And so ends the Blog Off – but not the work of Edward M Kennedy.
Today, Senator Kennedy has served a the “theme” for our blog off – he is, obviously, a real person and not an idea – but the story of his life and work really is a theme that we can all learn from. Edward Kennedy was, by his own admission, born into an affluent family – he did not have to “learn the ropes” or “pay his dues” in the ways most people, and especially politicians have to. However he has taken his share of hard knocks and set backs (personally and politically) and he’s come back every time. ”No” and “can’t” are words that he has seemingly removed from his vocabulary – they have been replaced by with words like “hope” and “shall” - he has guided and championed his friends and family members as they, and he along with them, have faced tough times. And he has been the beacon of hope for so many Americans throughout his lifeand through his work. So now, as Senator Kennedy faces yet another challenge, let us all, in our own way, be a beacon for the ideals that he has taken up on our behalf - the idea that all people are equal, the dignity of the American worker and the security of all Americans, that education is a right, and to, when we can, do good for those who may not be able to do for themselves. As the sun sets on our Summer Solstice celebration and the Great B5 blog off – we leave you with a few of Ted Kennedy’s own words – and one more way that you can help others.
“Don’t sacrifice your political convictions for the convenience of the hour.”
“My brother need not be idealized, or enlarged in death beyond what he was in life; to be remembered simply as a good and decent man, who saw wrong and tried to right it, saw suffering and tried to heal it, saw war and tried to stop it.” Eulogy for Robert F. Kennedy, 1968
”The Constitution does not just protect those whose views we share;it also protects those with whose views we disagree.”
”The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives andthe dreams shall never die.” 1980 Democratic Convention
This post is part of the b5media Business Channel Great Blog Off! Find out more about the Blog Off here.
The Business Channel is supporting Accion International for the Great Blog Off. You can make a donation directly to Accion. Donations are, of course, tax deductible.
