Senator Byrd near death. Died 6/28

[Lemon law]

Once again I will attempt to post a news link with as just that, Senator Byrd is hospitalized and near death. And unlikely to recover at age 92.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_byrd_...Ec2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDbG9uZ3RpbWVzZW5i

Under Anand tech rules I have to comment, but if nothing else, Byrd is almost the last of a dying breed. The fossil Senator that hung on and on and on, some hate him, others revere him, but none can deny he was a political survivor that adapted to changing times. And will leave a mixed but lasting legacy.

But nothing, good or bad lasts forever, but its very probable it curtains for Senator Byrd.

I just hope it will not degenerate into a Andand tech flame fest, but we must be prepared to the end of another Senate legend. Sinner or Saint, why not admit both are true and the
end legacy will be part of US history.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I feel sorry for him and his family, did not know he was 92... wow

 

[nageov3t]

it's hard to imagine a world without the God Emperor of West Virginia.

 

[nonlnear]

I wonder how many more pieces of that God-awful state they'll name after Byrd when he finally passes. The man loved his country for better or worse, I'll give him that. He loved his state just as much, if not more. That's saying something for the man's fortitude, given what a steaming pile of corruption West Virginia is!

 

[Supersonic64]

PLEASE! Term limits for congress!!!

 

[shortylickens]

I see many, MANY fights over his seat.
This is gonna be a huge fustercluck.

 

[Perknose]

A 98% attendance record during the longest Senate career ever. Say what you will, the man served his state and our nation with a remarkable diligence.

Despite his well-documented and far too long held racist views, the man made amends and showed the integrity and courage to change:

In the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP)[59] Congressional Report Card for the 108th Congress (spanning the 2003–2004 congressional session), Byrd was awarded with an approval rating of 100 percent for favoring the NAACP's position in all 33 bills presented to the United States Senate regarding issues of their concern. Only 16 other Senators of the same session matched this approval rating. In June 2005, Byrd[60] proposed an additional $10 million in federal funding for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial in Washington, D.C., remarking that "With the passage of time, we have come to learn that his Dream was the American Dream, and few ever expressed it more eloquently.

Sen. Byrd opposed Baby Bush's Iraq war and had a particularly clear-eyed view of the man and his policies:

Byrd was one of the Senate's most outspoken critics of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He appeared on March 7, 2003 on CNN's Larry King Live to discuss his U.S. Senate floor speeches against the Iraq War Resolution in 2002.

In a speech on March 13 he stated:

“ If the United States leads the charge to war in the Persian Gulf, we may get lucky and achieve a rapid victory. But then we will face a second war: a war to win the peace in Iraq. This war will last many years and will surely cost hundreds of billions of dollars. In light of this enormous task, it would be a great mistake to expect that this will be a replay of the 1991 war. The stakes are much higher in this conflict.[62] ”

On March 19, 2003, when Bush ordered the invasion after receiving U.S. Congress approval, Byrd stated:

“ Today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned. Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination.[63] ”

Byrd also criticized Bush for his speech declaring the "end of major combat operations" in Iraq, which Bush made on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. Byrd stated on the Senate floor:

“ I do question the motives of a deskbound president who assumes the garb of a warrior for the purposes of a speech.[64] ”

On October 17, 2003, Byrd delivered a speech expressing his concerns about the future of the nation and his unequivocal antipathy to Bush's policies. Referencing the Hans Christian Andersen children's tale The Emperor's New Clothes, Byrd said of the president: "the emperor has no clothes." Byrd further lamented the "sheep-like" behavior of the "cowed Members of this Senate" and called on them to oppose the continuation of a "war based on falsehoods."

Byrd accused the Bush administration of stifling dissent:

“ The right to ask questions, debate, and dissent is under attack. The drums of war are beaten ever louder in an attempt to drown out those who speak of our predicament in stark terms. Even in the Senate, our history and tradition of being the world's greatest deliberative body is being snubbed. This huge spending bill—$87 billion—has been rushed through this chamber in just one month. There were just three open hearings by the Senate Appropriations Committee on $87 billion—$87 for every minute since Jesus Christ was born—$87 billion without a single outside witness called to challenge the administration's line. ” In July 2004, Byrd released the book Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency about the Bush presidency and the war in Iraq.

Of the more than 17,000 votes he has cast as a Senator, Byrd says he is proudest of his vote against the Iraq war resolution.[65] Byrd has also voted for funding the Iraq war with a timetable for troop withdrawal.

 

[GoPackGo]

So if he dies will they bury him in his Klan suit?

 

[nonlnear]

I see many, MANY fights over his seat.
This is gonna be a huge fustercluck.

West Virginia is a special child. The fights are vicious to be sure, but they are often far removed from the public eye.

 

[PJABBER]

A quote from Robert Byrd, the man who had the key to the bank...

"Congress is not an ATM."

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/robertbyrd147981.html()

 

[Lemon law]

Thank you Perknose for an excellent post, you may not answer Byrd critics, but there are precious few US Senators in US history that can even hold a dim candle up to many of Byrd's virtues. A political force that choose to die with his boots on, barring the assumption that Byrd will live past 2012 to run again with re election almost certain.

 

[Mani]

A 98% attendance record during the longest Senate career ever. Say what you will, the man served his state and our nation with a remarkable diligence.

Despite his well-documented and far too long held racist views, the man made amends and showed the integrity and courage to change:

Sen. Byrd opposed Baby Bush's Iraq war and had a particularly clear-eyed view of the man and his policies:

Good post. Unfortunately won't stop idiots from continuing to mischaracterize him though.

 

[nageov3t]

Politico is reporting that the senator has died.

In related news, President Obama's mission of cutting the deficit just got easier.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I met Robert Byrd a few years back, he was one of the most genuinely nice political figures ive met. Very down to earth and spoke to everyone as his equal. Did not have that purveying sense of arrogance so many seem to have these days.

 

[PrinceofWands]

He's gone.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/28/AR2010062801241.html?hpid=topnews

 

[bruceb]

Yes, he is, at the age of 92 ... RIP Senator Byrd and condolences to the family.

 

[PokerGuy]

Human perspective: rip. Political perspective: good riddance. He's been an example of everything the senate should not be for almost 60 years. He didn't care about the country as much as he cared about bringing more money to WV and securing his own political career.

 

[Skitzer]

Human perspective: rip. Political perspective: good riddance. He's been an example of everything the senate should not be for almost 60 years. He didn't care about the country as much as he cared about bringing more money to WV and securing his own political career.

This

 

[JockoJohnson]

RIP and condolences to the family and friends.

 

[werepossum]

RIP and condolences to the family and friends.

This.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Rip

 

[Mursilis]

A 98% attendance record during the longest Senate career ever. Say what you will, the man served his state and our nation with a remarkable diligence.

More accurately, he served his state at the expense of his nation.

 

[her209]

Rip

 

[conehead433]

Human perspective: rip. Political perspective: good riddance. He's been an example of everything the senate should not be for almost 60 years. He didn't care about the country as much as he cared about bringing more money to WV and securing his own political career.

This +1

 

[Amused]

Human perspective: rip. Political perspective: good riddance. He's been an example of everything the senate should not be for almost 60 years. He didn't care about the country as much as he cared about bringing more money to WV and securing his own political career.

I may have disagreed with many/most of his veiwpoints and votes, but I HAVE to hand the man this: He was the BEST representitive the state of West Virginia EVER could have had. Not too good for the rest of the country, but when it comes down to it, he wasn't elected to represent us. He was elected to represent his state... and he did so with everything he had and more.

To that, I will toast the man.