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A poor choice of words.....?
2

A poor choice of words.....?

A poor choice of words.....?

(OP)
The reports of Edward Kennedy's death has brought forth quite a lot of the usual laudatory comments, and yes, many may well have been earned for his post Chappaquidick activities.
But President Carter said this, and I can't help thinking that he really needed to think about his choice of words rather more than he apparently did:
(http://rtv.rtrlondon.co.uk/2009-08-26/53eace5.html)

Quote:

As a matter of fact, when he ran against me for president it was shortly after Chappaquiddick. And although I never mentioned it in the campaign, I think it was a detrimental factor and had he not had that embarrassing experience in his younger life he would have been, maybe, more successful on the national scene.
My bold.
"Embarrassing?" is that what it was?

The BBC reports from the investigation (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1517548.stm) that Mary Jo may have lived for some hours in an air pocket and could have been saved if the alarm had been given.

But let us accept it was an unavoidable accident and that he really was in shock which, considering the prior assassination of his two brothers is possible, I think this is a poor choice of words by the ex-President.

Am I wrong? How would you have expressed it?

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
 

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

If you are being kind to Edward Kennedy, then unfortunate would work.  If you are detached from the events, then poor judgement, selfish, uncaring, etc. could work.

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

Poor choice of words.  I would have said "unfortunate".  Which is still too weak, but given that the focus of the discussion is Ted rather than Mary Jo, "tragic" would have implied the tragedy was his rather than hers.

When you're in a campaign strategy mindset (which is where Carter was when recalling the campaign), "embarrassing" is indeed the most relevant concept.  Ya just don't want to go saying that out loud to the public.

Hg

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RE: A poor choice of words.....?

agreed ... poor choice of words,
"unfortunate" is being very nice,
"lamentable", "most regretable"

RE: A poor choice of words.....?


Maybe 'tragic episode'  or 'tragic event'.  I don't think it necessarily implies it wasn't tragic for Mary Jo.

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

Apalling would be my choice, but then I don't agree with many things Carter says.

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

The best choice would have been not mentioning Chappaquidick.

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

(OP)
So how can anyone not mention such an event and especially as it would seem to have been pivotal in his political career?
Not mentioning it would be to suggest it didn't happen and that would be even worse......

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
 

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

2
Jimmy Carter is a kind and compassionate man.  He has done lots of good...unfortunately not much of it was during his presidency.  He should never have been President of the US, even though that gave him much exposure to do some to the good things he has done since.

Also, his eloquence, quaint southern accent and demeanor do not cover for the fact that he often puts his peanut farmer foot in his mouth.

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

Carter was being politically correct here.  

"an experience in stupidity" would have been the truth.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

I believe manslaughter would be the crime that was committed.  Maybe negligent homicide.

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

KENAT,
I want a report on my desk in the morning. :)

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

Kenat:

You're correct - in Washington it's called Vehicular Homicide.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

I think stupid, uncaring, I'm a Kennedy and I don't care is more to the point.  

RE: A poor choice of words.....?

Seen on a bumper sticker ~ "Ted Kennedy's Car has Killed More People than my Guns!"  How true.  The eulogizers never bring up the criminal, seedy, irresponsible stuff.

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