Many men and women around Ted Kennedy's age lost older brothers in World War II but didn't become alcoholics or commit negligent homicides. He has no excuse for his recklessness behaviour and could have accomplished much more with the privileges he was given, not earned.
I understand your points, but Ted was at a "public event" here in Boston in the 1990's, (location might be incorrect) and someone exploded a ballon. The sharp "bang" made him alert/duck/jerk and upset him the remainder of the evening.
Just leave the guy alone. He just turned 70, and so shall not torment you for many years longer.