Self Depracating, Or Just Absolutely Disgusting?

I heard this clip on Rush's show today, and was horrified.



This isn't an accusation from Ted Kennedy's political opponents, but a nostalgic remembrance by one of his friends. Ed Klein, former Newsweek editor, tells the Diane Rehm Show:

"I don't know if you know this or not, but one of his favorite topics of humor was indeed Chappaquiddick itself. And he would ask people, have you heard any new jokes about Chappaquiddick?

That is just the most amazing thing. Its not that he didn't feel remorse about the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, but that he still always saw the other side of everything and the ridiculous side of things, too."

Are you kidding me?

This is the man over whom the entire left is in tears, sobbing and wailing, crying about how wonderful it would be to get "Health Care" done "In his honor," and here is a friend of his talking about how Kennedy liked to hear jokes about how a young woman died because he drove off a bridge while (allegedly) extremely intoxicated?

Once he reached shore, Kennedy claims to have made seven or eight attempts to rescue his victim, Mary Jo Kopechne, but could not free her. He then left the scene and didn't tell authorities until the next day, after the car and the body of Kopechne were found by two fishermen. He never did time for this abhorrent act, receiving a suspended two month sentence.

Now I'm as quick as anyone to have a good laugh at my own expense. I can be a real idiot, and I know it and love to help people make fun of me.

However, I can't even begin to imagine the feelings I would have, should I ever be responsible for the death of another human being... let alone have such a horrific event occur in such an irresponsible fashion. And, God forbid something so horrific ever happen in my life, I would never... absolutely never make a joke about that event or wish to hear a joke about that event.

I can only hope that Ed Klein misspoke during this interview.

As I write this, I in no way intend to dance on the grave of Ted Kennedy. I don't agree with much of his politics, but as John McCain said about him, I believe Kennedy was a man with a good heart who wished well for America, and that he was a man who said what he meant and meant what he said.

However, if Kennedy said that he wanted to know if his friends had heard any good Chappaquiddick jokes lately, and he meant that he honestly wanted to hear them, then I would believe I was wrong, because I sincerely believe that nobody with a good heart could ever act in such a disgusting manner.