February 13, 2010
Kennedy Era (1947 – 2011): RIP
With the sudden announcement (“Run away! Run away!") of Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s imminent retirement from the Congress in January, there will no longer be a Kennedy serving in a Federally elected office for the first time in 64 year.
The saga of the Kennedy family’s canonization as a staple in public service is now over. Old Joe Kennedy’s dream of the thousand year kingdom with his own brood installed as the de facto royal family of United States has run its course.
As this MSM-fueled fantasy wheezes out its last breaths, we can all take comfort in the fact that America, as a nation, has turned a corner. U.S. history is filled with surnames held by notable figures across many generations – Adams, Roosevelt, Taft, Lee, Harrison and Bush to name a few – but never has a family aura been so manufactured and maintained by its sympathizers in the media as the one that surrounded the Kennedys. It was an aura that played down so many character flaws and deficiencies and glossed over so many wrong-doings and even criminal acts.
In this age of available information and technology, it’s doubtful that a similar phenomenon could withstand even the mildest scrutiny. But back in the day when an individual’s (and a family’s) image could be crafted and controlled by a powerful few, America was sold a bill of goods on this clan. Camelot? Phooey!
Whether many of them asked for it or not, they all enjoyed the benefits – membership definitely had its privileges. And to some degree, it still does.
At least at this point, they’ll no longer be foisted upon us or our government.
Hallelujah.
Posted by Gary at February 13, 2010 12:22 PM | TrackBackAt last, our long national nightmare is over.
Posted by: rbj at February 13, 2010 05:51 PMMary Jo Kopechne was unavailable for comment.
Posted by: Captain Ned at February 13, 2010 08:41 PMTime to place Doris Kearns Goodwin on suicide watch....
Posted by: kmr at February 15, 2010 09:35 AMPatrick Kennedy's pending retirement recognises that the Kennedy Era is Over. Patrick saw it coming and realized he could leave on his own terms, or be booted by a public souring on liberalism in general and the Kennedys specificly.
While never a fan of the Kennedys, I will offer the following observations - The first generation gave proof to the Gospel adage "those to whom much is given, much will be required":
* Joe Kennedy Jr (Army Air Corps) volunteered for a dangerous mission that got him killed.
* Jack Kennedy (Navy) proved his mettle following the destruction of PT-109, by towing a severely wounded crewman to safety, then contacting Austrialian coastwatchers and local natives that led to his crew's rescue.
* Robert Kennedy (Navy) served in the V-12 Officer Training Program and later as Apprentice Seaman in the immediate postwar period.
* Ted Kennedy(Army) served a two year elistment while rehabilitating his reputation following a cheating incident at Harvard. While Ted was in his last year often called by MSM as "The Lion of the Senate", I thought him a pretentous blowhard & not above the Cheap Shot (e.g. Robert Bork) believing the ends justify the means.
Military service seems to have stopped with Ted. Not to be cynical of such things, but I'm surprised none of the younger generations went to Annapolis or West Point, but I suppose that's for the better.
The younger generations seemed to led a dual existance: public service and good works (Special Olympics, Citizen's Energy, elected office)combined w/ a lifestyle strongly suggesting the Rules That Apply to Everyone Didn't Apply to Kennedys (drug & alchol abuse, adultry, murder (Martha Moxley), criminal neglience (Mary Jo Kopecne) basic safety on ski slopes,etc).
Posted by: kmr at February 15, 2010 05:14 PM
Image courtesy of the lovely and talented 