Senator Ted Kennedy: "from the very moment of conception"

Edward M. Kennedy
Massachusetts

United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510


August 3, 1971


Mr. Thomas E. Dennelly
34 Baker Hill Road
Great Neck, New York 11023

Dear Mr. Dennelly:

I appreciate your letter containing your views on abortion. There are many moral and legal aspects arising from this complex issue which is gaining the acceptance of large numbers of women faced with unwanted pregnancies, while disturbing the consciences of a great many other Americans.

Opponents maintain that abortion is wrong from every theolgoical, moral and medical aspect. Proponents are firmly convinced that the woman, alone, has the right to decide.

While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized - the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old.

On the question of the individual's freedom of choice there are easily available birth control methods and information which women may employ to prevent or postpone pregnancy. But once life has begun, no matter at what stage of growth, it is my belief that termination should not be decided merely be desire.

I share the confidence of those who feel that America is willing to care for its unwanted as well as wanted children, protecting particularly those who cannot protect themselves. I also share the opinions of those who do not accept abortion as a response to our society's problems - an inadequate welfare system, unsatisfactory job training programs, and insufficient financial support for all its citizens.

When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of conception.

Sincerely,

Edward M. Kennedy

_______

HT: Frederick Nacino: The Kennedy that could have been.. Ted Kennedy's pro-life letter written in 1971.. http://bit.ly/R2RZx

Ted Kennedy in 1980

From Ted Kennedy's 1980 Democratic National Convention Address conceding the nomination:

Finally, we cannot have a fair prosperity in isolation from a fair society. So I will continue to stand for a national health insurance. We must -- We must not surrender -- We must not surrender to the relentless medical inflation that can bankrupt almost anyone and that may soon break the budgets of government at every level.

Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge, and let us resolve that the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth.

The President, the Vice President, the members of Congress have a medical plan that meets their needs in full, and whenever senators and representatives catch a little cold, the Capitol physician will see them immediately, treat them promptly, fill a prescription on the spot. We do not get a bill even if we ask for it, and when do you think was the last time a member of Congress asked for a bill from the Federal Government?

And I say again, as I have before, if health insurance is good enough for the President, the Vice President, the Congress of the United States, then it's good enough for you and every family in America.

What does he mean by "fair"? It seems he and his party define "fair" as being the same.

Sotomayor Vote

Confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor, of New York, to be an Associate Justice of
the Supreme Court

Nomination Confirmed 68-31, 1 not voting

Planned Parenthood Bailout Prevails

H.Amdt. 389: An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 111-222 to provide that none of the funds in the bill be available to Planned Parenthood for any purpose under title X of the Public Health Services Act (Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs).
Failed 183-247

Dos and don'ts of Senate confirmations

Sonia Sotomayor begins her confirmation hearings today.

A few tips from Politico:

Don’t: Say the Constitution is a “living” document.
Do: Say the Constitution may be applied to “changed conditions.”

Don’t: Suggest you would never even consider overturning decisions hated by Republicans.
Do: Leave them some hope.

Don’t: Say you have empathy.
Do: Suggest that you have empathy.

Don’t: Confuse Earl Warren and Warren Burger when you’re asked to name your favorite justice.
Do: Avoid controversy by spreading the love around.

Don’t: Compare being a justice to being a baseball player, an NFL star, LeBron James or anyone else famous.
Do: Compare the job of a justice with that of an umpire, as Roberts did.