Robert Kennedy Would Be Eighty Three Years Old

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I was only ten years old when he was assassinated but I can remember it like it was yesterday.My mom took to me to the front of a rope line when he was camaigning in Rego Park to become Senator from New York. When I was ten years old I wrote him a letter telling him how much I admired him and his family. He wrote me back saying a well informed young people is our nation's best hope for the future. He also included an autographed photograph that I still display on my dresser drawers.

My mom and I were watching the coverage of the California primary when he was shot. He didn't die instantly. I remember walking around the next day with a transistor radio glued to my ear to hear updates on his condition.

Robert Kennedy was sui generis...Pete Hamill nailed it. He was liberal but he was a "tough" Democrat...

[babylonsister]

1. Now THIS makes me feel old. nt

[BrklynLib at work]

3. Me too. I was significantly past 10 years old when RFK was killed.

It is a moment that stands still in your mind...

[ecstatic]

2. I'm beginning the process of learning about the Kennedys

The thing that makes it so confusing to me is all the nicknames that are so far off from their birth names. I think I understand now that John F. Kennedy is also known as Jack Kennedy? And Robert was Bobby (makes sense), and I learned a little while back that Edward is nicknamed Teddy.

Well, besides that, they sound like such a great inspiring family. I'm eager to learn more.

[yellowdogintexas]

13. well, Jack is a fairly common nickname for John, particularly in Irish tradition

and Ted has been a nickname for Edward for a long time, it makes no sense, it just is. But it is no stranger than Peggy for Margaret..I have NEVER Figured that one out.

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Did you see Pete on Morning Joe this am?

A riveting segment - it put a lump in my throat...:(

[DemocratSinceBirth]

9. I Wish Jack Newfield Was Alive

His biography of Robert Kennedy was the best...Arthur Schlesinger's biography was more scholarly but less readable.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

5. Its hard for me to watch footage of him on TV ...

because I feel that we were robbed of a great leader. I saw his last interview on MSNBC last night and I just wondered if he were still alive,what he would think about Obama.And Hillary.

[AllentownJake]

7. Everything would have been different

I probably wouldn't have been born because my parents met each other at a Vietnam Vet thing. She served in 1970 and if he was President there would have been no war in 1970.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. To Be Honest

He would admire Obama's idealism and Hillary Clinton's pluck or tenacity.

Bobby Kennedy loved the company of brave men...He named one of his sons after General Maxwell Taylor...

[onetwo]

6. What part of Rego Park?

Small world.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

11. I Saw Him In Front Of Alexanders Which Is Long Gone

I lived in Park City and then Forest Hills before moving to FL with my folks...

[zonkers]

16. Check out this photo of Kennedy speaking on a Far Rockaway Queens, Beach...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

17. I Lived In Far Rockaway Until I Was Five

~

[onetwo]

18. Wow, really small world...

I'm guessing you or your family may have went to PS206, Halsey, and/or Forest Hills High?

Seems everyone leaves this area for FL, LOL.

[nevergiveup]

8. I was a college student

and I remember wondering "who else are they going to kill?" and "Is the world coming to an end?" We were all confused and scared.

[yellowdogintexas]

12. very very scared. I still can be brought to tears over RFK

It was a deeply frightening time

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. omg...I learned something today I never knew about RFK and Joe McCarthy

Robert really liked McCarthy....they were very good friends...such good friends that Robert had Joe be Godfather to his child Kathleen Townsend.

:wow:

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. They Were Fellow Irish Catholics

Joe McCarthy had dated one of his sisters...When McCarthy was censured by the Senate John Kennedy abstained...