It really surprises me that, given his pedigree, Rep. Patrick Kennedy has handled the matter of his latest alcohol-related controversy with such an amateurish lack of style and imagination.
At a glance, the ever-churning plot being scripted by the Kennedy spin-doctors remains as unsure as the Democratic Rhode Island Representative’s balance was described to be by the police officer who witnessed him exiting his vehicle after his second car accident in three weeks.
By now, you’re all quite familiar with the primary facts in the case – at least those stated by the only participants remaining true to their original portrayal of events – the police officers at the scene. In all likelihood, you’ve had the predictable visceral reaction to the news of yet another episode in the lives of America’s favorite dysfunctional extended family, grudgingly accepting with a nod and a wink the reality of the privileges bestowed upon:
• The rich and powerful, particularly Democrats
• Washington politicians, particularly Democrats
• The descendents of Joseph Kennedy, particularly Democrats
I’ll leave the critique of these truths to those who were actually shocked by their sudden exposure. In any event, the blogosphere is adequately afire with such vibrant discourse.
Normally, I would resist the inclination to raise the issue of drink and other chemical amusement aids — as I’d prefer to accept that a man’s demons are his own. However, when the consequences of those praxes are repeatedly inflicted upon others, they cease to be personal and become fair game.
Now, what inspires me to engage my word processor on a Saturday afternoon when my family-involvement capital would certainly be better sweetened by attending my sons’ Little League baseball games, is a creeping feeling of familiarity in watching the Son-of-Ted present himself before the nation for appraisal and approval.
As his version of events continues to metamorphose (Sleeping Pills, anti-emetics, now unnamed pain killers?), it brings to mind another tale spun by another Kennedy, over 36 years ago. Whereas the son had crashed his vehicle into a security barrier while driving with darkened headlights, at an “unreasonable speed†and “failing to keep in the proper laneâ€ÂÂ, the father had driven his vehicle off the side of a bridge, having reportedly been observed by a sheriff’s deputy to be in a “confused state†and driving down a narrow dirt road “hurriedly.†(1)
The son’s state of confusion found him claiming to be en route to cast a Congressional vote, at least three hours after the House had adjourned for the evening, while the father’s caused him to flee the scene of a fatal “accidentâ€ÂÂ, hide in the back seat of an empty car, and to imagine that he had somehow mustered the super-human strength required to swim across the channel separating Chappaquiddick from Martha’s Vineyard against the tide!
Whereas the day after his indiscretion the son stated (2):
“I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police or being cited for three driving infractionsâ€ÂÂ
The Father, in his Television Statement (3) to the People of Massachusetts, delivered on July 25, 1969 – seven days following his incident — stated:
“My conduct and conversations during the next several hours to the extent that I can remember them make no sense to me at all. Although my doctors informed me that I suffered a cerebral concussion as well as shock, I do not seek to escape responsibility for my actions by placing the blame either on the physical, emotional trauma brought on by the accident or on anyone else. I regard as indefensible the fact that I did not report the accident to the police immediately.â€ÂÂ
Both father and son were afforded the unique opportunity to “sleep off†anything probative regarding their sobriety at the time of their accidents, and, of course, both were aided and abetted by their accomplices for life – the mainstream media. And, for sure, both were able to dip into their wallets and produce the monarchy’s unchallenged Get Out Of Jail Free card.
Now, given the reach of the family’s information-muting machine, it’s far too early to assess many other similarities; yet one’s imagination can’t help but wander back to the summer of ’69.
Truly — there’s been much commotion concerning the occurrences at Dike Bridge. The facts surrounding the alcohol consumed; the initial plunge; the dubious rescue attempt; the flight from the scene; the confession to the cousin; the return to the bridge for a “second†rescue attempt; the realization which culminated from its failure; and the attempts to keep the stench of guilt off of the father, have been purposely obscured by the media at large.
But Leo Damore’s 1988 book, Senatorial Privilege: The Chappaquiddick Cover-Up, contained an interview with the father’s cousin and attorney, Joseph Gargan, a principal character in the ’69 subterfuge, having been involved at more levels than anyone not actually an occupant of the 1967 Oldsmobile Delta 88 which plunged into the dark waters of Poucha Pond. According to the book, in the course of the interview, Mr. Gargan admitted that he had been asked by his cousin to tell the police that Kopechne had been alone in and had actually driven the car. The wise attorney declined to be complicit in what would have likely lead to his disbarment, at the very least.
In November of 2000, the father enjoyed his sixth reelection as the Democratic Senator from the state of Massachusetts since the still vague Chappaquiddick incident.
So, while the MSM attempts to run interference by airing exposes on the hallucinogenic attributes of Ambien and the anguish of addiction to pain-killers without names, let’s bear in mind that this is a family with a history of alcoholic irresponsibility and the misdirection skills of Houdini himself.
Joseph Kennedy successfully imported Gin into the country. His youngest son detrimentally imported it into his lifestyle. Unfortunately, his youngest son’s youngest son seems destined to perpetuate the legacy of his father.
Further Reading:
1. http://www.ytedk.com/chapter2.htm
2. http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/nation/14517114.htm
3. http://www.public.iastate.edu/~goodwin/spcom305/casetwo.pdf
Marc Sheppard is a business owner, software developer, and writer residing on Long Island in New York. He welcomes your feedback at mshep@optonline.net
