25 August 2009

Rest in Peace, Senator

Comments disabled because I am not in the mood to argue about this right now.

Edward Kennedy dies of a brain tumor at 77.

The article describes him as "gifted and flawed". He's the only one of the Kennedy brothers to die an old man, pretty well sums him up, and history will show that he had the more of impact on American law and policy than either John or Bobby.

But the one word that comes to my mind to describe him as "compassionate". The list of legislation that he was involved with includes the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act. He was dedicated to the belief that health care should be a right, and not a privilege. He was a liberal in the best sense of the word and embraced the label with pride.

I'm actually quite upset by this. Ted Kennedy was one of the first political figures I was aware of, starting with the 1980 presidential election, and for 13 years, I was proud to say that he was the Senator for my state. He will be greatly missed.

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die."

--Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democratic National Convention, 1980.