Ted Kennedy, Knight of the British Empire

[East Coast Elitist]

And of course he can't turn it down--or rather, he could but he won't.

Kennedy, Knight of the British Empire
By Sarah Wheaton

The Kennedy dynasty has been called Camelot. But today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy will actually become a knight.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown bestowed the distinction from the Queen on the ailing Mr. Kennedy during his address to a joint session of Congress this morning.

[SonnyLaymatina]

And of course he can't turn it down--or rather, he could but he won't.

Kennedy, Knight of the British Empire
By Sarah Wheaton

The Kennedy dynasty has been called Camelot. But today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy will actually become a knight.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown bestowed the distinction from the Queen on the ailing Mr. Kennedy during his address to a joint session of Congress this morning.

Further proof that some Irish people would still rather be British.

[cllr]

While I am not mad about such titles myself it is an honour for a truly great American, Politician and friend of Ireland - Congratulations and for once can the Provos and their ilk not just leave their prejudices behind

[SonnyLaymatina]

While I am not mad about such titles myself it is an honour for a truly great American, Politician and friend of Ireland - Congratulations and for once can the Provos and their ilk not just leave their prejudices behind

Ted Kennedy may be the cream of the crap that is the US Senate, but he hardly qualifies as a truly great American like for instance Martin Luther King, Jr. Moreover, the reason he is getting this British offer of Knighthood is because he has been a friend of England with all of all his support for the British pacification of Ireland. No self-respecting Irish man or woman would ever accept such an award.

Besides Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution should prevent Kennedy from accepting the knighthood, unless he has the permission of Congress:

"No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State."

However, watch Congress roll over like virgins on prom night as it did for Ronald Reagan's British Knighthood. Bad enough the Brits can't rid themselves of their parasitic royals, they have to infect others with them.

[Spence]

He shouldn't accept, no self respecting citizen should.

[corelli]

It's an HONARY knighthood as he is not a British/Commonwealth citizen. He will not be able to add the prefix Sir to his name, though some do! It's just an honor from a foreign government. If he was awarded the French equivalent, a chevalier, there would not be a word about it.

[youngdan]

Good job Sonny. Sir Crap should be his title. Someone should dna this snail because he could not possibly be a brother to Joe, John or Bobby.

There would be no Irish ellegal in the US if it were not for this dolphin

[drkpower]

Guys, its an honorary knighthood. I doubt that would class as a title of nobility for the purposes of the US constitution. Not that Congress will not consent anyway if they are asked.
Did Congress consent on Reagan?

I'd accept a Knighthood.
People who think its affront to Irishness to accept it are like straight guys who are afraid to wear a pink shirt because they perceive it as a threat to their sexuality.....

[swansandtyphus]

I wonder will he take the Queen for a late night drive?

[Munion]

Knights are not members of the nobility as their titles are not hereditary (with about 2 or 3 exceptions).

As to whether or not a citizen of a republic should accept an honour from a monarch, it's debatable. Personally i'd politely ask in private that it not be awarded to me.