Explaining the Wrong Side of History

The Right wing and Republicans are faux raged about Sen. Harry Reid calling them out on being on the wrong side of history. Steven Benen notes the ridiculousnessicity:

Three Republican senators on Monday condemned Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) comments that Republicans who oppose healthcare reform are akin to the opponents of abolition and women's suffrage.

"Folks tend to crack under pressure," said Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) at a press conference. "It is an indication of desperation."

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said he was "personally offended" by the remarks that were "beneath the dignity of the Majority Leader...and the Senate."

Senate Republican Policy Committee chairman John Thune (S.D.) called the comments "inflammatory and irresponsible."

I realize that conservative senators are waiting to pounce on just about anything, anxious to derail the debate by any means necessary. If that means pretending to be offended -- Republicans are allegedly the "tough" party, except for their delicate sensibilities -- so be it.

But this faux-outrage is silly. Reid was talking about the historic significance of the health care debate, and placing it in the larger context. Here's what he said:

"Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all Senate Republicans can come up with is: 'Slow down, stop everything and start over.' If you think you've heard these same excuses before, you're right.

"When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, some dug in their heels and said, 'slow down.' When women spoke up for the right to speak up -- when they demanded the vote -- some insisted that they simply stop. When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to all citizens, regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today.

"And more recently, when Chairman Chris Dodd of Connecticut - one of the people who will go down in history as a chief champion of the bill before us today - said that Americans should be able to start and take care of their families without fear of losing their jobs, he heard the sane old excuses. Through seven years of fighting and more than one presidential veto, it was: 'Slow down, stop everything and start over.'

"History is repeating itself before our eyes. There are now those who don't think this is the right time to reform health care. But in reality, for many who feel that way, there will never be a good time to reform health care."

Republicans may not like being on the wrong side of history -- though, at this point, you'd think they'd be used to it -- but that doesn't make the historical context "inflammatory and irresponsible."

The wrong side of history. You see, how it works is, anyone and I mean anyone who was against the Civil Rights movement was essentially on the WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY. Of course that means to Michelle Malkin, Reid is race baiting:

It was the GOP that fought slavery and the Democrat Party that battled to preserve it.
It’s the Democrat Party, not the GOP, that boasts an ex-Klansman among its senior leaders.
But don’t confuse Harry Reid with history while he invokes slavery to lambaste the GOP for opposing the government-run health care takeover.

Adding this gem: "Crying “RAAAAAACIST:” Always the first and last refuge of left-wing scoundrels."

I am not sure what history book Malkin has been reading lately, but to say the "GOP fought slavery" is a complete misreading of history as we know it. Unless of course she means literally fought slavery, all those Southern secessionists, of course were Democrats (sarcasm emphasized) . Let us just rid ourselves of this idea that the GOP was behind the Civil Rights Act. It was the civil rights movement and its leaders, it was LBJ and the North vs. South mindset that led to more equality in America.

Wikipedia:

The original House version:
Southern Democrats: 7-87 (7%-93%)
Southern Republicans: 0-10 (0%-100%)
Northern Democrats: 145-9 (94%-6%)
Northern Republicans: 138-24 (85%-15%)

The Senate version:
Southern Democrats: 1-20 (5%-95%) (only Senator Ralph Yarborough of Texas voted in favor)
Southern Republicans: 0-1 (0%-100%) (this was Senator John Tower of Texas)
Northern Democrats: 45-1 (98%-2%) (only Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia opposed the measure)
Northern Republicans: 27-5 (84%-16%) (Senators Barry Goldwater of Arizona, Bourke Hickenlooper of Iowa, Edwin L. Mechem of New Mexico, Milward L. Simpson of Wyoming, and Norris H. Cotton of New Hampshire opposed the measure)

What Reid was stating was simple. Health care is a historic vote and instead of recognizing that and working for the betterment of society the GOP are acting like children. Gauging from their knee jerk responses, Reid is right.


I am Frank Chow and I approved this message