Post your favorite Senator Byrd moment

[LynneSin]

I wanted to start this thread because I wanted to share my lasting memory of Senator Robert Byrd. Back during the aftermath of 9/11, I was working night shifts. So daytime, when I was awake or even sometimes I would fall asleep, to watching CSpan2.

At the time Bush and the republicans were trying to shove the Patriot Act down our throats. I remember Robert Byrd getting all fired up at the speaker podium about the atrocities written into that Patriot Act. And while he was reaming a few democrats, in his hand he held a mini-copy book of the US Constitution.

I will never forget that moment - it's what defines Senator Robert Byrd to me.

BTW, I went out and bought my own mini-book copy of the Constitution about a week later.

[Pathwalker]

1. "There's a Democratic Underground across this nation against this war!"

Senator Byrd said that on the Senate floor, after being the recipient of the FIRST DU Rose drive.
He mentioned DU, said he took heart from all the heartfelt letters and e-mails he received from DUers. RIP, Senator. Vaya con Dios

[barbtries]

2. there's a couple

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuCrVpYw1z4&feature=related

my favorite are the clips shown in http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068634/ body of war, but i couldn't find them on youtube, except this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoFbc3yOAo0

he stood up against the catastrophic war in iraq.

[hlthe2b]

3. Your moment, for sure... But as a fervent dog lover myself...

It was Robert Byrd's unwavering support for animal protection--against the likes of the despicable Michael Vick and dog fighting:
*Another major milestone -- the passing of his beloved dog, Billy Byrd. He kept a picture of the dog on his mantle in his office. Byrd always talked about his dog, a Maltese, and when Billy Byrd died in 2002, Byrd said, "I lost one of my best friends today." Byrd, a major dog lover, soon got another pooch, a Shih Tzu this time -- naming it Trouble.

*An avid dog lover, Byrd was enraged by the revelations of a brutal dog-fighting ring run by Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick. In a July 19, 2007 speech, Byrd condemned Vick and even called for the death penalty for anyone found guilty of such brutality to animals, calling the guilty parties "sadistic."

*And he said: "I am confident that the hottest places in Hell are reserved for the souls of sick and brutal people who hold God's creatures in such brutal and cruel contempt!



snip... (full speech at http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Speech_Following_the_Indictment_of_Michael_Vick_on_Dog-fighting_Charges
Mister President, as a dog owner, and a dog-lover, I can not even begin to understand how human beings can be so cruel to man's best friend. Over the centuries of time, these creatures of God have made a place in our hearts as well as in our homes. Dogs have endured as our devoted companions that provide important emotional support to humans. That the mere petting of these social creatures can lower blood pressure in humans. Get that, Madam President, that the mere petting of these social creatures can lower blood pressure in humans. The affection that a dog provides is unlimited, unqualified, and unconditional. Ever the loyal companion, dogs protect us, assist those of us with afflictions, and provide hours, hours, hours of enjoyable companionship. Therefore I take great satisfaction in knowing that if the people allegedly involved in this outrageous business are found guilty they will have to answer to our judicial system. And may God help their souls!

Congress has made it a federal crime to engage in dog-fighting. Madame President, God, God, the one eternal everlasting God made man caretaker of the earth. God gave man the responsibility of attending to the natural world with dominion over animal life. And we honor God when we treat all of his creatures responsibly and with decency and with respect. The book of Proverbs in the Holy Bible, King James Bible, tells us, "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." The immortal Dante tells us the divine justice reserves special places in hell for certain categories of sinners.

[gateley]

7. When he spoke of Teddy, and showed up at the gathering of employees who

assembled to pay their respects.

[RoseMead]

4. His reaction to the announcement of Senator Kennedy's cancer

moved me deeply. I am an agnostic, but right now I wish I could believe in a benevolent deity and afterlife. I wish with all my heart that those two old friends might meet again.

Other than that, there are too many moments to recount. He was my Senator for my entire life. His seat will be filled, and life will go on, but he cannot be replaced.

[Renew Deal]

5. "Where's my adversary?"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1467077&mesg_id=1467077

[Skink]

6. I liked watching him refer to the constitution on the Senate floor.

an actual book he haad with him.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Not a "favorite", but surely the most poignent:

When he lost his wife.

[bullwinkle428]

9. Tearing Michael Vick a new one over his animal cruelty.

Probably a small moment in the grand scheme of things, but his passion was undeniable.