Chris Geidner has determined that they are Shelby, Cochran, Lott, Alexander, Hutchison and Cornyn. Will this have any effect on KBH's campaign against Rick Perry in Texas? Will this take Cornyn off the list of prospective Supreme Court candidates (if he was ever on it)? Time will tell. And I've got to say that I am very disappointed in Lamar Alexander (sadly, I'm not remotely surprised by Cornyn, Lott or Shelby being on this list). I hope he comes up with a good reason for not supporting this. Doesn't he remember the victims?
UPDATE: Actually there were more than 6 senators. Keep checking Geidner's post for updates if you are interested in this story.
Posted by armand at June 14, 2005 09:07 AM | TrackBack | Posted to PoliticsArmand,
I'm surprised to see you giving a pass to the 90+ senators engaged in this shameless politic-ing. Who can argue that lynching was one of the many horrible plights endured by minorities in our country, perpetrated by those who lacked empathy and/or understanding. But this political culture of government officials apologizing for the actions of other people is truly senseless, not to mention shallow cullying of voter favor. The ones who should apologize are the ones who were in the government at the time and themselves turned a blind eye to this tragedy, and most of Congress has been elected more recently than that. This is just a further blurring of the notion that true responsibility lies with those who commit crimes, not those who later occupy their offices or those who supervise criminals without knowledge of their behaviors. Or maybe you think that Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and W. owe this country an apology for the actions of Nixon. What about that makes sense?
The actions of Nixon were those of a select group of government officials. In not doing more to stop lynching the entire federal government was essentially turning a blind eye to terrorism on a massive scale across the nation that went on for many years, contributed to millions being second class (at best) citizens, and cost many their lives. I'd say it's right up there in terms of things it is worthy having the American government go on record against and saying they are sorry for with slavery and the internment of Japanese Americans.
I don't think it takes anything away from us to acknowledge when we were wrong or failed. I think we are stronger for it.
Posted by: Armand at June 16, 2005 09:38 AM | PERMALINK