Redemption

Excerpts of Ted Kennedy's memoir are being leaked by the New York Times. In his book, completed apparently, several months before his death, Kennedy discusses the despair and depression he endured subsequent to the series of family tragedies beginning with older brother Joe's disappearance during World War II to Bobby Kennedy's assassination in 1968.

But it's the revelation of his own mistakes and troubles that is far more interesting. Why? Because Kennedy demonstrates a rather wise, sage, and vastly different understanding of human character than what most people express. In essence, he accepts that no person is defined by any single act or even acts. We are far more complicated beings than that. In other words, Kennedy is not some boozy, womanizing, galavanting politician, but rather, as we have heard over the past week, he is a loving husband, devoted father and uncle, avid historian, jovial singer, passionate outdoorsman and sailor, accepting friend, compassionate statesman. I would suspect that he could look at anyone and find the good in them.

And that is a redeeming character.