We have lost a giant. The Senate is a smaller place today -- a special measure of joy, political passion, irrepressible energy has been lost.
Edward Kennedy's words, delivered as his 1980 presidential campaign came to an end at the Democratic Convention in Madison Square Garden, should be played repeatedly in his memorials, for they provide the charge that he has left for us:
For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.
He will be missed. And the great cause of his career -- health care for all -- will pass the Congress as his final triumph.
Rick Horowitz: Kennedy: The Lion at Rest
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, dead at 77 -- and thank goodness for that. None of his three brothers -- his three older brothers -- made it to 70. Or 60. Or even 50.
How can so many people, most of whom identify themselves as Christians, believe that it is a privilege to have health insurance and medical care, and not a basic human right?
On September 13th, there is a march planned in Washington in support of the Public Option. I would encourage everyone to attend and honor the great Senator's life work by doing so. I believe that he will be with us every step of the way!
We desperately need the public option reform in this country...and what better way to honor the life of one of our greatest and best by passing the Edward M. Kennedy Health Care Act of 2009!
YES WE CAN!
This family has endured so many tragedies that would devastate most of us and leave us with no inspiration or belief in humanity. But Teddy Kennedy is as he has been called a true lion and continued the fight he and his remarkable brothers began.
So long old warrior, we will truely miss you.
He stayed the course to do what he could to help America. Unlike his brothers whose lives were robbed from all of us.
So different from those who would take a life to distroy an opinion, a belief, a movement. whether they be the planner or the shooter. But it does speak volumes again of how for most of us or lives did change so abruptly in those days when idealism and right were murdered in America.
I think I may be learning how this man Ted Kennedy was winning his war against his brother Assailant. 2006 and 2008 was a more silent movement toward the goals of the Kennedy dinasty, but Ted's way. Not as inspriring or exciting, but slow and steady.
People's health - much like national security - is not a "for profit" business. How do you reconcile your "anti-government" stance with the military budget? The only time that service is profitable is when there's a war. Oh, I see.......
A strong military works just fine in such a constitutional stance.
BTW, the only train wreck will be on the obama choo choo.
If this fight is lost because our candidates, now elected leaders, fail at high noon, the losses in the next election could lead to a whole lot of nihilists getting elected who believe in nothing but negativism. That would mean an effective paralysis for a long time. The stakes are high. We need our people to live up to the best and boldest vision of the Kennedy legacy.
I hope and pray that Health Care Reform is passed in honour of his tireless work to improve the lives of his fellow Americans, no matter their socio-economic status.
My sympathies and condolences to his family and friends. America has lost a hero for the ordinary man/woman.
RIP Senator Ted Kennedy.
Kennedy was a lion of a man. He made mistakes but he lived down any criticism. Too bad that others call themselves Democrats but are essentially Rethugs in drag. Few were able to articulate the principles of the party as well as the Kennedys. I still miss JFK and RFK. How different things would be today had these great men survived.
It is serious legistation, and comperable to many other pieces of serios legislation passed since 1789, but you show you ignorance when comparing it to the American Revolution.
C'mon, progressives. C'mon Obama.
Let's quit mucking around. We owe it to this man!
Million man woman and child march on DC for universal health care this Fall!
I am not sad. I am energized. God Bless his family in their time of grief.