<p>I think Kennedy deaths are particularly hard for my generation (I was 11 when JFK was killed). Every single one brings it all back. I was devastated by Bobby’s murder and also by John Jr’s death, and I am not a very political person and not a Democrat. It’s just always been such a big part of history. I was trying to explain all this to a much younger co-worker this morning. I think I sounded like an old lady.</p>
<p>MOWC, I’m with you on this one. I’m two years older than you are and remember walking to my science class on 11/22/63 when I heard the news. Even with all his personal problems, his lengthy tenure in the Senate allowed Ted Kennedy to perfect the art of compromise and negotiation and become a Senator highly respected on both sides of the aisle.</p>
<p>I left a condolence note on his Senate site, I wonder if anyone is reading or passing those along to the family?</p>
<p>Someone on another site linked to a condolence book done by newsday; I have tried to post links to huffpost but I got modded out on cc.</p>
<p>Anyone else know how you can post messages of condolence to the family?</p>
<p>I am also with you, MOWC. I was 13 when JFK was killed, and I have very clear memories of sitting in HS and hearing the announcement over the PA. I can still hear the nun’s voice. I also remember watching Ruby kill Oswald on TV. I always felt particularly close to the Kennedy family because I am also from a large, Irish-Catholic family. When JFK was running for president, it was a big deal in my community - almost as big a deal as it was for black Americans when Obama was elected.</p>
<p>I can relate to the end-of-an-era feeling of sadness–I’m 57 and also remember the deaths of JFK and RFK. Ted Kennedy served those of us in Massachusetts (and the country) well.</p>
<p>Quote from a 2004 interview:</p>
<p>“I want to be remembered as someone who helped children, someone who cares for children,” he said. “Children need good schools to go to, a place to live, good food to eat. The most important thing for children is to have a good education.”</p>
<p>GA202mom, The fact that Obama had no plans to visit Kennedy on this trip was seen as a sign that Kennedy was not in any condition to receive visitors. Similarly, his absence at Eunice’s funeral was a strong signal that the end was near. Kennedy had not been heard from for months. I’m not sure why I was so shocked to hear of his death.</p>
<p>JFK was a hero to me. I was a supporter of RFK’s Presidential bid, passing out material door-to-door at age 14. In other words, I am not a Kennedy hater.</p>
<p>But, Ted lost me with his post-Chappaquiddick tv address. I remember watching it in a motel lobby while on a family vacation. I remember thinking, this guy is lying through his teeth. I never trusted him after that.</p>
<p>UMDAD, thanks for the reminder that Kierkegaard was right:</p>
<p>We are objective - terribly so - when we think of others and subjective about ourselves, when the true task in life is to be subjective about others and objective about ourselves.</p>
<p>Ted Kennedy’s epochal and positive achievements for our country and his empathy for others will last much longer than you or I.</p>
<p>RIP, Ted</p>
<p>Kei</p>
<p>I’m another Mass. native of a certain age for whom the Kennedy name brings up a ton of old memories. As a high school senior I sat on the dais with Ted Kennedy at a scholarship dinner and blushed and stammered when I shook hands with the young and handsome Senator. A few months later, I met my husband-to-be on a blind date the weekend of Chappaquidick. Kennedy’s behavior then was contemptible, but I think he more than redeemed himself in the years that followed, as a surrogate father to his brothers’ children, and as a tireless fighter for the underdog in the Senate. Compared to the many clowns and lowlifes who occupy the halls of Congress today, he was a giant. Today I teared up watching, for the umpteenth time in umpteen years, the footage of Ted’s eulogy at Bobby’s funeral. That moment when his voice catches always gets me. I only wish he had resigned from office when it became clear he could no longer perform his duties as Senator, so that the process of selecting a successor could have been well underway by now. That 60th Democratic Senate vote is looking mighty critical.</p>
<p>Noted last night that the funeral is Saturday in Mission Hills area. That should create a nice Boston traffic snarl! Kids moving back to school that weekend beware.</p>
<p>MommaJ - Don’t you think that when the state legislature reconvenes after Labor Day that they will quickly pass a bill so someone can be appointed to serve until the special election? I am hoping that is what happens. I am watching the motorcade now and am surprised how many people are out lining the way. I continue to be amazed by the many stories of how he helped his constituents all the time, with small and large problems. With the large office staffs our elected officials have in Washington, it seems like a no-brainer, but surprisingly not everyone takes such care to take care of their people. He definitely had his flaws, but he seems to have spent the latter part of his life making up for those earlier mistakes.</p>
<p>someone was looking for the place to post a condolence message. His Senatorial page directs you here: [Edward</a> M. Kennedy](<a href=“http://www.tedkennedy.org/]Edward”>http://www.tedkennedy.org/)</p>
<p>Remember when John Kerry was running for president? Kennedy pushed for a change in the law that took the power to make an appointment to fill a vacant Senate seat away from the governor (who was then-Republican Mitt Romney). Instead, under the new law, the seat is to be left vacant until a special election can be held (approximately 5 months later). That’s what Teddy wanted and that’s what he got back in 2004. So, no, I hope they don’t change the law back now.</p>
<p>I also hope they don’t change the law back now. Kennedy pushed for the new law requiring a special election and then recently someone in his office sent a letter he had penned months ago to the Boston Globe indicating that he now thought the law should be changed. It doesn’t work that the law changes each time the Democratic party wants it to.</p>
<p>A law that leaves a Senate seat unfilled and a populous state underrepresented for 5 months is a stupid law, regardless of who came up with the idea. I also don’t like the notion of a governor filling a vacancy for the remainder of a term (look to Illinois for the folly that can result). But an interim appointment until a special election can be held seems like the best solution. Ideally, the interim appointee would be someone with no designs on the seat so that he or she could concentrate on the job rather than on the pending special election. It would also be appropriate for the appointee to commit to voting in accordance with the intentions of the person being replaced. (When I rule the world…)</p>