'KKK' Byrd's Spokesman Draws Blank on Lynching Role

NewsMax.com ^ | Jan. 10, 2003 | Carl Limbacher

[plain talk]

Mr. Gavin, "I don't know, but I'll check and get back to you on that."

[ Next Day ] Mr. Gavin, "Well I checked and found out that he participated in 14 cross-burnings, 3 lynchings and one episode where the unfortunate fella was drug behind a pick-up truck. Any other questions?

[aristeides]

I got the date wrong: WV's anti-lynching law was passed in 1921. However, there was a lynching of two men in WV in 1931.

[Rodney King]

Great job!

[LibWhacker]

I'm SOOOOOOOOO glad to see some follow up on this! If I were a young reporter, I'd make a beeline for Grand Dragon Byrd's stompin' grounds and interview every black person over 70 I could find. THEY know who was lynched back then, THEY know where the crosses were burned and THEY know who was behind it. Their memories are long. It's a disgrace that this racist, and in all likelihood, this murdering, cracker has never been called out on this and continues to serve in a leadership role in the demoKKKrat party.

[Bullish]

DemocRATS are held to a much lower standard than Republicans. The mainstream media insists upon it.

[kristinn]

In fairness to Sen. Byrd, noone has ever accused him of participating in a lynching and he has said that he never did. We wanted to know what he did in the Klan and what the Klan was doing in West Virginia during the 1940s when Byrd a member and writing fawning letters about the Klan a few years later.

As the article states, we got no answers except for the incredulous reason given for him joining the Klan.

[Enterprise]

Just one more question. Was it a Ford or a Chevy Pickup Truck? Me and the boys got a jug 'o moonshine bet on it.

[kristinn]

According to the Senate website, Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is Pro Tempore now. Senator Lieberman should take comfort that a racist is no longer third in line for the presidency.

[EaglesUpForever]

Any links to online verification that he was high-ranking?

[Bahbah]

My deepest admiration.

[kristinn]

Thanks, but TBM deserves the major credit for this one. I just asked a few questions.

[Congressman Billybob]

Add my compliments, also, kristinn. You ARE making a difference, by politely but effectively pushing the issues. Way to go!!!

Congressman Billybob

Click for latest column on UPI, "Three Anti-Endorsements" (Now up on UPI wire, and FR.)

As the politician formerly known as Al Gore has said, Buy my book, "to Restore Trust in America"

[swheats]

Either way Byrd still doesn't look good in this. Gavin couldn't come right out and say "no" it didn't happen.

[Jhoffa_]

Oh Bravo!!

[Enterprise]

A very profound observation on your part. Isn't it fascinating that the answer couldn't automatically and emphatically be no?

[aristeides]

But can we be sure the Web site is already accurate, or has not acted in anticipation of an expected event that has not happened yet?

Speaking of racists in that position in the line of presidential succession, Byrd is not the only DemocRAT segregationist who has been president pro tem in recent years. John Stennis of Mississippi was president pro tem 1985-6, James Eastland of Mississippi 1972-8, Allen Ellender of Louisiana 1971-2, Richard Russell of Georgia 1969-71, Walter George of Georgia 1955-6, Kenneth McKellar of Tennessee 1945-6 and 1949-52, and Carter Glass of Virginia 1941-4. (In fairness, I should point out that Strom Thurmond occupied the position for long stretches in recent years as a Republican.)

[Trueblackman]

No my friend the freepers have it right you deserve the credit for asking the question, I just enjoyed seeing you put it to Tom Gavin.

[swheats]

I know it's too early to party but Byrd and Murray have a few millstones to deal with right now.

[Trueblackman]

No my friend the freepers have it right you deserve the credit for asking the questions, I just enjoyed seeing you put it to Tom Gavin.

[LibWhacker]

. . . no one has ever accused him of participating in a lynching . . .

I wonder if anyone has ever investigated it? If Byrd were a Republican, what would Mike Wallace and 60 Minutes do? They'd take a camera crew to West Virginia, find some old timers with a good story to tell and win a prestigious award in journalistic reporting.

That's what I'd like to see done here.

(Don't take this as criticism; I LOVE what you guys are doing. Thank you so much! :-))