President Obama delivered this letter to the Pope during a visit last month, at the behest of the dying senior senator from Massachusetts.
At the risk of re-igniting the (entertaining, largely civil, if "unbalanced") discussion of Senator Kennedy's life and impact, it is difficult to read this letter and not be touched by the humanity of the situation. A dying man appealing to his faith's earthly leader, to pray for him as he moves into what comes next.
Kennedy was flawed--deeply. But the things he states in this letter that he tried to do in his 50 year political career represent a very fair and thorough self-appraisal of his legislative goals. I rarely agreed with the man, but he tried hard to accomplish good things.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
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5 comments:
I fear saying much lest I be accused by GHP of being insincere, but this offers an interesting perspective into Ted's psyche the last year, doesn't it. I'm heartened to hear that he recognized his human failings and I wonder just how much he was fearing his moment of judgment as his death became imminent.
Ted Kennedy was able to exploit the major loophole of Christianity. He could poke his finger in the eye of God for decades, yet as long as he was able to repent when death was drawing near, all is forgiven. Of course in his final days he never suggested to his liberal followers that they shouldn't kill their babies.
I wonder if Hitler has such second thoughts prior to swallowing the cyanide capsule.
Again, an inappropriate, useless reference to Hitler.
I agree with our anonymous friend, a hypocrite to the end.
I don't think it's a major loophole. You can repent all you want but if you're not pure in the heart about it, it ain't gonna work.
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