It is largely symbolic but that doesnt make it a meaningless waste of time.

Aaron, I know you are young and a person can only truly relate to what they have experienced. The experience is theirs and theirs alone. I can't begin to imagine what it would feel like to be burned out of my home or watch as family members (most were innocent) were hanged. Many times they were left hanging as an example to others. The example based on hatred and bigotry. Hanging until they were rotten and being eaten by buzzards.

There never was an apology. There were laws on the books that prevented the acts from happening, yet they were ignored. Ignored by the people who watched and the people commiting the acts of violence. There never was an apology.

Your attitude is narcissistic!

We have been apologizing to the Jews for fifty plus years, and there are people who think this is a waste of time also. The appointments that you seek are for those who believe and faithfully oppose this kind of apology.

I understand why you ask the question, and I pray that you gain experience before you harm someone other than yourself. Please take a minute to reflect.

a meaningless waste of time.

Reading anything you post...?

PS. There are those who you support that are not being appointed to a position.

Uuummm...I have no problems with the senate apologizing. I see no harm. I can't imagine it will take up much time.

You know, the senate never did anything about those lynchings because everything they tried to do (at the begging of several Presidents) was fillibustered. It's a wonderful tradition isn't it?

An apology is a nice first step. How can America claim to be the father of freedom, democracy and due process when the country turns a blind eye and deaf ear to the wrongs it committed to African descendants and Native Americans?

The things that Congress needs to do and even the President is give a formal apology to Africa and African-Americans for slavery, Jim Crow, lynchings and political/socio-ecomomic racism.

America was built on the backs of African slaves who free labor gave the finacial foundation of this country. African-Americans died in wars defending the world from tyranny and oppression while we couldn't pee in the same toilet as whites or eat in the same resturants.

We are reminded every day about the Holocaust which was a tragedy. Great Britain even went so far to give them land. Millions of dollars were given to Jews and since their interment, they developed business and capitilized on their reperations.

6 million lives lost is a crime against God and humanity. How about over 40 million? That's how many African's were lost during cross Atlantic slave trade.

I guess you guys think the 80 year old preacher who killed 3 young civil right workers in Philadelphia, MS need not to be prosecuted beacuse it was over 40 years ago?

Maybe if you sat down and had a cup of coffee or a beer with a black man or woman, you would understand us better. Maybe if I sat down with you, I would understand whites better. As a matter of fact, I'm willing to sit down with any of you and have an open and blunt discussion on race issues in America. Too many people are "scared" to talk about it and this silence is like a volcano. When it erupts it will be to late to stop it.

Actually, I think it's about time.

However, I think the Senate also should have been clear on the history of the matter. What they're REALLY apologizing for is allowing the South and the Senate to be controlled by DEMOCRATS for 100 years of extra de-facto slavery.

I note, however, unlike reparations, which are always assumed to come from "the rich" (read: "Republicans"), none of the Senators are asked to cough up any cash on this one. come on, Senator Byrd, let's see your voting record!

Lee, A heartfelt thank you.

Lee:

Why don't you get over your racist paranoia. I will extend to you the same invitation that I extended to Um Yeah.

Come to Boston and come out for a few Drinks and some chop, and meet some of the conservitives that post to this site.

We don't eat people, we are not racist, we beleive in FReedom for you and for me, we don't believe that we owe you or anyone anything, if you can accept those conditions we welcome anyone.

Bill

Bill

What they're REALLY apologizing for is allowing the South and the Senate to be controlled by DEMOCRATS for 100 years of extra de-facto slavery.

You mean DIXIECRATS you know Conservative Southern Democrats?

All of the ones I know of became REPUBLICANS later on.

UM yeah, Call them what you will, "Dixicrats" or "Southern conservative Democrats", they were still, Get this, ALL DEMOCRATS.

Get this, ALL DEMOCRATS.

They became REPUBLICANS thanks for taking all our baggage.

"All of the ones I know of became REPUBLICANS later on." --UY

That would be because you know nothing of those who were DEAD by the time of the Dixiecrats? Because you know NOTHING of history from 1865 to 1965?

That would be because you know nothing of those who were DEAD by the time of the Dixiecrats?

You took their equally bigoted descendants. Anyway you slice it all the Thurmond baggage went with you.

And yet, your party still has the only CONFIRMED Klu Klux Klan member in the Senate. Whats that?

UY, you still don't get it.

What happened in the South was that the Democratic party collapsed of its own weight. Yes, there were those who joined the GOP, but doing so changed THEM, not the other way around.

After the Civil War, the poll tax was enacted in ELEVEN SOUTHERN states designed specifically to keep blacks from voting. And WHO do you think did THAT? Republicans? The practice was outlawed by the 24th Amendment in 1966--what WERE the Democrats--who had TOTAL control of the South--DOING all that time?

Enforcing the poll tax, that's what. And asking black people to tell them how many bubbles there are in a bar of soap as proof of literacy.

Republicans didn't devise those tests. Democrats did. Republicans didn't own the racist South. Democrats did. There may well have been racists who became Republicans, but they soon found no home in the GOP. Meanwhile, the Democrats continued to race-bait and insist that treating blacks EQUALLY was racist.

So let's see Bob Byrd burn his sheets on the floor of the Senate, and maybe I'll buy that they're really sorry.

your party still has the only CONFIRMED Klu Klux Klan member in the Senate.

He quit what was it 60 some odd years ago?

And he was a member at a time when it was like joining the Masons.

Meanwhile you guys host the Klan in Business Suits the CCC(Kouncil of Konservative Kitizens).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_strategy

but doing so changed THEM,

But it didnt, your party is still chock full southern white racists, even the elected officials.

You putting a part of your poorly thought out opinion in bold means jackshit.

Say that to Byrd man, to Byrd!

Are you STILL going on about how republicans are racist? You know, I'm convinced most of the crap you spew you just say to purposefully tick people off, but this one I think you beleive, and that speaks a sad volume about you.

There is no 'opinion' here. A simple history lesson shows the plain boring fact that when there was a party of institutionalized racism (and there is one no longer) it was allways the Democratic party.

But that is a history lesson. It has no bearing on the parties today. But somehow you manage to reverse historical fact in your head and use it to paint the GOP with the past wrongs of the democrats.

if any remembers the Condit/Levy thing, Gary Condit was always refered to as a "conservative Democrat," as if the media wanted to say "oh, he's not really a Democrat..."

same thing here..

Good good....feed those obsessions #1 and #3. That's right UY...ALL racists are Republicans. Feed 'em good now. MJ...one can't help ones obsessions.

Sorry "lee"....when are you gonna put down your continuous racism? Show me a slave that I had anything to do with and I'll gladly sit in the courtroom during his civil trial and cheer him on in suing whoever held him in bondage.....and I'll give up whatever money I need to for reparations....right after you call your racist buddies over at th eRainbow Push coalition and pay me and my family for the sacrifices my family made to win the Civil War, thus freeing your people from overt slavery.

"Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted."

Sarge, you were doing alot better before your response. If you, Billy and Kerry sit around, have a few beers, chew the fat, pat Lee on the back, you may be able to convince him that you're not racist and this is a partisan issue.

What is a partisan issue? Apologizing for lynchings, or lynching people? Either way I don't see a relevance. If your talking about the lynchings, they were done by democrats and none of those 3 mentioned are. If you're talking about apologizing, only 1 of the 3 have actually stated their viewpoint, and it was pro-apologize.

So I ask you the same eternal question I allways seem to have to ask you, because you constantly spew incoherant gibberish which has little meaning that can be implied, none squarely stated, and little to no relevance to the discussion.

What the bloody hell are you talking about?

Are you STILL going on about how republicans are racist?

Many are. More so than Democrats.

There is a reason why Republicans have trouble getting the African American vote. Republicans court bigoted Neo Confederate lily white Southerners.

it was allways the Democratic party.

In name only, back then the Democrats were the Conservative bigots. In recent times that has been Republicans, see Nixon and his Southern Strategy.

BTW Council of Conservative Citizens my little rightwing buttmonkeys?

Sorry, Russ, but I'll have to have a Diet Coke. I don't drink beer any more.

And I've done my trip for the decade to the East Coast. I can't afford it again for a while. All the visiting I have to do now is out West. But I have to admit Boston was fun (a bit sad standing in all those churches that used to be faithful, though. Boston was the seat of great religious revival, once upon a time. Now Massachusetts is the home of gay marriage. How the mighty have fallen.)

My son loved his trip to the Children's Museum, though!

Is it "engage the enemy or the idiot?" MJ. this to you for the week; put your head back where you had it before you pulled it out to see your shadow. Three responded, one stated pro-apology (not really) then took it back by making a partisan comment. It's a given where Sarge and Litte B. stand on the race issue, so are you pissed because I didn't include you to make it a foursome, or you just don't understand how big an idiot you really are?

So what's the wonderful tradition MJ? Was it seven presidents begging or the filibusters? I suppose you will tell me the presidents were republican, and the senators who filibustered, (partisan) were all democrats?

Listen up, the apology wasn't about doing harm, it was about doing good. Is that clear enough for you? You didn't exactly make a pro-stance there so that's why I didn't include you with the trio?

It's obvious you gave this a lot of thought.

Russ....what the **** are you saying? Is there a point in there? Please state it clearly.

What is your opinion on this issue? Should the senate apoligize? What topic are you actually talking about? Even if it's NOT relevant, I'm really quite curious to know your opinion, but before you tell me your opinion in a COHERANT way, you might also want to fill me in on what subject your talking about.

Because I legitimately have absolutely no freakin clue what the hell you are talking about. Do you have a point to make?

Seems to me you're just here to post rhetorical questions and quote non sequitar cliche's. I'm expecting you to bust out the 'Confusious say wise man break bread after dusk' any minute now.

Good Russ...without knowing me...and without a single racist comment ever coming from my fingers....you've followed UY's #1 obsession. Good for you. That's right UY...keep feeding it.

BTW Russ....I never gave a stance on the issue...let alone a clear one for you....so take your race-bating and fuck off with it.

MJ...Russ's ONLY point is to feed UY's "Conservatives are racists" obsession #1....without providing a lick of proof mind you. No Russ...I don't need to sit down with anyone in order to prove my non-racist views. My actual words and actions are enough.

Oh yeah, I forgot..."it's a given" where I stand on the "race issue"...so why actually seek out the truth when you actually have preconceived notions?

To be fair, there is a different sickness in those two.

Um Yeah seems to beleive that conservatism is synonomous with racism, whereas russ seems to believe that racism is naturally inherant in all people. Both beleifs are almost too nonsensical to even address.

Sarge, I based it on the comments you have posted. Are you posting lies? If you would like a different perception then act accordingly. Birds of a feather.....

MJ, If you read my posts and can't figure where I stand on this issue, then you are a bigger idiot than I think. It's where you are (do you know) on the position that's not clear. It's clear to me.... MJ; "duh that's right Sarge, yep, that's right."

You too have made your position clear on the race issue...you trying to back away again?

Hmmm. Interesting view, completely incorrect, but interesting. You still won't state clearly your position on anything and I've never heard you state your position on anything, ever.

Apparently I just mimick whatever Sarge says.

I'd like to see a poll. How many people understand what russ's point is, how many have no goddamn idea?

Seriously, for Russ's sake (or for mine, because one of us is delusional) speak up.

If you understand him, please, tell me what the hell he's saying. I've been wondering for months.

Maybe if I can crack this gibberish cliche code, I can start to translate it into english myself.

Um Yeah seems to beleive that conservatism is synonomous with racism.

Well who resisted the Civil Rights movement?

Who runs a never ending Apologia for the Condeferacy?

A racist southern strategy.

Conservatives.

Until you guys clean house wtf do you honestly expect?

"Well who resisted the Civil Rights movement?"--UY

Southern DEMOCRATS.

Look it up.

UY:

Why do you assume that the CCC is Republican?

After all, the KKK was DEMOCRAT.

I don't think you need a vote to prove your ignorance? Of course you would try to refute it.

I apologize for my moment of memory lapse. I responded to the village idiot and now he's following me around.

No no, maybe it is me. Maybe I'm the only one who reads your comments and forgets which way is up for 15 seconds.

No one else will answer my pleas to explain what the hell you are saying in plain english though, so I can't be sure.

I'm not mocking Russ. I'm dead serious. Someone, if you understand him, please explain to me wtf he is talking about.

Why do you assume that the CCC is Republican?

Council of Conservative Citizens?

Yeah because the Democratic power base is among Angry Southern White Self Described Conservatives.

Southern DEMOCRATS.

Dixiecrats like Thurmond, who became Republicans.

Meanwhile Progressives like JFK and MLK pushed Civil Rights.

Truman after all integrated the Armed Forces.

You guys look at the name, I look at their policies and ideology.

More accurately Jacoby is unwilling to face reality, she lives in a world where White Conservatives were the ones getting firehosed.

You know, by using the exact same single example of a racist republican 150,000 times, it does not actually create 150,000 racist republicans. It's still just 1.

Just like Robert Byrd.

You guys look at the name, I look at their policies and ideology.

That's PRECISELY the problem! You define what political party they belong to by what you want them to belong to, rather then what they actually belong to.

So if it suits you, you can consider all felons to be republicans, or whatever the hell you want.

If Howard Dean started goose-stepping, you'd claim HE was republican too.

No, MJ.

If Howard Dean started goose-stepping, UY would suddenly decide there's nothing wrong with Nazism and now that he thinks about it, wasn't King one, too?

And, no. It's not just you. No one can figure out what Russ is talking about.

MJ im talking content, you are talking name.

FOAD.

BTW Jacoby, David Duke ring a bell?

Man....obsession #1 is certainly gotten engorged this fine day. Sorry Russ....I defy you to ever find a raciwst comment by me....saying it is much easier than showing it.

No MJ, you aren't the only one that doesn't understand Russ's unintelligible posts. Sometimes they're easier, but are usually a hodge-podge of red herrings strewn together into a mess....and don't ever call 'im on 'em.....he doesn't like that very much.

...but if herring's all you got, herring's all you got. Take away the fish and you got NOTHING. Ironically, only recently has Russ been following the UY playbook of putting lying words in other's mouths, attempting to pass off those words as those of that other person....and then arguing against those words.....neglecting the fact that those things were never actually said or insinuated.

That's right UY....all racists are Republicans...conservatives....you'll go far at the ACLU....maybe your leader Dean can get you a posoition on his staff. You parrot him already, so why not?

Man....obsession #1 is certainly gotten engorged this fine day. Sorry Russ....I defy you to ever find a raciwst comment by me....saying it is much easier than showing it.

Sarge, The posts are yours. You read type them, you post them, you read them for yourself.

Tiptoe over to the Immigration roundup topic and look at your posts (just a beginning). The problem is you don't know that you are a racist. There's no amout of explaining on my part that will help you see if you choose to be blind.

That's right UY....all racists are Republicans...conservatives

Just a question but can you name a hippie commie liberal racist?

Didn't think they existed. I get it.....I don't want illegal immigrants in this country...I must be racist against illegal immigrants, even though "illegal immigrants" are not a race....but just as UY loves to claim people lie and are racists and can never actually show a lie or show racism....neither can you....and you're always gonna fall back on "it's there...YOU go find it" and "you don't even know you're racist" and "there's no amount of explanation..." How about ANY amount of explaining....ONE quote (still waiting for ONE case as well, but not holding my breath for THAT either). Thus far, all you've got is a baseless and 100% bullshit allegation...and you can kiss my ass when UY gets done. How is it to have UY for a teacher?

Sorry UY...I don't play your idiotic games. If you've got an obsession that says that all racists are Republicans/conservatives...then you've got an obsession and nothing can change that but yourself.

Come on now....y'all are being insensitive to their plight. They're only here to do the work that "even black Americans won't do".....and their "undocumented" status shouldn't enable this racist rounding up of good people.

Sorry "lee"....when are you gonna put down your continuous racism? Show me a slave that I had anything to do with and I'll gladly sit in the courtroom during his civil trial and cheer him on in suing whoever held him in bondage.....and I'll give up whatever money I need to for reparations....right after you call your racist buddies over at th eRainbow Push coalition and pay me and my family for the sacrifices my family made to win the Civil War, thus freeing your people from overt slavery.

If you've got an obsession that says that all racists are Republicans/conservatives

Well conservatives do tend to be, wtf you want me to deny reality because it makes you sad?

Start basing your beliefs on reality Sarge.

Sarge, Maybe your comments regarding anyone that believes in Allah, reads and believes in the Koran, or any muslim that practices their faith Islamic faith.

............or just maybe how you don't see a need for an apology and anyone who does see the need for an apology is a racist.

In the context of political conservatism or liberalism, there are racists in both groups. I don't believe that racism has boundaries ie. political or religious affiliation, wealthy or poor.

In your case the fact that you claim to be conservative, which is still a huge questionable gray area, your remarks are racist. Does that make you a conservative republican racist? You decide.

Russ.....I was simply quoting (hence the quotation marks) the PRESIDENT of Mexico to add to my sarcastic point that illegal immigrants take the jobs that non-illegal immigrants used to do...which you missed because you automatically think I'm racist so it fits your narrow view of those you disagree with....or are you just ignorant in that the President of Mexico actually said that recently (that the illegals do the work that even blacks won't do)? Nice try....I'll just put that in the "you're ignorant on that one" category.

What?...I call the Rainbow Push Coalition a bunch of racists and that makes me a racist? Or is it those that follow the racist line of the Rainbow Push Coalition that are racists? The truth is the absolute defense.....the Rainbow Push Coalition is a bunch of anti-white racists. ....and I'm making the judgement that lee is a racist based on lee's anti-white past here. I see....calling others on THEIR racism makes me a racist.

DO try again.....I don't label "anyone that believes in Islam" as ANYTHING since I work with a few very kind faithful (yet REFORMED) muslims whose ONLY flaw is that they are both Yankees fans. However, Islam is a FAITH, not a RACE and therefore it cannot be racism even if I DO bind all muslims into the same category...which I do not..

I get it already...if I don't fall into lockstep with the anti-white racists out there....if I point 'em out...I'm being racist. Nice logic chain you got there. Guess what....Chuck Turner of the Boston City Council is a racist sumbitch...uh oh...he's a black man...I must be racist. Guess what...Felix Arroyo of the Boston City Council is the other racist sumbitch on the council....uh oh...he's latino...I must be a racist.

No, I don't ever expect you to see through the bullshit you're peddling as the truth....you've already read the cover of this book and made up YOUR mind.

Liberal democrat liutenant govener of California Cruze Bustamante was in a group that proclaims the Hispanic race to be superior to all others.

Liberal democrat senator Robert Byrd is a former KKK member.

Liberal former democratic Vice President Al Gore's father, liberal democratic senator Al Gore Sr, voted against and attempted to fillibuster the civil rights act of 1968, on the grounds that he just hated black people, like most other southern democrats.

Lee's post here was straight forward. Your comments went beyond that, and if anyone posting here were to do the same you would be screaming Ad H... Red H...

Nice try!!

PS. Did you know you have dog shit on your shoe?

Liberal democrat senator Robert Byrd is a former KKK member.

He is a liberal?

And notice the use of the word former as in 60 years ago.

Meanwhile david duke is a much more current example.

Al Gore Sr,

Prescott Bush funded the Nazis.

Hey Scum and you other liberal trash;

I cannot speak for Sarge but I can speak for my self, evil liberal scum suckers.

I was a member of SNCC, and marched in Boston for Equal Rights in 1964, until I found that it was a corrupt commie organization, I know Niger Innis and his father, Urban League, I support the "Project 21" and their activities.

My Family was active in forming the Republican Party under Freemont in several States and were Abolitionists.

We lost 8 members of the family fighting for the Union from midwestern Regiments, including Illinois. After the Civil War we were active in the Knights of Labor and after that in the AF of L.

Stuff that up your ass, pizza boy.

Bill

"Prescott Bush funded the Nazis."

Wow. All by himself? How much money DID he have?

By the way, you can babble about David Duke until you're blue in the face, but the fact is that anyone can SAY they're a Republican and no one can do a thing about it. But no Republicans actually LIKE him. They'd love to throw him out, but all you can do is ask him to leave, and he won't. Lee Atwater called him a charlatan, Reagan and Bush endorsed his opponent when he ran--what more do you want?

So Tiny, how do you yourself feel about African Americans who overwhelmingly vote Democratic?

All by himself?

Well he was reffered to as Hitlers angel.

but the fact is that anyone can SAY they're a Republican and no one can do a thing about it. But no Republicans actually LIKE him.

He was elected to the State Legislature in Louisiana as a Republican, certainly quite a few republicans like him.

what more do you want?

Reagan has his own racist past so eat shit, but id settle for Republicans to stop pandering to guys like him and all the other Neo Confederate inbreds.

"Reagan has his own racist past so eat shit, but id settle for Republicans to stop pandering to guys like him and all the other Neo Confederate inbreds."

I'm surprised you would attack inbreeding. After all, who one "loves" is nobody's business but their own (and, for a short season, Tom Sneddon). But to look down on people for loving their own relatives seems unconscionably unkind. They can't help the way they're wired. I would think you'd be lobbying to get all those silly incest laws eliminated so that two (or more) people in love can get down to having their own REAL family.

Isn't that the tolerant, loving, LIBERAL response to sexual attraction?

After all, who one "loves" is nobody's business but their own

Not like I dont see this brought up all the time, how dishonest of you.

It is not a valid comparison because incest leads to genetic defects.

Maybe my science classes lied to me what with all the evolution and Geology and all but Gays have less of a problem of giving birth to a kid with say hemophilia (an example of invbreeding via royal families).

Awwww....no more obsession #1 feeding? It's gonnna get hungry here soon.

I can't help it if lee is a racist SOB....and I can't help it when I call you on ad hominems and red herrings. If you choose to learn what they are you can look HERE and educate yourself on logic.....more importantly, the ILlogic that you're used to using and why I call you on it every time.....or don't...it'll keep it really easy to deal with your non-logic.

Good, good.....feed the obsession #2 UY. When talking of "race" you can always change the subject to Republicans = Nazis (yeah Russ, that's called a red herring). That'll tailspin the discussion a little more for a period of time....until your next change......hmmmmm Southern republicans are inbreeders? You DO know that the #1 inbreeding defect is STERILITY don't yoiu? I'd figure you'd supprt inbreeding of all them recist Republicans....considering the offspring won't be able to reproduce.

Racists, Nazis, and incestuous....nice tolerant picture of Republicans/conservatives.....quick, change the subject.

I'm sure glad that the Senate did this last week......now we can move forward in a racism-free world and abolish all of those racist government programs.

Wow!! Good job Sarge. It was obvious to all who you were as you were standing in the back row. Now you come front and center although nothing has changed, except now it doesn't look like you're hiding.

You have made a good argument for your racist position. It's never to late to change your ways. Today would as good a time as any.

In regard to your Ad H. and Red H, we understand. It's correct for you to do it, just not anyone who opposes you.

PS. Watch where you step, Tag your dog will be along any minute.

Once again, Russ proves he is second to none at spouting total gibberish.

Bravo.

and you would be none.

And then he proves he can read 80-year old joke books.

Sorry Russ....no need to change racist ways that don't exist. Good for you for being ignorant enough to not know that I was quoting the head of the sovereign state to the south to make a point that you missed.....as usual. Don't like your illogic to be pointed out? Don't say illogical things. It's not my job to go after everyone....only YOU Russ.

I think the obsession is a little hungry...

Your argument is like that of the old man in Missippi; "I just liked to wear the hood." That's the "after I'm caught" argument.

Yes Sarge I saw the comment was in quotes, so don't obsess over that to much. Quote someone else without taking a stand against it.

You can call Lee on being racist, yet say nothing to the people on this board that you agree with. The reason you don't is obvious to all but yourself. I know, you work with muslims, believers of Islam, you couldn't possibily be a racist.

Seeing as you have nothing...take your conjecture and shove it. That's right Russ. You've got nothing but a baseless accusation. How's it really feel to have nothing but 2 obsessions passed on by a college punk?

...and leave Byrd out of it.