Full text of Byrd's speech (Sheets finally makes some sense!)

[arasina]

Perhaps he made a bit of sense and I'm pleased that he will vote to confirm Alito, but it's not really both sides that are responsible for what the confirmation process has become. It's his stupid liberal Democrat party and their fellow travelers in the media.

The Republicans have been 'well behaved', patiently refuting ridiculous charges point by point. The "Make my day!" comment is nothing compared to the accusatory, Inquisition-style interrogation used by the Dims. There may have been media kleig lights on Mrs. Alito but the harshest lights were those created in viewers' imaginations when one of those 'fine' 'senators' played did his best 'bad cop' routine as if Judge Alito were presumed guilty of some loathsome act.

Are you, or have you ever been, pro-life, Judge Alito?

[umbagi]

Got a linkie?

I had the same question -- wanted to send it out. Here ya go.

[Tarkin]

It's from his website: byrd.senate.gov

[Enchante]

"The only reason that "sheets" makes any sense at all is that there is a Republican challenging him for his Senatorial seat. There is no other reason, period."

Yes, it doesn't take any subtle reading between the lines to see that this speech was presented for the benefit of Mr. KKK trying to improve his re-election prospects in a state that may finally throw aside his b.s. Yes, there are some good sentiments expressed in this speech - but I'm cynical enough to deny Senator KKK much credit, or to accept that he really believes what he says!!

[msnimje]

Correction: Preston Brooks (Preston Brooks Smith is an ancestor of my husband)

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Well I'll be damned...

[IGOTMINE]

Who is this man and what has he done with the real Robert C. Byrd?

[CyberAnt]

Well .. don't get too excited!

The only reason Bryd is voting for Alito is because a very rich businessman has challenged Bryd for his senate seat.

[bw17]

I'm just happy that the DUmmies are getting desperate. This is from their site:

"For those Senators who have announced that they would not support a filibuster and those who are truly undecided, someone, somewhere needs to find something new about Alito that's unpleasant, unflattering, or even scandalous. It's the only way to give the cowardly senators cover. I know someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows Alito's sister, who is supposedly an even more right-wing lawyer that her brother. Who knows, maybe she's so scary that it would make Alito seem even worse.

Is there any kind of research those of us who live near big universities or who use computers could do? If anyone has any ideas on how to try to find something new, please post it."

[Mobile Vulgus]

Thanks.
'Preciate it!

[newcthem]

I usually have little use for Byrd but I have to admire his position on this matter.

[F16Fighter]

"The harshest lights were those created in viewers' imaginations when one of those 'fine' 'senators' played did his best 'bad cop' routine as if Judge Alito were presumed guilty of some loathsome act....

"Are you, or have you ever been, pro-life, Judge Alito?"

Very apropos statement and cartoon.

[wagglebee]

However, too many Americans apparently believe that if they cannot get Congress to address an issue, they must take it to the court! As the saying goes, “If you can’t change the law, change the judge!”

This thinking represents a gross misinterpretation of the separation of powers: it is the role of the Congress to make and change the laws; Supreme Court Justices exist to interpret laws and be sure that they square with the Constitution and with settled law.

It's about time SOMEBODY said this, what I want to know is why none of the GOP senators could have said it.

[rodguy911]

I still say Bryd is a perfect example of why we need term limits.

[Verginius Rufus]

If he's telling the truth about Nixon, it's too bad he turned him down...he probably would have done less harm on the Supreme Court than in the Senate, and might have done a better job than whoever got the appointment instead (unless it was Rehnquist). On the other hand, then the parties would have been equal in having picked Klansmen for the Court.

[Round 9]

He's feeling the new Republican heat in West Virginia. I hope the same was thought in Pa.,Wi.,Mn.

[thoughtomator]

He knows right from wrong... which is what makes the other 99%+ of his behavior all the more contemptible.

[Sacajaweau]

The Senate back then was just as partisan as today but remember, we only had 13 States, i.e., 26 talking heads at the most. What was different was that there was no precedence.

[kenavi]

That of course was when the Senate was selected by legislatures rather than popular vote.

We ought to return to this indirect election of Senators and the President, to distinguish these selections from that of American Pop Idol, if nothing else.

[msnimje]

The Senate back then was just as partisan as today but remember

What I liked was is eloquence and regard for history and tradition.