Robert Byrd joined the Ku Klux Klan at age 24

[panader0]

Here is a quote from Byrd:
" I shall never fight in the armed forces with a Negro by my side... Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds. ”

He apologized for his intolerance years later, but I always felt he was a bigot. I am sorry he is ill, he has done some good in his days, but a part of me can't forget his past.

[Dappleganger]

1. I never did anything this dumb

but am sure glad that no one drags up MY old shit to kick when I'm sick. :(

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dappleganger]

39. He renounced the Klan

and did a hell of a lot of good since then. Have YOU done that much good?? I guess to you that is unforgivable. I certainly hope that you hold yourself to the same standards.

[malaise]

48. He had the guts to stand up to Bush and Cheney and oppose

the Iraq war.

[davidinalameda]

107. right after he stopped beating his wife

:wtf:

[tblue]

30. No kidding. He has apologized and REALLY cleaned up his act.

And he demonstrated his change in his voting record.

[Dappleganger]

40. Exactly.

But for some on this board clearly perfection is the only acceptable record.

[Warpy]

72. Same here, I was a teenager from hell and not much better

until my later 20s.

I'm not the same person I was at 24. If I were, I'd never have lived this long.

[SpiralHawk]

2. Thankfully, he saw the light and repudiated the KKK and the Republicons

Thusly, he became an American.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

7. He used to be a republican?

[JitterbugPerfume]

22. Before the Civil Rights Act

Southern Democrats were racial bigots After LBJ signed it they became Republicans , and the Democrats lost the south just as LBJ predicted

[JI7]

38. Byrd could have done the same, but instead he realized it was him who needed to change

[SpiralHawk]

98. No, he never went that low

eom

[Abq_Sarah]

117. No, he was always a Democrat

He filibustered the '64 Civil Rights Act but finally came around in 1968.

[BeFree]

128. Believe it or not

Republicans were, up till 50 years ago, hated in the former confederacy for the party's support for ending slavery.

The democrats were known for thinking slavery was still an option. No kidding.

Things have changed in the last 50 years, and Sen. Robert Byrd changed along with it, and helped the change happen.

[Drunken Irishman]

3. Yeah and?

[panader0]

8. Some background on Byrd.....

When someone does some evil shit, just apologizing doesn't make up for it.

[Hissyspit]

No, but turning your life around and trying to make a difference does.

He had his failings, as do we all.

[JI7]

19. he didn't "just" apologize

[alphafemale]

24. He did WAY more than just "apologize."

May that all of us atone for our sins even half as well as Sen. Byrd

[quiller4]

110. and Byrd did far more than apologize.

[Robert DAH Bruce]

4. So?

Don't you believe in redemption?

[FarPoint]

32. The OP seems to have a cold heart.

Can someone tell the OP that life is about learning from mistakes......that is how our spirit evolves.........

[panader0]

52. See post 25

[geckosfeet]

5. Congressman Byrd had a transformative epiphany. How you doing?

[Warren Stupidity]

6. Pre-dancing on his grave?

[JitterbugPerfume]

9. I thought Democrats were more compassionate than that

Byrd has redeemed himself over and ovr again

[Dappleganger]

47. For some people it will never be enough.

They don't understand the meaning of forgiveness themselves so they have nothing to offer someone else.
On his deathbed, no less.

:shrug:

[JI7]

10. and he will die having supported a Black Man for President and

leaning on the side of getting rid of Don't ask Don't tell.

he was born years ago in a very conservative place. a place that is sitll very conservative.

unlike many other old people including many younger than him, he saw he was wrong and has been on the right side of many issues including the war.

[spin]

23. Well put. We all change over our lives. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst. (n/t)

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. You and the republicans who hate him

They never shut up about this. They also never shut up about Chapequidick and Kennedy. The comments I read on their blogs when Teddy died were repulsive. I expect the same when Byrd is gone. But not here.

[panader0]

14. Did I say I hated him?

I do hate the Klan though.

[Dappleganger]

45. It certainly looks personal.

But then again, he's probably on his death bed so you can spew whatever the hell you want about someone with a better voting record than most dems in Congress combined.

[proud2BlibKansan]

57. Didn't have to say you hated him

I was just commenting that you are making the same comment made by those who do hate him.

And I'll add I find that rather despicable since he is so ill right now.

[Hissyspit]

13. You do realize that this is a popular Freeper and right-wing talking point?

Everyone knows this.

[proud2BlibKansan]

58. +1

[QC]

131. There are lots of those floating around here lately. n/t

[Individualist]

135. Excellent point.

"The Democratic Leadership Council's agenda is indistinguishable from the Republican Neoconservative agenda," Dennis Kucinich

[frazzled]

15. And you're bringing up something from 71 years ago?

I'm sure this (probably) dying man appreciates your dredging up something he repudiated decades ago.

Ever think about people hovering over your deathbed bringing up the mistakes of your youth? Does it feel good?

[lib_wit_it]

29. Precisely what I was thinking. All the kids being brought up today to hate--if they get away from

their toxic families and communities and see the light--no forgiveness? It would be far better for people like that to see that they will not be forever shackled to their unfortunate past.

[Riftaxe]

53. Yet even in this century

He has no problem throwing around racial epithets in a recorded interview. He is not a decent man, the facts support this position.

[Saboburns]

66. I know of what you speak and think you are wrong

Incredibly wrong, I know of the quote you are referring to and the adjective niggardly is not at all racist. Except to the ignorant.

[dsc]

67. No he isn't wrong

Byrd used the word nigger. He might be wrong as to century (I can't recall if it was before or after 2000) but he is dead right about the word. I will say he wasn't using it as a racial epithet though as he was actually referring to white people, not black.

[tammywammy]

78. It was in 2001. n/t

[Name removed]

111. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tammywammy]

114. No, he does NOT says "niggardly"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnO6ai0Ktro

[Name removed]

119. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[smoogatz]

16. Unrec.

Stupidest post of the day. Nice work.

[hedgehog]

17. If we don't believe that people can be brought to change their views when

the facts are carefully explained to them, what's the point of even trying?

[Smarmie Doofus]

36. Indeed. Should we not be happy when we succeed?

We succeeded.

Where's the tragedy here?

[apocalypsehow]

18. He repudiated that past, and has made up for it a thousand times over with actual VOTES in Congress

that have made the lives of African-Americans better in terms of discrimination protections, housing rights, and the like. Votes that have made the lives of all of us better, in point of fact.

I find your OP to particularly classless at this time, of all times. UnRec.

[Ruby the Liberal]

20. Didn't Byrd stand in the Senate and personally filibuster the Vietnam War?

Correction requested if my facts are wrong.

[proud2BlibKansan]

60. He was also one of 23 in the senate to vote against the IWR in 2002.

[KoKo]

124. Video...Senator Byrd's Magnificent Speech trying to Stop Iraq Invasion...

Senator Byrd's Speech Opposing Iraq War 3/19/03 Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzlLU9Uxvdc&feature=related

[KonaKane]

21. I respect anyone who has the ability to transform themselves.

Especially in a good direction, and so thoroughly. Also, the guy is the only one in Congress to actually carry around a copy of the US constitution in his jacket pocket. Every day.

I would consider things like this before you start a thread on something thoughtless he said almost 70 years ago.

[dsc]

25. I am not a big fan of dumping on people when they are ill

but I also think those who criticise this OP are being disingenuous. Byrd's clan membership was only the beginning. He filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1964, oppposed Thurgood Marshall for justice in 1967, in 2003 argued in a very mean spirited manner for the amendment that would have permanently banned gay marriage, and was, according to Clinton's memoir, exceptionally staunch and vile in his arguments against gays serving in 1993. Byrd was a bigot against blacks for at least a decade while in the Senate and one against gays for pretty much his entire service.

[Dappleganger]

41. Oh that's definitely grounds for pulling the damn plug...

don't let me stand in your way.

/s

[dsc]

54. I didn't start an OP, and wouldn't have said anything at all, had people not said

he is a changed man, he learned his lesson. No he didn't, at least not as it comes to gays. I am more than willing to stay on the sidelines and not trash the man, but I am not willing to see OP's savaged and called names based on lies. The fact is Byrd was and still is, an anti gay bigot, plain and simple. I left out some of his greatest hits by not quoting his tirades in either 93 or 03 and not mentioning his horrid position on the Ryan White act.

[Dappleganger]

96. Well...

You've got your karma and I've got mine. I'll not trash the man while he's on his death bed. I bet you'd not say any of that to his face, either.

[Hissyspit]

49. Buried in your post are the makings of a much better OP

and if you added something about how 'people are complex and can always learn to do the right thing' to it, I would rec it.

[Seneca]

26. Robert Byrd endorsed Barack Obama at age 90

If you don't believe a person can change for the better, if you don't believe in redemption - then you're lost.

I think people like you don't want people like the 24 year old Byrd to change. You prefer keeping them in that niche, where you, the oh-so-enlightened "progressive", can cluck and strut and lord your superior moral character over them. They give you a reason to feel superior about yourself, which is sad if you cannot do that without looking down on others.

Byrd is human. Some humans can outgrow the hatreds, prejudices, and narrow confines of their youthful ignorance. True, some do not. But if one steps forward, and takes actions to match their words when seeking redemption, we owe them as fellow flawed human beings to give them the benefit of the doubt, until they give us reason to do otherwise.

Can you rise above yourself? It seems now that perhaps you are the bigot, and Byrd the more enlightened human being.

But unlike you, I have hope that you can evolve and see the error of your ways.

[sandnsea]

27. Says more about you that you had to post this n/t

[panader0]

33. So, it's ok to do anything as long as you say you're sorry?

[eShirl]

44. I'm sure you could create a convincing straw man if you tried harder.

[KonaKane]

50. So its OK to tar someone forever for something they have apologized for and repudiated?

Better look closer at your own reasoning.

[Posteritatis]

59. Do you think Byrd merely said he's sorry? (nt)

[CJCRANE]

61. I see what you're trying to do.

It doesn't quite work in this context.

[Odin2005]

28. Jesus Christ on a pogo stick, Byrd's a changed man now. HE ENDORSED OBAMA.

I hope he keeps on quoting Cicero and going around with his pocket-sized US Constitution until he 120!

[pinto]

31. He's a great example of the growth of the Democratic Party over all those years.

I wish him well.

[aquart]

34. Oddly, it is possible for people to grow and alter their opinions.

You ought to read Mark Twain's comments on Jews not fighting in the Civil War, and his brilliant apology for those ignorant remarks.

[Saboburns]

35. When he said that he deserves all your rebukes

1000 fold.

However, the past 60 years he's spent making up for that mistake. By words and deeds. As a young man he was an ignorant racist. He lived, he learned, he regretted his former stance and spent a lifetime making up for his ignorance.

I've met him numerous times, I've heard him speak in intimate settings. He's as true blue a Democrat as you'll find in Washington and quite a liberal coming from conservative West Virginia and the people he represents.

I remember when he spoke out against invading Iraq. I'll never forget his speeches and heartfelt pleas not to go into Iraq. And he didn't have any other Democrats at his side when he did it.

When any argument occurs locally about Sen Byrd round here in West Virginia the Republican invariable says exactly what the OP said. Thereby ending and deleting all the good he did in his life for our party, our sate, and our nation.The argument stops right there, as if his career ended in 1954. I am not naive enough to think this mere post will change your mind, but I did wish to open your eyes to the true facts about Robert Byrd and his epiphany over racism which occurred 50 years ago. I love the man since. He's not perfect, but as far as insider politics, he's as good as they come for me, a Liberal Democrat from the wilds of West Virginia,

Senator Robert Byrd is not a racist. It's a point I simply wanted to make.

[no_hypocrisy]

37. Justice Lewis Black reached redemption from his past with the KKK.

http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/fdr/ideas/portfolio/vandersee/vandersee.html

[Gormy Cuss]

148. Hugo, not Lewis

although if Lewis Black were on the Supreme Court he would certainly change the tone of the place. :D

[no_hypocrisy]

150. Oops. You're right! I wasn't focusing.

[trof]

42. So did my grandfather. Wanna fight?

It was a different time.

Just as it was a different time when our founding fathers decided to count negro slaves as 3/5ths of a person for the purpose of determining the number of representatives a state would be entitled to.
How nuts was THAT?

Counting 3/5ths of a person WHO COULD NOT VOTE, who was, in fact, OWNED by a person who could vote, so that person's state would be entitled to more representation in congress?

That makes my head hurt.
:eyes:

[unc70]

122. No, 3/5 was so they would have FEWER reps in Congress

SOMEWHAT OFF-TOPIC CLARIFICATION:

The 3/5 rule helped the states with fewer slaves (all states had slaves at that time), because all those in other forms of bondage (indentured, judicial, prisoners, etc.) were all counted fully in the census, as were those under marriage bonds, women, children, and many others not allowed to vote for whatever reasons.

Over the following 20-30 years, most of the states in the North switched over to some form of indenture/apprentice at birth to enable them to "free" their slaves by converting them into "servants", fully counted in the census and without the nasty stigma of "slavery". Many of the most strident abolistionists, people like Jay, were still owners of slaves/servants. The last slaves in some "non-slave" states were not freed until after the Civil War.

See places like http://www.slavenorth.com or study the DeWolf family for more information.

[Octafish]

43. And Malcolm X renounced violence.

People can change.

[EFerrari]

46. Well, there's no need to forget anything, to my mind.

He did those things, he was part of all of that. Nothing, not even rememory changes that. He also tred to make up for that. Whether he did or could or not is not for me to say.

When I was a kid, I heard my peers using "gay" as an insult and I never spoke up. That happened, too.

We have to take the man's life as it was and is. Maybe that's the best tribute, to keep it real.

ETA: panadero, don't mind responders going nuts all over the thread. People don't know how to respond to quiet questions any more. It's a lost art, like darning. lol

[blogslut]

51. People can change

Perhaps some day you will change and look back on your bad choices and be glad for how much you've grown.

[jaysunb]

55. Very unnecessary

:evilfrown:

btw: I'm Black

[rasputin1952]

56. Over time,

I have changed my mind innumerable times and for various reasons; I get the distinct impression that almost everyone else has during times of their lives as well.

I cannot think of any time when I have been so closed minded as to stick to an idea when I have been shown that such an idea was in error. Senator Byrd, just as most others, realized his initial stance was untenable, just as the rest of learn that some of our stances are untenable. I hold no grudge to any man, woman or child that realizes they were errant in their thoughts process at one time.

On the other hand, once someone has been shown that their view is no longer tenable, and they still keep it as a basic tenet of their existence, I can show no empathy.

Senator Byrd, as near as I can figure, has renounced his past. I see no reason to bring it up, except in a historical context that people change.

[EFerrari]

65. Our memories of others are all "historical". n/t

[MindandSoul]

62. What I want to know is. . .when did he quit the Klan? I think he is a good man

Sometimes it takes making big mistakes to learn what is right. I think he learned!

[ThomWV]

63. If I remember correctly from his book he quit 2 weeks after joining.

Soon as he found out what they were about.

[MindandSoul]

64. I thought he was a good, honest person!

[dems_rightnow]

68. He knew what they were about

Good God.

[LostinVA]

73. Seriously

[lynne]

70. I thought he was with them several years. WaPo article states he organized his chapter -

- and was an advocate for them. The article from 2005 is here> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/18/AR2005061801105_pf.html

The article states . . . "Byrd's book offers a truncated description of his days with the Klan that does not completely square with contemporaneous newspaper accounts and letters that show he was involved with the Klan throughout much of the 1940s, and not merely for two or three years."

[lynne]

69. I always thought it odd that he played a Confederate General in "Gods and Generals" -

- especially since he represents the one state that seceded from the Confederacy. WVa was born of the Civil War so I never quite understood his decision to represent a slave-owning Confederate General in the movie. And he had that quote regarding "White N-Word" several years back. Let's be honest here, had he been anyone else we would have ridden him out on a rail years ago.

Byrd's history is full of racist comments and actions and some of it in the not-too-recent past. Truthfully, we will never know what is in his heart. All we can be sure of is that he is a master politician.

[LostinVA]

74. +1

I have no idea if he is still racist or not, but I DO know he is very vocally bigotted against other groups.

[RamboLiberal]

140. So did Ted Turner n/t

[Seneca]

144. Confederate descendants played Confederates in the film

Ted Turner did too, for that reason.

Much the same way that WBTS re-enactors wear the uniform of their ancestors, Union or Confederate. It's not an endorsement of the soldier's ideology (and not every soldier was ideologically motivated), but rather, out of respect for their service and sacrifice, which is indisputable no matter which uniform they wore.

[LostinVA]

71. Senator Byrd is anti choice and anti GLBT rights

THAT is what people should "denounce" about him, and rightly so. Senator Byrd deserves to be remembered for this as much as anything good he did. I do believe he made amends for his racist past, so bringing up the Klan membership is ridiculous.

[KonaKane]

75. Byrd is actually pro-choice

Getting a 43% rating by NARAL on his voting record on that issue.

http://www.ontheissues.org/social/Robert_Byrd_Abortion.htm


You did have the part about GLBT rights correct, though. He is a long opponent of gay marriage rights and gays in the military.

[Mass]

80. 43 % rating by NARAL is being pro-choice? Really?

[KonaKane]

82. He is listed as pro-choice. Go look him up. On any pertinent website.

Just looking at his record.

[Mass]

86. You're the one quoting NARAL. Sorry, he may not be one of the worse, but he is not prochoice by any

reasonable standard.

[KonaKane]

89. He certainly is pro-choice. Go look it up at your convenience.

You will see I am right.

[Mass]

91. Well, your standards are low.

[KonaKane]

93. So you cannot refute his record. Good. What have you done?

I mean, I'm curious about quickly you tar a persons record when they do something good - even though they have done wrong in the past. Have you put in as much effort and had as much influence as Sen. Byrd on the issues of concern to Democrats?

[LostinVA]

99. Saying he is pro choice doesn't make him pro choice

He is known to be anti choice and has never tried to hide it.

[KonaKane]

155. I guess you better check his record and the facts.

Because you appear to be set in your beliefs.

[LostinVA]

83. No, he isn't

[KonaKane]

84. Yes, he most certainly is.

If you don't believe my links, google some of your own.

[LostinVA]

97. I know what the Senator has voted and what he has said

I don't need to Google. Plus, 43% is a failing grade.

[Ruby the Liberal]

88. Or, he will vote yes on repealing DADT with the caveat of a 60 day study

I take that as a win from the man. Even Obama is holding offshoring for 6 months until the study is complete.

The military runs SLOOOOW. I think 60 days to figure it out and get their shit together on policy is rather aggressive.

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/05/26/byrd-dadt/

[LostinVA]

100. That isn't why he said that

The Senator has never tried to hide his anti stance on GLBT rights.

[Ruby the Liberal]

113. Run with that then

And hope WV finds someone more supportive than Sen. Byrd.

[panader0]

77. He made amends for po;itical expediency

[KonaKane]

81. And you're about to list your proof of that accusation, right?

right?

[LostinVA]

85. That may be 100% true

We have no idea what is in his heart on this issue. I do know how he feels about the other issues.

[KonaKane]

87. The mindreading capabilities here can be astonishing.

And his stance on gay rights does not diminish his efforts on behalf of civil rights. It just means we dont agree with him on everything. The good that people do remains, the good that they do.

[Mass]

90. His efforts on behalf of civil rights? Which ones?

[KonaKane]

92. start with these....

Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women.
Vote to table, or kill, an amendment to repeal the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, which requires no less than 10% of highway construction projects funded by the federal government to be contracted to 'disadvantaged business enterprises'
Reference: Bill S.1173 ; vote number 1998-23 on Mar 6, 1998

Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business.
This legislation would have abolished a program that helps businesses owned by women or minorities compete for federally funded transportation.
Status: Cloture Motion Rejected Y)48; N)52

for starters, there is more online if you care to look. Which I doubt you do.

[Mass]

95. LOL. Sadly ridiculous. The sad part is that, on many issues, Byrd has real accomplishments.

but you want to insist he was so great in everything.

Byrd is neither evil nor god, but you insist he is a god. He is a man with his strengths and weaknesses. Respect him for his strengths, but dont try to tell us his weaknesses do not exist.

And lets hope he gets better soon.

[LostinVA]

102. Exactly -- no one hear is saying he sucked

Just that he was less than liberal on certain issues, just like a bunch of other Dem Senators. No one is demonizing him, just humanizing him.

[LostinVA]

101. I don't think you even read what I wrote

Since what you said is a 180 of what I said.

[LostinVA]

103. Senator Byrd is against Affirmative Action, btw

[dsc]

123. gay rights are civil rights

so yes his stance on gay rights does hurt his civil rights record.

[QC]

154. Thank you.

It's strange that one would keep having to say something so obvious, over and over and over, on "one of the premier left-wing websites on the Internet."

[superduperfarleft]

125. " And his stance on gay rights does not diminish his efforts on behalf of civil rights"

:facepalm:

[Name removed]

130. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluenorthwest]

136. Gay rights are civil rights

So your statement is absurd, surreal, and telling.

[KonaKane]

156. But they are not civil rights in total, as in completely disregarding others.

That is myopic, selfish and telling in itself.

[Seneca]

145. I agree, regarding dwelling on things for which he atoned

That is to say, his evolution regarding race was remarkable for a person from his time and place. Most never transcended the racism of their upbringing. Re: Trent Lott, anyone?

It is unfortunate that he did not make similar progress on women's reproductive rights or GLBT rights - both of the utmost importance in the human rights realm. How much of that was a lack of personal evolution, and how much of that was playing to his base, we'll never know. His base certainly must have made similar progress on race, as his evolution with civil rights never cost him his office. I am reminded of how George Wallace made similar amends, having carried his last election to Alabama's highest office with 90% of the black vote.

On balance, a person of his generation and locale making a lifelong transition from the Klan to endorsing the man who became our first black president is remarkable, even if tinged with regret that it wasn't a comprehensive transition including women/GLBT rights.

Who knows? Maybe if he lived another 92 years, he would have come around. Think of Cheney, Gingrich, Thurmond, and countless others whose 24 year old selves were, or are, philosophically indistinguishable from the last or current year of their lives - and Thurmond lived a century.

[RidinMyDonkey]

76. What's passed is past

I used to be homophobic. Now I go out of my way to support gay rights. Do you think ill of me still? Everyone has a past, but it doesn't reflect who they are today.

Those days are long behind Senator Byrd, he's made amends and I believe he's done much more good than harm.

[Mass]

79. Given the circumstances, you will get shit for telling the truth and for your honesty.

[grantcart]

94. You forgot the "BREAKING HARD" on information that is decades old

[theothersnippywshrub]

104. He is a better man than you.

[proteus_lives]

105. People can change.

I've seen it happen.

[KamaAina]

106. That was almost 70 years ago

or more than many people's entire lifespans.

[Major Hogwash]

142. Compassionate conservatives don't care about how many years has passed since then,

They just want to keep throwing it up so no one will ever forget it.

Like the Civil War.

[adoraz]

108. If you don't believe in forgiveness then thats your problem, not his.

[quiller4]

109. The man evolved. Once a Klan member, he became one of the

most outspoken Southern supporters of civil rights. He did far more than apologize for his own intolerance. He fought to eradicate bigotry and racism.

[hlthe2b]

112. Thank heavens none of the rest of us did anything at 24 we now regret...

I guess Bobby Byrd is the exception... :sarcasm:

[Mz Pip]

115. Even God can't change the past.

I believed some pretty weird shit when I was young - not racist stuff, but just weird crazy stuff that had no basis in reality.

Now I don't. I evolved. Or got an education. Maybe Byrd did too.

[Individualist]

116. Nothing like kicking a man when he's down, is there?

:sarcasm:

:spank:

[Fire1]

141. It's what they do best. n/t

[LostinVA]

153. Who is "they"?

[Saboburns]

118. As a younger man I called people niggers, now I hate to type that awful, awful word

I also called folks gay, or fag as an insult. I also referred to people i didn't like as retards. And I did it a lot of times.

What a horrible feeling I now have of saying those things.

Saying I'm sorry does not take back the hurt I caused. I was an ignorant ass.

Now I understand the awfulness of what I did. I don't say those hurtful words any longer. I can't change the past, but I can, and have, changed my view, changed my thinking, changed my actions.

So I carry my guilt, and when a friend or acquaintance utters those same epithets, I stop and attempt to educate as to why saying these things is wrong, and hurtful to everyone.

[VMI Dem]

120. Byrd has remained a bigot for his entire life.

[Fire1]

139. And you know this, how? n/t

[spanone]

121. timing is everything

:thumbsdown:

[phleshdef]

126. Its ok. Robert Byrd never needed your petty forgiveness. He was all ready a bigger man than you.

[MilesColtrane]

127. Nice eulogy.

:eyes:

:thumbsdown:

[LynneSin]

129. I didn't grow up in rural West Virginia but I did grow up in rural Pennsylvania

KKK was rampent around my parts too and for some kids it was just a normal thing to do. To be honest, we didn't have many minorities living in our area so I guess it was easy to 'vilify' what you knew so little about.

What a man did almost 70-80 years ago does not define him - what defines him is what he did over that 70-80 year period.

Byrd always regretted his time with the KKK and I think he's done a good job of making up for his foolish mistakes of his youth.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

132. Blame his upbringing and culture he grew up in

Senator Byrd was born Cornelius Calvin Sale Jr. in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. When he was one year old, his mother died in the 1918 Flu Pandemic. In accordance with his mother's wishes, his father dispersed the family children among relatives. His father was a member of the KKK. Cornelius was given to the custody of an aunt and an uncle, Vlurma and Titus Byrd, who renamed him Robert Byrd. They raised him in the coal-mining region of southern West Virginia. His (foster) parents inculcated Byrd in "the typical southern viewpoint of the time," Byrd has written. "Blacks were generally distrusted by many whites, and I suspect they were subliminally feared."

Cornelius Sale ~ aka Robert Byrd ~ grew to realize how wrong he had been, and deeply regretted those words you quoted. We can continue to chastise him, or even to loathe him for what he said, but he changed, he evolved, and I hope he can be forgiven.

[backscatter712]

133. Robert Byrd can and did change his ways.

He once was a member of the Klan, but renounced that way, cast away his racism, and has been a great supporter of President Obama.

Byrd gave me hope that people can make themselves better and change their ways.

[WI_DEM]

134. I guess some progressives don't think that people can change?

based on new life experiences or meeting a wider circle of people or thru educating themselves?

[Dinger]

137. Yeah, I Saw That This Was The First Thing joe scar brought this morning

(sorry, had to peek. Guess I'm a glutton for punishment). I think this is their pre-election routine to hurt the chances of any Democrat, in a very weak attempt to "win" voters from across the aisle. Good luck with that suckers.

[Dappleganger]

138. Well he's dead now...

Go for it, LOL!

[Name removed]

143. Deleted message

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[theothersnippywshrub]

152. The racist scum all became republicans after the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

[GlennWRECK]

146. Once a Bigot, ALWAYS a bigot

You can't just "go back" on your ways.
Choosing to be a racist is a DEEP-SEEDED belief.

Most likely, it is engrained into our heads from a young age and I do not believe it can TRULY be overturned.
With time it eventually becomes a part of us.

We choose to be a racist, or we choose not to be.
We know the decision that Byrd made.

And on top of it, he choose to make it a public memo.
Idiot.

[Name removed]

147. Deleted message

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[theothersnippywshrub]

151. The true bigots all became republicans: Helms, Thurmond, Lott, Reagan and so on.

[KonaKane]

157. I recommend you read the biography of Malcom x to see how wrong you are.

Holy shit, you don't believe people can change their views, or atone for something bad they did in their youth? I guess your history is spotless.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

149. He had plenty of bigoted things to say about other minorities later in life.

I never took the apology seriously.