The Lion's Last Laugh

[FourScore]

The Lion's Last Laugh
by nemokc
Sat Aug 29, 2009 at 08:27:57 PM PDT

The cable news media spent a great deal of time over the past few days in discussion of whether Sen. Ted Kennedy's funeral should be political. (A great fear of many conservatives was that liberal speakers would use the Senator's death to issue a call for health care reform.)

What could be worse than to politicize the funeral of a man whose two older brothers were assasinated for political beliefs? Or who personally wrote over 300 laws over a 47 year career in the Senate? As one commentator put it, "A Kennedy funeral without politics would be like a Micheal Jackson funeral without music."

But very few of the liberal politicians made more than a mention of health care during the numerous tributes. All in all, the Republicans got what they wanted....we remembered the man and not the Senator. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. We all learned a little bit about the private life of the Legislative Lion of the Senate.

But during the funeral mass all that changed with the "Prayers of the Faithful". A traditional part of Catholic funerals that was done for Sen. Kennedy by his youngest grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The prayers offered were from the speeches of the Senator himself. As his family explained, "He summoned us all to service...for the work of his life is our prayer for our country and our world".

The children then took turns "praying" for a litany of social needs.

"The poor may be out of policitcal fashion but they are never without human need...the work of compassion must continue" We pray to the Lord!

"We must not measure human beings by what they cannot do but instead value them for what they can do." We pray to the Lord!

For what my grandpa called the cause of his life, as he said so often, "in every part of this land that every American would have decent quality healthcare as a fundamental right and NOT a privilege." We pray to the Lord!

For my grandfather's brave promise last summer, "That the work begins anew, the hope rises again and the dream lives on" We pray to the Lord!

It was touching. It was a very fitting tribute to a man who loved both his family and his country.

It was also extremely funny. Because the congregation was filled with Republicans. Republicans who were forced to respond in unison to the supplication "We pray to the Lord" with the traditional response, "Lord, hear our prayer". Yes, John McCain and other prominent members of the Republican Party prayed that God would hear a request for universal health care coverage.

And somewhere, someplace, three brothers who have not stood together in over 45 years enjoyed their first belly laugh over this sight. Because Ted Kennedy knew he was going to die for over a year...and he planned his own funeral! His last great practical joke! And he shared it with us all!

Thank you!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/8/29/774234/-The-Lions-Last-Laugh

[liberalhistorian]

1. Amen, and very well put! I noticed that, too, and got

a real kick out of it, knowing that he'd planned it all along.

And LOL, did you notice the ad at the bottom of this thread, "Websites for Conservative Campaigns"? ROFLMAO!

[rucognizant]

43. Nobody seems to have noticed but me..............

g h w bush was not at the funeral service. Andrea Mitchell, DID say that the guests were all there BY INVITATION.
Was that another last laugh?

[stray cat]

46. He was too ill to travel that far - it was reported quite a bit

[WillyT]

2. Absolutely Perfect, LOL !!!

Ah Teddy... you're still the best!

:rofl:

:patriot:

:kick:

[47of74]

3. I'm waiting for Bill-O, The Mannity, and Lonesome Roads to all have a fit about this

[CoffeeCat]

4. It's brilliant, because they can't say a damn thing!

What can Bill-O and the rest of the creeps say? They'd be criticizing children. They'd be
coming between the private words of Ted Kennedy and the Pope himself.

It's just so...brilliant.

We just might pass a meaningful healthcare bill after all.

Thanks Teddy.

[eShirl]

5. well it wouldn't be the first time for Bill O (criticizing children) n/t

[lib_wit_it]

30. Well, none of that will stop them, but it was still genius and beautiful!

[unapatriciated]

48. but will he criticize the sanctity of the Mass and Church?

not sure if he is still a practicing catholic, he would get a lot grief if he did.

[jwirr]

45. I don't know about the rest but Bill-O is Catholic. His pope has given

him directions and the church has prayed for health care to be passed. Poor Bill-o hoisted on his own petard.

[DrZeeLit]

56. I laughed aloud (through my tears)... "Ha! They got his grandkid to say it! How cool!"

And that thought was matched by another laugh -- who's gonna pick on that?

And if "they" do.... just goes to show how petty and small they really are.

Loved those prayers of the faithful... loved 'em.


(we wrote our own for our wedding and included a joke that the priest allowed... it was the best part of our wedding)

[appleannie1]

6. And let's hope that this prayer works, seeing as how even Repugs prayed it.

[NBachers]

60. How bipartisan of them

[BattyDem]

7. And don't forget the letter to the Pope

It was read by a priest ... at Teddy's grave!

[Muttocracy]

8. thanks for this :)

[voc]

9. That was the most important part.

The Grandchilden.

...and a little child shall lead them?

[orleans]

10. it's at :47 on this cspan link

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/08/29/HP/R/22542/Sen+Edward+Kennedy+Funeral+Mass+and+Burial+Service.aspx

there are more in the link than what is written in the kos post

[nuxvomica]

13. Thanks for posting that. I had missed it.

:thumbsup:

[fortyfeetunder]

34. Slam Dunk for the Lion!

A defining moment...the good Senator may no longer be among us, but his words live on. Thanks to the Kennedy family for using these fine words in the service.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

11. Love it .I'm going to send this to my RW relative

who couldn't wait until Teddy was in his grave to start dancing on it. I had a mean spirited email from him yesterday.

[malaise]

12. Freaking perfect

Rec

[Inuca]

14. It was for me the most emotional part of the ceremony

I did not see it as a last laugh though, I saw it as a last statement of who he was and what he stood for and what honoring him really means.

[barbtries]

15. when it's put that way,

you just have to laugh. i like that so much i'm going over to daily kos to recommend it there.

[Myrina]

16. I kept watching GWB at the funeral ...

... whenever they scanned the crowd -- it seemed like only the 'obligatory' people talked to him, he didn't sing the 'church songs' and sat most of the time looking embarassed and almost pissed that he had to be there. Especially when Obama mentioned in the eulogy that "after 9-11, Teddy personally called EVERY FAMILY ... " I'm sure a thought like that would never, ever cross Bush's addled little mind.

He did perk up when the blessing of the casket and the offerings were going on, as if he wanted a hit of whatever was smokin' in that big ole bong, or was really hoping for a chug of wine from that one dude's cup. What an embarassment that man is.


Oh yeah and where was VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY??? Veeps back to Mondale were there. But no Uncle Dick.
Rat-bastard didn't even bother to show his mug once, at any of the memorials. :mad:

[lunatica]

19. I for one am grateful Cheney stayed away

I truly am. I can stand to see Bush there although he sure wasn't in the type of company he likes to keep. The kind where he can jab his elbow into someone and wink and smirk and bob and duck his head yucking at his own jokes. He was in alien territory and it showed but only in his red face. Everyone there was polite to him. And he is a buffoon, but Cheney is slimy black slithering and soulless. He's as evil as a human is capable of being. I know it would have been too upsetting to me because it would have felt like he was contaminating the place by his mere presence.

[Myrina]

25. I'm sure if he tried to get into the church, lightning would have struck ...

:evilfrown:

[Lifelong Protester]

29. Yes, sorry to say, his appearance was a personal affront to me

I know he 'had' to come, but I did not like seeing him there. I also know it is God's house and all should be welcome, but that weasel wasn't 1/100th the man that was being memorialized. I was secretly glad (and I know I will have to say a few Hail Marys for this) that he looked, as my mom would say, as nervous as a whore in church.

Sorry if I offended anyone.

[TicketyBoo]

42. Me, too.

I was glad not to have to see him there. It would have added pain to the occasion.

[earthboundmisfit]

26. There was too much positive energy there -

Cheney would've turn to dust in the midst of such love and positive energy, like a vampire hit by sunlight!

[BlueMTexpat]

38. I am among those who are glad that he stayed away ... he and his

ilk are true abominations.
And he is one scared rat-bastard ... flailing about at all and sundry. The world has him spot on after his own admissions today.
He'd better pray that Holder does prosecute him and put him in a nice safe federal prison. Otherwise, he'll spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder wherever he is.

[rucognizant]

44. Attendance was.........

BY INVITATION ONLY!!!!

[BrklynLiberal]

53. Are embodiments of evil such as Cheney even allowed into a church???

[AuntPatsy]

17. Amen

[blueamy66]

18. I cried while watching the mass...

but I cried the most at this part of the service.

[nolabear]

20. I hadn't thought of it! This made my day.

I'll bet there was some choking and muttering going on in that congregation. Those Kennedys are smart!

[lostnfound]

21. And the correspondence with the pope..

was heard during the private interment portion, but it WAS heard, which was a truly fascinating bit of history for those of us who have been witnessed the move from the liberal Catholicism of the 60s through the present time whereby the anti-abortion movement as well as the Vatican have demonized Kerry or Kennedy for being pro-choice Catholics.
Individual conscience which clearly was nurtured through a faith but deviated from doctrine. Fascinating.

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. Old style Catholicism.

Providing for those less fortunate than yourself. One of the few things that still help me identify with the religion.

[Klukie]

23. K&R

[Odin2005]

24. That was great!

:D

[pberq]

27. Amen!

[Lifelong Protester]

28. Man, I missed the best part!!

As a Catholic, I knew that part was coming in the mass so I went and did a couple of other things because I assumed it would be the traditional 'world peace' 'justice for all' (not that those are BAD supplications, just nothing new, and very all-encompassing, not specific like the ones given were.) Good on you, Senator Kennnedy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BeatleBoot]

31. Lord, Hear Our Prayer.

As a Democrat and raised as an Irish-American Catholic myself...

I pray that the Work begins anew, the Hope rises again, and the Dream lives on...

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

[jwirr]

47. Amen

[taggline]

62. and, Amen...From a Heretic Lutheran !

[proud patriot]

32. LOL

:)

[DinahMoeHum]

33. Heh heh. Typical Kennedy Irish Catholic elan. . .

Gotta love it!

:toast::patriot::toast:

[Melissa G]

35. I got to be rec #100!

:applause:

[Ishoutandscream2]

36. My God, absolutely brilliant!

I am sending this to all the Bush-loving, Kennedy haters that I know.

[GinaMaria]

37. K and R because the repukes would never politicize a funeral

:sarcasm:
what was that woman's name... who died on 9/11?
Susan Olsen iirc... that funeral was a joke. It was nothing but republican politics.

[Cetacea]

39. Beautiful. eom

[MrMickeysMom]

40. You know, I was waiting for someone to comment on this...

There were many times I cried during that service, on and off over the weekend.

However, I saw this exercise he had thought to be delivered by the younger Kennedy generation was a baton to be handed off to ALL us, not so much in a religious ceremonial fashion... but to carry it on to fruition!

I was so inspired. Thanks for mentioning this. I appreciate everyone's take. And I did smile through those tears thinking of who was sitting in that audience, damn it!

[Historic NY]

41. Kinda leaves them between a rock & a hard place..;;;

:rofl:

[mdmc]

49. i didn't get to see the funeral

thanks for the link and the op

[femrap]

50. Thank you for

pointing this out. I love it. K and R

[truedelphi]

51. Thank you for posting that.

I could only watch bits and pieces of the funeral, it was too sad for me.

On the one hand, this shouldn't have been the only funeral celebrating the life of an aged Kennedy statesman.

There should have been other Kennedy funerals honoring the elderly JFK, age 89 when he died in 2006. And then Bobby, well he might still be alive.

And then John Kennedy Jr. His funeral should not have come about until sometime in the 2040's.

[bluesmail]

52. Exactly what I was laughing about. HA! Good for you, Teddy.

I mean Senator Kennedy.

[BrklynLiberal]

54. as well as his last roar.....

[bluesmail]

55. HA! I was chuckling too. It was a moment of great entertainment

among such grief and tears. Lifted my soul. Thanks Senator Kennedy. You are the greatest Kennedy!

[MadBadger]

57. K&R

[Dinger]

58. Excellent : )

:patriot:

[Princess Turandot]

59. What made this particularly delicious..

was the initial right-wing certainty that the Church would not accord Ted a church burial. (Keep in mind that for all of the blathering that a few bishops made about pro-choice politicians being refused Communion, I don't think there was a single report of that ever actually happening, to Kerry, Joe or anyone else.) Then when the services were announced, they were sure the funeral was not at the Boston cathedral (called, I think, Holy Cross) because the Cardinal would not participate. Oops. A dozen or so priests celebrated the mass, including his pastor, the Chancellor of Boston College and, yes, the Archbishop/Cardinal of Boston. But, they knew at least that the Pope had snubbed him in his hour of need. Oops again.

It's not often that someone hits a (political and moral) walk-off home run at their own funeral.

[taggline]

61. Perfect