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Posted on 01/16/2003 2:30:05 AM PST by syriacus
Shatrugan Sinha may be having a tough time explaining his frequent absence from Parliament ever since he became Health Minister, more specifically his plans to act again in a film. But he can draw some solace from a seasoned American lawmaker. Senator Robert Byrd, the formidable 84-year-old Democrat from West Virginia has taken time off to act in a film as well. But Byrd, unlike Sinha, is a lawmaker who is not only a regular in the Senate but one who makes his presence felt both in the Senate and its committees. Not long ago, he gave a torrid time to Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, who recently quit the Bush cabinet.
Byrd, however, has evoked criticism on a different count. No one is complaining about his shooting schedules for the film, "Gods and Generals", a Civil War epic that is due for release in February. The problem, they say, is with his role: of a confederate general who owned more than a dozen slaves. It is all the more so since Byrd has a disturbing past, having been a member of the white supremacist group, Ku Klux Klan.
The National Association for Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP), a prominent civil rights outfit, has been quick to join issues with Byrd. "It is not in keeping with his Senate position to be playing that kind of role. I would have liked him to take another role, but we know what Senator Byrd is. He is a former KKK member," remarked NAACP's James Tolbert.
But Byrd let it be known to his detractors that he has no problems with the role. "This film allowed me the opportunity to help bring American history to life, to spring it from the pages of history books into the flickering images of the movie screen," he commented.
Byrd's KKK past came under a bit of fresh scrutiny during the recent plight of Trent Lott, who was driven out of the Senate Majority Leader's post for some off-the-cuff remarks. But Byrd explained away his own past saying, remarking it was "a youthful indiscretion".
Byrd and the Democrats should not recieve any peace until this despicable man is tossed out of the Senate.
The one thing that I don't mind Senator Sheets doing is reenacting. That's a rather honorable profession.
It's the crossburning I have a problem with.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
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