# Its Mary Jo's Birthday! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 18, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485 "2003-07-18T22:32:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/1 "2003-07-18T22:32:40Z")
Be sure to drink a special toast to her today. She gave her life to keep Ted Kennedy out of the White House. Will somebody who knows how to work these here new-fangled computers put a link here, please? * * * Why do so many tragedies befall the Kennedy clan? Because they deserve them. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/2 "2003-07-19T17:57:32Z")
If you don’t know how to construct a link after **2,468** posts … Well, let’s just say you need to worry about that inanimate carbon rod at your workplace. An old Harvard Lampoon’s fake advertisement for Volkswagen showed a VW Bug floating in a pond (they were notoriously air-tight) with the caption: “If Ted Kennedy had been driving a Volkswagen, he might be in the White House today.” ---
**Author:** ![pencilpusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d6d6ee/32.png) [@pencilpusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pencilpusher)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/3 "2003-07-19T18:01:26Z")
oh good grief… :wally ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/4 "2003-07-19T18:22:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > **Be sure to drink a special toast to her today. She gave her life to keep Ted Kennedy out of the White House.** I’ll be sure to do that at the wedding reception I go to tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2003, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/5 "2003-07-19T22:39:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > \*\*If you don’t know how to construct a link after **2,468** posts … > > Well, let’s just say you need to worry about that inanimate carbon rod at your workplace. > \*\* Stupid Tubor!😃 * * * When the going gets tough, the shit hits the squeaky cart. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/6 "2003-07-20T01:18:21Z")
Do we have to kill another girl to get him out of the Senate? [sub] Friedo Grand High Poobah of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy [/sub] ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/7 "2003-07-20T07:58:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zenster \* > \*\*If you don’t know how to construct a link after **2,468** posts … > Well, let’s just say you need to worry about that inanimate carbon rod at your workplace. > \*\* 😛 **THAT** is funny! ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/8 "2003-07-20T22:57:28Z")
Charming. So evidently wishing death on people is okay, as long as it’s retroactive. That’s useful to know. Strangely, I rather suspect that Ms. Kopechne would probably have preferred to remain alive even if she knew that Ted Kennedy’s career would suffer as a result of her terrible demise. Not that it makes the joke any less funny, of course. Good one, **gatopescado**! Keep mocking the dead, man–you _rock!_ I’ll bet you’re a goddamn laugh riot on 9/11, dude. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/9 "2003-07-20T23:25:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terrifel \* > \*\*Charming. So evidently wishing death on people is okay, as long as it’s retroactive. That’s useful to know. > > Strangely, I rather suspect that Ms. Kopechne would probably have preferred to remain alive even if she knew that Ted Kennedy’s career would suffer as a result of her terrible demise. Not that it makes the joke any less funny, of course. Good one, **gatopescado**! Keep mocking the dead, man–you _rock!_ I’ll bet you’re a goddamn laugh riot on 9/11, dude. \*\* WTF? Who’s mocking the dead? Have I been whooshed? ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/10 "2003-07-20T23:56:45Z")
**kambuckta** : Sorry, I meant “mock” in the sense of “ridicule or treat with contempt” (as in, _“Let’s all toast Mary Jo Kopechne’s brave sacrifice in allowing herself to die on this date in 1969, in order to foil Teddy Kennedy’s political aspirations”_). I didn’t mean to imply that **gatopescado** was attempting to _impersonate_ Ms. Kopechne–although that would probably be almost as funny, especially on the anniversary of her death. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_The\_Diver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Buck\_The\_Diver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_The_Diver)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/11 "2003-07-21T01:19:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gatopescado \* > \*\*Why do so many tragedies befall the Kennedy clan? Because they deserve them. \*\* 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/12 "2003-07-21T08:00:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terrifel \* > \*\ ***kambuckta** : Sorry, I meant “mock” in the sense of “ridicule or treat with contempt” (as in, _“Let’s all toast Mary Jo Kopechne’s brave sacrifice in allowing herself to die on this date in 1969, in order to foil Teddy Kennedy’s political aspirations”_). \*\* Huh? (Again) Sorry, I didn’t see how **gatopescado’s** post was in the least bit mocking, except to the political aspirations and consequent losses of Teddy’s because of her death. From my reading (and previous (albeit limited) knowledge of the events) it was a swipe at Teddy and the Kennedy Dynasty and not in any way a sincere jab at Mary Jo. If I’m missing out on something here, can someone fill this dumb Aussie in please? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/13 "2003-07-21T10:29:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kambuckta \* > \*\*Huh? (Again) > > Sorry, I didn’t see how **gatopescado’s** post was in the least bit mocking, except to the political aspirations and consequent losses of Teddy’s because of her death. From my reading (and previous (albeit limited) knowledge of the events) it was a swipe at Teddy and the Kennedy Dynasty and not in any way a sincere jab at Mary Jo. > > If I’m missing out on something here, can someone fill this dumb Aussie in please? 😕 \*\* Ah, now I understand the confusion. In order to appreciate the OP, you have to understand that, in America at least, trivializing someone’s death to make a political observation is considered the height of comedy. As an example, assume that I wish to make a point concerning overpopulation or global warming. If I know that your mother is dead, I might then say, “Wow, let’s hear it for your mom, **kambuckta**! It sure was big of her to stop breathing so that the rest of us have more food and oxygen. What a great old lady!” Do you not see how funny this is? Must be a cultural thing. You Aussies, no sense of humor. You probably don’t know why the Challenger seven didn’t bathe before liftoff, either.😉 ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/14 "2003-07-21T10:41:57Z")
Hey **Terrifel**. your explanatory abilities are to the standard of your average politician, Kennedy or otherwise. I cannot comprehend you. I’m still lost. I DO NOT GET IT. Either I am a moron, or your humour is too sophisticated for the likes of this down-under doofus. Can somebody ELSE help me here? HELP ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/15 "2003-07-21T18:50:38Z")
You’re doing fine, **kambuckta**. The OP was funny and harmless. **Terrifel** is overreacting. Don’t sweat it. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/16 "2003-07-21T19:17:16Z")
I have no particular gratitude towards Mary Jo, but if you want to propose a toast to Patricia Bowman, whose willingness to have her name served up in tabloid headlines hopefully ruled out any future rise to significant elected-position power of one William Kennedy Smith, I’ll drink to that. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/17 "2003-07-21T20:38:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jackelope \* > \*\*You’re doing fine, **kambuckta**. The OP was funny and harmless. **Terrifel** is overreacting. Don’t sweat it. \*\* Overreacting? _OVERREACTING?!_ Where the hell do you get off saying that I’m overreacting? Oh, I see…in Grand High Inquisitor \*\*jackelope’s \*\* magical universe, I guess that politely responding to a request for information is considered \*“overreacting.” \* Maybe it’s YOU that’s overreacting, did you ever think of that? **DID YOU?!** :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: **I DO NOT OVERREACT, YOU BASTARD!!!** :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: _pant_ _pant_…rip 's guts out… _pant_ …anyway…oh, yeah, **kambuckta;** bottom line, what **jackelope** said: \*don’t sweat it, death = funny and harmless. \* For further information on the American theory of humor, check out the comical antics of the U.S. troops currently in Iraq, or consult the filmography of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Speaking of… Q. Why did Maria Shriver marry Arnie the Terminator? A. Because she wanted to produce an indestructible Kennedy. Oh, the laughs, they just keep on a-comin’… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/18 "2003-07-21T22:14:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AHunter3 \* > \*\*I have no particular gratitude towards Mary Jo, but if you want to propose a toast to Patricia Bowman, whose willingness to have her name served up in tabloid headlines hopefully ruled out any future rise to significant elected-position power of one William Kennedy Smith, I’ll drink to that. \*\* The Kennedy clan is especially hard on the women-folk, aren’t they? * * * If I have to sit through one more remake of “Candle in the Wind”, someone is gonna get hurt! ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/19 "2003-07-21T23:10:33Z")
As William Kennedy Smith told his Palm Beach date: “You better let me have sex with you or I’ll let my Uncle drive you home.” ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485/20 "2003-07-21T23:38:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Terrifel \* > \*\*…anyway…oh, yeah, **kambuckta;** bottom line, what **jackelope** said: \*don’t sweat it, death = funny and harmless. \*\*\* Oh, come on. I didn’t say death is funny and harmless. I said the OP was funny and harmless. If the OP did not exist (I mean the post, not **gatopescado** ), would Mary Jo Kopechne come back to life? If that were the case, I would head over to the Chicago Reader’s offices and smash the server myself. But it’s not so. To insist that _it is not possible for a death to have good consequences_ is fanatical nonsense. Kopechne’s death was tragic, and no one is pretending otherwise. The silver lining on that dark, dark cloud is that Ted Kennedy won’t be running for president. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-mary-jos-birthday/189485.md?page=2)