I watched the thousands of people stream past Ted Kennedy's coffin, and the memorial service tonight.
Things I have learned, both profound and mundane:
Ted Kennedy was almost mystical in his ability to know the right thing to say or do, and at showing up when he was needed.
John Kerry had hip surgery.
John Culver, former senator from Iowa, could be a standup comedian.
Orrin Hatch can be sweet and goofy.
Vicki Kennedy rocks.
Joe Biden owes his political career to Ted Kennedy.
Ted Kennedy loved to sing, especially show tunes.
It is endlessly absorbing watching people file past and pay tribute to a great American.
No matter how often one participates in funeral arrangements, there is always confusion about the transportation.
"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" sounds best in an Irish accent.
Dogs love to watch Brian Stokes Mitchell sing, too.
Tween-aged boys will always mug for a camera.
Health care is going to pass.
Only a barking dog can silence Joe Biden.
There are still a few senators who actually think that the Senate is a place to do the business of the American people and not to further political ambitions.
You can never spend too much time doing things for others.
The governor of Massachusetts grew up on in Chicago.
Doris Kearns Goodwin was a good friend of Teddy's.
I am sure there are many more things to learn. But the one biggest lesson in all of this is: No matter how rich, prominent, notable, etc., people are, at the end of the day they are still just members of a family.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Farewell, Senator
The news just broke a little while ago that the great senator from the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Edward "Ted" Kennedy, passed away from the brain tumor he had been so fiercely fighting.
At this moment in history, it is sad to see the great Lion of the Senate sail away on his journey to be reunited with his friends and loved ones, just on the eve of real health care reform.
Over the last year I have missed his passionate, dignified speeches from the floor of the Senate as he championed cause after cause for the average American. And I will continue to miss his rhetoric. He was able to gracefully and powerfully speak to any issue and make it seem solveable and noble. Often it seemed that he was a greater champion for the middle class than those politicians sent from the middle class to the Senate.
A brain tumor is not a pretty way to die. The effect it has on the person's ability to communicate, the decline it causes and the sadness felt by his loved ones is poignant. My mother died of a brain tumor, a result of her breast cancer. I know that tonight Teddy's family is feeling relief that he is once again whole, relief that their burden is lifted, profound sadness that he is gone completely from their lives on this earth, and an awareness of the gaping hole left in their lives. But I also hope that they feel the joy of his moving to a new life free of pain and sorrow, where he can once again see his brothers, and embrace his mother, and receive the reward God has for him for his dedication to the idea that God's people feed, clothe and care for one another.
Ted Kennedy will continue to be sorely missed. But I think that those he has inspired will step up to take on his mantle of service, and achieve all the dreams he strove for in his many years in the Senate.
But for now, we'll shed some tears.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Shuttle Launches In August
Discovery is due to launch in about half an hour.
If it stops raining, and the lightning stays away.
If you have been to Florida, you know that if it's August there will be lightning. One year we sat on the runway for an hour, ten yards from the jetway, because there was lightning on the tarmac at the Orlando airport, and the guys who wave in the plane couldn't do their job.
The last shuttle launch was scrubbed a few times (after being delayed several days for a mechanical issue) because of lightning in central Florida.
I hope Discovery launches tonight. But if it doesn't, I'll be watching them resuit and try it on the next launch date. And the one after that, if necessary.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
To the Tetons and Back
Last week we drove to the Tetons for a "destination wedding" of friends of ours, Beth and Barney.
Avid mountain climbers, they decided that, since so many people would have to travel regardless of where they held their wedding, they would get married in a place special to them that they could share with their friends and family. (Run on, sure; but true.)
We stayed at the beautiful Spring Creek Ranch, a resort of a series of individual villas containing two to four spaces each, with one of the top five rated destination spas in the U.S. The view of the Tetons is spectacular.
We drove for two days, stopping for the night in Boise, and arriving on Friday in time to attend the rehearsal dinner. About the time the wedding rehearsal itself was scheduled (we weren't at it), the skies opened up with torrential rain and hail. It cleared up in time for the outdoor barbecue that evening, where we had prime rib and made s'mores.
Saturday was the wedding day. In the morning we spent a little time in Jackson, Wyo
ming before dressing and getting our shuttle van to the wedding, on the property of the Snake River Ranch near Teton Village. They chose to have the wedding in a field surrounded by groves of trees; the reception in an open field with the Tetons as a backdrop.
The wedding coordinator provided white umbrellas for the guests, which were used frequently before the wedding began as showers and sun alternated. Then, as the wedding began, the showers began in earnest. The groomsmen and the groom and officiant (the groom's cousin) shared umbrellas; the bridesmaids came down the aisle, shepherding flower girls with baskets of rose petals, carrying umbrellas. The sun came out, and the bride started down the "aisle" with her parents. Halfway up the rain began again to fall through the sunshine, and the umbrellas popped up again like so many mushrooms. The rain continued for the first five minutes of the ceremony; the sun stayed out, the rain stopped, the umbrellas came down, and there wasn't rain again until after sundown when everyone was safely ensconced in the reception tent.
This wedding could easily have been very high-end; the bride and groom could easily have afforded an elaborate wedding. Instead it was understated, with great food, the wedding party doing some of the decorating, and a parting gift of English gingerbread cookies, a British tradition.
It was cold at night; the forecast predicted snow in the slightly higher elevations. We didn't see it, but there were warm baths and a fire in the fireplace when we returned from the reception
We spent one day enjoying Teton National Park, and boated (briefly) on Lake Washington. The drive home was uneventful, but interesting. We stopped at Craters of the Moon National Monument for a couple of hours, and enjoyed driving highways instead of interstate. We drove through lovely little towns, and only encountered a car or two an hour. We stayed in the same room in Boise, and finished our trip the last day in time to pick up our dog, so we could return home all together.
It's been a week since the wedding, the newlyweds are on their honeymoon, and we are back to our daily lives.
But the Tetons still loom large in our memories, and mention of them elicits oohs and appreciative comments from family and friends. And those few days of crisp, cold mornings, and frosty nights made me eager for autumn to fall.
Avid mountain climbers, they decided that, since so many people would have to travel regardless of where they held their wedding, they would get married in a place special to them that they could share with their friends and family. (Run on, sure; but true.)
We stayed at the beautiful Spring Creek Ranch, a resort of a series of individual villas containing two to four spaces each, with one of the top five rated destination spas in the U.S. The view of the Tetons is spectacular.
We drove for two days, stopping for the night in Boise, and arriving on Friday in time to attend the rehearsal dinner. About the time the wedding rehearsal itself was scheduled (we weren't at it), the skies opened up with torrential rain and hail. It cleared up in time for the outdoor barbecue that evening, where we had prime rib and made s'mores.
Saturday was the wedding day. In the morning we spent a little time in Jackson, Wyo
ming before dressing and getting our shuttle van to the wedding, on the property of the Snake River Ranch near Teton Village. They chose to have the wedding in a field surrounded by groves of trees; the reception in an open field with the Tetons as a backdrop.The wedding coordinator provided white umbrellas for the guests, which were used frequently before the wedding began as showers and sun alternated. Then, as the wedding began, the showers began in earnest. The groomsmen and the groom and officiant (the groom's cousin) shared umbrellas; the bridesmaids came down the aisle, shepherding flower girls with baskets of rose petals, carrying umbrellas. The sun came out, and the bride started down the "aisle" with her parents. Halfway up the rain began again to fall through the sunshine, and the umbrellas popped up again like so many mushrooms. The rain continued for the first five minutes of the ceremony; the sun stayed out, the rain stopped, the umbrellas came down, and there wasn't rain again until after sundown when everyone was safely ensconced in the reception tent.
This wedding could easily have been very high-end; the bride and groom could easily have afforded an elaborate wedding. Instead it was understated, with great food, the wedding party doing some of the decorating, and a parting gift of English gingerbread cookies, a British tradition.
It was cold at night; the forecast predicted snow in the slightly higher elevations. We didn't see it, but there were warm baths and a fire in the fireplace when we returned from the reception
We spent one day enjoying Teton National Park, and boated (briefly) on Lake Washington. The drive home was uneventful, but interesting. We stopped at Craters of the Moon National Monument for a couple of hours, and enjoyed driving highways instead of interstate. We drove through lovely little towns, and only encountered a car or two an hour. We stayed in the same room in Boise, and finished our trip the last day in time to pick up our dog, so we could return home all together.
It's been a week since the wedding, the newlyweds are on their honeymoon, and we are back to our daily lives.
But the Tetons still loom large in our memories, and mention of them elicits oohs and appreciative comments from family and friends. And those few days of crisp, cold mornings, and frosty nights made me eager for autumn to fall.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Both Clintons Are Influential
Recently with the release of the two journalists from North Korea, America's perception of President Clinton's influence has risen, and inevitably there has been a desire in the press to pit him against his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. There has been talk that she has kept a low profile, and perhaps will not distinguish herself in the role.
But of course the answer to this speculation is simple. She is working hard to try to restore the reputation the oldest and historially most prestigious cabinet position. 
Hillary Clinton has been working tirelessly to try to get the department under her charge back into fighting shape. She has also been meeting with foreign governments and participating as a member of the president's national security team. The woman has not been idle.
Central to her strategy both within her department and in her foreign polity strategy, Secretary Clinton evokes "smart power." '>Watch the video to listen to her explain why it is so important, and what it all means.
Do don't make the mistake of underestimating our Secretary of State. She might not be in a position to do flashy things like broker hostage releases in person, but she is wielding her unique influence both at home and abroad.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Has It Been 15 Years Already?
15 years ago this week we were on our honeymoon in Walt Disney World, about to settle into married life in northern Virginia.
On Thursday we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary, and, even though we are both grayer and stouter, and living near Seattle, it doesn't seem nearly that long.
For our 10th anniversary, we renewed our vows in Walt Disney World (it worked out better for us than it did for Jon & Kate), with our daughters as flower girls.
This year we wanted to do something special for a special year, but we have vowed never to go to Florida in August again. This time, we wanted to do something just the two of us.
On Friday night we checked into the Salish Lodge and Spa, a world-reknowned hot
el located at the top of Snoqualmie Falls, which has provided hydroelectric power to parts of the Seattle area for over a century. We had the Snoqualmie Suite, which, overlooking the falls and the plant, has the best view in the resort.
el located at the top of Snoqualmie Falls, which has provided hydroelectric power to parts of the Seattle area for over a century. We had the Snoqualmie Suite, which, overlooking the falls and the plant, has the best view in the resort.When we entered our room, there were red rose petals scattered on the bed, and two bottles of champagne cooling on the table. In addition to a bottle of champagne from the Lodge, a friend sent us a bottle and congratulations.
We had dined on steak and salmon in the dining room, and shopped a little in the gift shop. We arrived too late to take advantage of the spa (including two hot soaking pools available to all hotel guests), but we enjoyed a lovely wood-burning fire in the fireplace in our bedroom as we sipped champagne and enjoyed the quiet serenity.
In the morning we had a four-course country breakfast that left us stuffed. We soaked in the hot pools, which left us completely relaxed. We were disappointed when the time to pack and check out came so quickly, but we were left with the memory of a peaceful, special time together.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
The Health Care Debate
The health insurance industry has needed reform for over 30 years. (I have commented on this before.)
The bottom line: This country is disgraceful. Milliions of citizens are without means to pay for health care, and our government caters to the wealthy insurance companies.
Do I sound like a socialist? Perhaps.
But, instead, I ask the question: Who in this country does not deserve to receive medical treatment?
Right now, the opponents of health care reform are essentially sending us the message that the profits of the health insurance companies are more important than the ability of the citizens to get basic care. They will couch it in different language, such as suspicion about cost, pending doom to life as we know it if the insurance companies are put out of business by a cheaper, government-sponsored plan, a nefarious plot by the government (ie them) to erode our health care and force us into a bureaucratic nightmare of socialized medicine.
Of course, most of us, who have health insurance, are mired in a bureaucratic nightmare of private health insurance companies, limiting our access to care, dictating our costs, dictating what procedures we can have. But for some reason, this is good.
It is a bunch of malarky. The real truth is: The only ones who stand to lose by this are the insurance companies. And even then, they only lose if they refuse to change the way they do business.
Health insurance is not a sacred cow. It is simply an industry that arose when an opportunity to make a profit presented itself.
Is it really necessary for a company to make a profit while the physicians, patients, and other health care professionals pay for it?
I say no. Health insurance is not a necessity. Affordable, accessible health care is.
The bottom line: This country is disgraceful. Milliions of citizens are without means to pay for health care, and our government caters to the wealthy insurance companies.
Do I sound like a socialist? Perhaps.
But, instead, I ask the question: Who in this country does not deserve to receive medical treatment?
Right now, the opponents of health care reform are essentially sending us the message that the profits of the health insurance companies are more important than the ability of the citizens to get basic care. They will couch it in different language, such as suspicion about cost, pending doom to life as we know it if the insurance companies are put out of business by a cheaper, government-sponsored plan, a nefarious plot by the government (ie them) to erode our health care and force us into a bureaucratic nightmare of socialized medicine.
Of course, most of us, who have health insurance, are mired in a bureaucratic nightmare of private health insurance companies, limiting our access to care, dictating our costs, dictating what procedures we can have. But for some reason, this is good.
It is a bunch of malarky. The real truth is: The only ones who stand to lose by this are the insurance companies. And even then, they only lose if they refuse to change the way they do business.
Health insurance is not a sacred cow. It is simply an industry that arose when an opportunity to make a profit presented itself.
Is it really necessary for a company to make a profit while the physicians, patients, and other health care professionals pay for it?
I say no. Health insurance is not a necessity. Affordable, accessible health care is.
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