"There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed." - Hosea 4:2

When I awoke this morning, and flipped on the news, I was met with the coverage of the death of Senator Ted Kennedy. If you are expecting some touching eulogy from me, you're going to be let down. Yes, I am a fairly liberal person. I voted for Obama, among other Democrats, and on a cool Facebook app, it has me pretty far to the left. I respect my government leaders - even former President Bush - even when I disagree with them. We live in a great country, and we need to at least be civil in our criticisms.

Sen. Kennedy, who hailed from my home state of Massachusetts, was a polarizing figure and one of the hardest working senators this country has ever seen. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, or somewhere in the middle (or somewhere else), you have to at least tip your hat to all of his accomplishments.

The Kennedy name stands for so much - but Ted Kennedy began his career as the zit on the face of a politically charged family of greatness. If the Chappaquiddick incident had not occurred, there would have been a strong chance Sen. Kennedy would have become President Kennedy at some point. I am a forgiving person, but when it comes to my elected officials, I want someone with a little bit higher list of moral standards. Murderer? Adulterer? Not today thank you.

I actually have seen Sen. Kennedy speak twice - both on campaign stops - one for President Obama, and one for Governor Deval Patrick. Both times his speech was slurred and he appeared quite "under-the-influence." I remember being frustrated as I wanted someone more composed expressing the same concerns. I'm sure he was gifted, he just wasn't making it easy to respect him.

So while my sympathy does go out to the Kennedy family, I am not going to be one of those people who act all gaga over someone who got away with so much. I didn't shed a tear for Michael Jackson, and I will not shed one for Sen. Kennedy. We must move on from this, and not forget the political battles Sen. Kennedy stood for - bringing those battles fresh life with new people who can carry the torch in a post-Kennedy world. I'm sure someone will step up to that challenge.