# RIP Ted Kennedy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 17, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666 "2008-05-17T17:09:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/1 "2008-05-17T17:09:01Z")
Just want to be in with the first thread if it happens. It sure looks like they media thinks it’s going in that direction. They must be getting some pretty grave prognoses off the record. They’re talking about him like he’s already dead. One of the greatest figures in the history of the Senate. Arguably more accomplished in the long run than any of his brothers. A sincere, unrepentant, flaming liberal. This would be a real loss to the Democrats, to the Senate and to America. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/2 "2008-05-17T17:24:05Z")
It’s probably a massive conscience failure. Personal life notwithstanding, I appreciate his politics and agree that this will be a serious loss for the Democrats in the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/3 "2008-05-17T17:35:42Z")
I keep hearing the plaintive voice from Monty Python and the Holy Grail: “I’m not dead.” ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/4 "2008-05-17T17:38:51Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Just want to be in with the first thread if it happens. [/QUOTE] Why? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/5 "2008-05-17T17:43:54Z")
He is apparently alive and relatively well. The reports are that he called a family member at about 10:30 AM to tell them he wouldn’t be able to host a planned fundraiser this afternoon. That was about 2 hours after the original 911 call from the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port. He’s apparently had stroke-like symptoms (also reported as a series of seizures) and was airlifted to Mass General Hospital in Boston this morning. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/6 "2008-05-17T17:45:54Z")
Nevermind, really bad joke. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/7 "2008-05-17T17:54:29Z")
He’s not dead, he may have had a mini-stroke - maybe even got “The Stroke Pill” and is in recovery. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/8 "2008-05-17T18:41:47Z")
Oh, well. False alarm. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/9 "2008-05-17T18:42:54Z")
[QUOTE=Revtim] Why? [/QUOTE] I’ve never been first with a dead thread before. Just wanted to cross it off the list, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/10 "2008-05-17T18:50:49Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] I’ve never been first with a dead thread before. Just wanted to cross it off the list, I guess. [/QUOTE] Maybe next time. I’d say if he croaks in the next 24 hours you still get credit. After that it’s up for grabs. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/11 "2008-05-17T18:52:09Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] I’ve never been first with a dead thread before. Just wanted to cross it off the list, I guess. [/QUOTE] This reminds me of when the Associated Press accidentally reported Bob Hope dead when he was still alive and kicking. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/12 "2008-05-17T19:16:52Z")
A dead thread. A Dead…Thread… Morbid. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/13 "2008-05-17T19:28:06Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] A dead thread. A Dead…Thread… Morbid. [/QUOTE] Come over to the death pool. We’ll cure you of that quick. ---
**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:** [May 17, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/14 "2008-05-17T20:47:24Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] One of the greatest figures in the history of the Senate. [/QUOTE] Never mind. Not the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/15 "2008-05-17T23:44:53Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] I’ve never been first with a dead thread before. Just wanted to cross it off the list, I guess. [/QUOTE] Frankly, it seems to be a rather tasteless thing to have on one’s to-do list. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/16 "2008-05-17T23:46:18Z")
[QUOTE=Dewey Finn] Frankly, it seems to be a rather tasteless thing to have on one’s to-do list. [/QUOTE] So? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/17 "2008-05-17T23:49:42Z")
Just so. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/18 "2008-05-18T01:56:14Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] They’re talking about him like he’s already dead. [/QUOTE] That’s because they’re using large chunks of his already-prepared obit to fill out the story. When Kennedy DOES die (I wish him no ill) you will see exactly the same file footage and hear exactly the same words – if we’re lucky, an alert producer will go over the script to keep present- and past-tense references correct. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/19 "2008-05-18T02:33:58Z")
Speaking of political figures who have had strokes etc, is Ariel Sharon still around? There-my tasteless comment for the day. \ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666/20 "2008-05-18T02:49:22Z")
Yes, but not in good shape, according to [wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illnesses_of_Ariel_Sharon#Subsequent_care): > [@](#): > > Sharon has remained in a long-term care centre since 6 November 2006. Medical experts have indicated that Sharon’s cognitive abilities were destroyed by the massive stroke, and that he is in a persistent vegetative state with extremely slim chances of regaining consciousness. > > On 13 April 2007, it was reported that Sharon’s condition had slightly improved and that according to his son, Omri, he was marginally responsive. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-ted-kennedy/449666.md?page=2)