In the Lionizing of the Lead Liberal, Let Us Not Forget His True Legacy
I’m not the type of person to kick someone when they’re down (despite what some in the blogosphere might think). It’s eminently more satisfying to fight them when they’re kicking and roaring. We all also know I’m thoroughly addicted to graphics in my posts and I chose these two pictures for a reason. A reminder, if you will, of the three brothers in happier times. Oh, I had my choice of “snarky” photos, but this just isn’t the time for it.
Such is the case with Senator Kennedy. I don’t care for the man or his politics. I don’t like the way he’s abused his faith. I don’t like his stand on many, many things. That being said, I am more than happy to pray for God’s grace for the man. He–and his family–have met with more than their fair share of tragedies in the past 40+ years, and they’ve been forced to live those tragedies in the public eye, something we “common folk” are spared.
This past Saturday, Senator Kennedy suffered seizures and after testing, it was discovered he has a malignant brain tumor. While this is not a tragedy along the same lines of two brothers being assassinated and a nephew killed in a plane crash, it is still a devastating diagnosis to those who receive it.
While the MSM is already on deathwatch for Senator Kennedy, the public and body politic is swooning over all the “good” he’s done during his extensive time in the House.
I beg to differ. It is fine to worry about the man. It is fine to offer condolences regarding his condition.
Let us not forget his actual legacy. His actual legacy is anything but good.
My afternoon drive time is shortened daily by listening to Savage. He has compiled a list of Kennedy’s actual votes–his TRUE legacy. I’ll print Savage’s compilation, but it can also be found here and a follow up post written by Beowulf can be found here.
Here is Senator Kennedy’s REAL legacy, his REAL record:
The Real Kennedy Record
# Ted Kennedy was a strong supporter of the 1965 Hart-Celler Act–signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson–which dramatically changed US immigration policy. This legislation replaced the Immigration Act of 1924, which favored immigrants from northern and western Europe. Proponents of the 1965 bill argued immigration laws and quotas were discriminatory, and American immigration policy should accept people not on the basis of their nationality.
# Ted Kennedy has been a staunch supporter of gun control initiatives. In 2006 he was one of the 16 senators who voted against the Vitter Amendment, which prohibited the confiscation of legally-possessed firearms during a disaster.
# Ted Kennedy has …opposed additional Alaska oil drilling. However, he opposes the Cape Wind wind turbine project which would occur near his home.
# Kennedy is one of only five senators who have publicly announced support for same-sex marriage.
# He voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.
# In 2004, Senator Kennedy cosponsored a bipartisan amendment to strengthen the ability of federal, state and local governments to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.
# Senator Kennedy introduced legislation to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.
# To help in the fight against AIDS, Senator Kennedy cosponsored an amendment to provide additional funding for prevention and treatment activities in Africa.
# Voted NO on recommending constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
# Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
# Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
# Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
# Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
# Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
# Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
# Voted NO on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
# Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
# Voted NO on declaring English the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
# Voted YES on allowing illegals to participate in Social Security.(May 2006)
And from Beowulf’s article here:
We cannot forget that he opened the borders as early as 1965. We cannot forget that he voted to destroy the flag and destroy traditional marriage. We cannot forget–in spite of his illness–he has voted for late-term abortion, i.e. infanticide. We can’t forget that… His poor health does not excuse him for what he has done to our country.
No, ladies and gentlemen, he is not a hero. He is an ill, old man with a history of undermining this country and its greatness. It is not a tragedy in the normal sense of the word, or even in the sense of the way his family has suffered tragedies. It is a medical diagnosis, albeit a devastating one.
I maintain what I have said in several comment threads regarding this man at this time. He needs to retire with his dignity and live out his years with his family. His family needs this time to adjust to this latest news and be given the time to do so privately. As a human being, he deserves human compassion as does his family.
I have to question, though–obviously he had no knowledge of this tumor and it has been around for quite some time. How many of his votes and his actions have been influenced by this tumor? How many of his decisions are now suspect because of this tumor? Had he not had the tumor, would he have voted differently, made different decisions? We may never know and we have to accept that. What we DON’T have to accept is the sudden elevation to sainthood of a very flawed human being.
May he take the time he’s been given and get his entire being in order. Not everyone gets the blessing of a “wake up call” to make things right. Hopefully, he will take advantage of his wake up call.
Cross posted at Miss Beth’s Victory Dance here.
Link to this page
