Thoughts on the historical roots of our current conflict. When you're agog at the latest affront from McConnell or Graham, at their utter disdain and disregard for established procedures and precedents, consider this: they are the heirs to a long regional political tradition.
They're steeped in the tradition of Richard Russell, James Eastland, Strom Thurmond, John Stennis and the other members of the segregationist "Southern Caucus."
I don't mean they're necessarily steeped in racism, but that they are heirs to a tradition of no holds barred minority resistance to the national will. They are imbued with an 'ends justify means' ethos. They're unembarrassed by its exercise.
Don't underestimate the grit they bring to the fight: their predecessors fought for every inch of ground from 1865 to 1964. Dip into Robt. Caro's bio of LBJ. Try Vol. 3, pp. 215-218, for a reminder of how this Southern tradition played out in the Senate in the 1940's.
My point: We continue to struggle with a clash of political cultures that has important roots in the Civil War and its aftermath. End.
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