JUST A'JOSHIN', FOLKS!
We have not, as yet, been told who propped Strom Thurman upright in his chair so he could attend his 100th birthday party. They did a good job, however, and he played his same “old” role well, as he has done for many years.
How long have we viewed Strom Thurman as being “old”? That's been a much-repeated story for many, many years and most lost track of his alleged amorous proclivities. The recent avalanche of accusations which have all but covered Senator Trent Lott is more of the so-called humor dealing with a man of exceptional age for his circumstances.
Lott comes from Mississippi, which is not exactly South Carolina in many ways, and his sense of humor may vary a bit from that of others, but he was, I think, in keeping with the general tenor of remarks being set forth at the party. I rather liked it in that he did not dwell, as so many did - and do - on the tiresome romantic theme exploited by so many for so long. I can't see too much of any vindictively planned racial discrimination in his remarks as being accurate. He did speak of the 1948 Strom Thurman campaign for the Presidency in 1948 as head of the Dixiecrat Party. Most hearers had to be reminded of what that splinter party group favored, but they did hear Trent Lott say: “I voted for him! We all supported him!” They overlooked the simple fact that in 1948 - when Strom Thurman ran for President, Trent Lott, in Mississippi, was every bit of six years old!
From that point on, the note takers started hearing all sorts of things Trent Lott was either saying, seem to be about ready to say, or had said. Their hastily jotted notes took on new authority the more they were read out of the “party time” context, and we have ended up with un-needed trouble at a time when we should, more properly, be thinking of other, more serious things.
Even if I try,I have trouble imagining six-year-old Trent going about his boyhood down there in Mississippi dedicated to developing new and devious ways in which to make life miserable for blacks, blues or reds.
About the only redeeming quality in this vendetta attack on Lott's alleged remarks,has been the fact that it has kept many of his critics from needling others with their usual, often tiresome trivia talk about temporary tensions. While the heat has been on Trent Lott, others have enjoyed a respite from chronic critics. I have a feeling they will be grateful for such favors and be silent for a time while Trent Lott - no longer six years old - puts things in order and resumes his leadership role.
It is true that Trent Lott said other things at the Thurman party and there is little doubt but that he should have quit while he was ahead. He.certainly, must know that by now, too. And knowing that he can, most likely, be a better leader in many ways than before it all happened.
And, congratulations to you, Strom Thurman.
I was thirty-two years old when you ran for President as a Dixiecrat and I did not vote for you.
I hope no one tries to read anything into that statement. I don't know that I refrained from voting for you for any particular reason, but someone is bound to be sure that I must have had some ulterior motive in not doing so. Would you go with just birthday cards next year, sir?
A.L.M. December 18, 2002 [c606wds]
