First I would like to congratulate Patrick Kennedy on his brief time of recovery from substance abuse and his courage for seeking recovery help in a 12 step program. Having said that, I wonder if the left will be as vicious to Kennedy as they were to Bush regarding his 20+ years of sobriety? Probably not.

http://news.bostonherald.com/localPo...ticleid=143520

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Cheney is the second executive officer to shoot someone in the face and chest. Clinton was the first.

The reaction from the left?

Looks like a deafening silence.

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

Uh yeah. 33 minutes from posting to "They aren't going to say anything" seems like a bit of a leap. Way to raise the level of discourse.

Personally, I'm of the "throw the book at him" mentality for DUIs. Having my girlfriend lose her father to a drunk driver when we were in college makes me lean towards much harsher punishments than we have now. As my parents stated (ad infinitum) "Driving is not a right, it's a privilege". If you can't handle the responsibility you shouldn't have the responsibility.

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Catz: "And, the ever-sage Volvo Driver:"

JP5;
Wasn't your first reaction that as a Kennedy he would get off, and charging favoritism by the capitol police, so he would be sure to get off???

Good for him admitting his faults, and facing the consequences, unlike the presidents men who never do any wrong???

I think you owe him an apology???

What say ye JP5???

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There are only two things wrong with this great nation of ours, democrats and republicans!

Not necessarily in that order.

I didn't say the left said anything, I was curious if they would say anything. The left has such a visceral contempt for Bush, even with 20+ years of sobriety, many on this forum and the democratic talking heads couldn't manage even the smallest accolade for staying sober for more than 20 years.

I do know how hard it is (from personal experience), and I hold anyone in great esteem for staying sober and managing their lives in a responsible way.

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Cheney is the second executive officer to shoot someone in the face and chest. Clinton was the first.

Patrick Kennedy is a disgrace on many levels. He should get the same treatment any normal citizen receives.

Nothing. Well.. the usual ho hum and look over here type stuff.........

Keep in mind that today it was revealed Rove isn't going to be charged so they are a bit busy practicing the new routine for that one and don't have much time for Patrick.

Remember, Pat's a relapser. When he gets 20 years like Georgie, then we'll give him a pat on the back and a round of "Happy Birthdays".

For now, the DUI seems appropriate. I don't know how it works in DC, but out here in LA you typically get a stuff fine and a couple of months of mandatory AA meetings (that would be for a "normal" DUI - if you destroyed any property or hurt anyone the penalty would be more severe).

It's good that he's trying to stay sober. However he shouldn't receive any special treatment in terms of sentencing. Sobriety has nothing to do with his being an elected official - as you know, alcohol doesn't discriminate.

I'm happy for him that he has taken the first step, relapse or not. Regarding Bush, try and find one person on the left on this forum that has given Bush any credit for his sobriety. They have attacked him viciously, and called him a drunk and drug addict and every other despicable epithet.

It is that kind of personal hateful rhetoric that would never convince me left has any empathy for anyone that is on the other side of the political aisle.

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Cheney is the second executive officer to shoot someone in the face and chest. Clinton was the first.

I posted about this on my blog the other day:
http://www.startribune.com/587/story/482445.html

Rep. Jim Ramstad, Republican of Minnesota (and my Rep), has agreed to be Kennedy's sponsor during his recovery.

Cross-aisle class.

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Man up.