Bobby Kennedy

[Maleficent13]

A friend and I were talking about holiday movies yesterday, and she mentioned that she would not be going to see "Bobby", even though she liked some of the actors in it. I asked why she wouldn't see it, and she replied she couldn't stand Bobby Kennedy. I asked why and she simply replied, "I just do". I dropped the subject, seeing as it really wasn't a pressing concern for me, considering the man died almost 4 decades ago.

But I bring the question to the DIS...what about Bobby Kennedy would make him despisable? I freely admit I don't know much about him; I just never thought of him as someone who would inspire that much negative emotion. Thoughts?

 

[Fitswimmer]

I was young when he was killed, but from what I understand he was pretty liberal. There are people that don't like any of the Kennedy's, from what I understand the whole family inspires some pretty strong reactions.

I know the movie is kind of a vanity project for Estevez, but it still looks like it will be pretty good.

 

[Beth76]

I'm going with the anti-Kennedy/liberal theory too. Is your friend conservative? I think the movie looks really good and I'll definitely be seeing it even if I have to wait for the DVD. I think I saw Lindsay Lohan in it. Not that I'm a fan of hers (loved her in the Parent Trap though) but I think it would be interesting to see how she pulls of such a serious role.

 

[JunieJay]

People either love or hate the Kennedys, there doesn't seem to be a lot of grey with that family.

Speaking of Bobby specifically, my father had the chance to work with Bobby Kennedy many years ago and thought very highly of him. So I'm going with what dear old dad says. I'm very much looking forward to the movie, it looks like an interesting cast.

 

[TheDoctor]

Jimmy Hoffa and the Mafia had reason to dislike him.

I was young when he died but I remember that some thought that he was piggybacking on the popularity of his brother.

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I think I saw Lindsay Lohan in it. Not that I'm a fan of hers (loved her in the Parent Trap though) but I think it would be interesting to see how she pulls of such a serious role.

I've heard that a lot of people are really impressed with her role in this movie. It will be interesting to see how she does considering most of her roles have been fluffy, one dimensional characters that don't require much talent to play. I truly dislike Lindsay Lohan, I think she's super trashy. But that wont stop me from seeing this movie. I think it looks really good and I hear the screenplay is well written. JFK and Bobby were both before my time but I can admire them as politicians and as people. I saw Emilio Estevez and Lindsay Lohan when they were on Oprah (I think it was last week) and they showed a few clips from the film. Looked pretty good. I look forward to seeing Bobby, I just hope it lives up to the hype.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I remember my Dad saying that Bobby probably would have made a better president than Jack. Dad thought that Bobby was more focused on the work rather than the glamour of the office.
It is interesting to speculate what the world would have been like if 1968 had been different. If Bobby and Martin had lived, what would the USA look like today?

 

[ntsammy5]

I remember my Dad saying that Bobby probably would have made a better president than Jack.

I was in the Army when Bobby was killed. To have him assassinated at just about the same time as Dr. King, was a national tragedy. We lost two dynamic leaders within a couple of months.

Bobby was a liberal but I always got the impression he really cared about people -- that was before all the cynicism started or just about the same time.

I plan on seeing the movie.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I was in the Army when Bobby was killed. To have him assassinated at just about the same time as Dr. King, was a national tragedy. We lost two dynamic leaders within a couple of months.
QUOTE]

I was 7 and I remember how upset the teachers were at school. The Priest was practically crying at Mass that weekend.
To a kid, it was a really scary time, riots in the streets, war on TV every night and leaders getting shot by crazies. My Dad bought me a globe so I could see that Vietnam wasn't that close to NJ that the war would spill over into our neighborhood. Of course, then he had to explain how far Newark was from our town because there were riots there.

 

[Saffron]

When someone says, "Just because I do", or won't give specific reasons why they like or dislike anything, I think it's because they're truly ignorant of the subject and just "feel" that way because someone around them voiced that opinion, etc. I also think people get caught up in other peoples' personal business. The Kennedys seem to be a bunch that couldn't be faithful. Not my problem, I wasn't married to any of them, but it bothers other people. Like all humans, they, like everyone else on the planet, have/had their faults.

Bobby Kennedy, along with Martin Luther King, Jr, and a few other of those *gasp* liberals, are my heros. If not for the liberals there would be no Civil Rights Amendment, there would be no Head Start programs etc., things I'm proud of.

I plan on seeing the movie.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

Bobby Kennedy, along with Martin Luther King, Jr, and a few other of those *gasp* liberals, are my heros. If not for the liberals there would be no Civil Rights Amendment, there would be no Head Start programs etc., things I'm proud of.

I plan on seeing the movie.

Me too.

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby? Can you tell me where he's gone? I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill,With Abraham, Martin and John.

 

[caitycaity]

bobby kennedy is like god to my mom.

i guess if you were in the mafia you had reason to dislike him.

i definitely plan to see the movie.

 

[eclectics]

The Kennedy name was, and is still, very polarizing to some folks.

 

[GeorgeG]

I think it's very difficult to get at what the Kennedys were really like. I don;t think Jack was as great a president as so many believe, but I don;t think he was a bad one, either. Bobby took a really hard line on organized crime and may have been the better candidate... maybe. Ted? Well, I'm not sure how he's stayed in elected office so long, but apparently enough people up in Massachusettes like him, which doesn't necessarily qualify as a shining endorsement.

Generally speaking, the Kennedys always had a lot of charisma. They certainly weilded a lot of power, but probably also had some genuine concern for the people. We could argue that forever and still not come to any real agreement.

It's no secret Jack had an affair with Marylin Monroe and there's been more than a little speculation about his involvement (with Bobby's help) in her death and subsequent cover-up. Then there's Ted and Mary Jo.

Regardless of what the truth may be and what we want to believe, there are doubts that will go on for many years to come. Hollywood, as with much of the press, will always put their own spin on such things. As with any other topic or issue, we should consider it more entertainment than objective fact.

 

[maddiemouse]

Bobby Kennedy, along with Martin Luther King, Jr, and a few other of those *gasp* liberals, are my heros. If not for the liberals there would be no Civil Rights Amendment, there would be no Head Start programs etc., things I'm proud of.

I plan on seeing the movie.

I was 21 in 1968, and still living at home, the oldest of 5 children. It was a time of incredible sadness at our house, I remember watching the funeral train, on our black and white TV, as it made its way across the country, and just crying.
I was a liberal then too. At that time it meant that I didn't thank that black people should have to sit in the back of the bus, or be denied jobs or education based on the color of their skin, and should, of course, be allowed to marry whomever they chose.
I had several friends over in Viet Nam, one had already been killed over there.
I was SO SICK of that war, I wanted it to be over, I wanted my friends to be home, and safe.

Some things never change.

 

[SpecialK]

I have a friend who came from and married into a typical south side of Chicago Irish-Catholic family, and every person in her husband's family is a diehard Kennedy hater. They come from a long line of Democratic city workers and cops. Seems the dad got caught up in the powerplay between Daley and Jack Kennedy. Bobby was responsible for a wire tap on their phone and some other trouble for their dad. After years of supporting their party, they felt betrayed. Can't even mention the Kennedys in their presence.

I like the Kennedys, but I don't idealize them. IMO, there's a lot swept under the rug there (just like any other politicians.)

 

[C.Ann]

I think in order to even come close to really understanding the Kennedy's - their political ambitions as well as their family dynamics - you would need to do an awful lot of research..

I became fascinated with the Kennedy family when I was 13 years old (I'm now 57) and I have read every book, newspaper, or magazine article that I could possibly get my hands on.. I have original newspapers - purchased on eBay - hundreds and hundreds of books - and probably a good 200 magazine articles, if not more.. Not a book comes out about the Kennedy's that I don't purchase.. I've read the good, the bad, and the ugly.. Books in favor of them - books against them - and middle-of-the-road books.. I've read books written "by" them and "about" them.. I have every video tape ever made pertaining to the Kennedy's.. I have been to Hyannisport numerous times - taken the cruises past the compound and yes - even tried to sneak "into" the compound one time..

They are by far the most interesting family I have ever read about.. To say they were an "American Dynasty" is not an exaggeration.. I have very strong opinions on each and every one of them - their strong points; their weak points; their eccentricities; their courage; their failings; their loyalty to one another; and what their real desires were for the average American..

They had their faults - as does everyone - but in the grand scheme of things, I believe their intentions were good.. At times they may have been a bit misguided, but under all the glitz, glamor, rowdiness, and politics, they were basically just your every day close knit family...

Obviously, I'm a fan..