Ted Kennedy diagnosed with malignant brain tumor
posted at 5:45 pm on May 20, 2008 by Allahpundit
Sorry for the delay on this. There are already 100+ comments iin Headlines but it wouldn’t seem right not to post on it, so here it is. Genuinely shocking, not only because of the diagnosis but the prognosis. Read the Globe’s harrowing piece if you haven’t stumbled upon it elsewhere yet. It sounds like he has two to three years if he’s lucky, although it could be much less than that. The word “terminal” is used; one neurologist quoted says he’ll likely have to retire in the “near future.”
Here’s awful video from CNN of Byrd reacting to the news. He wasn’t the only one crying today. Click the image to watch.
Update (Ed): We talked about this on the show today, and it’s worth repeating here. Americans of all political beliefs come to the open forum and debate great issues with great passion. Everyone believes that they act for the benefit of America, even if others think their ideas dangerous and ill-conceived. We would rather have our ideas prevail because we convinced others of the rightness of our cause than to see opponents retreat because of illness and death.
Our opponents are still Americans and still human beings, and we hold Kennedy and his family in our prayers tonight.
Blowback
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There ais a goldmine of possible punchlines, but I hope that he does not suffer too much before he goes.
bbz123 on May 20, 2008 at 5:48 PM
I had a brain tumor removed, which thankfully was benign. I wish Teddy well.
jgapinoy on May 20, 2008 at 5:49 PM
May the Lord bless and keep him.
I don’t agree with him on virtually anything, but I hope he is well.
Viewtifulgare on May 20, 2008 at 5:50 PM
I will pray for his good health and for the family,…
they’ve been thru a lot.
shooter on May 20, 2008 at 5:51 PM
I’d prefer that he lives and continues to embarrass and denigrate his family name. When he dies the left is going to lionize this person.
Claypigeon on May 20, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Sad news.
Bob's Kid on May 20, 2008 at 5:53 PM
For the most part I wish him well, and of course there’s always sympathy for the family, but there’s that small voice that won’t be entirely stilled that keeps saying…
Mary Jo Kopechne could not be reached for comment.
Typhoon on May 20, 2008 at 5:53 PM
My sympathy for him died with Mary Jo Kopechne.
Prayers for his family, though.
its vintage duh on May 20, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Cancer is frickin’ evil. I pray that science will soon discover a cure.
ScottMcC on May 20, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Now is not the time for politics. My mother died of a brain tumor, and it was horrible. Nobody deserves to go out like this. I wish him and his family the best, and pray to G-d for them all.
stonemeister on May 20, 2008 at 5:54 PM
I won’t miss him.
NOT. ONE. BIT.
madmonkphotog on May 20, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Half of me wants the high road. The dark side of me wants to imitate Daily Koz’s reaction to Tony Snow’s health.
kurtzz3 on May 20, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Sounds like the kind of thing you wouldn’t wish on even your worst enemy.
Apeking on May 20, 2008 at 5:55 PM
I don’t understand why this is so shocking. We *all* get old, sick, and die. Memento mori, baby!
Blake on May 20, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Absolutely horrible. As I said in the headlines, I can’t remember a time I’ve agreed with Kennedy. But I would never have wanted to see this happen to him. Thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
amerpundit on May 20, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Get well Senator – then we can arm-wrestle.
perroviejo on May 20, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Like I wrote in the headlines, my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Cancer is a terrible disease. Poor fellow.
mjk on May 20, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Interesting….
What comes around goes around. Remember that!
upinak on May 20, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Take the high road, darling. We’re better than that. Well, some of us are.
mjk on May 20, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Many Kosites also have problems with troops and say “screw them” when fellow Americans are killed, burned, and hung in Iraq. Take the high road.
amerpundit on May 20, 2008 at 5:59 PM
I wont’ lower myself to the slimy depths that the Left sinks to, as they did when Ronald Reagan died, or when Charlton Heston died, or when Tony Snow was diagnosed with cancer.
I will never be on Ted’s Christmas card list, nor he mine.
I am half an hour away from the Kennedy Compound, and I am sure there is or will be tributes placed there for his recovery, soon.
I don’t wish this on Ted. I pray he has peace with God, as I do for all people facing their mortality.
ToddonCapeCod on May 20, 2008 at 6:01 PM
I didn’t know he’s 76.
NTWR on May 20, 2008 at 6:01 PM
If you take the low road it is a poor reflection on YOU, not the object of your passions.
EJDolbow on May 20, 2008 at 6:01 PM
I wonder if he will have a change of heart about abortion. I won’t hold my breath.
Bruce Hendrix on May 20, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Yeah but Kennedy screwed those “Troops” over as well.
I really have no feelings for this man. Or his family.
upinak on May 20, 2008 at 6:01 PM
By religeous beliefs demand I show mercy and compassion to all including those I disagree with and dislike.
I wish Senator Kennedy the best and offer a pray for him in that same vein of passion.
Its is my beliefs that make me strong. Those that back senator Kennedy often mock the right for religeous beliefs but now mauybe they understand a little better how it doesnt make us cling bitterly to things but gives us strength intimes of trouble. Even when we use it to show compassion to those that disagree with us.
William Amos on May 20, 2008 at 6:02 PM
God I hate cancer. It sounds stupid and plain, but I just can’t stand news like this.
Baphomet on May 20, 2008 at 6:02 PM
When I see and hear Byrd in the Senate I can almost imagine I have travled back in time 100 or 200 years to witness a Southern Senator speaking in that forum.
EJDolbow on May 20, 2008 at 6:04 PM
This just goes to show you how precious life is. One day you are on the senate floor, the next you have cancer.
Vigilante on May 20, 2008 at 6:04 PM
I agreed with alot of what you said but the above I think is not true, especially of certain parts of the politcal spectrum. Rumors of working with the Soviets to undermine Reagan, were they true, would not suprise me at all.
Theworldisnotenough on May 20, 2008 at 6:04 PM
My heart goes out to Ted. When he wasn’t writing laws, he honestly seemed like a nice guy.
———————————————————–
On another note, what is the rule on who gets his seat? Gov. appointment or special election? Should we rule out someone with big pockets, time to spare, and name recognition (Romney) getting the seat?
malan89 on May 20, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Then why post here now?
Why?
Save your scourn for posts about Kennedy’s politics, not the fact that his children will be watching their father die a slow and painful death over the next months.
EJDolbow on May 20, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Resist the urge to make a comment that you might regret later. There’s nothing good that can come from acting in the same manner as so many people on the left as you described. Another commenter said this, and I think it’s well thought out:
wise_man on May 20, 2008 at 6:05 PM
I don’t politically agree with Kennedy either but my hope is that God will be merciful to Ted and show him how full of grace and mercy and love he is. Get Well Ted.
GoodBoy on May 20, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Hey Allah, what is the purpose of putting this up? Make us look as bad as Kos? It was sufficient that it was a headline.
I hope you delete the unflattering comments or pull this down.
I’m very sorry anyone has to suffer through this type of illness.
eaglesdontflock on May 20, 2008 at 6:06 PM
we will take the high road. I do not agree with teddy on anything but I do wish him well is this.
robo on May 20, 2008 at 6:07 PM
May God bless Senator Kennedy and his family and friends…
d1carter on May 20, 2008 at 6:07 PM
A cancer on all of politics, and he finally caught what he had sown. He caused so much pain in his life, I wonder now what he is beginning to realize, now that he is about to face his maker. Reality is a b1tch.
My prayers with his family, and those who love him, and I wish him no physical pain…but Ted, you can’t buy, bully, or drink your way out of this.
right2bright on May 20, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Everyone that’s using this thread to bash Kennedy can get bent. At the very least you should show the proper decorum due to a Senator of the United States of America.
Best wishes and prayers to the senior Senator from the great State of Massachusetts, and to his poor family. I hoped that at least one of the Kennedy boys would leave this world in peace, so here’s hoping that he might kick this evil thing.
spmat on May 20, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Maybe Allahpundit has morefaith in the people on this side of the isle than we have on the left side ?
Sure is jerks everywhere but we arent vindictive or hateful as badly as the left is.
William Amos on May 20, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Why are you trying to make Conservatives look bad?
EJDolbow on May 20, 2008 at 6:09 PM
Horrible as the news is, he has the chance before he dies to reflect on some of the issues he’s faced and come to terms with God. Death comes to us all but it’s his soul I’d pray for.
Bruce Hendrix on May 20, 2008 at 6:10 PM
I hope he recovers against the odds, and I hope maybe it will give him a new and better perspective on life and freedom.
There’s almost nothing I agree with him politically, but death is a terrible thing, and death by fast-acting brain cancer is particularly horrible. God be with him, and with us when our time comes.
vonspringer on May 20, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Kennedy has much blood on his hands…but unlike him I would never wish death upon anyone.
DCJeff on May 20, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Make us look bad? No.
wise_man on May 20, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Are you reading these posts? Some are downright KOSworthy.
EJDolbow on May 20, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Are you freaking KIDDING ME!
His CHILDREN! Because of Kennedy, and his crap politics I lost my father a long time before this POS is going to die!
I had to bury my Father WAY before this retar, due to his federally crappy politics and how he never voted for VA bennies for Veterans. BTW his “Children” are 20 to 30 yrs my senior!
Cancer or not… try heart disease, MS, auto-immune disorders, nuerological issues, or other “probelms”. DO NOT tell me to feel sorry for a MAN who screwed over ALL of the UNITED STATES at one time or another!
You seriously are NOT GOD!
upinak on May 20, 2008 at 6:11 PM
He’s not even dead yet, and the democrats are already surrendering! I’m sure he’ll fight this as best he can, and when he DOES die, he dies. We all do. It’, ironically, life. I feel no sympathy whatsoever. If you think that makes me a bad person so be it, but I’m not a phony person and I won’t pretend to like this man…ever. I’ll sleep well either way.
SouthernGent on May 20, 2008 at 6:11 PM
That could explain his voice modulation over the past few years.
Not until after the election.
Godspeed, Mr. Kennedy.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on May 20, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Hopefully comments here will stay on the high road. From what I understand, this cancer will take him fairly quickly (inside five years).
perroviejo on May 20, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Yes some arebut I think most will not be. Rally need to go to Kos and Huffpo to see how ugly it can get. They have to censor their own people over the crap they spew to the point they dont even allow comments.
William Amos on May 20, 2008 at 6:13 PM
My dad’s cousin, same age, remarkably similar symptoms with the out of the blue seizures…3 months and he was gone. terrible
I’ll glumly predict that the dems will all now reunite around their dying lion.
funky chicken on May 20, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Just lock the comments. For f’s sake, people.
Pathetic. The man is a United States Senator. If you can’t show the decency to respect the man in a time of suffering, at least show some f-ing respect to the office that he holds.
spmat on May 20, 2008 at 6:14 PM
As much as I think he is a weak and dangerous man. I am sad to see anyone fall on such a hard reality. Mortality gets to all of us no mater how bad or good. I will say a prayer for him too.
bigskinny on May 20, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Kopechne’s revenge?
Seixon on May 20, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Mary Jo Kopechne was unavailable for comment
Wade on May 20, 2008 at 6:16 PM
The difference is that the majority of us are respectful and mourn for the loss of any life. Only a small, small, small minority are troll-like. The kind of people that hang out at Kos and DU take pleasure in the possibility of a politician to the right of them in a situation like this.
malan89 on May 20, 2008 at 6:17 PM
Oh, and if the KOS kids want to link this as proof that we have some spiteful POS children here, then more power to them. If we as a community can’t be adult enough to keep our damned mouths shut if we can’t say anything good, then we deserve to get painted as blindly partisan.
spmat on May 20, 2008 at 6:18 PM
I thought this wasn’t about politics? We should look at the measure of the man, not what office he holds. How does being a Senator make him better than any other alcoholic murderer?
its vintage duh on May 20, 2008 at 6:19 PM
I dunno, I think most people mourn when anybody has to lose a life. We’re supposed to forgive, right?
malan89 on May 20, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Get bent.
spmat on May 20, 2008 at 6:20 PM
When they ask for forgiveness, yes. Not when they put blind political ambition ahead of innocent life.
its vintage duh on May 20, 2008 at 6:21 PM
His illness will not bring her back, nor will it save anyone in the future. There’s nothing good in this situation, and we as representatives of what we claim is honor in American politics should be doubly sure not to take pleasure in another family’s pain.
vonspringer on May 20, 2008 at 6:22 PM
I am not sure when I was suppose to respect anyone, or when everyone was suppose to respect him? Just because he is a Senator, doesn’t mean I ma going to kiss his bottom. Or any other Congressman or Senator’s bottom either. Respect is earned… or did your family forget to tell you about that.
Get over it. Some people in here simple do not care for him… or what he “stood” for.
May Kennedy not suffer as my Father did. May God have mercy on his Soul.
upinak on May 20, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Right now my nger is focused on murderious jihadis and Keith Olbermann and the american hating anti war.
I only have pity for Ted Kennedy.
William Amos on May 20, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Because a man is dying, you can show mercy, but you should never change how you feel about him as a man.
A dying person does not become a “saint”. He can (and should) be shown pity, mercy, love, but it doesn’t mean you suddenly have to respect or honor him. He is still Senator Kennedy, and he will still use his last dying breath to defeat conservatives.
The liberals will use him in his sickness to defeat conservatives. At every moment imaginable, Obama and Hillary will lower their head in a moment of silence and strength to Ted Kennedy, “the soldier who fought for the common man”. He may be dying, but his legacy will be used as a club. The liberals will jump with glee (inwardly) when he gives his “final” democratic speech. They are the ones that will proclaim (privately) how divine the timing of his illness. Ideally for them, he will be bed-ridden and had video taped his speech, oh how they love that stuff.
right2bright on May 20, 2008 at 6:25 PM
I’m done.
Kick this thing, Senator Kennedy. All the best to you and your family!
spmat on May 20, 2008 at 6:26 PM
That should be my anger
William Amos on May 20, 2008 at 6:26 PM
No, only if that person asks for forgiveness, and asks from the person they wronged. Which is why murder is the ultimate sin, you can never receive forgiveness.
right2bright on May 20, 2008 at 6:28 PM
I hope he retires soon; and not for political reasons. This is the time for him to spend with family.
michaelo on May 20, 2008 at 6:29 PM
I took care of a close family member who died of a Stage IV brain tumor a few years ago. He lived two years after the diagnosis. The first year was not too bad for him, but the second year was a horror I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
I don’t agree with Sen. Kennedy on much of anything, but I feel sorry for the misery that he and his family are going to be going through in the months ahead. I wish them the best.
AZCoyote on May 20, 2008 at 6:29 PM
so that explains it!
spacekicker on May 20, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Why? Does the impending death of a notorious senator require suspension of freedom of speech? I will not celebrate his impending and probably painful death but I find no reason to not comment on his past or even wonder if he reaps what he sows.
The man never bothered to worry about earning my respect in his long life, why should I worry about showing him respect now? He was not an honorable man in life, he will not likely die with honor either.
Guardian on May 20, 2008 at 6:30 PM
We are obliged to fight against any canonization of Ted Kennedy and further mythologizing about the Kennedy family. The pols & the MSM will generate tons of puffery about the “Lion of the Senate”, curses and public service. It will be untrue and utter nonsense.
God is the final judge of a man’s life, and I don’t pretend to know the state of Kennedy’s soul but in the earthly realm Ted Kennedy has a lot to answer for. A clear bright light must be shone on the toll that Kennedy has extracted from the Common Good.
thegreatbeast on May 20, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Yup, I can attest to that. It’s awful.
wise_man on May 20, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Respect (f’ing or otherwise) cannot be learned, purchased or acquired – it can only be earned.
Wade on May 20, 2008 at 6:39 PM
My prayers are with him and his family. There is nothing worse than watching a loved one die of cancer.
I feel sad for the goings on in this thread. If the suffering of disease cannot bring different-minded people together I fear this great experiment is hopeless.
hisfrogness on May 20, 2008 at 6:39 PM
Time to show the Kos people what dignity and respect is. I don`t think I can find much of anything I`d agree with him on. But he`s still a human being and for all his faults, I do feel sadness in my heart.
He has a wife, not sure how many children.
He has a big family who loves him.
He has friends who love him.
If you can`t find any sympathy for him in your cold, dark hearts, feel it for them.
ThePrez on May 20, 2008 at 6:42 PM
I will pray for Senator Kennedy and his family. He needs to be with them now and for the remaining time he has here. That is much more important than issues of state.
Mallard T. Drake on May 20, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Listen I think alot of the comments around here have tongue firmly planted in cheek, that said, any type of cancer is sad, because people have to go through pain and what not. But do not think that someone that has been garnering hate by doing the WRONG things in life is going to get alot of sympathy. I only hope that he might see the error of alot of what he has done to his country before it’s time for him to go.
spacekicker on May 20, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Well, how to respond? I certainly would not wish this on anyone. My thoughts and sympathies are with him and the family.
It is the Dems that make things like this political,, so,, I think we should be prepared for massive new government programs to be passed in his honor and with his name attached. And to vote against them will be considered insensitive and mean spirited. To attack the coming massive new expansions of government legislation introduced in his honor will be likened to attacking the bed ridden man himself! I can hear it all now, “For the love of all decency and God himself, can we not just this once put the partisanship aside and for the good of the nation and in honor of the great name of Kennedy pass this new massive health care plan that our dear beloved Senator Kennedy had fought for all of his life,, as our nations gift to such a great legacy!”
Sure, you laugh now, but just give it time.
JellyToast on May 20, 2008 at 6:46 PM
You are, of course, correct.
RushBaby on May 20, 2008 at 6:52 PM
He is a public figure which comes with it all the trappings of praise and insult, deserved or not. Nothing can be denied about the things this man has done with his life. He’s going to need a lot of prayers.
Bruce Hendrix on May 20, 2008 at 6:53 PM
You can bet on it. The Dems will use his condition in some form or another to twist some arms.
Guardian on May 20, 2008 at 6:53 PM
You can run on for a long time…
Blacklake on May 20, 2008 at 6:53 PM
I’m happy and all that so many people are taking the high road, especially with a guy who has done nothing in his life to deserve it.
That being said, here’s what I can figure out – if they operate, are they removing the cancer from Teddy or are they removing Teddy from the cancer?
ErikTheRed on May 20, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Kennedy was marching hand in hand with Martin Luther King long before anyone on the right supported civil rights. At least people on the right can give him some credit for that. The amount of good this man has done for minorities, the elderly, and the poor cannot be overstated.
His passing also speaks to the scope of the Kennedy legacy and tragedy of his family. Jack and Robert were not much older and might have lived as long as their brother.
bayam on May 20, 2008 at 6:58 PM
This is a privately owned website. You have no expectation of “free speech” here beyond what AP chooses to grant you.
Further, speaking ill of a sick man for no better reason than to vent spleen shows the greatest disrespect for his family, who bear no responsibility for his actions.
If, at some point, someone tries to erect a monument to Ted Kennedy, then by all means object. That will be the proper time and place to do so. But to condemn Kennedy now with no provocation beyond someone wishing that he regains his health is both crass and cruel.
I personally condemn such posts and request that AllahPundit delete them out of respect for the friends and family of the man.
TheUnrepentantGeek on May 20, 2008 at 6:59 PM
At least the medical care in the United States in 2008 is still top flight. He isn’t a Canadian, made to wait a couple of months for chemo to even begin. Even if cancer is obliterated, none of us are going to get out of this alive. Of one thing I am certain: that Senator Kennedy will receive the very best, most compassionate medical care this country can offer, and that is truly a blessing. For that, he and his family can be sincerely grateful. Hopefully, that will be the same for all of us when we reach this point as well. I pray that he and his family are able to weather this with courage and dignity.
marybel on May 20, 2008 at 7:00 PM
76 year old male alcoholic diagnosed with cancer………..yawn.
Must be a slow news day, huh Allah?
omnipotent on May 20, 2008 at 7:00 PM
As I tell my kids, you’ll never be sorry you did the right thing. So I join all those who wish the best for the Senator and his family and keep them all in my prayers. I also emailed his Senate.gov account. Now I just wish I could give Senator Byrd a hug. Bless his heart. I am a sucker for babies and octogenarians.
Cindy Munford on May 20, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Guess someone didn’t like that.
upinak on May 20, 2008 at 7:12 PM
My wishes and prayers go out to both the Kennedy family and Ted, whatever his past transgressions. No one deserves to go out like that.
Squid Shark on May 20, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Robert Byrd is a embarrassing, and I’m not even from W.Va.
Maybe not term limits, but how about an age limit, for crying out loud?
misterpeasea on May 20, 2008 at 7:17 PM
I labored mightily over what to say. I think this is close to what I feel, though I know he faces his own judgement day, as we all do. I don’t wish him ill, but I believe he has a lot to atone for.
Glynn on May 20, 2008 at 7:24 PM
That is what the left wing website Gawker said about Tony Snow before the onslaught of hate and disdain for Tony Snow or anything Conserative…
Everybody needs to see what Gawker and it’s posters said about Tony Snow…
Greg Gutfeld on Gawker – Click Here
ZoneDaiatlas on May 20, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Sure. Additionally: Civil rights aren’t party specific. Heck, R’s are the party of Lincoln – the man who willed civil rights into being. Dems have done a lot, Reps have done a lot.
Spirit of 1776 on May 20, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Oh come on. Manson? Bundy? Hitler? Stalin? Tojo? Pol Pot? Kim Jong Il? Ahmadenijad? Saddam?
Can we please have some rationality in the more-sympathetic-than-thou contest?
misterpeasea on May 20, 2008 at 7:28 PM
The first part of your post is simply not true. Charlton Heston is one who marched with MLK. I saw the most evil horrible posts on the left about him when he died. Yes, let’s take the high road, but I will not lionize Ted Kennedy.
Glynn on May 20, 2008 at 7:29 PM
I saw a lot of horrible posts about Tony Snow during his crisis. The Daily Kos and Huffpo had some awful stuff, too.
Glynn on May 20, 2008 at 7:31 PM
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