# Trent Lott starts with the threats now-- nice **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 17, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323 "2002-12-17T13:52:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/41 "2002-12-17T18:46:48Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m trying to help our universities, including our historically black universities and colleges. Trent is all for helping our historically black universities and colleges. If they failed, all those students would have to go to historically white universities and colleges! ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/42 "2002-12-17T18:55:14Z")
That BET interview was cringe-inducing. Good God, man, at least keep your dignity! “I’m believe in Affirmative Action.” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/43 "2002-12-17T18:57:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Stoid \* > **Good God, man, at least keep your dignity!** Trent Lott had dignity? ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/44 "2002-12-17T19:12:55Z")
> [@](#): > > The press wants control of the Senate back in Democratic hands. This is payback for the Republicans winning the elections. Unless this is a parody, umm come on. That’s just plain silly. Half of the cites were to Fox News (crazy mouthpiece of the far left). Almost all of the quotes are from Republican Senators and Senate and White House staffers (well known for wanting a Democratic Senate). :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/45 "2002-12-17T19:30:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > **This is no longer about race relations, and Lott is fooling himself if he thinks the press is interested in better relations between the races in America. This is pure power politics. The press wants control of the Senate back in Democratic hands. This is payback for the Republicans winning the elections.** Well, this _is_ a first! If what you say is true, it means that all the Republicans denouncing Lott’s words are in league with the Democrats and the liberal press! It’s a vast conspiracy, the likes of which we’ve never seen! Poor Trent, he’s just a victim! :rolleyes: Come off it, **Shodan**. Lott started digging his own grave long ago, the recent comments and the backlash he’s getting because of them are just the most recent shovelfuls. He’s getting what he deserves. He’s getting off light, really. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/46 "2002-12-17T20:06:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > **The press wants control of the Senate back in Democratic hands. This is payback for the Republicans winning the elections.** OK! Time for the Tinfoil Hat smilie. Careful **Shodan** , the nasty liberal press may decide to come after you next! Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Scruff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Scruff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruff)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/47 "2002-12-17T20:16:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Well, this is a first! If what you say is true, it means that all the Republicans denouncing Lott’s words are in league with the Democrats and the liberal press! It’s a vast conspiracy, the likes of which we’ve never seen! Poor Trent, he’s just a victim! Bi-partisan politics at its best…😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lucki\_Chaarms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lucki\_Chaarms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucki_Chaarms)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/48 "2002-12-17T21:14:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Michael Ellis \* > \*\*Fuck Trent Lott. \*\* I think I need to set up a little table and sell bumper stickers with that exact sentiment printed on them in the exact same wording. Of course, I’ll never get around to actually doing it, certainly not in the time that this is relevant. Siiiiiiiiiiiiigggghhhhh. LC ---
**Author:** ![Jello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@Jello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jello)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/49 "2002-12-17T21:29:28Z")
According to CNN Inside Politics, Mike Espy (D), a three term former Congressman, has a chance of being appointed by Musgrove. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/50 "2002-12-18T01:36:42Z")
YOu know, I’d be willing to bet that Lott honestly doesn’t BELIEVE he is a racist, or that he is superior. But at the same time, he probably is unconsciously a racist-in that he thinks mosts blacks are beneath him, or are ghetto trash, or that the white man is being discriminated against. That more subtle form of racism you have to watch out for. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/51 "2002-12-18T02:28:44Z")
What I really enjoy about this whole mess is that it didn’t take any muckraking, behind-the-scenes private eyes, or political machinery to get this scandal moving. It was plain English, and said in public! Damn refreshing! ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/52 "2002-12-18T02:47:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jeevmon \* > \*\*Unfortunately, it’s unlikely to happen because the racists, gun lovers, and fundamentalists also tend to be the ones who go out to vote. If Karl Rove took one lesson from nearly losing the election in 2000, it is that turnout is key. If pandering to the racists means that more GOP voters turn out than Democratic voters, then pandering will occur. \*\* This is absolutely true. The reptilians are in the position of having to cater to the folks who are demanding their seat at the front of the bus because they don’t want to share with Pat Buchanan, or whatever Hilter-lovin’ moron will be on the extreme right hand margin of the ballot (except of course in Palm Beach County - they’re perfectly happy if he gets 10 times the number of votes there as anywhere else!) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/53 "2002-12-18T02:59:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Neurotik \* > \*\*And you know all of them personally, I suppose? Or have worked for all of them? > > I didn’t think so.\*\* Are you serious? You have to personally know politicians who are constantly in the news to make the statement that they are egotistical and power hungry. It’s not that much of a stretch, you know. Haj ---
**Author:** ![Blueapple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Blueapple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blueapple)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/54 "2002-12-18T03:00:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\*YOu know, I’d be willing to bet that Lott honestly doesn’t BELIEVE he is a racist, or that he is superior. But at the same time, he probably is unconsciously a racist-in that he thinks mosts blacks are beneath him, or are ghetto trash, or that the white man is being discriminated against. > > That more subtle form of racism you have to watch out for. \*\* I somewhat agree with this. I think there are two types of Republicans, those that are urban (suburban) and rural. The sub/urban ones are the ones that are ‘passively’ racist, as in supporting policy that restricts education those in poverty, or just feeling superior to those ‘ghetto trash’ as you pointed out. I think it is that this is a socio-economic factor, as the republicans in the cities are usually very affluent, and feel above anyone in poverty, which happens to be mostly blacks. Then I feel that there are the ones who truly see themselves as better than ‘them Negroes’. They are the ones that don’t want their daughters dating blacks, or doing business with blacks. These are the more dangerous racists, as they actively support racism and segregation. This I feel is partly due to the fact that in the south, there are more successful blacks in proportion to poor whites. This makes the poorer whites feel that they have been robbed from the ‘high life’ that their ancestors once had in the segregated south. NOTE: I of course am not talking about all republicans, but this is much more of a problem among the elephants than the donkeys. _(did this make any sense?)_ ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/55 "2002-12-18T03:10:59Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Shodan_ > This is no longer about race relations, and Lott is fooling himself if he thinks the press is interested in better relations between the races in America. This is pure power politics. The press wants control of the Senate back in Democratic hands. This is payback for the Republicans winning the elections True. This isn’t, and never has been, about race relations. This is about the natural joy and sense of universal purpose everyone feels when a powerful politician shoots himself in the foot and ruins his career. Who doesn’t love to see that, even if it’s a member of your own party going down in flames? One senator down, ninety-nine to go! ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/56 "2002-12-18T04:01:58Z")
> [@](#): > > One senator down, ninety-nine to go! Actually, some of us would only wish about 20 or so of the worse to evaporate. The country still needs to be governed. JUst not so mean-spirited. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/57 "2002-12-18T04:20:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CRorex \* > **You really have to ask yourself what sort of an idiot shoots himself in the foot this badly after his side wins.** Newt? ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/58 "2002-12-18T04:24:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > \*\* > > This is no longer about race relations, and Lott is fooling himself if he thinks the press is interested in better relations between the races in America. This is pure power politics. The press wants control of the Senate back in Democratic hands. This is payback for the Republicans winning the elections. > > \*\* I really can’t agree with this, any of it. (Well, maybe the frustration.) Lott’s shot-to-the-foot was made in such public, technicolor fashion the press can hardly be faulted for covering it. Lord knows I’m skeptical of even mainline press, but they couldn’t overlook this lulu. I don’t believe “The Press” is so monolithic, in interests or intent. Well, other than staying solvent. “The Press” does _not_ exist to inform. Like any other organization or entitity, it’s first objective is survival, i.e. making money. Informing and position-taking rank far below. Of course power politics underlie Lott’s situation, but the idiot occupies one of the most powerful positions in the land. He’s a veteran power player, which makes his gaffe so mind- boggling. I suspect his idiocy blind-sided just about _all_ Washington insiders, Pubbies, Demos and press alike. Call me a moderate twit, but my hope is that this mess will give the Republican party a chance to distance itself from the extremist wing that’s held it hostage for too long. Reagan, to his damnation, prostituted responsible conservatism to wingnuts for votes. The Republican party, and the country, have paid dearly for that ever since. Maybe one good effect of Lott’s idiocy will be to give Bush a chance for a quiet, long-overdue “reorientation”. Veb ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/59 "2002-12-18T05:02:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > **You know, I’d be willing to bet that Lott honestly doesn’t BELIEVE he is a racist, or that he is superior.** You know, I’ve been rereading [Dale Carnegie](http://www.westegg.com/unmaintained/carnegie/carnegie.html), and one of the first points that he makes is that even hardened killers and outlaws believe that they’re decent people. If Al Capone could feel that he was providing a needed service to the community, I’ve no doubt that Trent Lott can deceive himself as in to thinking that he’s a friend to people of other races. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323/60 "2002-12-18T05:35:24Z")
It keeps getting better and better: > [@](#): > > THE 2000 VIDEO footage comes from a formal signing ceremony for a defense spending bill. > As Thurmond, who was the Senate president pro tempore at the time, puts his signature on the bill, Lott is heard in the background saying, “now this is a famous signature right here.” > A woman’s voice then praises Thurmond’s pro-military record, to which Lott replies that Thurmond “should have been president in 1947, I think it was.” [Link](http://www.msnbc.com/news/845511.asp?vts=121720022120&cp1=1) Haj [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trent-lott-starts-with-the-threats-now-nice/143323.md?page=4)