BYRD ALERT: MTP now on (8:00 a.m. CT) Talking about his book.

[LittleApple81]

[LittleApple81]

1. Wow, that book is scathing....! He goes to the heart of the issues

of secrecy, illegitimacy, and failure from the legislative branch.

[hlthe2b]

27. Is his book out now?

[LittleApple81]

28. Apparently not. CONFRONTING A RECKLESSS AND ARROGANT PRESIDENCY

Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency
by Robert C. Byrd


List Price: $23.95
Price: $16.77 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. See details.

Availability: This item has not yet been released. You may order it now and we will ship it to you when it arrives.
Edition: Hardcover

(from Amazon)

[hlthe2b]

32. thanks... surprised he didn't do the interview concurrent with the release

(and that no date is listed). I hope that is not reflective of a problem looming for its release...

[Hamlette]

39. Bought it yesterday at my local independent bookstore

haven't had a chance to look at it yet as I also bought What's the Matter With Kansas and Reason both of which are very compelling reads.

[Dudley_DUright]

2. Amazing stuff

Byrd is pulling no punches. He brings a great historical perspective having been in congress through 11 administrations.

[LittleApple81]

3. PotatoFace saying Dems are also guilty for gridlock. Byrd say, YES

because they have absolutely no BACKBONE.

[Dudley_DUright]

4. Byrd just pulled out his copy of his constitution

I love it when he does that. :-)

[skooooo]

23. Does he carry one around?

....Can't imagine Bush even has the slightest idea what it says.

[LittleApple81]

29. He always does. It is a little dark-red book. n/t

[proud patriot]

38. I don't think bush has ever read it

How can someone take an oath to uphold and defend
that which he has not read ?

I carry the Constitution in my purse .
when my purse gets searched at amusement parks
concerts and what not , they always asks "Do you
have any glass or weapons?" I always respond
"No I just have the Constitution in there"
with a big grin on my face .

[TheCentepedeShoes]

49. Oh, had a tee-shirt idea

Says "I'm armed with the Constitution" pointing to a pocket on the front in which you could insert a copy like Sen. Byrd had today.

[proud patriot]

50. LOL....Welcome Underground TheCentepedeShoes

That's the spirit :hi:

[TeacherCreature]

53. I love it too

Some men carry guns, Robert Byrd carries the constitution!

[LittleApple81]

5. PotatoFace: can Kerry carry WV if he calls coal a dirty energy

source.
Byrd: Coal IS a dirty energy source. But Kerry believes in the constitution (and he pulls his little "Constitution Book" and he can win by emphasizing his belief in the rights of the people and the constitution of the US.

[LittleApple81]

6. For people that get this program later: At least the first 15 minutes

are worth it to listen to Senator Byrd.

[Dudley_DUright]

7. I agree

Highly recommended. The best part was when Timmy asked Sen. Byrd "well if we pull our troops out of Iraq, won't it become a haven for terrorists?" and Byrd snapped back, "Iraq already is a haven for terrorists".

[joeybee12]

8. Can you tell me why Byrd voted to end debate on the Gay Marriage Amendment

He was only one of three Dems to do so. Does this mean he would have voted for the ban?

[LittleApple81]

10. I have no idea. But at least he has shown courage in other areas

where the Democrats have been total wimps.

[hlthe2b]

11. Well he doesn't favor gay marriage, but I have a hard time thinking

he would favor a constitutional amendment to ban. I've seen no documentation on his position and was hoping he would be asked on MTP. No? (not on here for another hour)

[fameless]

30. No he did not vote for the ban...for more read this link.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/7/14/154455/621

[TeacherCreature]

54. He said he would have voted against the ban

It wouldn't surprise me if he was personally opposed to gay marriage but didn't think there should be an ammendment banning it.

[Catt03]

9. Anyone watching Dr. Stephen Flynn

discussing the lack of protection for the US and the policies of this administration?

Very informative and impressive in re how the people of the US are left unprotected vs the money being spent in Iraq in addition to the lack of information this administration gives the citizens.

[LittleApple81]

12. The guy from the WSJ says that because Kerry fit right in at Yale

and Bush didn't THIS IS A PRO for him with the American people?

So being an idiot who drinks, doesn't go to class, and tortures his frat newbies with hot wires appeals to voters????

[Kanary]

15. You got that right. This is one sick society

A large percentage think torture is just fine.

Aren't we Murkins grand?

Kanary

[LittleApple81]

13. Democrats have to move VALUES discussion away from SEX. Values

are much more profound and more far reaching than sex.
RIGHT ON

[LittleApple81]

14. Discussing Cheney again.....Yawn...

[LittleApple81]

16. The only thing worthwhile I found in this discussion, DEFLECTOR

role for Cheney: people blame him for all the crap leaving Bush* unscathed by most of the scandals...

[Hubert Flottz]

17. Why is it, that every single time there is a thread about Senator..

Byrd, there are people who can't wait to pounce on him with such fucking venom! Is there anyone here who has never made a mistake?

If Robert Byrd did vote against the bill the other day, or any other bill, any other day, you can bet the people from his state let him know what they wanted! I believe Byrd is one of the few people left in Washington who still listens to the people HE WORKS FOR! When people like Byrd, Kennedy, and Hollings are gone, who the FUCK will be left to protect WE THE PEOPLE? When Byrd is gone you'll wish he was still there to stand up to people like Bush!

Byrd has been fighting the neocon/Nazi takeover like Nobody else on Capitol Hill! If this country is taken over by these fascists where will Gay rights be then? How did gays do under Hitler's thumb? Read the story about Ernst Rohm and the "Night of the Long Knives" sometime, and you'll see that what Byrd has been fighting here, is YOUR fight too!

Now you can flame all you want, but I've watched Robert Byrd my entire adult life, not just the past three years! I've seen him do far more GOOD than BAD things for his state and his nation!

[Kanary]

19. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

You're sooo right!

Single issue voting is going to kill us, and I'm sick of people bemoaning the lack of support for their issues, when they don't lift a finger for the issues affecting others.

I've been sick to death of DUers telling anyone who has a concern about Kerry "Then vote for Bush", but in the same vein, for those who are ging to vilify Byrd for this issue, without even knowing the facts, go ahead and vote in a Repuke in his seat. Have at it.

Kanary

[hlthe2b]

26. I agree and am often frustrated by many of our own attempts to try to

impose 100% AGREEMENT with all our own positions for our Democratic candidates and leadership to be worthy of our support.

Doctrinal "purity," is a Repug edict--not a Democratic philosophy. Byrd is complex and as such will never fit the mold many would try to fit him in. That he (often alone)has bravely taken on this administration's blatantly immoral and often near-fascist policies, earns him tremendous respect in my book. If he disappoints me on other issues, so be it. I certainly won't discount him for the good he has done.

Nonetheless, I think many here would like to understand his positions. For me, I'd like to know whether he would support the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage (which I instinctively believe that he would not, given his deep respect for the sanctity of the document), despite his own stated personal beliefs that oppose gay marriage.

[theHandpuppet]

51. On the contrary....

I haven't seen anyone here "pounce" on Senator Byrd "with such fucking venom," as you said. Someone had a question about Byrd's FMA cloture vote and whether the subject had been brought up in the interview. The question was valid and by no means was presented as an attack by the poster, whom you apparently assumed was gay.

I really don't understand such a reaction of rage and profanity on your part. As for myself, I have great admiration for Sen Byrd -- especially for his stand against the Iraq war -- but merely questioning his stand on other issues is called FREEDOM OF SPEECH and I do believe Senator Byrd himself would be the first one to support that very ideal.

[TeacherCreature]

55. I think the poster was reacting to many many threads

in which Byrd has been attacked. Even hearing the question is anger inducing when you feel like every mention of Byrd is going to bring out the same purists who like to remind everyone that Byrd was once in the KKK and doesn't support gay rights.

[Hubert Flottz]

56. Gay had nothing to do with what I meant at all, really!

Re: The Fucking Venom.......................

As for freedom of speech, you say it your way and I'll say it mine!

[Kanary]

58. You've been around DU long enough to know

that there are so many attacking threads about everything under the sun.

Byrd has had his share of them here, too. Nasty attacks.

I'm sure you know that even when you don't see them, there are attacks on everything imaginable.

Sometimes we get just plain disgusted with it.

Kanary

[riverwalker]

18. Sen. Byrd is a true leader

and I can't wait to read his book.

[rocktivity]

20. Watching byrd, taping Ivins on CNN

:headbang:
rocknation

[goclark]

22. I agree, Byrd is like a wise grandfather

In his younger days he followed the crowd.
Now, he see the big picture has BUSH and the neocons right in the center of Wrong. He loves the constitution and he is a true patriot.

Go Sen. Byrd!

[AnnitaR]

21. Robert Byrd is a true American Hero!

I got tears in my eyes listening to him today.

He is the voice of sanity in this crazy country we are living in. He may not be perfect but this man deserves our undying gratitude for being our voice against the Evil Emperor.

I have to say though that every time I hear him talk of how disappointed he was in the Congress for the IWR it brings back all the anger and hurt I felt as well. I swore back then I would never be able to support anyone who voted for it... yet here I am. However the alternative is worse. Not supporting Kerry is not an option. I do truly believe he knows he made a huge mistake. I hope that he will have many conversations with Sen. Byrd. If all of our Democrats in Congress had the wisdom and backbone that Sen. Byrd has this country would not be in the shape it is today.

I plan on calling Sen. Byrd office tomorrow to once again thank him for fighting for the future of this country. He is beyond amazing.

[rocktivity]

24. He said the press "failed to ask the right questions"

Which Russert promptly ignored.

:thumbsup:
rocknation

[Lefty48197]

25. Kerry needs to go to WV and start talking about cleaner burning coal

It's a huge issue to West Virginians, because they know it can insure coal's continued use as an energy source.

[goclark]

31. Wow! What a Patriot!!!!

I just saw the MTP segment with Sen. Byrd.
It was inspiring. He really nailed it and when he held up that Constitution, that was the gem!

The Democratic Party is not using Byrd correctly. IMO he should definitely be a speaker at the Democratic Convention.He is the only Senator that I know of who can explain why HE voted for this damn war and Kerry and Edwards did not. I especially liked the way he explained Karl Rove and the lead up to the War.

People sometimes dismiss him because of his age. He is brilliant and has the power to reach out to Seniors and to the youth of America as well.It is like listening to the wisdom of your father or grandfather.
I loved it when he talked about Bush! He looked right in the eyes of the camera and said "no administration has been as dangerous as this one."

[onecitizen]

33. Did you see ol' fatso...........

dis Byrd at the end? Never shook his hand, offered no verbal "thanx" on camera. It was RUDE! Kept his head down shuffling through papers, never looking up to even acknowledge Byrd. Byrd kept looking at fatso though. I'm going to end up blowing up my TV soon.

[LittleApple81]

35. That is l'il Russ or Mr. PotatoFace or Mr. Potato Head. All apt names

for one of our favorite MEDIAWHORES.

[joanski01]

36. I sure did notice that. It made

me angry. Either Timmy was pissed at Senator Byrd, or Senator Byrd shamed him so bad he couldn't look at him in the face. PU Timmy.

Meanwhile, I ran over to Amazon.com and pre-ordered Senator Byrd's book. While I was there, I ordered Larry Flynt's book "Sex, Lies, and Politics". I happened to catch Flynt on Book TV (C-Span2) at 10:00 a.m. today.

[onecitizen]

52. I'm gonna watch it again tonight.......

just to make sure. If he did dis him, like we think, he will get an email and I won't watch him again. I've about had it with them all! I never did like him and I've always wondered what all the fuss was over him. He sits there and asks question for one hour a week. Big f---ing deal! Hey Mr Potato Head, it ain't brain surgery!

[ArnoldLayne]

57. Yea I

noticed that also, very unprofessional on Russerts part.:mad:

[gauguin57]

34. He really ripped Bush, the press and some of his fellow

members of Congress a NEW ONE!

Go Byrd, go!

[DeepModem Mom]

37. Did Russert use "Democrat" as an adjective with Senator Byrd?

We know the SOB knows better, as he WAS a Democrat before he sold his soul lock-stock-and-barrel to GE and the right-wing.

[Kanary]

40. Now that I've seen Byrd on MTP, it's very clear -- We're screwed

He talks strong, and says those who voted against the war were courageous, and those who voted for it were "weak".

So, Russert brings up the inevitable -- Kerry and Edwards voted for it...... "were they weak".......

"No," says Byrd, "they were mislead."

So, here is the venerable voice of wisdom, one of the very few we have left, who is now muted because of this stooooooooopid war and the Dems who voted for it.

Independents, the ones we're constantly told Kerry has to court, KNOW what truth is. THEY KNOW Kerry and Edwards voted for it, and they KNOW they weren't mislead........ They KNOW millions and millions of us could SEE the truth, and now they want someone who has the courage of their convictions and will call it for what it is.

We might as well all start cheerleading for the war, because this is THE ISSUE, and we blew it.

We very cleverly boxed ourselves right into a corner, and even Byrd is now tangled up in it.

Kanary

[skooooo]

41. Byrd's message gives me a chill down the spine..

...I've seen him twice recently -- before the Senate on CSPAN, when he pointed his finger at the TV camera, and emphasized how the Republicans were playing politics with YOUR life by promoting the recent Constitutional ammendment proposal.

And today...when he laid out the sorry state of our democracy. God help us.

[Hubert Flottz]

42. Robert Byrd is Karl's worst nightmare!

I'm very proud of Senator Byrd!

[faithnotgreed]

43. i would love to see him speak at the convention (either one!)

he tells it like it is - the hard truth.

thank God for you senator byrd.

[Flubadubya]

44. My impression of his 'performance' was not very favorable...

I hate to say this, but for all the impassioned speeches he has given on the Senate floor and his very correct stance on the Iraqi war, Tim chewed him up and spit him out.

Unfortunately, the man is getting so very old now that he is not quick-witted enough to stand up to the kind of manipulation that Russert used on him. The fact that he said those who voted to give war powers to the Rez were weak and wrong, then to turn around and excuse them as being "misled" was really sad to see. That sort of equivocation makes him look like a dottering old fool. I know he is not. I know that he is right on this issue and has been from the start. HOWEVER, for anyone just viewing this without much background information to go on, would more than likely dismiss his argument as nonsensical.

I really hated to see him treated that way by the "greatest media whore of all times", but he really did not stand up well to the interview. Just MHO. :shrug:

[Kanary]

47. That's what I said, post #40

I don't know that it's not "quick-witted", or just caught in a bad position because of the Dems choices, but it was *very* sad to see.

:cry:

I recorded it, but erased it......... not something I want to keep.

It was inevitable he would be questioned about that dichotomy, and there was little he could do. He spun, and it isn't going to fly with the great "independent swing voter" demographic.

Very, very sad.

Kanary

[Pastiche423]

45. My copy of The Senator's book

was shipped yesterday.

It is because of him that I carry a copy of our constitution w/me at all times. I will never forget how he stood alone on the floor of the Senate for the six weeks leading up to the IWR vote. His pleas to his fellow lawmakers to not relinguish their responsibility and duty by giving whistle ass a blank check to snuff out the lives of innocent human beings went unheeded by far too many.

One of the greatest things about the great statesman, is that he apologizes when he has been wrong. He owns up! (What a fucking concept!)

Furthermore, no other lawmaker today stands up for the words our forefathers wrote like Senator Robert C. Byrd.

[DemBones DemBones]

46. Senator Byrd is an American hero.

Newer DUers may be unaware of his valiant fight to prevent the war by filibustering against the vote in the Senate. He did a one-man filibuster, despite his wife of 50-some years being hospitalized. He was spending nights at the hospital with her and then coming to the Senate floor to filibuster. C-SPAN showed it live, other networks ignored or downplayed it. He got more than 20,000 e-mails applauding his stand (and roses from a group of DUers), phone calls, etc. His secretary said he was overwhelmed by the response.

On the Senate floor, he would wave his little leatherbound copy of the Constitution and quote it from memory, like a preacher quoting scripture. He'd talk with great sentiment about mothers having to lose their sons in war, and let his fine phrases and eloquent words ring out over the Senate chamber. He's an old-style orator truly in his element when he is speaking on the Senate floor and an old-fashioned patriot who doesn't believe "my country, right or wrong," but rather "my country, to love when it's right, to correct when it's wrong."

ON MTP, Senator Byrd said John Kerry knows the Constitution and believes in it. I think that's a ringing endorsement from Byrd. No doubt he was disappointed that Kerry (and so many others) didn't follow his lead, but he realizes they were misled by the Bush* administration. We've got to have regime change.

November 2, 2004 -- the End of an Error

[DebJ]

48. a bump to thank Byrd. By the way, that little book he waves

of the Constitution is on sale at Border's Books for only $4.95. I think the binding is leather. I have the same one, and keep a spare, in case someone else would like one, I can give them one. They are always with me.

I really wanted to give one to * at the rally in York...but I figured the words are just too big for him and the ideals too pure for his comprehension.