Comments on: What This Border Boy Saw in Ted Kennedy

By: Maryna

Maryna — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:54:06 +0000

Here’s a different perspective. I am a Mexican citizen, living in Mexico with no desire to move to the U.S. As great a country as yours is, I feel very lucky and privileged to have been born in and to live in Mexico. That said, I was very moved by your column on Senator Ted Kennedy. I, like many people of my generation the world over, was saddened by the death of Senator Kennedy and felt it indeed marked the end of an era. I strongly feel that Ted Kennedy, like his brothers John and Bobby before him, did not only belong to the U.S.; they belonged to the whole world because they brought hope and inspiration to us all.

I respectfully disagree with William Shakespeare: “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones” . I believe good deeds transcend, and Ted Kennedy’s years of dedication to his country and his fellowmen are his legacy, and his redemption. He stands as tall as his brothers.

By: Rudy Ruiz

Rudy Ruiz — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:42:29 +0000

Roarke, thanks for your very eloquent and thoughtful comments. I appreciate your feedback and the way in which you take issue with my view of Ted Kennedy while at the same time making the effort to empathize with that view. That’s what I’m talking about when I appeal to people to have an open mind and listen to each other. While I have admired Ted Kennedy and chose to focus on the positives in memorializing him, I do think it is very fair to acknowledge that he was far from perfect. He was, as you say, comprised of both shadow and light. In order to be fair and accurate, history must record and teach both sides of the story and the full range of his experiences, failings and triumphs. Interestingly, I too admired President Reagan greatly as a child. And, even now, I look back at the way he inspired America and led us to the end of the Cold War with a cool hand as a monumental feat. He was one of the great ones. As a country, we need leaders and role models that can touch us all in some way regardless of what end of the political spectrum they call home. It does us all a bit of good if we can be open to finding virtues and values worth emulating in others even if we don’t fully embrace all of their opinions and recommendations. Doing so is a manifestation of the ability to take a nuanced approach to the complexities of human beings and the challenges we face. I think that’s something we need in order to be able to find common ground that can outweigh our differences and allow us to trust each other in building actionable compromises for progress. I like your take on the requirements for change. And I think it all starts with robust conversations like these. Thank you once again for writing. Best regards, Rudy Ruiz

By: Roarke

Roarke — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:03:33 +0000

Admiration, like many emotional conditions, has two sharp edges: one side compels the admirer to great feats of courage in the name of the admired; the other edge blinds the unblinking eyes of the besotted to the faults of those they adore. No matter how intelligent or educated a man believes himself, he cannot create a blade with but one side. To believe that Superman can reverse time rides side-saddle to the inability to see through the cheap suit and spectacles of Clark Kent for the Man of Steel underneath. We imagine ourselves so clever that we can love another man for his strengths, understand his weaknesses, but through reason, only acknowledge the virtues.

It is not so. For either side of the political spectrum.

Mr. Ruiz, I have ever disagreed with Senator Edward M. Kennedy. I did not trust him or like him, and I believed him at times even dangerous to the core values of America. So I will not attempt to pretend I can see “both sides” of his political or personal life. I simply cannot. I am defined by my emotional reaction to him, and though I may try to understand his accomplishments and paint them in a positive color, I will forever remember him for his sins. Just as you will see the saint.

But I also don’t see either one of us as wrong. Perhaps he was both sinner and saint. It is, it seems, a matter of opinion on whether or not he was a savior or destroyer of American values. His character, and the judgment thereof, depends on the character of the jury. I absolutely believe by my values that you are wrong to worship a man with his history; we absolutely enshrine in America the RIGHT to hold different values.

The hard part of politics is coming to the realization that in order to change someone’s opinion on an issue (or a person), which is vital to the continuation of a nation founded on liberty, one must first examine and then alter another’s core values and beliefs.

Mr. Ruiz, I can understand completely why you so greatly esteemed Sen. Kennedy, because I too loved a man as completely. His name was Ronald Reagan. Somewhere, rattling around in my ever hollowing skull are a list of his perfidies. But never will they shatter my love for the man because they cannot touch the values I believe we shared. And no matter what I might say about Edward Kennedy, it cannot touch your mind without cutting at your heart.

And what a blessing that is, Mr. Ruiz. For both of our heroes inspired us (yours to success, mine to… something else) and will continue to do so. In your eyes Senator Kennedy was a great a towering figure. And because I believe you a reasonable man, I can catch a glimpse of that too. The rest doesn’t matter.

May you rest in peace, Edward Kennedy. Whatever the truth of your life, you were a hero. At least to others.

By: Rob, Houston

Rob, Houston — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:46:05 +0000

I compliment you on your comportment and approach to issues. While I don’t know if I agree or disagree with you, you gave me hope for the future of consensus.

My first introduction to you just occurred while watching CNN [circa 1400 hrs Central time, 4 Sept. 2009]; some guy named Rick (?) Sanchez was baiting you and you handled the situation with unbeleivable civility. He could not derail you.

I rarely give attention to this part of the media, mostly because of behavior like Sanchez’. For me, the Sanchezes of the world cut with the two-edged sword: one edge encourages those who behave and believe as he does. The other edge severs the attention of those like me who dismiss him (change the channel). Changing the channel is partly like enabling such types by leaving them the ‘Bully Pulpit’.

Your responses gave me hope and the encouragement to participate in the political process. You did not succumb to anger; you did not follow or respond to his feints. You returned to topic, stuck to your message, and made me want to hear more discussion in your style.

My hope for Sanchez is that the whole dialog was a setup, and he was actually playing Devil’s Advocate. Surely one cannot think such attacks lead to anything but the stifling of debate.

By: Herschel McMillan

Herschel McMillan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:20:06 +0000

I am a little older than you Rudy, but what I have seen in Edward Kennedy over the years it a man that got away with murder. He did wrong and never had to pay for his crime because of his name and daddy’s money. This is what is wrong with politics in America today………..

By: lonnie

lonnie — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:07:28 +0000

Ruiz. . . saw you on cnn just a bit ago. . I’ll answer the question that host asked you. . . What is the problem? I believe the problem is. . . americans are sick and tired of being duped by these elected officials and tired of sending their hard earned money for the bildberg group. . . even if they dont know its them types that are getting our money. . .

By: Skip

Skip — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:05:27 +0000

Dan,

I couldn’t agree more. There is little “news” without bias anymore. I have zero trust for any of the mainstream news media (CBS, NBC, ABC) and cable is worse. I’m politically conservative and I would lean more towards a Bill O’Reilly for some balance – but it’s because we think alike, independently. MSNBC is off the liberal deep end and some news on Fox is too – other side of the continuum.

So, where are the Cronkites of the world? Where can we get truly balanced news? Who will present the facts? Better question – are there any facts? Have we become so politically charged that the “facts” are tainted BEFORE they even reach the media? Is anyone capable of taking a fact-based position without interjecting personal beliefs?

I would certainly like to know.

Nice article Rudy.

By: Randy

Randy — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:39:20 +0000

You expect me to believe you and the politicians you support in the elections? Don’t tell me you’re an independant because that is a lie. Even if you are registered as one you do not vote like one. Give me a break. I will never in my life cave into the argument that I need to open up my mind. Why don’t you open up your mind and join our fight to resist this new govt tax and control of our freedoms. What they say and what the do are 2 completely different things. What they represent and what they reveal are also 2 different things. Politicians are not to be trusted with their words only by their actions. EVERYTHING the govt touches turns to waste and control that guarantees their re-election and cushy jobs, ludicrous retirement, Medical benefits, per diems, auto allowance, under the table handouts. OMG You are a much bigger fool than most if you believe their lies!. Bottom line is this; Most politicians one day will die and I believe that they will answer to a higher power and He will know the evil in their hearts and they will be punished accordingly. Choose your side!

By: Joyce Francis

Joyce Francis — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:01:11 +0000

Why am I still surprised that there are still folks who think Ted Kennedy did something for them? He never did anything for me or my family; I know one family who lost a daughter thanks to Ted Kennedy; he only became a pro civil righter after his brother was assassinated — the Kennedy family were very close-minded and still are when it comes to whom they mingle with socially. This man never contributed anything to society — he was not a philanthropist. He was an adulterer, a Catholic who wanted abortion for everyone, a drinker, a murderer, a cheat who was thrown out of Harvard for cheating, a man who served only two years instead of the four he promised the Military; and finally a man who never worked for a private corporation a day in his life.
No, Mr. Ruiz, you and I are of different generations and see people differently.
As for your recent article on CNN about labeling folks, after listening to many medical specialists, I am of the opinion this public health plan of Obama’s will not work — until my physicians assure me otherwise, I will stand fast against Obama’s health plan and I will continue to pay for my own.

By: Dan, TX

Dan, TX — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:46:11 +0000

Saw your article on CNN about labels and rational discussion. Isn’t this the point of journalism, to take all the facts available and use logic and reason to interpret those facts and present the truth from the journalists point of view. Instead we just have point of view A and point of view B and “we report, you decide”. There is no guarantee that point of view A or B has been rationally presented. We don’t need to throw the bums out in Congress, we need to throw the bums out in the news media. They are betraying us. All of them. What can we do?