The Political Fish

It has been a disgusting newsday here in America. This morning we learned of the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy, who lost his battle with brain cancer at the age of 77. In the hours since, we have seen both sides of the political spectrum sell out all good sense and compassion in favor of political gain. On the right, many conservatives could not withhold their hatred for the man and his policies for a better time. On the left, all of this man’s problems were overlooked in favor of some mythical lionization, and a shameful tactic of attaching the memory of Senator Kennedy to some new push for the radical healthcare takeover proposed by the Obama administration.

When did we become a nation of people who can barely wait for the body to cool off before we step back into the political ring with a new tool to use in the fight?

For all there is to say about Senator Kennedy and his politics, now is not the time. If you strongly disagree, like myself, keep it to yourself. If you don’t respect the man, at least respect his humanity. There are family and friends who are hurting tonight, as they have watched their friend, father, and uncle slowly deteriorate in the past months to a devastating and debilitating disease.  He is dead. His politics and affect on America are over. Tommorow is a new day to renew the fight against the policies that he so fiercely fought for.

We are all well aware that Ted Kennedy was a flawed man, as are the rest of us. His body of work, his achievements, his actions, and his failures have been well documented over the years. We all know about Mary Jo Kopechne. He comes from a family who basically defines the Democrat party here in America. One thing you can always say about Ted Kennedy is that you knew where he stood on the issues. There was no doubt in anyones mind what side Sen. Kennedy would weigh in on in the healthcare debate. As much as he has done to negatively affect this country, you must admire the fact that he stuck to his principles, and worked tirelessly for them, no matter how wrongheaded they were.

Tommorow is another day, and I am sure that it will be more of the same. To the liberals out there, its a shameful attempt to drum up support for this dead healthcare bill.  To the conservatives out there who could not pass up the opportunity to say everything they ever felt about Ted Kennedy, you accomplish nothing but diminishing your own arguments by lashing out. Believe me, nobody that I know stood more opposed to the policies of Senator Edward M. Kennedy than myself. I am an ardent opposition to many if not all of the big government policies of this man.

Bill Bennett said it best today. It is wrong to speak ill of the dead, we have always been taught that. So in this case, I will refrain from continuing on.

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