When Heroes Go Down.

Driving to work this morning, I turned on my radio only to learn that my Senator, Ted Kennedy, had passed away.

I cried.  We all knew it was coming, but hoped he’d somehow slip the noose.

Despite the personal failings of his younger life, Ted became one of the finest voices for social justice which this country has ever produced.  He was way ahead of us on so many progressive issues, from health care reform to immigration reform to…  the list is long.

His skill as a Statesman was legendary, marked by compromise on details and a laudable moral steadfastness.  I can’t think of another politician who so championed the causes of ordinary Americans, despite coming from a home life of almost unimaginable privilege.  It seemed that, to him, “Noblesse Oblige” was but a starting point for a life of service to you and me.

Replacing him with someone half as effective will be a challenge.

Goodnight, Senator.  You will be sorely missed.