For the following remarks on the Senate floor, January 26, 2006, Senator Robert Byrd is in contention for next quarters "Medal for Free and Original Thought"...

"Regardless of any Senator's particular view of Judge Alito, I think we can all agree that there is room for improvement in the way in which the Senate and indeed the nation have undertaken the examination of this nominee.

Let me be clear. I mean no criticism of the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee or any particular member of that committee. I feel compelled to address this issue. Not to point fingers. Not to scold. Not to assign blame. But only to address specific, sincere, heartfelt concerns that have been brought to my attention by the people of West Virginia in particular.

"The people of West Virginia in no uncertain terms were, frankly, appalled by the Alito hearings. I don't want to say it, but I must. They were appalled. In the reams of correspondence that I received during the Alito hearings, West Virginians--the people I represent--West Virginians who wrote to criticize the way in which the hearings were conducted used the same two words. People with no connection to one another. People of different faiths. Different views. Different opinions. [They] independently and respectively used the same two words to describe the hearings. They called them called an outrage and a disgrace.

"And these were not form letters ginned up by special interest groups on either the right or the left. These were hand-written, contemplative, old-fashioned letters written on lined paper and personal stationary. They were the sort of letters that people write while watching television in the comfort of their living rooms or sitting at the kitchen table. It is especially telling that many who objected to the way in which the Alito hearings were conducted do not support Judge Alito. In fact, it is sorely apparent that many who opposed Judge Alito's nomination also opposed the seemingly made-for-TV antics that accompanied the hearings..."

Any comments? Rebuttals? How about nominations? Anyone who wishes to can make a nomination via email -- ELAshley@Gmail.com. Deadline is February 10, 2006. Please consider the guidelines below when submitting a potential recipient.



The Medal for Free and Original Thought is awarded to those individuals who display honest, personal belief, free of political bias or expediency, whose remarks originate from the mind of the recipient, and above all else express a desire for doing what is right.

Eligibility Requirements-- This award is based on a single expression of Free and Original Thought, not on a Pattern of such thought. The Medal is awarded to anyone, great or small, who displays a recorded (which can be quoted, and/or linked to from a verifiable source) moment of Free and Original Thought. Recipients can win this Prize as often as their remarks display Free and Original Thought. This Prize is awarded quarterly.

_____

H/T to Michelle Malkin for the text of Sen. Byrd's remarks, and to Mr. Limbaugh for bringing them to my attention.