Did anyone watch "The Kennedys" last night on PBS?

[sunnybrook]

I realize this is a rerun from years earlier. I am not naive about some of the bad things that the Kennedys are associated with. But it felt like the whole thing was in fact so negative of a portrayal that I started to question the objectives of the producers. This one woman they interviewed was titled a "political essayist." You could tell she hated the Kennedys and in fact referred to Ted Kennedy as "dumb." I looked her up and found that she is a neoconservative "journalist" closely associated with Donald Rumsfeld. I could not find out much about the four producers. I'm just wondering if anyone else saw this and what your take is.

[Captain Hilts]

1. It's interesting how the women get so side-lined. It's a shame Eunice never ran for office.

People seem to mindlessly worship the Kennedys or mindlessly hate them.

They're a big, diverse family and just more complicated than that, but the negative sells.

[sunnybrook]

2. Forgot to include her name

Her name is Midge Dector.

AS for the point about the Kennedy women, this is true, although Kathleen Kennedy Townsend held office right? But yes, it was definitely the males being "groomed" for politics.

[whathehell]

3. I didn't see it...and I was GOING to say that a mainly negative portrayal of the Kennedy's

seems a little strange on PBS...But PBS and NPR aren't what they used to be, are they?...I wonder how it will do when Bill Moyers leaves.

[sunnybrook]

5. PBS is not always balanced

I love the array of documentaries they have. But every since a few years back when Frontline did a documentary about the so called "False Memory Syndrome" (I think that is what it's called) I reserve judgment on the supposed objectivity of PBS. This documentary completely sided with people about this supposed "syndrome," which is not medically recognized, whereas people who confronted a father or family member about sexual abuse as a child is relegated to having memory problems. It was quite controversial and pretty clearly one sided. Since then I proceed with caution on PBS.

[whathehell]

6. Yes...That's a wise decision.

I love many of their shows as well, but, about fifteen years ago, they started tilting more towards the political right.

[UTUSN]

4. K&R to undo the usual,inscrutable UnReKKK. Since the O.P. is pointing out something

that is out there and is negative about Democratic figures, what could motivate an UnReKKK?