Senator Dodd supports the KKK. No one cares. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mr. Mojo · 04-08-2004, 12:48 PM

I admit - i put that headline there so people would click on it. I in no way think Dodd supports the KKK.

Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut talking about the former member of the Ku Klux Klan, West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, on the floor of the Senate when Byrd cast his 17,000th vote on the floor of the Senate.

DODD: Robert C. Byrd in my view, Mr. President, would have been right at any time. He would have been right at the founding of this country, he would have been in the leadership of crafting this Constitution, he would have been right during the great conflict of Civil War in this nation, he would have been right at the great moments of international threat that we faced in the 20th century. I can't think of a single moment in this nation's 220-year-plus history where you would not have been a valuable asset to this country.

***<a target=new href="http://mensnewsdaily.com/archive/newswire/news2004/0401/040804-dodd.htm">Media Silent on Dodd Comments, Intense When Covering Lott (LINK)</a>
"He was also a staunch, vocal opponent to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and holds the distinction of being the only senator in U.S. history to vote against both the nomination of the late Thurgood Marshall as well as Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court, the only two blacks ever appointed to serve on the nation's highest court.

More recently, Byrd told Tony Snow on "Fox News Sunday" in March 2001 that he believes "there are white [n-word]."'

***<a target=new href="http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040408-122244-5534r.htm">Dodd praise for Byrd hit by GOP (LINK)</a>
Sen. Tom Daschle said there was "no parallel" between Sen. Christopher J. Dodd's praise of Mr. Byrd and Republican Sen. Trent Lott's praise of former segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond.

***<a target=new href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/aw20040407.shtml">Where's the outrage now Democrats? – Armstrong Williams(LINK)</a>

This is somewhat puzzling considering that when Sen. Trent Lott remarked that the country would have been better off if former segregationist Strom Thurmond had won his 1948 bid for presidency, the Democrats demanded his ouster. And rightly so. Lott's racially-insensitive remarks were indicative of his upbringing in "a time and a place" that regarded blacks as inferior. Lott's remarks suggested that he just didn't get it, that he had no ability to truly empathize with what it means to be a minority in this country. The Democrats understood this. Flanked by the Congressional Black Caucus, they pumped their fists at Lott and demanded that he vacate his post.

***<a target=new href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/mm20010307.shtml">Sen. Robert Byrd, ex-klansman (LINK)</a>
This ex-Klansman wasn't just a passive member of the nation's most notorious hate group. According to news accounts and biographical information, Sen. Byrd was a "Kleagle" -- an official recruiter who signed up members for $10 a head. He said he joined because it "offered excitement" and because the Klan was an "effective force" in "promoting traditional American values." Nothing like the thrill of gathering 'round a midnight bonfire, roasting s'mores, tying nooses, and promoting white supremacy with a bunch of your hooded friends.

***<a target=new href="http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_040704/content/rush_on_a_roll_2.member.html">Dodd Blasted Lott Comments (LINK)</a>
December 15th of 2002 on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, there is this little post. "Democratic officials have been much quicker to criticize Lott, although to date only Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts and Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin have called for Lott's resignation as majority leader. Senator Christopher Dodd came close Sunday on Late Edition. He said, 'If Tom Daschle or another Democratic leader were to have made similar statements, the reaction would have been very swift. I don't think several hours would have gone by without there being an almost unanimous call from the leader to step down.' Dodd said the problem lies with the Republican Party. 'Mainstream Republican thinking over the last 40 years has been opposed to an awful lot of the civil rights legislation. So this isn't just about Trent Lott, it's about a party that needs to come to terms with this view here, that you go to South, you say one thing to one group of people and another thing nationally.'"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
How is this any different from what Lott said about Strom Thrumond a few months ago? There's no outrage now, Jesse Jackson is not calling for him to step down. Its not on the news 24 hours a day... He talks about the US being better if Byrd, a former member of the KKK, would have been a founding father.

I know what Dodd and Lott were doing - both were trying to make a old man happy for a while. Nothing racially motivated in either case. But when Lott says it, he's a raciest?! Dodd says it, and NOBODY reports it! Lets get some balance please.

Ustwo · 04-08-2004, 12:56 PM

Only Republican's can be racists.

Sparhawk · 04-08-2004, 12:58 PM

Quote:

He said of Byrd, "You would have been right at the founding of this country, right during the Civil," pausing momentarily to think of what to say next and then uttered, "War."

LOL. I mean, I'd have to actually see the tape to believe this shameless bit of editorializing.

mml · 04-08-2004, 03:04 PM

I too, would like to hear the comments before making too many judgements, but frankly Dodd should know better and Byrd really needs to go. He is out of touch just like Thumond was. Lott made some stupid comments and his enemies on both sides of the aisle, in the media and in the White House jumped on them and got Lott out of their way. Dodd is not so divisive an individual and is less of a national player. I don't think much will come of this, as most people in Washington like Dodd.

Ustwo · 04-08-2004, 03:10 PM

If Byrd's 'white nigger' comment never made it out of the right wing news, I don't see this seeing any light of day.

Mr. Mojo · 04-08-2004, 05:32 PM

Byrd was in the Klan, but now he's a democrat senator and all's forgiven. If he was a republican he never would have gotten elected. The double standard is mindboggling.

smooth · 04-08-2004, 05:45 PM

he never would have been elected? wouldn't that be up to republican voters? don't see the mindboggling aspect

HarmlessRabbit · 04-08-2004, 05:52 PM

I don't understand the point of the original poster or the linked articles. Some senator says something fishy and because the media and "liberals" don't raise a fuss it's a sign of bias, even though the poster doesn't believe the charges.

I don't even know how to parse the argument, but let me take a stab and rephrasing the point:

"The media isn't paying attention to an issue which I think they would be mistaken to pay attention to. Since they aren't disagreeing with me and expressing outrage, I'm angry because I can't disagree with them."

Whatever.

filtherton · 04-08-2004, 07:59 PM

Where are seretogis and matthew complaining about the inherent flamebaityness of this thread?

nanofever · 04-08-2004, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by filtherton
Where are seretogis and matthew complaining about the inherent flamebaityness of this thread?

If this were a post about how figures on the right were racists the mods would close this in a second.

/just as absurd as a liberal media bias...

Ustwo · 04-08-2004, 09:20 PM

But Byrd was in the KKK, so its not like an unfounded claim.

I personally don't think Byrd is any more a racist then Strom.

Lebell · 04-08-2004, 10:01 PM

While the original article shows a definite bias and hypocracy, I can only think that the comment the original poster added could have been phrased better.

After that, it just went downhill.

Locked.

04-08-2004, 12:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. Mojo Addict Location: NYC	Senator Dodd supports the KKK. No one cares. I admit - i put that headline there so people would click on it. I in no way think Dodd supports the KKK. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut talking about the former member of the Ku Klux Klan, West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, on the floor of the Senate when Byrd cast his 17,000th vote on the floor of the Senate. <b>DODD: Robert C. Byrd in my view, Mr. President, would have been right at any time. He would have been right at the founding of this country, he would have been in the leadership of crafting this Constitution, he would have been right during the great conflict of Civil War in this nation, he would have been right at the great moments of international threat that we faced in the 20th century. I can't think of a single moment in this nation's 220-year-plus history where you would not have been a valuable asset to this country.</b> *<a target=new href="http://mensnewsdaily.com/archive/newswire/news2004/0401/040804-dodd.htm"><b>Media Silent on Dodd Comments, Intense When Covering Lott (LINK)</b></a> "He was also a staunch, vocal opponent to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and holds the distinction of being the only senator in U.S. history to vote against both the nomination of the late Thurgood Marshall as well as Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court, the only two blacks ever appointed to serve on the nation's highest court. More recently, Byrd told Tony Snow on "Fox News Sunday" in March 2001 that he believes "there are white [n-word]."' <a target=new href="http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040408-122244-5534r.htm"><b>Dodd praise for Byrd hit by GOP (LINK)</b></a> Sen. Tom Daschle said there was "no parallel" between Sen. Christopher J. Dodd's praise of Mr. Byrd and Republican Sen. Trent Lott's praise of former segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond. <a target=new href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/Armstrongwilliams/aw20040407.shtml"><b>Where's the outrage now Democrats? – Armstrong Williams(LINK)</b></a> This is somewhat puzzling considering that when Sen. Trent Lott remarked that the country would have been better off if former segregationist Strom Thurmond had won his 1948 bid for presidency, the Democrats demanded his ouster. And rightly so. Lott's racially-insensitive remarks were indicative of his upbringing in "a time and a place" that regarded blacks as inferior. Lott's remarks suggested that he just didn't get it, that he had no ability to truly empathize with what it means to be a minority in this country. The Democrats understood this. Flanked by the Congressional Black Caucus, they pumped their fists at Lott and demanded that he vacate his post. <a target=new href="http://www.townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/mm20010307.shtml"><b>Sen. Robert Byrd, ex-klansman (LINK)</b></a> This ex-Klansman wasn't just a passive member of the nation's most notorious hate group. According to news accounts and biographical information, Sen. Byrd was a "Kleagle" -- an official recruiter who signed up members for $10 a head. He said he joined because it "offered excitement" and because the Klan was an "effective force" in "promoting traditional American values." Nothing like the thrill of gathering 'round a midnight bonfire, roasting s'mores, tying nooses, and promoting white supremacy with a bunch of your hooded friends. **<a target=new href="http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_040704/content/rush_on_a_roll_2.member.html"><b>Dodd Blasted Lott Comments (LINK)</b></a> December 15th of 2002 on CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, there is this little post. "Democratic officials have been much quicker to criticize Lott, although to date only Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts and Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin have called for Lott's resignation as majority leader. Senator Christopher Dodd came close Sunday on Late Edition. He said, 'If Tom Daschle or another Democratic leader were to have made similar statements, the reaction would have been very swift. I don't think several hours would have gone by without there being an almost unanimous call from the leader to step down.' Dodd said the problem lies with the Republican Party. 'Mainstream Republican thinking over the last 40 years has been opposed to an awful lot of the civil rights legislation. So this isn't just about Trent Lott, it's about a party that needs to come to terms with this view here, that you go to South, you say one thing to one group of people and another thing nationally.'" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- How is this any different from what Lott said about Strom Thrumond a few months ago? There's no outrage now, Jesse Jackson is not calling for him to step down. Its not on the news 24 hours a day... He talks about the US being better if Byrd, a former member of the KKK, would have been a founding father. I know what Dodd and Lott were doing - both were trying to make a old man happy for a while. Nothing racially motivated in either case. But when Lott says it, he's a raciest?! Dodd says it, and NOBODY reports it! Lets get some balance please. __________________ When I jerk off I feel good for about twenty seconds and then WHAM it's right back into suicidal depression

04-08-2004, 12:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	Only Republican's can be racists. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

04-08-2004, 03:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
mml Adrift Location: Wandering in the Desert of Life	I too, would like to hear the comments before making too many judgements, but frankly Dodd should know better and Byrd really needs to go. He is out of touch just like Thumond was. Lott made some stupid comments and his enemies on both sides of the aisle, in the media and in the White House jumped on them and got Lott out of their way. Dodd is not so divisive an individual and is less of a national player. I don't think much will come of this, as most people in Washington like Dodd. __________________ Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so." -Douglas Adams

04-08-2004, 03:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	If Byrd's 'white nigger' comment never made it out of the right wing news, I don't see this seeing any light of day. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

04-08-2004, 05:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr. Mojo Addict Location: NYC	Byrd was in the Klan, but now he's a democrat senator and all's forgiven. If he was a republican he never would have gotten elected. The double standard is mindboggling. __________________ When I jerk off I feel good for about twenty seconds and then WHAM it's right back into suicidal depression

04-08-2004, 05:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
smooth Junkie Location: Right here	he never would have been elected? wouldn't that be up to republican voters? don't see the mindboggling aspect __________________ "The theory of a free press is that truth will emerge from free discussion, not that it will be presented perfectly and instantly in any one account." -- Walter Lippmann "You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." -- Abbie Hoffman

04-08-2004, 05:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
HarmlessRabbit Junkie Location: San Jose, CA	I don't understand the point of the original poster or the linked articles. Some senator says something fishy and because the media and "liberals" don't raise a fuss it's a sign of bias, even though the poster doesn't believe the charges. I don't even know how to parse the argument, but let me take a stab and rephrasing the point: "The media isn't paying attention to an issue which I think they would be mistaken to pay attention to. Since they aren't disagreeing with me and expressing outrage, I'm angry because I can't disagree with them." Whatever.

04-08-2004, 07:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	Where are seretogis and matthew complaining about the inherent flamebaityness of this thread?

04-08-2004, 09:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ustwo Pissing in the cornflakes	But Byrd was in the KKK, so its not like an unfounded claim. I personally don't think Byrd is any more a racist then Strom. __________________ Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps.

04-08-2004, 10:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	While the original article shows a definite bias and hypocracy, I can only think that the comment the original poster added could have been phrased better. After that, it just went downhill. Locked. __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!