Yesterday the World Lost a Great Man
by Ned Rice
OBITUARY August 27, 2009 Ned Rice
The whole world suffered a terrible loss yesterday with the passing from cancer of a great American icon who overcame unspeakable family tragedies and his own alcoholism to become a legendary advocate for justice. Born to privilege in a large and wealthy Irish Catholic family, he attended elite prep schools, served in the military, and after a family member’s murder devoted the rest of his life to social causes and fighting injustice wherever he found it. This larger-than-life character’s quick wit and compelling speaking style made him a friend to all who knew him – even those of different political beliefs-and helped advance the many causes he believed in so passionately.
May you rest in peace, Dominick Dunne.
OTHER DEATHS YESTERDAY: Ted Kennedy
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360 Comments
Well, written.
Thank you.
My thoughts exactly.
Are you kidding me? This is a man who in a drunken stupor crashed his car into a river, allowed his mistress to drown and then tried to get a family member to take the blame. An on top of all that, he was never prosecuted for anything! Great man? Are you kidding me?
Whooosh!
He was talking about Dominick Dunne who also died yesterday. Ted Kennedy was the footnote.
I will miss Mr. Dunne.
Zing. Nice one, Ned.
Dominick will indeed be missed.
Oh yeah, Kennedy died too.
Dominick Dunne a true gentlemen and a credit to Americans of Irish descent. The other guy as they say in my part of the world…..Fugetaboutit.
Can I give a '+1' to Ned Rice?
Loved Dominick Dunne. At least he's with his beloved daughter now. Loved your novels, Mr. Dunne, and your articles in Vanity Fair. Rest in Peace.
No class. I held my tongue when Reagan, Nixon, Jesse Helms, and Strom Thurmond died… simply out of decency and respect. Why can't conservatives exercise the same sort of class and dignity when a liberal icon dies? Is it too much to ask to at least give him a week's peace before trashing him? Or have last year's election results been so disruptive and painful for you that all decorum is now out the window?
And very cool that as I sat down to watch Leverage last night, Griffin Dunne was the guest star.
Finally. Nary a mention of him anywhere.
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Hey, Andrea, Sit Down and Shut Up.
Whassamatta? Yo no likey? Now YOU might know how WE feel about last years election.
EVERY DAY we are told to Sit Down and Shut Up. Well, I'm NOT going TO! Are you?
Andrea, how's this:
On the bright side, Teddy and Mary Jo can finally finish their date!
andrea2929,
Kennedy accidentally killed someone, then tried to cover it up and even wanted a family member to take the hit. Ms. Kopechne lay dead in the ground for all these past 40 some years, while Kennedy went on with his life and career. He never got the justice he deserved. Mary Jo never got a chance to get married, never had a chance to raise kids and never got the chance to dote on her grandchildren. Kennedy is to blame for all of that, and yet you complain when we are glad that he has gone to stand before God to face real justice.
BTW, maybe you really did hold your tongue and maybe you didn't when President Reagan and the others passed away, but you cannot possibly be ignorant of the fact that many of your ilk spewed all sorts of vile and venomous slander upon the deaths of those men, so please spare us the sanctimonious lecture. If anyone in this world has cornered the market on low class behavior, it is the liberals for sure.
Well done.
Congratulations on nearly replying in English. You might have forgotten, but 2001-2008 weren't exactly banner years for libs. Turnabout is fair play. But hey, the way I see it, NONE of us should sit down OR shut up. Democracy dies when that happens. That said, it never hurts to show an ounce of class during these kinds of situations. Philosophically divided, we may be, but we are all still on the same team, at the end of the day.
Wow…someone just took obtuse to a new level
Ned…. nothin' but net, dude !
Philosophically divided, we may be, but we are all still on the same team, at the end of the day.
We are not on the same team at the end of the day. During Bush's 8 years the liberal malcontents and bottom feeders acted like spoiled rotten traitorous scum. When we voice opposition to socialist and fascist policies we're branded as racists, mobsters and terrorists by the vermin on the left. Don't give me this liberal bullshyt about being on the same team. Like Howard Dean, Bill Maher, MSNBC, CNN, Rahm Emanuel, Hussein obama, etc have said, "I hate Conservatives." Liberal cretins, it's mutual.
teddycare , who cares? Chapaquitic cares. What about Mary Jo Kopechne . Does anybody care ? I guess not.
When I saw the headline, I was hoping you were headed in that direction.
You sound like my kind of loony leftie pinko commie. Lol. You sound O.K. to me.
NICE………..
TEDDY MUST IN PURGATORY ABOUT NOW……….
WONDER HOW MUCH TIME HE'LL GET FOR MURDER AND ACCESSORY TO RAPE………
Because I'm perenially ten years old and can't sleep without the TV, true crime shows are my favorites and Dunne's "Power, Privilege and Justice" was a big favorite.
That said, Ned… Well the hell done…. Though you nearly ruined my marriage as I was reading this to the wife: "You're not really going to post that are— Oh."
I like how every lib's whining comes back to "you guys just can't get over the election, whaaaaaaa". Seriously, find a new schtick.
Last I checked you guys had a bit of a problem with W winning in 2000, which to this day you all continue to complain about…but that's different, right? It's always different when you're all doing something.
Oh, yeahhhhhhhh, I get what you mean. You are referring to the ounce of class that Teddy Drunk had when he left Mary Jo Kopechne to DIE in his car! Say no more, I understand your typeof democracy very well.
I. Am. Not. On. Your. Team. Thankyouverymuch.
What you said.
I loved Dunne. His outrage at the OJ verdict went straight to my heart with a "that's EXACTLY how I feel!" reaction. I will deeply miss him.
I won't miss the other guy.
My thoughts exactly. Thanks Mr. Rice!!!!
"Whoosh!" – Ha ha!
I felt far worse when I heard of Dunne's passing than the other guy.
There are, quite literally, no posts prior to yours bashing Kennedy, and who knows if there will be any after. The article itself says nothing to "trash" Ted Kennedy. I guess you learned well from the liberal college of Blame and Victimhood.
Andrea, you might be holding your tognue, but I can assure you I heard and read vitriol from lefties MINUTES after the death of Reagan and Thurmond….
I'm not saying that anyone should be attacking Kennedy personally, but you cannot argue with people who do not think that Kennedy should be revered as some sort of "Demigod" status that he seems to have been given.
"TONIGHT!
PUPPET SHOW.
also – Spinal Tap"
I'm re-reading "Justice" in his memory…
My sister told me a story yesterday about how she ran into Dunne backstage at an event and ran up to thank him for his reporting on the OJ case…for being perhaps the only writer to focus on Nicole's suffering. He graciously thanked her. He was truly interested in justice after the death of his beautiful daughter Dominique.
You voice opposition to socialist and fascist policies? You mean, like corporate welfare, and farm subsidies, and medicare/medicaid, and free public education, and the "patriot" act, and warrantless wiretapping, and suspension of habeas corpus? Huh. Who would have thought. Let me clarify why we ARE on the same team. I may fundamentally disagree with you on nearly every political issue, but I will defend to the end, your right to espouse your beliefs, just as I would hope you would defend mine. The thing that separates US from so many other countries, is that we can have a peaceful debate, engage in discourse without threatening to chop each other's heads off, and come to a reasoned political consensus that moves our democracy forward; we, the people, may never fully agree on anything, but by being active, respectful participants, we are ALL, despite your contentions, Americans. And, for the record, you may think me to be "scum" or a "cretin," but in this particular discussion, YOU are the only one using defamatory names, and inflammatory rhetoric. Just sayin.
I didn't see too many liberals acting in a respectful manner when Tony Snow died. Far from it.
I abosolutely love that show. That man had a true way with words and I will miss him.
Who was Dominick Dunne?
"…2001-2008 weren't exactly banner years for libs."
Really? I truly like what you say about all of us being on the same team, but but last I checked, far too many (at least in my book) Republican leaders bent over backwards and/or retreated from a position of numbers superiority in order to placate the Dems. You know, true spirit of bipartisanship, minus the stomping of hands and covering of ears especially indicative of the last seven months.
"Great man? Are you kidding me?"
Uhhh…yeah. Feel silly now?
Well said StlDan, andrea2929 should also note that the libs constantly trash everyone and anyone to make their point….just look at the most recent comments over the health care debacle and how they have trashed those of us against it. And now knowibng full well that they would stoop as low to use Kennedy's death for their own selfish purpose and not feel any remorse or guilt about it as it is their way
I don't defend his actions FORTY years ago. Frankly, there were many votes he made in the senate that I didn't agree with, either. I don't hold him up as some sort of saint, and frankly, I'm not even a Democrat. Furthermore, I don't support anyone, liberal or conservative, using the death of a dedicated public servant to spew venom and disrespect. I agree that many of my "ilk" did act horribly upon the deaths of the aforementioned conservative figures, and again, it was just as wrong for them to do so. That said, while he may have had a nasty skeleton in his closet, most politicians do (usually to a lesser degree, but still), and if we are to judge everyone based on their one major mistake in life, than most of us aren't worth a darn. He was flawed, but he did spent fifty years of his life in service to his country. He fought for what he believed in, and was respected by his peers on both sides of the aisle. Not too many of us can claim that, and surely none of us who fritter away our time here on these message boards, me included. Maybe I'm too idealistic, but I was just hoping for a little more respect regarding the passing of this man.
I care about the truth. I just watched a "retrospective" on CNN where the incident with Mary Jo Kopechnie was glossed over as a "reunion" of former staff workers where Ted had made an appearance (for no well-explained reason) and where Mary Jo wound up being driven home in his car. Then the car ran off a bridge.
According to this version of events, there had been drinking involved and the accident was not reported immediately. So that was bad.
Honestly, these people (the press) have no shame.
Mr. Dunne was a graceful writer who could also pack a real punch. "Justice" is a great read but i highly recommend the "Books on Tape" version (if it's still avaiable) which Dunne reads himself. The chapter on the death of his daughter and the callous way the justice system dealt with the case will break your heart. His narration really brings home to the listener all of the anger, sorrow, rage and finally resignation that he felt and the emotional devastation visited on his family by the ordeal. He always struck me as a pretty tough cookie but also as a sensitive and gracious guy. He will be missed.
Don't blame me, I voted for Nader. In 2000, 2004, AND 2008. W winning was Gore's fault because he was a pathetic excuse for a candidate and Clinton was a disaster of a president. I wasn't upset by the conservatives winning, I was appalled at the Democrats who sold out their party and their values. Many of my true conservative friends feel the same way about how the Republican party was hijacked by neo-cons in the last decade.
Ned, you dirty, rotten SOB…I wish I wrote that.
google
bing
any other search engine should be a good starting point
I think that you and I could probably agree that the "true spirit of bipartisanship" is, sadly, an increasing rarity in our house and senate, the fault of BOTH dems and repubs over the last several decades. The only bipartisanship that exists now is in the equal ownership of both parties by the corporations who make their campaign contributions.
so it's all about you???
nearly every deranged democrat at the democRAT underground, huffington bomb, and DailyKKK gleefully celebrated the deaths of Reagan, Helms, Thurmond, and Nixon… but you didn't. so it's you whose example we should follow? interesting how that works. libtards and moonbats attack us and its OK because its not YOU doing the attacking. we fight back, and its wrong because its YOU who is offended… funny how that works.
well, i'm sorry, but that car won't float. pun intended.
There's a lot wrong with your "examples". But I don't think you're scum, or a cretin. I do think you're a little misguided on the definitions of socialism and fascism though. The things the DNC is doing to squash public opinion at these townhalls is more fascist than any perceived fascism done during the Bush years.
You seem to like public debate so these tactics employed by the left, and more specifically by the Obama administration should really disturb you. What are your thoughts on this?
Who did I trash? I was simply eulogizing Mr. Dunne.
Reading comprehension is hard…
I'm not blaming you for anything other than claiming to not be a democrat but then attacking us with the same BS that every other leftist uses. Points for backtracking when any of us have called you out for it, though – very consistent. Anybody with half a brain knows there's more going on than the guy we didn't like winning the election. But you just go for the easy way out and take that angle anyways. I would imagine you're still in the "give Obama a chance, it's been less than a year" camp, right?
And if you voted for Nader 3 times (3?? seriously??), then you're not part of the solution.
Exactly. He was a really amazing man and instead of allowing his daughter's murder to consume and overwhelm him he, like John Walsh, spoke out for everyone…Dunne had a great deal of style and class and he will be truly missed.
Very well done.
Well put…RIP Dom
Would be impossible to agree more.
Dominick Dunne, Requiescat In Pace
Andrea2929,
Sorry, honey, but revisionist history doesn't fly here.
Conservatives HAVE largely been very dignified in addressing Kennedy's death.
However, showing "dignity" does not mean that we will do like Uncle Joe Stalin and erase Mary Jo Kopechne's death from the historical record.
You lefties are always so obsessed with writing hagiographies for your side, while demonizing everyone on the other team.
Your argument that Chappaquiddick was "40 years ago" so we should just forget about it, is rather Orwellian.
Mary Jo Kopechne was not merely an inconvenient "skeleton in the closet"—she was a human being whose death is directly due to Teddy's lack of regard for her life…and a lack of regard for justice.
Give Obama a chance? What for? So he can continue to ignore his campaign "promises" and kow-tow to the very corporate interests he pledged to fight against? Not a chance. I gave up on anybody from the great duopoly ever actually making a difference for the working class and the middle class in this country a long time ago. I would no sooner defend him or Clinton than I would Bush or Reagan. At least those two were unapologetic about their corporate ties, rather than being straight-up dishonest.
Now, regarding my voting record, what "solution" are you talking about? The kind of solution where independent candidates have absolutely no political voice? The kind of solution where candidates are completely owned by the corporations who pay their bills? The kind of solution where the presidential debate commission is run by a Dem and an Repub and they establish rules which effectively shut out any third party candidate from the debates, knowing full-well how important that kind of visibility is to any successful campaign. 2000 was a great example of this when both Nader and Pat Buchanan were shut out of the debates. Their presence would have forced tweedledee/dum to actually focus on issues that really matter to US, the citizens who do most of the work in this country. Instead, they played their usual softball, and were left with another "least-worst" set of choices. If you think that 3rd party politics are irrelevant in this country, then you have overlooked the fact that viable, present 3rd parties have had a tremendous effect on the course of this countries' history… WHEN they have been allowed to have a real voice. Let's not forget, Lincoln was effectively the leader of a new third party. Even as recently as 1992, Perot forced the two major candidates to focus on the balanced budget amendment, and the Republicans were smart enough to adopt many of his platforms in the 1994 "contract with America," thus grabbing his voter base and taking control of the house and senate. So yeah, I don't consider my Nader votes wasted at all. I consider them in line with my personal politics, and in line with the importance of supporting political points of view that aren't dictated and owned by the over-paid c.e.o's who do their politicking in boardrooms.
You voice opposition to socialist and fascist policies? You mean, like corporate welfare,….
Yes. I am against corporate welfare, regardless what side is whoring out the money.
and farm subsidies
Yes. I’m against millionaire democrats in NY that receive millions in farm subsidies.
“At least five members of Congress who sit on the agriculture committees that are writing the new farm policy receive thousands of dollars in farm subsidies each year.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/01/us/some-who-vot...
and medicare/Medicaid
I oppose the corruption, waste and inefficiency that’s involved with Medicare/Medicaid/VA/HIS.
and the "patriot" act
Ooh, the patriot act boogey man. Tell me, what was so diabolically unconscionable about the patriot act?
cont…………..
boy are you stunned. typical bighollywood fan
From the political capital they think they will reap, it sounds like the Democrats couldn't wait for KENNEDY to die. If they continue to fail, I am afraid for Obama's life. No sacrifice is too much if Liberals can gain from it.
and warrantless wiretapping
Pay attention: the surveillance involved international calls from the US to terror cells overseas or vice versa. You’re obviously unaware so let me inform you that it was Clinton that implemented Carnivore and Echelon which were electronic surveillance programs that monitored EVERY electronic communication involving Americans, whether it was domestic or abroad was irrelevant.
habeas corpus
In what world do you live that you would bestow American rights on foreign terrorists? Why not give them citizenship and taxpayer funded healthcare while you’re at it.
I don't appreciate being lumped in with the "liberals," virtually all of whom voted for Gore, Kerry, and Obama… I am not that kind of "liberal." That's like saying that every "conservative" was a champion of Dubya. None of the *real* conservatives I know would give him the political time of day.
And just for an example, I disagreed with virtually every political standpoint made by William F. Buckley, but I had immense respect for him, found him a very compelling writer for his cause, and was saddened by his passing. He was a great American, in my opinion.
I'm a true conservative and I appreciate the neocons. The Republican party is lost and needs to get back to its roots. You might want to head to HuffPo and lean on the Liberal nutjobs who hijacked the Democrat Party.
Seriously- go complain at the left. We're cool over here. NO problems with conservatives at all.
and isn't it interesting that he was involved- heavily- in pursuing Kennedy's worthless human detritus nephew Michael Skakel….
And, if we remember correctly didn't he help produce the film where Chris Meloni (in a superb performance) played Mark Fuhrman going to Hyannisport to crack the case- and he did as well- and put the loser in prison?
Just asking…
Slavery ended much longer ago than Chappaquiddick but liberals are always looking to apologize and self-flaggelate over that…
A Ted Kennedy Legacy — A Particular View — (8/27/09)
PERSPECTIVE — Apart from all the Camelot Accolades:
Champion of Genocide of the Pre-born and Future Umpteen Generations:
The Liberal [government] news media will gloss over the negative impact of Senator Kennedy’s “Public” “Service” which went from “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” for all, – to the exception and elimination of the most defenseless:
http://moralmatters.org/82709PathPolCapEmotions.h...
YOUR desc. says "loony leftie pinko commie, with occasional libertarian leanings". You disagreed with WFB's political opinions. But you don't want to be "lumped in" with liberals.
heh.
I'll bite though- what, in your opinion., made WFB a "great American"?
SWEET!
Apart from all the Camelot Accolades — Sen. Edward Kennedy was a Champion of Genocide of the Pre-born and Future Umpteen Generations.
The Liberal [government] news media will gloss over the negative impact of Senator
Kennedy’s “Public” “Service” which went from “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” for all, – to the exception and elimination of the most defenseless……………………..READ MORE …………………………..on the website of moralmattersdotorg
http://www.elliegreenwich.com/musicography.htm
How about this talented lady? Just play a few of her songs and you'll remeber a better time.
Ellie Greenwich RIP
The Democrats never had any values. Just those sold to the highest bidder and they're no different today. By neo-cons you mean Jews? Ted Kennedy was scum who lived off his family name his entire life. He watched a woman drown 40 years ago and went to catch some Z's. He was an adult and made a conscious decision to let nature take it's course. Now nature has taken it's course – ON HIM!
Dominick Dunne did all that???
LOL – here's a napkin to wipe that egg off your face.
I agree ………. This guy was nothing to look up to! He was a drunk old bastard that was protected by his Dynasty. This clan was being knocked off in the 60's while Ted, in his drunken stupor, killed poor Mary Jo and got away with it. I am sick and tired of seeing these Morons being Glorified.
Ted The Drunk Kennedy …….. Good Night
Michael The Pedophile Jackson ……… Godd Night
Teddy "Open bar? Clear a path!" Kenndy was exactly the type of elitist, monied, priviledged jerk that Dominick Dunne went after and I apllauded him all along the way…
R.I.P. Mr. Dunne
Get a nice suntan in Hell, Teddy…
It's too bad the passing of Dominick Dunne will not get too much notice. I'll never forget the look of astonishment on his face when O.J. was acquitted; it was probably like seeing what happened to his daughter Dominique all over again.
I thought the exact same thing. How weird that they died the same day.
I'm glad I'm just old enough to remember the last time agree to disagree was at least semi-possible: the 80s. Since then — right there with ya even though I think the Dems act far more childish — both sides spitting too much vitriol.
"But you've got a big dressing room!"
"Oh, bigger than the puppets'?"
(Sorry, couldn't resist)
Not according to George Will, Pat Buchanan, and William F. Buckley (RIP).
To my pleasant surprise I just read an article [link under Big Hollywood banner] by Henry Rollins about Ted Kennedy's forgotten victim, Mary Jo Kopechne. I always liked Henry Rollins from his Black Flag days and it nice to know he's not a bedwetting leftist.
Attention Idiots! The man was addressing the fact that Mr. Dunne passed away; he was not talking about Ted "the gin soaked rummy" Kennedy. Try to pay attention, Kiddies.
There's a very good bio available on Netflix Instant Play – Dominick Dunne: After the Party.
May you rest in peace, Dominick Dunne.
OTHER DEATHS YESTERDAY: Ted Kennedy
What a heartfelt and moving use of Dunne's corpse.
and who can forget Dunne's look of shock at the OJ verdict reading?
Assuming your post was made in good faith, I'm glad at least to see that, whatever your other distortions, you don't buy into the hype surrounding Obama over the past couple of years. And while I may never agree with the gist of anything you ever say again, I will say that I am sorry to hear of Senator Kennedy's passing. Although I despised the man's politics, I think we ought to let him go in peace (except for Chappaquidick; I wasn't alive in 1969 and don't know enough about it to comment one way or the other). I expected class from liberals after the deaths of men like Robert Novak and Tony Snow; they should expect no less from myself and others on the right. I am NOT saying I was a fan of Kennedy's in any way, or that this God-awful health care bill should be passed in his memory as some are saying, but I think nasty personal comments should be avoided when someone dies.
Have you been under a rock for years or just delusional? The left attacked Reagen when he was president, after he came down with alzheimers and after his death. Some even wished harm on his wife, Nancy, simply because she dared to love a man they disliked.
Liberals also cheered when Charlton Heston was badgered by that pompous pusdo-socialist slim ball Micheal Moore when he was suffering from alzheimers. Now riddle me this if liberals have held their tongues and shown class how can you explain their actions after the deaths of these men? Mocking them, discredting them? Dont worry Annie, I know you cant.
Dismissing Teddy for his drunkenness and his attempt to get a cusion to take the blame for his actions (Mary Jo's death) are understandable. People bi-partisanly think he was an ass.
two great books by mr. dunne…the two mrs. grenvilles and people like us. will look forward to his book in the winter to be published.
as for splash kennedy……good luck trying to impress st. peter
I assure you, every word I write here is in good faith, and I appreciate your thoughts. It seems that you and I are at least in agreement on this ONE issue, if no others.
Dunne was a true talent. In the Graydon Carter years of "Vanity Fair", his columns became the ONLY part of that magazine that I could bare to read. VF hasn't been the same since Tina Brown left (same could be said for the "New Yorker", IMO). Dunne versus Edward Kennedy for Prez? No contest. The guy who had a daughter who was murdered versus the one who murdered someone's daughter.
The current Democrats have the same set of values that the current Republicans do, and they can be summarized in one, cute phrase: FOR SALE.
I don't think ANYONE should be revered as a "Demigod," frankly. And that includes god, but that's another heated debate for another heated thread.
Maybe I'm cruel, maybe I am detached and spitful but I find it hard to mourn a man who ran away, attempted to get others to take the fall and in the end let someone drown. My aunt died in a car crash 20 years ago but not before helping her co-worker out of her seat-belt as the car started to burn and getting her out of the door. Sadly her seat-belt wouldnt unlatch. She died saving someone traped in the car with her. While Teddy played the self-important ass to a T.
But alas, heres to you Teddy. You were not so much lion as you were a child in shoes much too big to be filled.
With all due respect to the departed, when you start equating the political careers of Edward Kennedy and Tony Snow, you have lost the argument.
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