I have something to say about Ted Kennedy

This is going to be a short story about my feelings about Ted and his family.

Growing up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, I listened to the stories my grandfather used to tell me with total veneration. You see, my grandfather, Walter "Blackie" Wetzel was an Indian Liaison in Washington D.C., as well as the former Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Council and a former President of the National Congress of American Indians. In the due course of his work, he met and became friends with a great many powerful and interesting people.

Among them were three brothers who went by the surname: "Kennedy"

There I was a young child, wide-eyed and awestruck as my grandfather told me stories and showed me pictures of himself seated, standing nearby or shaking hands with the President of the United States and his prominent brothers. To me, the Kennedy's have been more than a famous name. More than the "First Family of American Politics." More than just my heroes.

They have always seemed like an extension of my family.

Over the years, through the trials and tribulations, I identified with the youngest brother and the only one of the four brothers left. (remember oldest brother Joe Jr.?) I was saddened as Teddy had to endure family scandals, tragic deaths and the constant media attention. The last one left to carry the brunt of everything good and bad.

It cannot be easy to be Ted Kennedy.

I recall one time while reading a book my parents bought regarding the trip JFK took to Montana when he was campaigning for President. There was Ted, bright-faced and smiling in the pictures. Late 20-ish, stuck somewhere between slight maturity and good-natured mischievousness. Enough serious politician to be in on the business side of the campaign trail, but enough daredevil to do something crazy outside of that realm. Somebody told Teddy his brother would get votes if he rode a bronc in a rodeo.

So in that instant, Ted Kennedy launched his short-lived rodeo career.

When informed the horse he rode was named "Sky Rocket," he reportedly quipped afterward:"Pretty soon, I was heading for the sky myself.

Ted Kennedy got bucked off, but nobody ever accused him of not having any sand.

So fast forward to September 2003.

After two years of turmoil, lies, hypocrisy, favors for the rich and a push toward a global empire headed by ideologues who have no business running a country as great as the United States, Ted Kennedy strapped on his boots and spurs for one more ride.

He called the war in Iraq a "fraud" and questioned the political motives behind it. He questioned everything that I have and many others out there have done for the last two years. He spoke the truth for innocent civilians, prone soldiers, and the record droves of war protesters who gathered around the world against these actions. He spoke the truth because America- The Great Ideal- was at risk due to the corruption of a few ignorant, pathetic extremists, who wish to endanger the world for the satisfaction of legacy and fatter bank accounts.

So I remember those stories my grandfather always told me. The vision of Camelot-however naive the notion may be. A time when young men from Boston ushered in an era of change. Before Vietnam and on the cusp of massive civil rights movements. He told me stories of men who a young boy from a poor reservation in Montana could look up to and respect. Who were not perfect, but, somehow, still managed to be both inherently good and larger than life. And if you all have read this far you will understand just what Ted Kennedy, his words and dissent mean to me. In a time when most politicians never stand up for what I believe in, he did something that few others would. This he did despite knowing the hateful repurcussions that would follow from the likes of some of the most cowardly, gutless men who have ever lived. He took that risk because he knew doing so was right.

Nobody ever accused Ted Kennedy of not having any sand.

The same can't be said of the people criticizing him for it.

for saying what is in my heart

I will never forget the sadness on his face when John Jr died

I cried for that beautiful boy

but I cried for Ted too

How different things would be if evil forces had not come together to distroy that brave family

Ted Kennedy is fighting for all progressives!!!!!!!


:kick: :kick: :kick:

Thanks for sharing! I have a lot of respect for the Kennedy's. They've served their country well, and given us that touch of glamour, to boot.

What an awesome piece, and thanks so much. The Kennedy years were times of hope and so much more. Thanks for reminding us.

Been thinking about posting my intro sometime. We'll see. I worked as a columnist last year, but fiction is mostly my deal. Incidentally, reading Will pumped me up into writing more political themed essays. I have two coming out pretty soon in Red Ink Magazine. I need to get more dedicated though.

I have always thought Teddy was the greatest Kennedy brother simply because he had to become patriarch for dozens of kids. He has plugged away as a real liberal year after year. He has had to endure the slander thrown at him by hateful right wingers.

Wetzelbill from another Montanan - Yes Ted Kennedy is a hero for speaking truth to power - I say, go Teddy! his brothers must be turning over in their graves over their niece Maria Shriver. What a total disappointment she is. It makes me sick.

and eloquently orated story. Your granpa sounds like a very wise and caring man.

Much appreciation for sharing.

I hereby accuse bush* of not having any sand.

fob

In retrospect it was abrupt, but yeah, thanks everybody.

the ending was just fine, as was the beginning and the middle. Thanks for sharing it with us.

:thumbsup:

He's Irish! :D

Thanks. :kick:

.

When I think of John and Bobby they are frozen in time in their 30's. I was only 10 when Bobby was killed. Ted I think of as an older, politically savy, man.

I never thought of him as the kid brother, watching his older brothers - national heroes - being gunned down for standing up for very unpopular issues they believed in.

I'm not sure how many of us could put ourselved in the bullseye after that.

Thanks for sharing this Wetzelbill.

what this family has endured. Ted Kennedy has upheld Democratic values. However, I am ashamed about how Maria Shriver and Arnie are using our esteem for the Kennedy's to promote a takeover of democracy. I want Ted Kennedy to stand up for democratic values and not the power grab by the Republicans.

I am impressed. But, getting all misty at work just makes people wonder what the hell you are doing on your computer. :evilgrin:

A lovely piece Bill. And a wonderful bit of family history.

:hi: :)

If ever a post needed to be read by ALL DUers and ALL Americans it is this one! I know your grandfather is so very proud of you. God bless you Wetzelbill! And a kick so many more can read this amazing post.

I called Kennedy's office and thanked them and asked them to tell him for a family in Alaska that we loved him. Here is the number. Ask for Teddy's office:

1-800-648-3516

It seemed like then, when all things were possible, that there were giants leading our country.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ted Kennedy in the mid-80s before the 1988 election. He has a magical energy without a doubt. I will never forget that day and I even have pictures of it.

Ted Kennedy has lots of guts and speaks the truth, and yep that is right, he indeed does have a lot of sand!

Thanks for the great writing! :D

:dem:

That kicked ass.

My grandmother came to this country from Ireland in the 1920's. She voted for the Democrats, as virtually all Irish immigrants did. They said a lot about the Tammany machine and corruption, but they don't talk about how the Democratic political machine helped so many people. She was also proud to be in the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

She had a portrait of John F. Kennedy hanging in the living room, as well as many books about the Kennedys on the coffee table. I think for Irish immigrants who struggled their whole lives, they were glad to see someone whose family went through the same thing finally get elected to the White House, after dozens of men who were mostly wealthy, and who were all WASPs. The top position in the land was now attainable for anyone who worked for it.

Of course, times changed, and the Republicans began appealing to socially conservative Northern "ethnics" in the 1960's. The situation changed to where Bernadette Devlin came over and made her comments on her thoughts on the Irish-American community. My grandmother's children began taking on some of the uglier attitudes that had been displayed against them when they arrived as immigrants against new immigrants, whether they be the new black immigrants from the south, or the new Latino immigrants.

I think the situation is changing however, and a lot of people are beginning to wake up to economic realities, and thus, social realities. To Irish people, the Kennedys have always been icons, but they have become icons to other groups as well.

:pals:

were fully assimilated. Where did the machine break down? Great post, the era was just that simply sad for me as well. Why was my favorite word.

yatahay

Excellent story in every way. We need more from you. Thank you.:toast:

I had the honor of flying Bobby K back in ...1967 I guess (my logbooks are at the office) from Tulsa to a burg in the boot-heel of Missouri for some sort of appearance/visit, I don't even remember the reason but I won't ever forget the opportunity to meet one of those wonderful guys.

Ted said what needed to be said, when it needed to be said.
:D

Sending you thanks from Montana and wishing I could buy you some carne secca at El Minuto in Tucson!

I like to remind some of the wingers in my 'hood under the Big Sky about Teddy's wild ride when they start up bitching about him voicing a fair appraisal of the situation in Iraq. Then I ask how many of them are signing up and shipping out. Shuts up the 'macho men' in a hurry.

and I look upon him as an accomplished Senator
but a classic example of lost hope and shattered
aspirations.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/articles/03/09/24_son.html

Real nice post.
I have the utmost respect for Senator Kennedy.
I think he's the real deal.

JFK Jr would have been the real deal too.
That's why the BFEE had to do away with him.
Well...hell.

I applaud Senator Kennedy's blunt and truthful
statements on Iraq.

It is funny how the Kennedys affected people in so many ways. I think it's because they were so totally alive and it connected in some way with nearly everybody.

I was just 5 when JFK was elected. What I remember most were John and Bobby and the kids. Here was the 'President of the United States' always having time for his kids. For whatever reason, this made a lasting impression on me that kids were important, that someone just like me could be important to the President!

And check your PM, I sent you something.

The Kennedy brothers have long been heroes of mine and the people in my family. The Kennedy children were raised to THINK BIG and DREAM BIG. Those who know them, or of them, do likewise.

BRAVO! As great a post as any DU has ever produced, Wetzelbill!

Thank you for putting that into words. I will never forget them.