Media Watch

WB, as you note Kennedy didn't answer that question so why do you also say he flies around the country in a private jet? I am sure he had probably been on one, as many business people are from time to time but the implication is that this is HIS private jet. But even more to the point is that as will all people who are attmepting to get an important discussion going, this is a side-track issue and not on the agenda of the talk. And I can see why he didn't go there.

PS. Would you expect him or anyone else not to fly? This is the kind of absurd tactic that many people use to deflect a real issue. It is like pointing to a vegetarian's shoes, that are made of leather, and calling that person a hypocrite.... when the key issue is balance not extreme. This is one of the things that pushes people into corners and essentially throws the baby out with the bathwater. Not what we really want to do, is it?

Forget the private jet - he drives an Expedition!
They get about 14 miles to the gallon.
He's not the only one guilty of that, but he's probably the only high-profile champion of fighting global warming that is, and if he's not alone in that crew, the others should be exposed too.
Reminds me of that old adage, 'don't throw stones if you live in a glass house...'

But more to the point is that often, especially with a Kennedy, the opposition (and the media personality looking for blood which gets more ratings) swings into attempts to discredit the person rather than discuss the matter at hand.

Anne... he drives a mini van (he has six children) , a Ford explorer I believe.

Magical, it's not a question of whether RFK Jr. should fly, it's about his apparent use of a private plane to get around instead of flying on commercial planes. That Kennedy would not answer was tacit admission that it was true - if it weren't, why wouldn't he simply say - that's false, I always fly on commercial airliners for that very reason, to save fuel and cut down on pollution. He was clearly uncomfortable with the question not because it was unfair - he's the one, after all, pontificating about SUVs even though he drives one himself - but because if SUVs are fair game, and they are to him, why aren't private jets? The question hit too close to home - again.

Gee Dona, isn't 4 comments in 19 minutes excessive even for you Alliance lumpenproletariat types. You remember the term don't you? It means boot-lickers of their masters.

WB, Kennedy drives a minivan... a Ford windstar not the explorer.

Magical Eye,

The problem is, and has always been that the Kennedys are full of hypocrisies. Don't do as I do...do as I say.

It's easy when you come from a trust fund to pick-up the torch of some social cause and try to champion that cause. I have never know a Kennedy to lead by example. Have you?

YES! I know Bobby personally.

Well a bootlicker goes both ways doesn't it? But, I am not a member of the Alliance, Mr. Wizard. In fact, I haven't made up my mind about Cape Wind. I would simply like to see this precident setting project start out with a solid foundation of meeting regulations, standards, guidelines etc. that are yet to be in place. But you have made a good point... I need to get back to work! lol

Point of order, Mr. Reporter -

Don't you mean MPG (miles per gallon) rather than MPH (mile per hour) in your sub-head?

He can't spend ALL his time trying to drive across the bridge in August; unless you were referring to the plane, which is a really scary thought.

" Do you know who I am?"

The photo posted and identified as "his car" is actually an advertising or brochure photo, unless RFK jr. parks 'his car' in a photo studio on backdrop paper. That aside, it is certainly fair to examine the issue of the degree to which public conservation advocates are private energy hogs. If it can be shown, by dint of fact and without the juvenile venom we seem to see creeping into this blog that RFK jr is an energy hog in his personal life, then we can and should take him to task. As for the private jet, I am of two minds: use of one is not an exercise in fuel efficiency. On the other hand, many busy people say that a private plane enables them to be hyper-efficient and allows them to travel when they must and arrive exactly where they need to be. Michael Moore exemplifies a public person whose use of a private jet is seen by some as hypocritical. But, is it? I honestly have no firm opinion on this; both sides make valid points.
How about Range Rovers? Can someone prove what RFK jr actually drives; how many cars, etc.?

Good points Great Gadfly. I know Bobby and as far as I know from personal observation he drives a minivan. But all of this personal attack on him as a hypocrite is unfounded as far as I can see. And serves nothing.

Gadfly - what makes you think he DOESN'T park his car in front of a studio backdrop, where it would feel at home like other Kennedys?

I want to know if he drives the new H-3, the apparent offspring of a giant robot and Godzilla, from what I see on TV.

Listen to the video - he admits driving an SUV and does NOT deny using a private jet.

Hey Wiz,
Watch your tenses; the RFK video is from 2003. All I am saying is let's be absolutely accurate....NOW...since now is the lynching. If he does drive an SUV, NOW, then he should be criticized, NOW. As for the private jet, I stand on my original comment.

Peter P.,
How drole, but to what end? My comment was directed at the representation that the image presented is of "his car" and it appears to me a facsimily only.

It occurs to me that the Kennedy clan provide a huge public service; they give us people to hate and villify and charicature. Worthy enterprises, all.

But this state is preparing to elect Teddy again...he will serve as a senator into his second half century.
WOW!

Okay... you all. Bobby drives a MINIVAN not an SUV. In '03 it was a Dodge Caravan now it is a Ford Windstar. But this is ridiculous. I mean is this all you've got?! Personal attack? OYE!

And for those who sit back and throw self-righteous stones... anyone here driving an electric car, walking everywhere or using a horse and carriage for transportation... or a wagon train to cross the country for a business meeting or a family visit?! ;)

WB, I noticed you are now having him drive a brand new vehicle. Do you know this for a fact? A windstar minivan is not an expensive showy vehicle. It is a practical family car. Sorry to disappoint.

Since my daddy didn't make a boat load of money running an illegal booze operation, I don't have access to the kind of money the Kennedy's do.

Therefore, I don't have several vacation homes (they need to be heated by the way) or the extra cash to take vacations (planes use a lot of fuel), or even a Boston Whaler or two (they use fuel also).

So even though I don't enjoy the luxuries that life has afforded the Kennedy's, I do have an SUV that I enjoy and no Kennedy will ever take it away from me.

Hey Ozone, spend your hard earned money anyway you like. That is the American way. But it really isn't appropriate to assume that those who have been born into wealth don't also work hard for thier money. In fact, many people who are born into it work even harder than the rest of us.

Magical,

I thought I was specific, I was talking about the Kennedys. I was not talking about "those".

I, like you, know a few of the Kennedys as well. It's been an open door that the majority of us will never see.

So Kennedy is demonizing a product for political gain and using a similar product for personal use, what else is new in politics?

The only thing this points out is that the SUV is a very convenient vehicle to own, especially if you have children and car pool with other families. That's why they are so popular and that's probably why Kennedy has one.

FYI mini-vans get generally 17-23 mpg. The Explorer gets 16-21 depending on engine size and the 4wd option, neither are very good.

The use of a private jet is another subject. I can understand if your a Bill Gates or a pro sports team or a CEO of a major company and the use of a private jet will save you and your company money, but Robert Kennedy Jr. is a lawyer for environmentalist issues and it is hypocritical to argue for cleaner air, cleaner water, lower emissions and then fly all around the country in a private jet! Really it makes his entire argument and everything he tries to stand for look hollow!

Oh Brian, by all means do all you can to devote your life to a cause and I am sure your enemies will do all they can to discredit you!

Yea especially when you don't conduct yourself in line with that cause in your personal life.

The guy is an enormous hypocrite and an average american at the same time. We would all love to drive a Toyota Prius and save gas but it just won't work with a family. I think kennedy would do himself a giant favor and just shut his mouth on the SUV thing, or else start taking the train and driving a hybrid! So sorry, so sad!

UM Brian, he didn't bring it up the media did to try to discredit him. Just as you are doing by assuming what they accused him of is the truth.

I am sure I am missing something but he did say in that short video posted above that if you buy an SUV instead of buying a more fuel efficient cars your not doing what's best for america. My take is that he is saying that driving an SUV is un-American. Meanwhile he drives a less than economical car and flies around in a private jet. So using his own reasoning he himself is un-American and a hypocrite!

It's defiantly do as I say not as I do!

Well Brian that is YOUR take, isn't it? And you assume he flies around America in a private jet... can you prove that? Can the host of that program prove it? If it can't be proven then.... it isn't fact is it? As to an SUV, like I said he drives a minivan... bought it when it was a minivan. I have seen it and actually driven it to a hearing in CT. Believe me it was no sport utility vehicle. He has 6 children to transport... what do you suggest he drive other than a minivan? Would putting the kids in a few cars make amount to any better gas mileage? lol

"If it can't be proven then.... it isn't fact is it?"

And we will be applying that standard to George Bush, Karl Rove, Scooter Libby, Uncle Dick Cheney, and...

Yes! It is only fair! :)

He needs the SUV to get the kids to the private jet so he can get to the 6-10 properties... get off him already.

Yeah thanks Monponsett! This is getting BORING! Time to move on and get back to a little fun with the wind!

Hell no, MagicI.
Debating, at great length, whether RFK JR drives an SUV or a van is a heck of a lot more interesting and important than (oh, just to pick a topic out of the air) whether the president committed an impeachable offense by spying on Americans.

hey otis... :))

Otis - works for me!

It strikes me that the same half a dozen people keep debating the same issues over and over and over again. This site had the potential to be good. Now, it's little more than a coffee club for the disenfranchised. It's too bad.