Either Lott was expressing his support of legalized, institutionalized segregation, or he was not. How will you be able to ascertain the truth about what he meant? He says he didn't, many others say he did.
And Sowell made precisely the same point as you did, so I'm wondering what part you have a problem with.
Simple. People shouting out what they want done to Lott all need to decide what they're saying. Say it's racist and call for his resignation, or say he's a mushmouthed boob and call for him to stand down. Such clarity is more lacking than present.
Dan