Remembering Senator Kennedy

I am conflicted about the Kennedys. I shy away from the deification of the clan and the public longing for "Camelot". I find our continued fascination with everything Kennedy to be the first example of the celebritization of public life. Also, squaring the weaknesses of many of the individuals in the clan with the presumption of leadership because they are named Kennedy drives me nuts. But then, one looks at the incredible body of work which owes its existence to Senator Kennedy and one has to be impressed. Despite his many personal failings, he served this country and the public very well. Many of the programs and laws he was responsible for will live long after him. Perhaps what this teaches us is a sense of balance. Without denying his private foibles, perhaps it is not our place to stand in judgment. The people wronged by his actions should be the ones with that right. We should judge him mostly on his public life and in that regard he has made a formidable contribution to the nation. As some have said, his body of work will outshine that of either of his brothers, who attained the status of myths because of their deaths, not their lives. He has done the opposite. He will be missed.