Is there an official I Love Robert Byrd thread?

[oldtime dfl_er]

If not, can I start it?

I love Robert Byrd because he is an example of a true statesman, who grew and changed and became a progressive during the course of his long career. Always carrying a copy of the US Constitution in his pocket, he was the exemplar of faith in his country.

I salute him!

[rainy]

1. Recommended. I loved him first!!!!!! I have loved that man the instant

I saw him take the senate floor and denounce the vote for war. I remember it well. I was crying as I watched and listened to him speak.

The first speech began:

The great Roman historian, Titus Livius, said, " All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry; haste is blind and improvident."

"Blind and improvident," Mr. President. "Blind and improvident." Congress would be wise to heed those words today, for as sure as the sun rises in the east, we are embarking on a course of action with regard to Iraq that, in its haste, is both blind and improvident. We are rushing into war without fully discussing why, without thoroughly considering the consequences, or without making any attempt to explore what steps we might take to avert conflict.

The newly bellicose mood that permeates this White House is unfortunate, all the moreso because it is clearly motivated by campaign politics. Republicans are already running attack ads against Democrats on Iraq. Democrats favor fast approval of a resolution so they can change the subject to domestic economic problems. (NY Times 9/20/2002)

Before risking the lives of American troops, all members of Congress – Democrats and Republicans alike – must overcome the siren song of political polls and focus strictly on the merits, not the politics, of this most serious issue.

The resolution before us today is not only a product of haste; it is also a product of presidential hubris. This resolution is breathtaking in its scope. It redefines the nature of defense, and reinterprets the Constitution to suit the will of the Executive Branch. It would give the President blanket authority to launch a unilateral preemptive attack on a sovereign nation that is perceived to be a threat to the United States. This is an unprecedented and unfounded interpretation of the President's authority under the Constitution, not to mention the fact that it stands the charter of the United Nations on its head.

A later speech went like this:

The Moving Finger writes; and having writ,
Moves on; nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it.

So said the Persian poet Omar Khayyam in the 11th century. So say I today. The Senate has made clear its intent on the Iraq resolution. The outcome is certain; the ending has been scripted. The Senate will vote, and the Iraq resolution will pass.

I continue to believe that the Senate, in following this preordained course of action, will be doing a grave disservice to this nation and to the Constitution on which it was founded. In the newly published National Security Strategy of the United States – the document in which the President outlines the unprecedented policy of pre-emptive deterrence which the Iraq resolution will implement – he asserts that the Constitution has served us well, as though it were some dusty relic of the past that needs to be eulogized before it is retired. He is wrong. The Constitution is no more dated in the principles it established than is the Bible. The Constitution continues to serve us well, if only we will take the time to heed it.

I am deeply disappointed that the Senate is not heeding the imperatives of the Constitution and is instead poised to hand off to the President the exclusive power of Congress to determine matters of war and peace.

I do not, in my heart of hearts, believe that this is what the American people expect of the Senate. I have heard from tens of thousands of Americans – people from all across this country of ours – who have urged me to keep up the fight. I am only one Senator from a small state, yet in the past week I have received nearly 20,000 telephone calls and nearly 50,000 e-mails supporting my position.

I want all of those people across America who took the time to contact me to know how their words have heartened me and sustained me in my efforts to turn the tide of opinion in the Senate. They are my heroes, and I will never forget the remarkable courage and patriotism that reverberated in the fervor of their messages.

As the apostle Paul said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." There are Americans all across this country who have joined in spirit with me and a small band of like-minded Senators in fighting the good fight. We could stay here on the floor and continue to fight, and it is certainly a fight worth the effort. But there is also a point at which it becomes time to accept reality and to regroup. It is clear that we have lost the battle in the Senate, but we have not yet lost the war.

[IndianaJones]

2. I would love for him to retire. nt.

[fla nocount]

3. Did you read the original mission statement when registering here...

or are you a DLC newbie? Senators Byrd and Kennedy are all that stands between your legacy and your grand-kids spitting upon your grave.

[IndianaJones]

4. I like the DLC...and Byrd is a racist and homophobe. nt.

[fla nocount]

5. Was, some of us grow as we go through life.

He voted Nay on FISA and that's all I need for validation of the man's patriotism and vision for my grand-childrens's future. He voted Nay on corporate suck-assism, I'm willing to to forgive him a lot for awakening to the monster he's served most of his life. Now he awakens, I can only hope that our president-elect is more prescient than the right honorable Sen. Byrd and doesn't waste a lifetime figuring out what his elected duty is.

[IndianaJones]

6. if you are willing to overlook his bigotry that is on you. nt.

[fla nocount]

8. Read post #7 you silly shit.

And get real with your politics, and your history.

[IndianaJones]

12. which history? yes on federal ban on gay marriage? or the racism?

oh yeah...he carries a Constitution...yet he filibustered civil rights.

Bwaahahahaha.

[fla nocount]

15. I get five cents per word, unedited, here ...

what do you get?

[IndianaJones]

16. I get to laugh at defenders of disgusting bigots. bwaaahahaha. nt.

[fla nocount]

17. Me thinks, that perhaps, you might be an uninitiated...

kid. Without the reference skills to change the mind of the populace at large. Let me try this, it's foreign to me, bwaaahahaha.

Did I do okay? I know that I'm making it more important than it is, but still, it's relevant, isn't it?

[IndianaJones]

25. methinks you must be an old person that thinks like soon to be ex-Senator Bryd. nt.

[Dr. Strange]

24. Racism? You know the truth about race relations?

They are much, much better than they've ever been in my lifetime. I think we (this is my personal opinion) talk about race too much. I think those problems are largely behind us. I think we can all profit by our mistakes. I think we've reached a new plateau, and I think it's going to keep going upward, that understanding and race relations. I just think we talk so much about it that we help to create somewhat of an illusion. I think we try to have good will. My old mom told me, ``Robert, you can't go to heaven if you hate anybody.'' We practice that. There are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time; I'm going to use that word.
We just need to work together to make our country a better country, and I'd just as soon quit talking about it so much. Robert Byrd, March 4, 2001

[IndianaJones]

28. what does that have to do with the bigot named Robert Byrd? nt,

[KoKo]

11. Go didfle yourself you idiot!~

[malaise]

7. I don't love him but I do respect him

I'll never forget his speech against the Iraq war.

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0319-04.htm
<snip>
The case this Administration tries to make to justify its fixation with war is tainted by charges of falsified documents and circumstantial evidence. We cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war for one simple reason. This is a war of choice.

There is no credible information to connect Saddam Hussein to 9/11. The twin towers fell because a world-wide terrorist group, Al Qaeda, with cells in over 60 nations, struck at our wealth and our influence by turning our own planes into missiles, one of which would likely have slammed into the dome of this beautiful Capitol except for the brave sacrifice of the passengers on board.

But, this Administration has directed all of the anger, fear, and grief which emerged from the ashes of the twin towers and the twisted metal of the Pentagon towards a tangible villain, one we can see and hate and attack. And villain he is. But, he is the wrong villain. And this is the wrong war. If we attack Saddam Hussein, we will probably drive him from power. But, the zeal of our friends to assist our global war on terrorism may have already taken flight.

The general unease surrounding this war is not just due to "orange alert." There is a pervasive sense of rush and risk and too many questions unanswered. How long will we be in Iraq? What will be the cost? What is the ultimate mission? How great is the danger at home?

A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid our solemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds of all Americans, even while scores of thousands of our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in Iraq.

What is happening to this country? When did we become a nation which ignores and berates our friends? When did we decide to risk undermining international order by adopting a radical and doctrinaire approach to using our awesome military might? How can we abandon diplomatic efforts when the turmoil in the world cries out for diplomacy?

[fla nocount]

9. You and madfloridian continue to amaze, malaise. n/t

[malaise]

19. Why? n/t

[KoKo]

10. All of us who remember how he stood on Senate Floor for Week or more Protesting Iraq Invasion

have been silenced by DU'ers who equate him with the KKK. They are mostly newer DUers who never listened for days to his incredible HISTORIC speeches against that Bush/Cheney Iraq Invasion, and debates that he and Senator Kennedy did against the Neo-Con Supporting Dems and Repugs.

Senator Byrd will always have a place in the hearts of us DU'ers who were THERE for the IRAQ INVASION DEBATES where we watched minute by minute his incredible speeches.

I could Google for those speeches but there's no one out there on DU anymore who cares. It's all about how Senator Byrd back in 1930 as a kid found hanging out with the KKK which was the only fun thing in WVA at that time...to rebel to is such a travesty that he should be hunted down and villified the rest of his life.

[IndianaJones]

13. remember him on the Senate floor filibustering civil rights? that was awesome. nt

[Leftist Agitator]

23. How old are you, Dr. Jones?

Did YOU see RCB filibustering against civil rights? You personally saw that?

Robert Byrd has done more for this great nation than you or I ever could hope to.

You've never made mistakes in the past? How wonderful it must be to be perfect! You could give us all numerous pointers, oh paragon of virtue!

:eyes:

Robert Byrd is a good man who walked the wrong path when he was a younger man. His actions over the past twenty-five years have demonstrated that he is committed to liberalism and furthering the agenda of the modern incarnation of the Democratic party more so than any of his erstwhile colleagues from the bygone era of the 1950s and early 1960s.

There were many Dixiecrats in that era. His actions and statements were mild in comparison to the statements and deeds of others. For example, George Wallace, who infamously proclaimed, "In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever."

It was a different age, with a vastly different Democratic Party. But seeing as how you PERSONALLY remember Byrd filibustering civil rights, you knew that, right?

Get a clue, Dr. Jones... People can and do change with the times. By perpetuating the contrary opinion, you impede the progress, both potential and realized, of us all.

[IndianaJones]

27. no...I saw him railing against gays though in the 90's. And using the n-word in the 2000's. you?

good man my ass.

[Leftist Agitator]

45. I saw the same as you, Dr. Jones.

But I also saw a man who knows damn well that supporting gay rights as an advocate for the state of WV would constitute political suicide.

Oh, and yes, Robert Byrd did indeed use the "N-Word" in the last decade. But in what context?

This context:

"Race and race relations
Portrait of then-Majority Leader Byrd

In a March 4, 2001 interview with Tony Snow, Byrd said of race relations:

They're much, much better than they've ever been in my lifetime... I think we talk about race too much. I think those problems are largely behind us... I just think we talk so much about it that we help to create somewhat of an illusion. I think we try to have good will. My old mom told me, 'Robert, you can't go to heaven if you hate anybody.' We practice that. There are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time. I'm going to use that word. We just need to work together to make our country a better country, and I'd just as soon quit talking about it so much.<34>

Byrd's use of the term white nigger created immediate controversy. When asked about it, Byrd responded,

I apologize for the characterization I used on this program... The phrase dates back to my boyhood and has no place in today's society... In my attempt to articulate strongly held feelings, I may have offended people.<34>

Byrd has since explicitly renounced his earlier views on racial segregation.<35><36> Byrd said that he regrets filibustering and voting against the Civil Rights Act of 1964<15> and would change it if he had the opportunity. He has stated that joining the KKK was "the greatest mistake I ever made".<35> Byrd has also said that his views changed dramatically after his teenage grandson was killed in a 1982 traffic accident, which put him in a deep emotional valley. "The death of my grandson caused me to stop and think," said Byrd, adding he came to realize that black people love their children as much as he does his.<37>"




Yeah, but he's an irredeemable douchebag, right? Nobody can genuinely change over the vast gulf of nearly a century, correct?

I don't know what to say, except that you quite obviously are a testament to rigidity and the refusal to acknowledge genuine repentance.

[IndianaJones]

46. I'm no apologist for a lifelong racist and homophobe. We just disagree. nt.

[fla nocount]

14. I care and I remember, don't give up on DU.

We're bigger than the folks who so generously funded our superb infra-structure thinking that they might one day take it over for their own organ of "catapulting the propaganda." Just thank them for this very fine web-site and tell them to piss-off.

[1776Forever]

22. I second that - Some people, young ones especially, seem to think they never did anything wrong.

We all are born human. It is the person who can change their ways for the good of humanity that really make history. Not the small minds that don't admit they are indeed human!

[rainy]

31. Did you skip over my post? #1

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

18. Byrd-lovers need to rent Phil Donahue's 'Body of War'

Byrd's floor speeches are magnificent and the scene where he meets Tomas Young, the disable vet the film focuses on, is truly moving and makes me more proud than ever of my senator and fellow West Virginan

[1776Forever]

26. Byrd is a true American hero and should be respected for his courage!

Love West Virgina!

[IndianaJones]

29. you like his racial slurs and open homophobia? heroic? nt

[1776Forever]

37. Remember the GOP yelling about Rev. Wright - Byrd and he lived a different life then younger people.

They both, I believe, are good people with generational issues that they were burdened with. Younger people do not have these same memories and influence. For Sen. Byrd to come out early for Sen. Obama and praise his election is amazing to me. I think you are not giving him the respect he deserves for what he has done right. We are all human and err in our ways from time to time.

Sen. Byrd's comment on President-elect Obama:

May 19, 2008
Byrd endorses Obama for president
Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., endorsed Barack Obama for president shortly after noon today, focusing on his hope to end the Iraq War.
By Paul J. Nyden
Staff writer

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., endorsed Barack Obama for president shortly after noon today, focusing on his hope to end the Iraq War.

"As people all across this great nation know, I have been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Bush administration's misguided war in Iraq and its saber rattling around the globe," Byrd said.

He said he had "no intention of involving myself in the Democratic campaign for President in the midst of West Virginia's primary election. But the stakes this November could not be higher."

Byrd praised both Obama and Hillary Clinton, saying their "integrity, honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution I deeply respect...

"Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support," Byrd concluded.

........

As for his homophobia, that too is generational and I am glad that he and others like him are becoming fewer and fewer. These things too shall pass. But I give him the praise for standing up to the Bush's and telling it like it was concerning the War!

[IndianaJones]

39. Rev Wright is not a raging homophobe and racist like Byrd. No comparison. nt.

[1776Forever]

40. Your belief - I don't see how you can say Byrd is a racist after what he said about Obama.

You make no sense there.

[IndianaJones]

41. its what he always does. you don't think any racists voted for Obama?

I saw them firsthand in Indiana. The guy has been showing his true colors his entire life. Pay attention.

[struggle4progress]

43. NAACP rated Byrd 83% in 2006

http://www.ontheissues.org/Notebook/Note_06n-NAACP.htm

That's certainly not the highest rating for a D senator that year, but it's not the lowest either

[IndianaJones]

44. he was just making up for the racial slurs a few years before. nt.

[struggle4progress]

47. Now you're just thrashing. Another year, NAACP gave him 100%.

Looking over the record, I think I must agree with you that his record on gay rights stinks

But his record doesn't suggest an unrepentant racist

Consider attending to the actual facts a bit more closely

[dmr]

50. What are you gaining by constantly posting the same thing over and over again?

You must be getting something out of it? You like being disruptive? You like interfering with intelligent discussions that other members of this community would like to have? Do you like disrupting mature discussions?

I've never read anything you've written on DU, so am unaware of your posting habits, so I ask, are you like this on other threads? If so, why?

You made your point, several posts ago, so what's the point of mega-posting it?

You don't need to answer. I don't really care. I do care, though, of reading intelligent discussions without having to see everyone jerked around by someone who has nothing better to do.

Maybe you'll do a little reflection.

[Athens30603]

49. Um...you sure about that?n/t

[Uncle Joe]

20. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, oldtime dfl_er.

[dmr]

21. "The Arrogance of Power"

To those who refuse to see the difference between the decades-old and the present Senator Robert Byrd:

To see the errors and harm our ways have caused others, to be repentant, and to work toward rectifying injustices is admirable. All of us have the capacity to grow and change, and in my heart and mind I would be remiss and not a Democrat if I didn't acknowledge these changes of words and deeds of Senator Byrd. I believe most DUers agree with me. All one needs to do is a DU search of the many thankful and loving threads and posts discussing both Senator Byrd's past and his March, 2003 speeches on the floor of the Senate - fighting for us - to keep us out of war. It was not a physically easy task for this elderly man. One will see how we felt about this thoughtful, and at the time, broken-hearted man. I will be forever grateful for his effort.

http://byrd.senate.gov/speeches/byrd_speeches_2003march/byrd_speeches_2003march.html
March 19, 2003

"The Arrogance of Power"

I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its founders and framers. Generation after generation of Americans has understood the lofty ideals that underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by the story of their sacrifice and their strength.

But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.

Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.

We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We treat UN Security Council members like ingrates who offend our princely dignity by lifting their heads from the carpet. Valuable alliances are split. After war has ended, the United States will have to rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuild America's image around the globe.

The case this Administration tries to make to justify its fixation with war is tainted by charges of falsified documents and circumstantial evidence. We cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war for one simple reason. This is a war of choice.

There is no credible information to connect Saddam Hussein to 9/11. The twin towers fell because a world-wide terrorist group, Al Qaeda, with cells in over 60 nations, struck at our wealth and our influence by turning our own planes into missiles, one of which would likely have slammed into the dome of this beautiful Capitol except for the brave sacrifice of the passengers on board.

The brutality seen on September 11th and in other terrorist attacks we have witnessed around the globe are the violent and desperate efforts by extremists to stop the daily encroachment of western values upon their cultures. That is what we fight. It is a force not confined to borders. It is a shadowy entity with many faces, many names, and many addresses.

But, this Administration has directed all of the anger, fear, and grief which emerged from the ashes of the twin towers and the twisted metal of the Pentagon towards a tangible villain, one we can see and hate and attack. And villain he is. But, he is the wrong villain. And this is the wrong war. If we attack Saddam Hussein, we will probably drive him from power. But, the zeal of our friends to assist our global war on terrorism may have already taken flight.

The general unease surrounding this war is not just due to "orange alert." There is a pervasive sense of rush and risk and too many questions unanswered. How long will we be in Iraq? What will be the cost? What is the ultimate mission? How great is the danger at home? A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid our solemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds of all Americans, even while scores of thousands of our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in Iraq.

What is happening to this country? When did we become a nation which ignores and berates our friends? When did we decide to risk undermining international order by adopting a radical and doctrinaire approach to using our awesome military might? How can we abandon diplomatic efforts when the turmoil in the world cries out for diplomacy?

Why can this President not seem to see that America's true power lies not in its will to intimidate, but in its ability to inspire?

War appears inevitable. But, I continue to hope that the cloud will lift. Perhaps Saddam will yet turn tail and run. Perhaps reason will somehow still prevail. I along with millions of Americans will pray for the safety of our troops, for the innocent civilians in Iraq, and for the security of our homeland. May God continue to bless the United States of America in the troubled days ahead, and may we somehow recapture the vision which for the present eludes us.

[IndianaJones]

30. decades old? he was using the n-word this century, not just last. nt.

[rainy]

32. Can you prove that? Just asking.

[Dr. Strange]

34. Highlight the text in post 24.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/transcripts/foxnews030401.htm

[IndianaJones]

35. 3/4/2001 interview with the great Tony Snow. he later apologized...again.

google it. Fox News even.

[babylonsister]

33. I love him, too, and think he's a great American! nt

[jonnyblitz]

36. he is a homophobic ASSHOLE who stood on the floor

of the Senate in the 90's railing against the evils of homosexuality while clutching his bible during the DOMA debates. All of this I watched on C-SPAN. but anyway, yeah, all you good "LIBERALS" praise this piece of shit to the heavens, why don't you? :puke:

[IndianaJones]

38. but he carries the Constitution. nt.

[struggle4progress]

48. Rather more than that, he is a genuine scholar of the constitution:

he bothered to learn his history rather thoroughly

[PinkoDonkey]

42. There are no heroes

Byrd is flawed--no doubt. But I also understand the affection that he elicits in some progressives due to his stance against the war in Iraq. As liberals we are not satisfied with simple stories about great men or women who do great things. Everyone is flawed, everyone is broken in their own way. It is possible to admire Byrd for his work against the war, for his other progressive stances, and to decry his racist and homophobic past. There is no perfect--just progress?

[kentuck]

51. It is not possible to change...

It is not possible that Robert Byrd was almost alone on the Senate floor when he advised all of the youngsters in the Senate not to rush to war. But they did not listen. He is a very wise old man. What is important to me is that he is not a racist now. He changed. As we have all changed. As has our country changed. Otherwise, how could Barack Obama ever be elected President. We should be careful not to judge.