<p>No politician in their right mind would say anything derogatory about Kennedy (at least not in public) right now. Lots of people have long aquaintances with people whose views are diametrically opposed to theirs. He (McCain) took the high road and said very kind, supportive things . Decent thing to do. That said, he didnt have to say anything. If it gets him a single crossover vote from a Democrat, then it could be in part, political game playing. Maybe “spin” isnt the right term. I had originally used a different term (which I now forget) but I changed it.</p>
<p>A scroll thru this thread looks like poor Senator Kennedy is responsible for all kinds of evil and destruction…he did something horribly irresponsible FORTY years ago which he has paid for by the loss of friends and family. Has worked extraordinarily hard for this country his entire life. Can’t he be forgiven a bit?</p>
<p>Thank you, Muffy333. </p>
<p>And I find it hard to believe that McCain’s comments were anything but sincere. I saw the video and he seemed upset.</p>
<p>Senator Bryd’s reaction was heartbreaking…</p>
<p>Re Chappaquidick: did someone bind Mary Jo Kopechne and force her into the car with him? Yes, it is fairly safe to assume that he was driving drunk, which was why he delayed reporting the accident. BOth of those actions were wrong. Was she drunk too? I wouldn’t be surprised. If so, did that have anything to do with her inability to get out of the car after the <strong>accident</strong>? Did that have anything to do with her faulty judgement in choosing to go off in a car with a married man who also happened to be drunk? I’m not intending to blame the victim here, but claiming that he is a “killer” is over the top, IMHO.</p>
<p>He’s a human being who has had a life marked by both privilege and huge personal tragedy, and now he has a brain tumor. Some people could exhibit a bit more compassion.</p>
<p>^^^^ I didn’t see it LTS, link please?</p>
<p>“He’s a human being who has had a life marked by both privilege and huge personal tragedy, and now he has a brain tumor. Some people could exhibit a bit more compassion.” Amen, amen, amen.</p>
<p>Honestly, I’m not a Kennedy fan. I almost didn’t even bother to read this post, but after reading a few vindictive “ding-dong-the-witch-is-dead” comments I felt compelled to respond.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I was commenting on your earlier post that you didn’t feel you should pray for Sen. Kennedy. But as Christians, aren’t we explicitly instructed to pray for anyone in need, not just people we feel are worthy of prayer?</p>
<p>Lafalum84, you can find a video clip on the CNN Videos site, or linked from this article about politicians reacting to the news.</p>
<p>[Politicians</a> respond to Kennedy news - CNN.com](<a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/20/kennedy.reaction/index.html]Politicians”>Politicians respond to Kennedy news - CNN.com)</p>
<p>Well said, consolation.</p>
<p>NYmomof2,
I agree that Mccain was compassionate. Clearly more than many of the posters here. My (obviously too obtuse) comment was to allude to the possibility of secondary gain for political reasons, since Kennedys motives have been challenged here.</p>
<p>I wasn’t responding to you, jym626, just to the idea, which was floated, that political calculation might have been behind McCain’s comments. </p>
<p>I, also, found Byrd’s breakdown heartbreaking.</p>
<p>Here’s the direct link to the video of Sen. Byrd: [Video</a> - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com](<a href=“Video News - CNN”>Video News - CNN)</p>
<p>I too believe in redemption. Who knows exactly how the sum of a man’s life falls out? I tend to think he was very important to his family in ways we might not understand. After all how many of us have had two family members assassinated? I do think the coverage of his illness is rather ghoulish-- the way the fawning commentators are behaving it’s as if he’s already passed.</p>
<p>I have to also say a big “wow” after reading some posts on this thread. Some posts seem inhumane to me. If I hear someone has been diagnosed with cancer, I feel badly for that person and hope that things will work out in their treatment. It doesn’t matter to me what their politics are. It doesn’t matter to me if they have done some bad things in the course of their lifetime. It seems entirely inhumane and heartless to read of thoughts that come across as “he deserved it for all the bad things he has done.” And then there’s the comments that he is 76 and so “oh well he is gonna die soon anyway!” Wow. My dad died at 75 and was perfectly healthy until his cancer diagnosis which was caught too late and gave him five months. He had a lot of living left to do even though he had led a long good life up until that point. Who cares Senator Kennedy’s politics in this particular context? He is a person, not just a politician. And he has also done some good things for his country although that is besides the point. There are a lot of politicians who I think poorly of as politicians but would still feel badly for them if they had a grave illness. Same with other 76 year olds. I don’t see how his politics or age are relevant. It seems mean spirited to bring up not liking him or what he has done in his life or that he is old anyway. There should be compassion for all human life. This isn’t meant to be a thread about what you think of the man but compassion to someone who has been diagnosed with a very challenging disease. Do some of you only show compassion if you like the person or they are younger? I find some reactions rather shocking. I would NOT wish illness on my worst enemy. I find that shameful. Same with lack of compassion or care if an older person has a terminal disease. Ya know, 76 is not all that old. This person is actively involved in service to the country whether you like his politics or not…he is an active member of the human race who is still making a contribution to society.</p>
<p>For those too young or who have forgotten, a review.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.ytedk.com/intro.htm[/url]”>http://www.ytedk.com/intro.htm</a></p>
<p>Just for the record, even over at freerepublic.com – certainly one of the most right-wing blogs in the blogosphere – there were people who understood what is and is not appropriate commentary at a time like this; the moderators shut down the comments four separate times because of the flood of hate and vitriol some of the “freepers” were spewing. Among other things, they commented:</p>
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<p>My sentiments exactly. Whatever I thought of Ronald Reagan – and it wasn’t much – I kept my mouth shut when the announcement was made of his Alzheimer’s, and when he died.</p>
<p>barrons…when someone is ill, do you march out all their life’s transgressions and negative points? How is that relevant to a man’s illness? That is only relevant if someone is discussing his qualities or politics or history. I can feel badly for someone who is ill no matter what they have done in their lives. </p>
<p>Chappaquidick is irrelevant in this context. It is relevant if you are reflecting on someone’s history, actions, politics, qualities. But it is irrelevant in terms of someone’s illness. Do you only feel compassion for ill people if you like them or agree with them?</p>
<p>sooz, some just lose their humanity and compassion when they can kick a down opponent. All sense of appropriateness is lost.</p>
<p>vossron…you are likely right. It is disappointing and disconcerting to see in my fellow man/woman who are human beings first before all else (ie., politics, etc.).</p>
<p>I feel little compassion for lying murderers. Even if they got away with it.</p>
<p>“what is the purpose of announcing that? “Because I want to” doesn’t seem to quite align with your usual thoughtfulness.”</p>
<p>It was not not thoughtful. I was stuck at work after everyone had left and I wanted a conversation. That’s really all there was to it. This was the happening thread at the time I needed company, so here I came.</p>