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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160 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.
Mr. Rice, you'll be pleased to hear that current medical procedures have perfected the technique for removing tongues permanently implanted in cheeks. Who knows, such a procedure might even be fully covered under OBAMAcare.
The description was a half-hearted attempt at hyperbole, since I figured that my postings here would generate those general sentiments, or worse. Not to be taken too seriously.
As far as WFB… he was a classic. Served in WWII, spent his whole life articulating his fervent beliefs in an intelligent, erudite, respectful manner. Created a worthwhile magazine, and a great talk show (Firing Line), and you got the sense that this was a man without a closet full of deep, dark secrets. He was genuine, honest, and forthright. Can't do too much better than that.
You trashed Dunne in using him as a cheap prop to attack Kennedy. Trash Kennedy all you like.
Wellllllll now, let's not overlook 1994 when the ghost of Nixon was used (successfully) by the Repubs during the congressional elections, particularly by Newt G. They are both guilty of invoking their icons during crunchtime, admit it.
Who are you talking to exactly? We all "get it".
Regarding your first post, we apparently agree on many things! Surprise! To address your second post, I am well aware of the Clinton administration's use of wiretapping. I am NOT a fan of Clinton. But I'm even more appalled that Obama voted to continue the Bush administration's wiretapping programs, and he, in fact, advocated EXPANDING them. Not exactly progressive politics, eh? I don't see anything inherently wrong with wiretapping known terrorists, it's just the malleability of the words "terrorist," "enemy combatants," or "enemies of the state," that make things get difficult. Under the Bush administration, that basically meant anybody who didn't agree with him was fair game (yes, yes…. that's an overstatement, but not by much). Which leads me to the Military Commissions act of 2006 where he DID suspend Habeas Corpus for AMERICAN CITIZENS suspected of being… wait for it…. "enemy combatants." That, my friend, is unconstitutional.
Invoking is different than essentially propping up the corpse like with Wellstone and Kennedy to push through a piece of legislation. Admit it!!!!
I guess we rightwingers can't keep quiet when Ted Kennedy dies because he shouldn't have been a liberal icon. He killed a pregnant unmarried young woman through carelessness, drunkenness and more than a little bit of hubris and never paid for the crime like he should have. I would have been locked up for a long time and fined heavily, but Daddy's money & position got Teddy off the hook. For some reason, the liberals
all catered to his and every other member of that phony Kennedy clan ere they lifted a finger of indication. By the way, neither Reagan nor Eisenhower nor Nixon nor Barry Goldwater ever put a campaign staffer under water and drown her.
A retired Special Forces officer wrote to me yesterday:
This is what I thought of after seeing the news this morning.
"Ding-Dong Ol' Ted is Dead, Ted is Dead, Ol' Ted is Dead;
Ding-Dong the Evil Ted is Dead;
Sing it High, Sing it Low;
Ol' Teddy-Boy is Down Below,
Ding-Dong the Evil Ted is Dead."
The worst part about it is that they will continue to invoke his name during this process and STILL not come up with anything that will really help the un or under-insured in this country, especially when you already have Obama cozying up to the very heads of the pharmaceutical industry that he lambasted and vowed to take down during his campaign (of lies).
And these are the people we trust with our most sophisticated and potentially deadly weaponry?
Little noted at the the time, the passing of Mr. B. Rain Tumor left a lasting impression on American politics. Reading skills? – Not so much.
Based on your posts I knew we agreed to an extent. What I took exception with was your assertion that we were being classless towards Kennedy. The jabs have been extremely mild and pundits on the right have been respectful. I read a comment today that said Kennedy had left Mary Jo Kopechne in 7’ of water. I had never heard the depth; for whatever reason I assumed it was in the 18’ or greater range. The fact he left her in relatively shallow water makes his actions even more deplorable and criminal. Compound this with the way he treated Bork and his shameless rhetoric in the senate I’d say many are holding their tongues.
I regard to surveillance we seem to agree it’s a necessary evil and we seem to agree that the political dregs in DC cannot be trusted, especially an admin that labels dissenters as terrorists, mobsters and insurance cronies.
As far a habeas corpus is concerned liberals argued, laughably, that foreign battlefield combatants are entitled. Liberals like to make up the rules, and change them at will, as they go. Look at what the liberal clowns in NY are doing over Kennedy's vacated senate seat.
Andrea,
God bless you for voting for Nader…especially in 2000.
I don't know if he'll get to see his brothers, but I'm pretty sure he'll be reunited with dad.
Hear, hear – it's an excellent article that gets right to the point.
Well worth the read.
That's probably the best eulogy I've yet heard for the man.
Loved Dominick Dunne. At least he's with his beloved daughter now. Loved your novels, Mr. Dunne, and your articles in Vanity Fair. Thank you for your service to your country. Your Bronze Star was well deserved. Rest in Peace.
I like Henry as a person and that article is one of the reasons I do like him. While most people in the public eye are being nice and over looking his past Henry tells people about it. CNN, Fox News, MSNBC could all take a hint on how to handle public figures passing from this man.. dont sugar coat it, we are who we are and that does not change in death and no matter how hard people want to force their eyes shut the past never changes.
Teddy should be held accountable, as should we all for our actions.
You'll notice that when a conservative politician, actor, or pundit dies, they usually have to close the comments section over at teh Huffpo. Not that two wrongs make a right.
Thought that conservative blogger James Taranto wryly put it best about the "other" death yesterday–""Mary Jo Kopechne could not be reached for comment."
My pleasure, even though I can understand what you are really saying here. My "liberal" friends blamed me and my vote for the reason Gore lost. Gore who couldn't even win his own home state or the state of his former boss. Gore, who's appalling consistency between his espoused "environmental" beliefs and his actual environmental voting record resembled those of a schizophrenic. Gore, who AGREED with 1/3 of Bush's answers during the 2000 debates. Nader didn't lose the election for Gore, Gore lost it for himself. And the whole argument is premised on the assumption that I would have voted for Gore if I hadn't voted for Nader. I wouldn't have. Mickey Mouse would have gotten my vote.
And do we even need to go into Kerry? He makes Gore look like a political dynamo….. and that takes some doing.
When the libs quit using the deaths of their Icons to promote a liberal cause, I shall stop speaking ill of them. Ala, Paul Wellstone's funeral, political rally and propaganda stunt, sans "decorum"
Actually I have some one even more important who died last night, my Grandma Boyd. At a 106 years old she was a staunch Republican (a moment of pride was organizing a gathering for Nixon, picking him up at the train station and surprising him with the number of people she had attracted to the event), a true "feminist" (as in she believed in strong and intelligent womanhood to bring equality though hard work not demands) and a loving great great grandmother.
There won't be any news coverage, no laying in repose, no grand farewells. There will only be a gathering of her family and friends and a remembrance of a long life of sacrifice, charity and love.
She was born in the front room of a house in the wilds of Oregon and died in the modern comforts of a hospital. She learned in a one room school house, but traveled the world to learn more. She could shoot better than her brothers and could still remember how to fix a Model T ford. She remembered the first plane she saw and was a plane spotter in ww2.
She was a role model and a personal hero.
Maybe Kennedy had a greater impact on this world, and Dunne will be remembered a lot longer, but for my money only Polly Boyd is worthy of my remembrance and care.
Rest in peace Grandma. And give Kennedy the business IF you meet him.
George Kennedy Died???
Sadly (in this case) I don't believe in purgatory.
The actual charge would have been vehicular manslaughter, I think. Unless you're reaching back farther in time…
At best, Ted was a sniveling coward who left a woman to die alone trapped in a car in shallow water. For that incident alone, he's not worth spitting on.
BTW, and in case "Andrea2929" reads this, one of my wife's co-workers actually worked for Ted Kennedy as office staff during his later years. She says he was unfailingly polite and gentlemanly at all times and showed genuine affection and respect toward his staff. So there's that.
Maybe he grew past the man he was in the '60s. I don't care. My religion is pretty harsh, but there's no forgiveness in it for unrepented sins.
You go Grandma Boyd… Maybe she, Dominick, and his daughter will be sharing a drink after they give Kennedy the buisness
IF they meet him. :p
*MissQunn*
You go Grandma Boyd… Maybe she, Dominick, and his daughter will be sharing a drink after they give Kennedy the buisness.
IF they meet him. :p
*MissQunn*
Reagan and Thurmond? Hell, they cheered over the death of Tony Snow, fer chrissake.
Good point. Tony Snow was nowhere near as destructive to this country as Edward the Lesser.
Played a mean harpsichord too.
You know, Mary Jo was just one, although Ted does get all the blame for her. But let's not forget Ted's responsibility for hundreds of thousands dead, tortured, imprisoned or desperately escaped by leaky boat from Southeast Asia.
Agreed. A leftist with a brain and intellectual honesty. Shoot, Andrea, we may not agree on much but you're a breath of fresh air here compared to the typical Obot trolls who turn up here stoned on Hopium.
Kennedy has a distinction that only a handful of others in congress can claim… he has been one of the drivers of this "train called State" during nearly the entire shameful journey that led to the train wreck our nation now finds itself in. Other congress people have come and gone, some are late comers, but Kennedy has shared the helm continuously with the others. He spent decades over spending, raiding social security, biggering government (thank you Oncler), and basically running a great nation into the ground. He and almost every member of congress that has served with him over the years (regardless of party) should hang their heads in shame for the current state of the union. By small increment, over the long years, Kennedy and his cohorts have chipped away at America's greatness. Now Kennedy is gone and our children's children are left to clean up the mess that he and those like him left in their wake.
Waiting for these career politicians to die off takes too long. Our country will not survive it. American's need to start voting against incumbents regardless of party. There is no different between the Democrat and Republican parties right now. Until we have a conservative party option, we might as well affect change by changing the face of congress. Career politicians are destroying America. It is time to throw them all out.
http://westfrat.com
He was such a nice man.
And it was a beautiful job opining on Mr. Dunne, Ned.
Some liberals can't read… or are unable to ignore their id-oriented knee-jerk reactions. Or both.
First you're trashed for paying tribute to Kennedy, then you're trashed for trashing him. You only footnoted Kennedy… crikey, maybe that's the problem, buckaroo.
NO MORE FOOTNOTES FOR YOU!
I thought the exact same thing. How weird that they died the same day. Dunne's connections with Fuhrman from the OJ case served them both well when they re-opened the Martha Moxley investigation. Bravo to both of them. Any justice is good justice, even if it takes a while.
Andrea, 40 years ago? Nobody here was bashing Ted Kennedy, but since you brought it up…… Ted only married Victoria Reggie in 1992, at what? 60? After that he straightened up some. Prior to that, he cheated at Harvard, and before and after Mary Jo, he cheated on Joan, drank himself into a stupor and behaved generally like an aSS. Yes, he spent 40+ years in the Senate, and passed some decent legislation. So what? 3/4 of Ted's life was "frittered away" on booze and women and waking up under tables. He was even involved on the fringes of William Kennedy Smith's rape accusation. As Jack Kennedy said, "To those whom much is given, much is expected". Well, basically, with what Ted was given, he didn't do much.
Stone, my condolences to you and your family. And may perpetual light shine on your dear grandmother. What a sweet tribute to an obviously remarkable woman! Thanks for telling us about her.
Thank you, Ned! I've been toasting Dunne's memory all day! I'm so glad to see him have a special post here.
I can help thinking how ironic it is that he died the same day as Kennedy, given that Dunne did so much to expose the way the powerful get away with murder. And I remember how he fought against the corruption of justice in the Will Smith rape trial (where Uncle Teddy committed obvious perjury) and in the Martha Moxley case, where Ethel Kennedy's nephew got away with murder for decades. (A Season in Purgatory was Dunne "fictional" account.)
Dunne was
Good question! I'm of the opinion that *true* town hall-style meetings are not to be found if they are organized by the Republican or Democratic party. Things are so choreographed and dumbed down now, that any real discourse is virtually impossible. Candidates get softball questions given by the chosen few who are so milque-toasted by the vetting process, that we're not likely to never get under their political epidermis. And particularly when we have these plants put in to give us great "youtube moments," it always comes out looking even worse when the truth surfaces. Frankly, I think the only real discourse happens when we have an open political process where more than two candidates are given access to the discourse. Look what happened in '92 when Perot was able to debate? It was the last time that the CPD ever allowed THAT to happen. Now, their 15% rule makes it almost impossible for alternative voices (left AND right) to be heard. And good politicians are forced to stay in parties that don't really represent them anymore, and if they are a candidate, then their voice is silenced by the time the conventions are held; this is before the REAL campaigning starts. Ugh, I could go on here, but suffice it to say, our duopoly system blows, and I can only keep hoping (and voting for) a day where the Naders and the Buchanans and the Libertarians and the Greens, etc. are actually allowed into the meeting room. Does than answer your question, or have I gotten too tangential here? I tend to do that.
We would be remiss not to mention a historical event Kennedy played a leading role in……..[From Mona Charen’s book Useful Idiots]
“The US withdrew and then cut-off all aid to its former ally. The South Vietnamese fought on, at first successfully rebuffing North Vietnamese attacks. But as David Frum recounts in “How We Got Here”: “Congress chopped military aid to South Vietnam from $2.1 billion in fiscal 1973 to $1.1 billion in 1974 and $700 million in 1975- this while the price of petroleum was quadrupling. Commanders had to ration bullets. Artillery stopped firing. Trucks ceased moving. The South Vietnamese Air Force was grounded. When the Pentagon’s accountants tried to use a couple of hundred million dollars of unused appropriations left over from to aid the South Vietnamese, Edward Kennedy mobilized a 43-38 Senate vote to forbid the expenditure. Giving South Vietnam the money it needed to survive, he said “would perpetuate involvement that should have ended long ago.” When it was over, the Communists of the North were triumphant. Vietnam was at last “unified.”
The communist massacre of Vietnam led to the Killing Fields of Cambodia.
Dunne should be all over the media. His own battles, lost one child to a violent crime and almost lost his son Grifinne a few a years ago while he was in the mountains. Yet all we hear is what a good guy ole Ted was. Sick of it already. Thankfully, Ted wont be coming to the surface this time around.
I did not realize the statue of limitations on negligent homicide was only 40 years.
If OJ lives to be 100, will you be respectful to him too?
I would expect liberals to trash a conservative man just after his death, but we conservatives ought to show a little more class toward the opposition. No need to take shots at him now. Honor Dunne and end it.
You're right, but the Republican's don't sell their corpses.
"OTHER DEATHS YESTERDAY: Ted Kennedy". nice shot dude.
I will miss him. May he rest in peace. God bless his remaining family.
andrea2929, according to some accounts, Mary Jo Kopechne spent anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes struggling to survive the dark, cold icy waters in which the car that ultimately became her coffin sank. Meanwhile Teddy — instead of trying to rescue the poor girl — called his brother, Jack Kennedy and others to help him clean up the mess he had just made of his life. And yes his one "major mistake in life" was a real humdinger for which he should have paid dearly. He should have been kicked out of office and put in jail, but instead he is now lauded as a great man.
As a footnote, Mary Jo Kopechne’s parents received $90,904 from Edward Kennedy personally, as well as $50,000 from his insurance company.
Too bad they didn't cremate old Teddy and toss his ashes into the very waters where Mary Jo Kopechne drowned.
Well, as the Iron Duke said of his big day, "it was a damned near-run thing." Nader may not have lost the election for Gore, but he helped.
On paper — peace (more or less), prosperity, and being VP to a still very popular (despite his shenanigans) out-going president — Gore had every advantage in the 2000 election. He was a truly awful candidate.
I was never going to vote for Gore, but I was unenthusiastic about Bush — at least until he called the NYT's Adam Clymer an a-hole, then I got on-board, big time.
Kerry was also a stiff as a candidate, but the 2004 race turned on the issues, or should I say, issue. More than enough voters (including me) knew who was the best bet to keep us safe.
I forgot about the Tony Snow attacks, Bohemond.. so yeah, add that one to the list.
Hey andrea, I accidentally hit the thumbs up button for your post, I meant to hit the thumbs down for your lame rant. So add on another minus number. I don't want you to think one person agreed with you.
I will only say that Mr. Rice handled everything very well. If you want to clean your own house, perhaps you should take to task those who trashed Tony Snow after he died. I can't believe liberals could eat with those potty mouths they had. Look to your own, Andrea.
Conservatives do- but the way your ilk trashed tony snow was beyond decency, so suck it up. Teddy was soooooo entitled that he thought he could change Mass. Laws to suit HIM. What arrogance.
Next up- Sen. Byrd.
Police reports say that if they arrived up to 26 minutes after the car fell into the water, they could have saved her life. Ted Kennedy wanted to silence her in the typical Kennedy manner. Just look at what his brother, Robert, did to Marylin Monroe.
Thank you.
I know Grandma appreciates it.
She and Grandpa are together again, and that makes me feel a lot better.
Bless you all.
[...] Big Hollywood » Blog Archive » Yesterday the World Lost a Great Man bighollywood.breitbart.com/nrice/2009/08/27/yesterday-the-world-lost-a-great-man – view page – cached OBITUARY August 27, 2009 Ned — From the page [...]
Me too.
[...] YESTERDAY the World Lost a Great Man. No, not that guy …. [...]
It might be hard for you to believe, but some do not feel that Teddy was such a great man or even a great American. I find it amusing that you use the words class and dignity in the same sentence with liberals. As for the elections, you too, will suffer for the outcome. Remember these words when this government turns this nation into a communist country. Don't you get it? The Kennedy's, Clinton's, Bush's, Obama's, Rockafella's are only out for the elite! They don't care about you and me. But they will accomplish their agenda by dividing us Americans.
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