The Lion in Winter

I have listened to, or watched, political conventions since the 1940 Republicans nominated Wendel Wilkie. I have never had the opportunity to attend in person. It's an incredible experience compared to watching it on TV. It's more emotional, less intellectual. You are less informed about what is going on, and more involved as a person.

The high point for me was the Kennedy duo, Caroline and Ted. Ted was surely "The Lion in Winter". Hobbled by age and a brain cancer, and still the fiery liberal trying to fix the world. But now he is fixing it for a generation he knows he will never see.. And promising to be on the floor of the senate in January of 2009. Watching the Teddy of old in the Ken Burns presentation of Ted's life was both moving and sad. Sad for the effect that time has had, or will have, on all of us. And sad for the tragic fate of the younger Kennedy brothers, and the lost opportunity for our country that resulted.

The presentation by Caroline was even more meaningful for me. I remember the call by JFK to "ask not..." But even more powerful was his statement that "the torch has been passed to a new generation, born in this century, tempered by war..." (this is remembered, not Googled) I was very moved by his words in 1960. I have not been moved, at least not yet, by Obama's words. Maybe you need to be 30 years old, as I was in 1960, to feel that hope. Ted Kennedy feels that hope, even with terminal brain cancer. There's a major lesson in that!

This year, we again have the opportunity to pass the torch on to a new generation as we did to Kennedy.

Or backwards!

Jerry Sallo