Byrd's attack on Bush sparks local criticism

Bluefield Daily Telegraph ^ | 5/8/03 | JODY NEAL

[Jewels1091]

BLUEFIELD - Sen. Robert Byrd's verbal attack on President Bush has drawn negative reaction in Four Seasons Country.

On Tuesday, Byrd delivered a speech on the Senate floor condemning the methods used by the president to announce the end of the war in Iraq. He likened the president's speech to a theatrical political campaign.

"President Bush's address to the American people announcing combat victory in Iraq deserved to be marked with solemnity, not extravagance; with gratitude to God, not self-congratulatory gestures," Byrd said.

"...I believe that our military forces deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and not used as stage props to embellish a presidential speech."

But Byrd's sentiments were nothing new to local residents. "He's been like that ever since he's been in Congress," Glenwood resident Roger Coulter said. While Coulter agreed that Bush's speech was rather theatrical, he still thought Byrd may have gone a little too far. "Byrd doesn't need to be (in Congress) now. He's getting too old."

Johnny Pitzer, of Princeton, said that, although Byrd's accomplishments in the state have been numerous, maybe he went a little too far in criticizing the president and should consider retirement. "Actually, I'm just glad the war is over," he said.

"I didn't appreciate what he said about the president," Catherine Smith, of Princeton, said. "Bush has tried hard to do what he thinks is right, and we should be thankful that we've got a president like that."

Byrd "went overboard" with his remarks about the president, a Bluefield man who did not wish to be identified said. "I certainly don't agree with what he said. He needs to retire."

Carl Svetlecic, of Princeton, said, "Byrd has always made remarks about something. They all make remarks. But the remarks aren't putting any money in our paychecks. Any president has the right to go on a ship to make a speech. The rest of the stuff is just politics."

"He's got his own opinion," Aubrey McGhee, of Bluewell, said of Byrd. "I don't really agree with what he said, but that's just politics."

Calvin Smith, of Princeton, also disapproved of Byrd's remarks and called for his retirement. "He's too old. Politicians use politics for their advantage. President Bush did nothing wrong."

- Contact Jody Neal at jneal@bdtonline.com

[Jewels1091]

Maybe some of these people should take a minute and write to old Bobby, let him know how they feel!

[abnegation]

When is the Byrd-brain up for re-election anyway?

[Just mythoughts]

Maybe we should take out an "NOT IN OUR NAME" ad in the NYtimes get every possible person in West Virginia to sign their name. Maybe the LYNCH family could be at the top of the list.

[Bill Davis FR]

the commander-in-chief has the right to view the troops anywhere and anytime he wishes...shutup you whinners...

[syriacus]

I'm glad to read that Byrd's constituents are smarter than he is.

That bit of knowledge is reassuring.

[Bringbackthedraft]

""...I believe that our military forces deserve to be treated with respect and dignity" Yeah like "go fetch me some coffee."

[Brett66]

Even better, they should vote for someone other than Byrd in the next election.

[syriacus]

If the folks in W Virginia feel they need to re-elect Byrd because they feel sorry for the old codger, they should move on to considering alternatives -- like retirement incentive packages.

They should pass around some hats in Byrd's home state... take up a collection, throw him a party, and give him whatever cash is left over. It would be well worth the time, money and effort.

They could even start a college in his name and offer him the Presidency.

They should also remember, he's already way, way wealthier than he was as a young man. There's no need to pity the guy any more because of his impoverished background.

[EternalVigilance]

The area that this article and these comments are coming from is about 7 to 1 Democrat. Very significant.

Yesterday I had an old friend, who is a life-long Democrat, tell me that he thought this had been a war that had to be fought. He had nothing but good words for the President.

[Tom Bombadil]

What Byrd didn't mention is the respect the troops gave the president. The lenscap president ('93-'2000) never got that kind of respect and for good reason.

Senator Robert Dinasour.

[yoe]

Another accusation being hurled at President Bush is that he "dressed himself up in a flight suit" - laughable but some of the pundits don't realize that that suit is what you must wear when flying a jet. I recall Clinton wearing flight jackets and other military accoutrements for land and sea photo-ops and Bill Clinton made 4 visits aboard the following ships:

William J. Clinton (1992-2001) Carrier Carl Vinson (1993; 1995)
Carrier George Washington (1994)
Carrier Independence (1996)
Carrier Harry S. Truman (1998)

Not to mention the Millions spent by Bill Clinton and Hillary to travel abroad and her trips were never paid for in full. They fired the travel people then installed their own who refused to answer the questions about how much that pair was spending. Not to mention how they trashed their last flight aboard AF1 to New York. Every time the Socialist Democrats try to bash Bush, they wind up showing how hypocritical and shallow they are. This is just one more failed attempt.

[KeyWest]

Byrd has no idea what it meant to people in the military. First, Bush put himself in harms way with that landing, which said he is one of us and even as President, not afraid to do what we do daily.

Second, he pressed the flesh and mingled with the troops, let them take their pictures with him. He is one of us.

Third, he came to us and did not sit back in DC to announce what the troops had done.

Finally, he spoke to us, not just to the American TV audience. It was an affirmation of the US military.

I was proud as hell in him and in our country.

As far as Byrd goes, he can crawl back under the sheets with the rest of his vermin.

[Howlin]

Yeah like "go fetch me some coffee."

"Go fetch me some coffee, boy."

Can't you hear him saying that?

[Mister Baredog]

Byrd doesn't need to be (in Congress) now. He's getting too old."

DUH!!!!!! His "sheets" are "yellowing".

[A_perfect_lady]

Byrd's just upset because there isn't an aircraft carrier named after him. Yet.

[Mister Baredog]

Any day that Byrd and Waxman speak for the RATS is a good day for our side!

[Howlin]

One Man's Pork Is Another's Bacon: Byrd A Living Legend Among Democrats

[Wright is right!]

Last night on the Tonight Show, Jay Leno showed a picture of Bush on deck on the Abe and mentioned that Sen. Byrd was upset about it. Leno said what REALLY upset Byrd was that no one was showing HIM in HIS uniform.

Leno then put up a picture of a hooded KKK KLANSMAN!

Michael

[ToKillaMockingbird]

How bout all those buildings and such in West Virginia that are named after Senator Byrd. Now those wouldn't be considered to be taking advantage of anything would they? There's nothing political in that.

[ken5050]

WE were discussing this yesterday..If you recall, when Bubba visited the firsat carrier, he was given the obligatory leather flight jacket, but NONE of the suadrons affixed their patches to it...and Bubba's staff was too stupid to notice the intended slight..