# Ted Kennedy has a Malignant Brain Tumor: End of an Era? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 20, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993 "2008-05-20T17:36:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/21 "2008-05-20T19:03:35Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Well, the Wiki article does say his first marriage, to the former Sheila Rauch, was annulled on the grounds of “mental deficiency”; but it does not say whose. [/QUOTE] Also seems to be not all that much better a driver than his distinguished uncle. > [@](#): > > He gained early notoriety for a 1973 incident in which a jeep he was driving overturned (according to the police report, due to reckless driving), injuring his brother David Kennedy and paralyzing David’s then-girlfriend, Pam Kelley. Paralyzed rather than drowned - I suppose that is an improvement. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/22 "2008-05-20T19:04:20Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Heaven knows a Democrat would never run for the Senate for a state where [del]she[/del] he didn’t grow up.Gosh, where have I seen that cite before? 😃 Regards, Shodan [/QUOTE] That’s funny. I never knew Alan Keyes was a democrat. ---
**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 20, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/23 "2008-05-20T19:16:59Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Heaven knows a Democrat would never run for the Senate for a state where [del]she[/del] he didn’t grow up. [/quote] Where he grew up isn’t the point. The point is that he already holds a _Congressional seat_ from another state. Can you name anyone in Congress who’s ever switched _states_ in the middle of a term? ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/24 "2008-05-20T20:31:47Z")
I’ve been watching the news on this and I have to say, if anyone ought to have access to the resources to beat this, it ought to be him. The man is a Senator for crying out loud. Not only that, he’s Ted Kennedy, one of the most powerful men in the Senate. They are talking about giving him Chemo and Radiation Therapy, etc. I have to say though, really, I’d be looking at some experimental treatments. If you’re 76 and talking about extending your life by months, then what’s the point? Give me the crazy experimental stuff. Sure it might not work, but it’s better than “You might get a year.” I’d rather have, you might live out the rest of your life. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/25 "2008-05-20T21:01:23Z")
According to [an AP report:](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080520/ap_on_go_co/kennedy) > [@](#): > > Were he to resign or die in office, state law requires a special election for the seat no sooner than 145 days and no later than 160 days after the vacancy occurs. Previously the governor would have appointed a replacement, but the law was changed in 2004 to make sure that if Kerry won the presidency, his replacement would not be chosen by Pub Gov. Mitt Romney. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/26 "2008-05-20T21:13:35Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Where he grew up isn’t the point. The point is that he already holds a _Congressional seat_ from another state. Can you name anyone in Congress who’s ever switched _states_ in the middle of a term? [/QUOTE] **Diogenes** , I think you are confusing Patrick Joseph Kennedy, incumbent congressman from Rhode Island, with Joseph Patrick Kennedy II, head of Citizens Energy and a former congressman who currently holds no active political office. Easy enough to do - there are a peck of Kennedys, dead and alive, and they seem to recycle names more frequently than aluminum cans. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/27 "2008-05-20T21:17:17Z")
All acrimony aside, isn’t it time that Kennedy retires with grace, and dignity? instead of becoming a slobbering old fool (like Robert Byrd). I don’t like the hereditary nature of the kennedy dynasty; it is time for younger people, with better ideas, to come to the fore. face, the kennedy brand of government (sleaze and make-belive) went out in 1964. enough is enough! ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/28 "2008-05-20T21:21:56Z")
Cripes, no wonder I can’t keep them straight. The speed with which they go cycling in and out of Congress and rehab and court and traffic school is enough to give anyone a brain tumor. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/29 "2008-05-20T21:27:07Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] face, the kennedy brand of government (sleaze and make-belive) went out in 1964. enough is enough! [/QUOTE] Sleaze and make-believe in government went where now? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/30 "2008-05-20T21:37:34Z")
On preview, never mind. He’s an old dying man. Let him go in peace. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/31 "2008-05-20T21:39:07Z")
Regarding the commentary here, it has been remarked upon often that tragedy has fallen often on the Kennedy family - and part of that tragedy is that it doesn’t limit itself to the family itself, but touches people near it as well. It is entirely appropriate to talk about such things - but doing so with the news of Ted Kennedy’s illness so fresh on the wires seems a bit crass to me. Personally, I’m just going to wish Senator Kennedy my personal well-wishes, for what they’re worth. I met the guy once, sadly at a funeral. I bear him absolutely no ill will at all. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/32 "2008-05-20T21:59:32Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] On preview, never mind. He’s an old dying man. Let him go in peace. Regards, Shodan [/QUOTE] A decent man wouldn’t have taken seven posts to figure that out. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/33 "2008-05-20T22:00:08Z")
[QUOTE=Phlosphr] The family appears to be cursed. Either that or it was the first mass media publicized family in America, and just as harsh things happen to other families all the time who aren’t in the spotlight like the Kennedy’s are. [/QUOTE] I posted in the "What Would Rush Say . . . " thread to put forth my hope that Teddy would have a longer life, in contrast to the harsh things that have happened to other relatives. In keeping with the OP, still wishing him the best and hoping the era of his dedication to public service is not over yet, whatever his participation in it. I’ve forgiven him for Chappquiddick though. ---
**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 20, 2008, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/34 "2008-05-20T22:08:26Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] **Diogenes** , I think you are confusing Patrick Joseph Kennedy, incumbent congressman from Rhode Island, with Joseph Patrick Kennedy II, head of Citizens Energy and a former congressman who currently holds no active political office. [/quote] I’m not confusing them. I was explaining the difference. Read my post #14 again. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/35 "2008-05-20T22:09:52Z")
RFK Jr. would probably be the new paterfamilias since, at 54, he has the best memories probably of RFK, JFK, and even the old man and Mama Rose. However, he just doesn’t have the family charisma and like all the post JFK Kennedys he has that arrogance and entitlement (which the elders had in droves of course but could spin a lot better). I mainly know from watching him rattle on about the autism/mercury/vaccine link (which I don’t know enough about to have an opinion on the medical merits thereof) and on those shows he is excruciatingly boring and rude. Yep, Ted’s the end of an era. Not a blunt end though, it’s been dulling for years. ETA: Ted’s done some great things in the Senate, but pretty much anything Rush and fellow pundits throw at him once he’s dead is earned from cheating-at-Harvard to Chappaquidick to however-the-hell-he-got-the-Catholic-church-to-annul-his-marriage to womanizing and boozing and whatever else. Boy wasn’t a boy scout. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/36 "2008-05-20T22:25:15Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] On preview, never mind. He’s an old dying man. Let him go in peace. Regards, Shodan [/QUOTE] Too little, too late. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2008, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/37 "2008-05-20T22:27:06Z")
[QUOTE=Sampiro] ETA: Ted’s done some great things in the Senate, but pretty much anything Rush and fellow pundits throw at him once he’s dead is earned from cheating-at-Harvard to Chappaquidick to however-the-hell-he-got-the-Catholic-church-to-annul-his-marriage to womanizing and boozing and whatever else. Boy wasn’t a boy scout. [/QUOTE] [shrug] Neither was Clinton, but he still compared favorably to his predecessor and successor. Which just goes to show how irrelevant personal morality can be to political performance. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/38 "2008-05-21T00:08:28Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Heaven knows a Democrat would never run for the Senate for a state where [del]she[/del] he didn’t grow up.Gosh, where have I seen that cite before? [/QUOTE] Maybe McCain should run for president of Panama, or governor of Florida. For that matter, why is an Austrian the governor of California? ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/39 "2008-05-21T00:13:55Z")
[QUOTE=guizot] For that matter, why is an Austrian the governor of California? [/QUOTE] If a man from Furth Bavaria Germany can be National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, why not? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993/40 "2008-05-21T00:24:26Z")
[QUOTE=5-4-Fighting] If a man from Furth Bavaria Germany can be National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, why not? [/QUOTE] The question was purely rhetorical. I guess yours was too. We could do a lot worse than Arnold. Kissinger, is another story. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-has-a-malignant-brain-tumor-end-of-an-era/449993.md?page=3)