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Robert Byrd, longest-serving member of Congress, dead at 92

I take it you're equally ashamed of the Repbulicans for Strom Thurmond then?

Ashamed might be a little strong. I'm not pleased that we had someone like that although I think Thurmond's racism pales in comparison to Byrd's.
 
Ashamed might be a little strong. I'm not pleased that we had someone like that although I think Thurmond's racism pales in comparison to Byrd's.

I see what you mean. Somebody earlier made a bet that nobody could find an apology by Strom Thrumond for his defense of segregation, and I looked everywhere for it, apparently he never apologized. But in the 70s he was the first Southern senator to hire a black staffer, sponsor a black federal judge (Matthew Perry, still sitting on the bench to this day, btw). Not that that excuses his actions or anything, the man was an unrepentant racist. But really I never put a lot of stock in Byrd's apology to begin with, an apology from a politician is meaningless. To me, they're both equally bad for fighting civil rights. But at least Thurmond wasn't in the Klan, so he has that going for him.
 
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I expected better from you. Tit-for-tat, that's how it works, eh? *shakes head*

Frankly I had no problem with his forced involvement with the Nazi party. I do have a huge problem with how he defended pedophiles, though. But I digress. You either hold Byrd's one year involvement with the KKK--to which he freely admitted that he made a huge mistake--against him or you don't. If you do, then your opinion of the Pope should be lowered.

I don't hold it against him. We all make youthful indescretions... I used to be a Democrat -- that is mine... he he he

Seriously, there are people who hold that against him and the Left says that it isn't fair to do so. Well, if it isn't fair to hold against him a VOLUNTARY membership, then the leftists who hold the Pope's feet to the fire for a FORCED membership in the Hitler Youth is simply hypocrisy... and if you can't see that, then I suppose I can't help you...
 
Strom never did or said things as repugnant as Byrd did. There really is no comparison.

I don't know if I'd go that far. Thurmond was the arch-Dixiecrat, he made his career fighting to keep segregation. That's a stink that don't wash off.

You can certainly argue that Byrd, as an actual member of the KKK, was worse, but it's still fair to compare the two.
 
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I don't know if I'd go that far. Thurmond was the arch-Dixiecrat, he made his career fighting to keep segregation. That's a stink that don't wash off.

You can certainly argue that Byrd, as an actual member of the KKK, was worse, but it's still fair to compare the two.


You're right.I agree:)
 
I don't hold it against him. We all make youthful indescretions... I used to be a Democrat -- that is mine... he he he

Seriously, there are people who hold that against him and the Left says that it isn't fair to do so. Well, if it isn't fair to hold against him a VOLUNTARY membership, then the leftists who hold the Pope's feet to the fire for a FORCED membership in the Hitler Youth is simply hypocrisy... and if you can't see that, then I suppose I can't help you...

The left? I'd say people who are reasonable. I have no problems in forgiving past mistakes as long as the person has seen the error of their ways and moved on.

As for the Pope, I faintly remember some people bitching about it, but I doubt it was as big as you're making it out to be. But it's obvious it's people forming opinions without all of the facts. It happens all of the time, including this particular thread.
 
The left? I'd say people who are reasonable. I have no problems in forgiving past mistakes as long as the person has seen the error of their ways and moved on.

There are reasonable and unresonable people on BOTH sides of the political aisle. And as you well know, I have no problem making common cause with reasonable people on the left in cases when I think the extreme right is being unreasonable.

As for the Pope, I faintly remember some people bitching about it, but I doubt it was as big as you're making it out to be. But it's obvious it's people forming opinions without all of the facts. It happens all of the time, including this particular thread.

There was a LOT of bitching about it. After a while, I think most on the left realized that this was a dog that wouldn't hunt, and laid off it. It DOES still come up from time to time from extremists on the left side of the political aisle...
 
There are reasonable and unresonable people on BOTH sides of the political aisle. And as you well know, I have no problem making common cause with reasonable people on the left in cases when I think the extreme right is being unreasonable.



There was a LOT of bitching about it. After a while, I think most on the left realized that this was a dog that wouldn't hunt, and laid off it. It DOES still come up from time to time from extremists on the left side of the political aisle...

Agreed. Extreme thinking--whether right or left--is nuts.
 
So basically, is it your philosophy is once one makes a big enough mistake, they should not be permitted to run for office? That it does not mater that they have reformed and see the error of their ways?

BTW, thank you for at least acknowledging and accepting that indeed he DID regret his error.

First, I said I believe he did, but one never really knows the goings-on between someone's ears.

As for my "philosophy"... I won't give an absolute "Yes", but close. I believe Byrd's transgressions were so gross as to prohibit his running, and especially being the head of the party in the Senate.

Of course, the electorate should have the say, and sadly they kept voting Byrd in. Having said that, I don't think it would be tolerated of an up-and-comer today.

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Awesome!! The Gauley is certainly a world class whitewater run. Did you do it when the dam was still using the tubes to put the water out? (as opposed to the stupid underwater release now with the hydro)

i did....i was almost paralyzed watching all that water rushing out. i was put out of the raft pretty quickly, i'm pretty short and didn't have my feet tucked in. that, however, eased my fear a little and it was the best rush ever!
 
If Byrd was a Republican all headlines would read something like "Former KKK member, Robert Byrd (R) dead at 92."
Oh well, my condolences to his family.

O for sure but because he was a Dem. they try to surger coat it and cover it up.
 
If Byrd was a Republican, I'd be ashamed. Strom never did or said things as repugnant as Byrd did. There really is no comparison.

Strom was just as bad, in my opinion worse because so much of it happened while he was in office. I'm still waiting for anyone to show proof he apologized for his views like Byrd did
 
Of course, the electorate should have the say, and sadly they kept voting Byrd in. Having said that, I don't think it would be tolerated of an up-and-comer today.

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The electorate of West Virginia kept electing him because he brought them more bacon than I have in my freezer...
 
The electorate of West Virginia kept electing him because he brought them more bacon than I have in my freezer...

No doubt.

Another reason for term limits.
As the saying goes... get a life already!

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Because there isn't institutional knowledge for an executive branch.

There is enough institutional knowledge in the staffers to keep things moving forward. The Founding fathers did NOT intend for lifetime legislators leeching off the system, becoming beholden to special interests, and trying to bring as much federal pork, bacon and ham for their home districts...
 
There is enough institutional knowledge in the staffers to keep things moving forward. The Founding fathers did NOT intend for lifetime legislators leeching off the system, becoming beholden to special interests, and trying to bring as much federal pork, bacon and ham for their home districts...

Term limited legislatures are even more beholden to special interests- just look to California. The legislators care more about jumping to a new office after being termed out and they come in high on ideology and not much else. And staffers are not an adequate holder of institutional knowledge. Do you really want Rule by Staffers? Term limited legislators do not work.
 
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