WP: Dignitaries Gather for King Memorial Groundbreaking

[DeepModem Mom]

Dignitaries Gather for King Memorial Groundbreaking
By Howard Schneider and Petula Dvorak
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 13, 2006


President Bush and former president Bill Clinton gather on stage at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. (Jason Reed-Reuters)

Thousands gathered on the National Mall today for the groundbreaking of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, ignoring cloudy skies to celebrate the inclusion of a monument to the civil rights leader on ground largely reserved for Presidents and the veterans of major wars.

The King Memorial is the first on the National Mall honoring a black American, and will occupy a spot midway between monuments to Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln -- presidents whose contributions included the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery.

It is, organizers say, a fitting spot for the man who helped force the country to make good on the promises of those other leaders.

President Bush said the monument gives the civil rights leader his "rightful place among the great Americans honored on our Mall." He said King's message of justice and liberty "continues to inspire millions across the world."...

"It belongs here," said former President Bill Clinton, who signed the legislation in 1996 authorizing the King memorial and was among a number of dignitaries and celebrities to speak at the event....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/13/AR2006111300322.html

[gauguin57]

1. Barak Obama gave a wonderful speech, about how he'll explain to his children ...

... who MLK was. Beautiful.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. I saw part of that -- he is quite extraordinary. nt

[Dukkha]

3. Why was * even invited to this!

I can't think of a greater insult to the King legacy than to have a lame duck war criminal attending. He i personally responsible for the deaths of all fallen African American soldiers and Katrina victims. His presence no doubt infuriates other attendees with is obnoxious smirk and dimwitted arrogance.