Senator Robert Byrd Dies at 92

[agzg]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...232,full.story

Reporting from Washington — Robert Carlyle Byrd, the West Virginia Democrat who was often called this generation's conscience of the Senate for his devotion to the system of constitutional checks and balances and the prerogatives of power, died Monday. He was 92.

Byrd, who served longer than any member of Congress in U.S. history and cast more congressional votes than anyone since taking office in January 1959, died at about 3 a.m. at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Va., a spokesman for the family said.

He was admitted to a Washington-area hospital late last week suffering from what a spokesman said was believed to be heat exhaustion and severe dehydration as a result of the high temperatures in the capital.

ETA: More about the votes, controversies, etc., at the source. I just didn't feel like posting it all and then editing all the crap that the Trib puts in.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by agzg

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/o...232,full.story



ETA: More about the votes, controversies, etc., at the source. I just didn't feel like posting it all and then editing all the crap that the Trib puts in.

RIP, Senator Byrd. I just wonder how W.Virginia continued to elect a man in his 80s/90s to the Senate. I guess because he always brought a lot back home with him, but that's just a little too old IMHO.

[Ghostwriter]

Wonder if the Klan will have an honor guard at his funeral?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Ghostwriter

Wonder if the Klan will have an honor guard at his funeral?

QFP and wow.

[Drolefille]

*Sigh* Yes, he was in the Klan. Yes he's apologized for it. Yes he was still pretty biased against, at the least, latinos and gay people. He probably fairly accurately represented his state's desires as they have elected him over and over and over again. Having that kind of seniority in the Senate is also not something to ignore.

But no, some how I don't think the Klan will be at his funeral, asshat.

[DrPhil]

Rest in peace, Senator Byrd.

[honeychile]

If you drive through West Virginia, you see one Byrd Memorial Highway after another. I've heard that the state was only negotiable by mountain goat prior to his bringing so much pork to the state.

One of my claims to fame is that I was amidst a group of people for whom he fiddled - a square dance almost broke out! Senator Byrd was a token of an age where people grew up barefoot and made it to the Capitol. I may not have cared for his politics, and am happy that the pork will be better spread throughout more states, but he was a character. RIP.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

*Sigh* Yes, he was in the Klan. Yes he's apologized for it. Yes he was still pretty biased against, at the least, latinos and gay people.

He dropped the n-bomb like ten years ago and his handlers apologized for him.

[MUSK81]

Hi, all -
Except for one 18-month stint in Ohio immediately after college, I've lived in West Virginia since the age of four. Senator Bryd spoke at my Catholic high school graduation in 1980, around one of the times that his Klan membership reared its ugly head. Yes, he had his faults and prejudices, as we all do, but in the end he was able to learn from his mistakes and grow as a person. He's one of the most beloved men West Virginia has ever produced. We continued to elect him because he cared about us, worked hard for us and helped bring us into the post-War era. I travel extensively throughout the state for work and I'm grateful for all he's done for our transportation system, and for all the jobs he's brought here. RIP, Senator Byrd. We will not see your like again.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

He dropped the n-bomb like ten years ago and his handlers apologized for him.

There is a LOT of context behind his statement that deserves mentioning, if you're going to mention it at all.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

There is a LOT of context behind his statement that deserves mentioning, if you're going to mention it at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FIBJt-c2o0

"And I'm going to use that term."

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FIBJt-c2o0

"And I'm going to use that term."

He actually apologized for himself, btw.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

He dropped the n-bomb like ten years ago and his handlers apologized for him.

You know you would have been all over me if I had posted about the same thing....hehehe


G'night folks!

[Senusret I]

I agree.

I have a pro-black back to africa mumbo jumbo friend who quoted (on facebook) Byrd's 1940's era letter regarding the KKK which was insulting to black people. And it's like woo hoo, so you read a book once -- but stfu if you're not aware of his entire legacy.

Ironically, it's the same thing for conservatives who gawk at a racist Democrat and pat themselves on the back because Lincoln was a republican... wow, you too read a book once.

I pretty much just hate people.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I agree.

I have a pro-black back to africa mumbo jumbo friend who quoted (on facebook) Byrd's 1940's era letter regarding the KKK which was insulting to black people. And it's like woo hoo, so you read a book once -- but stfu if you're not aware of his entire legacy.

Ironically, it's the same thing for conservatives who gawk at a racist Democrat and pat themselves on the back because Lincoln was a republican... wow, you too read a book once.

I pretty much just hate people.

Even me?

Actually the people who pat themselves on the back about Lincoln should read another book or two. Or come to the Presidential Museum. They'd learn his intentions were not as noble as his actions.

I doubt a politician who actually believes everything I do will ever be elected, until then I'll take the good things and criticize the bad. (And try to push the scales towards the good, slowly.)