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.
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 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).
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 Brutuset al, I must point out that I’m only pissed off right now – “lobotomized” isn’t until next week.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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.
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, 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.
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.
