Remembering Ted Kennedy (1932-2009)

What can be said about the great liberal lion of the United States Senate? How will people remember him? Some, such as I, will remember Ted Kennedy as a champion of the common man, a man who fought for the betterment of the United States and all humankind, a man who challenged the status quo so that people less fortunate than himself could rise up and achieve great things, a man who time and time again uncovered the elusive magnetic attraction between polar opposites, a man who did not waiver in his ideals, even when faced with seemingly unimaginable opposition, a man who, whenever the situation called for, took a stand and fought for what he believed was right for America, whether it be boldly opposing the nomination of Robert Bork to the United States Supreme Court in 1987, or taking a stand in 1978 in favor of quality universal health care for all Americans. Some will remember him as a man who never let his ideals get in the way of attempting to find common ground, as Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) will constantly tell you.

But what I think many more people will remember Edward Moore Kennedy for was his passion. The man had undeniable passion for everything he did and had in his life, whether it was his family, his stint in the Senate, sailing in Cape Cod, whatever it was, if he loved doing it, he had a passion for it, and that passion meant you could never take it away from him. He was never malicious, even though his angry, vibrant speeches on the Senate floor would suggest otherwise. He held no grudges, and, due in part to that, he was not your typical everyday politician.

Edward M. Kennedy was a man who genuinely cared about helping people. He wanted to make a positive difference in people's lives, not just get re-elected. He wanted peace in our time, which is why he played a major role in brokering peace in Northern Ireland and opposing the egregious War in Iraq.

But, nonetheless, there are always detractors. If you could manage to muster up the willpower to listen to Fox News today, you know what I mean. The detractors will complain about how partisan he was, and they refuse to acknowledge the innumerable compromises achieved in his name and the tousands upon thousands of pieces of major legislation that had his fingerprints spread throughout its pages.

I learned of Senator Kennedy's death at approximately 8:00 this morning. Even though I am only 17 years of age, I understood the significance of what my father told me when I woke up. I knew that the United States of America had lost one of its history's greatest citizens and public servants and I knew progressivism had lost the fiercest proponent it had ever known. And even though my short life only spanned a fraction of his entire Senate career, and that I never knew the man, which I regret, I knew that I, and millions of other Americans, had lost an advocate, and a friend.

Edward Moore Kennedy's life has touched millions throughout America and around the globe. The last of the Kennedy Brothers, he accomplished enough in his long, distinguished career in public service for all four of them combined. His flame is truly eternal. To quote the man, "The work begins anew, the hope rises again, and the dream lives on."

As a Progressive, I was proud to have this man as my patriarch, and I hope with all my heart that I will be able to fulfill The Dream.

Thank you, Senator Kennedy.