I agree entirely and for mostly the same reasons: mistreatment of a child for political and personal convenience, AND the staggering hypocrisy of it all. Man, did that shriveled dead fuck luck out for his segregationist years especially, although even THAT may not be as true as we would wish as didling the help was considered fair game apparently as long as things didn't get too messy.

Al's right about the family as well: more smug pricks inconvenienced and forced out of their cocoon of privilege.

I always hated that disgusting remnant.

I actually think Thurmond's actions are quite consistent with racist segregationists: black women [or 16-year-old girls, in this case] were certainly good enough to screw. And that's about it.

I can only chime in to say, EXACTLY.
What a dickhead.

I've no brief for the guy - but the fact is that he was merely acting according to the system. That was the way that inter-racial sex was handled down South in those days - based on double-standards between the races, and between men and women.

And Northerners knew fine well - or should have done - what went on, and - in the spirit of 1877 - they kept a blind eye turned to it. Democratic presidents were happy to have the votes of lynchers and segregationists.

And, as for Thurmond's case - wouldn't it have been much more hypocritical if, once Jim Crow was finished, he suddenly clasped Essie Mae to his bosom in Hallmark Moment photo-ops all over the place?

John Smith, do you have children of your own? There is plenty between using children for photo ops and denying your biological contribution. THose are extremes, and Thurmond was a jackass to choose one of them. He lied for decades, and community standards about sex in any century have nothing to do with that.

Stay tuned, the book and movie should be doozies. I bet young buxom black teens are being screen-tested as we speak for that "break-through" role of a life-time. I can see the first scene now:

Sounds of heavy panting/grunting/whimpers - then an NYPD-like shot of the bare humping-rump of a young Strom.

Suddenly you here a door slam, and you hear the voice of a lady (Strom's Mom) calling - "are you home Strom".

You see Strom struggling to get on his clothes - he emerges from his room just as his Mom reaches the top of the stairs. He gasps," I was only tutoring Essie on her diction."

Strom's mother replies - "Now Strom, you know that sort of thing is frowned upon 'round here, what will the neighbors think when we have an uppity niggah who has proper diction. I would much rather you sow your wild oats with her - it would be much more proper"

Maybe even a mini series - something along the lines of "Roots".

Given todays TV standards who would object to an "NYPD" - like scene?

Sex sells. The first installment showing those sweaty ebony/ivory bodies entwined in passionate embrace would definitely out-rate all those "reality shows" combined. Run it during the summer as an alternative to re-runs and the ratings would go through the roof.

Since I doubt it was a single "dalliance" that got young Essie knocked-up, the more bedroom scenes (or behind the woodpile, or out in the woods on a steamy summer night with fireflies) the better - and the close calls of nearly being caught would be very suspenseful too.

Wonder how Strom acted towards Essie in public? Given the stiffling system of Jim Crow, I wonder how these scenes would be handled. Strom's parents must have been aware of something - especially when Essie had to leave their service to have Strom's child. What may heve been their reaction to having a bi-racial grandchild?

Painting a realistic picture of Jim Crow and it's effect on Edgefield society in the 1920's would be a very entertaining backdrop to this illicit (and due to the miscegenation laws in effect, illegal as well) love affair. Romeo and Julliet has nothing on this story.

The constant threat of this becoming public as Strom rose the politcal ladder. He had to have had help - maybe even more so than JFK's hidden medical problems and womanizing. This would be especially so during Strom's fire-breathing segregationist period.

What about his later years, when he was enjoying the height of his power/influence - and let's not forget more sex with a young (recently crowned Miss South Carolina) Nancy Moore?

Even on his deathbed - the scene where Strom Jr supposedly asks his father about the rumors - his last words on this issue would be immortalized as the true legacy Strom Thurmond is left with.

Such a mini-series would rank right up there with "Roots" and "Lonesome Dove". Sex and scandal sells.

Ka-ching, ka-ching - hear those cash registers ringing.

Why even wait for the book. Beween Essie in the roaring 20's and Nancy in the late 60's thats a whole lot of sex to sell. Throw in the political intrigue, and I see $$$$$$$$$

Oh, the stories I (and probably Nat and Vic, too) could tell about heavy breathing Right Wing white guys undressing me with their eyes, licking their lips, rearranging their, um, extensions, falling to their knees and begging for love, while claiming to believe I am subhuman. It ain't unusual, fellows.

If I had a nickel for every right-wing so-and-so who gave me the "you're so exotic" song-and-dance while trying (unsuccessfully, natch) to convince me to violate my morals with them, I would be fabulously wealthy today. Oh well, at least I had fun telling them that I would be more inclined to sleep with their sisters... and then, only if the women were actually -- unlike their bigoted brothers -- decent human beings. "Exotic"... the very word still makes me want to puke.

Goodness, gracious, Natalie, you obviously relish the prospect of humiliating any white man foolish enough to be attracted to you. Such maliciousness and hatred.

Now, I know that we deserve it, being subhuman, not "decent human beings." Still, is this how your Jesus would have you to behave?