Democrats attacked the Selma civil rights marchers
On this day in 1965, police under the command of Democrat Governor George Wallace attacked African-Americans demonstrating for voting rights in Selma, Alabama. Democrats used bull whips, attack dogs, billy clubs, and tear gas in their "Bloody Sunday" assault.
See http://grandoldpartisan.typepad.com and www.republicanbasics.com for more information about the Republican Party's heritage of civil rights achievement.
Anonymous, if you read Michael's excellent, extensively researched book, you would understand why he chooses to refer to Democrats and Republicans instead of liberals and conservatives. The point is that the Republican Party was formed to end slavery and constitutionally protect the civil rights of all citizens. The votes against the Republican agenda of ratifying the Civil Rights Amendent prior to the 1960s were cast by members of Congress who identified themselves as Democrats.
Posted by: Cindy | March 08, 2007 at 07:32 PM
Hard to argue with someone blinded by partisanship.
But if you could find it in your heart to recognize which party is against civil rights (Republicans, being that they are now the conservative party) perhaps you'd see a little of the light.
And what's a "Democrat" history professor? Is that like a "Republi" history professor?
Posted by: anonymous | March 08, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Not two people in this country could agree on a definition of conservative or liberal. The parties have not changed as much as Democrat history professors would have you believe.
Posted by: Michael Zak | March 08, 2007 at 02:20 PM
Michael,
Why don't you ever call the respective individuals by their political philosophy (conservatives, liberals) rather than their political party (Democratic, Republican)?
Cindy, whether he ran as an independent or a Democrat Wallace was a conservative through and through -- party affiliation doesn't change that fact.
I recognize your own partisanship Michael (one just needs to look at your moniker), but that doesn't negate the fact that those opposed to ending slavery were conservatives (that was the Democratic Party's role then, as the conservative party) while those seeking to end it were liberals -- they were trying to liberate slaves after all -- and that was the Republican Party's role at the time, as liberals and progressives.
Posted by: anonymous | March 08, 2007 at 01:56 PM
Good point! Unfortunately, Wallace is remembered by many as an Independent since that is how he got on the Presidential ballot in 1968.
Posted by: Cindy | March 07, 2007 at 11:27 PM