Curses! Foiled Again!
The Link Between Two First Families
Ah, Camelot!
In the United States of America’s relatively brief history, the closest thing we’ve had to a royal family is probably the Kennedy dynasty; the Kennedy White House years are even referred to as Camelot! Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Sr. (an American businessman, investor, East Boston politician and U.S. ambassador) held big dreams for his first born son, Joe, Jr. Unfortunately, Joseph, Sr.’s plan to live vicariously through his eldest son came to an abrupt and tragic end when Joe, Jr. was killed in action during World War II. The Navy aircraft he was piloting, loaded with over 20,000 pounds of ordnance, exploded mid-flight over England during a mission. Thus began what has become commonly known as “The Kennedy Curse.”
The larger the family, the greater chance for misfortune; it’s simple math. Joe Kennedy’s family was, indeed, large: he and wife, Rose, had nine children. (My God, trying to get a decent family Christmas photograph with all those kids must have been one big pain-in-the-ass.) The Kennedy Curse continued well after Joe, Jr.’s death. Also occuring during World War II, future U.S. President John F. Kennedy (JFK), commanding a patrol…
