Byrd: "I'm told that 90 is the new 80"

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070614/byrds-twilight/

Slowed by age, Byrd Relies on Colleagues

CHARLES BABINGTON | June 14, 2007

WASHINGTON — Age is finally catching up with West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd in the winter of his 54-year career in Congress. At 89, the longest-serving senator in history and third person in the line of presidential succession has ceded major duties _ such as handling appropriations bills on the Senate floor _ to younger colleagues and aides.

Byrd continues to steer pork projects to his home state, rail against President Bush and the Iraq war and quote Cicero and the King James Bible now and then on the Senate floor. But as he walks haltingly with two canes and an ever-present assistant, he increasingly seems an anachronism in an Internet-age Congress where some members are young enough to be his grandchildren.

"I'm told that 90 is the new 80," Byrd, a Democrat, said in a statement issued by his office. "I am proud of my white mane, but I still long for the black hair of my youth."

Indeed, Byrd often seems wistful and frail, especially since the death of his wife, Erma, 15 months ago. His hands and voice quaver noticeably, and a January illness alarmed his friends and caused him to miss a vote. Although elected last fall to another six-year term, he clearly is contemplating his career's end.

On Tuesday at a Shepherd University ceremony naming a nursing building after Erma Ora Byrd, the senator told the audience his wife was in heaven, adding: "I'm going to meet her there."

more...

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I'm sorry .....

.... that brought the burning sensation of a forming tear to my eye.

I know he's old. I agree he's anachronistic in some ways. I know he's a reformed Klan member. I know he's unable to carry the full weight of his duties. And maudlin as it may be to think of it, but he likely hasn't long to go.

I will miss him when that time comes and will quietly mourn him.

[babylonsister]

2. You and me both, H2S. I like the old coot, and think, in his heyday,

he was a hell of an orator. I haven't always agreed with him, but I've usually respected him.

[tabasco]

3. His short time in the Klan, which he is ashamed of, was 70 years ago.

Christ Almighty people, let it go.

Stop dredging up that shit.

[Posteritatis]

6. Amen (nt)

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Not mentioning something changes the facts?

If only ......

I am not 'dredging up' anything that isn't said whenever someone reflects on Byrd's career. If anything, his past association is something to be celebrated. He did it, he changed his views, he championed the opposition to it. All in all, I'd say that's far more commendable than some others of his generation. Like that guy who was just found guilty of a 1960s murder. Like Strom Thurmond, maybe? Hell, even Trent Lott.

[Uncle Joe]

9. I agree with your post and it was Byrd

who stood up on the Senate floor and mourned the lack of debate during the run up to the war with Iraq.

[Carolina]

10. Exactly!

The octagenarians Robert Byrd in the Senate and Helen Thomas in the press -- spoke up.

Some simply grow old, others old and wise. Thanks for Byrd and Thomas
Too bad some 'youngins' didn't, and continue not to, listen.

[Madspirit]

4. 90 the new 80...that's funny...n/t

[DeepModem Mom]

12. I love it! nt

[Madspirit]

5. k&r..n/t

[bigtree]

7. bravo Byrd

well done

[Lobster Martini]

8. Byrd has done and said some distasteful things but nevertheless...

...if a former KKK member can get a 100% approval rating on the NAACP's Congressional Report Card as he has done, well, people change and sometimes for the better. He's been in Congress longer than I've been alive, but from my perspective, his last years have been his best. Evolution is good. Ask Darwin. (Don't ask Huckabee.)

Heard Byrd's fiddle record once while I was in college. Don't remember whether it was particularly good, but I remember thinking at the time that a Congressman recording a fiddle record was pretty cool.

[StudentsMustUniteNow]

13. Keep going Robert! We love REAL Democrats like you! n/t

[BlueIris]

14. Hey, if 70 is the new 50, 90's more like the new 70, yes?

DON'T LEAVE US, SENATOR BYRD.

If for no other reason than you are a painfully funny man.

[dweller]

15. and for his pocket Constitution that he holds up

and smacks down the Repugs. Who is going to take over that duty?

dp