Interesting review of the film "Chappaquiddick" and its political implications.

[CTyankee]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/movies/chappaquiddick-review.html

I know so many DUers have their doubts about the rehashing of this story but this review is may make you want to see it.

I like movies that make me think and ponder. I am wondering how my memory of this event and the movie will play out. I have a personal interest in Chappy since my daughter and her family summer there. My son in law gives visitors a little tour of the island, showing all the relevant spots where the event happened.

Read the review and post your opinion...

[hlthe2b]

1. well, I'll agree with the "sad piece of history"

I read another review, which once again emphasized that the other female campaign workers/staffers (who were always derisively referred to as the "boiler room girls" have never agreed to be interviewed. Understandably, perhaps, but it does render both them (and Mary Jo) as total "after thoughts." I always had a problem with that.

I don't know that redemption is what motivated Ted, but still, I do think he did earn at least some in the whole of his lifetime.

Let us know if you find the movie worth seeing.

[CTyankee]

5. Ironically, as the review points out, Teddy was the most influential of the three brothers.

Out of tragedy came a kind of renewed energy in liberalism, beyond John and Bobby's vision.

I guess some good can come out of tragedy. IIRC, Teddy was called "the lion of the Senate."

[MichMary]

12. One of them was interviewed by the media

This is a NYT article from 1974.

https://www.nytimes.com/1974/07/14/archives/chappaquiddick-5-a-tragedy-an-enigma-a-political-achilles-heel.html?module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Archives&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=article

I was 13 in 1969, so I remember it. Very strange. Quite a few unanswered questions.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I read it. It's a sad piece of history.

I am a big fan of not judging people by their worst moment or moments but that was an infinitely bad moment with tragic consequences. This is coming from someone who worked on his 1980 campaign and idolized Bobby and John Kennedy.

[chuckstevens]

3. Whatever really happened, I think Ted Kennedy spent the rest of his life trying to atone.

Not absolving him of responsibility, but at least he had a conscious and dedicated his live to trying to help the less fortunate. Can't say the same for so many of the rightwingers.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. I can't imagine living with that burden.

There but for the grace of God go I. When I was in my teens I drove under the influence or recklessly with other people in the car. Thank God I never had an accident.

[chuckstevens]

11. Yep! I totally get what you're saying.

[Freddie]

6. Ive read theres some fiction in the movie

For instance, that Papa Joe smacked him and advised him to cover it up?? By that time he was in complete la-la land from a stroke he’d had in 1962.
I was 12 then, it’s all the grownups talked about for months. I will watch it when it comes to Netflix or on-demand.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. And how would the screenwriter know what he said ?

There also is a quote where Ted Kennedy allegedly rationalizes his behavior by saying " Peter had his flaws. Moses had a temper" and his cousin Joe Gargan says "Moses never left a young woman at the bottom of the Red Sea.''


Just bullshit.

[CTyankee]

10. I would imagine there was a lot of "artistic license" going on here....

Hey, it happens...

[SoCalNative]

8. I know it's from TMZ, but

CIA Operative Says
TED KENNEDY DIDN'T KNOW MARY JO KOPECHNE WAS IN THE CAR


http://www.tmz.com/2018/04/04/ted-kenney-mary-jo-kopechne-car-crash-death-chappaquiddick-cover-up/

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. Everybody at the party was questioned.

There had to be, what, a dozen people there. They would all have to be lying. And some testified as to seeing Ted and Mary Jo leaving together.

[MichMary]

13. His own statement

says different.