a talented 20 percent. And 95 percent of the work is done off the floor, away from committees, out of sight, where strong convictions leavened by good humor are the currency of accomplishment.
Convictions. Humor. Hard Work. That’s the key formula for success that anyone who wishes to make a mark on this world must learn.
He should be remembered for what he was, a dishonest piece of human trash. He was expelled from Harvard for academic dishonesty. He left Mary Jo Kopechne to die and attempted to cover up the incident for which he never took full responsibility. He was a pathetic drunk who participated in at least one binge that resulted in rape accusations against his nephew. His dishonest smear of Bork contributed significantly to the continued politicization of the judiciary. He advocated weakness towards the Soviet Union and failure in Vietnam.
While our country is weaker for him having occupied a seat in the Senate it is better off for his passing.
Joel:
Very tough, though its hard to disagree with your summation of Kennedy’s life. It’s odd that both he and Jesse Helms – each considered extremes of the political spectrum – were reputed to be the best Senators to work for – personable, kind, and genuinely concerned about the people who worked for them.
“Convictions. Humor. Hard Work. That’s the key formula for success that anyone who wishes to make a mark on this world must learn.”
Great quote, though I would qualify all with “honesty.”
I am no fan of Teddy. That he worked hard and fought for his convictions is something I suppose (he could have spent his life tooling around on his boat and drinking…hmmm…didn’t he do that anyway?).
Problem was his convictions were all wrong. I will agree with George Will that Teddy managed to leverage himself well in the Senate, so on a Sun Tzu/Machiavellian level he is worthy of study, about the same as studying a successful virus or dictator.
If this is true then Ted Kennedy deserves nothing more than to have the nation collectively spit on his grave.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=M2M2YWQ1ODQwNjZiOGVmZWU3MzQ2MmZmMDk4MWExZGY=
Leggett hit the proverbial nail on the head with his eloquent assessment of the drunkard, murderous debaucher known as Edward Kennedy, a man whose pursuit of depravity and desire to eviscerate fine men such as Robert Bork knew no bounds. We are far better for he having (finally) left this world Point blank and period. Vengeance will finally be had; it is not ours after all.
I neglected to add to my previous comment – great link Joel; thanks for sharing.
Joel. I saw that too. What a creep.
I will agree that Kennedy was an effective legislator and I don’t doubt that he could be charming. However, Joel’s assessment is also correct. Indeed, I listened to one tribute to Kennedy which included a comment that Kennedy would joke about Chapaquitic (sorry can’t find the link). We should acknowledge both as we discuss his life and legacy. However, we shouldn’t treat him as a national treasure and we shouldn’t interupt regular programing on the networks to show his Memorial Service. To do so, trivialize these serious issues concerning his character and the unnecessary death of a young woman.