Ted Kennedy to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom in Absentia

[tekisui]

Source: ABC News

This afternoon, President Obama awards Senator Edward Kennedy a Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation's highest civilian honor. According to a spokesman, Kennedy will not attend the ceremony -- his oldest child, Kara Kennedy will accept the award for him. Also present will be his other children, Ted, Jr. and his wife Kiki, Patrick, Caroline Raclin and Curran Raclin.

Kennedy will remain at home in Mass., where he is fighting brain cancer. He was diagnosed last year in May.

Kennedy is among 16 recipients this year, who have made an "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors," a July 30 White House announcement read. "This year's awardees were chosen for their work as agents of change.''

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=8307065&page=1

[madokie]

1. Ted Kennedy is a good man

fought his whole political career trying to make life better for the people who I identify with.
+1

[eShirl]

2. I hate to ask this question

Is it in absentia because he has taken a turn for the worse?

[tekisui]

3. At best, he hasn't recovered enough to make it

to what is one of the highest honors. Very sad that he cannot make it. He is well deserving of the honor.

[karynnj]

10. Agreed, but it is nice that he will know it was given and hear whatever Obama

has to say. It is great that he was able to have the tribute at the convention, see Obama win, and be inaugurated, and I really hope he lives to see a healthcare bill signed by the President.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. He is clearly not well.

Footage yesterday in Hyannisport showed him very frail and weak looking, no waves, no smiles, not the Ted Kennedy we knew so well.

He is in a bad way, sadly.

[tekisui]

5. This article says his health is deteriorating:

WASHINGTON - Sen. Edward Kennedy's health is deteriorating, and he'll be a no-show when President Obama presents his Presidential Medal of Freedom award on Wednesday, sources told the Daily News.

It was revealed before his sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver's death that Kennedy was too weak from brain cancer to attend the ceremony.

His children will accept the medal.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/08/12/2009-08-12_ted_is_too_sick_for_honors.html#ixzz0NyOh41Ii

[liberal N proud]

6. His sister, Eunice just passed away in addition to his condition

[karynnj]

9. He has been in MA for a long time

He hasn't voted in months. The last time he was there, he looked incredibly fragile and needed help walking.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[berni_mccoy]

8. I can't wait to dance on your tombstone you idiot.

It must really suck to be you. Posting from mommy's basement, angry at the world because your a minority. Man, I feel sorry for you.