Thurmond later told an audience:

"I took Truman's picture off the wall of my office when he stabbed

the South in the back. Let's fight this battle to the end."

Now Trent Lott could have talked

about many facets of a very long and colorful life lived by Strom Thurmond.

Remember, Thurmond was born in 1902 and grew up in a very different world.

He only survived by changing.

Instead, here is what Trent

Lott did say: "I want to say this about my state: When Strom Thurmond

ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest

of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems

over all these years either."

If you know what Thurmond stood

for at that time, you can't pass off, or misinterpret, or not be offended

Senate majority leader. If Bush really means it, Lott will not be elected

majority leader of the Senate, leaving it up to the citizens of Mississippi

to decide his political fate. If Lott stays, I believe on election day

people will, and should remember which party has placed him in charge!

Timothy J. Parker

Peachtree City