Populist Reform of the Democratic Party
In reply to the discussion: 15 Ways Bill Clinton’s White House Failed America and the World [View all]merrily
(45,251 posts)It's not as simple as that, anyway. People are capable of growth and genuine repentance and redeeming themselves to the best of their ability.
Byrd was indeed a KKK member, but apologize profusely and changed, as witnessed by his votes. I don't know if I ever forgave him totally for joining in the first instance, but I recognize the difference between him and Strom Thurmond, for example.
Truman was also a member of some white supremacist group, too, to get votes, he said, but integrated the military via executive order, sans Congressional vote or other cya measure, knowing it could cost him the next election.
On the other hand, we have no evidence that Strom Thurmond actually joined any white supremacist group, but he did challenge Truman in 1948 because of that integration and never so much as acknowledging his mixed race daughter.
Now, is any the above based on my alleged party loyalty, or is it reality-based?