A year and a day ago, Ted Kennedy gave a speech in Denver which stirred the soul of every listener, which summed up the courage and the humanity with which he had conducted his life and career. On this sad day of his passing I offer a repost of my thoughts on that evening, which seem even more pertinent today. May the Kennedy Health Care Act soon memorialize him properly.
I sit here with tears in my eyes, just having watched Teddy Kennedy, the old liberal lion, give a loud and rousing roar. His speech was beautifully set up by the filmed appreciation of his family and his achievements, to remind anyone needing reminding of what a giant the man has been in our nation's history. Then Teddy himself came out, to remind us that history is today.
On this night when haters have again been arrested with guns, trying to take our future away from us, I watch the Kennedy brother who lived, roaring and fighting and leading like few Americans ever have. I am reminded of the great Martin Luther King, whose incomparable "I have a dream" speech will be celebrated Thursday night. The other great speech that should never be forgotten, King's valedictory, supplies the words that come to mind, bringing with them apprehension and deliberation.
