Ah, The Politicization of Death

The petition to honor Ted Kennedy's suggestion to the MA legislature to change state law to allow the governor to appoint a provisional Senator should a seat become vacant is gaining momentum.

This makes me chuckle, since the drive is being led by, naturally, liberal groups who don't want the Democratic super-majority in the US Senate to be broken up. These would be the same blokes who had the law changed a few years ago to keep Gov. Romney from appointing a Republican to the seat if John Kerry won the Presidency in 2004. Way to exploit a Senator's death for political purposes, guys.

And of course it doesn't stop there. Partisan groups are doing their best to exploit the Kennedy name one more time before it finally sinks in how much Ted was a punchline in most actual American minds. For example, the fact that mass e-mails are already going out bearing the message "In Lieu of Flowers, Pass Healthcare Reform". I haven't caught, have they decided that they'll name the bill after him? If not, just wait for it; it'll come.

I'm quite keen to hear the TOTUS (having just picked up the term from other blogs, "Teleprompter of the US") eulogize Ted tomorrow in Boston, based mostly on the curiosity over whether or not it will turn into a campaign speech for health care. If it happens, I may just vomit with rage. I am not at all a fan of Ted Kennedy, and have been quite curious how a man could leave a woman in his car at the bottom of a river to suffocate long enough to find his consigliere and establish an alibi could actually make it that far in American politics, let alone avoid jail. Wait a minute, I forgot: JFK's brother. Right, of course.

But if it turns out that our leaders are so glib as to latch on to a prominent man's death to sell an unpopular incarnation of reform, then I'll have totally lost faith in them. That would be downright heartless of them. I'd expect that shit from Karl Rove, but seriously. I hope they're not that ruthless. Please let them have a little ruth among them.

Though, we are protected somewhat by their sheer incompetence. Who do they think they are, the US government from 2001-2006? The Republicans could have only dreamed of having the Majority that the Democrats have now, and they got a hell of a lot more things - and more unpopular in general than what's on the table right now - rammed through with fake bi-partisan support. The Democrats have it all at their fingertips and they're barely squeaking by.

In fact, I have a feeling that Ted Kennedy's absence will have a detrimental effect on the health care situation for the Democrats. Kennedy was at least willing to compromise; that mindset might be gone. If the Democrats let themselves go down the "my way or the highway" path it could be it.

Anyway, enough of this. Don't use "Ted Kennedy would have wanted it this way" to make political points. That sort of logic is only valid for the flower arrangements and the general level or rowdiness at the wake, and that's it. With that said, I'm sure his wake was kick ass.