Quote from: jocelyn;190456

Joc - I agree with you in the respect that I feel bad for the man and I hope that he recovers from this.  On the other hand, growing up, all I heard was Kennedy this and Kennedy that; basically because he was the first Irish/Catholic President.  I think that what we forget is that this family has all of the money and beautiful possessions and historic tradition because big daddy was a bootlegger and connected to organized crime during prohibition.  It was those connections that got JFK the election and it was those same connections that brought upon the demise for Jack and Bobby, albeit for different reasons.  So, yes, they\'ve lived a glamorous life and have been considered America\'s royal family, but when you take away all of their dirty money, they\'re just like the rest of us.  Again, I hope Ted recovers.

Actually, I haven\'t forgotten any of that. I am not among the star-struck when it comes to the Kennedys. This is exactly my point, that bringing this stuff up is totally inappropriate and irrelevant right now.

it seems like this family gets one tragety after another

My comments are based on the fact that daddy Kennedy was mobbed up and used those connections to get the presidency for his son.  When his sons decided to turn their back on the deals that they made, well you know what happened.  Do I think it\'s right, no, does it surprise me, no.  We all know how that sort of business is done, whether we read about it in books, the paper, or have seen it glorified in movies and on tv.  Do I think this family has deserved the tragedy it has had, no, but you can understand why some of it has happened.  Having grown up in North Jersey and had friends and family who\'ve dealt with these people, you know to stear clear at all means (and by these people, I don\'t mean the Kennedy\'s).