The
Kennedy family in 1938: From left, seated: Eunice, Jean,
Edward,
Joseph P., Patricia and Kathleen. Standing: Rosemary,
Robert,
John, Rose and Joseph Jr.
People's Daily,
People's Republic of China
Kennedys Inspire
Great Families in Other Nations
Is the Kennedy clan a model
for aspiring political families in the People's Republic of China? And is Ted Kennedy
a worthy inspiration for Mainland Chinese politicians? According to this
article from China's state-controlled People's Daily, Ted Kennedy showed
the same steel in defense of the people as former Chinese Communist Party chief
Deng Xiaoping.
By Li Hong
August 29, 2009
Peoples' Republic of China - The Peoples' Daily
- Original Article (English)
The Boston-bred Kennedy
family was one born for politics and its ups and downs over the past 80 years
have intrigued readers the world over. The death of Edward Kennedy last week, the
youngest of four powerful brothers, speaks of an era's end that will prompt
historians to write a ton about its magnitude and impact.
Not everyone is endowed with the
"rock and compassionate heart" for the practice of politics. Not Emperor Guangxu (picture, right), one of
China's last, who always had to kowtow to the Dowager Cixi who
was the real powerbroker, and certainly not the traffic police of Beijing, who
hide in corners and pin tickets on cars for illicit parking after seeing the
drivers leave.
The strength of the legendary
Kennedy family, which pursued public service for the good of American people, and
at the same time, the glory of the Kennedy family, was a marvel to many. For
standing for the interests of the downtrodden, deprived and fledging middle
class of society, such as we have in China and Brazil, the Kennedy boys will
inspire families in other nations to run for the highest office and endure to realize
the greatest ambition.
This office means serving one's
country with heart and soul and with the lofty goal of leaving no person behind.
Requiring knowledge, intelligence, integrity, judgment and courage, such an
office is not accessible to the mediocre. These are sacred places with the
potential of making real difference for huge numbers of people.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
Politics is no nonsense and
ought to be taught from the very beginning. The four Kennedy boys, Joseph, John,
Robert and Edward, grew up talking of politics and power, influenced by an
Irish-Catholic father who built a fortune out of real estate and banking. Their
mother once said: "My babies were rocked to political lullabies."
But singing this rhyme is not
without risk and sometimes means the sacrifice of life. It was understood among
the four brothers that Joseph Kennedy, the oldest, would someday run for
Congress and, as his father hoped, the White House. When Joseph was killed on
the battlefield during World War II, it fell to the next oldest, John, to run.
John F. Kennedy, the youngest
U.S. President ever, said in 1959 while serving in the Senate: "Just as I
went into politics because Joe died, if anything happened to me tomorrow, Bobby
would run for my seat in the Senate. And if Bobby died, our young brother, Ted,
would take over for him." It seems he was an unfortunate prophet. John was
assassinated in November 1963 on a Dallas street, and Robert was gunned down
five years later in California while campaigning for his own presidency.
The violent deaths of his
three brothers didn't deter Edward. Since Robert was gone, the flame of family
hope and the burden of looking after the 13 children of John and Robert all
fell on his shoulders. Edward served in the U.S. Senate since 1963, 46 years. Though
his bid to oust President Jimmy Carter in 1980 faltered, Edward then focused on
crafting the best legislation for his nation in the fields of civil rights, social
welfare, public education, job training and the minimum wage. He worked for
universal health coverage for all Americans, especially the poor, until the end
of his life.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
SEE ALSO ON THIS:
El Tiempo, Colombia:
Ted Kennedy: The World Has Lost a Champion
Liberation, France:
'Redemption' and the Kennedy Clan
L'Express, France:
Adieu, Senator Kennedy!
Daily Mail, U.K.:
Ted Kennedy 'Loathed
Britain', So Why Was He
Knighted?
Irish Examiner, Ireland:
Ted Kennedy: 'Symbol to Those Who Have Suffered Losses'
From the time his brain
cancer was diagnosed 15 months ago, Edward spoke of having a "good ending"
in whatever time he had left, and by every account, he did. Until the last
minute he battled the tumor ferociously, because he believed that "every
day is a gift."
A beloved politician must own
a strong and benevolent heart, like Mr. Deng Xiaoping, who
truly believed that he owed the 1.3 billion people of his nation and that he
had the responsibility and capacity to improve their lives. It is this which gave
him the strength to overcome three political tumbles in Mao's time.
[Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US September 15, 1:59pm]
