Thursday, March 02, 2006

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at San Antonio College last night on "our environmental future." I was there, in the fifth row, right behind the VIPs. The irony, environmentally speaking, is that I drove 70 miles (each way) to attend RFK Jr.'s talk.

Kennedy is more than a chip off his father's shoulders. He's in some ways the father reincarnate - in looks, especially in the eyes, but also so exquisitely charismatic, passionate, even audibly reminiscent of the Kennedy clan of yore, saying "khant" for can't and "yahd" for yard.

Kennedy's talk was just that, a talk, often hovering around the speed limit, loosely and almost breathlessly delivered, yet assuredly woven around his central passions and themes:

We depend on nature for our physical and psychological well-being. It's in our nature and in our best interests to make sure the environment is a top priority for governments at the federal and state levels. The Bush administration is the worst in history for the environment and the health and security of the nation's citizens.

To fix the mess that is America currently, we need revolutionary campaign finance reform (and an end to corporate lobbying) as well as a revolutionary return to getting real news to the majority of voters. Kennedy blames our dour forecasts for health, safety and democracy itself on a whitewashing of the public mind.

Kennedy got a big laugh and cheering applause when he said, "Eighty percent of Republicans are actually Democrats who just don't know what's going on."

In person, he's the kind of speaker who still has the kind of passion that seems rather old-fashioned these days, yet who is also so well informed that no one for a second would think him ill-informed or far off the mark. He is a ruddy-faced salmon swimming upstream, and the audience knew it and was on his side, hoping he'd live to achieve what other Kennedys have not.

The standing ovation was not only quick but uproarious, to which Kennedy responded with a beaming smile and the appreciative waves of a truly beloved presidential candidate.

3 Comments:

At 3/06/2006 6:35 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Ruddy-faced salmon swimming..." I like it! Keep up the good work!

 
At 3/08/2006 10:12 AM, Blogger Rhesus Pieces said...

Is he really running for president? That would be something! If the Demo's can't do anything new, go to the past and try again. You can always elect a Kennedy (execpt Ted - he is really ruddy although I don't think he swims too well, hasn't in the past).

Here's something you can quote:

80% of those that do know what's going on and can't organize enough to do anything about it are Democrates.

Here in Texas, I'm gearing up to support Kinky for guv.

 
At 3/08/2006 11:56 AM, Blogger Lawrence said...

As for Kennedy, no, I don't think he's running for anything.

As for the Dems, rhesus, your 80% comment is right on.

Sadly, on both counts,

Lawrence

 

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