Inside Ethel Kennedy’s cruel neglect of her troubled kids

NY Post ^ | 14 Sep 2015 | Maureen Callahan

[Rummyfan]

Since Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination on June 6, 1968, his widow, Ethel, has been his torchbearer. Unlike her late sister-in-law, Jackie, she never remarried, never sought a path or identity that was hers alone. She held herself up as the martyr, the good Catholic widow left to raise 11 children alone, the empress of Hickory Hill.

She was content to be the other Kennedy widow, the domesticated antidote to the glamorous, globe-trotting Jackie.

Today, Ethel Kennedy is 87, the clan’s de facto matriarch — a dubious position given the neglect shown toward her own children.

In his new book, “RFK Jr: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Dark Side of the Dream,” author Jerry Oppenheimer delves into Bobby’s upbringing — or lack thereof — to understand why the scion of our greatest political family has never accomplished much. Oppenheimer contrasts Bobby’s upbringing to that of John F. Kennedy Jr.

“John, after his father’s death, was brought up by a controlling and domineering mother, but one who obsessively looked out for his care and well-being,” he writes. “Bobby, after his father’s death, was essentially given up by his angry, widowed mother.”

[Clintonfatigued]

Compassion is shown by what people do with their own money, not the taxpayers. Their behavior shows far more about their attitudes towards average Americans than their platitudes do.

[rabidralph]

Such high turnover contributed to the deplorable conditions at Hickory Hill, which staff dubbed “Horror Hill.” Bobby had left behind a huge turtle, which defecated everywhere, as did the family dogs. A soiled rug, a gift from the shah of Iran, ended up stashed in the basement. The dogs pooped under the table during dinner parties.

“No one would dare say anything to Mrs. Kennedy, who tried to cover up the mess with her foot,” Fell told Oppenheimer. “But everyone could smell it.”

Yikes!

[Grammy]

My dad told me he had a date with one of the Kennedy sisters. Only one. She scared the hell out of him.

[Arthur McGowan]

I meant NOT. Does NOT make anyone a saint.

[fieldmarshaldj]

That’s about the most somber and depressing thing I’ve ever read by Howie Carr. That family helped ruin this country.

[Arthur McGowan]

At IU in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1982, several Kennedys showed up at the tennis courts, and just pushed and shoved some students off the courts, yelling: “We’re Kennedys!”

[goldi]

My cousin was in her house once. Absolutely filthy, holes punched in walls, damaged furniture.

[GOPsterinMA]

I’m on record with my opinion of (most of) the Kennedys.

[Chickensoup]

Knew some distant cousin Kennedys who were kind, nice self effacing people who didn’t push the brand, and were embarrassed by them.