RIP in 2009

[Alex]

I don't see any problem with mentioning Chappaquiddick at this time. It was a significant blight on his life and career and says some ugly things about abuses of power. Does that necessarily diminish what he did as a politician? No.

But then what he did as a politician should also not burnish what he did as a drunk driver.

As for whether Laura Bush's fatal car accident is at all equivalent (nobody was under the influence, no criminal charges were filed, no serious allegations of abuse of power to cover it up, and she was 17 and not 37 so sheer youthful stupidity\inexperience is a much stronger defense than for the 37 year old Kennedy).

I'll agree that it was crudely put, though.