rssRemember Chappaquiddick!
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 10:35 am
- 22 Comments
I didn’t pay too much attention yesterday to the conservatives who tweeted or blogged untoward things about the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. It would have been bizarre if they hadn’t; he was, for decades, one of the most hated men on the left. And liberals didn’t pretend to have warm feelings about Jesse Helms when he died last year.
Still, Kennedy held a unique role in the public imagination. There is a danger for conservatives if the worst moments of his life are left out of the obituaries, and he is remembered as a trans-partisan saint whose memory Republicans need to honor. So there’s been an incredible amount of attention paid to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, the woman who died in Kennedy’s car forty years ago at Chappaquiddick.
The incident, which almost certainly ruined Kennedy as a national candidate (it’s easy to imagine him being elected president if Kopechne hadn’t been left to die), has been included in all of Kennedy’s major media obits. Nevertheless, some conservatives are emphasizing the scandal above all else.
Roger Kimball, editor of the New Criterion:
“Edward M. Kennedy,” I heard echoing behind those words, “Liar, cheat, drunk, philanderer, and — let’s not forget — inadvertent murderer.”
The tsunami of sentimental pap about Kennedy is already churning, gushing, rushing to inundate the public with a nauseating and untruthful fairy tale about the “Lion of the Senate.” The Lyin’ in the Senate is more like it. Kennedy was 77 when he was taken off last night, Mary Jo Kopechne had just turned 29 when Kennedy’s car veered off the bridge in Chappaquiddick and he wriggled free and swam to shore, leaving the young woman trapped in the car to drown.
Andrew Klavan, mystery novelist-turned-conservative commentator:
Bad men can support good ideas. We can’t condemn liberalism itself on the strength of Kennedy’s character. It’s only a coincidence that the man who left Miss Kopechne to tap, tap, tap against the Oldsmobile window while he apparently tried to establish an alibi and otherwise cover his ass also spent a lifetime promoting policies that have endangered our freedoms, harmed our economy and damaged the lives of the poor people they were presumably intended to help.
Daniel Flynn, author of “A Conservative History of the American Left”:
Ted Kennedy let a woman die at Chappaquiddick and tried to cover it up… ed Kennedy, who caddishly left a woman to die as he plotted ways to rescue his political career, found himself canonized as a saint of the women’s movement.
The idea that Edward M. Kennedy could be a viable national politician – let alone a much-admired and lionized political figure – has convinced millions of everyday citizens and succeeding generations of conservative activists that among the elites of academia, politics, and the media two standards of behavior exist: One for liberal Democrats and another for conservative Republicans. Along with sweeping changes in immigration law, soaring oratory, and strengthening the nation’s social safety net, this reservoir of class resentment is also part of Kennedy’s legacy.
I think Cannon is wrong about this: Kennedy got better treatment because he was a Kennedy, and the country had watched him lose two brothers to assassins’ bullets in the six years before the accident. It’s so obvious that it’s hardly worth saying, but it seems to have escaped him. Several prominent conservatives have joined a new Facebook group called “1,000,000 Strong for Justice for Mary Joe Kopechne.” Its mission:
To remember Mary Jo Kopechne and her murder, against the felching hagiographers of the State who will worship and memorialize their fuehrer
Among the conservatives who’ve signed up: Don Irvine, the chairman of Accuracy in Media; Matthew Vadum, an editor at the Capital Research Center who has gotten attention this week for criticizing the administration’s plans to hold a “day of service” on September 11; Seton Motley, the director of communications at the Media Research Center; and Pat Michaels, a senior fellow in environmental studies at the Cato Insitute. A few less prominent members of the group: Robert Broadus, who got a few minutes of fame for needling Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) at a town hall; Matt Margolis, the conservative blogger behind “Blogs for Bush” and other sites; and Alex Jones, the conspiracy-minded radio host.
Follow David Weigel on Twitter
22 Comments
Comment posted August 27, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
“To remember Mary Jo Kopechne and her murder, against the felching hagiographers of the State who will worship and memorialize their fuehrer”
Wait a minute…does it really say “felching”? Going to look. That's a particularly disturbing term for a sexual act.
OK, it really does say that. That's gross, regadless of your political perspective.
The following link is not safe for work, and really gross, but this is what the Facebook group claims is being done by people who are remembering Ted Kennedy fondly?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felching
Comment posted August 27, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
And, yet they revere Reagan, patron saint of mass murderers and death squads.
Comment posted August 27, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
In addition to the fact that he was a Kennedy, the truth is that prior to the 1980's drunk driving was very lightly punished and rarely was punishment beyond a probation sentence imposed for first offenders, even if there was a death involved. This “except for the grace of God go I” judicial attitude towards DUI was what led to MADD and the current zero tolerance policy. Kennedy was treated fairly typically for those times.
Comment posted August 27, 2009 @ 7:14 pm
I knew a young man who, in 1969, hit a bridge abutment at 100 mph. His three passengers, ages 18,15 and 15 were killed instantly. He survived.
His sentence was about 6 months in county jail on work release. He spent nights in jail for about six months.
I know it is just an antecdote, but your point is correct. DUI is punished much more severely now.
Comment posted August 27, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
Not to excuse Ted Kennedy. His actions in the Kopechne case were clearly wrong.
Comment posted August 27, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
For the record, as I recall I joined the “1,000,000 Strong for Justice for Mary Jo Kopechne” Facebook group quite a bit before Sen. Kennedy died.
Without diminishing the death of Ms. Kopechne, I suspect the fact that Sen. Kennedy caused her death will be regarded by historians as one of his lesser offenses.
Let's not forget Sen. Kennedy's treason against the United States:
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=33301
He was an incredibly powerful and influential politician whose impact on America will be felt forever but none of this changes the fact that he was a terrible man. Contemptible. I feel for him in a way because he must have been tormented by all the tragedies in his family but plenty of other people have lived through Hell without turning into reckless sociopaths. It is truly a tragedy that the people of Massachusetts chose to forgive him.
May his tortured soul rest in peace.
Comment posted August 28, 2009 @ 1:31 am
Mary Jo Kopechne (1940/7/26 – 1969/7/19) wasn't a right-wing talking point or a negative campaign slogan or a controversial footnote in a dynasty.
The only reason these people care about her drowning is because Sen. Kennedy, so stop pretending.
Comment posted August 28, 2009 @ 1:36 am
Laura Bush was charged in the death of high school senior because she blew a stop sign. Anybody care? Anybody even know his name?
Comment posted August 28, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
TexasCore, Laura Bush did cause the death of a classmate in a car crash, but that she did it deliberately and maliciously is a Vince Foster-type canard. See http://www.snopes.com/politics/bush/laura.asp
Pingback posted August 28, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
[...] link is being shared on Twitter right now. @twi_news said Remember Chappaquiddick! http://bit.ly/oqQhf. [...]
Comment posted August 29, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
Has anyone noticed that Rush and Glenn Beck have very attractive breasts for men. Rush's breasts are even pretty large.
Comment posted August 29, 2009 @ 8:51 pm
Watch that video of Rush at the Republican rally when he jumps up and down. Now you tell me those aren't really hot boobies.
Do you think Rush hated gym class when he was a kid?
(Glenn Beck has nice ones too, though they're a lot smaller.)
Pingback posted September 9, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
[...] he wriggled free and swam to shore, leaving the young woman trapped in the car to drown. … Click for more Published: September 9, 2009 « Previous Post Next Post [...]
Comment posted September 30, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
In addition to the fact that he was a Kennedy, the truth is that prior to the 1980's drunk driving was very lightly punished and rarely was punishment beyond a probation sentence imposed for first offenders, even if there was a death involved. This “except for the grace of God go I” judicial attitude towards DUI was what led to MADD and the current zero tolerance policy. Kennedy was treated fairly typically for those times.
Comment posted August 21, 2010 @ 6:05 am
Not to excuse Ted Kennedy. His actions in the Kopechne case were clearly wrong.
Comment posted September 3, 2010 @ 5:28 am
Not to excuse Ted Kennedy. His actions in the Kopechne case were clearly wrong.
Comment posted September 6, 2010 @ 2:56 am
In addition to the fact that he was a Kennedy, the truth is that prior to the 1980's drunk driving was very lightly punished and rarely was punishment beyond a probation sentence imposed for first offenders, even if there was a death involved. This “except for the grace of God go I” judicial attitude towards DUI was what led to MADD and the current zero tolerance policy. Kennedy was treated fairly typically for those times.
Comment posted April 19, 2011 @ 1:20 am
While shortest prom dress and quinceanera dresses are very famous to reveal girls beauty prom dress, and are always fooling selection to many informal balls prom dresses and parties, long prom clothes is the right choice to traditional prom dresses young ladies. Many people including some parents think that a short prom dress is too exposing with exposed back or without straps Prom Dresses.
Comment posted May 19, 2011 @ 1:22 am
n lacroix by her laugh , then said quietly , all your credit line , you do not want me to repay you well in return . must be , but the best reward for me to go get married get married , do not delay the work, you have to To concentrate on starting a small christian louboutin on sale , I even have the heart to die . louboutin on sale with exaggerated gestures Christian Louboutin Evening, and, you know, today, to try to make you wedding , three notices have been turned down good , louboutin on sale Christian Louboutin Sandals, I will arrange a good time . christian lacroix comforted smile . assistant light designer step forward, Yu said with a smile , I have seen many brides , as you have never seen such a beautiful , we go out , I think louboutin should not wait to see you wear a wedding dress look like Yu to tell the truth , like louboutin so busy people can personally accompany female pengyou really too difficult to try wedding . christian lacroix face slightly red, heart was great happiness Filled , she gently nodded and followed out of the locker room assistant designer . Huangsi Heaven Chapter VIII Section XIX wedding design studio. huge club to make a beautiful wedding designs Christian Louboutin Pumps, bright sunshine through the clouds from the two Side of the transparent windows down , reflect on the ground was smooth and shiny marble . Today’s louboutin rare good patience, turned down all the meetings and the work at hand , specifically free time with christian lacr
Comment posted September 5, 2011 @ 11:42 am
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it wise. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a great site.
Comment posted September 6, 2011 @ 8:48 pm
I have been after the Internet for this info and just wanted to say thanks to u for the post. By the way, just off topic, where can i get a version of this theme? – Thanks
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
