Rationalized

So, how to square that whole nagging Mary Jo Kopechne thing?

Decades of blissfully liberal legislation: Thanks, Mary Jo!!!

Yet, ironically, following this nadir in his life/ career, Ted Kennedy seemed to have genuinely refashioned himself as a serious, idealistic, tirelessly energetic liberal Democrat in the mold of 1960s/1970s American liberalism, arguably the greatest Democratic senator of the 20th century. His tireless advocacy of civil rights, rights for disabled Americans, health care, voting reform, his courageous vote against the Iraq war (when numerous Democrats including Hillary Clinton voted for it) suggest that there are not only "second acts" in American lives, but that the Renaissance concept of the "fortunate fall" may be relevant here: one "falls" as Adam and Eve "fell"; one sins and repents and is forgiven, provided that one remakes one's life.

Yet if one weighs the life of a single young woman against the accomplishments of the man President Obama has called the greatest Democratic senator in history, what is one to think?

and this:

Mary Jo wasn't a right-wing talking point or a negative campaign slogan. She was a dedicated civil rights activist and political talent with a bright future -- granted, whenever someone dies young, people sermonize about how he had a "bright future" ahead of him -- but she actually did. She wasn't afraid to defy convention (28 and unmarried, oh the horror!) or create her own career path based on her talents. She lived in Georgetown (where I grew up) and loved the Red Sox (we'll forgive her for that). Then she got in a car driven by a 36-year-old senator with an alcohol problem and a cauldron full of demons, and wound up a controversial footnote in a dynasty.

We don't know how much Kennedy was affected by her death, or what she'd have thought about arguably being a catalyst for the most successful Senate career in history.

Who knows -- maybe she'd feel it was worth it.

The eulogies have been rolling in and they have been, uh…. telling. One can see the value that the liberal-Left places on life especially when seen in the context of achieving politcal ends.

Mark Steyn contends that Mary Jo Kopechne has been “airbrushed” from history. Quite the contrary. She has achieved celebrity status in some circles because without Mary Jo there would be no Lion of the Senate.

Mary Jo, you see, had to pay with her life so that greatest legislator of our time could be allowed to touch so many other lives. Perhaps there are now two Marys that have been responsible for berthing miracles.

As great as Kennedy’s career was, one has to wonder just how much greater it might have been were there another young lady or two in that car.

H/T: Hot Air

She's making our job way too easy.

Thanks to Arianna Huffington and NARAL, we're closer and closer to gettin' this thing done. But first, we’re beginning to wonder if she can make it through an entire article without dropping a pop culture reference. She’s treading into that uncomfortable area where older people in an attempt to appear relevant start quoting Cartman and hip-hop lyrics. Don’t let this happen to you. Its embarrassing and everyone can see through the shameless pandering to youth.

Anyway, Ari’s bent because McCain received a “0” score from NARAL while Obama maxed out at 100… for the 3rd straight year. Yaaaaaayyyy……

Obama on limited government and potential voters:

"A woman's ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the government, is one of the most fundamental rights we possess. It is not just an issue of choice, but equality and opportunity for all women." Well, not all women, eh Barack?

And with respect to his two daughters: if they were ever to “make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.” Can’t say we’ve heard that particular verb tossed around when talking about a pregnancy. Note to self: Call Mom just to make sure.

We’ll keep saying this for as long as we have to but reasonable people can disagree over Roe v. Wade or abortion in general but to chalk up 3 straight perfect seasons in the eyes of a group that is wholey unwilling to accept in any small degree and will fight savagely any sensible restrictions on abortion, such as, late-term abortions or parental notification, leaves us cold. Sorry. Can’t say we’d be real stoked to have that person representing this country in the Oval Office