Senator Byrd, 90, sworn in in signature style; later, stands behind Bernie Sanders as he takes oath

[DeepModem Mom]

CNN: Thursday, January 04, 2007
Sen. Byrd, 90, sworn in for ninth time

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia was sworn in for the ninth time Thursday, and he did it in signature style.

The West Virginia Democrat, who turns 90 this year and is the longest-serving member of the current Senate, is known for his long speeches, his knowledge of Senate rules and his flamboyant personality.

He first spoke through the opening prayer, calling "Praise Jesus," and "yeah!"

After he was sworn in by Vice President Cheney, he pumped his fist and yelled, "So help me God!"

Just after that, Byrd appeared weak and started to collapse. He was caught by his West Virginia colleague, Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, and other senators standing nearby.

Byrd didn't miss a step as he then walked back to his desk, giving a loud "Hallelujah!" to the crowd.

He later stood behind new Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, patting him on the back as Sanders took the oath of office.

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/01/sen-byrd-90-sworn-in-for-ninth-time.html

[Jersey Devil]

1. Praise be to Jesus!

Old folks seem to gravitate to Jesus like Bluefish do to a school of mackerel. Believe or not, they do it for the insurance value.

[k_jerome]

2. Byrd has a lot to answer for with Jesus I think...nt.

[w4rma]

4. Why don't you say that type of BS about the majority of Republicans who, nearly all, have far

worse voting records on civil rights than Sen. Byrd does. In fact Sen. Byrd has one of the best civil rights voting records in the Senate as of the past couple decades, from what I understand.

[k_jerome]

20. start a thread on them and i will...

this one is about that old time racist, Robert Byrd.

[KingFlorez]

35. He has a good voting on civil rights now

He changed his views a long time ago, so it's ridiculous to attack him for past.

[k_jerome]

37. he used the n-word...

publicly in 2001.

[KingFlorez]

41. He apologized for it

[frogcycle]

84. why the hell

does everyone use that euphemism? we all know what the objectionable word is

[Hissyspit]

5. He has done a lot to make up for his distant past.

From Wikipedia:

Byrd was one of the Senate's most outspoken critics of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

On March 19, 2003, when Bush ordered the invasion after receiving U.S. Congress approval, Byrd stated:

"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."<29>
Byrd also criticized Bush for his speech declaring the "end of major combat operations" in Iraq, which Bush made on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. Byrd stated on the Senate floor:

"I do question the motives of a deskbound president who assumes the garb of a warrior for the purposes of a speech."<30>
On October 17, 2003, Byrd delivered a speech expressing his concerns about the future of the nation and his unequivocal antipathy to Bush's policies. Referencing the Hans Christian Andersen children's tale The Emperor's New Clothes, Byrd said of the president: "the emperor has no clothes." Byrd further lamented the "sheep-like" behavior of the "cowed Members of this Senate" and called on them to oppose the continuation of a "war based on falsehoods."


Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant PresidencyByrd criticized what he saw as the stifling of dissent: "The right to ask questions, debate, and dissent is under attack. The drums of war are beaten ever louder in an attempt to drown out those who speak of our predicament in stark terms. Even in the Senate, our history and tradition of being the world's greatest deliberative body is being snubbed. This huge spending bill — $87 billion — has been rushed through this chamber in just one month. There were just three open hearings by the Senate Appropriations Committee on $87 billion — $87 for every minute since Jesus Christ was born — $87 billion without a single outside witness called to challenge the administration's line." Finally, Byrd quoted Nazi leader Hermann Göring who stated that rushing to war is easy if the proponent of war portrays opponents as unpatriotic.<31>

[k_jerome]

21. he is trying...he doesn't have enough life left to make up fully. nt.

[Kahuna]

80. Oh please. Now you're putting yourself in God's place to judge another...

Take the mote out of your own eye..And worry for your own soul.

[k_jerome]

85. i'm speaking from my own perspective....

i am sure there are other minority groups that feel the same way...some are represented on this thread.

[QC]

30. Your little obsession has grown tiresome. n/t

[k_jerome]

51. yeah. pesky minorities and their objections to former KKK members...

that throw around the n-word with alarming ease. sorry, i'll keep my mouth shut sir.

[dweller]

3. Take me to the pilot !

or at least to the greatest page...

:kick: and r!

sounds like the old man was in a party mood. :)
dp

[bleever]

6. Only Robert Byrd questioned why the greatest deliberative body in the world

was silent on the eve of the Iraq War.

For this he deserves my thanks, and a lonely but ennobled place in history.

[cali]

11. Only Byrd?

What nonsense. sorry that's just a revision of the truth. How do I know? My own Senator's words for one thing. Byrd's speech on the eve of the Iraq War Resolution was good. Senator Leahy's was better. And there were several other powerful speeches as well.

[bleever]

16. Actually, you're right.

Though Byrd's speech was the most memorable for me, I was wrong not to mention Leahy, Boxer, and a few others.

[Strawman]

13. To me, he seemed more bothered by the irrelevance of the Senate

than the war itself. He was speaking for historians. He's more of an institutional patriot for the Senate than an anti-war figure, IMO.

[ozymandius]

18. He has mine.

Though I am not a constituent - his office staff has been very happy to talk with me during those times when important committee votes were pending.

[bleever]

19. His defense of the Constitution and the proper role of the

legislative branch in matters of war put a full historical frame on the events that were rushing past in those days before the war began.

[Maven]

7. I won't celebrate that old fool.

In case anyone forgot, one of only two Senate Dems to cross party lines and vote for the FMA.

And gimme a goddamn break with the holy roller routine during his swearing in. C'mon people--if this was a Republican, you KNOW you'd think it was ridiculous and totally inappropriate.

[JeremyWestenn]

8. I didn't know he voted for the FMA!!

Now my opinion of him has definetely diminished... Greatly.

[Maven]

9. He did; in "signature style."

Just as he voted against the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Maybe if he lived another 40 years, he'd apologize for the FMA, too. :eyes:

[cboy4]

10. I agree with you. His history of civil rights, both past and present

is abominable.

The Civil Rights Act nonsense is unforgivable.

I do not like having this 100 year old former Klan member making social decisions.

He also voted in Scalia and Roberts when he knows his ass isn't going to be around to be affected by their decisions.

And yes....the pah-raise jesus talk was too much.

I am not a fan.

[LostinVA]

12. I have chosen to overlook the Klan membership when he was younger

A different time, and hopefully he has sincerely renounced that part of himself.

However, his recent voters on civil rights issues is extremely appalling, and more RW than many Republicans. And, his votes for Roberts and Scalia are unforgivable, as is his vote for FMA. Ugh.

I'm tired of the spinning that goes on trying to excuse Byrd. I do NOT want him Pro Tem.

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. Count me in with you on that Harvey...

FMA is a sham to appease the RR, and I have no place in my house for insider/good old boy party politics anymore.

[terrya]

73. Another one who agrees with you, Harvey.

Byrd is a nasty homophobe. Besides voting for FMA, he has a diasterous record on GLBT legislation. Abysmal.

I won't celebrate him, either.

[dsc]

79. His HRC rating for the last three Congresses

was 22, 13, and 19. He supports us on Hate Crimes and the occassional judge otherwise he doesn't support us at all.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

15. sounds a little crazy if you ask me. if any repub did that we would have said

dementia has set in

[k_jerome]

22. bingo. nt.

[ozymandius]

17. I think we've found our man.

Bernie Sanders would be a fitting bearer of the Constitution's torch after Byrd passes. Senator Byrd seems to know this too.

[KoKo]

25. Yes....not seeing it...I think maybe you have a good point there...

Byrd did everything to stop the Iraq Invasion...whatever else he inspired so many of us here on DU...that I can't hold anything else against him.

He had a "shining moment" and I will always be grateful to him..for those magnificent speeches on the Senate Floor when he knew that they were giving Bush a blank check that he would write in whatever amount he wanted...and the killing and suffering and the debt....were all written in that check that we will be living with for decades.

[k_jerome]

23. why does our party suffer this racist? i simply don't understand. nt.

[ShortnFiery]

24. Oh stop, I see these "I will never forgive" threads on all the right

wing boards.

Forgiveness is Divine. We all have skeletons, yes, nasty ones in our past. Senator Byrd has admitted his wrongs, just like your heroine's husband, Bill, has done after failed impeachment.

I think it goes something like this, "Pot, meet kettle."

[k_jerome]

26. not talking about forgiveness...just don't understand...

putting up with it.

Senator Byrd is a known racist. I'll take my heroines husband Bill over your heroes KKK past and fillibuster. And disgusting use of the n-word as recently as 2001.

[ShortnFiery]

36. He has repented and made amends for DECADES now.

No, you can NOT forgive because he has shown great remorse for his past Klan membership.

No, IMO, it's that you just can't forgive. You won't be alone come the 2008 Presidential Election: I know right wingers who spin out in hateful tirades at the mere mention of your heroine's name. Please recall that hate (willful lack of forgiveness) can cut both ways. :shrug:

[k_jerome]

40. 2001 is not decades ago...nt.

[ShortnFiery]

54. You're behavior is, IMO, quite unbelievable :(

Seems that you won't let the facts get in the way of your prejudice against this man. :shrug:

I'll leave you to nurture that resentment much like the way the right wing is lamenting over the fact that your heroine's husband was not kicked out of office. Neither are justifiable hatreds but laced with countless resentments. I try to ask myself when I feel this horrid emotion, "what is it about myself that I don't like that THE person I resent tends to repeatedly demonstrate?"

The way to make peace and forgive long standing resentments that no longer have a basis in fact involves further study of the topic and some genuine emotional self-reflection.

Sincerely, you are wrong about Senator Byrd. I greatly respect the man and have forgiven him for his past behavior. We all make *serious* mistakes but admitting our past wrongs and expressing remorse and repentance has been fully accomplished. I guess some folks are not capable of letting go of the hate.

I'm sorry for how you must feel. :hi:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

76. whatever. his voted against gays plenty of times for me to think hes a nutso bigot.

[QC]

32. Yes, the wingnuts are positively obsessed with Byrd's past.

Just like someone here. Kinda makes one wonder.

[k_jerome]

34. justification for racism...

is always interesting to see. go on.

[QC]

46. Justification for trolling

is also interesting. Please continue--it will make your game even more obvious.

[k_jerome]

48. go on. he used the n-word in 2001 publicly. defend that too.nt.

[KingFlorez]

43. It does make you wonder

[Maven]

69. And how about his current brand of bigotry?

Or is that entirely "forgiveable" in your eyes too?

[IndyOp]

27. It is rarely as simple as 'good' or 'bad' --

A family photograph posted on the Senator's web page when his wife died reveals that among his children and grandchildren are Fatemi's and Yoo's...



Mrs. Byrd is survived by her husband, Senator Robert C. Byrd; daughter Mona Carole Byrd Fatemi and her husband Mohammed; daughter Marjorie Ellen Byrd Moore and her husband Jon; grandson Erik Fatemi and his wife Alisann; grandson Darius Fatemi and his wife Renee; grandson Fredrik Fatemi and his wife Jinny; granddaughter Mona Byrd Moore Pearson and her husband Randy; granddaughter Mary Anne Moore Clarkson and her husband Jamie; great-granddaughters Caroline Byrd Fatemi, Kathryn James Fatemi, Anna Cristina Honora Fatemi, Emma James Clarkson, and Hannah Byrd Clarkson; and great-grandson Michael Yoo Fatemi.

[k_jerome]

29. not saying good or bad. just racist. nt.

[IndyOp]

31. So he probably doesn't love his A-rab and Gook grandchildren?

Racist bastard!

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[k_jerome]

33. i don't know...

did he have those grandchildren when he was using the n-word in 2001? because he has minority grandchildren does not mean he is not a racist.

[IndyOp]

71. Fair enough. Sorry for being a snot. Racism is, as all hatreds are, insane.

There is no logic.

My parents grew up in Oklahoma, both born in the 1920's. They married after WWII and moved to St. Louis. My father has Native American ancestry. My mother, who grew up across the state from him, always had Native American school mates and friends - her first boyfriend's name was Horse. Naively, one might think that their understanding of and respect for Native Americans would mean that they would be resistant to prejudice against other ethnicities. Nope. Both quickly developed deep prejudices against African Americans when they moved to St. Louis and my father came to believe that blacks were being treated better by the public school district he worked for.

I do still tend to think that the change in culture around him and the diversity in his own family did cause Byrd to grow in understanding and respect. Sadly, as for the use of the "n" word - I know whites who work with blacks, who have black neighbors and even black family members who use the "n" word with minimal prejudice. Yes, they still think that "n's" are different somehow - but they do still have respect for many blacks and believe that everyone should be treated fairly.

One of the most hopeful bits of information I've heard about prejudice in our country is that now 1 in 5 "Caucasian" Americans say that they have a close family member of another ethnicity. (No link.)

[k_jerome]

72. i am a child of mixed race parents...

and let me assure you, while my grandparents showed me nothing but love, they initially treated my mother very badly, as did much of my fathers side of the family. although they changed and accepted her, i have never forgotten this treatment. it is an issue that i am very familiar with. i realize that Byrd has renounced his past. i am just concerned at what i see as a free pass for him among people that would be otherwise very critical of his behavior, were he not a Democrat.

[KingFlorez]

38. Give me a break

He's changed his views dramatically and has become a good Senator. His past is irrelevant because he's denounced it.

[k_jerome]

39. how long ago did he do that...

he uses racial slurs publicly as recently as 2001.

[KingFlorez]

42. He apologized quickly

The only people still harping on it are Freepers who only use it against him because he's a Democrat.

[k_jerome]

44. did you ever think maybe its because he is a racist? nt

[KingFlorez]

45. No, I think it's fake outrage

If he apologized, why still harp on it unless it's for partisan reasons?

[k_jerome]

47. so, he can make racist comments and apologize and it makes it better? ok. nt.

[KingFlorez]

49. You just don't get it

Sure, he should have used the word, but in the context he used it in he wasn't trying to attack anybody. I didn't see any outrage out of you when George Allen said Macaca.

[k_jerome]

50. yes there was. i called out allen for being a racist...

search. i called out lott for being a racist. search. strom thurmond was a racist. robert byrd is and was a racist.

[KingFlorez]

56. Like I said

What's in the past is in the past, it's not relevant now.

[k_jerome]

61. it is relevant to some. to those not offended, it is not. nt.

[MGD]

28. 90 years old? I'll be surprised if he lives out this term. Good thing Joe Manchin is a Democrat.

nt

[dsc]

52. To all those who say his civil rights problems are in the past

He voted against ENDA each and everytime he has had the opportunity. Including in 1998 when it had passed the House and failed the Senate by one vote. Thanks to his action, not 10 years ago, every gay man and lesbian woman in every state except CA, WA, MN, NJ, NY, IL, ME, NH, MA, VT, MD, CT, NV, RI, and HI can be fired from his or her job tomorrow.

He voted for the FMA as recently as last year (one of only 2 Democrats to do so). Sorry but his civil rights problems are here and now, not yesterday.

[k_jerome]

53. not only that...in 2001 he publicly used the n-word. the past...

is yesterday for this guy.

[dsc]

55. I don't find that nearly as bad for two reasons

1) It wasn't any part of public policy (both Johnson and Truman used that word in private but were good Presidents on Civil Rights)
2) He really didn't use it in a racial way. I watched the interview and while it was clearly stupid for him to say the n word he used it in a different way than it usually is used. I surely don't condone it but find it less of a problem than his votes against gay rights and the enviroment both of which affect public policy. His vote for Alito wasn't so great either.

[k_jerome]

58. it is the ease of which he uses the word that makes...

it evident that it is part of his normal vocabulary. I believe it is just a symptom of his racism that manifests itself in the votes of which you speak. The cumulative evidence suggests to me a man that has changed little over the years.

[dsc]

60. admittedly saying it on national TV does show a disturbing lack

of knowing one shouldn't use the word. But given the lack of any reports of other uses of the word, unlike in Allen's case where people literally came out of the woodwork to confirm his racism, I tend to think it might have been a function of being old. He would have been 85 when he said it, and many 85 year olds forget where they are from time to time. But your point is well taken.

[ShortnFiery]

57. That's it! Perhaps we could schedule a day on the gallows for him?

He's beyond forgiveness ALSO because he prefers people of Asian ancestry over some whites in his family. There's *gooks* in Byrd's family! Damn! I guess the KKK will be burning a cross on his lawn soon. (or at least DEMAND that their children help The Klans on the SATs). :sarcasm:

You just can't let go, can you?

[k_jerome]

59. when added to his other behavior and attitudes...

I see him as at least as big a racist as allen or lott. It is not for me to forgive this man. He must live with his past and lingering attitudes toward minorities, not I.

[dsc]

62. You don't know the half of it with Lott

I know someone who worked for him and he told me somethings. Byrd isn't as bad as Lott, trust me on that.

[k_jerome]

63. Lott is a deep and unremorseful racist, no doubt.

I have read and researched his past in MS politics. It is disturbing to say the least.

[ShortnFiery]

64. To be honest, I feel as much resentment toward all of those

Democratic Senators who voted "yes" on the Iraq War Resolution. :grr:

I'm trying, really, trying to forgive these men and women of my party, but like your enduring hyper-focus on certain "all important" racial issues, I probably will send money to their next Primary Democratic Contender.

Like I mentioned earlier, HATE is a double edged sword.

To be honest, there's about as much chance of me forgiving Hillary for, IMO, her cozying up to the right and voting for the Iraq War, as there is for you to EVER FORGIVE BYRD.

We are truly equals ... and all the worse for it. :(

[k_jerome]

65. that is your right. i obviously cannot tell you not to feel offended...

we each have our own basis for our judgements.

[ShortnFiery]

66. True.

Unfortunately, if ever there was a time for us thoughtful, but independent thinkers to come together as Democrats, I fear that time is now ... but perhaps, a topic for another thread. :shrug:

[k_jerome]

68. definitely another thread...

little bit too much emotion attached to this subject. I am confident we will come together when the time is right.

[dsc]

67. I am not going to speak for Jerome

but what really pisses me off about Byrd and the lionization of him that takes place, is that he is spending political capital he built up by doing things like voting for the FMA, voting against ENDA, etc. In a very real sense I paid with my rights for his ability to oppose this war.

[Maven]

70. Perhaps you could spare us the strawman.

Obviously the fact that he's STILL A BIGOT is unimportant to you.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

74. seconded. great post!!!!

[dsc]

75. thanks

[MasonJar]

77. Robert Byrd stood very tall and almost alone , speaking eloquently

in opposition to the Iraq War. The Bushites pilloried him for it and dismissed him as an old man. His speech was so learned and so impressive that he should have a statue erected just for that stand. The man is 89 years old and you are still degrading him for something he did 70 years ago. Have you never made an error in judgement? You must live in a glass house.

[k_jerome]

78. no one is degrading him...

people here have given good examples of recent behavior that show little or no change. why do you defend him?

[Gatchaman]

81. Has anyone mentioned that he used the "N" word in 2001?

It's been several posts since that freeper talking point was brought up.

[k_jerome]

82. so the feelings of people that are actually offended by that word...

mean nothing? please address his record on gay rights then? or continue calling minorities freepers. its up to you.

[snowbear]

83. Wow.. looks like this thread deteriorated fast..

....

[k_jerome]

86. it is not that bad. nt.

[Jennicut]

87. My problem with Byrd (besides his past racism and homophobia) is that he is a pork barrel spender

of the worst kind. Just as bad as the Rethugs.I hardly think he is gonna help balance the budget. He also reminds me of my Grandmother's boyfriend who passed away a few years ago. He lived with my Grandma for ten years and he was a a racist in the worst way. I tried to accept him but had a hardtime with it. I tired to tell myself that he was just old and from a different generation but I think it was just him. He disliked Asians (because of WWII), blacks, jews, and cats! He kicked my cats whenever he came over my parent's house. They would come near im and he would shove them out of the way with his foot. He mellowed out a bit before he died but I knew at age 14 that he was not a likable man. He disowned and stopped speaking to his own daughter because she married a black man and he never saw his grandchildren.