The double standard is so blatant.

If the person or lineage involves activity or financial support with the Democratic Party, there is an expectation that all should genuflect before them.

If the person or lineage involves activity or financial support with any other political party, or no party at all, then they are "morons."

For those who live their lives vicariously through what People Magazine and the supermarket tabloids report as the exploits of the rich and famous, it's a free country!

No, accumulation of money and spending it in the hopes of obtaining respectability for drunks and philanderors may make others gawk in awe, but it's not my cup of tea. That being said, not all of the Kennedy clan fall into those categories. They are each separate people, and need to be treated as such. Those who demonstrate respectful behavior receive what they give - while those who thumb their noses at the law and behave hypocritically deserve nothing but disdain.

RESPECT is an honor bestowed for many reasons under a multitude of circumstances. All presidents, including Mr. Nixon, are worthy of respect for being willing to endure a lot more than they bargained for when they accepted the job. Even when they do a lousy job in the eyes of many of their constituents (and that's usually due to lousy press reports), they earn respect.

However, slimeball behavior and abuse of power shows disrespect to all of us. Those who show disrespect are themselves not worthy of respect.