Kennedy Entering Rehab
Patrick Kennedy is checking himself into Rochester's Mayo Clinic for
addiction to painkillers.
He says that he has no recollection of the incident or getting "three driving infractions" but he has the presence of mind to tell the Capitol Hill police that he was late for a vote, thereby invoking Article I, Section 6, which says "They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place."
Frankly, it's obvious that Patrick Kennedy is spinning more in this series of explanations than a Clinton apologist during Monicagate. I don't believe a thing he's said.
Another part that'll receive public scrutiny is the role Capitol Hill police played in not doing their duties and in interfering with the work of the officers who arrived first on the scene. The officers who ran off the patrols should be fired for preventing the patrolmen from doing their jobs and prosecuted for aiding in the commission of a crime.
Posted Friday, May 5, 2006 3:36 PM
No comments.
Rep. Patrick Kennedy will enter rehab for addiction to prescription pain medication Friday evening after a highly publicized car crash near the Capitol.The problem I have with this statement is that he was seen earlier that night drinking at a Washington establishment called The Hawk and Dove. If that's true, why did he tell Capitol Hill police that he wasn't drinking?
Kennedy, (D-RI), plans to seek treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
The congressman was announcing his decision during a new conference Friday afternoon, then planned to travel to Minnesota later in the day.
Kennedy, who has struggled with addiction and depression, said he had checked into the Mayo Clinic over the Christmas holidays and returned to Congress "reinvigorated and healthy."
"Of course, in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs, but I have been strong, focused and productive since my return," Kennedy said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press.
The congressman said he became concerned about his condition after the Thursday morning car accident.
"I simply do not remember getting out of bed, being pulled over by the police, or being cited for three driving infractions," Kennedy said. "That's not how I want to live my life. And that's not how I want to represent the people of Rhode Island."
The congressman's father, Sen. Edward Kennedy, (D-MA), issued a supportive statement in which he said he's proud of his son for admitting his problem and taking steps to correct it.
"He has taken full responsibility for events that occurred … and he will continue to cooperate fully with any investigation," the elder Kennedy said.
He says that he has no recollection of the incident or getting "three driving infractions" but he has the presence of mind to tell the Capitol Hill police that he was late for a vote, thereby invoking Article I, Section 6, which says "They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place."
Frankly, it's obvious that Patrick Kennedy is spinning more in this series of explanations than a Clinton apologist during Monicagate. I don't believe a thing he's said.
Another part that'll receive public scrutiny is the role Capitol Hill police played in not doing their duties and in interfering with the work of the officers who arrived first on the scene. The officers who ran off the patrols should be fired for preventing the patrolmen from doing their jobs and prosecuted for aiding in the commission of a crime.
Posted Friday, May 5, 2006 3:36 PM
No comments.
