Rush Holt and the Ku Klux Klan

By Abram N. Spangel

 

On his website, West Virginia native Rush Holt eulogized his home state’s most infamous member of the Ku Klux Klan. Holt writes about the passing of former Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV),”I’ve know Senator Byrd my whole life. He has a well-deserved reputation as an orator, a historian, and a defender of the rules, traditions, procedures, and functions of the Senate. Yet, I always will remember him for his extraordinary devotion and service to the people of West Virginia….”

 

Nowhere in his glowing eulogy did Holt mention Robert Byrd’s involvement in the Ku Klux Klan. Byrd recruited and organized a new Klan chapter of 150 men and rose to the titles of Kleagle (recruiter) and when it came time to choosing a local Exalted Cyclops at Byrd’s KKK chapter, Byrd won unanimously. Holt was so adamant about saluting his home state’s most well-known klansman that he dragged his 96 year-old mother out of her bed to show her final respects as Byrd laid in repose.

 

Not only did Rush Holt know Byrd his entire life, but Holt’s parents were very close to Robert Byrd. His mother, Helen Holt, was the first woman Secretary of State of West Virginia and certified Byrd’s elections. Rush’s father was a prominent politician from West Virginia during the 1930’s to 1950’s. Holt’s knowledge of Byrd’s activities in the KKK is apparently of no consequence to Holt.

 

Nevertheless, Robert Byrd was actually more honorable that Rush Holt. Whereas Robert Byrd truly did atone for his activities in the Ku Klux Klan and reversed his stance on race issues as he got older, Rush Holt continues his foaming-at-the-mouth hate mongering to this day.

 

In 2007, Holt declined to vote for House Resolution 847 which called for rejecting bigotry and persecution directed against Christians, both in the United States and worldwide. In 2010, Holt declined to sign a letter to President Obama urging him to appoint a U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Such an Ambassador would have encouraged religious minorities in countries such as Iran, Egypt, Turkey, and China to practice their faith.

Based on his associations and voting record, it seems that the only instance in which Holt wants to see a cross is when one is burning on the lawn in front of a minority house of worship such as an African American church or Jewish synagogue.

 

Posted: September 10th, 2010 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

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