As someone who has been represented by Senator Byrd for most of my life

[davidinalameda]

I know that the man is not perfect

he's more conservative on social issues than I would have liked-abortion, gay rights, etc

not perfect on environmental issues either-he believed in coal but he certainly wasn't a mindless drone beholden to the industry

However, he is one of the most intelligent and hard-working people ever to serve in the US Congress

he rose from nothing to become one of the most powerful people in this country and he never forgot where he came from

he has done so much good for the state of West Virginia

if and when he leaves the Senate, take a good look because there will never be another person like him to represent any state

[Dennis Donovan]

1. Recommended. I recognize that I've not seen eye-to-eye with him about 40-50% of the time....

However, I also recognize that he might be the last of the Dirksenesque orators in the Senate. My best wishes to him. He is certainly one of a kind.

[tabasco]

2. He's a great man and done much, much good. n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

3. While not perfect..he may very well be one of the few statesmen left in Congress.

[hlthe2b]

4. Those who cannot forgive him for things 70 years in the past

or for not being progressive enough on some issues, need to look inward. None of us are--in our 20s-- the people we hope to be at Byrd's age. If we don't give credit for personal growth and evolution of ideals, then we may as well all just pack it in...

[sarge43]

5. He took his oath of office stone seriously - preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

That alone puts him head and shoulders above most of the time servers and corporate whores.

[Angry Dragon]

6. Kick it for you

[davidinalameda]

7. thanks

:hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

8. K&R for Senator Byrd!

A great man on so many levels, and irreplaceable, IMO. :patriot: :kick: