So this is on the record. It's not a hoax, like the Klan’s fictional support hoax we saw earlier this year.Apologetic KKK alumni Senator Robert Byrd has endorsed Barack Obama, saying:
“I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and lead our country at this challenging time in history”.
Byrd has long since apologized -- and been forgiven -- for his past membership in the Ku Klux Klan and opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, But, how does one "apologizes" for being a recovering racist and member of an American terrorist organization is beyond understanding. Obama's cool with it. So there you have it. Indeed, armed with a letter signed by Obama, Moveon.org Political Action Committee was the top contributor to Byrd's 2006 reelection campaign. Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows.
In his announcement, Byrd pointedly made note that Obama is a "noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian." This will help lay to rest rumors that Obama is a Muslim. Additionally, Byrd's endorsement should help Obama pull some additional votes in the Kentucky primary, which borders West Virginia. I was wondering why Senator Obama would risk being associated with yet another controversial figure (remember Reverend Wright), but I guess it’s is okay if it can garner votes.
I have a question. Does anyone else feel that this Democratic Party Primary nonsense has gone on long enough or is it just me? The way I am feeling today, I would vote for the Satan if it would get the prices of gas under three dollars. That last sentence was a joke, so don’t post comments about me endorsing the devil.
6 comments:
Pjazzy,
I SO agree. Enough already! I blame the media, in part, for milking the race at every turn and making issues out of non-issues. It's almost turned into a freaking reality show.
Personally, I don't like Hilary or Bill. Can't say I felt that way about Hilary before this particular race, but Bill has never really been my guy (LOL).
I'm registered as an Independent, 'cause I like keeping my options open and I don't want anyone taking my vote for granted.
I was an Obama supporter well before he cast his hat into the ring. After I read his first book, I knew he was the one. I even predicted it aloud at one of my book club meetings. Of course, everyone laughed and dismissed the notion that he'd even run. Hah! Guess who got the last laugh ? (smile).
You raise a great point, how does one "apologize" for being a former KKK member and opposing Civil Rights legislation? Probably the same way we trusted Bill, a man who repeatedly lied and tipped out on his wife, to run our country (LOL).
I think ultimately folks show their true colors. I think the burden is on us to watch and listen to not only what folks give lip service to, but what they do. Actions really do speak louder than words, in my book. Anyway, those are my two cents.
Politics does make strange bedfellows. I'm trying to be more openminded in my old age here and I do understand that no matter who you are, you have your prejudices. It's wrong, but I feel that we all have them in one way or another about something.
That being said, it's one thing to have them and another to belong to an organization whose sole purpose is to promote racism, discrimination and hatred. I don't know how anyone can accept an apology regarding something like that and not have it taint their image. It really bothers me.
I can't believe it doesn't bother Barack Obama, either, but maybe Byrd is like a symbol or something for change. If a Klansman can do it kind of thing, maybe we all can. I don't know.
I'm just waiting for Obama to get the nomination. I don't dislike Hillary and had she been up against anybody else, I would be behind her, but I really think we need someone like Obama right now.
Hey Lori,
First a Bush, then a Clinton, then a Bush, and another Clinton. That is a long time for family to tie up the White House don't you think. These people had Pennsylvania Ave. on lock down for the last 20 years. When you think of it in those terms we need a change.
Yes Bill Clinton is a scoundrel, but when he left office the country was in the black and we weren't involved in a senseless war and I could afford gas. Clinton was foul morally and there might even have been some ethical concerns, but I wasn't on a fast train to the poor house while he was in office.
I know I sound selfish, but my work depends on my driving and at this point at the end of the week I owe money. I would love to car pool, but I can't.
As for Senator Byrd I am hoping that he is genuine, 40 years is a long time ago and he could have mended his ways. I certainly hope so.
RC,
You are absolutely correct, we all harbor some sort of prejudice. It does not have to be racially generated either. Whether you admit it or not we have prejudice both within and between groups; however as intelligent people we admit it, deal with it, and move on. Being prejudice and being a racist is two entirely different entities. Byrd was the later.
Racists cause harm in both words and deeds. My prejudice does not hurt anyone. I have self-control, a conscious, and a moral and ethical foundation that keeps me in check. People who belong to organizations with the expressed intention of doing bodily harm or denying individuals rights are racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. I hope Byrd has changed for real because he was a straight up racist.
People can change. I just hope Byrd has and is not using Obama for some other agenda on down the line. Look at me! I am becoming a conspiracy theorist.
Your last question first: YESSSSS!. The pre-pre-primary stage (the point where candidates suggest that they might throw their hats into the ring) began a little over eighteen months ago, and the pre-primary (once they've finally thrown their hats into the ring) stage dragged on for over a year. Now the the primary season has dragged on forever and ever it seems. But as long as Sen. Clinton wants to keep fighting for the nomination, that's how it will be. I would suspect that the convention will be highly contested too.
Sen. Byrd's endorsement of Obama is consistent with who he has been for awhile now. Nor does it surprise me, since Byrd is a party loyalist. So, I would have called them strange bedfellows in 1964. I don't think they're really all that strange in 2008.
X. Dell,
Couldn't Byrd back Hillary just as well as Obama, being a party loyalist? I really don't know what goes on up on Capitol Hill and I don't profess to, if you say it is consistent with who Byrd has been for a while, you would definitely know better than I. I just wish the whole thing would be over already.
Right now, Hilary doesn't have any realistic chance of winning. And in a last-ditch effort to win the nomination, she's resorted to a number of desperate tactics that really could divide the Democratic voter base come next November. Thus, even Hilary supporters have begun to switch sides out of fear that more negative campaigning against Obama could hurt the party's chances in the general election, since it still wouldn't gain her the nomination, and would nevertheless still disparage the eventual nominee.
And I agree. It's been too #$@! long.
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