So when does Sen Byrd receive the apologies...

[theHandpuppet]

... due him by the members of the U.S. Senate, including a majority of Democrats?

He warned them, and us.

He defended the Constitution when others were all to willing to hand over the keys to our democracy to George Bush and his war of lies.

This eighty-five year old statesman stood at the podium of the Senate and passionately filibustered to save this country from the path to ruin, bolstered by an internal strength that made weaklings of men and women half his age and with none of his wisdom.

He was ridiculed, dismissed by his fellows as an old fool and scorned for taking the stand which only now too many are trying to claim as their own -- had they only known.

Where are the apologies now, Senators? At least have the decency and strength of character to admit that he was right -- and you were wrong.

Thank you, Senator Byrd. There are many of us here who will never forget your courage.

[yardwork]

1. That's right!

And what did the ditto-heads do? They character-assassinated him. They dredged up his old membership in a white supremacist group from sixty years ago - those hypocrites.

[jimshoes]

10. I'm sure character assassination isn't the

only trick they have in their bag, but it sure is their favorite. Their second favorite is the "rule of law" chestnut they like to drag out when convenient.

[madrchsod]

2. i remember when some here

sent flowers to him..they couldn`t fool that ol`e guy,he knew what was going on, didn`t he?

[proud patriot]

27. I was a DUer who went in on sending flowers

I also remember when he spoke to all of us who sent
in letters of support to him on the Senate Floor .

He told the Senate that we "knew more about our
Constitution then most" in the Senate . He told them to
"watch out for us ."How we would "go on to do great things . "

I will never forget that day for the rest of my
life . Senator Byrd we sure did try to stop the
inevitable war ...Man did we ever .

[MasonJar]

3. I love that man; it would almost be worth moving to wild and

wonderful W. Va. to have Senator Byrd represent me. He is one of only two or three true statesmen left. And he is so eloquent.

[oceanpoetry]

4. great question!

and yes, Senator Byrd deserves another thank you!

[DaveSZ]

5. He's one of the best

I love that guy. :pals:

[keithyboy]

6. When will we all apologize to Rep. Barbara Lee and Cynthia McKinney?

As I recall, they were among the very first in the House to object to the blank check for Bush and to question 9/11 events and the actions of this administration. They scorned, smeared, attacked by the RW and even many liberals for their positions. "Those ole black bitchy Black Caucus members." You know, that same group that did not want to give up the fight to win the 2000 election, the ones who could not get a single Dem vote in the Senate to challenge the legal actions being taken by the Republicans...you know, the ones who were right all along.

[still_one]

8. Barbara Lee yes, Cynthia McKinney, NO WAY!

McKinney got up close and personnal with the A* HOLE SAUDIS who were up to there neck in complicity for 9/11, by supporting the Wahhabis!!!

[keithyboy]

14. What doyou mean by "up close and personal?"

Specious comments without content make me sick.
You mean up close and personal like Rummy shaking hands or Ronnie arming and supporting Saddam and like the Bushites in business with the Saudis?
Ms. McKinney was on of the first to ask for an investigation into what Bush knew about 9/11 and what were his actions. For that she was called a traitor, unpatriotic, stupid, racist, and whacko. Even if you don't like her, she deserves credit for her courage that cost her her job and the scorn of her country.

[theHandpuppet]

18. I agree with you...

.. for what it's worth. The viciousness of the smear campaign against McKinney was absolutely shameless.

[theHandpuppet]

11. Yes, apologies are due in the House...

... and I'm sure we have as much a chance of seeing those apologies as we do those in the Senate.

Remember those who stood for the truth, folks. They were few, but their voices should always be remembered.

[wuushew]

7. BushCo owes many many people apologies including Saddam

although he lied about not being evil Saddam was sincere in denying ownership of WMDs.

[still_one]

9. We should not have gone into Iraq

but Saddam does not deserve an apology. For the amount of death and destruction he caused, not only to the Kurds and Iranians, but with our help!!!

[Disturbed]

12. Thank you.

Thank you, Senator Byrd and Dennis Kucinich. There are many of us here who will never forget your courage.

[jpgray]

13. Next time he supports a wrongheaded bill filled with pork for his state?

I keed, I keed. :D

edit: Everyone who stood up to the IWR deserves special merit--especially those who believed that Bush failed to make the case.

[theHandpuppet]

15. Well I'm NOT kidding...

If we want to talk about pork there's plenty enough to go around.

If we want to talk about a rare moment of courage in our government, there are far too few.

[jpgray]

16. Sorry, acknowledged that in my edit--in a silly mood tonight.

Byrd did the right thing.

[theHandpuppet]

19. That's okay... :)

I've had those nights myself. Let's have a virtual toast to those brave few who took the right stand when others were cowards.

[Dufaeth]

17. Why do we support this guy again?

Yeah, he goes against Bush, but isn't he a racist SOB?

[theHandpuppet]

20. Here we go again...

Sorry, not going there again tonight.

[Dufaeth]

21. Sorry,

but if there is a response to this I've missed it. As far as I can tell though Byrd is part of the problem.

[yardwork]

23. People change. Senator Byrd grew up in a different time and place,

in a desperately poor and isolated state.

I'm not excusing his past actions and beliefs. However, I do believe in forgiveness, and I haven't noticed him do anything racist or hateful lately.

[Dufaeth]

25. Ok, I can agree with that, However

has he not done anything hateful or has he actively worked to counter the wrong he did in his past. I'm not tyrying to be sarcastic, I honestly don't know.
I've read that he has apologized but I don't know if "not doing anything...lately" qualifies by itself as sincerity.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

31. You should be capable of doing your own homework...

...let us know what you find out.

[MrSandman]

33. Recently...

U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd offered the following remarks as he introduced an amendment that would fully fund the nation's Title I education program -- a program that provides critical dollars to schools in poor school districts.

When Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act nearly two years ago, we made a deal with the American people.

We said that from now on, we will hold schools more accountable than ever before. We will require them to make sure that all children succeed academically. Not just the wealthy, not just those who live in the nice parts of town, but all children -- poor students, students from Appalachia to Alaska, children with disabilities, and students of all races and ethnicities. Schools must leave no child behind.

But in return, we promised to give schools the resources they need to improve.

http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_speeches/byrd_speeches_2003september/byrd_speeches_2003september_li/byrd_speeches_2003september_li_0.html

[theHandpuppet]

24. This topic has been discussed...

... numerous times on DU threads (especially during the time of the Senate debates on Iraq) and it is not my intention to turn this thread into a reprise of a subject which has been thoroughly explored and explained elsewhere. If someone wishes to start an entirely different thread to once again discuss that topic, please be my guest.

[Dufaeth]

26. If you could give me a link to

a thorough previous debate on the topic I would be most gracious.

[theHandpuppet]

28. You can do the same thing I'd have to do...

...and that's use the search function. Never used it before myself, but perhaps someone else here can offer a few tips. G'night.

[Dufaeth]

29. Thanks, Can't search though. eom

.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

30. How about this for a response?...

Byrd quit the Klan in 1943...sixty-one years ago.

Do you think Byrd's had a chance to change his thinking on a number of issues to include that of racial equality, or do you think he still thinks the same way he did sixty-one years ago?

Maybe we should ask why Junior had a covenant on the house he sold in Houston against selling to minorities.

[cosmicdot]

22. Byrd: "The Arrogance of Power"

"The Arrogance of Power"

"I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its founders and framers. Generation after generation of Americans has understood the lofty ideals that underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by the story of their sacrifice and their strength.

"But, 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. Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.

"We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We treat UN Security Council members like ingrates who offend our princely dignity by lifting their heads from the carpet. Valuable alliances are split. After war has ended, the United States will have to rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuild America's image around the globe." - Sen. Robert Byrd, 3/19/2003

http://byrd.senate.gov/byrd_speeches/byrd_speeches_2003march/byrd_speeches_2003march_list/byrd_speeches_2003march_list_4.html

[sonias]

32. When history remembers this period Byrd will be a giant I hope

There he was a man of considerable experience putting his soul into the eloquent words he spoke, and even our own Democrats were silent. Pity that they will look like fools and Senator Byrd was one of the few voices who tried to open their eyes.

Byrd can at least be at peace with trying his best, speaking the truth and doing his job to the best of his ability. Wish we had 99 more like that.

Sonia

[goclark]

34. Sen. Byrd Gets My Vote!

When I hear him speak about this war and this regime, I know that he is passionate and has a crystal clear vision of the way that Bush has stepped all over our rights. He is eloquent in his remarks in the senate- I am mesmerized when I hear him speak.

He certainly had some civil rights issues in the past. I want to believe that he lives with the sting of those times in his own private way.

I can not run my life on the past. In these critical times with this shameful regime, we can only concentrate on this day and all our tomorrows.

He may have been unwise in the past. But, he understands what horrible things Bushco can do for our future!

The only way that I know how to march is forward-not backward.

Let's listen to Senator Byrd and honor him for standing tall in the face of this racist regime that is completely destroying our constitution by their deeds each and every second. The clock is ticking for all of us and for our children.

Senator Byrd should have the praise and respect of each and every Democrat in 2004.

Let's march FORWARD. And when we march, our drum major for justice should be Senator Byrd.

:dem: