Ted Kennedy: The Liberal Lion

The recent news about Senator Kennedy's seizure has me reflecting on the "liberal lion." The first political speech I can recall leaving an impression upon me was Senator Kennedy's concession speech to Jimmy Carter at the 1980 Democratic National Convention. I was eleven at the time and quite stirred by it. Many recall Senator Kennedy's inability to be gracious to President Carter on the podium. For me though, this speech by Kennedy stands the test of time. It was a defiant clarion call against the growing tide of callous predatory conservatism.

Unable to restore Camelot's throne, Kennedy resumed his Senate career and became an indispendable progressive advocate within the legislative branch. While the center of political gravity shifted to the right, Kennedy was a powerful counterweight. In 2002, unlike too many of his cowardly colleagues, Kennedy voiced dissent against President Bush's march towards war with Iraq.

Yes, I acknowledge Kennedy's personal failings. They've been well documented. The death of Mary Jo Kopechne at Chappaquiddick Island when Kennedy left the scene of the accident and failed to immediately report it to authorities was despicable. Unquestionably, he got off far easier than the average person would have. If I were a member of Mary Jo Kopechne's family I likely could never forgive him. That said, this country is far better off for Kennedy's service in the Senate.

Below are four YouTube audio recordings of Kennedy's memorable speech. It's words still echo today.




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Let's Make it Happen for Dennis Kucinich...

Dennis Kucinich: Thank You!
Posted on March 10, 2008 at Dandelion Salad

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Stopping the Iraq Occuaption

Stopping the Iraq Occupation and the Attack on Iran PDA works inside the Democratic Party and on Capital Hill -- and outside in grassroots movements for peace and social justice. Thanks to our outside grassroots mobilizing, more lawmakers inside Congress are signing the Iraq Peace Pledge, telling President Bush that they'll only fund the U.S. military in Iraq for "the protection and safe redeployment of all our troops out of Iraq."

70 members of Congress signed the original letter in July; the number of signers is now 86 and growing.

With organizations from the National Organization for Women (NOW) to Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) recently sending out alerts to their base, the grassroots petition backing the Iraq Peace Pledge has now been signed by 50,000 people. If you haven't signed it yet, feel free to do so now. Please forward this email to five friends. And tell your own Congressmember and Speaker Pelosi to back the Iraq Peace Pledge.

As neoconservatives in the White House threaten to widen the Iraq war disaster into a far bigger disaster by attacking Iran, PDA chapters across the country need to gear up for the National Peace Mobilization on October 27 in 11 cities: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle and Jonesborough, TN.

PDA needs to have a visible presence at the Oct. 27 events, which are being organized by the United for Peace & Justice coalition. "Fall Out Against the War!" is the rallying cry. PDA needs to show our colors.

More info: PDAmerica