The Last Prince of Camelot
News broke out last week that Senator Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with malignant brain cancer. A sad week for The American people.
If ever there was to be royalty in the history of The United States, most would agree that The Kennedy family would be that royalty. Often referred to as Camelot, in reference to the tales of King Arthur, that reference would stick with the Kennedy family until present time. When John F. Kennedy died, he had his brother Robert Kennedy to take his place, but in the tumultuous times of that decade, who could have foresaw the death of both Robert Kennedy and then the civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr.
With the death of Robert Kennedy or Bobby, Ted Kennedy became torchbearer of The Kennedy Family’s idealism in politics. The last prince of Camelot, one could say.
This is my tribute to a great man, one of the greatest senators The United States will ever know. As a Filipino-American, my loyalty is not only to that of our own nation, The Philippines, but growing up as an American as well, I can tell you, that one of the greatest pride of any American is the Kennedy family itself. A family that would devote itself with public service.
As news broke out that Ted Kennedy had malignant brain cancer, an illness with no cure, only treatment, everyone from all sectors, suddenly conveyed their support for one of the greatest public servants in American History. The Boston Herald, a newspaper that often butted heads with The Senator, gave an excellent tribute to Ted. Politicians from both sides of the aisle showed their support and love, and it is worthwhile to note, that the first announcement of support came from a republican.
I am so happy, that the great senator was given time, at the end of his life, to see in person, the love that the American people, including his colleagues have for him. The respect is there, and knowing that he knows, is good enough for me. Jack and Bobby, never had the chance to see such an outpouring of love and support, because of how both their lives were ended abruptly. If ever there were some good in this news, is that at least Ted was given some time.
One cannot overstate the tremendous influence and positive effect that Senator Ted Kennedy had on American politics. He would time and again, reach across party lines, to pass bills that were for the good of The American people. Whether one would agree with the senator or not, everyone will agree that whenever Ted Kennedy spoke, everyone listened, and that is not always the case with any politician.
Ted Kennedy has survived both a plane accident and a car accident, both times he came through fighting. And I have no doubt, that this will again be the case as he fights for his life. In the year, two, or even more years to come, I expect that Ted Kennedy’s views and voice on the issues will contribute to the public discourse that is needed to move America forward.
And so, I end this little tribute, to a prince of Camelot, who has had a profound impact in American politics, but most importantly an impact on America itself. May he continue to inspire and do good works.
