RIP Senator Robert C. Byrd - Democratic Underground

H2O Man

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Mon Jun-28-10 12:54 PM
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RIP Senator Robert C. Byrd

The death of U.S. Senator Robert Byrd provides the progressive and liberal wings of the Democratic Party an opportunity to discuss some valuable lessons in the social-political arena. There will be numerous comments about the length of his political career in the “mainstream” media, and while these are appropriate at this time, they are not nearly as significant as the substance of his time in office. Rather, I would like to focus on a topic that is at times uncomfortable, yet due to its nature, far more important in terms of its potential for progress.

As has been mentioned today – and countless times in the past on this forum – Senator Byrd had a history that included being a member in the Ku Klux Klan. In fact, he had a leadership position, and was groomed as a young man for national leadership in the racist hate-group's agenda. More, even after he quietly separated from the KKK in public affairs, his most dangerous move is found when on Friday, March 29, 1968, he took to the Senate floor to attack Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to call upon the federal government to prevent King from carrying through with his planned “Poor People's Campaign” in Washington, DC. The text of that speech can be found in appendix two of “Murder in Memphis,” Mark Lane and Dick Gregory's 1977 book about the FBI and the assassination of King.

Had the story of his life continued on that ugly avenue, his final destination would be of no more interest or concern to me than the passing of a rabid dog . This is not to imply that I have “hatred” for rabid dogs: I do not. Yet, I understand the dangers they pose when they bite innocent people, trample the US Constitution, or lie the nation into a war. I accept the fact that rabies is a dangerous illness, that is difficult to treat successfully.

At the same time, I have learned that very bad people can change. Miracles happen, as Friend Rubin told me, it just takes a dog-gone lotta work. Or, as Chief Waterman taught me, the first Tadodaho had to be very bad as a young man, to become very good later in life. History tells of others, my favorite being Malcolm X. People can transform themselves, and make positive changes around them.

Senator Byrd's transformation was not “quick.” It did not take place overnight, in a year, or even in a single decade. He worked on personal growth throughout his adult life, and years in government. And, truth be told, he died an imperfect man, just as every other person who undergoes a positive transformation remains sad and weakly human. For, as the old Irish saying goes, a saint is merely a dead sinner, who has had their life edited for the history books.

One of the single most important books of our era is Byrd's 2004 “Losing America: Confronting a Reckless and Arrogant Presidency.” I enjoy his description of George W. Bush as the least competent person to ever hold the office of the president. More, I value his love for the US Constitution. But the most significant section of the book, in my opinion, was his documented description of VP Cheney's instituting the “shadow government” on the afternoon of 9/11. This was – and is – a form of government that puts all power in the hands of a part of the Executive Office that is beyond Congressional oversight, and placed unlimited power into the hands of select corporate “leaders.”

One need not be a “fan” of Senator Byrd to appreciate the importance of this book. However, one will have a difficult time in defining the most urgent problems that keep us from addressing the crises we face as a nation, without grasping what this book speaks of.

RIP, Senator Byrd.