I'm Back ...

Yes, I'm back .. at least for now. I've been working on a book which deals with the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church, but that is a topic for another day.

Today my focus is on Caroline Kennedy -- Mrs. Edward Schlossberg -- and her desire to serve in the United States Senate. My question is not "why should New York Governor David Paterson appoint her to fill the seat now held by soon-to-be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton," but rather, why shouldn't he appoint her?

The first question many ask is what experience does she have. There is no specification as to experience when serving in the U.S. Senate. We have had several professional athletes elected or appointed to represent constitutes. We have also had widows appointed to finish the unexpired terms of their husbands ... and then win their own elections. There have been actors and actresses who have been elected, along with doctors, lawyers, school teachers, and people with the names Bush and Kennedy.

Caroline Kennedy is more than a member of a political family, and more than the daughter of a slain president. Let's look at her on her own merit.

She is a Harvard educated woman, and Columbia Law School graduate ... both of which are impressive credentials suitable to represent the people of New York. She is also a constitutional expert, which is another credential suitable for the U.S. Senate.

Additionally, she has written and edited several books, which may or may not seem important to everybody. But those attributes do prove her level of intelligence. She is one of the founders of the Profiles in Courage Award which puts her judging the deeds of other people qualified to serve. Caroline Kennedy has also worked in the public interest to raise money for the public schools in New York City.

One has to wonder why she would trade her privacy for a job which will make her fair game for anyone looking to point out her errors ... and with the last name "Kennedy," many will be ready to pounce on any mistake.

On the realistic side, she has the money to run a state-wide senate campaign in 2010 and immediately turn around and fund another campaign in 2012.

Caroline Kennedy  doesn't need the notoriety which comes with being a U.S. Senator ... she is more well known than most of the 100 members. She doesn't need the $169,300 salary. She doesn't need this job at all.

Indeed, the most compelling qualification Caroline Kennedy has, is that she wants to serve the people of New York and the United States.

" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"