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Hundreds Protest As Bush Visits MLK Tomb
Yahoo News ^ | 1/15/04 | Deb Reichmann

Posted on 01/15/2004 4:16:40 PM PST by NormsRevenge

ATLANTA - Looking for election-year support from black voters in the South, President Bush (news - web sites) was greeted at Martin Luther King's grave here Thursday by noisy demonstrators who chanted "Go home, Bush!" after receiving a warmer reception at a shabby church in New Orleans.

As Bush placed a wreath on King's crypt, a low chorus of boos could be heard from across the street where 700 protesters beat drums and waved signs bearing slogans such as "War is not the answer" and "It's not a photo-op, George."

Bush's four-stop swing through Georgia and Louisiana allowed him face time with two important constituencies — religious conservatives, who make up his base of support, and black voters, only 9 percent of whom supported him in 2000. Events in both states were paired with fund-raisers, which raised $2.3 million for his campaign account, already brimming with more than $130 million.

In this year's presidential race, Bush probably will garner only slighly more of the black vote, predicts David Bositis, a political analyst in Washington who focuses on black issues.

"Nine percent is the lowest for a Republican candidate since Barry Goldwater, he said. "When you get a zero on a test and you take it a second time, the odds are that you're going to do a little better."

The president, standing silently, his head slightly bowed, appeared unfazed by the protesters at King's tomb, where he laid a wreath of red, white and blue flowers to mark what would have been the civil rights leader's 75th birthday.

King Center officials said they extended no formal invitation to Bush but accepted his offer to come.

The president's critics dismissed his visit to the grave as a symbolic gesture that only underscored shortcomings in the administration's relationship with blacks.

Back in Washington, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (news - web sites), said not one policy decision made by the Bush administration — from the war in Iraq (news - web sites) to the economy, from education to the environment — has mirrored King's dream. "The president needs to be more embracing of elected African American officials and the entire African American community every day of the year, not just on January 15th," he said.

Bush didn't speak publicly at the grave, but earlier at the black church in Louisiana, Bush said King understood that "faith is power greater than all others," and that it was important for America to "honor his life and what he stood for."

Bush was at Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, in a high-crime area of downtown New Orleans, to push his faith-based initiative. He typically uses black churches for faith-based events, but Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank in Washington. said Thursday's events were tailored to winning white voters too.

"They're aimed at white Christian conservative supporters," he said. "Appearing in black churches makes him look like he's doing all these things for black people. It makes him look less conservative, and that's a potential plus for white, suburban swing voters."

At the church, where pews are broken and the sky can be seen through holes in stained glass window panes, Bush announced that the Justice Department (news - web sites) has finalized just such regulations affecting $3.7 billion in funding, primarily for programs that help crime victims, prevent child victimization and promote safe schools.

"That's why I'm here — to get involved with the faith-based initiative," said David Shelton Jr., minister from a poor church nearby that has fed 400,000 people the past 17 years.

Kevin J. Boyd Sr, pastor at an upscale church in New Orleans, said he was "sure politics is playing a part" in Bush's visit. "But when you're worried about your next meal, you're not worried about going to the polls."

After receiving a friendly reception at the church, more than 100 demonstrators chanted "Down with Bush" from behind barricades a block away from the D-Day Museum, where Bush attended a fund-raiser. Many of the protesters wore T-shirts with the words "one-term president." An effigy of Bush was set afire and had to be stamped out by police.

At a fund-raiser in Atlanta, Bush was introduced by Democratic Sen. Zell Miller, a conservative courted to the campaign after last year announcing that he would support Bush's re-election.

"I can guarantee you that I will not be the only Democrat working for his re-election," said Miller, greeted with loud hoots of approval from the mostly Republican crowd.

True to Miller's word, there were several other Georgia Democrats in the audience to lend their support to Bush, a fact in which the president openly exulted. After thanking Miller and the other Democrats profusely, Bush had a joke for the Republican supporter: "I'm kind of taking you for granted tonite," he said to laughter.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: bushvisits; faithbased; hundredsprotest; initiative; mlkbomb
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To: tuckrdout
What would Dr. King think about the affirmative action laws of today?

Their sole purpose is to judge people NOT by the content of their character BUT by the color of their skin.

Isn't that the exact opposite of what he dreamed of?
21 posted on 01/15/2004 5:17:08 PM PST by Leavemealone
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To: tuckrdout
He was a philanderer and a socialist. No role model!
22 posted on 01/15/2004 5:22:21 PM PST by jslade (To Alqaida. Don't even think about it!)
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To: NormsRevenge
The president's critics dismissed his visit to the grave as a symbolic gesture that only underscored shortcomings in the administration's relationship with blacks.

Like WHAT? What shortcomings? No one, not even the bent one, had more blacks in their administration. And if Prez Bush has "shortcomings," just WHAT SPECIFICALLY did Clintoon do for them, other than come pandering in Harlem after he left the White House?

It must really embarrass the silent majority of black people in the U.S. to be associated with the Jessie's and Al's and Malcom's. Ugh.

23 posted on 01/15/2004 5:26:57 PM PST by PLK
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To: NormsRevenge
This really is indicative of how hateful the black leadership, at least in Atlanta, is. Bush would have been pilloried if he hadn't shown up, also. We all know that.

No credit is given the Bush Administration for having the first black Secretary of State. Can you imagine how Clinton would have been praised?

And how about Condi Rice in possibly the most critical position during the most trying of times?

No, no mention.

There is absolutely no upside in reaching out to "Black Leadership". The only hope is to make inroads at a much lower level. But even that hope seems futile to me. If Condi Rice and Colin Powell aren't role models, what do you do?

24 posted on 01/15/2004 5:30:08 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: jslade
He was a philanderer and a socialist. No role model!

And he also committed MAJOR plagiarism on his PhD dissertation and several speeches. However, because of the good he did, I try to de-emphasize that negative. However, if anyone else did it, their degree would be withdrawn and they would have to endure public humiliation. The press and black leadership totally ignore this big, nasty piece of historical fact.

25 posted on 01/15/2004 5:32:11 PM PST by PLK
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To: NormsRevenge
bearing slogans such as "War is not the answer"

Where were all these "war is not the answer" types when Clinton was bombing the hell out of innocent Christian citizens in the Balkans?

26 posted on 01/15/2004 5:34:13 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: TomServo
you know that is exactly what i was thinking - there is nothing W can do to make the blacks realize he really is trying to help them....he's got an (R) after his name, ergo he's no good....and watching fat teddy yesterday "venting" reminded me why i hate (and I really really hate using that word) democrats....
27 posted on 01/15/2004 5:40:30 PM PST by BamaDi
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To: Mr. Mojo
Where were all these "war is not the answer" types when Clinton was bombing the hell out of innocent Christian citizens in the Balkans?

Exactly. Of course, that was a "good little war".....I think thats what the term was at the time.

Interesting that one of the previous government entities that wanted to help out the Albanians was Nazi Germany.

28 posted on 01/15/2004 6:26:03 PM PST by backtobasics
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To: uncbob
I hope you are over your NAIVETE

That's what I was thinking. Good God. I don't think I would ever do something like that unless specifically invited, and even then I would check and double check to make sure everything was cool. At the first glare or hostile look letting me know I'm in the wrong place, I am OUT. There is just a time and a place for everything.

29 posted on 01/15/2004 6:40:44 PM PST by Spandau
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To: AngryJawa
Some of those in the National Park Service told me that Coretta King has been receiving monies from the US government funneled through the National Park Service for many years. These were well respected and higher ups that relayed this information to me and I have no reason to doubt them. They stated to me it was the NPS dirty little secret.
30 posted on 01/15/2004 7:34:58 PM PST by vetvetdoug
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To: tuckrdout
I am a great admirer of Dr. King.

I am not and it has nothing to do with race or color. I am old enough to have heard Dr.King make inciendiary comments that are rarely, if ever, quoted 37 tears after his martydom. One comes to mind regarding a looming protest. I paraphrase: "I fear blood may run in the streets if redress is not made available." If that isn't tacit advocacy of violence...

31 posted on 01/15/2004 7:35:10 PM PST by luvbach1
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To: luvbach1
I don't believe Dr. King advocated violence - I think he discussed what would happen if peaceful means of redress of the oppression and discrimination in The South failed. It didn't happen and whatever his personal shortcomings, Martin Luther King is still a great American simply because thanks to his efforts and millions who rallied to his side, he left America better off than when he was born into it. His "I Have A Dream" speech is the greatest single piece of oratory in the last century and it captured perfectly for an entire generation of idealistic Americans about the kind of country we should - and want to become. Complete equality between the races still hasn't been achieved but we're making progress every day to create a better life for every American no matter what the race hustlers and poverty pimps like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, who make living off racial division, try to argue otherwise. I am one of those who maintains King's Dream isn't impossible for America; its what America is all about for every one of us alive and those generations yet to be born.
32 posted on 01/15/2004 7:46:06 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: NormsRevenge
These people violated the spirit of MLK. I hope they are proud of themselves. I know they know no shame.
33 posted on 01/15/2004 7:47:20 PM PST by ladyinred (W/04)
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To: goldstategop
I agree with you in the main: King accomplished much good. But I still think the comments I attributed to King (quite accurately, although not a quote), which were for a specific occurence, could be interpreted as incitment. He could have instead used it as an occasion to caution against violence. He did not. And yes, his "I Have a Dream" speech was great oratory which, unfortunately, his self-appointed torch-bearers (the Jacksons and the Sharptons) did not take to heart, as you correctly pointed out.
34 posted on 01/15/2004 7:58:52 PM PST by luvbach1
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To: NormsRevenge
So did the protesting crowd consist of spoiled, rich, white kids recently inducted into the liberal fold via institutionalized guilt?
35 posted on 01/15/2004 8:07:58 PM PST by Tempest
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To: PLK; NormsRevenge
PLK you took the words off my keyboard. I want specifics!
36 posted on 01/15/2004 8:14:33 PM PST by CamelRiding4U
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To: tuckrdout
Last year, my son and I attended a MLK Jr. celebration in a small town in Northern Virginia.

We were the only white faces at the Church!

I'm really sorry to hear that. I've also been one of the few white faces in a small Virginian church - First Baptist in Lexington Virginia. I've never felt more comfortable in my life. I've often wished I could move there and attend the church regularly. It just felt like home to me. Yeah, we were different colors, and it showed, but there was no hostility. That's not what Christianity's about. We're brothers and sisters and even though siblings squabble and do some awful things to each other, in the end, we are a family. I'm starting to sound like a sappy liberal, so I'll close out now!

37 posted on 01/15/2004 10:00:24 PM PST by Sockdologer
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To: Sockdologer
Oh, don't get me wrong, our family has been to black churches in the area, and recieved nothing but kind, courteous and welcoming treatment! That is why we felt that there would be no problem in attending this MLK event. It was advertised as a public celebration in the newspaper.

But, I have the feeling that the crowd that attended this gathering, were not Christians celebrating King's life; but rather racists who wanted to use the day as an opportunity to spread their brand of hatred.
38 posted on 01/16/2004 9:35:06 AM PST by tuckrdout (Terri Schindler Schiavo deserves to have her wishes honored. Give her a divorce!)
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To: tuckrdout
Gotcha. I agree very much.
39 posted on 01/16/2004 10:36:24 AM PST by Sockdologer
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Comment #40 Removed by Moderator


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