As an imperfect Irish Catholic we assume that we are not perfect. We confess our sins. We do penance. We do an act of contrition, We strive to never do it again and we seek redemption.

But many people here will never forgive and never forget. I pray they never make a mistake. It is no wonder conservatism is dead. You have to be perfect. I used to be conservative but the level of selfishness, the level of hate and the level of disrespect for not only the dead, but for Ted’s work and his family disgusts me. Congratulations Michele. You are the proud leader of another illiterate group of privileged haters. Many of you are hypocrites of the worst sort. How many of your followers would take social security and medicare away from Mom and Dad? How many would renounce the benefits for themselves?

Your followers have no concept of having nothing and having nowhere to turn. This happens.

This was the experience of the Irish that emigrated to Boston in the 18 hundreds and near the turn of the century. My grandfather was one of those that left a famine worsened by British rule only to find signs stating “No Irish need apply” while looking for work. He like Ted’s father Joe did what he had to do for our family. He wasn’t perfect either. But his children were his redemption. Part of our upbringing was to never forget those that are suffering. The concepts of loyalty, love, caring and joie de vie sustained us and nurtured our family and become part of our family legacy.

Our family lived life large, and like the Kennedy’s, we had profound tragedies and triumphs. I lost one cousin in a boating accident and another whilst tobagganing. Many of the family graduated Ivy League. As late as my youth in the 1960’s we were still not allowed into many old wasp institutions so we created our own. But thanks to JFK and the express wish of his father, we had and Irish Catholic President. Doors opened.

Today Irish Catholics are the the wealthiest ethnic group in America. So why are we liberal? We subtlely understand ethnic challenges. This is why Barack Obama is the President. Their turn is long overdue.

I am now a Grandfather and like my grandfather, I will teach my grand children the concepts of loyalty, love, caring and Joie de vie that I was taught and in which I believe.

And I will always love Ted Kennedy as someone that did more for our tradition and ethos than anyone.

Ted was one of the players that made us bigger than ourselves as individuals. This was a very Irish tradition. While a big chunk of which I speak is ethnic and politically incorrect, it is true. If nothing else the Kennedy’s silenced the comments alluding to our ancestry.

Celebrate you ethnicity, stick togeter and stay loyal, we are all Americans.