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Trade Lott For Byrd, Hollings and the Clintons
toogoodreports.com ^ | Monday, December 16, 2002 | Lowell Phillips

Posted on 12/16/2002 1:19:12 PM PST by F_Cohen

Trade Lott For Byrd, Hollings and the Clintons

By Lowell Phillips

Monday, December 16, 2002

toogoodreports.com

Breaking News: Republican Senate Leader Trent Lott appeared before a burning cross wearing a white sheet and hood, carrying a bullwhip and directed the public lynching of black school children...

Well not quite, but judging from the political firestorm swirling around Mr. Lott, he may as well have. The ongoing drama is utterly maddening in a number of ways, but it is equally interesting and instructive as to the nature of the media and that of racial politics in America. At a time when the President of the United States is declaring his intention to lead by example and receive a potentially hazardous smallpox inoculation, illustrating the looming threat of biological weapons, when information is surfacing suggesting that al-Qaeda may have acquired VX nerve gas, and with the simmering war on terrorism on the verge of coming to a full boil in Iraq, what have Washington and the entire American Media been consumed with? A stupid comment, meant to flatter an old man at a birthday party.

Don't get me wrong; this was no small thing. Lott's statement suggesting the nation would have been better off had the Strom Thurmond's segregationist Dixiecrat ticket won the presidency in 1948 was imbecilic in the extreme and sent a shudder down the spines of conservatives who have grown weary of combating erroneous charges that their philosophy is inherently bigoted. But the reaction to, and all-consuming focus on, the story is entirely disproportionate to the severity of the offense. This is not to say that calls for Lott to step down or be deposed as leader of the Senate Republicans are unjustified. In fact, I consider them to be more than reasonable. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't thrilled with the prospect of seeing a revival of his inept roll as majority leader. He has time and again shown himself to be an appeaser and willing dupe for the Democrats. With the racist label, rightly or wrongly, now prominently displayed on his back, he is certain to become that much more of a lapdog for Democrats in order to prove himself otherwise.

Unlike some who are calling for Lott's hide, I am not so willing to accept that he's a racist, still clinging to the segregationist ideas of the past, but neither am I inclined to dismiss the possibility out-of-hand. One thing is certain, the wave of condemnation brought about by his abhorrent remarks has shown just how ridiculous the recent charges from Tom Daschle, Al Gore, Bill Clinton and others are suggesting there is a "right wing" power structure in the media, driving the news, which emanates from talk radio and receives instructions directly from the Republican party. Unless, of course, we are to believe that this is all part of a plot from within the "vast rightwing conspiracy" designed to bring down one of their own. It shows how adept the press is at digging up details when they are motivated to do so. It also demonstrates just how balanced, (that's right "balanced") the so-called conservative media can be and how utterly immune the mainstream press is to their input.

Once Mr. Lott's comments caught the attention of the press it was only a matter of hours before his life had been examined and judged based on the forgone conclusion that he was indeed a racist. Some of the information unearthed rightly produced further questions and doubts about his views on race, such as similar remarks made in 1980, his connection with the Council of Conservative Citizens, and his efforts during his college days to keep his Sigma Nu fraternity segregated. But with the existence today of several exclusively black fraternities separate dorms, graduation ceremonies, orientations and curriculums for black students at American Universities, it's not clear how an issue can be made of Lott's past frat activities.

The bulk of this supporting evidence, however, was a typical portrayal of conservative views as racist. Opposition to increasing the minimum wage simply couldn't be seen as protecting small businesses, resisting forced busing couldn't be interpreted as protecting parent's rights, and objecting to affirmative action could not be taken as disagreeing with quotas and government mandated set-asides based on race and gender, they are reported as evidence of bigotry.

Certainly voting against any piece of legislation with the term "civil rights" associated with it is a damnable crime, irrespective of the content, and the drafters know it. Creative labeling of legislation as a means of intimidation is a time-tested practice and this one is surely the most effective. Much of the case built against Trent Lott is based on his opposition to such bills, and his votes against extending the Voting Rights Act in 1981 and the Civil Rights Act of 1990 feature prominently. The myth has long been established that should the Voting Rights Act be allowed to expire that African Americans will once again become disenfranchised. The truth is that the measure was intended to be temporary when enacted in 1965. Though undeniably essential during the 60's it has become unnecessary, and serves only to disproportionately burden Southern States with federal interference in the drafting of election laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1990 was nothing more than a measure further establishing the reverse discrimination of affirmative action. So far removed have notions of civil rights become from their roots that racial gerrymandering and "proportional representation", as espoused by onetime Clinton nominee, Lani Guinier, are acceptable under that banner.

The press demonstrated a considerable effort and creativity in drudging up and condemning Lott's voting record, and thereby the conservative position on rightly debatable issues. But this was neither necessary nor relevant; unless tarnishing all conservatives was the intention. His past statements and associations were legitimate and more than enough to support the case against Mr. Lott. Where the mainstream media demonstrate a conspicuous lack of effort was in applying the same scrutiny to other public officials and political leaders equally as guilty, and some guiltier than Senator Lott. Likewise, Democrats and alleged civil rights activists demonstrated a disinterest in offenders that didn't happen to be members of the Republican Party, and quite often revealed blatant hypocrisy.

Contrary to the perception of talk radio and other conservative media outlets, condemnation of Lott was universal, but unlike nearly everywhere else it was demanded that the same standard be applied universally. The easiest example of this selective indignation is that of Democrat Senator and former Grand Kleagle of the Ku Klux Klan, Robert Byrd, D-WV, who once declared after leaving the organization,

"I should 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."

As a senator he vehemently opposed the civil rights movement and filibustered the Civil Rights Act in 1964. This didn't, however, prevent him from serving as majority and minority leader from 1977 to 1987. Nor did his use of the term "white nigger" multiple times on Fox New Sunday in March of 2001 prevent him from being elected president pro tempore a few months later, or deprive him of his title of "conscience of the Senate". Despite the disquieting ease in which the dreaded "N" word rolled off his tongue, with the exception of the scattered conservatives in the press, media reaction was tepid. The reaction from the political left was unnoticeable.

Another noteworthy recipient of deference for bigotry is Senator Ernest Hollings, D-SC. As an allegedly "former" segregationist he has been known to refer to Hispanics as "wetbacks" and to African American's as "darkies". He once called Senator Howard Metzenbaum "the Senator from B'nai B'rith" and jokingly compared African leaders to cannibals. As governor of South Carolina from 1959 to 1963 he raised the confederate flag over the state capitol as a show of defiance in the face of the civil rights movement. Though the flag has become symbolic of slavery and segregation, Hollings has remained noticeably absent from the controversy.

Although the uproar surrounding the Lott comment centers on his seeming solidarity with segregationists, former president Bill Clinton's lifelong relationship with his "hero and mentor" Arkansas Senator William Fulbright remains a non-issue. Fulbright was known as one of the most notorious segregationist of the Jim Crow South and was one of 19 senators who issued the "Southern Manifesto" condemning the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, and declaring their intention "to resist forced integration". As president, Clinton awarded Fulbright the Presidential Medal of Freedom and in 2002 dedicated a bronze likeness of him in Fayetteville, Arkansas. When asked to comment on the differing standards being applied to Lott and Clinton on Fox News' Hannity and Colmes, member of the Black Congressional Caucus Greg Meeks, D-NY, evaded by declaring "this is not about Bill Clinton, it's about Trent Lott". This seems to be the consensus.

Undoubtedly, the same holds for Clinton's relationship with Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus who once approved a law that closed the state's public schools rather than allowing them to be integrated, as well as with a lifetime of anti-Black and anti-Semitic statements by both Bill and Hillary as confirmed by former bodyguards, polygraphs and advisor Dick Morris.

In the rush for input on the Trent Lott flap the press sought out any available civil rights leader. Jesse Jackson, always in search of an issue and a camera was eager to comment, and not surprisingly was excused from confronting his own anti-Semitic remarks and admission to having enjoyed spitting in the food of "white people". Though Jackson was visibly infuriated by Lott's insinuated longing for the segregation of the past, he is evidently less so when considering the ongoing slave trade in Mauritania and the Sudan. When asked to comment, both he and his organization declined to comment for fear of sounding "anti-Arab".

In his quest for wisdom on the issue MSNBC's Chris Matthews welcomed the views of noted racial healer and declared presidential candidate Al Sharpton. And during a press conference and third or fourth go-round at an apology, Sen. Lott was confronted by a Sharpton associate. Few outside of talk radio wondered what credibility the good Reverend brought considering his past activates and current associations. In 1991 he played a key role in inflaming the crowds that perpetrated the Crown Heights anti-Jewish riots, ending with a Hassidic seminary student being stabbed to death. He played a similar part in another anti-Jewish confrontation in 1995 leading chants of "Jew bastards" and "the bloodsucking Jews". The body count there was seven. And who can forget his shinning moment with Tawana Brawley.

At his "Redeem the Dream" rally in 2000 he declared solidarity with black separatist leader Louis Farrakhan and permitted a speech by Malik Zulu Shabazz, the "Minister of Justice" of the new Panther Party. During the anti-white, anti-Jew diatribe he demanded, "for every casket and funeral in our community there should be a casket and funeral in the enemy's community." Surely Mr. Sharpton is the one to show Trent Lott the way to redemption.

Whether or not Sen. Lott harbors racist sentiments, a mistake of such magnitude certainly entitles him to a demotion, at the very least. And if there were any hope of applying the same stringent standards of racial sensitivity universally, I just might accept throwing him out on his ear. Hey, Lott for Robert Byrd, Fritz Hollings, Bill and Hillary, Jesse, Al and a few others? Now that's not a bad trade.

To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Lowell at lfpphillips@yahoo.com .


TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: liberals; racism

1 posted on 12/16/2002 1:19:12 PM PST by F_Cohen
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To: F_Cohen
Glad to see someone calling this correctly. Not everybody is part of the left wing conspiracy, which is a lot more real than the right wing sonspiracy ever was.
2 posted on 12/16/2002 1:39:53 PM PST by Texbob
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To: F_Cohen
"Trade Lott For Byrd, Hollings and the Clintons"-NO

Trade Lott For some peach fuzzed rookie from the minor leagues (a first termer) WITHOUT AN FBI FILE- YES
3 posted on 12/16/2002 1:42:38 PM PST by APBaer
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To: Texbob
>>Glad to see someone calling this correctly. Not everybody is part of the left wing conspiracy, which is a lot more real than the right wing sonspiracy ever was.<<

That's right. The "vast left-wing conspiracy" baloney should be nuked forthwith.

Unless you consider these guys "left-wing-conspiracists":

Michael Medved: A Lott of Uncomfortable Lessons from Senator's Disgrace

Cal Thomas: Old Times There Are Not Forgotten

Thomas Sowell: Lott is Too Much

Charles Krauthammer: A Clear Choice of Words

4 posted on 12/16/2002 1:44:24 PM PST by SerpentDove
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To: SerpentDove
What is the point... did you even read the column?

;0)
5 posted on 12/16/2002 1:48:13 PM PST by F_Cohen
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To: F_Cohen
>>What is the point... did you even read the column? <<

I was responding to Texbob's comment that "Not everybody is part of the left wing conspiracy"...which seems to be a smear that is used a lot around here.
6 posted on 12/16/2002 1:51:10 PM PST by SerpentDove
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To: F_Cohen
(In response to the headline) Throw in Park Place and Boardwalk, and you've got a deal.
7 posted on 12/16/2002 1:58:37 PM PST by Old Professer
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To: TigersEye
"The easiest example of this selective indignation is that of

Democrat Senator and former Grand Kleagle of the Ku Klux Klan, Robert Byrd,

D-WV, who once declared after leaving the organization,

"I should 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."


8 posted on 12/16/2002 2:01:26 PM PST by .30Carbine
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To: F_Cohen
"what did say and when did they say it" swap out for gop doing in trent on leadership - tit for tat
9 posted on 12/16/2002 2:19:37 PM PST by ldish
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To: .30Carbine
This is an excellent article.
10 posted on 12/16/2002 3:25:58 PM PST by TigersEye
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