Posted on 05/06/2006 5:31:24 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 6, 2006
Let's imagine it was, oh, Karl Rove who had been involved in a car accident under circumstances identical to those surrounding Patrick Kennedy. Think the Today show would be focusing on his 'courage' and largely taking at face value his claim that prescription medicines caused the crash? Or would they be asking another question: was Kennedy telling the truth when he claimed that no alcohol was involved?
That 'Today' was in a decidedly forgiving mood was clear from the show's very opening. Note the graphic Today attached to Kennedy's image: "Seeking Treatment". Not "Telling the Truth?" or "Drinking & Driving?"
In his subsequent report, NBC reporter Chip Reid clearly seemed to endorse Kennedy's version of events. We first were treated a clip of Kennedy's statement about his addiction to painkillers, concluding with his observation that "I struggle every day with this disease as do millions of Americans."
The very next words out of Reid's mouth: "That struggle came to a head this week in a bizarre traffic accident on Capitol Hill." Translation: Kennedy's version of the accident is true. It was the 'struggle' with prescription drugs, not alcohol, at the root of the accident.
Reid later referred to Kennedy's announcement that he was entering rehab as a "big step." Oh, the bravey! Again, had this been Rove or another disfavored Republican, one can imagine the MSM skeptically suggesting a decison to enter rehab was nothing more than part of a carefully-orchestrated PR campaign.
Now, it's true that Reid mentioned that Capitol Hill police officers suspected Kennedy was driving under the influence of alcohol. But Reid mentioned only the police report stating "Kennedy's eyes were red and watery, speech was slightly slurred and balance was unsure." No mention that police reportedly smelled the odor of alcohol on Kennedy. No mention that police at the scene wanted to perform a sobriety test and were prevented from doing so by supervisors who ordered Kennedy be given a lift home. Reid left it for viewers to infer that the police mistakenly confused Kennedy's pill-induced symptoms as stemming from alcohol.
We were later treated to file footage of father Ted Kennedy saying he was proud of Patrick, and to Sen. Kennedy's current statement saluting Patrick's "courage."
Not a word from Today of a reported eyewitness who saw Patrick Kennedy drinking prior to the crash at the 'Hawk & Dove' bar. No apparent investigative reporting on NBC's part to determine the truth.
Curiously incurious, those NBC folks, wouldn't you say?
A request to the photoshoppers out there ... with all the great graphics showing Ted and Patches in a car, etc., don't forget to add a windmill in the background. It's the little details that mean so much :)
If Lunesta had been the sleeping pill linked to sleep driving, he would have named Lunesta. Sonata? Yep, took that. Hell, if it were corned beef that had been linked to "sleep-driving", we would have learned he'd had seven Reubens at the Hawk& Dove. I don't think there was any Ambien. At least not that night.
Culture of Cover-up
Culture of Cowardice
"Naming the sleep medication was, imho, a deliberate strategy."
Sure it was.
Then Ted remembered he had stock in pharmaceutical companies and told his son to shut up. ;~ )
Limbaugh broke no laws. Kennedy did.
It's 3:00 AM...What time do the bars close in DC?? Where's the surveillance tape and not just from the bar? There's all kinds of surveillance in this area.
The Stone-age Press still lives in Camalot! Remember how they treated Chaney in the shooting incident and 1 beer?
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
The cops that did not adminster a "breathalizer" should be forced to surrender their guns and badges, IMHO.
Yes, there would be surveillance cameras trained on the area where the incident occured...and just about everywhere leading up to it. Maybe cruiser cameras too.
The police officers at the scene reportedly DID want to administer sobriety tests, but their supervisors arrived and ordered them away. There are reports that one of the supervisors involved has been "reassigned."
Of course he did. You just choose to justify it in his case because he is a conservative. Double standard.
He should have gone to jail just like the rest of us. Now he has conveniently entered rehab where he can hide from questions, not that there would be any.
As for political fallout, he will just have to drive off that bridge when he gets there.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
That has not been proven or admitted.
This lends the impression that the accident was due to some freakish combination of unusual factors. This is totally misleading. This checkpoint is located at a wide open intersection and is probably the easiest one to negotiate on the Hill. Kennedy's office is in the building right next to this so there's no question he's been through it countless times before. The only thing "bizarre" about this accident is Kennedy's conflicting explanations.
You nailed it.
"Recognized as a national leader in mental health, Kennedy has received numerous awards for his advocacy on behalf of the mentally ill. Among many other honors in this area, Kennedy received the Paul Wellstone Mental Health Award in 2003."
You just can't make up stuff like this.
Leni
The show put on by patrick kennedy reminded me of a similar show put on by his father many years ago. patrick, after being caught by the police for driving without lights running into a barrier came before tv cameras and blamed the "accident" on perscription drugs. His father put on a similar tv show, while driving drunk, drove his car off a bridge with a girl beside him, he got out but left her in it to die. Acorns don't fall from the tree.
The Smoking Gun website has a copy of the Traffic Accident Report which lists Patrick Kennedy's address as: 35 Independence Ave. S.E., #407.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.