Fat, Drunk, and Stupid is no way to go through life son.
Posted on 05/06/2006 10:00:41 AM PDT by raccoonradio
WASHINGTON - Detectives probing U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s early-morning car wreck interviewed workers at the Hawk ’n’ Dove bar yesterday while rank-and-file Capitol police are pushing prosecutors to throw the book at the well-connected pol.
“Mr. Kennedy, by his own admission, was operating under the influence of narcotics, which is a violation,” said Lou Cannon, president of the Capitol police union.
Cannon said detectives probing the Rhode Island Democrat’s 2:45 a.m. wreck visited several watering holes along Pennsylvania Avenue yesterday, asking bartenders and waitstaff if they saw Kennedy in the hours before the congressman crashed his Mustang convertible into a security barricade.
Kennedy checked himself into a Minnesota rehab center last night.
Among the bars detectives were focused on was the Hawk ’n’ Dove, a popular tavern that Kennedy is known to frequent, Cannon said.
The Herald reported yesterday that a hostess at the Hawk ’n’ Dove said she saw Kennedy drinking in the bar Wednesday night. Employees at the pub declined comment yesterday.
Cannon said despite Kennedy’s decision to seek treatment for his booze and drug problem, detectives are continuing to build a case for prosecutors.
“We’re still following the same course. We’re asking that the investigation be completed,” he said.
Kennedy, 38, was slapped with a trio of minor citations for Thursday morning’s crash and hastily checked himself into the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
“I’ve been fighting this chronic disease since I was a young man,” he said, looking solemn and tired at a Capitol Hill press conference. “Of course, in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs.”
He blamed the crash on disorienting effects from the prescription pills Ambien and Phenergan, which he was taking to help him sleep and for stomach pain, respectively. Combining the pills can have intoxicating effects.
“I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police or being cited for three driving infractions,” he said. “That’s not how I want to live my life.”
Despite his contention that he had no memory of the incident, Kennedy offered a detailed version of events just one day earlier - including the time he was driving and the exact street location. Murky details continued to trickle out from the congressman with a revelation to the Providence Journal that he spent the hours before the crash with an unidentified woman.
Cops at the crash scene reported that Kennedy appeared to have been drinking, was stumbling, slurring and had “red and watery” eyes.
Supervisors blocked patrolmen from giving Kennedy a sobriety test and instead drove him home.
In Washington, D.C., a first-offense conviction of driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol carries a mandatory six-month license suspension and possible fines.
CNN reported last night that a preliminary internal police probe found that “supervisors employed improper judgment.” Cannon said a watch commander on duty at the time of the crash will be transferred.
But Capitol police spokesman officer Michael Killough said: “We can’t confirm that any personnel has changed.”
Asked at the press conference if he planned on resigning, Kennedy shook his head and said, “I need to stay in the fight.”
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) said of his son: “He has taken full responsibility for events that occurred.” Rep. Kennedy’s mother, Joan, who has battled alcoholism, declined comment last night.
The "graveyard shift" is where you need your top watch commanders in most cities. Maybe it's a lot different in D.C. with the "royal" politicians and all.
Between Kennedy and McKinney, we are seeing that these people consider themselves to be some kind of new ruling class.
A lot of our ancestors came here and fought wars just so we would not have to put up with that sort of thing. They sneaking it in on us in a slow/gradual manner (like the well-known 'frog in the pan of water slowly brought up to boiling') so we're not suppposed to notice.
When this country was founded, our elected senators and representatives were the "butchers, bakers and candlestick makers" of the community who gave of their time to run the legislative branch of this country. Then came the lawyers, lobbyists, spin-meisters, etc. ad nauseum.
I was hoping the end of the Clinton presidency would end the corruption, but it didn't even slow down.
Has Cynthia McKinney commented yet, or is she busy organizing a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue?
"I hear nutting, I saw nutting" (Sgt Schultz voice)
No witnesses, no case. His own admission? Means nothing to a Kennedy. Can be easily re-spun and 'neutralized'. His criminal daddy's legions or lawyers and pr flacks will see to that.
Multi-level 'legal system'? You betcha.
If that had been one of us peons, we'd still be in jail, waiting for a bail bondsman to arrive.
Heard it this morning on ABC Radio News.
You're right--the press wouldn't have asked a Republican if he was going to resign, they would have asked why he hasn't resigned yet.
Joan is another Kennedy casualty. Yes, she does have a huge drinking problem, but it is a tragedy. As for Teddy and their son, those two need a whippin'.
I wonder if they have a jail ward in that chi-chi rehab hotel, where Paddy's hiding?
Capitol Police Disciplined over Kennedy Crash
May 06, 2006 11:05 AM EST
By Sher Zieve – Capitol police managers have been disciplined over the special treatment applied to Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), surrounding his Thursday car crash. Capitol Police officer supervisors refused to allow their officers to conduct a field sobriety test on Kennedy.
Capitol Police Chief Christopher McGaffin said that the supervisors applied “poor judgment”. The report from officers on the scene of the crash stated that Kennedy’s eyes were “red and watery”, his speech was slurred, “he was traveling at a high rate of speed in a construction zone”, he was “swerving into the wrong lane of travel for westbound traffic" and “furthermore, the vehicle had no lights running and swerved again striking the North curb”.
President of the Fraternal Order of Police for the District of Columbia Lou Cannon commented: "I would say within law enforcement that there is probably concern that consideration was given a member of Congress that would not be afforded a normal citizen on the street."
http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/dui/pkennedy50406rpt3.html
Well let's hope that ruse doesn't work.
“We’re still following the same course. We’re asking that the investigation be completed,” he said.
Do it. It's the right thing to do.
Kennedy, 38, was slapped with a trio of minor citations for Thursday morning’s crash and hastily checked himself into the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
“I’ve been fighting this chronic disease since I was a young man,” he said, looking solemn and tired at a Capitol Hill press conference. “Of course, in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs.”
Rehab doesn't work for this guy. It is only a tool to get off of the charges. He did it earlier this year, right?
The only thing that will work would be prosecution to the full extent of the law (which would include some jail time if it was you or me) and out of public service. Service? LOL. What a laugh, a guy that has said "I've never worked a ****in' day in my life"
BTW, Patty you weakling. It's not a disease, it is bad choices. Take responsibility for them!
Fat, Drunk, and Stupid is no way to go through life son.
In his news conference the other day, young Mr. Kennedy kept referring to his "disease".
I have a problem with alcoholism and drug addiction being a called disease. A "disease" can't be cured (note I said "cured"; not slowed down) by changing your lifestyle.
I'm also ticked off at the number of healthy men in the 20s drawing disability pay because they've fried their brain with drugs. The way to beat the system is to diagnose them as "bi-polar". That's become a code word for "I'm a crack head and the gov't gives me money each month to continue my habit".
I consider anyone foolish enough to get involved with that family to be at least a willing victim. I have long felt great compassion for Joan Kennedy in particular. She is a pathetic woman. One can only wonder if, in other circumstances, she would have become an alcoholic at all ... if not trying to match her boozer of a husband drink for drink.I am not a prude about drinking ... or gambling ... or any of the other major vices [except for drugs including marijuana] ... but, the older I get, the more I can see how these vices become great tragedies for vulnerable people.
You need a "D" to know that Kennedy is a democrat?
Have you BOUGHT your disease yet ? Did you KNOW you can purchase a disease ???
D. James Kennedy?
LOL, sorry bad joke...
Maybe Cynthia McKinney can claim she has Turretts Syndrome and that's why she lashes out at people at inappropriate times and places.
snicker
I think Joan is an excellant interview in regards to young Pat. She has suffered as a woman, mother and wife of a Kennedy. She is a drunk and most probably due to in large part Mr. Ted the swimmer.
Pat obviously has dependency problems and you may ask is it due to being a Kennedy? Most probably yes.
If a f-ing reporter can go up to a mother whose son just died and ask well how do you feel about this war your son died in? I think it appropriate for the same baboso reporter to go up to every kennedy and inquire about one of their own.
Woke up, fell out of bed
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup,
And looking up I noticed I was late.
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in seconds flat
Found my way upstairs and had a smoke,
Somebody spoke and I went into a dream...
Minnesota is nice this time of year. I guess Rhode Island doesn't have an image "rehab center."
I am trying to remember the story between Joan and Teddy. I used to have a very good biography of the whole family. IIRC, there could have been some family pressure from Joan's family not to turn down a Kennedy. Maybe someone reading this has a better memory than I do.
Chappaquiddick might have sent her over the edge. Back in the day, divorce didn't happen in "Catholic" marriages. I'm Catholic, btw. My family is originally from MA, and they loathe most of the Kennedys. Imagine being trapped in a marriage with a guy who let a girl drown to death, and the whole world knows it, and stares at you in public. You must keep a smile plastered on your face in public. Yeah, I'd be shnockered half the time, too.
I'm not a prude about many vices, either. If you indulge, take responsibility though. The Kennedys think they're above that little rule. Too bad kids don't think about that when they start experimenting with drugs and sex.
If Rose Kennedy were alive, do you feel it would be appropriate to ask her how she felt, having to entertain her husband's mistresses at the family dinner table?
I do not agree with the behavior of reporters in times of personal tragedy. For the most part, they are rude and boorish. I've seen some jaw dropping examples over the years, on my local evening news.
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.