A Very Misinformed De la Cova

I just read the latest fulminations at Babalu blog, and noticed that occasional commenter Antonio De la Cova (Indiana University assistant professor) posted a very misinformed comment.

In a controversial post concerning a recent Pat Oliphant cartoon, which I will try to address soon (especially Henry Gomez's apparent racism), Antonio De la Cova (who has before identified himself as commenter "delacova") adds a comment referring to Senator Robert Byrd.

Mr. De la Cova writes:

"Senator Robert Byrd, Democrat from West Virginia, joined the Ku Klux Klan in 1942, and was the Exalted Cyclops leader of his local chapter. While speaking on race relations before the U.S. Senate on March 4, 2001, Byrd was heard on C-Span saying: 'There are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time.' He didn't specify if he saw them in the KKK."

I don't know about the "Exalted Cyclops" part (Byrd has already publicly regretted his membership with the KKK), but Mr. De la Cova makes THREE factual errors in ONE sentence. How odd coming from a Ph.D. in history. His only correct statement seems to be the quote by Senator Robert Byrd.

1) Senator Byrd DID NOT speak about race relations "before the U.S Senate." Byrd spoke about race relations on Fox News Sunday, interviewed by Tony Snow.

2) Senator Byrd DID NOT speak about race relations on March 4, 2001. The nationally broadcast interview was taped on Friday, March 2, 2001.

3) Senator Byrd WAS NOT "heard on C-Span." He was heard by a national audience on the Fox News Channel. The interview can be viewed on YouTube, at your leisure.

This is very surprising (and disappointing) coming from a Ph.D.. I wonder what else Mr. De la Cova has misinformed readers about at Babalu blog? (Not that they aren't already misinformed about a lot of other things.)