Racially Insensitive Lott Praises Racially Insensitive Sessions’s Judiciary Promotion As ‘Poetic Justice’
Racially Insensitive Lott Praises Racially Insensitive Sessions’s Judiciary Promotion As ‘Poetic Justice’
Yesterday, Senate Republicans struck a deal, resulting in Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) stepping up as Sen. Arlen Specter’s (D-PA) replacement as the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sessions’ promotion was quickly praised by conservatives, including former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), who called it “poetic justice” after the Judiciary Committee had rejected Sessions’s own judicial nomination in 1986.
Lott’s praise for Sessions is interesting, considering that they both have reputations that have been marred by racially insensitive remarks. In 2002, Lott stepped down as Senate Minority Leader after he sparked controversy by praising the segregationist run for president by the late Strom Thurmond.
At the time, the New Republic’s Sarah Wildman argued that if the conservatives were “serious” about stamping out racism in their movement, they should take a look at Sessions:
Herbert testified that the young lawyer tended to “pop off” on such topics regularly, noting that Sessions had called a white civil rights lawyer a “disgrace to his race” for litigating voting rights cases. Sessions acknowledged making many of the statements attributed to him but claimed that most of the time he had been joking, saying he was sometimes “loose with [his] tongue.” He further admitted to calling the Voting Rights Act of 1965 a “piece of intrusive legislation,” a phrase he stood behind even in his confirmation hearings.
It got worse. Another damaging witness–a black former assistant U.S. Attorney in Alabama named Thomas Figures–testified that, during a 1981 murder investigation involving the Ku Klux Klan, Sessions was heard by several colleagues commenting that he “used to think they [the Klan] were OK” until he found out some of them were “pot smokers.” Sessions claimed the comment was clearly said in jest. Figures didn’t see it that way. Sessions, he said, had called him “boy” and, after overhearing him chastise a secretary, warned him to “be careful what you say to white folks.”
During his unsuccessful 1986 confirmation hearing, Sessions was also scrutinized for investigating three civil rights workers in Alabama’s “Black Belt” counties for voter fraud while ignoring predominantly white communities. In an interview with TPM’s Brian Beutler yesterday, one of the civil rights workers, Spencer Hogue, Jr, recalled the case. “We were trying to get the right to vote,” said Hogue. “He tried to persecute us.”
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Well, just legalize pot and they are OK again…
May 5th, 2009 at 1:21 pmNow all the GOP needs is a rousing endorsement from David Duke and the “purity” of their party will just shine through.
Yeah, that BIGOT BASE is the way to build your party, all right.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:22 pmAge I’m so old I can remember when “conservative” didn’t mean RACIST!
May 5th, 2009 at 1:24 pmTwo peas in a pod…
May 5th, 2009 at 1:25 pmI heard David Duke got arrested recently
http://www.davidduke.com/general/david-duke-arrested-in-prague_9584.html
Yupp, he sure was..
May 5th, 2009 at 1:26 pm…during a 1981 murder investigation involving the Ku Klux Klan, Sessions was heard by several colleagues commenting that he “used to think they [the Klan] were OK” until he found out some of them were “pot smokers.” Sessions claimed the comment was clearly said in jest. Figures didn’t see it that way. Sessions, he said, had called him “boy” and, after overhearing him chastise a secretary, warned him to “be careful what you say to white folks.”
Ah ha ha ha! Oh that’s funny! What a jester Jeff Sessions is! You can’t beat Republican humor!
May 5th, 2009 at 1:28 pmTwo KKK members of the GOP.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:29 pmWho wants to bet that one of Jeff Sessions’ best friends is black, and Jeff doesn’t see color?
May 5th, 2009 at 1:30 pmAnd this is surprising how?
This is what the Republican Party is slowly but surely collapsing toward….
May 5th, 2009 at 1:31 pmHere we go again. This is what is at the core of the GOP. Is anyone really suprised?
May 5th, 2009 at 1:32 pmClose personal friends of Sen. Sessions say in person he really is a funny guy with a real sense of humor. Bubba Gritts says Sessions regularly cracks him up at the White Citizens Council and Klan meetings. It is reported that Sessions favorite book is “The Real Meaning Of Plessy v. Ferguson & Its’ Affect on Intermodal Travel. Gotta love the GOP’s sense of irony in putting this guy upfront and personal.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:33 pm“…and all the klan’s horsemen, and all the klan’s men,
couldn’t put humpty together again”
(poor ol’ gopers – such an ignoble demise)
May 5th, 2009 at 1:33 pmThe new name of the GOP:
May 5th, 2009 at 1:35 pmReDixiecans
This type of dog whistle politics has been going on since St. Ronnie of the Massive Deficit.
Nothing new.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:37 pmJust what we need, another white-haired white-bigot man in a position of power. Is there some kind of vetting when it come to picking these GOP bigots? Maybe there’s a mold they pop out of from an assembly line somewhere in China.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:38 pmUsed way too much lube
May 5th, 2009 at 1:39 pmLost footing behind the dog
Republicans fall
I think this just goes to show that there is plenty of room under the GOP’s big hood and robe, er, um, I mean tent, for everyone to join them!
May 5th, 2009 at 1:42 pmWhy is it that the bast*rd BIGOTS always use the EXCUSE -I was just JOKING – when we ALL know that is nothing more than unadulterated BS? And to prove his BS, he had the nerve to then tout his bigotry against ‘pot smokers’.
[If these so called INTELLIGENT LEADERS were really smart, they would just legalize DRUGS and rake in windfall profits in taxes as well as see a humongous drop in crime]! But to anyone with a brain, it is so apparent that Sessions is nothing more than a typical neocon – RACIST, OPPORTUNIST, BIGOT AND HYPOCRIT. He thought the KKK were terrific! Guess that about says it all! And they think people with brains would CHOSE to be part of their party?
May 5th, 2009 at 1:43 pm“Poetic justice”?
Bitter much, Lott?
PEACE
May 5th, 2009 at 1:43 pmPoetic justice for whom?
May 5th, 2009 at 1:45 pmhmmm… that actually gives me an idea.
I could form a White Civil Rights Union (WCLU) to lobby on behalf of the civil rights of white people. Talk about a “Maytag Repairman” job.
Advertise on Stormfront, Redstate, and Free republic and watch the nickels from dingleberries roll in.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pmOh, what a card that Sessions is — always joking!
Here’s to the GOP holding fast to their tradition of taking their most embarrassing players and putting them in the spotlight.
Even though the Democrats will likely pick up another 5 or 6 senate seats in 2010, we can always use more. So keep it up, Republicans — make sure your jokesters are front and center!
May 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pmLegalizing things is no fun for a neocon GOPpers. Think about it:
WAR on drugs
WAR on gay marriage
WAR on terror
WAR on cap and trade
WAR on health care reform
WAR on clean energy
WAR on immigration reform
War is a hot button – gets them all hot-n-bothered.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:49 pmJeff, a true comedian tests his mettle at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. C’mon, old boy, give it a shot!
Cue the trolls with Robert Byrd…
May 5th, 2009 at 1:50 pmIs this the ‘Neo-klan’ wing of the ‘American Taliban’ or is it a whole other (minority) party?
May 5th, 2009 at 1:51 pmSenator Byrd was a member of the KKK decades ago. He has since repudiated the group and apologized sincerely for his membership in it.
It IS possible for a racist to be redeemed. This avenue is available for Sessions as well. But will he apologize for his racist remarks of the past? In a sincere, meaningful way that shows he “gets” it — not just in an “I’m sorry if some people were offended” way? I’m not holding my breath.
May 5th, 2009 at 1:54 pmWonder what Cantor being Jewish and Steele being black would have to say about this?
It’s good to know that the the GOP-American Taliban has been brought to light.
May 5th, 2009 at 2:00 pmIsn’t the Tonight show looking for a replacement for Jay Leno?
May 5th, 2009 at 2:02 pmIf Sessions uses the confirmation hearing as payback for his rejection as a federal judge, he will reinforce the party of no perception. Especially if a woman or minority candidate is chosen. Best case scenario: Obama appoints a non-white gay woman who is pro-life, and Session’s head explodes, Limbaugh strokes out, and Hannity starts foaming at the mouth.
May 5th, 2009 at 2:06 pmTracy__5 Says:
“In 2002, Lott stepped down as Senate Minority Leader after he sparked controversy by praising the segregationist run for president by the late Strom Thurmond.”
TP you guys are STILL dragging up that debunked BS assertion about Lott’s statments?
—–
Do you have some evidence that Lott’s statements were debunked?
May 5th, 2009 at 2:06 pmoh those white folks in the south.
such upstanding christians.
the demos will fold and america will get another neo con on the supreme court
time to drain the swamp america
until we do the decline will continue
the swamp is corrupt
has to be to be reelected ie takes money and lots of it
jefferson time in america and until americans figure that out nothing much will change
hope will not change a system
until americans take to the streets nothing much will change
too easy for too long
while we were sleeping the country was lost to the people
May 5th, 2009 at 2:07 pmI don’t know how one could debunk Lott’s statements. It was a clearcut endorsement of a segregationist candidacy.
May 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pmTrent Lott was a Dixiecrat Democrat who jumped ship over civil rights in 1964. Sessions never had to jump ship, he is just a racist from Alabama.
May 5th, 2009 at 2:16 pmTracy, do you want to argue that Sessions is not a racist?
May 5th, 2009 at 2:18 pmWatching the Republican party reposition their “leaders” is like watching someone reposition chairs on the deck of the Titanic.
IRRELEVANT
May 5th, 2009 at 2:27 pmThat’s the REPUBLIKLAN party at work for AmeriKKKa
Damn the GOPranos
May 5th, 2009 at 2:40 pmOh those silly Repukes, it is their “Big Tent” plan…
….a big white tent with a tall pointy white hat.
Congrats for confirming that the Repukes are racists of the worst sort.
Fcuk the Republicans
May 5th, 2009 at 2:41 pmThose Republican Jokers — what an unusual sense of humor. Thank God, I am unable to find any humor in it whatsoever.
May 5th, 2009 at 2:55 pmI think it’s more like hate going on. I don’t call hate insensitivity.
May 5th, 2009 at 2:57 pmTracy__5 Says
May 5th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
TP you guys are STILL dragging up that debunked BS assertion about Lott’s statments?
____________________________________________________________
“When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We’re proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn’t have had all these problems over the years, either.”
This is the quote from Lott. Verbatim. And considering that Thurmond’s platform for his 1948 presidential run was one of explicit racial segregation, Lott’s meaning is pretty clear.
And now you claim that the assertion that Lott’s statement praised Thurmond’s stand on segregation is “BS” and “debunked”.
Are you claiming Lott never made this statement? Are you claiming Lott meant something else? Please explain how a reasonable person wouldn’t come to the conclusion that Lott was proud of voting for a segregationist.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:09 pmLott? The one who needed FEMA to rebuild his flooded home? The now lobbist who sucks on the medical industry? Why his input? He is not a pol anymore.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:21 pmThe only times I’ve ever heard the phrase “disgrace to the race” was when it was coming from a redneck in rural northern Louisiana.
Once it was while riding along with my manager at the time through Grambling and the guy said “Hoowee, look at them long legs on that one!” and then corrected himself saying, “Damn, can’t believe I’m looking at a n-word like that. I’m a disgrace to my race.”
Another time I was in a mall in Monroe and when I was shocked by the price of a cookie, the guy next to me said, “Damn, boy, you’re acting like a n-word. You’re a disgrace to your race.”
So there is no doubt what that phrase is all about.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:40 pmSegregation was a major plank in the Dixiecrat platform:
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/showplatforms.php?platindex=SR1948
May 5th, 2009 at 3:54 pm…
trace,
big love for lott and sessions.
no love for mike steele.
see the difference?
:\
May 5th, 2009 at 3:58 pmThe 1948 slogan for the States’ Rights or Dixiecrat party was “Segregation Forever”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixiecrat
May 5th, 2009 at 3:58 pmSo Tracy, praise for a campaign whose slogan is “segregation forever” is not racist?
May 5th, 2009 at 4:01 pm…
trace,
carrie prejean.
hubba hubba.
:)
sorry, was i being ot?
:(
May 5th, 2009 at 4:05 pmTracy__5 Says:
#48
“no love for mike steele.
see the difference?”
Not the absurd racist implication you see apparently.
***
i didn’t say you
defended mike steele.
:)
we know you didn’t.
we know you never have.
:)
May 5th, 2009 at 4:13 pmTracist is an expert on bunk and racism, considering he is full of both.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:21 pmTracy__5 Says:
“i didn’t say you
defended mike steele.”
Then why the ignorant racist inuendo on your part?
***
s/b “innuendo”
*
let’s leave larry craig
out of this shall we?
:)
May 5th, 2009 at 4:22 pmTracy, Thurmond ran on a platform of segregation.
Endorsement of Thurmond is an endorsement of segregation.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:23 pmTracy__5 Says:
“sorry, was i being ot?”
No just revealing about your habits.
***
she’s hot.
yeah.
:<0
next governor of alaska?
i can see her shooting penguins
from a helicopter, can’t you?
:)
:)
May 5th, 2009 at 4:25 pmRacists never seem to be able to recognize racism.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:25 pmTracy__5 Says:
“let’s leave larry craig
out of this shall we?”
What does he have to do with your ignorant insinuation?
***
lol,
you are funny!
:)
May 5th, 2009 at 4:26 pmTracist, do you still have that invisible black friend?
May 5th, 2009 at 4:29 pmTracist predictably flies to the defense of three of the most heinous racists in the Republican Party and he can’t figure out why anyone would think he is racist.
Tracist, ask you invisible black frined what he thinks of your three heroes, Strom Thurman, Trent Lott, and Jeff Sessions.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:36 pmIs he physical at all? Ask a mental health professional.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:39 pmTracy__5 Says:
“Tracist is an expert on bunk and racism, considering he is full of both.”
Where is your evidence? Been asking for months now. This comming from someone who know nothing about the practice of architecture but continues to claim to?
***
i remember when you
tried to steal credit for
another architect’s work.
**
that was pretty shameful.
:(
May 5th, 2009 at 4:41 pmThe prosecution rests it’s case.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:42 pmTracy__5 Says:
“next governor of alaska?”
This chick? I doubt it.
“i can see her shooting penguins
from a helicopter, can’t you?”
Penguins in in Alaska? Uh, no.
***
you don’t like her pink panties?
:(
May 5th, 2009 at 4:45 pmThat was even worse than when he got all those union construction workers fired, hired unskilled labor, used substandard materials, and then blamed the union workers for the leaks in his obviously poorly designed building.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:47 pmLott’s quote again:
“I want to say this about my state: When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We’re proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn’t have had all these problems over all these years, either.”
Thurmond ran as a segregationist. His campaign slogan was “segregation forever”. Lott was proud to vote for a segregationist. If America was segregated, Lott contends, it would be better off.
Segregation is racist. Lott’s comments were racist.
Bill Kristol agrees. From the link provided in the article above:
William Kristol, editor of the conservative Weekly Standard, said “Oh, God,” when he learned of Lott’s comments. “It’s ludicrous. He should remember it’s the party of Lincoln,” referring to Lott’s role as Republican leader of the Senate, which the GOP will control when the new Congress convenes next month.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:50 pmThat’s funny, because I have exactly that same memory. joe, how did we both remember that inaccurately?
And Tracy, are you calling your co-worker, the famous Ian Sinnett, a liar?!?!
May 5th, 2009 at 4:54 pmYes, I would be very afraid of an invisible person. Unlike you, I don’t have any invisible friends.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:55 pmWell, a rare good mark for Bill Kristol. Unlike a certain troll, he is able to recognise overt racism.
May 5th, 2009 at 4:57 pmTracy:
So if someone praises the work of David Duke in a general sense, but doesn’t explicitly say–I praise his racism, you maintain that it isn’t racist praise?
May 5th, 2009 at 4:58 pmTracy__5 Says:
#73
“you don’t like her pink panties?”
Sure, but can’t you get that same type of image from your own significant other?
***
your question makes no sense.
i thought you were straight.
*
sorry.
:|
May 5th, 2009 at 5:04 pmTracy__5 Says:
“That’s funny, because I have exactly that same memory. joe, how did we both remember that inaccurately?”
Because your believe Mr. Sinnett was telling the truth when he said that he was THE architect on some obscure website.
“And Tracy, are you calling your co-worker, the famous Ian Sinnett, a liar?!?!”
Uh, yes. I work a better firm now and he is no longer my co-worker BTW.
***
if you were fair you’d cc
this accusation to mr. sinnett
to allow him the chance to
respond.
:\
May 5th, 2009 at 5:07 pmTracy__5 Says:
“if you were fair you’d cc
this accusation to mr. sinnett
to allow him the chance to
respond.”
I did it in person along time ago and he said he misspoke and should have said ONE on the architects.
**
s/b “a long”
***
what you say he said is hearsay.
a firm statement from mr. sinnett would
be more appropriate.
>>
May 5th, 2009 at 5:37 pmTracy 5 um as a white guy dating a black girl for the last 5 years, I have heard all kinds of cloaked racist vitriol over the time. The most recent happened to me in the grocery store. I was standing in the checkout lane when the guy behind me started ragging on the new cashier girl who happened to be black. The delinquent was ranting on and on about affirmative action and Obama being the worst president ever. My girl had gone off to get some cookies so she wasn’t privvy to this insane tirade. But, when she came back, the guy left his jerky, his cigarettes and his beer and left immediately after giving me the most dirtiest look I’ve ever got from a white guy. Tracy, racism in any form is despicable but the most despicable to me are those who are and won’t admit it to themselves and instead foist their crap in my non-racist face!
May 5th, 2009 at 8:22 pmPeople. call it the REPUBLIKLAN party
or the GOPranos.
Thank you.
May 5th, 2009 at 9:32 pmSessions was confused. He thought that “Justice” was spelled “Just Us”.
May 5th, 2009 at 9:54 pmthank you so much…
May 6th, 2009 at 4:38 amI THANK
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Tracist__negative IQ of 5,
Who’ve made racist comments before and you’re in this thread defending racist politicians. That makes YOU a racist. Go to your church and repent. Say 12 our fathers and 10 hail marries as well.
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