By John W. Lillpop
Ted Kennedy was born into a life of privilege and advantage. His has been a life of elitist fame and fortune, unencumbered by the everyday worries that challenge most American families.
Money was never an issue with Kennedy and having it gave the younger brother of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Robert Kennedy extraordinary power and the freedom to do things that a person of modest means would never consider, much less attempt.
Take for instance, the death of Mary Jo Kopechne who died as a result of Ted Kennedy's drunken driving in the Chappaquiddick incident. Anybody but a Kennedy would have been prosecuted for manslaughter, perhaps worse.
However, because Ted was a Kennedy, the rule of law was bent to accommodate his wealth and power.
Intimidated law authorities in Massachusetts overlooked the death of 29-year old woman in order to protect Kennedy.
40 years later, liberals regard Kennedy as an icon in the battle for the little guy. Mary Jo Kopechne is but a distant and fading memory, not worth worrying about.
Despite a lifetime of selfish indulgence, Ted Kennedy is not finished.
As reported at Boston.com, in part:
"Senator Edward M. Kennedy, in a poignant acknowledgment of his mortality at a critical time in the national health care debate, has privately asked the governor and legislative leaders to change the succession law to guarantee that Massachusetts will not lack a Senate vote when his seat becomes vacant.
"In a personal, sometimes wistful letter sent Tuesday to Governor Deval L. Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, Kennedy asks that Patrick be given authority to appoint someone to the seat temporarily before voters choose a new senator in a special election."
Unsolicited advise for Governor Patrick and the others:
Bestow upon Ted Kennedy the exact same measure of respect and compassion that he offered Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969.
