TresSugar

Say What? Kennedy Never Stopped Regretting Chappaquiddick

TresSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:00:00 -0700

"Atonement is a process that never ends."

- In his posthumous memoir True Compass, Senator Ted Kennedy discusses the 1969 accident in Chappaquiddick, MA. He revisits the night when he drove into the water with passenger Mary Jo Kopechne and waited 10 hours to notify the police resulting in Mary Jo's death. Kennedy calls his actions "inexcusable." In the autobiography, the late Kennedy also opens up about the death of his brothers, his drinking problem, and his frustration with never getting real healthcare reform for Americans. The book is out Sept. 14. Would you read it?

Could You Do Your Partner's Job?

TresSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Despite the passing of the "lion of the Senate," the people of Massachusetts might soon have another Senator Kennedy at their service. Democratic leaders like Sen. Orrin Hatch and Sen. Chris Dodd think that Vicki Kennedy would be an appropriate replacement for her late husband Ted. Orrin said:

"She is a very brilliant lawyer. She's a very solid individual. She certainly made a difference in Ted's life, let me tell you. And I have nothing but respect for her."

It would be up to the voters ultimately to decide if Vicki has what it takes to serve them, but her legal training and experience witnessing her husband's career in the Senate might make her qualified to replace him temporarily.

Of course not everyone could just start doing their partner's job on the spot. An English teacher probably couldn't go to work as a computer engineer right away without some serious training. Could you do your partner's job if you had to? Feel free to apply the question to past relationships, too!

Front Page: Leaders Reflect on Death of Ted Kennedy

TresSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:31:15 -0700

Both Democrats and Republicans are mourning the death of Senator Ted Kennedy.- AP
The Obama administration is on the brink of a Middle East peace breakthrough. - Guardian UK
Meanwhile, President Obama is playing some pretty bad golf on vacation at Martha's Vineyard. - New York Post
Argentina's supreme court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to punish people for personal use of marijuana. - BBC News
The SAT scores for the high school class of 2009 dipped compared to last year. - AP

Ted Kennedy Passes Away at 77 After Long Battle With Cancer

TresSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:38:57 -0700

We're sad to report that Senator Ted Kennedy, the youngest Kennedy brother, passed away Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, MA. Although the infamous incident at Chappaquiddick marred his reputation, Kennedy in later years was known for championing healthcare reform, better working wages, and equal rights, he was called the "liberal lion of the senate."

Most recently, he was known for his love of Portuguese water dogs, which he shared with the Obamas when he gave the first family their dog, Bo.

The Kennedy family released this statement:

We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice.

Coming just two weeks after his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver's death, we wish the Kennedy family well during this extraordinarily hard time.

New Law Dramatically Increases National Volunteer Program

TresSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

President Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act today, which could quadruple the size of AmeriCorps over the next eight years. The president was joined by the $5.7 billion bill's namesake (Ted Kennedy) and former president Bill Clinton, who started the nationwide volunteer program in 1993.

The new law creates four new service programs: the Clean Energy Corps, the Education Corps, the Healthy Futures Corps, and the Veterans Service Corps. It also increases the amount of money volunteers receive toward their educations. And seniors who participate can transfer $1,000 toward the education of a family member.

Supporters hope that having volunteers work on crucial projects will rejuvenate the country and perhaps save us money. According to one study, each dollar invested in AmeriCorps yields a $4 return. Sounds like a good investment to me!

Source

Obama Sings Happy Birthday to Ted Kennedy!

CitizenSugar — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:17:41 -0700

The who's who of DC gathered at the Kennedy Center tonight to wish Senator Ted Kennedy a happy 77th birthday. Bill Cosby hosted the event, and Lauren Bacall, Bernadette Peters, and James Taylor performed for the audience. Cosby wasn't the only person to make a joke. Teddy's niece Caroline, who saw her dreams of being a lawmaker fail this year, quipped: "I never thought I'd be in a room with so many senators."

One of those senators, Claire McCaskill, was in the audience, and shared the event with her followers on Twitter. She tweeted: "The Pres arrived at the end to lead us in singing Happy Birthday to Ted. Happy & sad."

Happy Birthday, Mr. Senator.

View 5 Photos ›

Source

Senator Ted Kennedy Released From Hospital

CitizenSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:48:39 -0800

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (aka Ted Kennedy) was released from the hospital this morning after having a seizure during an inaugural luncheon yesterday. According to former Vice President Walter Mondale, who was at the event, Kennedy was telling "old war stories," but "obviously under stress" at lunch.

The Massachusetts senator went back to work in November, months after suffering a seizure that led to the diagnosis of his malignant brain tumor. His office confirmed he left Washington Hospital Center this morning after resting overnight for observation. A spokeswoman said Kennedy, 76, is in "good spirits" and doctors wanted him to get some rest.

Source

GQ Names Barack Obama "Man of the Year"

CitizenSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:30:37 -0800

GQ named Barack Obama one if its "Men of the Year" in an issue that went to print before Election Day. Obama graces one of four different covers among the likes of Michael Phelps, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jon Hamm, and includes an article written by Senator Ted Kennedy. Obama is called the "Game Changer of the Year," and in his intro Kennedy says:

Whether he wins or loses, Barack Obama has ushered in a new era of American politics with a limitless vision of a better future that will endure for many years to come. Through his candidacy, Obama has provided a glimpse of a stronger, better, fairer America, where change comes from the bottom up, where we all come together to meet the great challenges of our time. He has inspired millions of new voters of all ages, races, and incomes to lend their voices for real change. For in this man, Americans can see not just the audacity but the possibility of hope for the country that is yet to be.

The magazine's website also features a picturesque look back at the men and women of the 2008 campaign.

Briefing Book: Ted Kennedy Returns to Senate

CitizenSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:57 -0800

Kennedy Returns to Work: The Massachusetts senator went back to work today six months after suffering a seizure that led to the diagnosis of his malignant brain tumor. - Huffington Post
Hate-Crime Backlash?: The election of a black president triggered at least 200 hate-related incidents, a watchdog group finds. - CS Monitor
Pres-elect 2.0: Check out Obama's first weekly address on YouTube. - Donklephant
Bill Ayers: Sarah Palin called him a terrorist, Barack Obama called him an acquaintance. Bill Ayers talks back. - Salon
Call Girl Tells All?: Ashley Dupre, Eliot Spitzer's paid-for paramour, has shared her story with ABC News' Diane Sawyer. The interview is expected to take up two parts of the hour-long 20/20 next Friday. - NY Daily News
Huckabee Turns up Heat: Mike Huckabee is using his new book, out this week, to settle a few scores with fierce primary rival, Mitt Romney. - Politico

Source

Front Page: Ted Kennedy In Surgery, Mugabe at UN Food Summit, Gates to Myanmar "Criminal Neglect"

CitizenSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 07:00:04 -0700

Ted Kennedy In Surgery: Ted Kennedy is at the Duke University Medical Center this morning undergoing surgery for his cancerous brain tumor. The surgery comes after the 76-year-old senator was diagnosed last month with a malignant glioma, an especially lethal type of brain tumor. He's being operated on this morning by one of the nation's top neurosurgeons, Dr. Allan Friedman, and the surgery will be followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Kennedy will recuperate in NC for a week, before moving to Massachusetts General for the rest of his treatment. Kennedy said of the support he's received, ''I am deeply grateful to the people of Massachusetts and to my friends, colleagues and so many others across the country and around the world who have expressed their support and good wishes as I tackle this new and unexpected health challenge. I am humbled by the outpouring and am strengthened by your prayers and kindness.''

Mugabe at UN Food Summit: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe presence at a United Nations food summit has raised eyebrows and hackles and is being called "obscene". Australia's foreign minister said of the embattled leader's arrival, "this is the person who has presided over the starvation of his people." It's Mugabe's first visit to Europe since the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) won a majority in parliamentary elections in March. He still faces a presidential run-off on June 27 against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Gates to Myanmar, "Criminal Neglect": US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday that Myanmar was guilty of “criminal neglect” for blocking international aid to cyclone victims, and warned that more civilians would perish unless the military regime reversed its policy. Because of the stonewalling, he said it was probably a matter of days before the Pentagon withdrew four Navy ships carrying supplies that have been “steaming in circles” for days in the waters off Myanmar’s coast, waiting for permission to unload their cargo of aid. Gates said, “it’s becoming pretty clear that the regime there is not going to let us help. I’d say that unless the regime changes its approach, changes its policy, more people will die.”