I have to be honest, I don't see either Senator Lott's or Senator Reid's comments to be racist at all. I may be one of few in the world with that view. Let me give my arguments for each case. First, Senator Lott's remarks
To understand Lotts comments, you have to take into account the CONTEXT. As you know, reviewing writings or remarks out of context will leave you, almost always, with a mistaken view of said writings or remarks. Sen. Lott was at a birthday party for a very old Sen. Strom Thurmond. At what, for all Lott knew, could be Sen. Thurmonds last birthday party ever, Lott was one of many people in attendance who praised Sen. Thurmond, each for different reasons and different areas. Lott said, and Im paraphrasing, America would be better off today if Strom Thurmond had won his bid for the Presidency in 1948. And his platform was unabashedly and rabidly segregationist. But it is highly doubtful that Lott was referring to segregation when he said wed be better of had Thurmond won.
I believe the main reason he said what he did is that he knew Thurmond was close to death. He and others were showering the man with praise so he would feel that hed led a good life, done things people would be proud of, and done important things. Given an elderly person the gift of pride and self worth is an honorable thing, and I believe that is why Lott made his remark.
And if I had to say that Lott WAS referring to a specific issue Thurmond lobbied for, I would say it would be states rights. When Thurmond ran in 48, he ran as a third party candidate in the States Rights Party that he helped create.
Having met and spoken with Senator Lott a handful of times, I can tell you he is not a racist, though he does hold a strong position on states rights. And that, if anything in particular, is what Lott was referring to when he said wed be better off had Thurmond won.
As for Reid, all he said was that he didnt think that Justice Thomas was that bright. He also said that his opinions werent well written. Personally, I dont know Justice Thomas and Ive only read a couple of his opinions. From what I can see, he seems fairly intelligent and good, though not excellent, writer. Reid never said Justice Thomas is a dumb black guy, or that Justice Thomas is obviously dumb, look at him, hes black!
Just my thoughts
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