He may have had some ground to make up after his start in the Klan, but Robert Byrd grew into a good man and one hell of a Senator. To say that he was a Republican is something between silly and patently false. If you "will NEVER understand" how the Senator earned the trust, respect and gratitude of the people of West Virginia, it's because you refuse to educate yourself about his growth from racist, inexperienced, local politician to one of the most respectable, thoughtful statesmen of the United States Senate.
Here are a few facts about the Senator that you may have overlooked:
1. Byrd was a staunch opponent of the Iraq War.
"Today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned. Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand obedience or threaten recrimination."
2. Byrd opposed a Constitutional amendment to make flag burning illegal.
3. Byrd wrote a book on the Bush White House called "Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency." He also said the following:
"The right to ask questions, debate, and dissent is under attack. The drums of war are beaten ever louder in an attempt to drown out those who speak of our predicament in stark terms. Even in the Senate, our history and tradition of being the world's greatest deliberative body is being snubbed. This huge spending bill—$87 billion—has been rushed through this chamber in just one month. There were just three open hearings by the Senate Appropriations Committee on $87 billion—$87 for every minute since Jesus Christ was born—$87 billion without a single outside witness called to challenge the administration's line."
And when W appeared on an aircraft carrier to declare the "Mission Accomplished," it was "Democratic - by name and affiliation only" Byrd who said:
"I do question the motives of a deskbound president who assumes the garb of a warrior for the purposes of a speech."
4. "His profound passion for that body and its role and responsibilities was as evident behind closed doors as it was in the stemwinders he peppered with history. He held the deepest respect of members of both parties, and he was generous with his time and advice, something I appreciated greatly as a young senator." - President Barack Obama.
5. "He was my closest and most valuable adviser while I served as president. I respected him and attempted in every way to remain in his good graces. He was a giant among legislators, and was courageous in espousing controversial issues. - President Jimmy Carter
6. When casting his vote in favor of health care reform, Senator Byrd said the following: ""Mr. President, this is for my friend Ted Kennedy! Aye!"
Look at the list of places named after Byrd (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_places_named_after_Robert_Byrd). Besides his name, what do you see? Over and over - "Technology," "research," "studies," "sciences," "clinical teaching". They may bear his name, but they also bear his conviction that government money should be spent on scientific advancement in a state that sorely needed something to replace steel industry-driven coal mining.
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