When Enough is Enough... Or is it?

Ted Kennedy. The Liberal Lion of the Senate. Elder statesman. Most accomplished legislator of our time. One of the greatest Americans. Oh. And a killer. At least according to one acquaintance of mine. It's very interesting how viewpoint can shade an opinion of people. Especially people you've never met. One thing is certain. Kennedy is and will continue to be a controversial figure. I believe it was NBC News which used the phrase, "Lionized by the left and demonized by the right" to describe the senior senator from the Bay State. For anyone who can illicit such a strong response from both sides of the aisle I think it's understandable that we would plan major coverage for his passing.

That leaves the question. When is enough, enough? As @BMW said... Breaking News: Ted Kennedy... is still dead. I disagreed with his implication that the story was effectively over the moment it broke. I did so because in my immediate judgement, and as it was born out over the next 48 hours, the story was in fact just beginning. The real story became how Kennedy would be remembered. Would he be villified? Lauded? Mourned? Celebrated? As it turns out I'd say it was all of the above.. and more.

So when do we wrap it up? Cut it off and get passed it. I thought perhaps it was the day after once Brian Williams was finally done reporting live from Hyannis Port. Or perhaps Friday morning after more than 20,000 people had paraded past his body in repose in Boston. Or maybe by Sunday after the President of the United States had cut his vacation short to attend his funeral. But no, the story continued, with hundreds lined up at Arlington National Cemetery to see Kennedy's gravemarker, just feet away from his murdered brothers.

The public interest in the story was huge. Apparently it still is. I'd been in the eye of the storm for nearly a week starting within the first 30 minutes after his death was announced. So why did I still sit down and read a 5 page article on the man in Time? I think it's because of the depth of this man's story. For all his faults, and there were many his triumphs speak to our best days. The worst of personal tragedy. The most difficult of personal pressures. And failures of morals and character. He reflects our best and worst. It's probably why we're so interested and why I'm glad I was part of the storytelling.