Posted on 05/20/2008 7:42:08 PM PDT by SmithL
WASHINGTON, (AP) -- Sen. Robert Byrd's stem-winding opposition to the war in Iraq wasn't in fashion when U.S. troops toppled Saddam Hussein more than five years ago.
Over the course of the war, the West Virginia Democrat, now 90, has become increasingly frail, but the old fire — along with some tears — was back as he kicked off debate on a war funding bill on Tuesday.
Speaking from a wheelchair in only his second speech since falling in February at his Virginia home and suffering other health setbacks, Byrd angrily denounced President Bush for leaving his successor with a "terrible, terrible, awful war."
Byrd, a devout Christian, grew emotional in his frustration: "How long — how long, O Lord, how long? Four thousand, eighty-one American soldiers have died. Died! One can only die once. Over 30,000 U.S. soldiers have been wounded. By the end of 2008, the war in Iraq will have cost over $608 billion."
Byrd, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, composed himself and continued on, labeling Bush a lame duck and dismissing as "hogwash" the president's claims that Democrats are holding troop funding hostage by adding education benefits for veterans and help for the jobless.
Earlier this year, rumors swirled that fellow Democrats thought Byrd was too feeble to remain at the helm of his cherished Appropriations Committee. Byrd silenced the whispering campaign with a strong performance at a hearing last month.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
There is not a large enough barf bag around for me to read all Byrd’s remarks!
The Dems sure know how to pick their elder statesmen.
And that's almost as much as Byrd managed to divert to pothole repair and pork projects in WV. He doesn't want to be outspent.
Time wounds all heels. Not even the worst of circumstances lasts forever.
The question is, can conservatives capitalize on the coming changes.
He hasnt been able to fulfill his duties for at least 20 years!
Yeah, right.
As long as that old windbag has air in his lungs and can expell that air such that words can be formed he is able to fulfill the duties that all dim’s fulfill - that of bloviating.
So, y’all think Ronald Reagan shouldn’t have been President, then.
So, y’all think Ronald Reagan shouldn’t have been President, then.
My home state Senior Senator was Strom Thurmond who also stayed in a little too long for my taste. His only true embarassment was when he dyed his hair bright orange. He did, however have a staff full of conservatives who kept him on the right track until leaving the Senate.
His replacement, however, was Lindsey Graham, who, although much younger, embarrasses himself with his positions almost everyday.
“...Byrd managed to divert to pothole repair ...”
But WV has potholes?
Byrd commented on the 1945 controversy about racially integrating the military. Byrd, when he was 28 years old, wrote to segregationist Senator Theodore Bilbo, of Mississippi, vowing never to serve in such a military:
Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.
He had earlier written Bilbo “I shall never fight in the armed forces with a Negro by my side”.
Or John McCain. He’d have to resign halfway through the term.
I like Sen. Byrd because he cares about animals.
55 years and 5 months is how long Byrd has SERVED in Congress.
He is a strategic idiot. Why not simply hand over the worlds oil supply , thereby control of the Western economies of the USA, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and the Phillipines to the Shiite World Caliphate Movement?
And now the World Calpipahte wants to ruin these economies by price gouging of fuel.
We grin and pay, but not for much longer.
Old Bird Dog needs to roll over and kick off.
By the end of 2008, the war in Iraq will have cost over $608 billion.
According to Saint Bill. At an appearance in Kentucky last week the war has already cost over one trillion dollars. And everyone knows Bill (Commander in Perversion) Clinton would never lie to the American people. So who is lying besides both of them.
You know, you've got to give Bush credit - any other man who have been mercilessly pummeled by people for 8 years would have cried or angrily fought back. But Bush just keeps taking these hits as if they're nothing, and just shrugs his shoulders. The man's either got titanium intestines or he's really a genuine Christian who could care less what people think of him. I remember him holding Byrd's hand that one time.
He doesn’t play games. He knows the truth and will finish his term based on that. :^)
Put him in a nursing home. NOT the Senate. Too many old farts in Senate retarding progress.
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