"Forever Honor'd and Forever Mourn'd" Homer, Iliad

MS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON

Buzz Flash,
 
In deep sorrow, I weep for such a loss as the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. Like many Americans, I didn't know him personally, but I didn't have to, to understand that he cared about every person who lived in this country. We could see it clearly in his years of work, and especially in his book that came out in 2006, "America Back on Track."
 
He talks about "the seven challenges." 1) Reclaiming our Constitutional Democracy; 2) Protecting our national security; 3) Participating fully in a shrinking world; 4) Creating an economy that works for all; 5) Guaranteeing healthcare for every American; 6) Continuing the march of progress toward equal opportunity for all; 7) Uniting our nation and restoring our basic values. All of those same problems, I hate to say, that we are still facing today.
 
Briefly, just a few statements by Senator Kennedy in his book. In his chapter, Reclaiming Our Constitution and Democracy, he talks about " America's most shameful and embarrassment in many years was the discovery that our troops were torturing prisoners in Iraq." (snip) His statements regarding how the Bush administration "refused to hold anyone but lower level military personnel accountable." (snip) "But unknown to Congress and the American people at that time, the administration had requested a legal memorandum in 2002 on the use of torture. It is one of the most appalling documents in American history, and it became the legal justification for authorizing the use of interrogation techniques that clearly cross the line into torture in spite of our treaty obligations."
 
Within the same chapter, Senator Kennedy reminds us how important it is to see that our Judicial Branch remains independent. "The Court has already weakened firearms regulation in schools and protections for women victimized by violence. Rulings that weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act are among the closest to my own concerns." Senator Kennedy talks about how this act was challenged and only passed by one vote, that of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
 
Of course, we Americans all witnessed how the Supreme Court lifted its curtain of secrecy by breaking U.S. law and placing their "boy" into the White House in the year 2000. Senator Kennedy goes on in this chapter to talk about "Privacy in America." "Supreme Court decisions guaranteeing individual privacy are based on the Constitution's protections. (snip) "In the end, voters must elect representatives who will protect their most important interests and recognize how easily power, even in America, can be abused if we do not abide by the Constitution."
 
It's already being abused for the last 30 years, and we, the people, are not doing enough to elect those who are in Congress to serve the people and not their own interests. We Americans know that we have millions of Americans who get discouraged because of where this nation has been headed and they quit voting. That choice lets all of us down, and gives a boost to those who do not want the power of the people to prevail.
 
Senator Kennedy was against the invasion of Iraq, but it was also reported how he fought for equipment that would protect our military, when the Bush GOP regime did nothing. He talks about the euphemism started by the Bush GOP regime, "Preventive War." And, he quotes President Truman when he says, "You don't prevent anything by war . . . except peace." Why haven't we Americans learned that by now?
 
In my own words, such a saying as "preventive war," is not only stupid, but sick. It cost many lives. You can't prevent war by using war. Why wasn't this and all of the other slimy, underhanded euphemisms used by the Bush GOP regime, attacked over and over by MSM, instead of protected in the same way many of our mainstream media still protects the treasonous Bush GOP regime today, as if every criminal action they committed was okay.
 
Senator Kennedy was for the rights of our gay community. He was for equal opportunity, equal rights for every citizen. He was against the violence in our society. He was for giving representation to the citizens of DC. He was for health reform in this country.
 
Senator Kennedy was for accountability in government. From his book . . . "Republican-led House Government Reform Committee, for example, issued more than a thousand subpoenas to investigate the Clinton administration, but has issued only a hundred to investigate the Bush administration. (snip) "It's a sad day for America when any Congress becomes an accomplice in administrative cover-ups."
 
Senator Kennedy also talks about the importance of the separation of church and state. From his book when talking about his brother President Kennedy . . . "As he told the Greater Houston Ministerial Association in September 1960, 'I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute . . . I do not speak for my Church on public matters--and the Church does not speak for me.' " The odd thing about this quote in Houston who were worried about his church affiliation at the time, is that today, Texas has started teaching bible studies in its schools.
 
After all President Kennedy did in defense of the freedom of religion . . . Senator Kennedy states in his book "It is especially hurtful that this basic principle is being undermined today by President Bush's proposals to use faith-based organizations to provide social services funded by the federal government. It crosses a boundary by potentially requiring people to practice or abide by religious principles in which they do not believe in order to receive necessary aid." Amen.
 
To sum up Senator Kennedy's years in our government, he was for the good life for every citizen, and he was against the unnecessary deaths brought about by those in U.S. government. And, he had enemies in U.S. government because he was for every citizen who lived in this country. He cared about the lives of the people. He didn't just represent the people in Massachusetts . . . he represented everything that a true democracy should be about.
 
I'll say this because no one else probably will . . . if we had a Congress made up of men and women such as Senator Edward M. Kennedy . . . there would have been no limit to what this country could have reached for humanity in this country and around the world by the year 2009 . . . but, instead, we face today, the debt, death, and destruction brought about by those who do not represent this country or democracy . . . but only the figures in their bank accounts and their greed for dictatorial power.
 
Senator Kennedy couldn't be bought. He was loyal to his beliefs, to democracy, and to the actual meaning of the word. He didn't abuse it for personal gains. He was a true liberal, and not ashamed of it. He didn't make those kind of "deals." His loyalty did not stop with the Democratic Party, it was to all of the people of this nation. He cared when others didn't and still don't.
 
Senator Kennedy's shoes could never be filled by another, and I weep for him and for the loss to this nation . . . a nation in trouble, deep trouble without morals, motives, or methods. If in doubt, why war on Iraq, Afghanistan, the legislative war against the citizens of this country that has been going on for the last 30 years by the Bush GOP. They didn't mess with Senator Kennedy because he was a fighter, and they knew he spoke the truth. The truth to criminals is much like taking a dose of poison. So they stay away from it.
 
When I think of what a great man and leader Senator Kennedy was . . . I find it so hard to believe how any American can willfully listen to the hate and obvious lies and innuendoes that spew from our TV news, shock jock radio, and at times, those same lies full of hate are able to worm into the print, leaving holes in the real truth . . . how America came to this place in time when people want to believe the lies told with hate, violence and vengeance . . . it's called brainwashing.
 
However, to get the attention of those Americans who are angry because of job loss, home loss, and conveniently forget who brought this about (Bush GOP), or most likely, because they are racists . . . in listening to the hate radio, they feel some sort of camaraderie . . . and, this should raise concerns across this country. To incite violence against Americans using lies and half-truths, should be seen as a conspiratory crime. There should be consequences when those spouting such filth are in the media, and should bear the responsibility of what's being said. How many of us could think that we would see guns at town-hall meetings. Not the country I grew up in and not the country I want for future generations. If Americans want to fear, then they should be sure of what to be afraid of. During the last eight years, this country has had a barrage of stupidity thrown at us, that was for one thing and only one thing, to instill fear and paranoia into the heart of every American.
 
Repetition in small, easy to remember phrases, and people soon, much like the slogans in advertising, start repeating them as if they were true. We've lost our way, and we are losing the leaders who still remember how to take the right road back to what we were before Nixon.
 
Farewell Senator Edward Kennedy. I weep for your untimely death, and I selfishly weep for us Americans left unprotected in this country because you won't be here, fighting for our rights . . . rights that should not have to be fought for again and again. As it's been said before . . . healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Jobs, education, and long healthy lives (without needless, criminal invasions/occupations/wars) in a wealthy country that claims to be a real democracy, are rights, not, as some Americans are deceived into believing . . . privileges only for the privileged, and they are the undeserving because they are poor. However, what are Americans to think when we see films of our poor who live on the street being dumped out of hospitals, let out onto the streets in wheelchairs and hospital gowns. Eh? Where's the oaths taken by our medical society? It's not the only time in our history that this has happened.
 
It's willful ignorance for any American today to still be unable to distinguish between leadership led by greatness instead of being led by greed. Accountability would open the hearts, the minds and the eyes of those who still want to remain ignorant, heartless, and blind to reality -- to the facts.
 
Sorrow -- "On the sands of life sorrow treads heavily, and leaves a print time cannot wash away." H. Neele.
 
Your print on our lives, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, will always be with us. We, as a nation, do not know what the future holds for us, but we do know that we are better off today because you were here with us, for such a short time, using your intelligence and reason, when it seemed, during the last 30 years, both had been lost by many who were also serving within our own government.
 
From "What Liberals Believe," Edited by William Martin, 2008
 
On Progressives: "Progressives cannot continue to play defense in the battle of ideas. The stakes are too high." quoted in Kennedy's Other Speech," Nation (March 10, 2004)
 
Self Improvement: "I have tried to learn from my mistakes and sought to be better in the course of my life--better husband, better brother, better father, better grandfather, better senator." quoted in "At 74, Sen. Edward Kennedy Still Roars," Reuters (April 22, 2006)
 
Books: "Incredibly, we are now in an era where reading a controversial book may be evidence of a link to terrorists. "On Wiretapping, Bush Isn't Listening to the Constitution," Boston Globe (December 22, 2005)
 
Social Security: "We will not let any President turn the American dream into a nightmare for senior citizens and a bonanza for Wall Street." In an address to the National Press Club, "A Democratic Blueprint for America's Future." (January 12, 2005)
 
Unemployment: "There is no reason to have U.S. taxpayers subsidize business decisions that harm American workers . . . Corporate tax laws should be modified to increase the cost of exporting jobs and decrease the cost of maintaining jobs in America. In his address delivered at the City University of New York, "Creating a Genuine 'Opportunity Society'" (March 1, 2004)
 
Bigotry and Ignorance: "The signs proclaiming "whites only" may be gone, but we know that discrimination and bigotry in countless other manifestations still blight our society." "No to Alito," Working for Change (January 20, 2006)
 
Foreign Policy: "America is strongest in the world when we use our superpower status to join with other nations to achieve great goals, instead of bullying them to salute us." in his address to the National Press Club, "A Democratic Blueprint for America's Future" (January 12, 2005)
 
The Democratic Party: "The last think this country needs is two Republican parties." urging Democrats to oppose privatizing Social Security, Time (January 24, 2005)
 
The Republican Party: The Republican Party is now controlled by ideological extremists who reject any meaningful role for government in expanding economic opportunity or preventing the abuses of private economic power. Quoted in "Kennedy's Other Speech," Nation (March 10, 2004)
 
Pluralism: "The foundation of our pluralism is that the government will never determine which religion is right, and religion will not put is imprimatur on some politicians while damning others." In his speech at Liberty University (October 3, 1983).
 
From 1983, we have come a long way and we, as a democracy, have lost our way. Senator Edward Kennedy spoke many great words, but he differed from other politicians of our day . . . he lived them because he believed in them. Yes, we will remember you and we will miss you, Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Good-bye and so long to a great and powerful guardian of U.S. democracy and to a trustworthy friend of the people. One whose campaign for change always remained the same. With our most sincere thanks to you Senator Kennedy for caring so much.
 
Thanks Buzz Flash,
 
Shirley Smith

MS. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON

Technorati Tags: Shirley Smith