I was born and raised in Arlington, within walking distance of the cemetery. I will definitely visit the next time I'm home. NB: If any of you visit the Kennedys, know that as you walk up the hill towards their graves (if you're approaching from the Iwo Jima Memorial it's the first section of the hill you have to climb), you walk right by the grave of Medgar Evers. His gravestone is turned so that the engraving faces away from the path, but it's right next to the path. There are usually some stones or pebbles around it or on top of it, thanks to his Jewish supporters. I left my Barack Obama "HOPE" pin there the last time I visited.
Was in Boston Friday and was one of the last people admitted to see the casket at the JFK library. I'm working up a blog post on it, but it was even more emotional to me than 9/11, and I didn't think that would ever be possible. Next time I'm in Washington, D.C., I plan to visit Arlington.
@Dagneymedea: If you're going to bring her up in some lame attempt to... what, shit on someone's funeral? Anyway, if you're going to bring her up, could you at least learn her name?
Did anyone see Teddy Jr's comments? He spoke of losing a leg to bone cancer when he was 12, and his father insisting he could go coasting. Teddy Jr. kept saying, I can't make it up that hill. And Ted Sr kept telling him, yes you can. You can do anything you want.
As a resident of MA, specifically Martha's Vineyard, the loss of Ted Kennedy has deeply saddened the community that I exist in. (As well as many others in the U.S)
I am so grateful that Pres. Obama was the one that gave this moving speech. He truly conveyed the thoughts and words of those that loved and appreciated all the amazing things Kennedy achieved in his life,.... and has effectively insured that the legacy Ted Kennedy left behind will one where his outstanding accomplishments, especially in being the voice for those that couldn't be heard, shall forever keep the shadows of Ted Kennedy's darker days in the past where they belong.
I swear if I was still in grade school my Trapper KeeperĀ® would soooo have "OBAMA RULEZ" [sic] in big fat magic marker across the front... surrounded by puffy stickers of course...
@bluebears: I think Bush 1 said that he felt W's presence there was enough to represent the Bush family. In other words, they apparently couldn't be bothered. Classy.
@Scout: heh. when Ted Jr. was giving the eulogy he made a joke and the camera panned to W, who had this stiff smile on his face and the Bf was like, "he didn't get it."
I believe Barbara was there, I thought I saw that hair of her's sticking out. Also kind of ballsy that George is there, considering Ted Kennedy and him did not get along.
Also very strange that basically the people that make up our government were all there. It made me very nervous. I eyed everyone suspicously(sp?).
@GlitteryUnicorn: This is the usual protocol for funerals of government VIPs. usually ex-presidents but also Supreme Court justices etc...I mean I think Jimmy Carter and Teddy had bad blood but its just what you do.
@bluebears: Some commenters are saying it's reported that he is unwell. I'm calling bullshit on that. Barbara and 41 are both well enough to travel frequently to College Station, TX; attend sports events, work out in the rec center, and occasionally eat out at restaurants. I think he just couldn't be bothered.
@KittyKitty Texas-is-bigger-than-France Cat: Tacky. Tell your friend Bekah she is cooler than I. I might have fought with him for the machine on the ground that GWB had said during his term that every American citizen's health is his or her own responsibility.
@KittyKitty Texas-is-bigger-than-France Cat: Didn't he just jump out of a plane? I'm calling b.s. too. Kind of a dick move to throw out a b.s. excuse when he just couldn't be bothered.
@bluebears: The skydiving thing was about five years ago, for his 80th birthday. I remember because it was such a big deal that ZOMG he's 80 and jumping out of a plane. I think there's a difference between going out to dinner and driving around town and flying and taking part in a big public function. I hate defending anyone named Bush, but considering how all the other former ex-presidents (especially Clinton) had bad blood between themselves and Kennedy and still came, I do think there's more to it than that regarding his absence.
@Taren: No, I'm pretty sure he just recently jumped out of a plane b/c it was one of the first public appearances Bush 2 made since leaving office. He and his brother Jeb were there at the press conference held after he landed.
@Rooo sez BISH PLZ: When there are 2 men in suits (the Secret Service) asking you to step back from a machine, you are much more inclined to move. Back when I went to A&M, I used to see him after every spin class. The SS freaked me out a little.
It was a wonderful speech, striking just the right tone of explaining how Teddy the man shone through in the sort of policy he championed and how he went about seeking its passage.
I wish I could have gone. I heard the story on NPR this morning and started to cry when the reporter talked about how the Kennedy family wandered out in to the crowd to shake hands and thank people for coming.
My parents moved to Boston when I was in college and when I visited them, I'd make a point of going to the JFK Library. Such a beautiful, powerfully evocative place.
The wake started last night at 6. I got to the JFK Library at 6:30 and there were already at least a thousand people there. I read that there was about 20,000 people there last night.
@Sputnik_Sweetheart: I think that people started lining up at six in the morning. I was at Mass General around noon yesterday, and I toyed with the idea of waiting around for the motorcade, but I decided to head out of town. I couldn't deal with the crowds.
Everyone seems to be wetting themselves over what a saint he was, but.... I keep thinking about the Kopechne angle and will never be able to forgive him for that.
08/31/09
08/31/09
08/31/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/30/09
08/29/09
Teddy Jr. started crying. It was very touching.
08/29/09
I am so grateful that Pres. Obama was the one that gave this moving speech. He truly conveyed the thoughts and words of those that loved and appreciated all the amazing things Kennedy achieved in his life,.... and has effectively insured that the legacy Ted Kennedy left behind will one where his outstanding accomplishments, especially in being the voice for those that couldn't be heard, shall forever keep the shadows of Ted Kennedy's darker days in the past where they belong.
I swear if I was still in grade school my Trapper KeeperĀ® would soooo have "OBAMA RULEZ" [sic] in big fat magic marker across the front... surrounded by puffy stickers of course...
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
@Taren: Jimmy Carter is 85 as well, I mean if the guy was ill ok, but otherwise all the other ex-presidents were there, it was sort of shitty.
08/29/09
08/29/09
Maybe Jimmy's just in better health. That guy still bikes around with his wife.
08/29/09
yes they said he was in pain at the inauguration
he had just had two hip replacements
08/29/09
I believe Barbara was there, I thought I saw that hair of her's sticking out. Also kind of ballsy that George is there, considering Ted Kennedy and him did not get along.
Also very strange that basically the people that make up our government were all there. It made me very nervous. I eyed everyone suspicously(sp?).
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
Good point. The Matrix has us all.
(I have relatives who worked on the Hill. I should refrain from being so flip. I bask in teh priviliggis of anonyMouseity, uh huh. *runs*)
08/29/09
No. I won't. I've been Teh Mouth enough on this thread already.
Jus' channelin' mah rayge thru teh snarky ...
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
08/29/09
[vodpod.com]
08/28/09
My parents moved to Boston when I was in college and when I visited them, I'd make a point of going to the JFK Library. Such a beautiful, powerfully evocative place.
08/28/09
08/28/09
08/28/09
08/28/09
08/28/09
08/28/09
08/28/09
Given to me by BabyJane
08/28/09