On this day, let us reflect on the similarities and differences between Dr. King and Pres. Obama ...

[T S Justly]

They are both African-Americans, and both have been awarded Nobel Peace Prizes. After that, I think the important similarities end. What do others think?

[demmiblue]

1. I am an Obama critic, but...

I think this thread sucks.

[meegbear]

2. OK ... theyr'e both wore suits, married a woman and both have been in Washington D.C. ...

your turn

[T S Justly]

5. Lol, I've edited the OP to address your point, thank you. (nt)

[msongs]

3. Obama represents most things MLK opposed when it comes to war nt

[T S Justly]

21. True, and a very stark difference, imo. Thanks. (nt)

[Rex]

4. Are you kidding me?

Both are scholars and greatly respected men. Both fight/fought for minority rights. Both are/were world leaders that have millions of fans and followers.

I could actually go on and on...

[T S Justly]

6. Good, I was hoping someone would draw a comparison to their respective committments ...

To minority rights. Care to expand?

[JoePhilly]

7. DADT repeal ... expands minority rights.

Lilly Ledbetter equal pay for women law is another.

Support for the Dream Act is another.

[T S Justly]

8. Those are alright as far as they go, but King got arrested 16 times, bloodied other times ...

And got assassinated. Not saying President Obama should be put through any of that, but when
comparing the tepid responses by the Administration to egregious violations of minority rights by the police and others that continue to this day with that of King, one simply must ponder a new
reality.

[ProSense]

10. So

Those are alright as far as they go, but King got arrested 16 times, bloodied other times ...
And got assassinated. Not saying President Obama should be put through any of that, but when
comparing the tepid responses by the Administration to egregious violations of minority rights by the police and others that continue to this day with that of King, one simply must ponder a new
reality.

...you don't think the President should be leading protest marches, but enacting policy is "tepid" by comparison?

Here are some good reads:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/100252507
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002175592
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002160631

[T S Justly]

11. I would love to see President Obama leading protest marches ...

But, I never said I wouldn't.

[Rex]

12. I wouldn't that is not why I elected him into office

nor the reason I will do so a second time. I want him to be the POTUS...not MLK.

[JoePhilly]

14. You make little sense ... you list the terrible things MLK endured ...

and then you say "Not saying President Obama should be put through any of that ... "

And then you say, honestly, little else.

Obama is not MLK. He's not FDR. He's also not the Messiah.

Each lived in a different time.

You've described your position, that Obama has been "timid" ... can you get very specific about what it is you think he should have done??

Again ... pleas be specific. What formal actions are you calling for?

Let's "ponder" those.

[chowder66]

9. Why Obama? Why not Jesus, why not Romney, why not Clooney?

Why make any comparison at all? This day is a celebration of MLK and what he was about, not how others compare or do not compare. Each man you are trying to compare or have others compare for you... are their own person. MLK is not here to speak for himself and no one knows how he would have evolved or what postitions he would have taken. It's easy to think that people who go before their time would always and forever do the perfect thing. Most likely that is not true.

[WI_DEM]

13. pretty dumb thread

they both are/were very accomplished men. MLK was a trailblazer and President Obama accomplished what many people never thought possible--an African-American elected president. An African-American president who came in at a time of the worst economic downturn since the depression and two wars and he ended one war (so far) and stemmed the bleeding on the economy. He has accomplished much more than most of his critics (left and right) give him credit for. But then, too, MLK was criticized for being 'too pragmatic' and not radical enough during his life, too.

[JoePhilly]

15. +1

Many forget that MLK's position of non-violent protest was seen as "timid" (to use the term the OP used) by some of his critics who preferred a more "confrontational" approach.

Hey ... another similarity!!!

[BumRushDaShow]

16. Both have advanced degrees

The President in Law and MLK in Divinity. Both got their advanced degrees in the state of Massachusetts (Prez. Obama at Harvard and Dr. King at Boston University). Both had parents who were college graduates.

Both men were "community organizers", both choosing to use their higher learning for helping to raise up others rather than making fast money (whether at a big time law firm or as a "prosperity" minister). Both had parents who were also people-oriented activists.

Both married women who were college graduates and both wives are honorary members of my sorority (Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc). And I'm sure the list can go on and on....

Considering that the OP has attracted the usual Obama bash fest, I'll note the fact that MLK only walked the earth for 39 years and never made it to age 50 as did our current President. I think that the fact that all you could think of to compare and contrast them was their race and some notable international award, means that the civil rights education in this society is still sorely lacking, as once more, giants in my community continue to be under-estimated, under-valued, and marginalized.

[Fearless]

17. If the president was white, this thread wouldn't exist.

[Skidmore]

18. Thank goodness for the trash bin because that is exactly where this is going.

[boston bean]

19. If I could lock the thread, I would.

This thread sucks. Did a jury already see it?

[MineralMan]

20. Well, there's a very transparent attempt to stir the poop.

I don't think I'll participate, and will just let this thread drop down out of sight.