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JesusChristPose
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since 2005-06-21
Posts 777
Pittsburgh, Pa

0 posted 2006-05-05 07:31 PM


http://bitheads.blogspot.com/2006/05/rep-patrick-kennedy-dwi.html

So, all of those who lambasted Cheney for the hunting incident, where are you now? Especially since this drunk and drug addict could have killed more than just a hunting buddy but an innocent family.

And he has the gall to turn his addiction and law breaking into a political "escape" piece.

Long Link Fixed

I viewed the speach he gave on ABC news and was downright sickened by his attempt to act "responsible."


"Melvin, the best thing you got going for you is your willingness to humiliate yourself."

[This message has been edited by Ron (05-05-2006 09:32 PM).]

© Copyright 2006 JesusChristPose - All Rights Reserved
Brad
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since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea
1 posted 2006-05-05 09:22 PM


I'm confused. Why are you comparing the three?

Are you actually arguing that it's okay or somehow not so bad that Limbaugh has drug problems or that Cheney shot someone because Kennedy has mental problems?

quote:
As a high school senior, Kennedy was treated at a drug rehabilitation clinic before he went to Providence College. He has said he wants to end the stigma of mental health problems, and he has been praised by mental health professionals for being open about his struggles with depression, alcoholism and substance abuse. He also has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.


Are you suggesting that we feel sympathy for Cheney and/or Limbaugh? That they too have mental problems, but somehow, they are stronger for not admitting it?

I don't get it.

With Limbaugh and Cheney, the humor comes in lampooning hypocrisy, not the actual problems themselves. With Cheney, in particular, I thought it was bizarre that people played Cheney as the victim because he shot someone else.

There is nothing funny about shooting someone, nothing funny about drug problems, nothing funny about mental problems.

What do you find funny or hypocritical here?

To be honest, I probably wouldn't vote for him if I lived in RI, not because he has mental problems, not because he's an alcoholic, but apparently he doesn't take his own disease seriously enough to take preventative measures.

I don't see anything funny about that.


Balladeer
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2 posted 2006-05-05 11:24 PM


I think, Brad, the point he is trying to make is that, in Cheney's case, we have a man who accidently shot another, an unfortunate event but something that can happen. The press had a field day with it, as did the tv news, as did the late-night talk show hosts and comedians everywhere. JCP's question may be....will that be Kennedy's fate, too, or will there be more of a hands off policy because of the Kennedy name and the fact he is a Democrat? In Limbaugh's case with the prescription drugs, liberals rose up en masse for the attack on him and his character. Will there be one on Kennedy? Time will tell but JCP doesn't think so. Neither do I, actually.

That doesn't bother me, though. What irritates me is that politicians consider people so stupid. We are now going to see a dog and pony show, filled with fake explanations, excuses, denial of police special treatment and media sleight of hand instead of just saying the guy screwed up. Fasten your seat belts.....


Farkas
Junior Member
since 2006-05-03
Posts 20

3 posted 2006-05-05 11:52 PM


Hi

The facts
Chaney – was an accident
Rush and Kennedy abuse prescription drugs  

The media outside the AM band vote 80% + democrat
AM talk radio is dominated by conservative talk show hosts

The answer is – know these facts, consider the source and make up your mind.

It would be great if all news outlasts just reported the facts without bias

Farkas    

JesusChristPose
Senior Member
since 2005-06-21
Posts 777
Pittsburgh, Pa
4 posted 2006-05-06 01:14 AM


~ Thank you Mr. Balladeer, you saved me a lengthy retort to Mr. Brad. And, you did it as well, if not better, than I would of done so.  

~ Of course, I never even mentioned the fact about the rape that Mr. Kennedy commited so many years ago and was acquitted only because of his name... a sort of a lesser Chapiquidick.

"The facts...
Chaney – was an accident
Rush and Kennedy abuse prescription drugs...  


~ Kennedy has been guilty of DWI among other things where Rush has not. Not only that, Rush isn't a public servant, Kennedy is, and that is a HUGE difference



"Melvin, the best thing you got going for you is your willingness to humiliate yourself."

[This message has been edited by Ron (05-06-2006 05:05 AM).]

Brad
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since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea
5 posted 2006-05-06 01:29 AM


Um, are you talking about William Kennedy Smith rape case(s)?


Mistletoe Angel
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6 posted 2006-05-06 02:24 AM


As you probably are aware, I myself am no fan of this administration and have been critical of Cheney in many ways, and I made clear as well that I did and do wholeheartedly believe that Cheney's misfire was nothing more than an accident and I believe the way he was ridiculed across the media landscape for that was undeserving, for it was the attorney shot himself who acknowledged it was an accident.

With that said, I'm not surprised this has been all over the headlines today, for after the infamous Chapiquidick incident regarding Patrick's father, as well as a documented history of the family particularly struggling with booze and certain substances, this sort of thing has almost become synonymous to the Kennedy family. Apparently this wasn't even the first time he's been in an accident like this, for I believe I've heard before he got into one when he was in a huge rush to get to a drug store, and from what I understand this isn't the first time he's been to the Mayo clinic.

I do believe Patrick Kennedy should be formally charged with something, some way to be sure he isn't allowed to drive again until he can prove he's been sober for a certain period of time. Because he's a Kennedy, I imagine he'll get a free pass, and it probably has as much to do with his wealth than with his family name. I also think it's evident that Kennedy is dealing with multiple addiction problems, and I also suspect he's in denial or probably even lied when he said he hadn't had any alcohol.

The main concern I have here is how some personalities are rushing out to go at him without offering him the chance to attempt to prove his recovery effort, especially when he didn't kill anyone. In my mind, drug problems and mental problems are no laughing matter, and if anyone dives deep into the archives and examines all the instances I've been critical of Bush and media personalities like Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson, not once have I ever made fun of or laughed at Bush or Limbaugh for their use of drugs and grappling to recovery. Taking drugs and substances is unfortunate and I certainly don't consider a good example for America's youth, but unless they're linked to a horrific crime like rape or murder, there's nothing funny about these struggles and in my opinion anyone who does joke about those things no matter who the struggling individual is is being hit below the belt.

Whenever I go at Limbaugh or personalities like him who often say incredible, inconceivable things in my mind, I'm going at the kooky things they say, not their personal demons. I believe anyone here has the right to go at Kennedy here, but I only hope the intent of doing so is questioning the accident issue itself, rather than going at him because he happens to be a Kennedy or a wealthy Masachusetts liberal, which unfortunately I believe some are approaching it by the latter.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton


"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other"

Mother Teresa

Balladeer
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7 posted 2006-05-06 03:40 PM


Very well stated, Noah. If you read my previous remark you will find that you and I think alike in that regard. I made no personal criticism toward Mr. Kennedy and he would have my sympathy for such an affliction.

My disdain is reserved for the "powers that be", the ones behind the scene, from Democratic leaders to Kennedy family members who will try to come up with ridiculous excuses and sell them to the public, in much the same was a certain Democratic congresswoman just attempted to do. The disdain also goes to those who bashed Cheney at the drop of a hat - and Limbaugh, also - who will now either keep their mouths shut or ctiticize the critics for criticizing.

By the way, I used the word "democrat" a couple of times here but let me make it clear that Republicans are not immune to this type of subterfuge, either. My ire goes out to either party who would peddle mumbo-jumbo as excuses instead of just 'fessing up.

An interesting observation.....when the news first broke yesterday the news carried the fact that a hostess at a certain bar saw Kennedy drinking before the accident, as did another witness . Last night I watched the news coverage and did not see even one mention of those statements. I found that interesting since those statements clearly made Kennedy out to be a liar in the statement he gave police. I hear big wheels turning......

Midnitesun
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Gaia
8 posted 2006-05-06 07:05 PM


JCP, it does no good to pit these men one against the other in this way, as their 'problems' were not the same except in regards to the preferential treatment they may have received because of their celebrity status.
Whenever fame, fortune, or the fortunes of birth get someone a Free Pass to Get out of Jail card, it's a stinking rotten Monopoloy game that's being played. Kennedy obviously needs professional treatment, as does Mr Limbaugh. Cheney's incident was a bizarre tragic accident, and maybe he needs a refresher course in hunting safety. I  don't like his politics, but cannot slap him around for his horrid hunting episode.
I can't even count on my calculator how many 'ordinary citizens' without wealth, fame or prestigious family name spend time in jails and prisons for similar offenses. It's another round of celebs getting preferential treatment.

Brad
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since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea
9 posted 2006-05-06 07:15 PM


Well okay. But again, I'm stuck with two national figures, Cheney and Limbaugh, who most of us know and someone who is not. I had never heard of this guy before (and I do try to keep up).

I think that's the key difference.

But, the rule still applies, if he's committed a crime, he should be punished (though I'll let a judge decide what that  punishment should be).

I smell conspiracy talk. But I was watching the NBA Finals a few years back and Michael Jordan commited a technical, it was his second. The ref, at first, pulled up his arm and then pulled it back.

Why?

Because it was Michael Jordan.

You don't need a conspiracy to realize that we all apply rules on a case by case basis.

I'm not convinced that an across the board enforcement is always in our best interest.

At the same time, if the Kennedy "mystique" is what gets him off, it is also what caused this thread.

Local Rebel
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since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767
Southern Abstentia
10 posted 2006-05-07 02:00 AM


quote:

At the same time, if the Kennedy "mystique" is what gets him off, it is also what caused this thread.



Why not just call it political dynasty, oligarchy, you know, all those things the framers were hoping to avoid?

Micheal Jordan actually hits baskets.

Ringo
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11 posted 2006-05-07 11:22 AM


I have to add my voice to the "where is the witch hunt?" line of questioning.

When Mr. Limbaugh was outted for abusing prescription drugs, the entire liberal world wanted to have him thrown off the air, thrown into prison and left there to rot. He did not drink while he was on these prescriptions that anyone spoke about. He did not drive while he was under the influence of these drugs that anyone spoke about. He is a very (maybe too) conservative personality who made no secrets to that fact, and who exposed the many fallicies of the Democratic propaganda machine.

When VP Cheney had his hunting accident, the entire liberal world wanted his head and chose that incident to revisit the anti-weapons agenda that they have been harboring for the past few decades. VP Cheney was not doing anything illegal at the time his mishap occured. The man who got shot said that it was an accident, and was never heard from again. The interviews dried up. VP Cheney is a very conservative personality who is the number 2 in an unpopular administration.

Mr. Kennedy (of whom I had no knowledge, love, or hatred before this incident) was outed for driving while under the influence of prescription medication, and the police were told to resume their tour and he was driven home. Mr. Kennedy stated for the record that he was not drinking before the accident occured, yet a waitress stated for the record that she had seen him at a bar drinking shortly before the accident. She has never been heard from again, and the interviews have dried up.
Mr. Kennedy chose to go into treatment for addiction to prescription medication... just like Mr. Limbaugh did.
Of course, it only took him until the day after everything started to go South for him that he decided he had a challenge with them. The prescription drug addiction has nothing to do with the fact that he was drinking alcohol while on the medication  The prescription drug addiction has nothing to do with the fact that he chose to get into a 2,000 weapon after drinking. Rep. Kennedy broke the law and no one seems to be talking about it. The point remains: This particular Congressman ran afoul of the law and is not being held accountable. Mr. Kennedy is a liberal personality.


Perhaps I am coming at this from a very different angle, as the second car wreck I ever responded to as an EMT involved me pulling a 5 y/o little girl out of a car that her daddy drove into a light pole after spending the afternoon washing down a bottle of Darvon (obtained through a prescription) with tequila. Perhaps my vision is askew due to the fact that I have pulled more than one person out of a vehicle that was "OK to drive".
For the record:
I do not care if this public servant's name is Kennedy, Jones, or Shmuckatelli. I couldn't care any less if he was from Rhode Island, Texas, or American Samoa. I wouldn't lose any sleep whether he decided to go to Betty Ford, the Mayo Clinic, or stay at home and drink himself into oblivion. The absolute fact of the matter is that Rep. Kennedy broke the law, put untold number of people at risk while he was breaking the law, and is going to come out of rehab a hero and champion of the downtrodden who suffer from addiction... and is never going to be held accountable for his actions.


"... the rest is silence"
from the song The Flesh Failures www.myspace.com/mindlesspoet

[This message has been edited by Ringo (05-07-2006 12:10 PM).]

Brad
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since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea
12 posted 2006-05-07 05:27 PM


Rush didn't go to jail.

Dick didn't go to jail.

Pat di. . .


Brad
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since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea
13 posted 2006-05-07 05:55 PM


While we're on the subject, how many of our leaders have DUI's?

Bush when he was 30.

Cheney apparently had two when he was 21 and 22.

How many others?

Ringo
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14 posted 2006-05-07 06:03 PM


Who was President Bush leading when he was 30?
Who was VP Cheney leading when he was 21?

There is a HUGE difference between "youthful indescretions" (according to the President) and being a leader and setting laws for others to follow and not following them yourself.

"... the rest is silence"
from the song The Flesh Failures
www.myspace.com/mindlesspoet

Brad
Member Ascendant
since 1999-08-20
Posts 5705
Jejudo, South Korea
15 posted 2006-05-07 06:42 PM


quote:
Perhaps I am coming at this from a very different angle, as the second car wreck I ever responded to as an EMT involved me pulling a 5 y/o little girl out of a car that her daddy drove into a light pole after spending the afternoon washing down a bottle of Darvon (obtained through a prescription) with tequila. Perhaps my vision is askew due to the fact that I have pulled more than one person out of a vehicle that was "OK to drive".




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