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thatcrazycajunAs both a liberal and a registered Democrat, it doubly grieves me to learn of the passing of R. Sargent Shriver, of complications from Alzheimer's disease at 95 in a Bethesda, MD hospital. His wife, Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, predeceased him by less than two years at 88 in Massachusetts. With thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
filkertom for the pointer, this New York Times article details the extraordinary career of a man who got more done for the public good in the political arena (and out of it) without ever actually being elected to office than just about anyone I can think of.
I remember when Mr. Shriver stepped in after the late Sen. Thomas Eagleton was rendered politically unviable as presidential timber by public revelation of his mental health treatment history and served as George McGovern's second-choice running mate in 1972. Sadly, throwing poor Tom under the bus didn't help; between McGovern's widely-reviled liberalism and the opposition's dirty tricks (which we only learned about through the Watergate scandal years later), the Democratic ticket was doomed from the jump. But he went on to serve two US Presidents, launch the Peace Corps and serve as its founding director and much else. And on top of all that, he and Eunice gave us one of television's top journalists and one of the state of California's finest First Ladies in their daughter Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger.
Farewell to one of my party's hardest-working, happiest warriors, and sympathies most sincere to his family, friends and all who knew and worked with him, in and out of politics. Few have earned a peaceful eternal rest more. Hug Eunice and say hi to Hubert for us when you get up there, sir, and thank you on behalf of a grateful nation...well, some of us anyhow.
filkertom for the pointer, this New York Times article details the extraordinary career of a man who got more done for the public good in the political arena (and out of it) without ever actually being elected to office than just about anyone I can think of.I remember when Mr. Shriver stepped in after the late Sen. Thomas Eagleton was rendered politically unviable as presidential timber by public revelation of his mental health treatment history and served as George McGovern's second-choice running mate in 1972. Sadly, throwing poor Tom under the bus didn't help; between McGovern's widely-reviled liberalism and the opposition's dirty tricks (which we only learned about through the Watergate scandal years later), the Democratic ticket was doomed from the jump. But he went on to serve two US Presidents, launch the Peace Corps and serve as its founding director and much else. And on top of all that, he and Eunice gave us one of television's top journalists and one of the state of California's finest First Ladies in their daughter Maria Shriver Schwarzenegger.
Farewell to one of my party's hardest-working, happiest warriors, and sympathies most sincere to his family, friends and all who knew and worked with him, in and out of politics. Few have earned a peaceful eternal rest more. Hug Eunice and say hi to Hubert for us when you get up there, sir, and thank you on behalf of a grateful nation...well, some of us anyhow.
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Date: 2011-01-20 12:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-21 04:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-20 12:15 am (UTC)The town of his birth absolutely hates his politics. But I think he's done some great things.
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Date: 2011-01-20 11:51 pm (UTC)I agree, there are few individuals who have done as much for the public good without being elected to office. Pete Seeger comes to mind, and . . . well I can't think of anyone else right now.