Robert Byrd dies.

applecorped · 28th June 2010, 04:08 AM

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=11030640

"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."

Sword_Of_Truth · 28th June 2010, 04:12 AM

Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory?

BaaBaa · 28th June 2010, 04:40 AM

I would have been sad if it was this one:

YouTube Video This video is not hosted by the JREF. The JREF can not be held responsible for the suitability or legality of this material. By clicking the link below you agree to view content from an external website.

I AGREE

BenBurch · 28th June 2010, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory?

That was utterly inappropriate.

The Central Scrutinizer · 28th June 2010, 07:26 AM

Wasn't he the founder and bass player for The Byrds?

Beerina · 28th June 2010, 07:31 AM

I remember the debates about 15 years ago about a balanced budget amendment, with him standing there giving a speech about how awful it would be because it would thwart "the will of the people". What a sack of ****.

Good riddance. You were a huge part of the problem and the reason we're in such a financial mess.

Newtons Bit · 28th June 2010, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

That was utterly inappropriate.

There are some things that some people will never forgive.

patchbunny · 28th June 2010, 07:38 AM

The irony is, the other day I read a thread asking, "How much longer is this guy going to be on the bench?"

NWO Sentryman · 28th June 2010, 08:00 AM

Do we dress in white for his funeral? And will his tombstone burn?

Sword_Of_Truth · 28th June 2010, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Newtons Bit

There are some things that some people will never forgive.

And people here never would have if he had been a republican.

NWO Sentryman · 28th June 2010, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

And people here never would have if he had been a republican.

QFT

Suddenly · 28th June 2010, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

That was utterly inappropriate.

Maybe. He's a popular cheap shot target. Forget the whole NAACP 100% rating later in his career or any of that. He was in the clan in the 40s and started out toeing the southern Democrat line. Meanwhile, Jefferson had slaves and Lincoln said some straight up racist things.

Having grown up, albeit 50+ years later, under similar circumstances I can say that being raised in an atmosphere where racism is the default rather than the exception makes coming to grips with racial issues rather difficult. I had a fourth grade teacher tell us that black people were black because they did something wrong in a previous life... it goes without saying it was an all white area. However, I had TV and baseball, and being a first baseman I idolized Willie Stargell and seeing he was black I started to work things out.

I can only imagine Byrd's situation, being raised in an atmosphere where joining the klan was roughly like joining the Elks or Rotary Club today. No such sporting icons, just racial hatred and segregation as far as the eye can see. It becomes almost hard wired.

So he took some time and struggled with racial issues his whole adult life. In the end he got there, and was a very positive influence on his own constituency. Rather than applaud the journey, some are more or less going to ignore it and just hate him for having come from where he came from... which is kinda ironic.

daredelvis · 28th June 2010, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Suddenly

Maybe. He's a popular cheap shot target. Forget the whole NAACP 100% rating later in his career or any of that. He was in the clan in the 40s and started out toeing the southern Democrat line. Meanwhile, Jefferson had slaves and Lincoln said some straight up racist things.

Having grown up, albeit 50+ years later, under similar circumstances I can say that being raised in an atmosphere where racism is the default rather than the exception makes coming to grips with racial issues rather difficult. I had a fourth grade teacher tell us that black people were black because they did something wrong in a previous life... it goes without saying it was an all white area. However, I had TV and baseball, and being a first baseman I idolized Willie Stargell and seeing he was black I started to work things out.

I can only imagine Byrd's situation, being raised in an atmosphere where joining the klan was roughly like joining the Elks or Rotary Club today. No such sporting icons, just racial hatred and segregation as far as the eye can see. It becomes almost hard wired.

So he took some time and struggled with racial issues his whole adult life. In the end he got there, and was a very positive influence on his own constituency. Rather than applaud the journey, some are more or less going to ignore it and just hate him for having come from where he came from... which is kinda ironic.

Originally Posted by Newtons Bit

There are some things that some people will never forgive.

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

And people here never would have if he had been a republican.

Originally Posted by NWO Sentryman

QFT

Point to the republicans with similar histories who now have a 100% rating from the NAACP, and people would forgive. That being said, I was disappointed to not hear about his early history with the Klan in his NPR obit. It is part of his legacy.

Personally as a Democrat, I'm sorry for his family, but I'm glad to see a possible end to his pork river. I still got a chuckle from this.

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory?

Daredelvis

Sword_Of_Truth · 28th June 2010, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by daredelvis

Point to the republicans with similar histories who now have a 100% rating from the NAACP, and people would forgive.

The NAACP is a democratic party front organization. You just don't get their 100% rating unless you have a "D" after your name.

Sword_Of_Truth · 28th June 2010, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Suddenly

Maybe. He's a popular cheap shot target.

For all the pork he is responsible for in the last 50 years, there is nothing "cheap" about Byrd jokes. American taxpayers have paid billions for the right to take shots at the representative from KluKKistan.

Drysdale · 28th June 2010, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

The NAACP is a democratic party front organization. You just don't get their 100% rating unless you have a "D" after your name.

Yea, I'd like to see that alleged list myself.

Cleon · 28th June 2010, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

The NAACP is a democratic party front organization. You just don't get their 100% rating unless you have a "D" after your name.

A two-second Google search proves this to be untrue.

Sword_Of_Truth · 28th June 2010, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Cleon

A two-second Google search proves this to be untrue.

I stand corrected.

daredelvis · 28th June 2010, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Cleon

A two-second Google search proves this to be untrue.

Well it appears that to some people, a Republican with a good civil rights voting track record is improbable, to say the least.

Daredelvis

Suddenly · 28th June 2010, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

For all the pork he is responsible for in the last 50 years, there is nothing "cheap" about Byrd jokes. American taxpayers have paid billions for the right to take shots at the representative from KluKKistan.

Curious. Is this an allegation about West Virginia being KluKKistan? Not that I will take great offense. It reads that way, but I'd like to be sure I'm being collectively insulted before believing so.

Byrd is hardly solely responsible for pork, I'm pretty sure both that he hadn't a gun to anyone's head and that the money was going somewhere. That it went to one of the poorest states strikes me as somewhat reasonable anyway, even though I'm somewhat sure the naming everything after him became a running joke.

Sword_Of_Truth · 28th June 2010, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Suddenly

Curious. Is this an allegation about West Virginia being KluKKistan?

No, I got nothing against West Virginia.

BenBurch · 28th June 2010, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

No, I got nothing against West Virginia.

But you have a huge chip on your shoulder about a man they elected time after time as truly representing their interests and values? Interesting...

Brainster · 28th June 2010, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

But you have a huge chip on your shoulder about a man they elected time after time as truly representing their interests and values? Interesting...

So Reagan truly represented your interests and values?

dudalb · 28th June 2010, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

But you have a huge chip on your shoulder about a man they elected time after time as truly representing their interests and values? Interesting...

COme off it; Byrd was the "King of Pork" and used his seniority to fund some pretty damn questionable projects for West Virginia. If that is " truly representing their interests and values? " we could do with a bit less of that.
That is what he should be criticised for, not a youthful flirtation with the KKK.
Of course if Byrd had been a Republican, I doubt you be defending him.

Ben, you are a smart guy and I amazed you don't see the political blinders you often wear.

GreNME · 28th June 2010, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Suddenly

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

For all the pork he is responsible for in the last 50 years, there is nothing "cheap" about Byrd jokes. American taxpayers have paid billions for the right to take shots at the representative from KluKKistan.

Curious. Is this an allegation about West Virginia being KluKKistan? Not that I will take great offense. It reads that way, but I'd like to be sure I'm being collectively insulted before believing so.

Maybe Sword_of_Truth didn't mean it that way, but I read it that way and agreed. Feel free to feel collectively insulted-- in West Virginia "KluKKistan" is the rule far more than it's the exception, and pointing out exceptions in no way disputes the rule. Mississippi is one of the few states that's worse than West Virginia, so if it helps at least WV ain't at the top of that list.

But that's a whole nother conversation. I was just sayin.

Redtail · 28th June 2010, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

And people here never would have if he had been a republican.

To be fair, other people would have called out your joke as being in bad taste.

ravdin · 28th June 2010, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

That was utterly inappropriate.

For how long after Senator Byrd's death must we maintain a respectful silence? He's surrounded by a chorus of angels and swapping tales of power with God right now, so his feelings won't be hurt by comments like this in any case.

KingMerv00 · 28th June 2010, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

That was utterly inappropriate.

"KKK" is in the tags.

Sword_Of_Truth · 28th June 2010, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by ravdin

For how long after Senator Byrd's death must we maintain a respectful silence? He's surrounded by a chorus of angels and swapping tales of power with God right now, so his feelings won't be hurt by comments like this in any case.

QFT.

Though in Byrd's defense, he murdered one less young girl to cover up an illicit affair than his colleague Ted Kennedy did.

Suddenly · 29th June 2010, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by ravdin

For how long after Senator Byrd's death must we maintain a respectful silence?

Okay..... given I'm his supporter and all....

GO!!!!!!

Directions to Robert C. Byrd's funeral from downtown Charleston:

Take Robert C. Byrd Avenue turn left at the Robert C. Byrd federal building onto Robert C. Byrd Street. Go through Robert C. Byrd stoplights I, II, III, and IV and take the Robert C. Byrd ramp onto the Robert C. Byrd expressway south. Go past the Robert C. Byrd rest stop until you come to the Robert C. Byrd exit next to the Robert C. Byrd Institute For Roadkill Studies, not the Robert C. Byrd exit next to the Robert C. Byrd Campus of Robert C. Byrd University. Turn right onto Robert C. Byrd lane, past the Robert C. Byrd Center For Linguistic Effectiveness and the Robert C. Byrd cricket ground, turn left onto Robert C. Byrd Road until you get to the Robert C. Byrd section of the Robert C. Byrd cemetery at Robert C. Byrdville.

BenBurch · 29th June 2010, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Brainster

So Reagan truly represented your interests and values?

He represented America at that time.

BenBurch · 29th June 2010, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by dudalb

COme off it; Byrd was the "King of Pork" and used his seniority to fund some pretty damn questionable projects for West Virginia. If that is " truly representing their interests and values? " we could do with a bit less of that.
That is what he should be criticised for, not a youthful flirtation with the KKK.
Of course if Byrd had been a Republican, I doubt you be defending him.

Ben, you are a smart guy and I amazed you don't see the political blinders you often wear.

The man isn't even cold. Hell, I would even wait a few weeks before trashing Cheney when his battery finally runs down.

As for "Pork," WV is the second-poorest place in the country. Simply crushing poverty, horrific environmental problems, workplace safety violations everywhere. I've been there. I've seen it. So they need a lot of services just to survive, and never will provide tax revenue to match that. So of course any Senator who was doing his job would bring home "Pork" and the people of WV are better off for it. Basically the complaints about "pork" are complaints from wealthy states that even a dime of their money goes to WV - better they be kept crushingly-poor to keep the coal prices down.

Suddenly · 29th June 2010, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

Basically the complaints about "pork" are complaints from wealthy states that even a dime of their money goes to WV - better they be kept crushingly-poor to keep the coal prices down.

Most of these projects were going somewhere. Looking through the list of projects there are the occasional weird one, but most of those aren't that significant. They call 21 million to keep a dam from falling apart pork. Wow.

A lot of this money was for roads. Those are expensive anyway, try putting one into rural mountain areas. All those Robert C. Byrd Centers for the Prevention of Ineffectual Ineffectualness probably wouldn't pay for twenty miles of corridor H.

The roads were badly, badly needed, and have been a good anti-poverty measure. Formerly unreachable areas now can be accessed, making them viable as far as companies wanting to locate businesses as now they can ship things in and out. Nasty scary places have become hospitable with the increased traffic of outsiders.

Suddenly · 29th June 2010, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory?

I don't see the indignation over this. I thought it was funny.

Grizzly Adams · 29th June 2010, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

The man isn't even cold.

They probably put him in the morgue. In a fridge. He's plenty cold.

Ziggurat · 29th June 2010, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by BenBurch

As for "Pork," WV is the second-poorest place in the country. Simply crushing poverty, horrific environmental problems, workplace safety violations everywhere. I've been there. I've seen it. So they need a lot of services just to survive, and never will provide tax revenue to match that. So of course any Senator who was doing his job would bring home "Pork" and the people of WV are better off for it. Basically the complaints about "pork" are complaints from wealthy states that even a dime of their money goes to WV - better they be kept crushingly-poor to keep the coal prices down.

Nice theory. But in practice, earmark spending can actually hurt the local economy.

"Recent research at Harvard Business School began with the premise that as a state's congressional delegation grew in stature and power in Washington, D.C., local businesses would benefit from the increased federal spending sure to come their way.

It turned out quite the opposite. In fact, professors Lauren Cohen, Joshua Coval, and Christopher Malloy discovered to their surprise that companies experienced lower sales and retrenched by cutting payroll, R&D, and other expenses."

I understand why WV voters would want Byrd to bring home all that pork, but that doesn't actually mean it all helped them.

MattusMaximus · 29th June 2010, 10:05 PM

I listened to the live broadcast of Byrd's speech on the Senate floor against the Congress "giving authority" to Bush to start the Iraq War back in 2002 (03?). Man, could that guy give a speech!

MattusMaximus · 29th June 2010, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory?

Originally Posted by Suddenly

I don't see the indignation over this. I thought it was funny.

It was funny. In poor taste, but funny.

Mark6 · 30th June 2010, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth

Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory?

Made entirely of coal

MattusMaximus · 30th June 2010, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Mark6

Made entirely of coal

*groans*

28th June 2010, 04:08 AM	#1
applecorped Rotten to the Core Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 10,630	Robert Byrd dies. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=11030640 "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."
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28th June 2010, 07:22 AM	#4
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,078	Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory? That was utterly inappropriate.
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28th June 2010, 07:26 AM	#5
The Central Scrutinizer Penultimate Amazing Pither Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The White Zone Posts: 42,264	Wasn't he the founder and bass player for The Byrds?
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28th June 2010, 07:31 AM	#6
Beerina Sarcastic Conqueror of Notions Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: A floating island above the clouds Posts: 23,835	I remember the debates about 15 years ago about a balanced budget amendment, with him standing there giving a speech about how awful it would be because it would thwart "the will of the people". What a sack of ****. Good riddance. You were a huge part of the problem and the reason we're in such a financial mess.
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28th June 2010, 07:37 AM	#7
Newtons Bit Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 6,879	Originally Posted by BenBurch That was utterly inappropriate. There are some things that some people will never forgive.
Newtons Bit Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 6,879	__________________ "Structural Engineering is the art of molding materials we do not wholly understand into shapes we cannot precisely analyze so as to understand forces we cannot really assess in such a way that the community at large has no reason to suspect the extent of our own ignorance." James E Amrhein My website.

28th June 2010, 04:12 AM	#2
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory?

28th June 2010, 07:38 AM	#8
patchbunny Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2004 Location: Right about... here. Posts: 1,551	The irony is, the other day I read a thread asking, "How much longer is this guy going to be on the bench?"
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28th June 2010, 08:00 AM	#9
NWO Sentryman Proud NWO Gatekeeper Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Quantum Gate to the NWO Posts: 3,768	Do we dress in white for his funeral? And will his tombstone burn?
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28th June 2010, 10:30 AM	#10
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Originally Posted by Newtons Bit There are some things that some people will never forgive. And people here never would have if he had been a republican.

28th June 2010, 10:39 AM	#11
NWO Sentryman Proud NWO Gatekeeper Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Quantum Gate to the NWO Posts: 3,768	Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth And people here never would have if he had been a republican. QFT
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28th June 2010, 10:42 AM	#12
Suddenly No Punting Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montani Semper Liberi Posts: 2,645	Originally Posted by BenBurch That was utterly inappropriate. Maybe. He's a popular cheap shot target. Forget the whole NAACP 100% rating later in his career or any of that. He was in the clan in the 40s and started out toeing the southern Democrat line. Meanwhile, Jefferson had slaves and Lincoln said some straight up racist things. Having grown up, albeit 50+ years later, under similar circumstances I can say that being raised in an atmosphere where racism is the default rather than the exception makes coming to grips with racial issues rather difficult. I had a fourth grade teacher tell us that black people were black because they did something wrong in a previous life... it goes without saying it was an all white area. However, I had TV and baseball, and being a first baseman I idolized Willie Stargell and seeing he was black I started to work things out. I can only imagine Byrd's situation, being raised in an atmosphere where joining the klan was roughly like joining the Elks or Rotary Club today. No such sporting icons, just racial hatred and segregation as far as the eye can see. It becomes almost hard wired. So he took some time and struggled with racial issues his whole adult life. In the end he got there, and was a very positive influence on his own constituency. Rather than applaud the journey, some are more or less going to ignore it and just hate him for having come from where he came from... which is kinda ironic.
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28th June 2010, 10:51 AM	#13
daredelvis Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 1,865	Originally Posted by Suddenly Maybe. He's a popular cheap shot target. Forget the whole NAACP 100% rating later in his career or any of that. He was in the clan in the 40s and started out toeing the southern Democrat line. Meanwhile, Jefferson had slaves and Lincoln said some straight up racist things. Having grown up, albeit 50+ years later, under similar circumstances I can say that being raised in an atmosphere where racism is the default rather than the exception makes coming to grips with racial issues rather difficult. I had a fourth grade teacher tell us that black people were black because they did something wrong in a previous life... it goes without saying it was an all white area. However, I had TV and baseball, and being a first baseman I idolized Willie Stargell and seeing he was black I started to work things out. I can only imagine Byrd's situation, being raised in an atmosphere where joining the klan was roughly like joining the Elks or Rotary Club today. No such sporting icons, just racial hatred and segregation as far as the eye can see. It becomes almost hard wired. So he took some time and struggled with racial issues his whole adult life. In the end he got there, and was a very positive influence on his own constituency. Rather than applaud the journey, some are more or less going to ignore it and just hate him for having come from where he came from... which is kinda ironic. Originally Posted by Newtons Bit There are some things that some people will never forgive. Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth And people here never would have if he had been a republican. Originally Posted by NWO Sentryman QFT Point to the republicans with similar histories who now have a 100% rating from the NAACP, and people would forgive. That being said, I was disappointed to not hear about his early history with the Klan in his NPR obit. It is part of his legacy. Personally as a Democrat, I'm sorry for his family, but I'm glad to see a possible end to his pork river. I still got a chuckle from this. Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory? Daredelvis
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28th June 2010, 11:07 AM	#14
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Originally Posted by daredelvis Point to the republicans with similar histories who now have a 100% rating from the NAACP, and people would forgive. The NAACP is a democratic party front organization. You just don't get their 100% rating unless you have a "D" after your name.

28th June 2010, 11:09 AM	#15
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Originally Posted by Suddenly Maybe. He's a popular cheap shot target. For all the pork he is responsible for in the last 50 years, there is nothing "cheap" about Byrd jokes. American taxpayers have paid billions for the right to take shots at the representative from KluKKistan.

28th June 2010, 11:17 AM	#16
Drysdale Graduate Poster Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,017	Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth The NAACP is a democratic party front organization. You just don't get their 100% rating unless you have a "D" after your name. Yea, I'd like to see that alleged list myself.

28th June 2010, 11:23 AM	#17
Cleon King of the Pod People Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 20,504	Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth The NAACP is a democratic party front organization. You just don't get their 100% rating unless you have a "D" after your name. A two-second Google search proves this to be untrue.
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28th June 2010, 11:26 AM	#18
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Originally Posted by Cleon A two-second Google search proves this to be untrue. I stand corrected.

28th June 2010, 11:51 AM	#19
daredelvis Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 1,865	Originally Posted by Cleon A two-second Google search proves this to be untrue. Well it appears that to some people, a Republican with a good civil rights voting track record is improbable, to say the least. Daredelvis
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28th June 2010, 12:32 PM	#20
Suddenly No Punting Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montani Semper Liberi Posts: 2,645	Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth For all the pork he is responsible for in the last 50 years, there is nothing "cheap" about Byrd jokes. American taxpayers have paid billions for the right to take shots at the representative from KluKKistan. Curious. Is this an allegation about West Virginia being KluKKistan? Not that I will take great offense. It reads that way, but I'd like to be sure I'm being collectively insulted before believing so. Byrd is hardly solely responsible for pork, I'm pretty sure both that he hadn't a gun to anyone's head and that the money was going somewhere. That it went to one of the poorest states strikes me as somewhat reasonable anyway, even though I'm somewhat sure the naming everything after him became a running joke.
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28th June 2010, 12:57 PM	#21
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Originally Posted by Suddenly Curious. Is this an allegation about West Virginia being KluKKistan? No, I got nothing against West Virginia.

28th June 2010, 01:57 PM	#22
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,078	Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth No, I got nothing against West Virginia. But you have a huge chip on your shoulder about a man they elected time after time as truly representing their interests and values? Interesting...
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28th June 2010, 02:35 PM	#23
Brainster Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 10,408	Originally Posted by BenBurch But you have a huge chip on your shoulder about a man they elected time after time as truly representing their interests and values? Interesting... So Reagan truly represented your interests and values?
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28th June 2010, 02:36 PM	#24
dudalb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 22,782	Originally Posted by BenBurch But you have a huge chip on your shoulder about a man they elected time after time as truly representing their interests and values? Interesting... COme off it; Byrd was the "King of Pork" and used his seniority to fund some pretty damn questionable projects for West Virginia. If that is " truly representing their interests and values? " we could do with a bit less of that. That is what he should be criticised for, not a youthful flirtation with the KKK. Of course if Byrd had been a Republican, I doubt you be defending him. Ben, you are a smart guy and I amazed you don't see the political blinders you often wear.

28th June 2010, 02:39 PM	#25
GreNME Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Folsom Prison Posts: 8,283	Originally Posted by Suddenly Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth For all the pork he is responsible for in the last 50 years, there is nothing "cheap" about Byrd jokes. American taxpayers have paid billions for the right to take shots at the representative from KluKKistan. Curious. Is this an allegation about West Virginia being KluKKistan? Not that I will take great offense. It reads that way, but I'd like to be sure I'm being collectively insulted before believing so. Maybe Sword_of_Truth didn't mean it that way, but I read it that way and agreed. Feel free to feel collectively insulted-- in West Virginia "KluKKistan" is the rule far more than it's the exception, and pointing out exceptions in no way disputes the rule. Mississippi is one of the few states that's worse than West Virginia, so if it helps at least WV ain't at the top of that list. But that's a whole nother conversation. I was just sayin.
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28th June 2010, 06:05 PM	#26
Redtail Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 9,302	Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth And people here never would have if he had been a republican. To be fair, other people would have called out your joke as being in bad taste.
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28th June 2010, 06:09 PM	#27
ravdin Illuminator Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 3,551	Originally Posted by BenBurch That was utterly inappropriate. For how long after Senator Byrd's death must we maintain a respectful silence? He's surrounded by a chorus of angels and swapping tales of power with God right now, so his feelings won't be hurt by comments like this in any case.
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28th June 2010, 08:48 PM	#28
KingMerv00 Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA...USA Posts: 14,482	Originally Posted by BenBurch That was utterly inappropriate. "KKK" is in the tags.
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28th June 2010, 09:06 PM	#29
Sword_Of_Truth Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,497	Originally Posted by ravdin For how long after Senator Byrd's death must we maintain a respectful silence? He's surrounded by a chorus of angels and swapping tales of power with God right now, so his feelings won't be hurt by comments like this in any case. QFT. Though in Byrd's defense, he murdered one less young girl to cover up an illicit affair than his colleague Ted Kennedy did.

29th June 2010, 08:24 AM	#30
Suddenly No Punting Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montani Semper Liberi Posts: 2,645	Originally Posted by ravdin For how long after Senator Byrd's death must we maintain a respectful silence? Okay..... given I'm his supporter and all.... GO!!!!!! Directions to Robert C. Byrd's funeral from downtown Charleston: Take Robert C. Byrd Avenue turn left at the Robert C. Byrd federal building onto Robert C. Byrd Street. Go through Robert C. Byrd stoplights I, II, III, and IV and take the Robert C. Byrd ramp onto the Robert C. Byrd expressway south. Go past the Robert C. Byrd rest stop until you come to the Robert C. Byrd exit next to the Robert C. Byrd Institute For Roadkill Studies, not the Robert C. Byrd exit next to the Robert C. Byrd Campus of Robert C. Byrd University. Turn right onto Robert C. Byrd lane, past the Robert C. Byrd Center For Linguistic Effectiveness and the Robert C. Byrd cricket ground, turn left onto Robert C. Byrd Road until you get to the Robert C. Byrd section of the Robert C. Byrd cemetery at Robert C. Byrdville.
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29th June 2010, 10:21 AM	#31
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,078	Originally Posted by Brainster So Reagan truly represented your interests and values? He represented America at that time.
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29th June 2010, 10:26 AM	#32
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,078	Originally Posted by dudalb COme off it; Byrd was the "King of Pork" and used his seniority to fund some pretty damn questionable projects for West Virginia. If that is " truly representing their interests and values? " we could do with a bit less of that. That is what he should be criticised for, not a youthful flirtation with the KKK. Of course if Byrd had been a Republican, I doubt you be defending him. Ben, you are a smart guy and I amazed you don't see the political blinders you often wear. The man isn't even cold. Hell, I would even wait a few weeks before trashing Cheney when his battery finally runs down. As for "Pork," WV is the second-poorest place in the country. Simply crushing poverty, horrific environmental problems, workplace safety violations everywhere. I've been there. I've seen it. So they need a lot of services just to survive, and never will provide tax revenue to match that. So of course any Senator who was doing his job would bring home "Pork" and the people of WV are better off for it. Basically the complaints about "pork" are complaints from wealthy states that even a dime of their money goes to WV - better they be kept crushingly-poor to keep the coal prices down.
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29th June 2010, 12:13 PM	#33
Suddenly No Punting Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montani Semper Liberi Posts: 2,645	Originally Posted by BenBurch Basically the complaints about "pork" are complaints from wealthy states that even a dime of their money goes to WV - better they be kept crushingly-poor to keep the coal prices down. Most of these projects were going somewhere. Looking through the list of projects there are the occasional weird one, but most of those aren't that significant. They call 21 million to keep a dam from falling apart pork. Wow. A lot of this money was for roads. Those are expensive anyway, try putting one into rural mountain areas. All those Robert C. Byrd Centers for the Prevention of Ineffectual Ineffectualness probably wouldn't pay for twenty miles of corridor H. The roads were badly, badly needed, and have been a good anti-poverty measure. Formerly unreachable areas now can be accessed, making them viable as far as companies wanting to locate businesses as now they can ship things in and out. Nasty scary places have become hospitable with the increased traffic of outsiders.
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29th June 2010, 12:23 PM	#34
Suddenly No Punting Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Montani Semper Liberi Posts: 2,645	Originally Posted by Sword_Of_Truth Are we supposed to light a cross in his memory? I don't see the indignation over this. I thought it was funny.
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29th June 2010, 01:13 PM	#35
Grizzly Adams Muse Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 993	Originally Posted by BenBurch The man isn't even cold. They probably put him in the morgue. In a fridge. He's plenty cold.
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29th June 2010, 01:20 PM	#36
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,175	Originally Posted by BenBurch As for "Pork," WV is the second-poorest place in the country. Simply crushing poverty, horrific environmental problems, workplace safety violations everywhere. I've been there. I've seen it. So they need a lot of services just to survive, and never will provide tax revenue to match that. So of course any Senator who was doing his job would bring home "Pork" and the people of WV are better off for it. Basically the complaints about "pork" are complaints from wealthy states that even a dime of their money goes to WV - better they be kept crushingly-poor to keep the coal prices down. Nice theory. But in practice, earmark spending can actually hurt the local economy. "Recent research at Harvard Business School began with the premise that as a state's congressional delegation grew in stature and power in Washington, D.C., local businesses would benefit from the increased federal spending sure to come their way. It turned out quite the opposite. In fact, professors Lauren Cohen, Joshua Coval, and Christopher Malloy discovered to their surprise that companies experienced lower sales and retrenched by cutting payroll, R&D, and other expenses." I understand why WV voters would want Byrd to bring home all that pork, but that doesn't actually mean it all helped them.
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