You don't have to respect him or anyone. I don't respect him either. He is NOT my hero.

Thanks for the info. I really don't know much about him except what I read in the link. I was under the impression that he had changed his racist views in the last few years of his life. Perhaps I am mistakened.

I'll delete my post if you want. I thought that he was a changed man.

I agree, right now people who don't want to speak ill of the dead are trying to glorify Strom Thurmond and to focus on all of his positive actions and forget the ones that aren't as pleasant for people to recall. While he may have done a lot for America, he was an actively racist man, there's no denying that, and if you want to remember him accurately and justly in the way that he lived his life, you ought to remember that too.

I thought you'd be happy about his supporting Nixon.

-Rudey
--Almost time for a history lesson.

Do you know me or something? Please don't make assumptions about my political beliefs.

--You have yet to make any valuable contributions to this thread.

I would have cared.

Why?:confused: Nixon was just the lesser of two evils!!

No I don't know you at all. I'm just really smart. It doesn't have to do with your political beliefs. Obviously you don't know some of the contributions the Nixon administration made.

-Rudey
--Now play nice or I won't share my history lesson.

I just went back and edited my post because the only lines that were directed at you were the first two (even though I quoted you). The remainder of the post is directed to everyone else. Hopefully someone can answer my questions.

Good Ol' Strom making controversy even after his death, I will miss that old guy.

So keep arguing because obviously you are all changing the world for the better.

And allow me to take my seat so I can get back to watching this show.

Key word being SOME

In other words you still don't know some of his contributions. You're writing that whole key word thing didn't get across the message you wanted to bring about. You're not good enough. Tisk tisk.

-Rudey
--The Nixon administration championed affirmative action.

OK cool. I posted before I read your edited section. :)

Peace

What? :confused: This is not about the Nixon administration. The whole point was to illustrate that Strom used his racist beliefs to not only further his own agenda, but those of other "leaders" as well. I didn't make one comment about the actual "contributions of the Nixon administration", so how can you speculate about what I know? If you want to start a debate about Nixon, start a new thread.

--:rolleyes:

wow I can't believe this has blown up this far. Yes Strom Thrumond did do/say some terrible things in his lifetime. Yet, he did do some wonderful things as well. He served his constituents, yet he was very racist (although he did change his stance on that towards the latter part of his life). You cannot summarize his life in a single statement he made or a single group or organization he was a part of (unless that's the government as a whole). My point is that everyone is going to have different feelings about him and we should respect each others opinions. His death should not be turned into an occasion for yet another race argument (we've had enough of that this week), nor is it the time for namecalling and disrespect. Please honor everyone's opinions. We're not all giong to agree but let's at least keep htis civil and not debate through immature remarks and accusations.

What you said still makes no sense. So one of the reasons why Strom was bad was that he supported leaders in his party? In the end, Strom supported an administration that championed affirmative action.

-Rudey

If Strom was truly sincere in acceptance of blacks, he would have apologized for all past evil deeds towards them. Even to his death, he never chose to do so.

The things you mentioned are over 50 years ago. How about looking at something a little more recent? This is a quote from The State: "Such segregationist stances still angered many South Carolinians decades later, in part because Thurmond never apologized.

"But many black and white people say Thurmond changed his views on racial issues. He became the first Southern member of Congress to appoint a black person to his professional staff. He voted for the Voting Rights Act of 1982. And he was honored in 1995 by the presidents of historically black colleges and universities or his support of those schools.

"'In most instances I am confident that we have more in common as Southerners then we have reason to oppose each other because of race,' Thurmond once told Ebony magazine. 'Equality of opportunity for all is a goal upon which blacks and Southern whites can agree.'"

What I'm saying is yes maybe Nixon did make contributions but my community is still behind when it comes to the contributions given to the white community. Please trust me when I say that there are two communities:(

Noone obviously paid any attention to my post on the first page, so I am going to post it again for everyones benifit. Despite your views on his political platform, he was a great American, Soldier, and Statesman who should be held in everyones prayers. For a short time, forget about politics...if that's possible!

(reposted: )
This is an extraordinary loss to the people of America. Strom Thurmond was a great man and a great Senator representing the people of South Carolina for almost 50 years. Despite your views on his political platform, you must respect the man and how much he dedicated for his country. He was a public servant his entire life, from county school superintendent, to governor, to the longest-serving Senator in American history.

He was a great soldier, being awarded five Battle Stars and eighteen decorations, medals and honors for his service in World War II. They include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Belgian Order of the Crown and French Croix de Guerre.

Despite being exempt from the Draft, he enlisted anyway. He landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, flying past the front lines in order to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the area. Before the end of the war, he helped liberate Paris, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and helped fight into Germany.

J. Strom Thurmond was a great American and every American should be mourning over this great loss. Please hold his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Well, Strom was bad for many reasons. Surely you're not implying that Strom garnered support for Nixon from the southern states on an affirmative action platform? He was still preaching "segregation now and forever".

From the tone of some of these posts and the quick-to-take-offense responses, a verbal apology wouldn't have been good enough either. His actions showed his change of heart and true remorse.

Um, listen, I have plenty to say about Malcolm X. And you know what? It's GOOD stuff. Sure he espoused some very racist views and actions early in his "career" but gradually moved away from those and from the Nation of Islam (if you want to talk racism, they could write the book). He went on to promote intelligent dialogue between the races and so sadly was cut off in his prime by his own people who wanted to keep the "old ways". So tragic. Yet another example among so many that originally erred in judgement and went on to make amends. Sure Strom was racist. Personally, I wasn't a fan. But he did do a lot for a state that for so long was impoverished. But I feel that any man, no matter how "crazy" he might be, who served his country for as long as Sen. Thurmond did should at least be spared the ugly comments. Or at least for the sake of his family, if nothing else. I don't "expect" anyone to mourn, or even to think he was a decent human. But common courtesy expects that people know how to speak well or keep silent. Show that you're the better man (or woman) and refrain from rudeness. I'm not just saying this to you, but to everyone. Sure there are fans, there are "non-fans" and then those who don't care. But I think that we all need to loosen up and just let it go. He's dead. He messed up. We all do. End of story. End of rant. Thank you.

To Remind everyone this thread is about someone's DEATH, I am posting these remarks about the Senator's passing from some prominent Congressmen:

"Senator Thurmond was symbolic of the Old South, but his willingness to change over time set an example for many South Carolinians." — U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.

"Even though we ended up on other sides of the aisle, there was never any doubt about the interest of South Carolina." — U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings (search), D-S.C

"Constituent service became his middle name — whatever you wanted, whatever you needed, Senator Thurmond made it happen." — U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-S.C.

"We have just lost our greatest statesman." — South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson.

"In South Carolina, there are leaders and then there was Strom, there are public servants and then there was Senator Thurmond." — South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.


I am urging everyone: At this time of the mourning of his passing, forget about his views might make your blood boil. Remember what he was able to accomplish for his Country and for his State and how dedicated he was to both.

Was it really a sincere change of heart or just cloaking his true self?

I still stand by the fact that regardless, Bamboozled's post shouldn't have been deleted simply because the moderator didn't like her "unflattering" comments about ol' Stromy.

Simply put, that's silly :mad: :rolleyes:

Not every liked/cared/give a d#^m/or respected the man! In life and even in death.

*sigh* It really bothers me that some people think 50 years ago was so long ago. Hell, my parents were alive and would most likely disagree with you. Some GC members were alive. It certainly wasn't that long ago and the ramifications are still being felt today.

Yes, it's been mentioned that he appointed A black person to his staff. Kudos. 1982??? Voting Rights Act??? Laughable.

Please tell me you can find a better quote than this one to convince me. Let's break it down. He prefaces it with saying "In most instances", LOL. What are the other instances in which we don't have more in common? And the second part? Of course "equality of opportunity" is a goal of all people: black, white, Asian, Indian, etc...

Again, I ask, what did he do? What actions showed his change of heart and true remorse? I really am curious.

Dayum, Bamboozled! HE SAID IT, so that's all that is important! :rolleyes: :D

I understand your point of view. However, how can you expect African Americans to mourn a man who did everything to hold us back? Yes he did serve his country, a country during Thurmond's days in politics rated us (African Americans) as second class citizens. Don't get me wrong you and whoever else that feel like honoring Thurmond is the right thing to do, should do so. Just don't assume that the entire country is feeling the same way.

LMAO, I'm really starting to think you're right. Everyone is saying how he made amends and was remorseful, but I am genuinely curious as to when all of this took place. Well, I guess I'll head back on over to AKA Ave. where I know my posts won't be deleted for having a dissenting opinion:o.

we're not asking you to mourn him, no one is asking that. everyone has the right to detest his actions or respect his legacy, whichever they may feel is more appropriate. we're just asking that everyone show respect for someone who is no longer with us. there are respectful ways of disagreeing with people and then there are disrespectful ways of disagreeing with people and i think we've seen both today. you, i am glad to say are at least being respectful of everyones' veiwpoints. thank you for that, because i'm tired of attacks on each other simply because we GCers as a whole have differt opinions on the same subject.

Were minorities not citizens of this country or his "great state"? How can you serve some, but not ALL? Some people just fail to realize the truth and reality....

*shaking my head*

I couldn't agree with you more

Sadly enough,I have to question this as well.Good PR is a must in politics nowadays.I do question the sincerity of his change.Was his change of heart genuine or just good public relations?
Now I am sure that he may have done good things for the people of South Carolina in one way or another but to say that he really was representative of his constituents is not a compliment in my book.I hope all the people of South Carolina don't think like he did.

May I direct you to the following...

Originally posted by docetboy
J. Strom Thurmond was a great American and every American should be mourning over this great loss. Please hold his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Get it?

in my own opinion i am not asking anyone to mourn him. i don't think that docetboy was telling you you had to either. he was expressing his opinioin as i am expreessing mine and you are expressing yours. obviously we all have our own feelings about this. we should all keep his family in our thoughts and parayer because it is VERY hard to lose someone we love. surely that isn't too much to ask, even of those who hold grudges against him for things long in the past. just please do this in a CIVIL fashion ok?

From what I know and have read, it was NOT out of the goodness of his heart. As times changed, S. Carolina became 30% African-American. He also knew that those votes would make a difference. In an effort to win those votes, he knew that he had to do something to appease them. Therefore, he did make those "changes" ONLY in order to stay in office.

Hiring ONE Black American? Woo Hoo! :rolleyes:
Voting on a 1982 Voting Act? Yeah right!
The 1982 Vote was only an amendment! The original act was in place already! His one little vote didn't make a difference. It would have passed with or without him, but he had to make a show out of it.

Either way, both of those things took place well over 20 years ago. What has he done LATELY to make a difference?

There are more than 2 communities in America. I'd rather promote the progress any of them makes towards equality instead of saying it's not good enough.

While you may think he was bad for many reasons, you still brought up Nixon in this thread. I just challenged that. I didn't imply he went through the South promoting Nixon's AA accomplishments. However, once again, if Strom is tied to Dick (which he is) then the party's achievements in the area of AA can't be ignored.

-Rudey

You keep bringing up this point. Who's not discussing this in a CIVIL fashion? Or does being uncivilized mean having an opposing view point? Yeah, I've been called a racist, LOL, and have had my posts censored, but I think I still retained my civility and so has everyone else. I think what you're really saying is say something nice or don't say anything at all and that's not going to happen. Forums are for discussion and I'm discussing how I feel about a horrible man's death.

I think ultimately Strom represented his constituents very well - otherwise they wouldn't have kept electing him. While I certainly don't agree with many of the viewpoints the man held, he served the people who elected him. Isn't that the ultimate job of a senator or representative?