# Sen. Robert Byrd to atheists: Leave the country. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 27, 2002, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274 "2002-06-27T22:09:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/41 "2002-06-28T20:09:56Z")
Don’t worry too much about Byrd’s nominal party affiliation. one of the few relics of the nearly-extinct Southern conservative segregationist wing that started to switch to the GOP in the Sixties, after the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Nixon’s courting of them. Helms and Thurmond are different only in that they made the change long ago. But they’re all embarrassments to the rest of us. There are also those persons, like **WV\_Woman** apparently, who automatically think Democratic=liberal and Republican=conservative, and moderate=just-hasn’t-thought-about-it-yet. That has never been true. ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/42 "2002-06-28T20:42:28Z")
I by no means have any interest in defending some of Byrd’s past actions regarding race and civil rights; the best that can be said of him is that he was a somewhat gentler version of George Wallace, and certainly said (and did) many inflammatory things. But, while he may have been a segregationist, that doesn’t mean that he is a career conservative (if he ever was one). The [Americans for Democratic Action](http://www.adaction.org) gave him a 75% rating on his 2000 votes, and an 85% on his 2001 votes. That may not make him a 100% liberal like Ted Kennedy, but he sure isn’t a 0% liberal like Trent Lott (that’s their ADA records in 2001). ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/43 "2002-06-28T20:53:25Z")
Byrd might have just been spewing hype, but it’s still hateful. Imagine the ruckus we’d have if he had told Jews or Italians to leave the country instead. And while I appreciate the GOP invites from **Brutus** _et al,_ I must point out that I’m only pissed off right now – “lobotomized” isn’t until next week. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/44 "2002-06-28T20:56:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*Ah, so he’s an equal opportunity asshole. Thanks. \*\* Why does tearing pages from religious books make him an asshole? Sure, it’s cheap and obvious, but so what? ---
**Author:** ![mighty\_maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@mighty\_maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mighty_maxx)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/45 "2002-06-28T21:24:27Z")
Why do people even care? Is it really going to have any impact on my daily life to not say “under god” in the PA? Byrd’s comments make me cringe (he should leave). If it makes any difference I am both a christian, and a registered republican. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/46 "2002-06-28T21:56:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pldennison \* > \*\* > > Why does tearing pages from religious books make him an asshole? Sure, it’s cheap and obvious, but so what? \*\* Cynically being cheap and obvious (and offensive to large portions of the populace) to sell concert tickets doesn’t make somebody an asshole hin your book? You’re a kinder, more loving person than I, **pld.** 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/47 "2002-06-28T22:29:01Z")
I would go for Libertarians, but I have a feeling that they would happily aim their guns at folks like me. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/48 "2002-06-28T22:29:52Z")
pld: His stint is to be an asshole and tearing those pages is his way of showing it. ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/49 "2002-06-28T23:23:00Z")
Now wait a minute. If being an atheist means first class tickets to England, a flat in London, and a stipend until I find a job, I wonder what it would take for a paper conversion. I’ve got some relatives I haven’t seen in far too long! 🙂 Hmmm. If that happens, I wonder if the mods would consider deleting all posts in which I refer to Christianity. Also, how long would it be before I would be allowed to “See the Light” and renounce my former heathenish ways? CJ ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2002, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/50 "2002-06-28T23:51:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beelzebubba \* > \*\* > [Ask, and you shall receive](http://godlessamericans.org/main.shtml) \*\* Cool. And it’s even on my birthday! ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/51 "2002-06-29T00:19:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by capacitor \* > \*\*I would go for Libertarians, but I have a feeling that they would happily aim their guns at folks like me. \*\* Unless you are a raving homicidal maniac or a werewolf (or similiar), I think the libertarians are a fairly accepting group… ---
**Author:** ![WV\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@WV\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WV_Woman)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/52 "2002-06-29T00:37:26Z")
No, I do not believe Democrat=liberal. The man supports a welfare state (which WV certainly is), thinks abortion to the DAY OF BIRTH is just a nifty idea, thinks high taxes on a state that is already piss poor is wonderful too. When’s the last time you saw a conservative who believed the same thing? ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/53 "2002-06-29T00:52:48Z")
> [@](#): > > thinks abortion to the DAY OF BIRTH is just a nifty idea I think we’re going to need a cite on that one, loath as I am to request facts in a rant. ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/54 "2002-06-29T01:07:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WV\_Woman \* > \*\*No, I do not believe Democrat=liberal. > > The man supports a welfare state (which WV certainly is), thinks abortion to the DAY OF BIRTH is just a nifty idea, thinks high taxes on a state that is already piss poor is wonderful too. > > When’s the last time you saw a conservative who believed the same thing? \*\* Well, the conservative zombies who’ve appeared on Politically Incorrect recently all seem to spout a similar party line like pod people. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/55 "2002-06-29T01:13:40Z")
**Podkayne** : A rock and roll star courting controversy and going for cheap shocks? Color me astounded! 😃 So he tears up Bibles and copies of the Book of Mormon. Big deal. It’s not like we’re running out of them, and it doesn’t affect anyone’s ability to practice the Christian faith. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/56 "2002-06-29T06:42:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lenin \* > \*\*Dem godless a-tee-istz! Dey be destoyin’ dis ‘ere countrah o’ ars dat is so dam great! PRAISE THE LORD! \*\* This amused the hell out of me. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/57 "2002-06-29T14:49:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WV\_Woman \* > **The man . . . thinks abortion to the DAY OF BIRTH is just a nifty idea** Show me “thinks abortion to the day of birth is a nifty idea!” Survey saaaaaaaaaaays: BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!! Let’s see what the [number one answer is](http://issues2002.org/Senate2000/Robert_Byrd.htm), shall we? Senator Byrd voted AGAINST partial birth abortions. HOWEVER…he did vote to allow abortions on military bases. So we see moderate pro-choice tendencies…but nothing to suggest anything that allows abortion to the day of birth. [crowd]AWWWWWWWWWWWWW\*\* Better luck next time, **WV\_Woman** 🙂 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WV\_Woman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e95f7d/32.png) [@WV\_Woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WV_Woman)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/58 "2002-06-29T17:04:24Z")
He has flip flopped since 2000, then. And what do you think partial birth abortions permit, honeychild? Killing an unborn baby even up to the 9th month. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/59 "2002-06-29T17:08:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by WV\_Woman \* > \*\*And what do you think partial birth abortions permit, honeychild? Killing an unborn baby even up to the 9th month. \*\* Yeah, but Byrd voted against them. What exactly are you trying to say here? ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274/60 "2002-06-29T17:28:13Z")
And if you all you West Virginians\* hate him so much, why don’t you all get together and vote him out? \*NB: I myself have deep roots in West Virginia, in Upshur and Kanawha Counties. One of my direct ancestors fought for the Union in the famous West Virginia Light Artillery, Battery E, and was decorated following the Battle of Buckhannon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-to-atheists-leave-the-country/116274.md?page=4)