Strom Thurmond dead at age 100 (1 Viewer)

[Marque D]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/...bit/index.html

http://www.msnbc.com/news/105994.asp?vts=062620032015

 

[Patrick_S]

Wow it should be interesting to see how long a thread about such a controversial politician stays open.

All I can say is he lived a long life and up until a few years ago was fairly active. We should all be so fortunate.

 

[Jed M]

Regardless how antiquated and harmful some of his views were, he did dedicate his life to public service and for that I will give him a much deserved . Think of the stories that are going to the grave with that guy... It must have been a fascinating life, albeit not one I would care to be remembered for.

 

[Brad Porter]

I think I heard that recently (within the past few months) that his first grandchild was born. I kept trying to figure out how he got to be 100 without any grandchildren and it occurred to me that maybe the long term lack of kids and grandkids helped him get to 100.

Brad

 

[Tommy Ceez]

Amazing, a Senator until age 99 and then 6 months after retirement - he's dead. Once you get past 70 you might HAVE to keep working just to stay alive.

albeit not one I would care to be remembered for.

Actually Thurmond will be remembered as a man who had the modesty and guts to change his outlook and policies very publicly when he realised that he was wrong and times had changed.

 

[Chris]

Strom had many negatives in his life; but he's also one of the few repbulicans I can think of to garner more then 30% of the African-American vote in his state.

He will long be remembered as a distinguished WWII Veteran, and for his ability to change his views.

His career will long be marred by his early views regarding segregation, but he should also be remembered as the first senator to employ an African American amongst his staff, and a senator honored by many Black Colleges in the south for his works in regards of school funds.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/4674588.htm

And, while it is often forgotten, even in his early career, he enacted some important legislation in South Carolina that prevented obstacles againsts voting by African Americans and poor whites, by removing the poll tax within his state.

Strom had much wrong with his life; but did much right. There is always a chance for people to find their way and change.. I seriously doubt when Sen. Robert Byrd dies, many will decry his time served as head of the Klu Klux Klan. While it will in no doubt harm how he is evaluated historically; what is telling about persons like Strom and Byrd is that they, through time, managed to re-evaluate their views rather then to continue to live them.

 

[Jeff Kleist]

I thought the magic of Disney animatronics was to give us another Century of Strom?

 

[Gary->dee]

I don't care about his politics but the man saw a lot of things in his lifetime.

RIP, sir.

 

[RobertR]

I'm just fascinated that he was alive for essentially the entire 20th century.

 

[Ricardo C]

As has already been said, while some of his early views were deplorable, he had the strenght of character to accept he was wrong, and to move forward from there. He certainly should be honored for that

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Cheers to staying relevant at 100... we could all hope for the same.

 

[Reginald Trent]

Seems I heard that Strom had a daughter by a Black woman, is this true?

 

[Ricardo C]

"seems" you heard? You're not even sure you actually heard it? :p)

Anyhoo, I googled the story, and it's referred to as an urban legend. The woman in question denies being Thurmond's daughter. However, Thurmond has reportedly supported her financially all her life, even paying for her college education.

 

[Andrew 'Ange Hamm' Hamm]

It's interesting how Thurmond's death has been headlined, particularly in the context of the other big news of the day. NetZero's home page had something like the following:

"Strom Thurmond, Segregationist Senator, Dies at 100."

Directly underneath:

"Gays Celebrate, Take to the Streets."

It astonished me that A) no one at the website saw any problem with the vagueness of the second headline, which made no mention of the reason for celebration, 2) they chose to highlight political views Thurmond abandoned nearly four decades ago, and 3) no one saw how ridiculous the two headlines looked together.

Interesting Strom Thurmond fact: in his last election, he received more votes from blacks than any other white candidate in the south--including Democrats. Figure that one out.

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Heading into a political no-no zone there, Andrew...

 

[Steve Enemark]

Just out of curiosity, what did Strom Thurmond accomplish in his lifetime, aside from warming a Senate seat for decades? I can't find any references to any great pieces of legislation that the man put forth. Did he do anything important, or just live a really long time?

 

[Chris]

OK, here's a list of important moments in his life.. including legislation he either wrote or sponsored within the senate:

* Served as a WWII vet, landed on D-Day with the 82nd Airborne. He 18 decorations, medals and awards, including the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star for Valor.

* In 1946, became governor of South Carolina. Under his term, the poll tax was removed - a tax which was often used to prevent blacks and poor whites from voting. He also extended the school year in SC.

* He became the first US Senator to hire an African-American as paid staff.

* In 1982, as a member of the senate, he co-sponsored and helped draft the legislation which governs child pornography crimes in America.

* He authored legislation regarding drug trafficking and federal penalities for trafficking.

* He helped fund, and back, private african-american schools within his state from 1981-2002 with enough funds that he was named honorary graduates of several in the last two years, and was honored at the Black College Fund dinner last year.

Strom Thurmond also had a great number of faults. All of which can be openly discussed to, and most of which he is guilty of. Having said that, he was well respected within his state (which is why he continued to be elected repeatedly) and did what many fail to do in their lifetime.. admit the err of their ways and try to change.

 

[Rob Gardiner]

I'd like to thank everyone for their comments here. After reading this thread, I have more respect for Mr. Thurmond than I did before.

 

[Matt Pelham]

He is also known for conducting an old fashioned and record breaking 24 hour and 18 minute filibuster to prevent the 1957 Civil Rights Act.

 

[Tommy Ceez]

He is also known for conducting an old fashioned and record breaking 24 hour and 18 minute filibuster to prevent the 1957 Civil Rights Act.

Which is ironic because current filibuster rules and 'gentlemens agreements' are in place because of senators in thier latter years, specifically at the time, Thurmond