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‘The Cause of My Life’ [Ted Kennedy Explains]
Newsweek ^ | July 18th 2009

Posted on 07/18/2009 7:37:28 PM PDT by Steelfish

‘The Cause of My Life’

Inside the fight for universal health care.

By Edward M. Kennedy

July 18, 2009 From the magazine issue dated Jul 27, 2009

In 1964, I was flying with several companions to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention when our small plane crashed and burned short of the runway. My friend and colleague in the Senate, Birch Bayh, risked his life to pull me from the wreckage. Our pilot, Edwin Zimny, and my administrative assistant, Ed Moss, didn't survive. With crushed vertebrae, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung, I spent months in New England Baptist Hospital in Boston.

To prevent paralysis, I was strapped into a special bed that immobilizes a patient between two canvas slings. Nurses would regularly turn me over so my lungs didn't fill with fluid. I knew the care was expensive, but I didn't have to worry about that. I needed the care and I got it.

Now I face another medical challenge. Last year, I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Surgeons at Duke University Medical Center removed part of the tumor, and I had proton-beam radiation at Massachusetts General Hospital. I've undergone many rounds of chemotherapy and continue to receive treatment. Again, I have enjoyed the best medical care money (and a good insurance policy) can buy.

But quality care shouldn't depend on your financial resources, or the type of job you have, or the medical condition you face. Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U.S. senators are entitled to.

This is the cause of my life.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: flying; wreckage
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To: Steelfish

I hope he lives long enough to see Obama care go down in flames, and then right after he dies a Republican take his place! FUBO and FUTK !


41 posted on 07/18/2009 8:56:41 PM PDT by Nateman (If liberals aren't screaming you're doing it wrong.)
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To: Oratam
A world without Ted Kennedy is a safer world.

Another *Weekend At Bernie's* after Teddy's evil soul is DRAGED forcefully from the physical plane.

I can see it now! A funeral to rival his brother. JFK.

42 posted on 07/18/2009 9:04:47 PM PDT by katiekins1 (Obama=DickTater N Chief)
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To: goodnesswins

Mary Jo Kopechne could not be reached for comment.


43 posted on 07/18/2009 9:08:53 PM PDT by mort56 (He who would sacrifice freedom for security deserves neither. - Ben Franklin)
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To: Steelfish
In 1964, I was flying with several companions to the Massachusetts Democratic Convention when our small plane crashed and burned short of the runway...isn't this the crash where thousands of dollars in greenbacks were found scattered around the crash-site during the rescue operation? - money for payoffs to VIP's at the convention was the rumor at the time - but that's another bit of Kennedy history down the memory hole......
44 posted on 07/18/2009 9:14:11 PM PDT by Intolerant in NJ
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To: katiekins1

How many pallbearers? Aw, the hell with it, a fork-lift.


45 posted on 07/18/2009 9:15:51 PM PDT by Oratam
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To: Steelfish

Putting aside Mary Jo and his brain tumor, how would one answer his claim that every American deserves the same quality health coverage that he and other members of Congress has, where everything is covered and paid for 100% - no matter how expensive it is?


46 posted on 07/18/2009 9:17:26 PM PDT by re_tail20
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To: Steelfish
"The Cause of My Life’ [Ted Kennedy Explains]"

Liquor and women (other than his wife) are the loves of his life.

47 posted on 07/18/2009 9:19:04 PM PDT by The_Media_never_lie
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To: Steelfish
"The Cause of My Life’ [Ted Kennedy Explains]"

Liquor and women (other than his wife) are the loves of his life.

How can the people of Mass. be so stupid as to consistently re-elect this sot?

48 posted on 07/18/2009 9:20:20 PM PDT by The_Media_never_lie
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To: Steelfish

If you thought Michael Jackson’s worship fest was over the top, just wait until Saint Edward kicks the bucket. It’s gonna drag on and on for weeks, and he will be the reason we must have Kill-Care shoved down our throats.


49 posted on 07/18/2009 9:22:14 PM PDT by FlyVet (C)
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To: Steelfish
(to the Sgt. Pepper theme)

It was forty years ago today,
That Mary Jo was killed by Teddy K,
And they've been covering up for quite a while
While they crash more cars and nod and smile
So let me introduce to you,

The drunk you've known for all these years
And Crazy Teddy's drinking crashing cla-a-a-n

50 posted on 07/18/2009 9:23:47 PM PDT by Richard Kimball (We're all criminals. They just haven't figured out what some of us have done yet.)
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To: Steelfish
just STFU and die, Teddy.

you pompous, lying, sociopathic, alcoholic, parasite of a bloated tub of sh#t.

gawd, I can't wait till "camelot" is nothing but a footnote of journalistic malfeasance.

51 posted on 07/18/2009 9:34:38 PM PDT by erman (Outside of a dog, a book is man's best companion. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.)
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To: Oratam
How many pallbearers? Aw, the hell with it, a fork-lift.

Me thinks the MSM has been
Pre approved to CHOAK us to death with 24/7 news coverage. If you think Michael Jackson's death coverage was disgusting,wait until Ted kicks the bucket.

52 posted on 07/18/2009 9:58:36 PM PDT by katiekins1 (Obama=DickTater N Chief)
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To: Steelfish

And I thought the cause of his life was guaranteeing scuba equipment at every bridge in Massachusetts.


53 posted on 07/18/2009 10:00:27 PM PDT by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
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To: goodnesswins

Wow, I should have known that. Mary Jo is in my prayers constantly and so is the swimmer — I ask God’s justice for both.


54 posted on 07/18/2009 10:03:48 PM PDT by freedumb2003 (Communism comes to America: 1/20/2009. Keep your powder dry, folks. Sic semper tyrannis)
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To: Steelfish
The care Teddy is getting is not available in countries with socialized medicine at any price.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but I would rather have care available (if needed) than funding available (whether needed or not.) Why? The reason is simple. Mark it down. Make a bumper sticker:

I'd rather be broke than dead.

Teddy agrees with me. He is just too stupid to know it.

55 posted on 07/18/2009 10:08:41 PM PDT by PhatHead
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