Rusted Televisione: Kennedys Don't Cry From 1975- 'The Story of an American Political Dynasty'

Source:Rusted Televisione- A 1975 documentary about The Kennedy Family, the greatest American political dynasty we've ever had.

Source:The Daily Press

"Released in 1975, and narrated by actor Cliff Robertson, Kennedys Don't Cry is an intimate portrait of America's favorite first family. Combining home movies, archival footage, and interviews, the film recounts in detail the Kennedy clan's achievements and tragedies. The history of this powerful family is traced from its beginnings in Ireland, to the business success of patriarch Joe, to the political triumphs of JFK, Bobby, and Teddy. Meet the gracious and appealing Jackie Kennedy, and JFK's children Caroline and John. Relive the shocking assassinations of JFK and Bobby.

The real-life saga of the triumphs and tragedies of America's most powerful political dynasty is told in this remarkable video. The handsome and popular young president JFK, cut down in his prime by an assassin's bullet; his wife Jackie, the most appealing First Lady in history, who transformed the White House into a shimmering Camelot; their young children Caroline and 'John John'...and Bobby, the younger brother, murdered during his inspirational presidential campaign. This "video album" features rare home movies, interviews and archival footage of the Kennedy family, from their childhood to their rise to power. It's an intimate and revealing look at their public and private lives, revealing the Kennedy wit, charisma and political savvy that captivates the nation and the world."

From Rusted Televisione

The Kennedy I have the most admiration for would be John F. Kennedy. Who was our 35th President of the United States, after serving fourteen years in Congress both in the House and Senate. I like him the most for political reasons, because he’s exactly what a Liberal Democrat should be and is. But I probably have more respect for Edward M. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy of course. Just because he never changed, always fought for what he believed in and so-forth. Perhaps the hardest working and most productive person to ever serve in Congress. House or Senate and of course was called the Lion of the Senate a title he definitely earned.

With Robert F. Kennedy, I believe Bobby represented the heart of the family and what his family and Democrats should represent. And be about and I believe was one of the most effective Attorney Generals we’ve ever had in this country. Because of his work of making organize crime a national issue and importance and the people he was able to bring down. Along with his work on civil rights and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Kennedy family, is the closest thing we’ve ever had to a royal family in America and hopefully the closest we’ll ever come.

The Kennedy’s, are the most successful political family we’ve ever had at one point having the Presidency the Attorney General’s office and a member in Congress. Since 1947, there has been at least one Kennedy serving in Congress House or Senate all the way up until 2009 when Senator Ted Kennedy died and was obviously out of Congress. If you’re last name is Kennedy and you look like you have a future, you’ll always be asked unless you are already in Congress, are you going to run for Congress, or the White House.

The closet thing the Republican Party has probably produced as far as successful political families, is the Bush Family of course. With two members serving in Congress. Senator Prescott Bush in the 1950s and Representative George H.W. Bush in the 1960s. George W. Bush, ran for the House in 1978, but lost, but they have had two president’s. So they’ve been very successful as well politically. I believe these are the reasons why the Kennedy Family is so beloved, or at least respected. Because of everything they’ve accomplished and of course the members of the family themselves.

The Kennedy Family, is a very likable family with very charming people. At times seeming more like a Hollywood family than a Washington family. Weighing in on all the big decisions of the day, which is why they are so famous. They are a story of rags to riches, at least from how Joe Kennedy Sr. started out in life and what he made of his life. And pushed his children so hard that they would never have to live in poverty ever. But it is also a family of tragedy and fortune. Having lost so much as far as life, but have built so much for themselves as well. A truly American family Irish, or otherwise.

So This is Washington: The Real Mitt Romney?

Source:So This is Washington- U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Democrat, Massachusetts) running for reelection in 1994.

Source:The Daily Press

“Footage from the Romney/Kennedy Debate, October 1994” 

From So This is Washington 

Who is Mitt Romney? Which is a question I would like to know the answer too and 18 years later since he started running for office in 1994, I still don’t know the answer too. I think we know who is father was, George Romney who was a Progressive Republican from Michigan and Governor of that state. But his son I think the best answer to that question is he’s whoever he thinks he needs to be at any given time depending on what public office he’s running and what jurisdiction he’s running in.

In 1994 Mitt was a Progressive Northeastern Republican, which is different from being a Progressive Democrat.

In 2002 Mitt when he ran for Governor, I think was still that Progressive Republican, but took harder right-wing stances on social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, because he wanted to run for President in 2008 as a Republican.

In 2012 Mitt sounds like a Neoconservative on foreign policy, national security, and homeland security, and a Tea Party Republican on economic policy, except for trade, because again he wants to be President as a Republican.

It’s that old pop culture cliche will the real Mitt Romney stand up. (Actually, I just invented that myself) The problem with that is there might not be a real Mitt Romney, at least not one Mitt Romney when it comes to politics. And he might not know who he is ideologically either.  

David Rosman: U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy and Reverend Jerry Falwell- Liberty Baptist College (1983)

Source:David Rosman- U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (Democrat, Massachusetts) being introduced at Liberty University.

"On October 4, 1983, Rev. Jerry Falwell introduced Sen. Edward Kennedy, who gave one of his most famous and praised speeches on Faith, Truth and Tolerance in america."

From Davis Rosman 

"Sen. Ted Kennedy speaks at Liberty Baptist College on Oct. 4, 1983 as Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Sr. watches on the right. (Photos by Les Schofer)  

Liberty University Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. said the Liberty University community will be remembering the Kennedy family in prayer.

Sen. Ted Kennedy, a friend of Liberty University’s founder, the late Dr. Jerry Falwell, and his family, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., after a long battle with brain cancer.

Kennedy, 77, had spoken at Liberty and conversed with Falwell, Sr. on many occasions.

Jerry Falwell, Jr. wrote about Kennedy’s relationship with his father in the July/August “Liberty Journal.” An excerpt is below." 

Source:Liberty University- U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (Democrat, Massachusetts) and Reverend Jerry Falwell, in 1983.

From Liberty University

Senator Ted Kennedy, would be one of the few Northeastern Progressive Democrats that could give a speech at a Southern Evangelical university like Liberty University. Because Senator Kennedy was someone who could work outside of his element. Especially when he didn’t have enough power to get everything he wanted on an issue. 

Ted Kennedy was a legislature before he was a politician. Which is why you see Senator Kennedy on the same stage not debating with Reverend Jerry Falwell (one of the fathers of the Religious-Right in America) and they make about as odd of a couple as Reverend Jesse Jackson giving a speech at a KKK rally. Something just seems odd about it.

But you have to remember that two of Senator Kennedy’s best friends in Congress were Senator Orrin Hatch and John Boehner. (Now Speaker of the House) Two of the most Conservative Republicans in Congress. But Senator Kennedy was one of the best speakers when it came to truth and tolerance and civil rights in America. 

You don’t have the legislative record in Congress as a Senator, without the ability to not only work with your colleagues in the Senate and people in your party, but you also have to not only be able to work with Senator’s from the other party, but people in the House of Representatives as well. At least in your own party if your party is in the majority there. Ted Kennedy, understood all of that.

Perhaps not as articulate as Lyndon Johnson, Martin King or Bill Clinton, but you knew when Ted Kennedy spoke about those issues, that he was speaking from his heart that these were issues that really believed in. Which is why Senator Kennedy always had one of the best civil rights records in Congress. 

And Senator Kennedy’s contribution to the immigration reform debate in 2006-07, is a perfect example of that. Truth and tolerance and civil rights, are just as important as they were in 1983 84 when this speech was given, as it is today. To speak what’s on your mind and tell the truth and what you really believe.

Tolerance and cooperation, is something we didn’t have enough in politics and the rest of the country back then. But at least in the 1980s both parties believed in government and governing. And we're smart enough to know they had to work with the other party in order to govern. 

Now it’s about how do you make the other side look bad so you can score politically. And that has just gotten worst today. Tolerance, treat people as you would want to be treated. Until they’ve proven they’re not worthy of your respect. And judge people by the content of the character, not by the color of their skin. Or the shape of their face or style of their hair or any other thing that has to do with their race or ethnicity.

Don’t judge people by their name, or what religion they practice (if any) what gender they are attracted to physically and so on. That we treat people as people not groups. We don’t treat people special because they are a member of a group, good or bad. That we judge all people as people not members of groups. 

Which is something that Senator Kennedy understood very well for the most part. And is something that as we become even more diverse as a country is a message that needs to be understood and communicated even more today. Seeing Ted Kennedy with Jerry Falwell on the same stage not debating each other and actually being nice to each other.

Ted Kennedy and Jerry Falwell, were the definition of Odd Couple. Perhaps they could’ve had their own sitcom. Like the Irish Baptist, or Out of Place or something like that, Strange Bedfellows. Except they would both be straight. Jerry Falwell getting on Ted Kennedy for falling off bar stools and Ted Kennedy getting on the Reverend for preaching to the choir in their living room, literally as he’s trying to sleep. An Odd Couple that could get along.

But even people who are clearly opponents when it comes to politics and have to defeat other side to accomplish their goals, can get along with each other. If they understand that they are opponents and not enemies that are always in combat seeking to destroy the other side. 

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Rand W: 'Ted Kennedy On Health Care (1978)'

Source:Randy W- U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy: (Democrat, Massachusetts) on health care reform in 1978. 

"Ted Kennedy Speaking About Health Care In 1978.
Health Care Is A Right Not A Privilege.
It's Time For The Party Of NO To Get On Board And Show Your Allegiance To The American People And Not To Corporate Health Care Providers And Big Drug Companies."

From Randy W

I don't completely agree with Senator Ted Kennedy's approach on health care reform, a single payer system with Medicare for all. I would prefer to move to a health insurance system that France has, with maximize choice for all between private and public options. France's health care system costs them half of what our health care system costs us as far our GDP.

I believe in the Affordable Care Act of 2010 but I would've added a public option as far health insurance reform goes. But one thing that Democrats in the White House and Congress could use right now, is Senator Kennedy's voice in defending Medicare, Medicaid and other entitlement programs, especially at the negotiating table with House and Senate Republicans. Especially since if Senator Kennedy was alive today, he would still be a lead negotiator on entitlement reform. Being that he would still be Chairman of the Health Committee.

I'm a big fan of Senator Tom Harkin the current Chairman of the Health Committee but he doesn't bring the same voice and passion that Senator Kennedy did to these issues. He's a much nicer guy (to put it nicely) and doesn't posses Senator Kennedy's leadership skills. What the final product looks like is important of course but it's the passion the ability to negotiate thats more important I believe. You need that to get the best deal possible and so you don't give up too much.

Thats what Senator Kennedy had and why he was such a great negotiator because he understood that in any negotiation, you have to give up something and accept something you wouldn't normally. Thats the definition of negotiating but it's what you give up and what you get in return, that determines whether it's a good deal or not. Which is what made Ted Kennedy a great legislature, perhaps the best ever in Congress. Which is something Congressional Democrats are missing right now and may pay a price for in the final deficit reduction deal.