My article on the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy attracted some negative comments from one reader. He's entitled to his own point of view, of course, and I replied as courteously as possible.
Another reader pointed out:
"Lets not forget Ted writing to the Russian and offering to sell America out."
I recalled something about that episode, but since I wasn't in the USA at the time, I didn't know much about it. I did a bit of searching on the Internet, and what I found made my opinion of the late Senator even lower than it was already.
It appears that Senator Kennedy wasn't above approaching the enemies of the United States to conspire against its President for the sake of political expediency. In a letter dated May 14th, 1983, preserved in the archives of the KGB, the following is stated:
Special Importance
Committee on State Security of the USSR
14.05. 1983 No. 1029 Ch/OV
Moscow
Regarding Senator Kennedy’s request to the General Secretary of the Communist Party Comrade Y.V. Andropov
Comrade Y.V. Andropov
On 9-10 May of this year, Senator Edward Kennedy’s close friend and trusted confidant J. Tunney was in Moscow. The senator charged Tunney to convey the following message, through confidential contacts, to the General Secretary of the Center Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Y. Andropov.
. . .
Kennedy believes that, given the current state of affairs, and in the interest of peace, it would be prudent and timely to undertake the following steps to counter the militaristic politics of Reagan and his campaign to psychologically burden the American people. In this regard, he offers the following proposals to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Y.V. Andropov:
1. Kennedy asks Y.V. Andropov to consider inviting the senator to Moscow for a personal meeting in July of this year. The main purpose of the meeting, according to the senator, would be to arm Soviet officials with explanations regarding problems of nuclear disarmament so they may be better prepared and more convincing during appearances in the USA. He would also like to inform you that he has planned a trip through Western Europe, where he anticipates meeting England’s Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and French President Mitterand in which he will exchange similar ideas regarding the same issues.
If his proposals would be accepted in principle, Kennedy would send his representative to Moscow to resolve questions regarding organizing such a visit.
Kennedy thinks the benefits of a meeting with Y.V.Andropov will be enhanced if he could also invite one of the well known Republican senators, for example, Mark Hatfield. Such a meeting will have a strong impact on American and political circles in the USA (In March of 1982, Hatfield and Kennedy proposed a project to freeze the nuclear arsenals of the USA and USSR and pblished a book on the theme as well.)
2. Kennedy believes that in order to influence Americans it would be important to organize in August-September of this year, televised interviews with Y.V. Andropov in the USA. A direct appeal by the General Secretary to the American people will, without a doubt, attact a great deal of attention and interest in the country. The senator is convinced this would receive the maximum resonance in so far as television is the most effective method of mass media and information.
If the proposal is recognized as worthy, then Kennedy and his friends will bring about suitable steps to have representatives of the largest television companies in the USA contact Y.V. Andropov for an invitation to Moscow for the interview. Specifically, the president of the board of directors of ABC, Elton Raul and television columnists Walter Cronkite or Barbara Walters could visit Moscow. The senator underlined the importance that this initiative should be seen as coming from the American side.
Furthermore, with the same purpose in mind, a series of televised interviews in the USA with lower level Soviet officials, particularly from the military would be organized. They would also have an opportunity to appeal directly to the American people about the peaceful intentions of the USSR, with their own arguments about maintaining a true balance of power between the USSR and the USA in military term. This issue is quickly being distorted by Reagan’s administration.
Kennedy asked to convey that this appeal to the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union is his effort to contribute a strong proposal that would root out the threat of nuclear war, and to improve Soviet-American relations, so that they define the safety of the world. Kennedy is very impressed with the activities of Y.V. Andropov and other Soviet leaders, who expressed their commitment to heal international affairs, and improve mutal understandings between peoples.
The senator underscored that he eagerly awaits a reply to his appeal, the answer to which may be delivered through Tunney.
. . .
We await instructions.
President of the committee
V. Chebrikov
The full text of the letter may be found at the link.
If Senator Kennedy's proposals (as documented in this letter and subsequently confirmed by journalists from the Times in London) were not treason against the United States, what is?
It's worth recirculating this information, in the light of the sickening hagiographies being spouted about the late Senator from Chappaquiddick. The real Kennedy was nothing like the saint currently being described by adoring lap-dogs in the media and Democratic political establishment. Let's make sure people are reminded of that reality.
Peter
11 comments:
OK. I admit it. I made a mistake.
President Reagan was spending this country into oblivion with what is still an impossible to achieve goal: Star Wars. That's why the Soviet Union collapsed, they spent themselves into oblivion. That's treason. That's the selling out of your country.
Senator Kennedy was battling against the complete war freak that President Reagan was. That's working for your country. He was trying to sway public opinion. He did not sell or give away any state secrets or anything. He did not commit treason. He simply wanted to stop the madness that was bankrupting the country at the time.
President Bush looked for any reason he could find, or make up out of thin air, to go to war against Iraq. That's treason. That's the selling out of your country. And that's what you are doing right now. You look for reasons to support your own view of things. You neglect reality. That's the height of self delusion and the definition of ignorance.
And therein lies the mistake I made. Trying to argue with those who refuse to see, is like running in the special Olympics. Even if you win, you're still messed up for even trying. I knew better but had to try anyway. Silly boy.
Oh look, Kevin drank the disinformation Kool-Aid.
Time for a reality check, Kevin. Reagen's goal was hardly "star wars"; it was to remove the indisputably real threat posed by the Soviet Union without resorting to global war. It should be clear even to you that he achieved that goal. It's amazing that otherwise intelligent people insist on seeing things in black and white (something they constantly accuse their opponents of): Anyone not in favor of unilateral disarmament and surrender must be in favor of war. If Reagen's policies were bankrupting America, how much more expensive would all out war with the Soviet Union have cost? Do you really believe that surrender would have been better for the economy? As a combat veteran and a professional economist, I think you were likely seriously messed up before you decided to defend my late senator.
Not to mention that his ignorance regarding the successes of the various anti-missle defense programs is that of a typical lib -i.e. non-existant.
As for kennedy, treason has long been one of the standard requirments for obtaining sainthood in the party of the dems/lib/progs/socs/fascs/etc.
emdfl
Let me ask: According to you all, other then dying, is there anything that Senator Kennedy did that was good? Anything? Anyone?
Can't think of anything..........maybe you should ask the family o fMary Jo Kopechne!!!
Why, yes, Kevin, there was. Despite being a hypocritical, lying, thieving, treasonous murderer who loved power above all else, he was convinced by two of his aides to reach across the political aisle and find an issue that would build broad popular support as part of his bid for president, resulting in the Kennedy-Cannon act that led to airline deregulation in 1978.
The government still has crippling amounts of control over the industry, and has long practiced "too big to fail" bailouts that keep the worst airlines dragging down and cutting the throats of even the best, but it's a world better than it used to be back when airlines had to apply for permission to fly a route, and apply again for permission to stop flying a route, to government-set prices.
Is there anything else you can think of, Kevin?
"President Reagan was spending this country into oblivion with what is still an impossible to achieve goal: Star Wars. That's why the Soviet Union collapsed, they spent themselves into oblivion. That's treason. That's the selling out of your country."
So, does that mean that Obama's spending - which makes Reagan's look frugal - is treasonous?
Just curious.
Well, it's official. You people are nuts.
I did a simple web search. Here's one page I found:
Note that I cannot print the whole page. Posts are limited to 4096 characters.
(Reuters) - U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, one of the longest-serving senators in U.S. history and a towering figure in the Democratic Party, died at age 77.
Here are some reactions to the news:
IN THE UNITED STATES:
...
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA - "Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy. For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people
bore his name and resulted from his efforts. ... An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time."
...
...
...
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, husband of Kennedy's niece Maria Shriver and a Republican, - "He was known to the world as the Lion of the Senate, a champion of social justice and a political icon .... Teddy inspired our country through his dedication to health care
reform, his commitment to social justice, and his devotion to a life of public service."
SENATOR ORRIN HATCH, REPUBLICAN OF UTAH - "Ted Kennedy was an iconic, larger than life United States senator whose influence cannot be overstated. Many have come before, and many will come after, but Ted Kennedy's name will always be remembered as someone who lived and breathed the United States Senate and the work completed within its chamber."
FORMER US FIRST LADY NANCY REAGAN - "Given our political differences, people are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research, and I considered him an ally and a dear friend. I will miss him."
FOREIGN REACTION
BRITISH PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN - "Senator Edward Kennedy will be mourned not just in America but in every continent. He is admired around the world as the Senator of Senators. He led the world in championing children's education and health care, and believed that every single child should have the chance to realize their potential to the full."
IRISH PRIME MINISTER BRIAN COWEN - "Ted hailed from a most famous Irish-American family, and through his own endeavors and achievement, he has added further luster to the reputation of a great family ... In good days and bad, Ted Kennedy worked valiantly for the cause of peace on this island. He played a particularly important role in the formative days of the Northern Ireland Peace Process in the early to mid-1990s. ... Today, America has lost a great and respected statesman and Ireland has lost a long-standing and true friend."
FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR - "Senator Kennedy was a figure who inspired admiration, respect and devotion not just in America but around the world. He was a true public servant committed to the values of fairness, justice and opportunity."
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU - "(Senator) Kennedy has been a friend for 30 years, a great American patriot, a great champion of a better world, a great friend of Israel. He will be sorely missed."
ITALIAN PRESIDENT GIORGIO NAPOLITANO - "A great protagonist of American public life has disappeared, a combative and coherent interpreter of the role of the U.S. Congress, a constant defender of that democratic balance and the guarantees of freedom which have given strength and prestige to his country. In this sense, Ted Kennedy has left a profound mark and deserves the homage of the free world."
Here's the web link:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE57P0UJ20090829
How is it that this small group of people knows better than the whole rest of the world?
Kevin:
The "rest of the world" is not a bunch of crook politicians.
Using politicians to claim the "honesty" of another politician is akin to justifying stealing with crooks.
In simple terms: cite normal people - not politicians - for exalted views of Ted Kennedy.
Because no adult in his right mind believes in politician talk, singly or severally.
Is that too hard to understand?
J. Tunney would be John Varick Tunney (born June 26, 1934), a former Democratic Party United States Senator and Representative from California. He is the son of the famous heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney.
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