Byrd lambastes Bush in book

[davidinalameda]

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/Other%20News/2004061419

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., will publish a new book next month titled “Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency.”

W.W. Norton & Co. plans to release on July 26 the book in which Byrd argues President George W. Bush “is in a class by himself — ineptitude supreme.”

Kirkus Reviews calls the new volume “an outstanding broadside from a true patriot.”

[demnan]

1. Wow!

that sounds like a good one. Byrd gives inspired speeches. Maybe he can team up with Helen Thomas and be sort of an octogenarian Greek chorus against the dummy!

[LosinIt]

2. I love this Man!

I want to have his love child. Seriously, I wish he were younger so he could take over.

[sofa king]

13. Dare I say it?

Were Byrd younger, he would likely be more akin to Zell Miller or even Trent Lott. He's the rare example of someone who honestly performed a complete political 180, and it didn't happen overnight, either. I admire him very much for his diligent work in the Senate as an expert on the rules and as an historian, but the man freely admits himself that he will never be able to fully expunge his association with the Ku Klux Klan and his fervent opposition to the civil rights bills.

[WildClarySage]

19. Wow, the man admits to his mistakes, says he will never be able

to repair the damage done, and still he gets lumped in with Miller and Lott.

Go back to freeperville, this is not the place to bash a West Virginia Statesman.

[Voltaire99]

31. His point was too subtle for you, apparently

He's not bashing Byrd; he professes to admire him. But he notes that Byrd was not always beloved. And for good reason!

Writing "go back to freeperville" in the face of such a balanced point makes you look like the knee jerker, my friend.

[0007]

3. Fly Byrd fly

[reprehensor]

4. Excellent! Must acquire!

Still have space on floor...must-buy-books---

[Eloriel]

21. ROTFL

I hear ya. Me too.

[Veggie Meathead]

5. Senator Byrd is the closest thing we have to our Founding Fathers.

His principled stand against the Iraq War Resolution,his railing against the Emperor who wears no clothes and now his book about the arrogance of the Presidency of George Bush makes him a national treasure.In a time of universal cowardice against the bullies who have usurped power illegally,his courageous actions and speeches
give us hope.He should be declared a national treasure.Our children should be taught about Senator Byrd as a Profile in Courage.

I am proud that I come from a country that has produced a Robert Byrd.

[pocket]

6. You've got to be kidding me

I can never trust anyone who was a member of the KKK at any time during their life. If he's sincerely reformed then I am happy for him, but I can never fully trust that he is.

[BiggJawn]

7. I knew it!

Pocket, you're new here, so I'll put a brotherly arm around your shoulder and tell you that we have hashed out Byrd's KKK past ad nauseum here.

So you can't trust him, fine. Did you feel that it's really nessecary to bring up his KKK past?

How often have you listened to Byrd on the floor of the Senate? Did you hear him speak out against the War? Have you heard him question Bush? Did you listen to him when he was fillibustering last winter?

Oh, that's right, he's former KKK, you have no use for him.

Focus on the message, not the messenger.

[CatWoman]

8. Thanks, John

I'm sick of hearing that shit, too.

I wonder if he feels the same way about all the old gentlemanly racists in the GOP? Like Helms and Thurman.

Thing is, Byrd admitted he was wrong, and apologized.

Thurman went to his grave a hardened racist only to have his black love child show up a month later.

[JitterbugPerfume]

9. yes

what BiggJawn said

[Solidarity]

10. Byrd Has Changed

Most people screw up and make mistakes in their life, especially when they are young.

What's important is that they correct those errors and move on.

Byrd is hardly a right-wing KKK terrorist today. And his work and statements in defense of our Bill of Rights and against the occupation of Iraq ought to be welcomed.

I don't believe in political "mortal sin".

[gatlingforme]

16. Pocket stated an opinion. Let me know when the protocol in DU

calls for knowing all past posts in this forum before you can "opine" as Mr. Dickhead says on the O'Reiley crap show.

[CatWoman]

18. well, part of that protocol is not bringing up these

"red herrings" when you can't comment on the subject at hand. That's what the Yahoo boards are for.

*Hint, hint*

[BiggJawn]

26. Oh, and *I* can't have an "opinion"?

Pocket, or you, for that matter, gatling, are perfectly free to tell me to go FUCK myself.

At least I didn't follow the usual DU tradition and call him an out-and-out Karl Rove "plant", now did I?

[Eloriel]

24. True, and I have a slightly different perspective

I not only forgive Byrd's KKK past, I embrace him all the more because of it. To me it shows the power of Truth and the hope of redemption (for most or at least many, certainly not all -- psychopaths don't usually need to apply).

I believe in the human spirit. I believe people CAN change for the better, and I think it's testimony to the power of the Truth when humans do turn away from evil and toward the good. AFAIC, Robert Byrd is a powerful symbol of that, and a powerful role model as well -- just for that one truth about his life. Further, he daily exhibits wisdom, courage, valor, and statesmanship -- another feather in his cap.

And from a purely pragmatic standpoint, it seems to me it does no good to keep kicking people for positions and beliefs they've long ago thrown over and apologized for. Just doesn't offer much incentive to those who might join him, does it?

[robbedvoter]

11. Why? Were you a victim? because only victims have the right to forgive

(or not) an abuse. Most of Byrd's victims did forgive him - and voted for him time after time.
On the same theme, your buddy Raygun had no right to forgive the nazis burried at Bittburg - not being a victim.

[WildClarySage]

22. I think we're all victims when someone's abused

in a Eugene Debs kinda way. Still, I think you're right, it's not my place to forgive for the hurts of others. I doubt very much that Miller and Lott (et al) have spent many sleepless nights worrying over what their policies have done to people.

I'm amazed at how many "liberals" (and they must be liberals or they wouldn't be posting at DU) keep forgetting that he has apologized, worked to right the wrongs of racism, and has labored to support the rights of the individual.

[THUNDER HANDS]

12. what was that, like, 60 years ago?

I think he's changed.

[Democracy Died 2004]

14. Senator Byrd is my

Senator. He has made some grave errors in the past and i think he has come to terms with them.. I give no excuses to his past behavior and yes i still think about it at times. However, in his soul burns the true meaning of this country. I listen to his speeches and i am just mesmerized sometimes. The clarity and vision he has of this document we call the Constitution< and the one our current king shits on> is refreshing.

As for his past transgressions i believe he is paying for it dearly now. Bad health, loss of support and even hostile ridicule from his opponents. So sad that he was on the wrong track when he had his youth. maybe this world would be a little different today.

[WildClarySage]

20. Welcome to DU

fellow Mountaineer!

[Hoping4Change]

27. Hi there Marx Redux Welcome to DU

:bounce:

[ima_sinnic]

17. you "can never fully trust that he is"?

then you haven't been paying attention, have you?
knowing the dumb things I did when I was 18, I can hardly condemn someone for a lifetime for something he did for a short while when he was young & foolish--especially when he has agonized over it, apologized for it, and been one of the very few of our elected legislators to take a firm, unequivocal, uncompromising and courageous stand against the filth that is currently occupying the White House. Absolutely NOTHING in Sen. Byrd's record as a Senator indicates the slightest hint of attitudes complicit with the KKK.

[Voltaire99]

32. Once a Klanner, always a Klanner? Not really.

There may be something to that: we do not, for instance, easily forgive ex-Nazis, do we? Byrd's past as a racist is more significant than that of the average hater: through opposition to civil rights law, he tried to prevent the destruction of state-sanctioned racism.

On the other hand, Byrd is not merely honestly repentant in word. Look at his principled deeds today, whether in demanding constitutional government or opposing illegitimate war--they are, in large measure, Byrd's shining redemption. So, yes, revile the man's past. But be glad he is in the US Senate: his opposition to Bushism makes him worth at least ten Tom Daschles.

[Jack The Tab]

15. Byrd's past KKK affiliation bothers me...

the same way Reagan's past affiliation with the Socialist Party bothers Conservatives.

[Boomer]

23. I've already ordered the book

The higher the number of sales -- even before the book's release -- the more publicity Byrd will get for this stand.

Buy it now!

--Boomer

[Pastiche423]

28. I ordered it last night

It will begin shipping on July 3.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0393059421/qid=1087326440/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-8663813-6472630?v=glance&s=books

[PROGRESSIVE1]

25. Bless this man! He knows the principles of this Nation!!!

[ashling]

29. Like with a turkey baster?

Best to lambaste him in his own juices.

[ashling]

30. Does he use a turkey baster?

Or does he just spoon his own juices over him as he slowly roasts in a 100 degree press conference?

Best to lambaste him in his own juices. :silly:

[bluestateguy]

33. Bobby Byrd has redeemed himself with me

I was visibly angry with him during the Lewinsky scandal and impeachment, but he's OK by me now.

He is not the nicest man, in fact sometimes he can be a real jerk. But he's OUR JERK. A master parliamentarian who is invaluable to have on your side during a legislative fight, a man who has delivered billions to West Virginia and best of all, has fought the corruption in this maladministration.