Goodbye, Ted Kennedy

The last of the Kennedy brothers may not have had the tragic hero status granted to John and Robert, but Ted Kennedy's legacy will touch more lives than his brothers'. He was an advocate for education reforms in the 1960s, helped lower the voting age in the US from 21 to 18, and was a strong voice for minority rights, just to name a few social changes he championed.

What I found so remarkable about the man is that he was not always great, and he is definitely not perfect. His detractors will always point to Chappaquiddick and invoke Mary Jo Kopechne, and deride him for being an unabashed liberal who rode on his family's name. And yet, he grew out of his brothers' shadows, won over his constituents, and became a legislative giant and agent for social change. Despite his weaknesses and mistakes, he became a great man.

We need more Ted Kennedys in this world, not fewer. And that is how I will remember him. I also want to share a couple of posts that sums up me feelings. The Rude Pundit has a message for conservatives who hated Ted Kennedy, saying that they agreed with him more often than not:

Do you like your state and not the federal government controlling the curriculum of your kids' schools? Thank Ted Kennedy.

Do you like being able to vote starting at age 18? Thank Ted Kennedy.

Do you think low-income people should get help with heating their homes in the winter? Thank the man.

You agreed with Ted Kennedy far, far more than you want to think you did, dear conservatives.

And a personal story that was posted on one of my favourite blogs, The Political Carnival, that showed a side of Ted Kennedy that a lot of people did not want to see: that he, indeed, gave a damn. Excerpts would not do the story justice, so hop over there and read it, and weep.

Rest in peace, sir, you have earned it. You will be missed.