The cramped gift shop on the Senate side of the U.S. Capitol sells only one book by a serving senator—a slim, red volume misleadingly titled The Senate of the Roman Republic. Misleading because its author, U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, composed it not as straightforward history but as a cautionary tale about the death of the Roman republic—a… return to article
-
subscribe to print magazine
-
email this article to a friend
-
Reader Comments (15)Page 1 of 1 pagesThank you for posting this article. As an American devoted to the preservation of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the values associated with them I am very grateful for the courageous contributions of Senator Byrd is making at this crucial juncture of our history.
From all appearances he stands among the few in Congress to possess such penetrating insight and broad perspective. But he does not stand alone and never will, because in the heartlands of America his words have resonance. I am confident that history will regard him in the highest favor.
I have followed his speeches and read commentaries in a number of sources. I admire his logic and talented expression.
Senator Byrd has earned a place on my (short) list of contemporary political heroes.
I look forward to reading this book.
Posted by Dr. Charles Albano on Dec 6, 2003 at 1:22 AM Robert Byrd is one of your heroes???
You know he was in the KKK, right?
Posted by brad on Dec 6, 2003 at 1:45 AM No. I didn’t know he was in the KKK. Please provide proof, documentation, substantiation of that charge.
Posted by John O'Neil on Dec 6, 2003 at 2:22 AM I am surprised that you guys didn’t know this.
This is the first site I found, there are more
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAbyrd.htm
Posted by brad on Dec 7, 2003 at 2:23 AM Byrd was in the KKK. George W. was an alcoholic. Call it even.
Posted by nightwatchman on Dec 7, 2003 at 4:07 AM Robert Byrd is my political hero.he was right about the war.He is right about Bush.God bless him.He will never be killed by silence.
Posted by Rita Lowe on Dec 7, 2003 at 6:21 PM Byrd is almost the only senator who has spoken out for the truth over the last year. I admire him for this and wish that his Democratic Party colleagues were able to muster even a portion of his courage and independent thinking.
Posted by Tod Sloan, PhD on Dec 8, 2003 at 10:19 PM It’s funny that every detraction to Sen. Byrd bears only one fact: he used to be in the KKK. Putting aside for a moment that it would have been extraordinay for a 1946 politician from the South to NOT have been in the KKK - one can only wonder that these are the same detractors who ralllied to the likes of Trent Lott as Senate Leader and who wanted to crucify President Bill Clinton for the unforgivable act of being a man that actually enjoyed getting blowjobs from women. Where are the common standards from conservatives?
It is becoming tragically obvious that this country is becoming extremely polarized along near 50-50 lines. For true patriots, this is much more alarming than any one President’s spending bill or one Senator’s speeches.
In an age where computerized voting machines can easily be tampered with (they provide no reciept and are as tamper-proof as Las Vegas slot machines) the “American People” have much more to worry about that Sen. Byrd’s history.
This nation is threatened from some serious rotting within. I don’t think even republicans [unless they earn more than $10 million per year from a trust fund] can refute that our great nation is in trouble.
It’s time to listen to the message instead of shooting the messenger.
Posted by Ed Mellon on Dec 9, 2003 at 2:34 AM I am very impressed with the article. I would subscribe to your magazine, but I don’t seem to have time to read the ones I already subscribe to.
Posted by Suzanne Jonson on Dec 9, 2003 at 4:02 AM Ed-
You make a good point on how politicians will attack each other not based on what they did but what party they were in.
But you’re still wrong. Do I think that Trent Lott should still be a senator? Sure, if people vote for him. I wouldn’t. But I wouldn’t vote for Byrd eitherl.
Posted by brad on Dec 11, 2003 at 12:15 AM Brad,
Good point - tough to say if I would vote for Byrd either. Unortunately sometimes we have to take what we can get, which is really the sorriest statement of all on the workings of our capital. . .
It’s kind of sad that a former Klansman is the only person in Congress standing up against a doctrine of pre-emptive violence. Strange days indeed!
Posted by Ed Mellon on Dec 12, 2003 at 10:24 PM Brad,
Good point - tough to say if I would vote for Byrd either. Unortunately sometimes we have to take what we can get, which is really the sorriest statement of all on the workings of our capital. . .
It’s kind of sad that a former Klansman is the only person in Congress standing up against a doctrine of pre-emptive violence. Strange days indeed!
Posted by Ed Mellon on Dec 12, 2003 at 10:25 PM Sen. Byrd has on many occasions described his remarks associating himself with the KKK as “a serious mistake born out of youthful indescretion.” His record since that time( 50 years ago) stands on it’s own merits. What contribution to the public good have any of his detractors made, or are they so occupied with “the politics of personal slander” that they just don’t have time for constructive activity?
Posted by Sir Scud on Dec 18, 2003 at 5:49 AM Page 1 of 1 pages -
register a new account »Posting Security
Also by John R. MacArthur
- Americans Unwilling to Face Reality
- You Can’t Be President
The decrepit state of American democracy - End of the Barrel
- Of Senators and Framers
- Against Liberal Intervention
Popular Discussions
- The 9/11 Faith Movement
Many Americans believe 9/11 was a conspiracy by the U.S. government
1979 posts since Jul 11 06 - What’s the 411 on 9/11?
891 posts since Dec 21 05 - Democrats: It’s the War
659 posts since Nov 1 05 - Was the Presidential Election Stolen?
462 posts since Jun 19 06 - A Fundamental History Lesson
The rise of National Socialism proved politics and religion don't mix
427 posts since Oct 10 05
© 2003 In These Times | Reprint Policy | Privacy Policy | Powered by Expression Engine | RSS Feeds
