Senator Robert Byrd Dies at 92 …Update: Media Chokes on His KKK Past
Posted by Jim Hoft on Monday, June 28, 2010, 4:34 AM
Democratic Leader – Filibustered Civil Rights Act
Senator Robert Byrd, former Democratic majority leader and kleagle, dies at 92. For some reason the AP forgot to mention that he was a recruiter for the Ku Klux Klan.
The AP reported:
Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, a fiery orator versed in the classics and a hard-charging power broker who steered billions of federal dollars to the state of his Depression-era upbringing, died Monday. He was 92.
A spokesman for the family, Jesse Jacobs, said Byrd died peacefully at about 3 a.m. at Inova Hospital in Fairfax, Va. He had been in the hospital since late last week.
At first Byrd was believed to be suffering from heat exhaustion and severe dehydration, but other medical conditions developed. He had been in frail health for several years.
Byrd, a Democrat, was the longest-serving senator in history, holding his seat for more than 50 years. He was the Senate’s majority leader for six of those years and was third in the line of succession to the presidency, behind House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a fellow West Virginian in the Senate, said it was his “greatest privilege” to serve with Byrd.
“I looked up to him, I fought next to him, and I am deeply saddened that he is gone,” Rockefeller said.
In comportment and style, Byrd often seemed a Senate throwback to a courtlier 19th century. He could recite poetry, quote the Bible, discuss the Constitutional Convention and detail the Peloponnesian Wars — and frequently did in Senate debates…
Byrd’s accomplishments followed a childhood of poverty in West Virginia, and his success on the national stage came despite a complicated history on racial matters. As a young man, he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan for a brief period, and he joined Southern Democrats in an unsuccessful filibuster against the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act.
He will be missed.
Our prayers are with his family and friends today.
UPDATE: As expected, the state-run media is jumping through hoops trying to ignore the former senator’s KKK past.
ADVERTISEMENT
-
Featured Story:
Busted!… Obama Headlined a DEMOCRAT SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA Event in 1996 **FLIER**
Published May 24, 2012 at 8:46 pm - 89 Comments
Conservative Kevin commented:
As a West Virginian Conservative, I’m sorry to hear that he passed on.
Hopefully, we’ll have a common-sense Conservative to replace him.
Rest in Peace, sir.
Andreas K. commented:
“he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan for a brief period, and he joined Southern Democrats in an unsuccessful filibuster against the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act.”
I don’t think anyone should really miss him. If he had had his way, there would still be segregation. His “early life” KKK membership is hardly “early life”, he was old enough to drink, drive and vote when he joined them. Period.
Also he’s the perfect example why term limits are needed.
He was a professional politician, thus a professional liar, living off the tax payer for decade.
The way I see it? One less lying politician on this planet. That’s hardly sad.
Andreas K. commented:
“Decade” should read “decades.”
P. Aaron commented:
Such a glowing media elogy for a KKK member…oh wait! He wasn’t Republican.
I just don’t feel the sadness here guys. He was 92! A long life indeed in any capacity.
militant conservative commented:
I won’t miss him. My flag is not dipping either.
going to make it had on the dems to pass anything in the senate. Is the Gov. of Virginia a Republican?
LimoLibsStink commented:
I see that Byrd was President Pro Tem or third in line for the Presidency. He is gone. Hillary is fourth. Nancy Pelosi is Second in line.
I wonder what will if 0bama is struck by lightning while on the golf course and Biden expires due to Foot-n-mouth disease.
http://tinyurl.com/ye86ad
militant conservative commented:
Nope, Govenor of Virginia is a Dem. Oh well, at least it will essentially be an open seat instead of an incumbent seat. TPM attack!!!!!
eaglewingz08 commented:
Sen. Byrd though quite knowledgeable about many things was the greatest porker of the Congress. While I give condolences to his family, the country will not miss his profligate spending and appropriations activities. The democraps ability to close filibusters just got more difficult in the interim as it may take a month or more to select a replacement Senator (what with democrap graft being what it is). It will also be interesting to see the dem fight for Pro Tem leadership title. Will it go to Schmucky Schumer or Dick Dustbin of Ill?
TC Monroe commented:
Will he will be laid to rest in full Klan regalia and with the pomp and ceremony due a former Grand Kleagle?
Meanwhile, the Federal deficit just shrank 0.04%
nadadhimmi commented:
Watchdog of the Constitution. And also Kliegel of the Ku Klux Klan, chief recruiter donthca know. Imagine for just an instant if this piece of human excrement had been a Republican; the type of media coverage we would be seeing.
Always On Watch commented:
Byrd’s death may upset the passage of the upcoming financial-reform bill. Killing that bill isn’t a bad thing — not at all.
juandos commented:
Hopefully this parasitic bastard will spend eternity in hell with the likes of Ted Kennedy and John Murtha…
jonyjoe101 commented:
The republicans need to capitalize on the democratic motto “never let a good crisis go to waste”.
Or would that be wrong?
Steve commented:
We have had several posts at Common Cents titled “The Democratic Party vs Black America”. They are very interesting and detail the efforts, dating back centuries that the Dems have to enslave and segregate Blacks. We have a search bar on Common Cents to help you find the articles.
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com
thebronze commented:
“He will be missed.”?
Not by me, he won’t.
Jack commented:
I wonder how many blacks were murdered by the KKK during Byrds tenure as Grand Kleagle. Not that he was directly responsible but I’m just saying…
big L commented:
Big supporter of Obama? And Obama wants to bankrupt the coal business? And West Virginia coal provides all of WVa’s power and 50% of the USA’a power? And You elect and re-elect a Senator that is opposed to coal. Coal employes 20,000 West Virginians.
No elegies for Byrd-good riddance.Please don’t vote anymore donk idiots in to power, West Virginians
Peggy commented:
RIP. Condolences to his family. That’s enough to say for now.
Peter Warner commented:
joneyjoe101 @14 wrote:
‘The republicans need to capitalize on the democratic motto “never let a good crisis go to waste”. Or would that be wrong’
Yes, it would be wrong. You do the right thing, regardless of the consequences.
Look closely at how Jim Hoft recognizes the human dignity of a fellow human being: ‘He will be missed. Our prayers are with his family and friends today.’ That is a noble gesture of respect that reveals inner character. Good for them both.
For Senator Byrd, the time for political arguments is over. This is not the time for calculated political attacks, and Mr. Hoft understands that. Well done. When our own time comes, may we all be treated with that kind of respect.
Best regards, Peter Warner.
HandyBill commented:
“Hopefully this parasitic bastard will spend eternity in hell with the likes of Ted Kennedy and John Murtha…”
I second that.
jainphx commented:
Isn’t it nice that all of a sudden the media takes note that he was a member of the klan. My prayers for his eternal soul.
The MSM is a criminal operation, they hide what is bad for Demoncraps, and print faint rumors of Republicans such as Sarah Palin. We as a people have been lied to by these parasites. Change in this country will only come with a fair and honest media.
Paul_______ commented:
His voting record was “Communist.” So I’m glad he’s gone. I don’t give a damn about his KKK past or whatever.
This country is doomed because we have bastard like him who vote in favor of the Communists’ agenda, and THAT what matters to me most.
I’m not gonna miss him! Good riddance!!
Callipygian1 commented:
…seeya…
listingstarboard commented:
If there was ever proof for term limits Byrd was it. It is hideously absurd this racist opportunistic immoral rat turd was in office for OVER FIFTY YEARS. TERM LIMITS AND TORT REFORM!!!!
newton commented:
Well, guys… he’s gone.
My condolences to his family. Remember guys, he has children, grandchildren and perhaps even great-grandchildren. He was their own, and that’s enough to send our sympathy.
kato commented:
If it takes death to get rid of the garbage in Congress, so be it. One of the biggest thieves of taxpayer money is gone. Good riddance.
Mary Contrary commented:
Robert Byrd on his biggest mistake (1993):
“Well, it’s easy to state what has been my biggest mistake. The greatest mistake I ever made was joining the Ku Klux Klan. And I’ve said that many times. But one cannot erase what he has done. He can only change his ways and his thoughts. That was an albatross around my neck that I will always wear. You will read it in my obituary that I was a member of the Ku Klux Klan.”
Strom Thurmond on running as a segregationist Dixiecrat (1998):
“I don’t have anything to apologize for, I don’t have any regrets. The Dixiecrats were right.”
Harrison commented:
How would the media have reacted if a Republican stood on the Senate floor and quoted Bible verse as to why blacks should be discriminated against?
What Byrd said in 1964:
In Leviticus, chapter 19, verse 19, we find the words: ‘Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow they field with mingled seed.’ God’s statutes, therefore, recognize the natural order of the separateness of things.
Mary Contrary commented:
Robert Byrd (2005)
“I know now I was wrong. Intolerance had no place in America. I apologized a thousand times… and I don’t mind apologizing over and over again. I can’t erase what happened.”
Strom Thurmond on running as a segregationist Dixiecrat (1998):
“I don’t have anything to apologize for, I don’t have any regrets. The Dixiecrats were right.”
Jason commented:
Unbelievable…his undeniable history of bigotry is described as a “complicated racial past.” Could you possibly sugar coat that any more, AP?
“That Senator Byrd, he was a filthy racist thug, wasn’t he?”
Liberal media: “Well….it’s complicated.”
neomom commented:
My condolences to his family………enjoy yourself at Teddy’s eternal cocktail hour……….In Hell……….. you sanctimonious liberal self ingratiating blow hole.
StanInTexas commented:
Mary, how many website are you going to post your stupidity on?
S. Wolf commented:
Byrd.. Rot in Peace.
KKK Lynching (killing) Republicans
kas commented:
Yes, so reformed was Byrd he felt perfectly comfortable using the term “white ni**er” in an interview in 2001, I believe.
It’s the only time I’ve ever seen Britt Hume look flabbergasted. The poor man nearly swallowed his tongue.
Snake Oil Baron commented:
As much as I loath Byrd, Ted Kennedy and Murtha, I would rather burn with them in Hell than dine with their journalistic fans and DNC admirers in paradise.
I made an effort to not wish him dead when he was struck ill and I don’t wish his family and loved-ones any ill but lots of horrible people have kids and friends and stuff. It does not make his passing something to mourn. When I fall into Hell I hope I land on him.
Bill Trench commented:
The real question for Christians is, “Do you believe that people can change?” For more on that, see
http://thinkfaithfully.blogspot.com/