Video source:  YouTube

Today, Senator Kennedy has served a the “theme” for our blog off – he is, obviously, a real person and not an idea – but the story of his life and work really is a theme that we can all learn from.  Edward Kennedy was, by his own admission, born into an affluent family – he did not have to “learn the ropes” or “pay his dues” in the ways most people, and especially politicians have to.  However he has taken his share of hard knocks and set backs (personally and politically) and he’s come back every time.  ”No” and “can’t” …read more

Okay, so I don’t have a real Teddy Kennedy Story – but it’s my personal story about Teddy Kennedy. When I was a college student I was an incurable nerd (no. really.).  
While other co-eds were flying off to Cancun and Florida, a good friend and I caught a Greyhound bus to Washington, D.C. 
We had planned a week of touring around the touristy sights – Museums, the White House, more museums – but our main destination, and goal, was to sit in the Senate Gallery and listen to the Senators debate.  
It was the winter following an election year, so there …read more

Today Ted Kennedy’s family is still involved in politics, especially his son, Patrick J. Kennedy.
 
In 1988, when Patrick was just 21 years old, he won a seat in the Rhode Island State Assembly.  He was, at the time, still a student at Providence College.
 
In 1994, Kennedy, the younger, set his sights on a national office.  He ran for, and won the race for Rhode Island’s first congressional district.
 
Similar to his father, Patrick Kennedy serves on the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Committee and is an advocate for affordable health care. 
 
This post is part of the b5media Business Channel …read more

Ted Kennedy was elected to the US Senate 46 years ago. He is the second longest active Senator.  Robert Byrd (D-WV) came into office in 1959.  Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) is right behind Kennedy – he took office in January 1963. Kennedy is the 3rd longest serving Senator of all time (Byrd is first), coming in behind Senator Strom Thurmond (R-SC).  Ted Kennedy has won 9 Senatorial races (1962, 1964, 1970, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000, 2006).  Kennedy serves as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on SeaPower. He is one of the founders of the Congressional Friends of Ireland.  A group that has …read more

In response to his being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, Senator Kennedy had surgery to remove “some” of the tumor.
The surgery was performed at Duke University.
Below is a report on the surgery.

This post is part of the b5media Business Channel Great Blog Off! Find out more about the Blog Off here: http://www.b5media.com/b5media-blogs-for-a-cause-and-raises-money-in-support-of-charity/
The Business Channel is supporting Accion International for the Great Blog Off. You can make a donation directly to Accion (http://www.accion.org/b5media). Donations are tax deductible.

One of Ted Kennedy’s most important causes has been his fight to ensure fair wages for all workers.
In 2007, he made this impassioned plea on the Senate floor.

This post is part of the b5media Business Channel Great Blog Off! Find out more about the Blog Off here: http://www.b5media.com/b5media-blogs-for-a-cause-and-raises-money-in-support-of-charity/
The Business Channel is supporting Accion International for the Great Blog Off. You can make a donation directly to Accion (http://www.accion.org/b5media). Donations are tax deductible.

Countless authors have analyzed, rebuked, researched, reported the numerous tragedies in the Kennedy Family. Books, articles, movies, have all been dedicated to recounting the seemingly disproportionate amount of sadness that has clouded the family’s history. 
Some may suggest that the size of the family is a cause.  Joe and Rose Kennedy had 9 children and 29 grandchildren – unfortunate things are bound to happen to some of them.  And the family is so prevalent in the media – any time anything happens to one of them we’re bound to hear about it.  Also, the members of the Kennedy family tend to …read more

Ted Kennedy has served as the Chairman (or Ranking Democrat) of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee since 1987.
Healthcare: Senator Kennedy has made it a priority to fight so that all Americans will be covered by health insurance. He has worked diligently to improve the health of American children and families by advocating preventative care, lower prescription and medical costs. Over 35 years ago, Senator Kennedy wrote about the shortcomings of the US healthcare system in his book In Critical Condition: The Crisis in America’s Health Care.
Equal Education: Ted Kennedy was a leading proponent …read more

Image details: Edward Kennedy served by picapp.com
Throughout the 1970s Ted Kennedy resisted the “call” to run for President of the United States.
In 1972 there were rumors circulating that George McGovern would select Kennedy as his running mate. Kennedy had publicly said that he was not actively seeking the nomination, but might, if absolutely necessary, sign on to help the party. Well, McGovern didn’t pick Kennedy (or, perhaps Ted refused), he picked Thomas Eagleton (D, MO), who, incidentally, had failed to inform McGovern’s political team that he had thrice been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons and twice received electroshock therapy. …read more