Sen. Robert Byrd (1917-2010)

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by majoun

Byrd apologized. Jesse Helms never apologized (and as late as the mid 1990s called the University of North Carolina, "the University of N***rs and Communists"). Strom Thurmond never apologized other than merely hiring black staffers and doing photo-ops with James Brown. Trent Lott never apologized. Jeff Sessions has not apologized.

WRONG! Strom Thurmond denounced his earlier stance and acknowledged he was wrong. They were politicians. They wanted to get re-elected. They all did an about-face when they realized their previous dogma was no longer well accepted among their contingency. It's really not a difficult concept to grasp.

Either way, what does it matter what he said? I could care less, an apology after being a Klan leader for nearly a decade and leading the opposition against the Civil Rights movement is a joke. Give me a break! He was not sorry, he was trying to get elected.

That's like a former Nazi running for office and saying he loves Jews, you would have to be a moron to believe a guy like that right?

[majoun]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

WRONG! Strom Thurmond denounced his earlier stance and acknowledged he was wrong. They were politicians. They wanted to get re-elected. They all did an about-face when they realized their previous dogma was no longer well accepted among their contingency. It's really not a difficult concept to grasp.

"(In) an interview Thurmond gave Joseph Stroud of the Charlotte Observer in July 1998 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his presidential bid on the segregationist Dixiecrat ticket. Asked if he wanted to apologize, Thurmond said, "I don't have anything to apologize for," and "I don't have any regrets." Asked if he thought the Dixiecrats were right, Thurmond said, "Yes, I do."'

What about Byrd? - By Timothy Noah - Slate Magazine

Thurmond hired black staffers, but never renounced his views.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by majoun

"(In) an interview Thurmond gave Joseph Stroud of the Charlotte Observer in July 1998 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his presidential bid on the segregationist Dixiecrat ticket. Asked if he wanted to apologize, Thurmond said, "I don't have anything to apologize for," and "I don't have any regrets." Asked if he thought the Dixiecrats were right, Thurmond said, "Yes, I do."'

What about Byrd? - By Timothy Noah - Slate Magazine

Thurmond hired black staffers, but never renounced his views.

And Thurmond wasn't a member or leader of the KKK either so if you are trying to engage in the war of "Who is less racist" I could care less. Both were racists. Byrd simply said whatever he needed to get re-elected including apologizing. I mean if you are a member and leader of the KKK, you almost have no choice but to openly acknowledge and apologize in that situation if you wish to remain a U.S. Senator.