I shook Teddy Kennedy's hand today-- ask me anything.

[Padraig18]

Teddy filled in for the Big Dog at Paul Simon's funeral. I got to shake his hand afterwards. :)

[JohnKleeb]

1. You lucky bastard!

Ok my question
Why am I such an idiot, I leave my instant messager on when eating, and I always get an important message while this happens, damnit damnit damnit :(.
Another one
How was he?

[Padraig18]

3. hehe

Answer #1: You're just absent-minded.

Answer #2: He was quite well, but frankly, he's almost big enough to butcher. Two words, Teddy--- Jenny craig. :P

[JohnKleeb]

4. I am so pissed at myself

It was important I bet too :(, it wont be the last time I do this. He's a big guy, :shrug: though his two brothers were smaller though.

[Padraig18]

6. well....

I know he's a big guy, but this sort of 'big' is more like overeating combined with lack of exercise 'big'. Hehehe...;)

[JohnKleeb]

9. Losing your brothers and your sister I guess will do that to a guy

:shrug:
I think I am beating myself over being incompetent.

[Padraig18]

12. Let yourself off the hook, man!

It's not that bad--trust me. if it's important, they'll message you again. *hug* :)

[JohnKleeb]

15. I know

I beat myself up so much. heh thanks man.

[Padraig18]

21. No prob, John.

:)

[HEyHEY]

2. Did he smell liek booze?

;-)

[Padraig18]

5. Nope.

Appeared sober as a judge. He had on a VERY handsome suit and tie, too; I wonder if he could give Gov. Dean the name of his tailor? ;)

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. How was it Padraig?

Did they all wear bright blue suits as it looked on television? My nephew goes to Southern, but I doubt that he was there. (Parents are Repukes.)

[Padraig18]

10. It was a VERY moving ceremony.

In every sense of the word, it was a 'state funeral' for Illinois' favorite son. The music was beautiful, the eulogies moving, and everyone I saw was deeply moved. Very few dry eyes today...

[greatauntoftriplets]

And an enormous crowd,

from what I saw on the news from Chicago. Good.

[Padraig18]

17. Aye.

Over 15,000 people. The Arena was packed, elbow-to-elbow. And what I found so disconcerting, initially, was that Paul's casket was plain pine, instead of some massive bronze or mahogany job. On reflection, I found it appropriate, because that was Paul all over--- a good, simple and decent man who could do the job quite well. :)

[greatauntoftriplets]

22. That was so appropriate, Paddy.

So sorry about the loss of your friend, and a great Illinois statesman.

[Padraig18]

24. Thank you. One funny thing about today's service...

The one funny thing today was from Sen. Durbin; he told a story about his first political job with Paul (at 19), and how Paul kept asking him "Did you follow the directions?" about whatever it was, and Paul's funeral today was also planned out by Paul, so "Once again, I'm just following directions". It got quite a laugh.:)

[greatauntoftriplets]

25. That is a good one.

Dick Durbin is another good man. A sad time for Illinois.

[Padraig18]

27. Aye.

We can scarce bear the loss, but Paul would want us to hold up our heads and work even harder to beat * next November--I know it! :)

[liberalmuse]

8. You touched a Kennedy!

<awe> Did you feel a fresh surge of liberal juices flowing into you?

[Padraig18]

11. Hehe.

Nah, they've always been there. :)

[JohnKleeb]

13. I might get to touch one too

:)
In political science we get to intern for people, I may choose Kennedy, :) the goods of living near DC.

[Padraig18]

16. You lucky dog!

:)

[JohnKleeb]

18. Just about the only good thing about living here

Gonna be hard work and :cry: I am gonna have to wear a tie and a suit :argh:, I dont know if you remember dude but I had a fit over finding out I had to wear a suit and a tie to homecoming this past fall.

[wryter2000]

14. Lucky you

Are you ever going to wash that hand?

[Padraig18]

19. Already did!

Hehe! Tony did take a pic of me with Teddy, though. :)

[SOteric]

20. I've nothing to ask, but

I'll send you another :hug: because I'm certain that no matter how exciting an honour it was, it doesn't quite obscure the loss.

[Padraig18]

23. You're right.

I'm not ashamed to admit that I wept like a baby. Paul's gone, and I know and accept that, but it still hurts to lose a friend... :cry:

[JohnKleeb]

26. Must be tough

Dude Ive never had a democrat senator really, well Chuck Robb yes, hes still with us, sigh I can only imagine how I would have felt had I been alive on April 12, 1945, November 22, 1963, or June 6, 1968, sad sad days.

[Padraig18]

28. December 9th, 2003 will always be a black day in my book.

Goodbye, Paul, and Godspeed.

[JohnKleeb]

30. I understand

I wish I had a senator like that, the dates I mentions are the deaths of FDR :( I envy my grandparents generation for having him, JFK, and RFK. Sigh. I dont think I could ever get a senator like Simon.

[Padraig18]

32. Some day you may have one, too, John.

Life is long, and full of twists and turns. :)

[JohnKleeb]

34. Unless I move, I dont see it happening man

I truly dont. I am considering living in another state and especially so when I go to college.

[Padraig18]

35. Is VA so bad as that?

Is there no 'rising star' in the State Democratic Party? Poor guy.

:hug:

[never cry wolf]

29. I mourn your loss as well

It is my loss too as a lifelong Illinoisan, actually all of our loss as members of this species, we have lost a good one.

BTW: What happened to the Big Dawg?

Also, Padraig, could you give us all a first hand account on another thread? I am sure many would appreciate it.

[Padraig18]

31. Bad weather.

He wasn't able to fly in because of the weather, and Teddy was already here at Paul and Patti's home, so President Bill asked if Teddy would fill in for him. I will give an account of the services after supper. :)

[never cry wolf]

33. Thanks

I am glad there was a good Duer there too. Enjoy your dinner.