But there are lingering questions: Was he in fact disoriented from the medication he received, or was it something else? Originally, Kennedy claimed that he was disoriented from the Ambien and Phenergan a doctor had prescribed, but there was no mention of any addiction.
So why did Kennedy suddenly say he would go into rehab? Was it the questions about whether he'd been drinking? After all...
"Some time around 2:45 a.m., I drove the few blocks to the Capitol Complex believing I needed to vote. Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication," Kennedy said in the statement. He said he had the accident, and, "at no time before the incident did I consume any alcohol."That's more than a little contradictory. That the police didn't give him a sobriety test and instead drove him home compounds the problem; while Kennedy claims he never asked for special treatment, he does not deny that he received it. But take into account his admission to taking Ambien and add in the possibility of alcohol, and big questions come to the surface. EditCopy, in his original partial defense of Kennedy, has a link to Drugs.com's warnings about Ambien [zolpidem].
The Boston Herald reported Friday that Kennedy had been seen at a Capitol Hill restaurant and bar, Hawk and Dove, in the hours before the collision.
"He was drinking a little bit," a hostess told the newspaper. The Herald also said a bartender from a nearby establishment also saw the congressman at Hawk and Dove.
Do not drink alcohol while taking zolpidem. Alcohol will increase drowsiness and may increase dizziness while you are taking zolpidem, which could be dangerous.As he noted in his statement,
"I know that I need help," he said at an afternoon press conference, detailing what he called a long-term struggle with addiction. "I struggle every day with this disease, as do millions of Americans," he said.Is he picking the lesser of two evils? A prescription drug problem that many can relate to over a drunk-driving incident?
Points worth pondering.
I admit, the Ambien story caught me. I recall seeing something on that drug during a network news mag recently. But, I could not find the link this morning. If he had a few drinks, even within the legal limit, then took Ambien, he'd be bonkers.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Rehab is an attempt to move the story off the front pages after a day or two. Or, maybe he really needs it.
Move it off the front covers and keep people from checking out the drinking?
ReplyDeleteYeah, kinda'. It's an old rule in politics or PR (David Gergen has said it, and Karen Hughes too, I believe) get in control of the story. Even if it is in the extreme, at least you are in control. Hiding never, never works... As your Herald link shows.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I understand the difference between saying it was drinking versus some obscure drugs. Drunk driving being a character flaw versus an involuntary chemical addiction?
ReplyDeleteMy point being, I wouldn't think that more people would be able to "relate" as you say to prescription drug addiction than drunk driving. Taking a quick look through the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) web site statistics, they've apparently done polls where 2 out of 3 drivers have admitted to driving drunk or close to drunk in the past year.
Either way, I feel bad for the Kennedy family who just seem to be cursed. Hopefully the state of Rhode Island won't be affected by the incident and be fairly represented in Congress.
Like father, like son.
ReplyDeleteWhere is that Kennedy Curse when we need it the most?
CE - Yes.
ReplyDeleteCroaky - Good point about there being many people who can relate to both, but I think that there's still a large difference, as you hinted at: The drunk driving would be viewed not just as a character flaw but as a very irresponsible way of acting; chemical addiction such as his would be viewed as far more involuntary.
While I do feel bad somewhat for the Kennedy family, the mere fact that he got special treatment means there will be questions. This also makes it harder to feel all that bad - wondering what might have happened had this not been 2 in the morning on an empty street.
It's not all Kennedy genes; I'm pretty sure that his mother has suffered from similar problems.
ReplyDeleteIt's not all Kennedy genes; I'm pretty sure that his mother has suffered from similar problems.
ReplyDelete