Privilege and Power
UPDATE2 : From Michelle Malkin,and the AP:
Major Garrett: He made it clear he has no recollection of driving. Ambien, the medication Kennedy took, has been linked to occasionally causing sleep driving.
Major Garrett calls Kennedy’s statement “very artful.” Garrett reports that Dems may have likely intervened in the last 24 hours to persuade Kennedy to shift the focus of the story.
FOX analysts note that Kennedy made no mention of painkillers last night. Former prosecutor Michael Farkas: “This is an obvious attempt to garner sympathy from the public.” Worse than that, Farkas notes, it’s inconsistent with his statement last night and probably indicates that he probably did commit a crime.
Kennedy’s first statement, released by his press secretary:
“I was involved in a traffic incident last night at First and C Street SE near the US Capitol. I consumed no alcohol prior to the incident. I will fully cooperate with the Capitol Police in whatever investigation they choose to undertake.”___
Kennedy’s full written statement:
“Last Tuesday, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress treated me for Gastroenteritis. The Attending Physician prescribed Phenergan, an anti-nausea medication, which in addition to treating Gastroenteritis, I now know can cause drowsiness and sedation.
Following the last series of votes on Wednesday evening, I returned to my home on Capitol Hill and took the prescribed amount of Phenergan and Ambien, which was also prescribed by the Attending Physician some time ago and I occasionally take to fall asleep. Some time around 2:45am, I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote. Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication. At that time, I was involved in a one-car incident in which my car hit the security barrier at the corner of 1st and C St., SE. At no time before the incident did I consume any alcohol.
At the time of the accident, I was instructed to park my car and was driven home by the United States Capitol Police. At no time did I ask for any special consideration, I simply complied with what the officers asked me to do.
I have the utmost respect for the United States Capitol Police and the job they do to keep Members of Congress and the Capitol Complex safe. I have contacted the Chief of Capitol Police and offered to meet with police representatives at their earliest convenience as I intend to cooperate fully with any investigation they choose to undertake.”
___
From the Capitol Police on their Web site:
“The United States Capitol Police are continuing to investigate a traffic accident that occurred early Thursday morning, May 4, 2006 at the intersection of 1st and C Street, SE. In addition to determining the existence of any evidence that would support traffic charges, the Department is also reviewing steps taken during the initial accident investigation to ensure compliance with existing policies and procedures.”
UPDATE 1: Patrick Kennedy gave a press conference announcing that he is entering re-hab. see video here, and a partial transcript of his message here:
This past Christmas, I realized I needed to seek help again…checked into Mayo Clinic for addiction to pain medication…In every recovery, each day has its ups and downs…In all candor, the incident on Wednesday concerns me greatly. I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by police…
I am deeply concerned about my reaction to the medication…I do know enough that I need help…traveling this afternoon to the Mayo Clinic…to continue my road to recovery…I hope my openness today and in the best will give others courage to seek help if they need it…
I’d like to call for passage of mental health parity. Smiles. Leaves the podium.
Please note that he does not take responsibility nor does he admit to anything from this accident. He is going into rehab for pain killers, not alcohol!The police are investigating as we speak.
I am having a problem with some the excuses that I have heard up to this point. Bob Beckel was a guest on Hannity and Colmes last night and tried to shift the blame to the police. Were the police at fault for a cover-up? Yes. Would they have been in this position if not for Kennedy? No. This all centers around Kennedy and his actions, as I posted in this thread.
Picture via David Lunde
He claims alcohol was not involved, but this article alludes to the fact that he was in fact drinking.
“He was drinking a little bit,” said the woman, who works at the Hawk & Dove and would not give her name.
Leaving his office late last night, Kennedy refused to say whether he’d been to the Hawk & Dove the night before.
Either he was or he wasn’t. If all is as he claims, why not a simple yes or no? Did he forget? Well that would be odd if he did. He claims that he took Ambien, which for the past month has been receiving some bad press. The claim is that people take the drug, and then they are told of things they had done, yet they have no memory of having done them. Well everyone except Kennedy seems to not remember. Kennedy can recall everything from the night.
Zombie drivers ” motorists driving under the influence of the popular prescription sleeping pill Ambien, possibly while sleepwalking and unaware they are doing so ” are a rising threat on U.S. roads, according to a report published in the New York Times Wednesday.
It is time for Patrick to take responsibility for his actions. This is a man that has a history of substance abuse. This will not get swept under the rug as they hope. You want to talk about the culture of corruption: bring it on!
– Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., let his mouth race ahead of his brain Wednesday night at a gathering of Young Democrats at the Washington nightspot Acropolis. After presidential candidate Howard Dean spoke, Kennedy delivered an impassioned peroration against President Bush’s tax cut: “I don’t need Bush’s tax cut. I have never worked a (bleeping) day in my life.” A witness told us: “He droned on and on, frequently mentioning how much better the candidates would sound the more we drank.” Kennedy’s spokesman told us: “He was energizing the crowd and got caught up in it and used an unfortunate word, which he regrets using.”
May 5, 2006 - 10:57 AM on May 5th, 2006
“This will not get swept under the rug as they hope. You want to talk about the culture of corruption: bring it on!”
I might be wrong, but I don’t think the public will care as much about a congressman who gets into a car accident as much as they care about a congressman who accepted bribes or laundered money.
The average American has been in or knows someone who has been involved in a car accident, and I think they might be a little more sympathetic to that than maybe REAL corruption like bribes and money laundering.
The only way to see who is right is to wait and see if this gets big, or if it’s forgotten next week.
May 5, 2006 - 11:41 AM on May 5th, 2006
:roll:Nothing new here, tell me a time when political power and a name didn’t get you out of this kind of bull? come on people its the Name! “AND COME ON PEOPLE PRIVILEGE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME”.:grin: see bill see hill.
May 5, 2006 - 11:50 AM on May 5th, 2006
If Patrick Kennedy doesn’t face DUI charges, be forced into involuntary rehab, and forced out of Congress, then there is no justice in America.
This is just another example of the culture of corruption that is today’s Democrat party.
May 5, 2006 - 12:10 PM on May 5th, 2006
“If Patrick Kennedy doesn’t face DUI charges, be forced into involuntary rehab, and forced out of Congress, then there is no justice in America.”
Wait and see it’s still early in the game…there is an investigation in progress, let’s see what it finds out…
“This is just another example of the culture of corruption that is today’s Democrat party.”
Come on, it wasn’t the Democratic Party that pulled over Rep. Kennedy - it wasn’t the Democratic Party that gave him a ride home instead of a ride to jail.
If there were shenanigans going on at the scene of the accident, you can’t really pin them on the Democratic Party as a whole. If anything, it’s moral corruption on the part of the police supervisor who let Kennedy go home.
May 5, 2006 - 12:30 PM on May 5th, 2006
Patrick Kennedy has announced to the press that he’s sorry for being caught. Ted has invited Lyndie England over for an evening of Naked Twister and pointing at Patrick’s nutsack. Patrick stated that, “Undergoing this inhumane torture will be my pennance to the public for my unfortunate luck at being caught and word getting out that I was caught.”
May 5, 2006 - 12:31 PM on May 5th, 2006
If the Democrat party wasn’t behind the Kennedys all the way, Patrick would be resigning after have been told by Pelosi that he’s being referred to the Ethics Committee and the Democrats on the committee will not cover for him.
May 5, 2006 - 12:32 PM on May 5th, 2006
PCD how dare you suggest that ANYONE be subjected to the cruel, brutal, inhumane torture of having his ball bag pointed at…oh, the humanity!!!!!
May 5, 2006 - 12:45 PM on May 5th, 2006
Mike, don’t forget the games of Naked Twister with Papa Ted and Lyndie. *Shudders*
All they need is Moussoui on a Dukakis Furlough to make it a real Jihad party of 4.
May 5, 2006 - 12:46 PM on May 5th, 2006
Is there some universal mathematical constant that says that, as your relative proximity to a Kennedy/Clinton increases, your liklihood of being raped, robbed, killed, run over, commit “suicide” increases exponentially?
May 5, 2006 - 12:50 PM on May 5th, 2006
sfl…
It isn’t just the accident that ticks people off. It is the cover-up afterwards. If Patrick would have come clean, I wouldn’t be as critical of him. The CH police are not doing him any favors. I think the guy has a problem and covering it up is not going to help him.
What has to happen to make him and his family realize there may be a problem…killing someone while behind the wheel…oh, wait a minute…that’s not a big deal when you are a Kennedy!
May 5, 2006 - 12:56 PM on May 5th, 2006
SFL would defend SATAN if he only promised to tax the rich and increase funding to blah blah blah blah blah….
May 5, 2006 - 01:09 PM on May 5th, 2006
Is anyone else listening to this fuckhead????
Holy shit… what a dick…… oh my god, I can’t believe this is happening.
He is such a fucking buffoon.
May 5, 2006 - 01:10 PM on May 5th, 2006
Mike, isn’t he defending Satan now?
May 5, 2006 - 01:14 PM on May 5th, 2006
No doubt…everyone knows that I’m an atheist, but if there is a heaven and hell, surely there will be Kennedys-A-Roasting
May 5, 2006 - 01:18 PM on May 5th, 2006
Is there anyone on the planet that heard that press conference with a straight face???????
Holy shit, put this asshole in shackles for his own good.
May 5, 2006 - 01:20 PM on May 5th, 2006
A kennedy out committing crimes, lying, receiving special treatment
It’s a Kilo Wet Dream!!!!
May 5, 2006 - 01:26 PM on May 5th, 2006
I wonder if his first call was to Ted “Oops, I killed her again” Kennedy
Patrick: “Unkle Ted, I just screwed up big”
Ted: “ehr ah…did you dump the body?”
Patrick: “Hey, come on, I didn’t kill anyone.”
Ted: “Ehr ah.. well, that’s good, just say that it was consentual.”
Patrick: “huh? I didn’t RAPE anyone, uncle Ted”
Ted: “hicup! Oh, Ehr ah, well that’s a relief, come on over for a drink!”
Patrick: “But Unkle Ted, I was drunk Driving!!”
Ted: “Of course you (hicup!) were Patty, how else are you supposed to get anywhere!”
Patrick: “Uncle Ted, you are not listening, I got caught!”
Ted: “Ehr Ah, no big deal, you’re a Kennedy, we’ll take care of you!”
Patrick: “really? but what will I tell the authorities?”
Ted: “HICUP!!! eh, tell them you don’t remember… works for me! DOWN THE HATCH!!!
May 5, 2006 - 01:33 PM on May 5th, 2006
Mike,
It’s not Uncle, but Daddy. Teddy got fruitfilled and multiplied. Patrick is his get.
May 5, 2006 - 01:33 PM on May 5th, 2006
oh shit, I forgot!!!! haha..sorry
May 5, 2006 - 01:44 PM on May 5th, 2006
Remember when Thirty said this:
It has been written a man does what he must in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles, and dangers, and pressures, and that is the basis of human morality. Whatever may be the sacrifices he faces, if he follows his conscience — the loss of his friends, his fortune, his contentment, even the esteem of his fellow man — each man must decide for himself the course he will follow. The stories of the past courage cannot supply courage itself. For this, each man must look into his own soul.
May 5, 2006 - 01:45 PM on May 5th, 2006
Kennedys and Driving, Just Mix and Stir
Patrick Kennedy, the Rhode Island Congressman and son of prominent Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy, apparently had a little trouble behind the wheel (from Drudge)
olice labor union officials asked acting Chief Christopher McGaffin this afternoon to all…
May 5, 2006 - 01:51 PM on May 5th, 2006
Breaking news: Kennedy Going to Rehab
This just in: Kennedy to enter rehab for addiction.
Just my 2¢ here, but while I applaud him for getting help with his problem, that shouldn’t wipe out his actions with an "I couldn’t help it excuse.
By claiming addiction an…
May 5, 2006 - 02:18 PM on May 5th, 2006
These people care just as much about another Kennedy Cover Up, where fortunately now one drowned this time, as they would someone taking bribes. The only thing I can hope for is that when Mary Jo was murdered, there were not blogs to take this man to task — there are now. We took down Rather … why not Pat?
May 5, 2006 - 02:20 PM on May 5th, 2006
So, he’s going to the Mayo Clinic…
Can the Kennedys get a group rate there?
May 5, 2006 - 02:34 PM on May 5th, 2006
OK, Let’s clear some things up here…
* Kennedy says he wasn’t driving under the influence of alcohol, but a prescription drug cocktail.
* After the accident the police apparently didn’t do a field test to see if he was drunk.
* Kennedy complied with all police requests. If the cops thought Kennedy was under the driving drunk then they should have taken appropriate action to confirm and then take him away.
Any argument of “DUI Cover-Up” is now irrelevant and pure speculation thanks to crappy police work at the time of the accident.
“We took down Rather : why not Pat?”
I’m not sticking up for Kennedy, I’m just saying that so far he has slipped by your team on this one, and probably won’t have to resign unless something new and damaging comes out.
Does the Blogging Right think they have the skills to take down a Kennedy? I’m not so certain…these people are PROS and have been for over 50 years.
May 5, 2006 - 02:35 PM on May 5th, 2006
Background info: According to two independent sources, Kennedy probably lied about not using alcohol:
Capital Police incident report states Kennedy under influence of alcohol
Bar hostess says Kennedy drinking that night
As I’ve pointed out elsewhere, if he lied to the police about this, that was obstruction of justice.
However, there is a much more serious side to this.
Kennedy told officers he was going to a House vote at 2:45 AM. As you may be aware, the U.S. Constitution protects Members of Congress from being arrested or detained by the police in most circumstances providing they are going to or from the House to vote. This is to protect from interference in the Democratic process by the administration or police.
He lied to the Capital Police officers and told them he was on his way to a vote at 2:45 AM… when there was no vote… which may have caused the Capital Police to confer with higher-ups and the higher-ups to order not to arrest Kennedy because of the U.S. Constitution… is Kennedy guilty of obstruction of justice: a felony?
If I was on a jury, I’d have to conclude he was.
He’s trying to escape legal jeopardy.
Q. why did he lie about his drinking to the officers if he did so?
A. Obstruction of justice.
Q. Why did he lie about going to a vote at 2:45 AM if he wasn’t?
A. Abusing his power as a Congressman to subvert the U.S. Constitution and obstruct justice.
So now he’s saying he wasn’t drinking, but he was abusing prescription drugs. This despite the two previous sources I cited that state he was either “under the influence of alcohol”(the cops”or “drinking”(bar hostess).
And Kennedy’s own statement said that he took precisely the prescribed amount of his prescription drugs and no more.
His statements have changed multiple times, but it’s his actions that night, which were in my opinion felonious.
If it walks like abusing his power to subvert the U.S. Constitution and obstruction of justice and if it talks like abusing his power to subvert the U.S. Constitution and obstruction of justice, it’s a duck.
May 5, 2006 - 02:39 PM on May 5th, 2006
He can’t do anything right …
He can’t handle his depression. He can’t handle his medication. He can’t handle his addiction. He can’t handle his booze. And he sure can’t drive. But … we can trust Patrick Kennedy to govern American!
May 5, 2006 - 02:42 PM on May 5th, 2006
SF, you are AMAZING.
May 5, 2006 - 02:47 PM on May 5th, 2006
I’m heading out folks… it’s beer-thirty
but I won’t be DRIVING anywhere….
have a good one, PCD, Peejz, Robert, FAO, San Fran Lib!!!
May 5, 2006 - 02:49 PM on May 5th, 2006
22-Does the Blogging Right think they have the skills to take down a Kennedy? I’m not so certain:these people are PROS and have been for over 50 years.
San Fran, the Kennedy’s are about to be introduced to the internet. You see, for the past 50 years, we, the people have been at the mercy of what the MSM told us. Now we have 24/7 information at our finger tips. We, the people, intend to keep this story front and center.
May 5, 2006 - 03:05 PM on May 5th, 2006
Have a great weekend Mike!
May 5, 2006 - 03:10 PM on May 5th, 2006
Have a great weekend, everyone! Tomorrow is my first anniversary with my husband, and we’re starting the festivities tonight, and continuing until Monday. Needless to say, I won’t be around here.
This thread has been great, I can’t wait to see what everyone’s saying on Monday.
May 5, 2006 - 03:49 PM on May 5th, 2006
Happy Anniversary Alyssa:smile:
May 5, 2006 - 03:53 PM on May 5th, 2006
“…the Kennedy’s are about to be introduced to the internet. You see, for the past 50 years, we, the people have been at the mercy of what the MSM told us. Now we have 24/7 information at our finger tips. We, the people, intend to keep this story front and center.”
We’ll see. You could be right, or this could blow over and Kennedy could go on to be a Rhode Island Senator someday.
We live in strange days; it used to be that if you were a public personality and were publicly exposed as a drug addict…
May 5, 2006 - 04:11 PM on May 5th, 2006
Thanks, Peejz!
I had to check back one more time after seeing something else about Goss. He’s resigning…and headed to Mayo, as well. For sex addiction. Is this a joke someone is starting, or is it serious? I can’t find any credible sources that say it.
I can’t wait until Monday to check back. Have a great weekend, everyone!
May 5, 2006 - 04:47 PM on May 5th, 2006
Happy Chinga de Mayo!!!
May 5, 2006 - 04:49 PM on May 5th, 2006
I ask this timely question again:
What is left to be determined is will Rep. Kennedy resign? Should Senator Ted Kennedy resign?
Should Nancy Pelosi resign?
Should Howard Dean resign?
Inquiring minds want to know!
May 5, 2006 - 04:51 PM on May 5th, 2006
“Mike, don’t forget the games of Naked Twister with Papa Ted and Lyndie. *Shudders*”
The only thing I can thing of that would be worse (picture this, now) would be forced to play naked twister with Janet Reno and Madelyn Albright. While Lynndie England (smoking a cigarette) points at your bean bag.
Neither the evils of Hitler nor the Gulags of Stalin offered any torment exceeding that…
May 5, 2006 - 04:59 PM on May 5th, 2006
31–Never mind, it was a joke.
May 5, 2006 - 05:26 PM on May 5th, 2006
30 I would have more sympathy for him if he were just a drug addict..
as it stands, he’s a spoiled, priviledged, LIAR.
May 5, 2006 - 08:25 PM on May 5th, 2006
Rep. Patrick Kennedy to enter rehab for prescription drug addiction
I’m playing catch up on some of the stories that have caught the attention of the blogosphere this week so forgive me if some of what I blog about tonight seems like old news.
As you’ve no doubt heard by now, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) got…
May 5, 2006 - 10:27 PM on May 5th, 2006
It really is time for the entire leadership of the Democrite party, steeped in the Culture of Democrite Corruption, to resign.
Harry Reid: Resign!
Nancy Pelosi: Resign!
HilLiary Klintscum: Resign!
Chapatraitor Ted: Resign!
Turban Durbin: Resign!
Jim “Aid and Comfort” McDermott: Resign!
Howard Deaniac: Resign!
John “I don’t own those cars…the family does” Kerry: Resign!
Patrick “disease victim” Kennedy: Resign!
May 6, 2006 - 05:46 AM on May 6th, 2006
PAT KENNEDY UPDATES: Heads To Cinco De Mayo Clinic After Changing Story… Again
***If you’re behind on the Pat Kennedy controversy, see my original Thursday post that includes many updates, details, and twists in this matter. So as I give you a quick update and link round-up with brief commentary, know that…
May 6, 2006 - 08:54 AM on May 6th, 2006
:wink:Hey can’t young Kennedy just go to mexico? “our best friend in the world”, and run for a mexican political offfice? “after all so many have come from mexico to do just that”, so Kennedy! go to mexico and run, and talk about how big your balls are down south of our border; in the land of your friend’s, and Kennedy have fun in prison south of the border
ops:
May 8, 2006 - 05:57 AM on May 8th, 2006
SF********, demonstrates the hypocrisy of the left in this country. Not one real condemnation of Kennedy’s wealth, where he got it, and not one complaint about why he’s able to stay in office. Yet, if this were a Republican, SF would be running around with a rope outfitted with a hangmans’s noose to use on him.
We may now dismiss everything SF ******** says.