# Re  Edward Kennedy's death - Man... that's one rough editorial cartoon

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 29, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105 "2009-08-29T01:01:44Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 18\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![AppallingGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@AppallingGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppallingGael)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/61 "2009-08-30T04:00:47Z")

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> [@wierdaaron](#):
>
> I imagine that since this took place in the 70s, a period where news media was at its height, and there wasn’t a lot of competing media to draw attention away, so it was probably a very large, quite talked-about thing, so a lot of people are still probably harboring feelings from the frenzy.

1969, actually. It was competing for attention with the moon landing.

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**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/62 "2009-08-30T07:10:11Z")

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> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#):
>
> Just for the record, Kennedy was never convicted of negligent homicide. Was he even charged with that crime?

According to Time magazine, it wasn’t even a crime in Massachusetts at the time.

[

> [@](#):
>
> Although Massachusetts has no criminal-negligence law, Boyle is charged with finding out…

]([http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,942138,00.html](http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,942138,00.html))

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**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/63 "2009-08-30T07:23:53Z")

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> [@RikWriter](#):
>
> Liberals keep trying to make that equation. They don’t seem to get the fact that no one ever elected Laura Bush to national office.

I agree. If they’re smart, they’ll equate it to her husband, who _was_ elected to national office, who killed thousands of U.S. soldiers by lying us into a pointless war.

On topic, I don’t find the cartoon particularly offensive.

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**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/64 "2009-08-30T07:43:54Z")

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> [@woodstockbirdybird](#):
>
> I agree. If they’re smart, they’ll equate it to her husband, who _was_ elected to national office, who killed thousands of U.S. soldiers by lying us into a pointless war.

Those are dangerous waters too, because that brings us back around to his two brothers, who engineered the 1963 coup and began offensive operations in Vietnam, putting LBJ in position to do exactly the same thing that Bush was guilty of only because Kennedy was dead and couldn’t do it himself.

When you speak of the Kennedys, you better be very careful of the examples you want to bring up, because they are collectively guilty of pretty much everything under the sun you can think of. I would not call such a comparison “smart” in light of that reality.

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**Author:** ![wierdaaron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eada6e/32.png) [@wierdaaron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wierdaaron)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/65 "2009-08-30T08:03:17Z")

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> [@DSYoungEsq](#):
>
> You do know that he ran for the office against the incumbet Democratic president, Jimmy Carter, in 1980, right? :eek:
> 
> Please tell me you know that.

Considering that was 6 years before my birth, it never really crossed my radar screen. I couldn’t tell you who ran against Ford, either.\* All I know about Carter is that he writes a ton of books, was a peanut farmer, and is regarded as a do-nothing president.

\*Joke.

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**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/66 "2009-08-30T08:56:22Z")

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> [@DSYoungEsq](#):
>
> 1980, and the fact that he was never legitimately able to run for president again thereafter

Just out of curiosity, what do you mean? Legitimately as opposed to what?

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**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/67 "2009-08-30T09:03:07Z")

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> [@wierdaaron](#):
>
> So, if I can speak as a somewhat impartial observer. . .

So, there’s a difference between being an “impartial observer” and simply not _being_ an observer.

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**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/68 "2009-08-30T09:07:12Z")

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The Shark Guys just ran [Ted Kennedy’s Top Drunk Moments](http://www.thesharkguys.com/2009/08/26/ted-kennedys-top-drunk-moments/).

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/69 "2009-08-30T09:07:23Z")

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> [@wierdaaron](#):
>
> So, if I can speak as a somewhat impartial observer with no strong feelings for or against Ted Kennedy, it is somewhat understandable to want to vent about Mary Jo (and I see a lot of that happening on this forum), but criticizing the press for “ignoring it” like the OP’s cartoon does just seems so, so bitter.

If you fully research the events you will understand that he got a HUGE pass from the press. It would have destroyed his Senate career in addition to the Presidency.

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**Author:** ![wierdaaron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eada6e/32.png) [@wierdaaron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wierdaaron)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/70 "2009-08-30T09:19:31Z")

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> [@Magiver](#):
>
> If you fully research the events you will understand that he got a HUGE pass from the press. It would have destroyed his Senate career in addition to the Presidency.

Alright, I can buy that. So then, the concept behind this cartoon and those who share its sentiment is that, now that he’s dead, pass revoked?

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**Author:** ![wierdaaron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eada6e/32.png) [@wierdaaron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wierdaaron)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/71 "2009-08-30T09:25:07Z")

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> [@Koxinga](#):
>
> So, there’s a difference between being an “impartial observer” and simply not _being_ an observer.

Sigh…

I’m trying to give you a chance to explain your position, and everybody’s reaction is “liberal, attack!” It’s not needed. I’m not playing games or unloading talking points here, I’m trying to figure out what the position this comic and its ilk are trying to make, or what it is you/they want. It’s time to turn off the politics engine in your head and activate the ‘decent conversation’ subroutines.

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**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/72 "2009-08-30T09:43:01Z")

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What “position”? And where have I indicated that I think you’re a liberal? You strike me as more of an apathetic slacker who’s all like, “duuuude, I don’t really know who this Kennedy dude was, but it’s not that big of a deal whatever it is, man”.

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/73 "2009-08-30T10:40:14Z")

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> [@wierdaaron](#):
>
> Alright, I can buy that. So then, the concept behind this cartoon and those who share its sentiment is that, now that he’s dead, pass revoked?

The cartoon doesn’t really pass for mainstream press sentiment. The problem with the pass he got on Chappaquiddick is the asshole went and turned himself into Mother Theresa to his constituents so the pass he got became permanent. If he’s lucky someone will write a tell-all book where the Senator secretly confides on how horrible he felt and how it haunted him his whole life. If he can squeeze in a confession from the grave his star will do nothing but get brighter over time.

Probably the only thing that would satisfy the Chappaquiddick crowd would be an automated graveside confession that is moisture activated.

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/74 "2009-08-30T11:34:40Z")

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Why I shouldn’t read the Dope till the morning caffeine has kicked in.

> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#):
>
> So when Nixon died, should the obituaries have focused on his recent books, rather than Watergate?

> [@wierdaaron](#):
>
> Was it _that_ big of a deal back then? It didn’t seem to slow down his senatorial career.

Um, senatorial career? Nixon was senator for two years before becoming Ike’s running mate, but …

> [@Koxinga](#):
>
> It ensured that he would never be president. So yes, it was a big deal.

Wait, wait, wait – Nixon _was_ president. That was when/why Watergate happened.

> [@wierdaaron](#):
>
> Did he want to be president? You’d think after his two brothers, he’d be able to spot a trifecta in the works.

:smack:

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**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/75 "2009-08-30T12:38:51Z")

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\>\> Cough cough \<\< Moderator gently ahems for attention:  
Just a reminder, folks, that this is Cafe Society and so this thread should be about the PRESS (cartoons, editorials, etc) and NOT about Ted Kennedy himself. Political threads belong in Great Debates; pittings belong in the Pit forum. This place is for arts and entertainment, so our focus here is focused.

Most of you are being fine about this, I’m just issuing a friendly reminder to please continue as such. For those in doubt, please see [Forum Rules](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=343601), especially Post #8 in that thread.

Mild apology: I’ve been travelling a lot in the last six weeks or so, and haven’t spent the time on the boards that I normally do. So, sorry to be getting to this late, I would normally have posted this early on in such a thread. And thanks to **Marley** for the enormous help while I’ve been away.

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**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2009, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/76 "2009-08-30T13:44:49Z")

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> [@wierdaaron](#):
>
> Alright, I can buy that. So then, the concept behind this cartoon and those who share its sentiment is that, now that he’s dead, pass revoked?

No, the concept behind the cartoon is that, once again, at Ted Kennedy’s death, the media are engaging in the usual “Kennedys are royalty, genuflect in their direction and play the death as something monumentally newsworthy”, while the Mary Jo Kopechne issue sits to the side, generally unmentioned, unnoticed, unattended to.

I mean, really, look at the media coverage this has created. It’s almost as big as at the death of Michael Jackson!!! :eek::eek::eek:

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**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2009, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/77 "2009-09-01T19:23:21Z")

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Gary Varvel handled it rather gracefully.  
[http://blogs.indystar.com/varvelblog/archives/2009/08/ted.html](http://blogs.indystar.com/varvelblog/archives/2009/08/ted.html)  
It was one of the few times he drew Teddy Kennedy without showing him dripping wet and carrying a bent steering wheel.

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**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-edward-kennedys-death-man-thats-one-rough-editorial-cartoon/508105/78 "2009-09-03T10:14:20Z")

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> [@Magiver](#):
>
> The cartoon doesn’t really pass for mainstream press sentiment. The problem with the pass he got on Chappaquiddick is the asshole went and turned himself into Mother Theresa to his constituents so the pass he got became permanent. If he’s lucky someone will write a tell-all book where the Senator secretly confides on how horrible he felt and how it haunted him his whole life. If he can squeeze in a confession from the grave his star will do nothing but get brighter over time.

Damn, he pulled off a confession from beyond.

From the book to be released soon [True Compass](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,546020,00.html):  
**In it, Kennedy says his actions on Chappaquiddick on July 18, 1969, were “inexcusable.” He says he was afraid and “made terrible decisions” and had to live with the guilt for more than four decades.**

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