On this day in 1969, Senator Edward Kennedy became the most popular swimmer in history, wresting a title that had been owned by Johnny Weissmuller for almost four decades.
He would hold that distinction for a scant three years, before his achievement would be eclipsed by Mark Spitz in the 1972 Olympics.
Nothing Kennedy has done since has been as sleazy. And he’s tried.
Ah yeas, Chappaquiddick! Old Ted claimed that he swam from Chappaquiddick to Edgartown, not ONCE but TWICE (and back) In ONE NIGHT! He TRIED to rescue Mary Jo Kopechne, but nobody would listen to him!
PoorTed…I wonder ifsomebody will finally tell the true story of what went on that night…someboy must have volunteered to take the fall for Ted, then backed out…
Ted only got a fine for leaving the scene of an accident.
Mary Jo got a grave, her parents were willing to shut up , for an undisclosed amount ofmoney.
I liked the remark after JFK Jr. died – “Up till now, the Kennedy men had always killed them one at a time.”
Of maybe after an investigation we basically know the facts.
Do you guys have any sort of proof of any of ‘accusations’ (and I have to use that term very loosely because you are only saying something other than the offical story happened but not what) you are trying to make?
1969 was 34 years ago where you guys even born then?
Hey ralph exactly how far is the distance you are talking about. You come off like some sort of Chappaquidick buff so offer up some details.
Oh and tiwckster when Joe K was flying bombing mission in WWII he probably killed more than one at a time.
It really griped me to see Ted Kennedy on the news, giving a speech running down the ethics of the Bush Administration. Not that I like Bush or his cronies. But I felt like saying “Pot, meet kettle.”
One of my favourite The Onion’s “Our Dumb Century” headlines was: “Apollo 11 Astronauts Drown; Ted Kennedy Flees Scene.” (or something very like.
Baker, wow, I believe this is the first time that Ted Kennedy and the word ethics have appeared together in the same sentence.
sorry, but somebody had to say it, may as well be a SDMB neophyte…
Ted’s story is so laughable that it is unbelievable:basically, he claims that:
-he didn’t know that Mary Jo wasin the car with him!
-after the car fell off the bridge, he repeaedly dove down to the car to try to rescue her
-when that didn’t work, he walked 3 miles to the Edgartown ferry landing (on Chappaquiddick island), and swam over to Edgartown. He then claims that he tried to call for help:he then plunged into the water, and swam back to Chappaquiddick Island. He then tried to get help, but again failed!
So he turned around, and swam back to Edgartown (the water gao is about 750 yards wide at the ferry).
He then checkedinto a hotelin Edgartown, and fell asleep. he informed the Edgartown PD next morning!
As I say, it sounds to me that Kennedy had a man willing to take the fall for him-and then the guy backedout…which is why Ted concocted such a ridiculous story.
Anyway, ted received a modest fine and a license suspension, and Mary Jogot a grave.
Rumor has it that the Kopechne family got >$1 million to shut up!
Hey Eral
What the hell does the thread title mean?
It was simply a novel way of saying “On this day in history. . .”
No matter how you feel about the level of punishment of Senator Kennedy for what took place that day you should probably remember that a young woman died so ‘Happy Chappaquidick Day’ is a pretty disgusting thread title.
Is the thread title more disgusting than the fact that folks from Massachusetts keep re-electing the guy?