I didn't listen to Monday's speeches by senators at the confirmation hearings for Judge John Roberts. I'm just not into self-abuse. But I did catch a little bit of Sen. Ted Kennedy's opening statement while listening to the late night replay of the Tony Snow Show.

Americans are united as rarely before in compassion and generosity for our fellow citizens whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

That massive tragedy also taught us another lesson. The powerful winds and floodwater of Katrina tore away the mask that has hidden from public view the many Americans who are left out and left behind. As one nation under God, we cannot continue to ignore the injustice, the inequality, and the gross disparities that exist in our society.

Let's think about this for just a second. Kennedy is complaining about the disparities in our society between the poor and the privileged, all of the suffering that has taken place and people who died from drowning.

...

Mary Jo Kopechne could not be reached for comment.