Farewell to Senator Ted Kennedy

click to enlarge the Senator

Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal icon of the Senate died tonight, after a battle with brain cancer.

Teddy was elected to the Senate while brother John was president, and brother Robert, Attorney General. He ended up serving longer in the Senate than all but two senators. Ever. (Are the other two the late Strom Thurmond and the not late Robert Byrd?)

Namaste to the youngest brother, and thanks for everything you've done. We talk about Bobby and Jack, and rightfully so, but Teddy had forty more years to stir the pot--and he did. He's had his hand in nearly every piece of important social legislation since 1968. Like his brother Bobby, he wasn't an underdog but he came to be a champion of the underdog, the hurting and forgotten, as well as the middle class. He didn't throw many bones to the wealthy. When Ted Kennedy was on, he could give an amazing speech too. When you talk about civil rights, war and peace, and health care, and social security, his name always pops up. I will miss his avuncular and wise presence, and above all, his conscience.
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