Just more evidence that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Hey now. I'm out and about all the time that early in the morning. Nothing wrong with that. :p

Now who is this person of "higher rank than patrolman" who told them to take him home? Must be nice to get special treatment by the police.

Sort of like Cheney not being tested when he shot his friend in the face. One rule for the rich, another for the rest.

It's 'catch and release' when it comes to the Kennedy clan. No matter how bad it is, you can always depend on a friendly judge, or public official who will let them off.

This example shows karma coming home to roost. Patrick Kennedy's Grandfather, Joseph Kennedy, was a an illegal smuggler of rum and other alcohol during the Prohibition era. That's where this family made its fortune. After prohibition, this street thug progressed into more respectable circles in society as one of the nouveau riche, wearing a mantle of respectability, Joseph parlayed his way into the Roosevelt Administration and eventually got an Ambassador's post in the U.K. During WWII, he was essentially declared persona non gratis by the Brits because he openly sided with Hitler's Nazi agenda, even though he was an Ambassador in the U.K.

The list of scandals and embarassments in his family are too numerous to mention here, but as far as Ted Kennedy goes, he was kicked out of college because he paid someone to take one of his final exams for him. Later, as a Junior Senator from Massachusetts, he had the infamous "swimming lesson" at Chappaquidick, where he left an aide to drown while he salvaged his polticial career, informing the authorities about the accident some 18 hours after the fact. And there were plenty of other scandals involving interns, young women, infidelity, rape and murder swirling around his family as well.

And now, this. His son, Patrick, following in the scurrilous ways of his bad blood family, apparently pulled the "I'm a Kennedy! I'm above the law!" get out of jail free card. This lowlife family has long been adored by the American public for reasons beyond me. As far as I'm concerned, their Trust Fund inheritance is coming full circle. They're alcoholics, philanderers, liars and cheats - just like Joe Kennedy.

They're a shining example of how corrupt a family can become when they don't have to work for a living. Ted, Patrick, and their entire clan of no-good genetic throwbacks should fade from our collective memories. But unfortunately, they refuse to move beyond the "Camelot syndrome" that was falsely established by John F. Kennedy in the early 1960s. They've since shown themselves to be nothing more than white ghetto trash with a lot of money.

When will the good people of Massachusetts and Rhode Island turn them out from their "throne" of power?

Before too much more crap about preferential treatment from police, I would like to add something.

A member of congress cannot be arrested while the congress is in session. So this "catch and release" was actually done by the letter of the law.

I agree that Kennedy was rather stupid and probably drunk, but he cannot be legally detained.

How 'bout some coverage of Rummy lying today when confronted with his statements?

Michelle Malkin is reporting that Kennedy had another wreck two weeks prior to this one. They posted his handwriting on the police report. Totally illelligible. Hmmmm...

CNN aka Cover Up News Networking is reporting that a tape exists. This is could be the mother of all scandals.

Georgia Frawg --

By any chance are you referring to the part of the U.S. Constitution that reads, "[Members of Congress] shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same"???

Because if that's the provision you're relying on, isn't crashing a car into a Capitol Hill barrier while drunk a "breach of the peace"? And assuming it is a breach of the peace, doesn't that strip Kennedy of his alleged immunity? And assuming it strips Kennedy of any possible immunity, wasn't it outrageous for the DC cops to give him a free pass???

Define "in Session". Was there a session going on at that time of the morning? Could Drunk Driving be ruled a "Breach of Peace"? I think a pretty good case could be made that the House was not in session and that he did indeed breached the peace.

VW

What a culture of corruption by the Demorats. Punch a cop, nothing happens. Drive under the influence of something, with no headlights on, and crash into a barrier, almost hitting two police vehicles and nothing happens.

Deleted - Off Topic

Kennedy, congressman from ROAD ISLAND? Sounds like a problem, Kennedy, land surrounded by water. Where did I hear of that before? Dad has a dog named Splash? His dad should be getting out of prison about now, but that would be a normal world.

"How 'bout some coverage of Rummy lying today when confronted with his statements?"

"Wasn't it great watching the bird of truth feed the nighcrawler to Rummy today?

Next to Nixon sweating, Rummy's pic is right up there."

How about sticking to the topic of this thread?

Maybe Kennedy & Rush can have a beer and snort some painkillers in rehab together.

But, Tina, lie to the American public, get over 2,000 Americans and 30,000 Iraqis killed? What is that called? Culture of corruption. Cabal of greed? I'm not sure there is anything that can encompass it.

Ash + Maf53 = Mental Masturbation.

Are you enjoying that cigarette in the afterglow, girls?

I guess you really trumped everyone with your incredibly on-topic and concise analysis of Patrick Kennedy's current dilemma...

As usual, your pithy comments are so relevant (not!).

When in doubt, change the subject...

Maybe Rep. Kennedy should get himself a trial lawyer and litigate against the makers of ambien.

Unless the manufacture is Lilly, you can't sue them becuase the republican congress made a law to shield lilly from product liability.

-Joe

That's because Sen Kennedy let the village raise his kid instead of doing the work himself. This is what you get when both parents are never around and the schools and nannies raise their children. Sad, truly sad

Like Father, Like Son. Patrick had the perfect role model for events such as these. Actually, I'm not surprised this is being swept under the rug.

dbogdan said:

"This example shows karma coming home to roost. Patrick Kennedy's Grandfather, Joseph Kennedy, was a an illegal smuggler of rum and other alcohol during the Prohibition era. That's where this family made its fortune."

You're forgetting that Joe Sr. also made TONS of cash as one of the stock market manipulators who caused the Crash and Great Depression.

Very telling that the patriarch of the Left's proudest political dynasty was a shamelessly social-climbing, filthy-rich white man who orchestrated in voter-fraud to ensure that his son became president.

How much time did George Bush do for his DWI?

It seems things still haven't changed much for the privileged few.

"How much time did George Bush do for his DWI?"

show me where he had two wrecks in two-weeks due to being drunk and I will agree with you.

If the story of taking Ambien is true, and it wasn't the first time he'd taken it, that's even more irresponsible than drinking and driving. My wife takes Ambien, and, on a few occasions, I've taken 1/2 a tablet when I was having trouble sleeping. It only takes 10 or 15 minutes to take effect, and it really knocks you out.

Poor ol' Parker,

W was stopped by the police and charged with a DWI, paid his fine, and had the DWI on his driving record.

Patty O' Kennedy was driving around 2:45 AM, crashed his car (2nd time in a week), almost killed two police officers, was seen drinking at a popular congresional watering hole, the on scene officers were told to leave by senior police officials, and Patty was given a ride home.

Hmmm...sorry Parker your "privilege" BS ain't gonna float.

Typical liberal commie democrats excusing illegal behavior. The MSM is sure to cover this one up like they did when ol' Patty's daddy killed Mary Jo.

Patty should been taken to the slammer by the cops...you and I would have!

No correlation with the Cheney shooting incident, plenty of first hand witnesses to that event...but never in the Kennedy problems. And the police gave him a ride home, how nice...this makes Rep Cynthia McKinney arguement alot more plausible, I can't believe in 2006 the police would be this dumb. Hey, and if he passes the breath test for alcohol...then he benefits from that, I would be forcing a blood test especially as a senator. So here we go, the police are racist b/c there isn't a black in 3000 miles that would've gotten a ride home after missing a cop car and hitting a barracade. Those involved ought to be suspended for violating procedure.

"My wife takes Ambien, and, on a few occasions, I've taken 1/2 a tablet when I was having trouble sleeping. It only takes 10 or 15 minutes to take effect, and it really knocks you out."

I think his story is that he was "sleep driving." That he didn't consciously get into the car...

I don't know. He's also been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, so this guy's got some problems.

The whole family has some problems. They are as dysfuntional a public family as I have seen.

Welcome back, Georgia.

I take Ambient as well, the warning on the label clearly states, "do not operate heavy machinery, do not drive single women across bridges, in case of accident pretend to be a drunk Kennedy.”

It doesn't matter if Kennedy WAS driving under the influence of prescription drugs instead of alcohol, as he claims. It appears that DC law makes it a crime to drive under the influence of either:

District of Columbia Statutes § 50-2201.05. Fleeing from scene of accident; driving under the influence of liquor or drugs.

* * *

(b) (1) (A) No individual shall, when the individual's blood contains .08% or more, by weight, of alcohol (or when .38 micrograms or more of alcohol are contained in 1 milliliter of his breath, consisting of substantially alveolar air), or the individual's urine contains .10% or more, by weight, of alcohol, or under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or any combination thereof, operate or be in physical control of any vehicle in the District. No individual under 21 years of age shall, when the individual's blood, breath, or urine contains any measurable amount of alcohol, operate or be in physical control of any vehicle in the District. Any individual violating any provision of this paragraph, upon conviction for the first offense, unless the individual has previously been convicted for a violation of paragraph (2) of this subsection, shall be fined $300 and may be imprisoned for not more than 90 days. In addition, if the individual's blood contains at least .20%, but not more than .25%, by weight, of alcohol, the individual shall be imprisoned for an additional mandatory minimum period of 5 days, or if the level is more than .25%, by weight, of alcohol, for an additional mandatory minimum period of 10 days. The additional mandatory minimum period shall not be suspended by the court.

So even by Kennedy's own admission, he committed a crime under DC law, and should be prosecuted.

Similarly, the possibility Kennedy was impaired by prescription drugs instead of alcohol doesn't justify the inexcusable behavior of the Capitol Police. They clearly had probable cause to believe Kennedy was driving under the influence of something, and had the legal duty to test him for alcohol or drugs. There needs to be a thorough investigation of why they didn't test Kennedy, and if they had no better reason than wanting to protect a Congressman, or a particular Congressman, then someone in the Capitol Police needs to lose his, her or their job(s).

End of story.

JPL,
You're using the law for what it clearly wasn't intended. The man is bi-polar, and he was sleep driving! You can't expect someone with a disorder to be held to the standard under which the law was written. If he had been a Moroccan as a child he could have planned a mass murder, but he’s a Kennedy, so the maximum he can get away with leaving the scene of an accident where someone dies.

I'm sure it's a law somewhere in Massachusetts .

Tom.
It's more than likely that Kennedy was drunk. There wasn't even a sobriety test given at the scene. Just a ride home. I agree with most of the posts here. My point was to point out that it's not a 'liberal' or 'conservative' thing. It's a matter of certain people who are allowed to skirt the law. Of course if the Bush name is cited here, it must be in a positive manner or you're a commie pinko liberal traitor.

"Ash + Maf53 = Mental Masturbation."

Hmm, if he was indeed drunk, the he needs to be charged. Not really that hard to figure it out. Same with Rush, same with anybody - break the law, then you're in trouble.

Speaking of mental masturbation, Dbog ... what would you file "Taking a Swipe at Another Man's Wife" under?

"You're using the law for what it clearly wasn't intended. The man is bi-polar, and he was sleep driving! You can't expect someone with a disorder to be held to the standard under which the law was written."

Doh!!! Of course! I take it all back!

maf, I'm sure he is never going to own up to it, but thanks for keeping it alive. It keeps us all aware what we are dealing with there.

MF,
That would when you brought up my wife?

JPL,
I see CNN is reporting an investigation of the handling of the Kennedy case is underway. Interesting, the perpetrator will walk, but the people that allowed the perp to get away with it will be criminally charged; sounds like the Clinton White House.

Bane - I'm not sure what you're talking about. When did I ever bring up your wife?

Mf,
Sorry, it wasn't you. It was muirgeo, I get my barking moonbats confused.

Looks like he'll be joining Rush in rehab soon.

I just heard Patrick Kennedy's news conference. I'm glad he's decided to come clean and try to get his life back on track. I wish him well, despite what I feel so strongly about his family and their apparent lack of shame.

Rush Limbaugh was also very kind and compassionate in his treatment of this subject today. Like most Americans, when someone in the public eye reveals such intimate details about a personal demon in their lives, we are usually very supportive and wish them the best of luck.

There but for the grace of God....

dbogdan,

Wish others on here took your approach instead of using this incident as a chance to attack Kennedy and his family.

"Wish others on here took your approach instead of using this incident as a chance to attack Kennedy and his family."

Nice try smearing conservatives, TS. Until Kennedy publicly announced he had a problem and was entering rehab, there was precious little reason to feel any sympathy for him. Now that he made his announcement, I expect some conservatives (including myself) will feel somewhat differently. But since nearly all the comments in this forum were made before Kennedy's announcement, it's totally dishonest for you to judge those comments based on something that occurred later.

But I guess you can't help that; as a typical leftie, you just can't resist re-writing history.

JPL!

Tom Shipley extended an olive branch! There was no purpose being served by spitting in his eye...

In doing so, you helped to reinforce in his mind his perception that we're generally evil, nasty people, which we all know is not true.

Don't give up on us, Tom. We're people too... fraught with complex strengths and personal weakenesses. Thanks for recognizing that and for commenting on it. Although we may vehemently disagree on many issues, on this one, we should all take the higher ground and look in the mirror and give thanks that for what he have in life.

Can you imagine if this was a republican or even Dick Cheney. The lib media feeding frenzy. With Dick Cheney, all the evidence showed that it was merely a hunting accident, but the shameful media would not let go about drinking and affairs. Here we have real evidence of drinking, a cover up, lying, favoritsm. What does the lib media do, talk about the effects of medication. The lib media has hit rock bottom, if that is possible.

JPL...

With all due respect... I hope I didn't come across as nasty to you, either... :)

Of all the posts on this thread, I like this one the best...

I take Ambient as well, the warning on the label clearly states, "do not operate heavy machinery, do not drive single women across bridges, in case of accident pretend to be a drunk Kennedy.”

LOL! I like that one, rathaven.

It does annoy me when people of priviledge get priviledged treatment. I don't care if they're Demublicans or Republicrats or some other. It's just so, well... un-American. By the same token it also bothers me when people vilify others by virtue of their familial relations. My dad and my grandfather were great people, and it makes me proud to say that. But if they weren't, I would hate to have to answser for them for the rest of my life.

And by the way, I have an uncle that's another story entirely, lol! I'm glad I don't have to answer for him!

"Tom Shipley extended an olive branch!"

Let's just say that wasn't how I saw it, dbogdan. But so what? This just shows how complex conservatives are. Although you and I are conservative, and Shipley is a lib, I happen to agree with you and Shipley that Kennedy's admission of his problem deserves our compassion, but I disagree with you about Shipley extending an olive branch. I still think he intentionally slandered conservatives when he attacked our pre-press conference comments. Could I change my mind? I suppose, if Shipley admitted going overboard with his criticism of our pre-press conference comments.

"you helped to reinforce in his mind his perception that we're generally evil, nasty people...."

OK, if expressing sympathy for Kennedy after his press conference means I'm evil and nasty, then I happily plead guilty.

"With all due respect... I hope I didn't come across as nasty to you, either... :)"

Not a problem. Anyone who posts on political blogs has to have thick skin, and I like posting on political blogs. So fuhgedaboudit!

JPL,

Consider it "fuhgotabout!"

We've got smaller fish to fry - like the insane trolls who haunt this site in search of a response from anyone. Any response seems to be appreciated by the quislings on the left, as they have to preen in front of somebody in order to validate that they are somehow, in some desperate way, legitimate.

Ash loves his wife, whom he claims is a devil. Between the two of them, did they spawn Rosemary's Baby (humor!)

dbogdan -- Excellent! Let us fry some small fish, then.

To that end, let me ask you: If the insane trolls' goal is to provoke a response, are we encouraging them to continue commenting by responding to them? Alternatively, if we ignore them, will they go away? And assuming that ignoring them will make them go away, is it ever possible to get EVERYONE to ignore insane trolls?

Alas, I've concluded that there's no way to make everyone ignore trolls. There will ALWAYS be someone who wants to respond to their inanity. So I've concluded that the only way to drive trolls away is to relentlessly respond to their inanities with facts and brutal logic. Eventually the trolls will become overwhelmed with the amount of research they have to do to try to rebut you, or they'll realize that no matter how much research they do they can't possibly rebut you because the facts are against them, or they'll get tired of embarrassing themselves with lies, and eventually go away. So anyway, that's why I haunt this blog at 3:20 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

Not to change the subject, but Rosemary's Baby is one of my favorite horror films! Tannus root, anyone?

* The first arrest of George W. Bush was for theft at a hotel.
* The second arrest was for disorderly conduct at a football game.
* The third arrest, we've now learned, is for a very serious crime -- drunk driving.

Vice President Dick Cheney, on the other hand, could actually argue that his two DWIs came when he was young and reckless.

At 17, Laura Bush ran a stop sign and crashed into another car, killing her boyfriend who was driving it, according to an accident report released to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

AUSTIN -- An underage drinking citation against one of President Bush's daughters was dismissed Monday after 19-year-old Barbara Bush completed the requirements of her deferred sentence.

Jenna Bush has until Oct. 6 to complete terms of her deferred sentence. After pleading no contest to the underage drinking charge, Jenna Bush was ordered to perform 36 hours of community service, pay a $500 fine and not drive for 30 days. The fine and the license suspension were the maximum penalties allowed under the law.

Noelle Bush, the 24-year-old daughter of Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who was sentenced to two days in jail today (7/17), after the director of her Orlando drug treatment center told the court she had been found with unauthorized pills. Bush was arrested in January at a Tallahassee pharmacy for trying to buy the anti-depressant Xanax with a fraudulent prescription.

John Ellis Bush, the youngest son of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, was arrested early Friday and charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest, law enforcement officials in Texas said.

The 21-year-old nephew of President Bush was arrested by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission at 2:30 a.m. Friday on a corner of Austin's Sixth Street bar district, said spokesman Roger Wade.

Is this website supposed to be funny? I think you guys are hilarious!

JPL,

What's the need to attack Kennedy before his press conference? I don't like this idea that it's OK to attack, mock and ridicule a man until he's proven to you that he's sorry for what he's done.

This guy's been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and has admitted in the past to a substance abuse problem. If you look at the thread from last week that incorrected stated that Rush Limbaugh was arrested on drug charges, you'll see that I wrote it's unfortunate when someone has a drug problem and it the story was true, I hoped it would serve as inspiration for him to get help.

I have empathy for people regardless of their political views. I often attack people because of their certain views, thinking or actions, but when it comes to personal affairs, I keep that seperate.

There was no need to attack or mock Kennedy or his family. To do so was petty and ugly partisanship.

But, what do I know, I'm just a lib troll. Keep up the good fight!

You know, I just have to comment. What do think the odds of Laura running a stop sign (at a undetermined speed)and incredibly hitting and killing her boy friend? It has to be astronomical. What really, really bad luck. I am in no way insinuating that anything was covered up or illegal. Wow, talk about being in the wrong spot at the wrong time! Her boyfriend! Yeesh, I am truly amazed at the laws of probability sometimes.

raker13

If the crime is in anyway related to a Bush, the supporters of Bush just DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. People may lose their lives, but that's ok. Bushes are never guilty.

raker13 -- What are the odds that you are a jerk? Oh, about 100%.

"There was no need to attack or mock Kennedy or his family. To do so was petty and ugly partisanship."

You got me there, TS; I think you're probably right on that one. Which is why I didn't mock Patrick Kennedy before his press conference, and limited my comments to legal analysis. But that said, I fully understand why people felt the urge to mock the Kennedys before the press conference, and there's no way I would ever attack them for having done so. The Kennedy family has gotten a ridiculous amount of free passes from New England voters and certain members of the press since JFK's tragic death -- especially Ted -- and it's extremely upsetting to see that free pass descend to yet another generation of politically powerful Kennedys. That free pass to Kennedys in politics has got to stop, the sooner the better.

"If the crime is in anyway related to a Bush, the supporters of Bush just DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. People may lose their lives, but that's ok. Bushes are never guilty."

Just wondering, Canadian Observer, does EVERY fatal car accident in Canada result in someone going to jail?

By the way, this is not a rhetorical question. I want an answer.