On January 3, 1959 Robert C. Byrd began his career in the United States Senate, making him the longest serving member. He is third in succession to the Presidency, behind Cheney and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
With all that said, he is one guy you don't want to tick off. On Thursday Senator Byrd came out swinging against animal cruelty. At this point I'll admit to watching C-SPAN - yes I'm an idiot. There is a lot of opining over spilt milk in the Congress, but Byrd is a great orator. He speaks with passion, and with many years under his belt; he is not pulling a "Nifong". I've heard many speeches from Senator Byrd, and he doesn't have his name plastered all over West Virginia for nothing. I'm not going to bash the man over everything he says, but on this I think it is telling.
With all that said, he is one guy you don't want to tick off. On Thursday Senator Byrd came out swinging against animal cruelty. At this point I'll admit to watching C-SPAN - yes I'm an idiot. There is a lot of opining over spilt milk in the Congress, but Byrd is a great orator. He speaks with passion, and with many years under his belt; he is not pulling a "Nifong". I've heard many speeches from Senator Byrd, and he doesn't have his name plastered all over West Virginia for nothing. I'm not going to bash the man over everything he says, but on this I think it is telling.
Hundreds of thousands -- if not millions -- of dollars are often at stake in the breeding, the training and the selling of fighting dogs. How inhuman, how dastardly!" shouted the senator. "The training of these poor creatures to turn themselves into fighting machines is simply barbaric.[SOURCE]
I totally agree with the Distinguished Gentleman from West Virgina. As the Senate Historian, and for good reason being there a half century, Byrd has seen a lot in his lifetime, and from the lectern he has expressed his love for animals on many occasions. On Thursday he unleashed a rant, not naming Vick, but it was a Hell, Fire, and Brimstone speech. View some highlights HERE.
Meanwhile Senator John Kerry wishes to propose Anti Dogfighting Legislation. Yes, it has become political, and every candidate will give you their "It's wrong" sound bite, but none of them speak from the heart like Senator Byrd. In 2002 at an Appropriation Committee meeting, he told his colleagues that his dog had passed away. They were in session, on the record. I think you get my point.
Meanwhile Senator John Kerry wishes to propose Anti Dogfighting Legislation. Yes, it has become political, and every candidate will give you their "It's wrong" sound bite, but none of them speak from the heart like Senator Byrd. In 2002 at an Appropriation Committee meeting, he told his colleagues that his dog had passed away. They were in session, on the record. I think you get my point.
Sure there will be people that drudge up his past and drop things like the KKK, but that was years ago. If we stop the mud slinging in Washington, as well as the rest of America, we might just learn a little from our elders. I don't agree with the man on every issue, but that is okay. This is not a Republican v. Democrat debate. It goes to the very core of human decency, and if you can't come down on one side of fence on this...I hope you bust your nads on that old rusty fence.
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For all his faults - and like you, I'm not claiming that he's a saint by any means - Senator Robert Byrd is unquestionably one of the greatest public servants in recent American history. If he receives a call or email from one of his constituents, you can bet that they will receive an immediate and personalized reply. I have nothing but respect for the man, and I fear it will be many years before we see another like him, if ever.
ReplyDeleteInsofar as dog fighting, we should put those involved in that activity into a ring with their own fighting dogs, and no way out. Then maybe, just maybe, they'll understand the torture they have inflicted upon those poor animals, as that same torture is inflicted upon them.
The saddest thing about this is that, even when fighting dogs are rescued, they are not truly rescued. Instead, the dogs are destroyed because they are considered entirely too dangerous to be allowed around humans or other animals.
Incidentally, I like your blog so much that I gave you a link on my personal blog as well. :-)