Day in History: July 19, 1969

[Olympus]

For your reading pleasure:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/frenzy/kennedy.htm

On the evening of July 19, 1969, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts drove his Oldsmobile off a wooden bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, drowning his passenger, a young campaign worker named Mary Jo Kopechne. The senator left the scene of the accident, did not report it to the police for many hours, and according to some accounts considered concocting an alibi for himself in the interim.

At the time, Kennedy managed to escape severe legal and political consequences for his actions thanks to his family's connections (which helped to contain the inquest and grand jury) and to a nationally televised "Checkers"-like speech broadcast a week after the accident. But virtually no journalist who has closely examined the evidence fully believes Kennedy's story, and almost 30 years later, the tragedy still trails the senator, with aggressive press investigations revived in five-year anniversary intervals.

Probably more than any other single factor, Chappaquiddick – a frenzy without end – has ensured that Ted Kennedy would not follow his brother John to the White House.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

Wasn't it said that he was drunk driving and caused it? Bad bad stuff.

 

[Eg.]

yeah but its like, "hmm i have a terrible hangover, where is my car and the friends in it? oh well"