Showing posts with label Caroline Kennedy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Caroline Kennedy. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Sen. Edward Kennedy, 77 dies of brain cancer

8/26/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Edward (Ted) Kennedy, the 77-year old brother of Pres. John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Sen. Robert Kennedy died after a fight against brain cancer in Massachusetts. The controversial patriarch of the Kennedy clan whose career in the senate spanned almost half a century was a liberal democrat with a strong voice on issues of healthcare, education, immigration, and better wages.

The senator who reached out to colleagues of all political persuasions championed civil rights, defended the poor, worked to end the Vietnam war, and advocated against nuclear proliferation. From all over the world, his death elicited a flurry of recollections and praises for a towering political figure with indelible contribution to public service.

The 9th and youngest child of an influential political family of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, Edward became a senator in the early ‘60s raising hopes that he would one day become president. The legendary saga of his family and career however had been marked by a series of tragedy and personal triumph.

His brothers John Jr. and Robert died on the hands of assassins cutting short their political careers. His bid for the White House was thwarted by Jimmy Carter who won the presidential nomination in 1980. His ambition to hold the highest office of the land was ruined by the Chappaquiddick incident when the car he drove plunged into the river killing a young woman named Mary Jo Kopechne.

Having served briefly in the Army, Edward went to Harvard without finishing his education but graduated in the University of Virginia Law School. He was married to Joan Bennett Kennedy in 1958, but got divorced in 1982.

The white haired, barrel-chested senator with a booming voice remarried a young Washington lawyer named Victoria Reggie. His children included daughter, Kara Kennedy Allen, sons, Edward Jr. and Patrick, the congressman from Rhode Island, and stepchildren, Caroline and Curran Raclin.

Vigorously treated by the best doctors under the current healthcare he wanted to reform, he succumbed to a vicious form of cerebral tumor called malignant glioma. An ardet supporter of Pres. Barack Obama whom he endorsed in the presidential race, he asked his niece Caroline Kennedy to seek the New York senatorial position vacated by Hillary Clinton, but failed.

Proximate to his death, Ted asked his colleagues to revert the choice of a senate replacement for him from election to a gubernatorial selection---- so that the transition of office at the time of his death could be easy. Because of his deteriorated health, the accomplished lawmaker wasn’t able attend the funeral of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, his elderly sister who died early this month. (Photo Credit: AP/ Cook)=0=

RELATED BLOG: Sen. Edward Kennedy survives longer under the world’s best medicine available Posted by mesiamd at 7/07/2009; Posthumous tributes to Sen. Edward Kennedy pours in from the world Posted by mesiamd at 8/27/2009; Sen. Edward Kennedy interred in Arlington Cemetery Posted by mesiamd at 8/30/2009



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PostHeaderIcon Caroline Kennedy’s support for abortion disqualifies her as US ambassador to the Vatican

4/15/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

After her failed bid to become the New York senator replacement of Hillary Clinton, Caroline Kennedy, 53, the only surviving child of the Pres. John F. Kennedy was considered unfit to serve as ambassador to the Holy See. According to Vatican sources, Kennedy’s staunch support abortion (just like the support of other Obama nominees) disqualifies her for the position.

Obama's endorsement of Caroline to the post had been perceived as a reward for the Kennedy's support to his presidential election. Many Catholics believe it is an insult to their faith to send in a woman who accepts the killing of unborn human beings.

The embarrassing rejection which the White House didn’t comment on, was upheld by Raymond Flynn, a former US ambassador to the Vatican, who said the well-connected Kennedy who espouses secular-liberal values contrary to Roman Catholic teaching wasn’t a good choice.

"It's imperative, it's essential that the person who represents us to the Holy See be a person who has pro-life values. I hope the President doesn't make that mistake," he told the Boston Herald. "She said she was pro-choice. I don't assume she's going to change that, which is problematic."----Telegraph.co. uk.(04/11/09, Spillius, A)

It’s just right that the Roman Catholic Church must assert what it teaches. A religion doesn’t have to bow down to the dictates of the secular society---especially if such dictates are contrary to its beliefs and traditions. Caroline's faulty nomination to the Holy See is just one among several in Obama administration who accepted positions with questionable qualifications. Photo Credit: photo240779) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "Caroline Kennedy backs out from New York US Senate race" Posted by mesiamd at 1/22/2009

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PostHeaderIcon Caroline Kennedy backs out from New York US Senate race

1/22/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


Time’s article on Caroline Kennedy (The Quest for Camelot II) was somewhat prophetic when the author Karen Tumulty ended her piece in the magazine's January 12 issue saying "The Kennedy name was Caroline’s birthright, but it may be that a seat to the US Senate is something she has to earn on her own." Tumulty’s opinion was based on the observation that Caroline, the only survivor of Pres. John F. Kennedy's children “doesn’t appear to have given much thought to what she would try to accomplish once in office.”

Before NY governor David Patterson could decide who’d take the junior senatorial seat vacated by Sen. Hillary Clinton, Caroline pulled the plug of her candidacy. She couldn’t continue her bid for the position on account of "personal reasons"--- This possibly includes Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy, her uncle, who suffered brain cancer-related seizure during the Obama inauguration celebration. Ironically, it was Ted who liked her to assume the post and carry the family's political flame.

The pressure on families with loved ones suffering from life-threatening medical condition is incalculable and therefore Caroline has the reason to withdraw. But political decisions are usually made on account of other considerations. It’s probable the sheltered Kennedy heiress understood the demands of the job. With little experience than the other candidates, she could have known the truth of what she said before--- She needed to work “doubly-hard” to represent New York in Washington. Undoubtedly strong in political influence, perhaps, her supporters and Gov. Patterson knew this all along. (Photo Credit: http://Arnow.com)=0=

RELATED BLOG:: "Caroline Kennedy & Sarah Palin: a “class” difference in media treatment?" Posted by mesiamd at 1/10/2009

UPDATE: There are speculations as to the cause of Caroline Kennedy's sudden withdrawal from her bid to become a junior NY senator. Vetting issues which involve tax, nanny, and marital problems have been reported in TV and newspapers.

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PostHeaderIcon Caroline Kennedy & Sarah Palin: a “class” difference in media treatment?

1/10/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post
As the day NY Gov. David A. Patterson will pick Sen. Hillary Clinton’s replacement draws near, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, the well-connected and wealthy contender for the senate post stands as the most influential.

It’s Caroline Kennedy, who else?

By name recognition alone, the only surviving daughter of Pres. John F. Kennedy carries her impeccable familial history, her friendship with incoming President Barack Obama, and strong connections to those in Capitol Hill. Having lived a sheltered life with little experience in public service, these are Caroline’s major assets. That’s why before she appeared for interview on television last month, her supporters scrambled to project her as qualified. Yes, but how qualified is she in comparison with the other candidates? She has been a successful mom with a law degree from Columbia. She has taken the post of president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, has been a member of the JFK Profile in Courage Award Committee, serves as director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and vice-chairwoman of NYC’s Fund for Public Schools. Are these enough to get her the senate post?

The public seemed unimpressed with Caroline. She didn’t have the glow of the Kennedy the American people expected to see in her. She wasn’t compelling enough to make the public feel she could be the right senate representative for the regular New Yorkers. When interviewed, Caroline appeared less attached to the position she desired; her projected “fund of knowledge” and manner of speech (including that bothersome “you know” habit) seemed worse than what Gov. Sarah Palin was criticized for in her failed bid as a Republican VP candidate in the last election.

Bias, Double Standard & Media Malpractice

If media treatment had been fair between Caroline and Sarah, the former could have been scrutinized and made fun of more than the latter. From questions about her private life as a Kennedy to the comical exploitation of her limitations as a person the jesters in a late-night TV comedy would have wanted them laid in the open. Arrogant humor at Kennedy's expense---something equal or greater than what Sarah endured with condescending CBS anchor Katie Couric and comedienne Tina Fey who got an award for her Palin impersonations.

Perhaps because of “class” difference and hypocrisy, the mainstream media have been kind to urbane Caroline, but not so to rural Sarah. Like the precious gem from the Camelot jewel box, the New York lady incites awe and nobody talks against her perceived high carats in the political scene. Sarah is quick to notice. Americans have been anxious to see whether the Kennedy heiress will grab the senate position on basic merits or by the magic of the her name.

"I've been interested to see how Caroline Kennedy will be handled and if she will be handled with kid gloves or if she will be under such a microscope…It's going to be interesting to see how that plays out."----Gov. Sarah Palin (Source: CBS News 01/9/08, Conroy, S); YahooNews (01/09/09, Gromley, M)

With Caroline as a comparison, Sarah was right in raising the questions of media bias and exploitation which misled and undermined public trust. She recalled how she was unfairly vetted, trivialized, vilified, and insulted by the liberal media. At one point, because of her conservative views, even her motherhood was questioned. The warped media insinuated her disabled innocent Trig afflicted with Trisomy 21 (Mongolism) wasn't her son she steadfastly rescued from abortion. Her eldest daughter’s pregnancy was played out as salacious gossip item in media circuits. The liberal media dug into her privacy with rapacity unparalleled with what they did with other candidates.

Sarah Palin was correct in pointing double standard by news organizations which “respected Barack Obama's declaration that his family was off-limits for coverage”--- The courtesy wasn't accorded her, yet now generously given to Caroline. It’s hard to imagine that this disdainful journalistic disparity has happened in USA, but it’s true. Anyone can look and judge for oneself what goes on out there. (Photo Credits: byphoto240779; rhilton4u)=0=


RELATED BLOG: "Caroline Kennedy eyes Hillary Clinton’s post as NY senator" Posted by mesiamd at 12/16/2008



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PostHeaderIcon Caroline Kennedy eyes Hillary Clinton’s post as NY senator

12/16/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post
Hillary Clinton is about to leave as New York senator. She will become the secretary of state in the new Barack Obama administration. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg has expressed interest on the 2-year job which needed to be filled by NY governor David Paterson.

It may be partly because of the family from where she comes from. She is an accomplished lawyer. Political connections definitely help as much as her admirable qualifications. In gist, these are reasons why Caroline is favorably considered for the post.

Not so many know Caroline in-depth as she aspires for a new role in the political scene. She is the only surviving child of Pres. Jack and Jackie Kennedy, the sister of John Kennedy, Jr. whose memory captivates the minds of many Americans. She is the niece of the late Sen. Robert Kennedy and ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy.

A well-known democrat from an influential political clan, the 50-year old Kennedy is said to be a hard-driven mom of three with a Columbia U law degree on her sleeve. Among her accomplishments include being the president of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and member of the JFK Profile in Courage Award Committee. She serves as the director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and vice-chairwoman of NYC’s Fund for Public Schools.

Whether Caroline’s qualifications are enough to make her the best candidate for the post is subject to debate. There are those who believe some politicians are better prepared for the job. Others worry if her wealthy upbringing may stand on the way in her public service. With her connections, it is very likely though that she'll get the job. (Photo Credit: http://arnow.org) =0=

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