Ted Kennedy Undergoes Surgery

Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy underwent surgery this morning for a partially blocked artery in his neck. Here's the details:

"As part of a routine evaluation of Senator Kennedy's back and spine, MRI studies picked up an unrelated, asymptomatic blockage in the senator's left carotid artery," said a statement from Kennedy's Washington office. "This morning, Senator Kennedy underwent preventive surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital to remove the blockage."

Doctors were checking on his back because he injured in 1964 in a plane crash. (What accident hasn't befallen Kennedy?) He is 75 years old.

It's unsurprising that any trouble with Kennedy's health would start with his neck and blood system given his artery-bursting speaking style.

Bostonist put this image together back when the Senator was talking about "chicken-pluckers." No doubt the doctors will tell him to lay off the fatty stuff. Mashup by Caroline Roberts.