Edward Kennedy passed away overnight. It’s a sad day for all Americans.
No matter how you may feel about Kennedy and the mistakes he made in his personal life, you have to respect him for his accomplishments in 47 years as a United States Senator. Kennedy was a constant voice on one side or the other of every major piece of legislation to pass through the Senate.
In his years, he weaved his way through personal triumph, unbelievable personal tragedy, and sometimes seemingly endless self-inflicted controversy to become one of the greatest senators to ever live and work in Washington. As I listened to the many tributes this morning on the cable networks, I heard again and again that Kennedy may have vehemently disagreed with you and your politics, but that ended when the final gavel of the day fell.
In his final two years, Kennedy helped to bring about a great and historic moment. He helped to elect the first African-American President of the United States as one of the earliest major endorsers of Barack Obama. He was even there and well enough to see him inaugurated but suffered a setback in the form of a seizure shortly after President Obama was sworn in. Even after his cancer began to take over and force him to curtail his work schedule, he stayed involved as a constant advocate of health care reform. It turned out to be his last battle, and it's not yet clear if he will have contributed to a victory or a loss. You couldn't ignore him, though. Never.
Senator Kennedy took many years to grow up, but we all do. His life may serve as the greatest example of the old saying, “It’s not how you start the race; it’s how you finish.”
His life of service finished last night when cancer took him away from us. The “Lion of the Senate” has passed, and the torch again passes to a new generation.
Posted by Jon E. Easter
http://indydemocrat.blogspot.com/2009/08/edward-m-kennedy-1932-2009.html
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