Lost History: When The Kennedy Family Traveled To Poland in 1965, The Government Banned Them. Word Got Out. When They Emerged From Mass, in Krakau, A Quarter Million Poles Were Waiting For Them

Waving Small American Flags, Inexplicably Produced

What always strikes me is the absence of anything intentionally wounding, brutal, or low, when Mr. Kennedy addresses history, painful history, or painful history with individuals. He is extremely diplomatic, gracious, and capable of seeing and awarding due credit and praise to others. Does not possess the narcissism of “anything not myself I attack.” In other words, he is an adult.

So many interesting moments in this interview with Larry King. (For the price of entree, you can witness the lost art of the respectful interview.)

Among the fascinating moments, for me as I listened: RFK Jr. “spares” his mother Ethel by blaming himself entirely for their “tumultuous” relationship since birth, and emerges aware of her extraordinary qualities, which I actually think is the under-illuminated story of “this whole thing.” My theory is that Ethel knew what he had in him, and so forged him, by withholding easy approval.

I tell you: Ethel, and her family, are fascinating. I have my friend Anne to thank for making me aware of this.

Back to the interview: The fact that Mr. Kennedy refers to Poland “when it was communist,” and reveals the degree of deranged censorship, even removing the orphans they had gone to visit, says to me that no, he is not, exactly, a “progressive,” as King posits.

Bernie Sanders is, to cite one example. He would never tell a story that would shine such unflattering light on a former Soviet Bloc occupied country. Please don’t say I’m picking on Bernie.

I’m just doing comparative taxonomy, trying to get things organized and named correctly, as we proceed.

I believe the Kennedy family has always hated totalitarianism and yes, also at times fell for its decoys.

America, after all we have endured, at the hands of the Anaconda, (Anacondas don’t have hands, I know) deserves a President like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

We deserve closure to a wound blown open in 1963. In some way, this seems to be an approaching lilac vine. But leave it, for now—

We deserve a great leader, who knows history, opposes evil, is extremely well educated, and can make us proud around the world again. One who has a very sound relationship to what we used to call facts. As well as contradictions.

Also, take note also just how strictly Catholic Ethel was. How many Rosaries did the 11 Kennedy children recite each day?

If I had a voice in this campaign strategy I would get Mr. Kennedy on Catholic channels, to discuss the faith he was raised in, and what it came to mean for him.

I hope you enjoy this interview from 5 years ago, as I did: