Something Wrong with this Picture

[PlayadelSoul]

He asked to be treated like a poor, disenfranchised black man.

Denying that he was drunk and or that he asked the Capitol Police for preferential treatment, Kennedy, a Rhode Island congressman, said he’s prepared “in terms of bookings, in terms of mug shots, fingerprints, whatever they might have me do.” “It’s what anyone else would have done to them if they were an African-American in Anacostia,” Kennedy said in a shaky voice, referring to the mostly minority neighborhood in southeastern Washington.

Funny thing is that he forgot to go with the Public Defender.

Washington -- Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs in a plea bargain with prosecutors stemming from a middle-of-the-night incident last month in which he nearly sideswiped a police cruiser. District of Columbia Superior Court Magistrate Judge Aida Melendez placed the six-term congressman on supervised probation for a year. He was ordered to attend weekly meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, confer regularly with a psychiatrist, submit to random urine tests and contribute $100 to a crime victims fund and $250 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, where he will also do 50 hours of community service.

[NiceTom]

Just another example of The Man keeping him down!

[beer_dude]

Those crazy kennedy's...always getting into trouble. At least he didn't end up in the river.

[Just Lucky]

Originally Posted by beer_dude

Those crazy kennedy's...always getting into trouble. At least he didn't end up in the river.

Or in front of the Texas School Book Depository or in the ballrooom of the Ambassador Hotel in LA

[MWC]

I know his comments sound cynical, but I would cut the guy some slack. Considering his privileged upbringing, I think he's showing a lot of moral fiber to face up to his guilt, and to deal with his problem. Really, he could have "played" the system shamelessly, and he's not doing that.

[bufante]

His sentence is what he would have gotten with a public defender...sucker.

[Just Lucky]

Originally Posted by MWC

I know his comments sound cynical, but I would cut the guy some slack. Considering his privileged upbringing, I think he's showing a lot of moral fiber to face up to his guilt, and to deal with his problem. Really, he could have "played" the system shamelessly, and he's not doing that.

I agree. There may be some bi-partisan good news coming out of the mess. His 12 step sponsor is Republican Jim Ramstad. They've been co-sponsoring "parity" legislation for chemical dependency and mental health.http://www.startribune.com/587/story/482445.html

[Jacko]

Originally Posted by MWC

I know his comments sound cynical, but I would cut the guy some slack. Considering his privileged upbringing, I think he's showing a lot of moral fiber to face up to his guilt, and to deal with his problem. Really, he could have "played" the system shamelessly, and he's not doing that.

IMO, the comment that seems most cynical is the title of the thread..."Something wrong with this picture". Seems like many folks are overly cynical these days.

[Nerak936]

At least THIS whacko Kennedy is in Rhode Island. We've got enough to handle here in Massachusetts with Teddy.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by bufante

His sentence is what he would have gotten with a public defender...sucker.

Probably true for a first time offender, is he a first time offender? I see PDS point, though. Might have been more trouble if he'd been black, for example, if he reached for a cell phone, wallet, or hair brush he might have been shot.

[NiceTom]

Originally Posted by MWC

I know his comments sound cynical, but I would cut the guy some slack. Considering his privileged upbringing, I think he's showing a lot of moral fiber to face up to his guilt, and to deal with his problem. Really, he could have "played" the system shamelessly, and he's not doing that.

I'd say the only reason that he isn't "playing" the system is that his team concluded that he was soundly guilty, and the case was unwinable. After all, remember the Ambien story that they were floating when this first came out. Of course waitstaff at the bar he was at kind of blew that out of the water.

[Icon oclast]

Kennedy guilty as charged. Karl Rove innocent. Zarquawi kapowie. What a great week.

[Shredman]

Originally Posted by Heather

Probably true for a first time offender, is he a first time offender? I see PDS point, though. Might have been more trouble if he'd been black, for example, if he reached for a cell phone, wallet, or hair brush he might have been shot.

[sunrlb]

Will someone please teach that family how to drive!?!?!?

[NiceTom]

Originally Posted by sunrlb

Will someone please teach that family how to drive!?!?!?

Or how to drink.