[linskyjack]

I'm off to Italy for my brothers wedding, but thought I would leave Gbrumb and Mulder another instance of right wing madness. They really need to divorce themselves from these radical nutcases---the chief one being in the White House! Anyhow, Ciao!

Women's Suffrage Opponent Seeks Office

By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press Writer Wed Jun 1, 8:13 PM ET

TOPEKA, Kan. - A state senator who once said that giving women the vote was a symptom of weakness in the American family now wants to be Kansas' top elections official.

Sen. Kay O'Connor announced Wednesday that she is seeking the GOP nomination for secretary of state next year. O'Connor, 63, has served in the Legislature since 1993.

In 2001, O'Connor received national attention for her remarks about the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1920, which gave women the right to vote.

"I think the 19th Amendment, while it's not an evil in and of itself, is a symptom of something I don't approve of," she said at the time. "The 19th Amendment is around because men weren't doing their jobs, and I think that's sad. I believe the man should be the head of the family. The woman should be the heart of the family."

On Wednesday, she dismissed the controversy — which included an unsuccessful drive to recall her from office — as "silliness." She said she does not believe voters will consider it a significant issue.

"I am who I am. You don't have to agree with everything I say," O'Connor said.

But Caroline McKnight, executive director of a group devoted to fighting conservatives in politics, said: "If she thinks it's going to go away because she's on a statewide ballot, she's living on another planet."

O'Connor is the first person to announce a run for secretary of state. Incumbent Ron Thornburgh has not disclosed his plans.

___

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

I'm off to Italy for my brothers wedding, but thought I would leave Gbrumb and Mulder another instance of right wing madness. They really need to divorce themselves from these radical nutcases---the chief one being in the White House! Anyhow, Ciao!

Women's Suffrage Opponent Seeks Office

By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press Writer Wed Jun 1, 8:13 PM ET

TOPEKA, Kan. - A state senator who once said that giving women the vote was a symptom of weakness in the American family now wants to be Kansas' top elections official.

Sen. Kay O'Connor announced Wednesday that she is seeking the GOP nomination for secretary of state next year. O'Connor, 63, has served in the Legislature since 1993.

In 2001, O'Connor received national attention for her remarks about the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1920, which gave women the right to vote.

"I think the 19th Amendment, while it's not an evil in and of itself, is a symptom of something I don't approve of," she said at the time. "The 19th Amendment is around because men weren't doing their jobs, and I think that's sad. I believe the man should be the head of the family. The woman should be the heart of the family."

On Wednesday, she dismissed the controversy — which included an unsuccessful drive to recall her from office — as "silliness." She said she does not believe voters will consider it a significant issue.

"I am who I am. You don't have to agree with everything I say," O'Connor said.

But Caroline McKnight, executive director of a group devoted to fighting conservatives in politics, said: "If she thinks it's going to go away because she's on a statewide ballot, she's living on another planet."

O'Connor is the first person to announce a run for secretary of state. Incumbent Ron Thornburgh has not disclosed his plans.

___

Well, I'm thinking a state senator from Kansas who thinks women shouldn't vote isn't near as bad as a United States Senator who was a member of the Klu Klux Klan. Of course, I am speaking of that honorable Democrat, Bob Byrd:

[linskyjack]

LOL--------He looks good in green.

[guitarman1]

This is the first time I have heard of this woman , from the article I would be inclined to think this MEGASAURUS FEMTRAITORI is a traitor to her sex,sheesh I'm no fan of the Fem-nazi minority of the Women's Libbers Movement but this woman is unbelievable a real Wacko. BTW is that Demo-Senator photo for real?

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by guitarman1

BTW is that Demo-Senator photo for real?

He most certainly is--he claims he's no longer a member, but that's kind of like saying your no longer a murderer. There are some things that in my mind are unforgiveable and being a member of the Klan is unforgiveable. Apparently, his Democratic constituents don't seem to mind!

[poochee]

Getting back to Kay O'Connor, she'd never get my vote, or any of the women I know which includes Republicans and Democrats.

[linskyjack]

Originally Posted by Mulder

He most certainly is--he claims he's no longer a member, but that's kind of like saying your no longer a murderer. There are some things that in my mind are unforgiveable and being a member of the Klan is unforgiveable. Apparently, his Democratic constituents don't seem to mind!

Yeah or like saying you are no longer an alcoholic (can you spell M-O-N-K-E-Y B-O-Y) when everyone knows that you are always an alcoholic---or better yet, like saying you weren't a draft dodger---when everyone knows that you used your familiy's power to avoid going to Vietnam. It's interesting that the radical right has this obession with who Robert Byrd was, not who he is today. Remember, they need to demonize someone, that's part of the propoganda theory that they have put into play.

[alex_holker]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Women's Suffrage Opponent Seeks Office

"I think the 19th Amendment, while it's not an evil in and of itself, is a symptom of something I don't approve of," she said at the time. "The 19th Amendment is around because men weren't doing their jobs, and I think that's sad. I believe the man should be the head of the family. The woman should be the heart of the family."
...
But Caroline McKnight, executive director of a group devoted to fighting conservatives in politics, said: "If she thinks it's going to go away because she's on a statewide ballot, she's living on another planet."

Talk about making mountains out of molehills. Like Kerry's "acceptable level of Terrorism" comment, I feel this was simply a bad choice of words on her part. Saying the 19th Amendment came into existance because of something bad is hardly heresy, is it? That is how I read her statement.

Alex

[linskyjack]

First of all, her historical analysis of the 19th Amendment is patently absurd. It had nothing to do with "men not doing their jobs" Heck, the woman admits that she is who she is---a woman who thinks that women's place is in the home! (Who of course wants that for other women not herself--typical right wing hypocrite) By the way, what does John Kerry have to do with this bizzare woman---give me a break---

[angelize56]

From 2001...not too long ago! Byrdbrain is a better name for him! The "n" word is the word edited out of the article...which is fine by me!

Capitalism Magazine
http://capmag.com/article.asp?ID=383

Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd, Ex-Klansman

by Michelle Malkin (March 8, 2001)

Summary: Ex-Klansman Robert Byrd, the senior senator from West Virginia, casually used the phrase "white ******" twice on national TV this weekend. Enraged civil rights groups organized a protest campaign against Sen. Byrd and demanded that he undergo sensitivity training ... not.

[www.CapMag.com] Ex-Klansman Robert Byrd, the senior senator from West Virginia, casually used the phrase "white ******" twice on national TV this weekend. Enraged civil rights groups organized a protest campaign against Sen. Byrd and demanded that he undergo sensitivity training ... not.

The ex-Klansman, you see, is a Democrat. Democrats can join hate groups and utter the ugliest racial slurs and get away with it because they are Democrats. They belong to the party of racial tolerance and understanding. They're paragons of virtue, and the rest of us are bigoted rubes.

The ex-Klansman showed his true colors when asked by Fox News Sunday morning talk show host Tony Snow about the state of race relations in America. Sen. Byrd warned: "There are white ******s. I've seen a lot of white ******s in my time. I'm going to use that word. We just need to work together to make our country a better country, and I'd just as soon quit talking about it so much."

The ex-Klansman, famed for Beltway blowhardism, should have quit talking a lot sooner. Why any prominent politician in his right mind would publicly and deliberately use the poisonous epithet "******" -- which most daily newspapers refuse to spell out, no matter the context -- is beyond comprehension. It's an open question as to whether the rant-prone, 83-year-old Byrd is even in his right mind, but senility doesn't excuse bigotry.

The ex-Klansman's admirers praise his historical knowledge, mastery of procedural rules, and outspokenness. They refer to the Senate's senior Democrat as the "conscience of the Senate." They downplay his white-sheet-wearing days as a "brief mistake" -- as if joining the Klan were like knocking over a glass of water. Oopsy.

This ex-Klansman wasn't just a passive member of the nation's most notorious hate group. According to news accounts and biographical information, Sen. Byrd was a "Kleagle" -- an official recruiter who signed up members for $10 a head. He said he joined because it "offered excitement" and because the Klan was an "effective force" in "promoting traditional American values." Nothing like the thrill of gathering 'round a midnight bonfire, roasting s'mores, tying nooses, and promoting white supremacy with a bunch of your hooded friends.

The ex-Klansman allegedly ended his ties with the group in 1943. He may have stopped paying dues, but he continued to pay homage to the KKK. Republicans in West Virginia discovered a letter Sen. Byrd had written to the Imperial Wizard of the KKK three years after he says he abandoned the group. He wrote: "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth here in West Virginia" and "in every state in the Union."

The ex-Klansman later filibustered the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act -- supported by a majority of those "mean-spirited" Republicans -- for more than 14 hours. He also opposed the nominations of the Supreme Court's two black justices, liberal Thurgood Marshall and conservative Clarence Thomas. In fact, the ex-Klansman had the gall to accuse Justice Thomas of "injecting racism" into the Senate hearings. Meanwhile, author Graham Smith recently discovered another letter Sen. Byrd wrote after he quit the KKK, this time attacking desegregation of the armed forces.

The ex-Klansman vowed never to fight "with a Negro by my side. 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."

If this ex-Klansman were a conservative Republican, he would never hear the end of his sordid past. "Ex-Klansman who opposed civil rights and black justices" would appear in every reference to Sen. Byrd. And even the "ex-" would be in doubt. Maxine Waters and Ralph Neas and Julianne Malveaux and Al Sharpton and all the other left-wing bloodhounds who sniff racism in every crevice of American life would be barking up a storm over Sen. Byrd's latest fulminations. Instead, the attack dogs are busy decrying latent racial bigotry where it doesn't exist, while the real thing roams wild and free in their own political backyard.

[linskyjack]

Well--Angel---Should I say, once a racist always a racist! I didn't know about the white ****remarks! Disgusting! Good thing is that unlike GWB, he doesn't have the power to send our 18 year olds to their premature deaths!

Just found this Angel--puts the white***** thing in context.


Despite his education, Byrd has made more than a few political faux pas. On a television broadcast in March 2001, he said something that caused his staff to issue immediate public apologies.

"My old mom told me, 'Robert, you can't go to heaven if you hate anybody,' " he said. "We practice that. There are white n------. I've seen a lot of white n------ in my time; I'm going to use that word."

Byrd joined the klan in his youth, but African-Americans in West Virginia seem to have forgiven him. He was invited two years ago to address a state NAACP gathering, where he declared: "I made a bad mistake then." As chairman of the Appropriations Committee, he has funneled hundreds of millions of federal dollars into that state.

In fact, Byrd's life and accomplishments have been so varied that Diana Sole, who is making a movie about him, says it is "going to call for brutal decisions in the editing room."

[angelize56]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

He was invited two years ago to address a state NAACP gathering, where he declared: "I made a bad mistake then."

Where's the apology though? And maybe he just did that to advance his political agenda...I still think he is a racist deep in his heart....still has his "roots"!

[Ciberblade]

Linsky ~ it almost sounds as though you are saying...when it's a Democrat, people make mistakes in life...and should be given a second chance. But when it's a Republican, its another intolerable example of why they should be destroyed. That doesn't sound like a moderate definition to me...in fact it sounds like a double standard.

[angelize56]

Jack: Almost forgot...have a safe flight to Italy and a great time at your brother's wedding!

[linskyjack]

Originally Posted by Ciberblade

Linsky ~ it almost sounds as though you are saying...when it's a Democrat, people make mistakes in life...and should be given a second chance. But when it's a Republican, its another intolerable example of why they should be destroyed. That doesn't sound like a moderate definition to me...in fact it sounds like a double standard.

No, thats not what I am saying----where did you parse that from. Read the whole thread--I gave Byrd the benefit of the doubt---having not heard the story of the 2001 interview (Thank you Angel)--I felt that if he had renounced his Klan membership (back in 1943) then why are the Republicans constantly obessing on him---Then I brought up the former drunk, Bush, and said, if we can forgive him why not forgive Byrd.

There are two issues here---the first is Byrd's racism---and after reading Angel's post, I do believe he is still a racist.

The other is the way that Rove and the propoganda squad use Byrd as a whipping boy--the message being that all Democrats are like Byrd and that Republicans are really the people who support black in America. The only ones who believe that nonsense are right wing conservatives--certainly not the vast majority of blacks! In the Orwellian world of Rove and the "new" right wing media---war is peace, evil is good, and conservatives are great supporters of the black community. Go figure!