Sharon, I'm actually more concerned about the overly harsh treatment that the poor and minorities (and some others) get at the hands of the law than I am about the rich and connected being allowed to put some serious mistakes behind them and move on.

I don't know what happened at Chappaquiddick, but I think it's almost certain that someone whose car had just plunged off a bridge into frigid water would have been disoriented from a concussion and maybe some hypothermia too.   If they had consumed any alcohol at all beforehand, that would exacerbate the confusion.    It's quite possible that Kennedy's story is true and that his only "sin" was the delay in contacting authorities -- something that probably wouldn't have made a difference as to Kopechne's survival but which COULD have made the difference between Kennedy being able to go on with his life as a public servant and his being an outcast from that.   Personally, I don't think the nation would have been better served by his being imprisoned or ostracized -- And I feel the same way about "average citizens" who might have acted the same in a similar situation.   
When someone commits an offense against others, I'd rather see rehabilitation and restitution than retribution and recrimination.    We don't offer everyone that chance -- which I think is the tragedy and injustice -- but I'm glad when someone who does have that chance uses it for good. And I think Ted Kennedy did a lot of good for a lot of people.


Word to what lefthanded guitar said:
"As far as his mistake of 40 years ago, I do believe it was truly an accident. (If anyone has ever seen a picture of that bridge, btw, it is treacherous). I think his track record shows that he was a man of conscience overall (and there's NO use arguing it with people who disgree)

For me, I just feel terribly saddened, and the entire family seems to have been met by tragedy at ever turn.An older brother lost. Two brothers lost. A sister lost. A lovely and elegant sister in law gone. A nephew of great promise, most heartbreakingly gone too soon. And yet, where lesser folks would have faltered and been thwarted, Ted Kennedy took up the mantle and never lost his fire and dedication to a cause greater than his own.

Rest in peace Ted. Rest in peace all of them."

(Note that the Rose Kennedy's family lost more members prematurely than those mentioned.   They lost 2 daughters and a grandson prematurely, as well as 3 sons. (Four, counting Ted -- and I think 77 IS a too young to die when you are as actively engaged as Edward M. Kennedy was. But cancer can strike at any age.)