|
|
|
Senator Kennedy and the Animated Discourse of Liberty |
Ted Kennedy, circa 1962 (photo: public domain).
 Print
When I was growing up, my family thought Teddy Kennedy was the closest thing to the devil incarnate. His politics were way too liberal for the Nolans, and as Catholics we were embarrassed by his personal failings. But God has a sense of humor, and years later I found myself working closely with Senator Kennedy on issues about which we were both passionate—combating prison rape and protecting the religious rights of prisoners.
I want to make clear I was not buddies with the Senator, and we only met a few times. I think in the last few days every person who was ever in Fenway Park when the Senator was at a Red Sox game has written something along the lines of "My Life with Teddy Kennedy: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow."
But as a former legislator I had a chance to see him in action up close. I can spot the difference between a hard worker and a sponge. I have found that legislators usually fell into three categories—the showhorses, the workhorses, and those nice but inert people who never can quite figure out what is happening. In each of my encounters with Senator Kennedy I could see he was definitely a workhorse, much to my surprise.
To read Pat Nolan's full article from The Huffington Post, click here. |
|
