Lynch Mob

The US Senate recently passed a resolution condemning lynching and their own failure to pass laws to prohibit it. The resolution was initiated by Mary Landrieu, the excellent Senator from Louisiana. The Gazette hasn't reported much on this; they are probably of the "we didn't do it so we have nothing to apologize for" school. I'm sure Colorado Springs was a bastion of civility post-Reconstruction, especially early in the 20th century, as white resentment of blacks for their newly gained freedom was at fever pitch (document here - PDF warning).

The resolution was co-sponsored by most Senators. But on a resolution that should have 100 cosponsors and 100 aye votes, the news is that the vote was held by voice. It seems Doctor Senator Presidential Candidate Bill Frist wanted to maintain some cover for some of the more resolute racist Republicans. Here they are:

Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Robert Bennett (R-UT)
Thad Cochran (R-MS)
John Cornyn (R-TX)
Michael Crapo (R-ID)
Michael Enzi (R-WY)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Judd Gregg (R-NH)
Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Kay Hutchison (R-TX)
Jon Kyl (R-AZ)
Trent Lott (R-MS) (now isn't this a surprise? - Z)
Richard Shelby (R-AL)
John Sununu (R-NH)
Craig Thomas (R-WY)

Does the Republican Party leadership in the Senate have no problem with people who would hang innocent black people from trees by their necks simply for looking at a white woman the wrong way?

Maybe Howard Dean was right after all.

Update: A little more info here -

Twenty lynchings were reported in 1935.

During that time, nearly 200 anti-lynching bills were introduced in Congress, and three passed the House. Seven presidents between 1890 and 1952 petitioned Congress to pass a federal law.

But the Senate, with Southern conservatives wielding their filibuster powers, refused to act. With the enactment of civil rights laws in the 1960s and changes in national attitudes, the issue faded away.

Dr. Frist, can you diagnose that? - Z