Senator Edward Kennedy - Truth vs Legend

Since his death, people have been eulogizing Senator Ted Kennedy on very network.
At the conclusion of John Ford's "The Man who shot Liberty Valance" the editor of the local newspaper, after hearing the facts of the death of Valance, takes the notes and throws them in a stove saying, I don't have the exact quote but its almost - Sir, this is the west and here when the legend becomes fact we print the legend.

I feel that this has always been the case in regards to the Kennedys, especially the men, with the exception of Joe J. who did not live long enough to create a legend.

I think that when reviewing the lives of the bigger than life characters, one has to look at their entire lives, not just the happy moments. In his later life I do believe that Ted Kennedy did fight for the people, that he was sincere in his desire for health care and rights for the aged, poor and handicapped. I just wonder about his motivation.

We know he was a drunk, a womanizer, and if not a murderer then definitely guilty of negligent manslaughter. He got a free ride on all of these. Where was his punishment? How much of the responsibility of the addictions of his first wife Joan were attributable to Ted and the life style he was leading?

When we look at Ted, as well as his brothers Jack and Bobbie, I think its important that we look at the total man. The strengths and weaknesses, the good and the bad, the positive and the negative.

None of them were saints, but not many of us are.

What needs to be done is look at the total life and contribution they made to their families and society and then make our judgement of who they were.

Its Common Sense!!