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Swift: Kennedy had hope
By Andrew Amelinckx with AP reports
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
With the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy Tuesday night, one local man, who both knew Edward Kennedy personally, and has written extensively on his family’s history, reflected on the passing of the last surviving brother of a political dynasty marred by tragedy, but associated with unbounded optimism.
Will Swift, a historian and clinical psychologist, is the author of 2008’s “The Kennedys Amidst the Gathering Storm,” which chronicles the Kennedy clan’s time in England from 1938 to 1940, when Joseph Kennedy, Edward’s father, was the U.S. Ambassador there.
Swift, a part-time resident of Valatie, met Edward Kennedy through another author, David Nasaw, who lives in Taghkanic.
“He’s the official biographer for Ted Kennedy’s family,” he said.
Swift, while researching his book, spoke with Edward Kennedy extensively.
“He helped me out,” said Swift. “He was just great.”
Edward Kennedy later sent Swift a photograph of himself with his father Joe Kennedy taken in London during the time covered in Swift’s book.
“He was such a sweet man,” said Swift.
Edward Kennedy died at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., after a yearlong struggle with brain cancer. The 77-year-old liberal Democrat from Massachusetts had served in the Senate for nearly 50 years and had his hand in an array of legislation.
Edward Kennedy was first elected to the Senate in 1962, occupying the seat vacated by his brother John who had just been elected President of the United States.
Swift said that as a young man Edward didn’t appear to have the same political acumen as his brothers John and Robert.
“He certainly wouldn’t have gotten that position had his brother not been president,” said Swift.
During his long career he was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam and Iraq Wars and focused on legislation geared towards the least able to help themselves.
As a senator, said Swift, Ted Kennedy’s legislative legacy has touched millions of Americans.
Swift said that among Edward Kennedy’s many battles, “civil rights and health care for all” were very important to the Senator.
He said Edward’s parents were quietly philanthropic and believed that “to whom much has been given, much shall be required.”
“Ted took that to heart,” he said.
Swift said that America has had four great political dynasties in its history—“the Adams, the Roosevelts, the Kennedys and the Bushs.”
According to Swift, none of the other three had the same “charisma...tragedy and idealism” as the Kennedys.
Of Joe and Rose Kennedy’s four boys, Edward is the only one to die of natural causes.
Kennedy's eldest brother, Joseph, died in a plane crash in World War II. Edward’s two other brothers were assassinated, President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
Swift said that there was a darkness and selfishness in the family history.
On the night of July 18, 1969, Edward Kennedy drove his car off a bridge and into a pond on Chappaquiddick Island, on Martha's Vineyard.
Mary Jo Kopechne, a 28-year-old worker with Robert Kennedy's campaign drowned in the accident.
Edward Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and received a two-month suspended sentence and a year's probation. The incident may have been responsible for Edward Kennedy never achieving the country’s highest office.
But, said Swift, it is “always having hope” that Edward Kennedy will be remembered for.
Swift quoted Edward’s brother, Robert Kennedy, from a 1966 speech given at Cape Town University in South Africa.
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring,” he quoted, “those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” The quote is featured in Swift’s book on the Kennedys.
“That really captures Teddy,” he said.
***
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx call 518- 828-1616, ext. 2267 or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com
To comment directly on this story, go to www.registerstar.com.
Will Swift, a historian and clinical psychologist, is the author of 2008’s “The Kennedys Amidst the Gathering Storm,” which chronicles the Kennedy clan’s time in England from 1938 to 1940, when Joseph Kennedy, Edward’s father, was the U.S. Ambassador there.
Swift, a part-time resident of Valatie, met Edward Kennedy through another author, David Nasaw, who lives in Taghkanic.
“He’s the official biographer for Ted Kennedy’s family,” he said.
Swift, while researching his book, spoke with Edward Kennedy extensively.
“He helped me out,” said Swift. “He was just great.”
Edward Kennedy later sent Swift a photograph of himself with his father Joe Kennedy taken in London during the time covered in Swift’s book.
“He was such a sweet man,” said Swift.
Edward Kennedy died at his home in Hyannis Port, Mass., after a yearlong struggle with brain cancer. The 77-year-old liberal Democrat from Massachusetts had served in the Senate for nearly 50 years and had his hand in an array of legislation.
Edward Kennedy was first elected to the Senate in 1962, occupying the seat vacated by his brother John who had just been elected President of the United States.
Swift said that as a young man Edward didn’t appear to have the same political acumen as his brothers John and Robert.
“He certainly wouldn’t have gotten that position had his brother not been president,” said Swift.
During his long career he was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam and Iraq Wars and focused on legislation geared towards the least able to help themselves.
As a senator, said Swift, Ted Kennedy’s legislative legacy has touched millions of Americans.
Swift said that among Edward Kennedy’s many battles, “civil rights and health care for all” were very important to the Senator.
He said Edward’s parents were quietly philanthropic and believed that “to whom much has been given, much shall be required.”
“Ted took that to heart,” he said.
Swift said that America has had four great political dynasties in its history—“the Adams, the Roosevelts, the Kennedys and the Bushs.”
According to Swift, none of the other three had the same “charisma...tragedy and idealism” as the Kennedys.
Of Joe and Rose Kennedy’s four boys, Edward is the only one to die of natural causes.
Kennedy's eldest brother, Joseph, died in a plane crash in World War II. Edward’s two other brothers were assassinated, President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.
Swift said that there was a darkness and selfishness in the family history.
On the night of July 18, 1969, Edward Kennedy drove his car off a bridge and into a pond on Chappaquiddick Island, on Martha's Vineyard.
Mary Jo Kopechne, a 28-year-old worker with Robert Kennedy's campaign drowned in the accident.
Edward Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and received a two-month suspended sentence and a year's probation. The incident may have been responsible for Edward Kennedy never achieving the country’s highest office.
But, said Swift, it is “always having hope” that Edward Kennedy will be remembered for.
Swift quoted Edward’s brother, Robert Kennedy, from a 1966 speech given at Cape Town University in South Africa.
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring,” he quoted, “those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” The quote is featured in Swift’s book on the Kennedys.
“That really captures Teddy,” he said.
***
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx call 518- 828-1616, ext. 2267 or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com
To comment directly on this story, go to www.registerstar.com.
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