US Senator makes racist statement in his memoirs

[jazz]

No surprise he is an ex-KKK member from West Virginia

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050721-115719-6891r.htm

Mr. Byrd embraced the same judicial philosophy as the president in his memoir, "Child of the Appalachian Coalfields," released earlier this summer. In the book, he repeatedly blamed "liberal judges" and "activist judges" for many of the nation's problems.

"One's life is probably in no greater danger in the jungles of deepest Africa than in the jungles of America's large cities," he writes. "In my judgment, much of the problem has been brought about by the mollycoddling of criminals by some of the liberal judges who have been placed on the nation's courts in recent years."

Mr. Byrd essentially endorsed Mr. Bush's primary stated strategy for picking Judge Roberts and other judicial nominees. "The high court's share of the responsibility for our increasing lawlessness lies in two areas -- its zeal for bringing about precipitous social change, and its overconcern for the rights of criminals and its underconcern for the rights and safety of society," he writes.

[BigRedWarEagle]

Not quite sure how that statement is racist, friend.  You sure you're not just being hyper-sensitive?

[be10dwn]

Didn't seem too racist to me unless you are saying it is racist to say bad things about criminals.

[Rudy Huckleberry]

I don't see any racism here either, though I disagree with Sen. Byrd's larger point.

[mivida2k]

Do not know why he used Africa though?  Sounds like a London problem.

[YoungIke]

Not a racist comment, however we do know that Bird is a racist democrat who just never left the party after the Nixon shift. He used Africa, because Africa is known for having jungles that haven't been messed over by the people. Also, most sane folks don't want liberal or conservative activist, just interpret the constitution and leave your own beliefs out of it. The constitution is fine without the court adding to it. That is the Congresses job.

[BigMix]

Oh he hates liberal and activist judges, well maybe if the conservative judges were honest to acknowledge a racial problem in the country, and rule accordingly in relation to civil rights, affirmative action, educational funding, health care etc they would have still been in power and happily applauded.

but its just like conservatives who judge the prosperity of a nation, based on their eurocentric experience.

sad to say, but I prefer not being lynchable in 21st century America than 1950's America.

[ImVinny!]

Definately not racist sounding to me. It just seems that he is mad that people seem to care more about criminals' rights then the fact that they ARE criminals!