Hundreds Protest As Bush Visits MLK Tomb

Yahoo News ^ | 1/15/04 | Deb Reichmann

[Leavemealone]

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?

[jslade]

He was a philanderer and a socialist. No role model!

[PLK]

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.

[Dog Gone]

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?

[PLK]

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 However, if anyone else did it, their degree would be withdrawn and they would have to endure public humiliation.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.

[Mr. Mojo]

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?

[BamaDi]

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....

[backtobasics]

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.

[Spandau]

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.

[vetvetdoug]

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.

[luvbach1]

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...

[goldstategop]

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.

[ladyinred]

These people violated the spirit of MLK. I hope they are proud of themselves. I know they know no shame.

[luvbach1]

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.

[Tempest]

So did the protesting crowd consist of spoiled, rich, white kids recently inducted into the liberal fold via institutionalized guilt?

[CamelRiding4U]

PLK you took the words off my keyboard. I want specifics!

[Sockdologer]

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!

[tuckrdout]

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.

[Sockdologer]

Gotcha. I agree very much.