An era of enormous political and financial power dating back to prohibition years may finally be coming to an end with the death of Teddy Kennedy. Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy, Sr. (1888 –1969) was a prominent American businessman and political figure, and the father of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, United States Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward Kennedy, Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and grandfather of US Representative Patrick Kennedy. He was a leading member of the Democratic Party and of the Irish Catholic community. He was the inaugural Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and later directed the Maritime Commission. He served as the United States Ambassador to Great Britain from 1938 till late 1940, including the early part of World War II.
Born to a political family in Boston, Massachusetts, he embarked on a career in finance, making a large fortune as a stock market and commodity investor and by investing in real estate and a wide range of industries, including bootlegging. Toward the end of Prohibition, Kennedy and James Roosevelt traveled to Scotland to buy distribution rights for Scotch whisky. In addition, Kennedy purchased spirits-importation rights from Schenley, a firm in Canada. The Kennedy’s used their financial fortunes and political power to create a family dynasty unparalleled in modern American history.
COMMENTS:
I’m much too polite to say, “Good riddance.” But, I've never understood how adulterers, manipulators and nefarious characters end up being saints in the graveyard. (Betcha that gets the emails coming!)
TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:
Q. What’s the skinny on that Russian ship that disappeared and reappeared? (Anton – New Brunswick, NS)
A. It’s nice to hear from someone in Canada; that tells me what growth this blog is actually having. Remember that North Korean ship we shadowed for a few weeks that allegedly held nuclear stuff headed for Iran? Then, it abruptly turned around and headed back to its original port? Well, the Russian ship that disappeared and then reappeared is now known to have been carrying “sensitive” cargo. Don’t be surprised if it comes out that the “sensitive” material originated in North Korea. The Russians aren’t particularly friendly with North Korea, but they are very cozy with Iran.
Q. Who was the best chess player in the world? (Fran – Colville, WA)
A. A barber in Las Vegas by the name of Ivan. He never lost a game; if you got close to checkmating him, he always managed to nick your ear with his razor.
Q. There are some good comics around today, but none of them has unified a nation of admirers, as did Jack Benny, Charlie Chaplin, Bob Hope, Will Rogers and those guys. How come? (George – Port Arthur, TX)
A. Today’s comics are largely scripted in advance and work with updated jokes from the old days. The greats were spontaneous, and true artists at their trade. Had Ronald Reagan not been a great President, he would have been very wise to have given up his acting career and to have gone into comedy.
TODAY’S QUOTE:
“Freedom of thought and freedom of speech in our great institutions are absolutely necessary for the preservation of our country. The moment either is restricted, liberty begins to wither and die.” - John Peter Altgeld
TODAY’S VIDEO:
http://video.newsmax.com/?bcpid=20972460001&bclid=22770166001&bctid=35142570001&s=al&promo_code=85F8-1
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