Mary Jo can finally rest in peace.

[Sylvia]

The end of Camelot
A legend has died
The wise old man of the democratic party
End of an era


........................blah ..............blah ..................blah


Bleaacckkk

Today will be a day of glowing portrayals of the life of Ted Kennedy.
We are going to have around the clock coverage of the family, what it means to politics, what this means to the democratic party

I will spend the day remembering Mary Jo.
Chappaquiddick incident

[julie]

Now he will finally answer for his actions of that fateful night.

[NewSentinel]

"I will spend the day remembering Mary Jo"

So will I, Sylvia.

My first thoughts this morning, on hearing the news, were, this is bad news, good news, bad news. Meaning, Bad News for any of his family who loved Ted Kennedy. Good News for America. Bad News for anyone who watches television--wall to wall coverage of the political fantacy world of glimmering shining Camelot, of JFK, of RFK, and of Teddy, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum.

Maybe, just maybe, while all that coverage is occurring, somebody will remind America about the dark side of Camelot.

[Sylvia]

I am thankful that I will be driving one of our sons to college in my large, gas guzzling, SUV listening to right-wing extremist, talk show hosts on my XM radio.

On a side note he is a conservative and studying to be a history teacher (he wants to teach at the college level). He is well versed in the pitfalls of revisionism and understands the liberal treachery in academia. He has taken on a few instructors and will stand up for what is right and true.
This gives me hope.

[NewSentinel]

Your son gives me hope too!

[Sylvia]

Patricia, I grew up in a little town on the road between Portland and Seaside Oregon.

Have heart, many students these days are in and out of a particular major or college program. Unlike when we were there it was 4 years and graduation. I took summer classes so that I would graduate in 4 years. These kids don't feel that pressure. Our eldest is studying to be a Jazz Saxophonist. He is in a performing arts program. He has taken some extra time in college as we kept pushing him to take something with a better chance of employment. He didn't work very hard on our suggestions because he wants to play music. In the end, music is what he is passionate about.

The son in the history program LOVES the topic. High school level history teachers are a dime a dozen here, but my husband and I believe if you love what you do and work hard, then you will be successful and have opportunities.

[Cathy Owens]

I so understand the feelings here. Enough programming already (and it's only just begun)

I'll tell you what I fear will be a result of this.... national healthcare. After all it was Kennedy's "dream" to have it. Now that he's gone, I see it being pushed in his memory and playing on the sympathy card. That sounds heartless I'm sure, but to borrow the words of this detestable administration "never let a crisis go to waste" and while his death isn't a crisis, I see it being used as a tool.

I do have sympathy for his family, it is difficult to lose a loved one and to lose them with this disease (my older brother passed away from the same thing and it's not easy to watch), I wish them peace.

[HKateE]

Just wanted to chime in and say, society is turning a bit to where college degrees aren't all they used to be. I've read several essays and articles about it recently, employers are being drowned in resumes & applications from those with generic college degrees - supposedly they're turning to other life experiences (community service work, hobbies, etc) when choosing employees. A college degree can be a powerful thing, I won't deny that. But it's not *everything* when it comes to career.

My husband & I are proof of that. After we dropped out of college (1 year) together I went to beauty school & he focused on his career in the audio/visual industry working his way up the company ladder without the degree - and it proved to be VERY lucrative for us. I'm now able to stay at home with my daughter & run my own small business and my husband has a GREAT career. And to be honest I'm SO glad we aren't drowning in student loan debt.

Same goes for our best friends, no college degrees. Only mid twenties, home owners, pulling in $80k+ a year. I just think Americans put a bit too much stock in a college degree sometimes. It's not for everyone...

So I agree with Sylvia when she says "if you love what you do and work hard, you will be successful and have opportunities."

[Sylvia]

He dreams of national health care all the while with the very best care for himself.
He had all the opportunities in life that money and political power bring.
What a hypocrite he was!!

[Sylvia]

HKate, you make a very good point and I agree with you. You are proof that the American dream is alive and well. Hard work is the ultimate tool for success. Too often college graduates have huge loans that follow them around for years. It is not a good life plan to graduate from college with $80-100,000 in loans and not have a job.
I often think that we will all end up living here in this house because none of our children will ever be able to afford a home of their own. Specially if we see inflation and skyrocketing interest rates.
I love my children, but I do hope they move out someday.

[Cathy Owens]

Trust me..... they come back, sometimes more than once! :-)