Across the aisle, a ballad to Kennedy
GOP's Hatch pens tribute
WASHINGTON - Senator Orrin Hatch, the conservative Utah Republican, has written hundreds of songs on patriotic themes - with such titles as "Freedom's Light" and "I Love Old Glory" - as a way of paying tribute to his country.
But his latest trip down Tin Pan Alley had an even more personal resonance: Hatch said he was asked by several colleagues to put down his feelings about a very close friend who is facing a serious illness. The friend is the legendary liberal Ted Kennedy, and the colleagues are Democrats who envision having the song played as a tribute to Kennedy at next month's Democratic convention - and as a living example of a brotherhood that transcends party lines.
The result, "Headed Home," is a lilting ballad that even its author can't repeat without tearing up. The lyrics, he said, refer to Kennedy's heroic return to the Senate where Kennedy has served for almost 46 years and Hatch for 32.
Sailing home, sailing home. America, America, we're headed home at last
"He's a special person to me. I want to honor him this way," Hatch said in an interview, his eyes welling up slightly as he listened to a demo tape of jazz and soul singer Tony Middleton perform the song in his signature deep baritone.
"Just honor him, honor him, and every fear will be a thing of the past," Middleton croons in the demo tape, which Hatch played for the Globe.
The gesture - extremely unusual in a Congress that has become increasingly polarized along party lines - reflects the close relationship between the two veteran lawmakers, whose friendship and alliance on healthcare issues has baffled and maddened activists in both parties. The 76-year-old Kennedy, said the 74-year-old Hatch, "is like a brother to me."
Ole Pecoz is watchin' all this hand wringing over Teddy (the chauffeur) Kennedy's health problems and is beginning to worry that when he loses the battle to cancer -- if folks in that same Senate chamber will take advantage of his passing and rise in bi-partisan unity to pass some zillion dollar omnibus health care bill in his name.. Who would be man (or woman) enough to stand up and try to stop it?Nobody will voice the fact that if Kennedy had access only to the kind of health care provided under national schemes -- he wouldn't have survived the first month. Or do believe that you'll be flown across the country on two days notice to the best facility available in such an instance? Yeah right! Just like the gov'mint and the US Navy will spend a million of your tax dollars to bury your nephew at sea!
My Brit in-laws have shared some of the horror stories of their system. You thinking Pilgrims might want to do some homework to prepare yourself for the onslaught to come.
Mark my words, those silver haired thieves inside the beltway will hurt themselves piling on a Kennedy Memorial Health Bill!! The only objection will be from Hellary if her name isn't on it as well. Wonder if such a health care plan would have helped Mary Jo?
You've been warned - keep your powder dry Pardners!
No comments:
Post a Comment