# Ted Kennedy.....Just ask a question and then just STFU and listen to the answer! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 13, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447 "2005-09-13T17:04:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/1 "2005-09-13T17:04:24Z")
Why the 5 minute diatribe to distort John Roberts’ view on something he did 20+ years ago when he was _representing the interests of the executive branch_ which may have been different than your interests as the legislative branch, then set up a loaded question, then let Roberts TRY to answer, then interrupt him (in 10 words or less) with another condition, argument, nitpick, brain fart, whatever and then try to discount his answer with things he did 20+ years ago when he represented **the interests of the executive branch**? Even the other senators wanted you to shut your chowderhole to give the kid a chance to answer. Is there chowder in your ears too? Too bad you had to live in this era when you would have been perfectly suited to oversee the Transcontinental Railroad Project back in the 19th century. Dolt. ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/2 "2005-09-13T17:06:21Z")
It’s chow **dah**!!! (linky?) ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/3 "2005-09-13T17:09:33Z")
Maybe Roberts could throw in comment that metions Chappaquiddick. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/4 "2005-09-13T17:10:26Z")
Are you listening to C-SPAN or Rush as you post? ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/5 "2005-09-13T17:11:44Z")
Chowdah! :smack: My bad. This happened about 2 hours ago, so a link is still in the works…I had seen this on CNN/Fox live and the Gordan’s Fisherman was in filibuster mode. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/6 "2005-09-13T17:18:48Z")
You seem to be under the impression that hearings such as this are about gaining information. They are not. They are all about posturing and making speeches. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/7 "2005-09-13T17:19:39Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > Are you listening to C-SPAN or Rush as you post? I’m listening to CNN, and the comentators said pretty much the same as the OP. Kennedy must have just asked the world’s longest question, then about 3 seconds into Roberts’ answer, he interrupted him. I agree. Shut the FUCK up and let Roberts talk. It’s interesting, though, to see someone like Roberts, who knows the law inside out, calmly show what idiots these Senators can be. Giving a microphone to Senator is like giving heroin to a junky. What a bunch of tools!!! ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/8 "2005-09-13T17:23:01Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > Are you listening to C-SPAN or Rush as you post? I am listening to Ted and some poor schlep named John who didn’t get many words in. Eh, I guess that would be a first hand account. So, tell me…what did Rush say? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/9 "2005-09-13T17:28:01Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > …and the Gordan’s Fisherman was in filibuster mode. That’s a different senator. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/10 "2005-09-13T17:32:01Z")
[Oh, and I can guess that people’s opinions may change or have changed over time…right, Senator Kennedy?](http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-12-2005/0004105498&EDATE=) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/11 "2005-09-13T17:37:10Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > [Oh, and I can guess that people’s opinions may change or have changed over time…right, Senator Kennedy?](http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-12-2005/0004105498&EDATE=) Both parties play this stupid game, and they do so because WE let them by re-electing incumbents 99% of the time (number is exagerated, I know… too lazy to look up the real %). ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/12 "2005-09-13T17:38:39Z")
Wasn’t there an exchange between the aforementioned bloated blowhard and Bob Bork? This was after it was clear that the failed candidate for Lifeguard of the Year was paying no mind whatever to whatever answer Bork gave, and would simply go on to the next question prepared by the Kennedy staff regardless. IIRC, Bork mentioned exactly that, and it took a second for Kennedy to realize that Bork wasn’t playing by his script. Maybe I am remembering what he should have said instead of what he did. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/13 "2005-09-13T17:39:26Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > You seem to be under the impression that hearings such as this are about gaining information. They are not. They are all about posturing and making speeches. Ditto. If you think anyone in that committee is actually interested in asking a question and hearing his response, you are greatly misinformed. Everyone in there went in with a pre-formed opinion on how they will vote. I’m not picking on Democrats - I am one. This is just The Way Washington Works. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/14 "2005-09-13T17:52:03Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Both parties play this stupid game, and they do so because WE let them by re-electing incumbents 99% of the time (number is exagerated, I know… too lazy to look up the real %). From a State Department [site](http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/election04/congress.htm): > [@](#): > > In 2002, 398 House members ran for reelection, and only 16 were defeated, while a mere three out of 26 senators running for reelection lost. With a reelection rate of 88 percent for the Senate and 96 percent for the House, it is fair to say that congressional elections are not just candidate centered but incumbent centered as well. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/15 "2005-09-13T18:14:28Z")
**TYM** and **Gabe** , I realize that they already have their votes casted in their minds and that this is just an opportunity to spout partizan rhetoric and all, but it was not always that way throughout history. If the hearings have degenerated this far, let’s cut the Q&A portion and just go straight to the vote. I keep hearing that the senators have a duty to find out what Robert’s positions are on all matters that affect the citizens of this country. I would like to hear what Roberts has to say, not what the senators have to say about Roberts which is totally tainted. So, Ted…do what you say you’re gonna do, I don’t need your opinion of Roberts. I want to form my own opinion of Roberts by listening to his answers to your questions without talking over each other. Fair enough? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/16 "2005-09-13T18:22:45Z")
[Here](http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/campaignforthecourt/2005/09/kennedyroberts_.html#more) are some excerpts in the exchange between the two. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/17 "2005-09-13T18:45:51Z")
> [@Yeticus Rex](#): > > **TYM** and **Gabe** , I realize that they already have their votes casted in their minds and that this is just an opportunity to spout partizan rhetoric and all, but it was not always that way throughout history. If the hearings have degenerated this far, let’s cut the Q&A portion and just go straight to the vote. In 1962, Byron White faced the ordeal of a Judiciary Committee hearing in his process of nomination to the Supreme Court. His hearing lasted an hour and a half, most of which time was taken up by testimony of various bar associations. He faced eleven minutes of questioning. He was confirmed in a Senate floor voice vote that same day, and then proceeded to serve for 31 years. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/18 "2005-09-13T18:52:45Z")
Thanks, **Archive Guy** …that was one of the excerpts I was looking for. Again, you live up to your moniker. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/19 "2005-09-13T23:01:51Z")
Wasn’t it Feinstein that has already said she’ll vote for Roberts? Or was that someone else? I know it was a Dem that also said the hearings are needed to find out his stance on some issues. (Whomever it was, it was clear the “issues” were abortion) Yet, the Senator said before the questioning started that she plans on approving him. Yup, it’s all political grandstanding. I was hoping for some exchange along these lines: **Senator Cirrhosis** : And what of your stance on the death penalty? **Judge Roberts** : Well, let me give you a hypothetical. There’s a man that got his secretary drunk one night and while driving home went off the road. After the car went into the water he… **Senator Cirrhosis** : LUNCH! ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447/20 "2005-09-13T23:09:48Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Wasn’t it Feinstein that has already said she’ll vote for Roberts? Or was that someone else? I know it was a Dem that also said the hearings are needed to find out his stance on some issues. (Whomever it was, it was clear the “issues” were abortion) Yet, the Senator said before the questioning started that she plans on approving him. Yup, it’s all political grandstanding. > > I was hoping for some exchange along these lines: > > **Senator Cirrhosis** : And what of your stance on the death penalty? > > **Judge Roberts** : Well, let me give you a hypothetical. There’s a man that got his secretary drunk one night and while driving home went off the road. After the car went into the water he… > > **Senator Cirrhosis** : LUNCH! Heh. That was good. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-just-ask-a-question-and-then-just-stfu-and-listen-to-the-answer/321447.md?page=2)