So, Trent Lott Resigned...

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » December 20, 2002, 1:04 pm

discuss or diieeee

Lalanae · Post by **Lalanae** » December 20, 2002, 1:06 pm

guess I'll die

/shrug

Midnyte_Ragebringer · December 20, 2002, 1:10 pm

The right move for everyone.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 20, 2002, 1:12 pm

he was a liability to his party.

in his attempt to salvage his personal reputation, he was basically saying he was willing to do things that were counter to the GOP agenda.

There were lots of Republicans who wanted him out as head of the Senate before this. He had not been particularly effective in his first stint in the position, and this was just something that weakened him politically too much.

Some conservatives may say it was the 'liberal media' who pushed him out. But in fact, Lott just weakened an already weak leadership position too much with these statements, and it was the Republican core who wanted him to step down.

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » December 20, 2002, 1:14 pm

Could someone post what it is he said exactly. All I heard was that it was about segregation and his approval for it?

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » December 20, 2002, 1:21 pm

He said at a gathering for Strom Thurmond something like blah blah blah my state supported Strom in 48 blah blah blah

Strom ran as a segregationist in 48

Lott thought "Man I am a dumbfuck" and apologized profusely. His voting record seems to indicate he is not a racist himself. But you know, I have never met a white guy or any political stance from Mississippi who privately did not reveal themselves to be racist.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » December 20, 2002, 1:34 pm

He fucked up and paid the piper. I'm glad he stepped down before he embaressed himslef even more. Did you see him on BET? Christ Almighty...

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 20, 2002, 1:44 pm

what he said that was objectionable was that he thought the US would have not had "all these problems we have today" had Thurmond been elected president in 1948. Lott said this same thing in 1980 as well, so it was not the first time he had said it.

Thurmonds platform in 1948 was basically: there arent enough federal troops to keep "the nigger race" from entering "our homes, our schools, our swimming pools".

and it really was that harsh of a statement, i'm not hyping it for flamevault purposes. Also being proud of a segregationist winning the state in 1948 has a subtext as well. Even though blacks were granted a constitutional right to vote, that was not practiced in Mississippi. Blacks who tried to vote back then in Mississippi were harrassed, beaten, threatened, and in some cases lynched. In the south, though it is not often spoken about, there are still some deep wounds from those times that have not healed. It was only a generation ago that state Universities were even integrated down here.

As for Kylere's assertion that he was not a racist. I'm not gonna say one way or the other. He certainly did do some things that some might construe a certain way.

Not voting for MLK day as a federal holiday for instance.
Not voting for the extension to the Voting Rights Act.
Speaking to repeatedly, and even inviting to Washington, a known white supremacist group from Mississippi (Council of Conservative Citizens).

With apologies to Chris Rock, this guy is a "cracker ass cracker".

Momopi · Post by **Momopi** » December 20, 2002, 2:07 pm

yeah ronnie lott was a great player

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » December 20, 2002, 2:13 pm

I'm not going to accuse Lott of being a racist. I'm going to say he has a power block int he South and made several different statements, including the one at the Thurmond get-together, that seemed to be targetted at pleasing that voting block.

They also made him look like a fool. I'm glad he is going away, the man is dangerous around a microphone and doesn't seem to understand that there is no such thing as a private comment in public life.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » December 20, 2002, 3:08 pm

He was most certainly a racist as a college student, and actively campaigned for and supported for the segregationist agenda.

30-40 years later? Who knows, people do change over time. Though if you've lived the rural south before, you know that it's like stepping back in time 40 years in many respects.

His comment was stupid, regardless of his current views. He gave those who wanted him gone all the ammunition they needed. I had a picture in my mind of dogs dragging down a weakened pack member while I was listening to the back story on the news this morning.

rhyae · Post by **rhyae** » December 20, 2002, 3:10 pm

On NPR earlier this week Lott said something about his state having a past history of racism and that he had been a part of it. But was sorry for it and changing, now he would be pro MLK's B-day as a state holiday among other things he had previously been against.
He has some roots in racism, as many good old boys do.
One day youre yucking it up at a party saying youre sorry segregation didn't happen in your state, and the next day your on BET aplogizing to the black community?
Yeah, that's politics alright.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » December 20, 2002, 3:15 pm

For every bad politician dragged into the open there are five more waiting to take his place.

Lott is just another crooked politician that got what he deserved. Term limits would of helped avoid this kind of crap.

Deward

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » December 20, 2002, 3:24 pm

Voronwe, I never said he was not a racist, in fact I said every white male from Mississippi was, start READING my posts dammit

Bubba Grizz · Post by **Bubba Grizz** » December 20, 2002, 3:42 pm

Does that mean Favre is too?

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » December 20, 2002, 3:46 pm

Voronwë wrote: Not voting for MLK day as a federal holiday for instance.

I not saying he is or he isn't, but why would that example be considered racist. It's not as if MLK fits the criteria for a federal holiday so I can understand people not agreeing with it.

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » December 20, 2002, 4:01 pm

Please forgive my ignorance of US politics/history being canadian and all but who's MLK?

Homercles · Post by **Homercles** » December 20, 2002, 4:03 pm

That would be Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "I have a dream"

Dalmoth · Post by **Dalmoth** » December 20, 2002, 4:09 pm

It is ignorant to potray all white males from the South as racist, it is just as ignorant to claim that all racists are white or male or from the South.

The most prejudiced man I know is the father of a good friend of mine, he's black. He was also a young man (with young children) who was in the 16th street Baptist Church in 1964. Hate is not an emotion relagated to any single denomition, race, creed or nationality. It breeds upon itself, only when those that know only hate have passed from this world can they be replaced with people who see beyond its grip to the truth of human existance. Which is simply that we fear that which is different, because we simply don't know any better.

I have lived my entire life in Birmingham, racism is alive in the older generation here, in my generation its is less prelevant and in my nephew's generation its even less. Its not the kind of thing that changes in 5 or 10 years. Changes to society are slow and often take a century to come to fruition.

When the generation of Frank Cherry, Thomas Blanton and Bull Connor is gone racial politics here will be less taxed that is now. It won't be gone, I'm not that naive, it will become less of an issue when people begin living in the present for the future, instead of living in the present for the past.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » December 20, 2002, 4:10 pm

This is utter bullshit and just more proof of what the media can do.

There was no need to even apologize as doing so signalled that while his comments were innocent by themselves, the intended meaning was of segregation, jokingly or not.

I am glad he did not leave the senate entirely and just lost his leadership title.... but it never should've gotten to this. There are former clan members serving in the senate right now, no one cares.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » December 20, 2002, 4:13 pm

There are former clan members serving in the senate right now, no one cares.

Politics are too cut thoat, I don't believe this to be true. I call bullshit until you offer data to back-up your claim.

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » December 20, 2002, 4:26 pm

Fash wrote:There are former clan members serving in the senate right now, no one cares.

Lott gave people who wanted him removed ammunition. With the presidents support, this would have blown over. He probably wasn't playing nice while they slipped BS over on us in the homeland security bill.

Look at George Wallace, his past was not an issue later in life. He was one of the more visible supporters of segregation during the 60s.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » December 20, 2002, 4:34 pm

Fash wrote:This is utter bullshit and just more proof of what the media can do.

There was no need to even apologize as doing so signalled that while his comments were innocent by themselves, the intended meaning was of segregation, jokingly or not.

I am glad he did not leave the senate entirely and just lost his leadership title.... but it never should've gotten to this. There are former clan members serving in the senate right now, no one cares.

Fash get your facts straight. How many conservative Republicans were calling for his head? Answer: a bunch.

they didnt want him from the start cause he sucked last time as a majority leader. THis was all they needed to oust him.

Lott was willing to sell out the Republican party to save himself. Did you see his interview on BET? It was a disaster.

Fash · Post by **Fash** » December 20, 2002, 4:39 pm

Fairweather Pure wrote:
There are former clan members serving in the senate right now, no one cares.
Politics are too cut thoat, I don't believe this to be true. I call bullshit until you offer data to back-up your claim.

Senator Byrd (D) - admitted klan member, currently a senate committee leader

A google search for Senator Byrd Klan turned up many, this was the first: http://www.jewishworldreview.com/michel ... 030801.asp

Lott did give them ammunition... He screwed it all up... The president did right by staying out of it, but Lott should've never apologized.

Voronwe wrote:Fash get your facts straight. How many conservative Republicans were calling for his head? Answer: a bunch.

Answer: Not a fucking one for more than 72 hours of talking heads "No republican senator has yet to call for Lott to step down"

Report to me the news, not what isn't the news. When the media in essence cries wolf, people make it happen.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » December 20, 2002, 5:27 pm

Didn't this cracker asshole also promise he would quit the senate if forced out of leadership? Is his tiny little racist penis so small that he can't even back up his own promises and cling to power where clearly no one wants him?

Man, if you are a racist and even the republicans don't want you, you have no where to go.

Midnyte_Ragebringer · December 20, 2002, 5:33 pm

It's very simple why he didn't quit all together.

If he gives up his seat the Senate will be 50/50.

Gurugurumaki · Post by **Gurugurumaki** » December 20, 2002, 5:35 pm

"Man, if you are a racist and even the republicans don't want you, you have no where to go."

Not trues at arl, next we wirls see him with a white gown and pointy hat! Cans anyone say compound?

rhyae · Post by **rhyae** » December 20, 2002, 5:39 pm

David Duke, Klan leader, state legislator, never quite made it to the senate. Thankfully.

edit: sp >= 0

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » December 20, 2002, 5:42 pm

Frankly Anyone that had any affiliations with hate groups of any kind has no fucking business being any type of public servant. Period!

Aabidano · Post by **Aabidano** » December 20, 2002, 6:14 pm

Animalor wrote:Frankly Anyone that had any affiliations with hate groups of any kind has no fucking business being any type of public servant. Period!

Some people do change over time, and most people will forget what you did 6 months ago if no one reminds them.

Open official racism was very common in the southeastern US until the mid 60s. At a guess, most anglo people making it into senior elected postitions more than 10-15 years ago have had an affiliation of some kind with these groups at one point or another. Most of them are still likely in office, excepting states with term limits.

Whether they still hold those views is the issue. Lott was dumb enough to make it ambigous when he was already on tenous political ground.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » December 20, 2002, 6:24 pm

kyoukan type-R wrote:Didn't this cracker asshole also promise he would quit the senate if forced out of leadership? Is his tiny little racist penis so small that he can't even back up his own promises and cling to power where clearly no one wants him?

Man, if you are a racist and even the republicans don't want you, you have no where to go.

Umm Canada's a option