Posted on 03/02/2005 2:49:10 PM PST by TheOtherOne
GOP Jewish Group Hits Sen. Robert Byrd for Filibuster Remarks
Published: Mar 2, 2005 WASHINGTON (AP) - A Jewish Republican group accused Sen. Robert Byrd on Wednesday of making an "inappropriate and reprehensible" comparison between Adolf Hitler's Nazis and a Senate GOP plan to block Democrats from filibustering.
Byrd spokesman Tom Gavin denied that Byrd, D-W.Va., had compared Republicans to Hitler. He said that instead, the reference to Nazis in a Senate speech on Tuesday was meant to underscore that the past should not be ignored.
"Terrible chapters of history ought never be repeated," Gavin said. "All one needs to do is to look at history to see how dangerous it is to curb the rights of the minority."
In his comments Tuesday, Byrd defended the right senators have to use filibusters - procedural delays that can kill an item unless 60 of the 100 senators vote to move ahead.
Byrd cited Hitler's 1930s rise to power by, in part, pushing legislation through the German parliament that seemed to legitimize his ascension.
"We, unlike Nazi Germany or Mussolini's Italy, have never stopped being a nation of laws, not of men," Byrd said. "But witness how men with motives and a majority can manipulate law to cruel and unjust ends."
Byrd then quoted historian Alan Bullock, saying Hitler "turned the law inside out and made illegality legal."
Byrd added, "That is what the nuclear option seeks to do."
The nuclear option is the nickname for the proposal to end filibusters of judicial nominations because of the devastating effect the plan, if enacted, would have on relations between Democrats and Republicans.
The back and forth was the latest twist in the battle over Senate GOP efforts to free 10 nominated judges that the chamber's minority Democrats have blocked during President Bush's first term. The Senate confirmed 204 others.
On Wednesday, Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, issued a written statement criticizing Byrd.
"With his knowledge of history and his own personal background as a KKK member, he should be ashamed for implying that his political opponents are using Nazi tactics," Brooks said.
Byrd joined the Ku Klux Klan as a young man and has repeatedly apologized for it. Now 87 and the Senate's longest-serving member at 47 years, he prides himself on his knowledge of history and makes historical references frequently during debates.
Brooks also attacked as "disgusting" Byrd's remark that "some in the Senate are ready to callously incinerate" senators' rights to filibuster. The comment came amid several references by Byrd to the "nuclear option."
"There is no excuse for raising the specter of the Holocaust crematoria in a discussion of the Senate filibuster," Brooks said. "That kind of political heavy-handedness is inappropriate and reprehensible."
Byrd is a long-standing defender of the chamber's rules and traditions, many of which help the Senate's minority party.
Brooks said his group's counterpart, the National Jewish Democratic Council, should condemn Byrd's comments. Ira Foreman, executive director of the Democratic group, declined to comment.
AP-ES-03-02-05 1734EST
Ira Foreman, executive director of the Democratic group, declined to comment.
Silence means agreement!
Just more Byrd Sh*t
Perhaps the two words that describe Byrd best.
It appears that 'Sheets' Byrd and the state of West Virginia have a common interest - both should be illegal.
Only about 80% of it. - Tom
And what law is that, Mr. Kleagle? Last time I checked, there was no law that stated that there is any right to a filibuster. Cloture is a Senate rule, which by definition can be changed by a majority of Senators. There certainly is no law or precedent that says it requires 60 votes to confirm a nominee.
What do you mean "both" should be illegal?
Many doors have a code device attached, but the lobbies, hallways, libraries, computer labs are open late, furthermore, there are no or few staff offices near the labs, they are mostly on the third floor, while all of the dangerous materials on the first floor. Also, there are no custodians assigned to the building during the night or day.
Posted the last message on wrong topic. Oops.
The democrats are the ones with a former member of the KKK and do you think the media introduces him as such? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO but if it was a republican you can be damn sure that his title would ALWAYS be prefaced with "former KKK member"....
F'ing racist Byrd and the dems are a filthy baby killing nazis.
Called Byrd's office today and asked them if he was accusing me of supporting Hitler since I am a republican.
I asked if in the past Byrd had a close personal relationship with Hitler since he was so fond of bringing him to the Senate floor.
The woman was sounding most beleaguered.
It is shocking the arrogance of Sheets. he is really pathetic.
What a stupid rationale for Byrd's remarks Gavin gave! Byrd ought to hire better PR flacks.
Interesting. Byrd has gotten used to thinking he can say anything he likes, and the press will cover for him. Not this time, evidently. Even the Washington Post had a long column yesterday reminding younger readers that Byrd was a Kleagle in the KKK.
I saw some column in a newspaper today which brought up the fact that the Senate has changed its rules so that one does not even need to hold the floor anymore in order to conduct a filibuster. You just need to announce your intention.
I recall the days when Senators use to stay up all night long reading phonebooks and things like that. No more.
I also think it is an interesting question whether filibusters apply to judicial confimations. What is meant by "advice and consent." I'd like to see that go to the Court.
Oh my goodness, I am SO PROUD of you for calling his office! I can well imagine his office worker was most
beleagered...lol.
Old Friend, you have my deepest sympathy
for the loss of your family members.
This evil man probably represents the thinking of most of his cohorts on the dem side in the senate.
Multiple posts.
Jewish Groups Criticize Sen. Robert Byrd for Remarks on GOP, Nazis
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