Ted Kennedy and my job

I went to DC in the eighties for a pro-choice march. (My ex always said we got married and my mom and I went on the honeymoon.) It was grand - huge, great turn-out. My favorite sign read "Post-menopausal women nostalgic for choice."

We headed over to watch the senate in action. At the time I was a political junkie - I wasn't burnt out because I had yet to realize this country could be so foolishly sidetracked by things like a president's sex life, and I thought it was an anomaly that a president could get elected by mouthing empty slogans like "Read my lips - no new taxes."

I had a grand time. A vote was called, so the senators wandered onto the floor. I saw Alan Cranston and thought that was pretty cool - I always admired his politics. Then Ted Kennedy ambled along. He actually prowled like a lion...he reminded me of my cat. He really had a presence. Of course, none of that would matter if he wasn't speaking up for the people who are usually ignored in political campaigns and debates. I admired and admire him so much. I remember leaning over the railing to see more closely and pointing him out to my mom, who hissed, "Senate groupie!" What a day.

Today at work I mentioned how sad I was to hear of Kennedy's malignant brain tumor. Our secretary said, "You know what I think? The world's better off with one less liberal." Wow. It was like someone ripped her face off and showed the pure ugly underneath. I mean, I loathe and despise Rush Limbaugh for being the hater that he is, but I wouldn't wish cancer on him. I was so stunned I didn't even answer, which later made me ashamed because I lost an opportunity to speak up.

So later, I was in her office with a coworker and I told him, "X wishes I were dead." She looked puzzled, and I said, "I'm a liberal, and you said the world is better off with one less liberal." She assured me I wasn't really a liberal (and I assured her I really was, and my coworker assured her I really was). It wasn't a snappy rejoinder I can quote the rest of my life, and I don't know what I could have said that would have been snazzier, but I'm still floored.

I forget how Kennedy (and Jane Fonda) still stir up such antipathy in people. I just don't get it. I truly loathe and despise George Bush, primarily because he has blood on his hands, and generally because he's responsible for the unspeakable state this country is in, financially and in about every other way I can think of (of course, were I a bazillionaire (sp?) I'd love him). I examined my conscience, and I feel comfortable stating that I really don't wish he had a malignant brain tumor.

That's work in a nutshell.