Let's join together on the 40th anniversary of Dr. King's death with a day of Peace on DU.

[MethuenProgressive]

I propose we all take the day off from the gotcha threads zinger responses and flame bait posts.
Let's post positive threads about our own candidates, and refrain from attacking 'the other guy' for the day. DU deserves it, our overworked mods deserve it, we deserve it, and most of all - the memory of Dr. King's life and his tragic loss deserves our respect.
Peace to all.
John, aka MethuenProgressive.

[Apollo11]

1. Nice idea!

I was thinking the exact same thing myself.

See: www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5379165

[MethuenProgressive]

3. Thanks Apollo!

You too!

[rateyes]

2. I propose doing that for the rest of the primary season,

in the spirit of common decency.

[Apollo11]

5. It's a nice idea

I think if we can keep this going for 72 hours that will already be something.

I promise to post nothing negative about either Democratic candidate for the whole weekend.

Even if it means pulling the plug on my computer! ;-)

[MethuenProgressive]

7. Thanks, and Peace!

[Umbram]

4. I'll sign on

It'll end up being seven people that go along with this, three of which will manage to resist, but that shouldn't matter.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. It's better to light one candle,

isn't it? Thanks, and Peace!

[shadowknows69]

6. I'm in

As-Salamu Alaykum

[MethuenProgressive]

15. Thanks,

wa `Alaykum As-Salām

[Ninga]

9. Bless you for your reasoned and thoughtful request. I have decided after spending

many months reading and posting, I have come to the conclusion that the anonymous nature of DU allows people to behave in a way that gives them perceived power.

For many, posting flame baited posts and zinger responses has become their drug of choice.

For many, debating on the merits is so foreign of a concept, that they can not process it, because it does not give them the high, flaming does.

[MethuenProgressive]

16. DU needs to endorse a 'zinger patch'...

... and require us to wear one. Peace!

[leftynyc]

10. I love this idea - thank you

How about a day where we concentrate on how to make this country a better place. IDEAS rather than personalities. It really is what democrats are best at.

[MethuenProgressive]

17. "IDEAS rather than personalities."

Yep! Peace!

[cali]

11. It's a good idea

and I'm in, but alas, you just know it's not gonna happen. Still, even reducing the level of invective is worthwhile.

[MethuenProgressive]

14. Thanks, cali.

Peace!

[joshcryer]

12. I can live with that.

:)

[DangerousRhythm]

13. Awesome idea. N/T

[MethuenProgressive]

19. Love that pic!

Peace!

[DangerousRhythm]

21. Thanks! :D It made me smile anyway! N/T

[dogday]

18. I would love to see this happen

See if we can be better than we have, and remember all the Dr. King stood for...

On edit: Am happy to send this to the greatest page :hi:

[MethuenProgressive]

43. Thanks, dogday!

[Apollo11]

20. Kicking "In The Name Of Love"

:kick:

[MethuenProgressive]

42. U2!!

That lyric goes to right the Heart of the matter.

[Symarip]

22. I'm all for it

But I don't really flamebait to begin with. Unless you count Obama owing me a pony for being his supporter.

[Hoof Hearted]

23. What a nice idea! K&R.

[MethuenProgressive]

39. Thanks!

Best damn horse name ever!

[rodeodance]

24. Beautiflu post MethuenProgressive and Welcome

[MethuenProgressive]

41. Thanks, rd!

:hi:

[DemVet]

25. Why isn't Obama going to the commemoration?

[Apollo11]

26. I hope you don't mean that in a negative way

But I agree it is kind of surprising (at least to me) if Senator Obama is not in attendance.

[DemVet]

64. BFD if I meant it in a negative way...his ass should be there.

[leftynyc]

29. I understand he's in Indiana

where Bobby Kennedy called for peace after MLK was assasinated.

[DemVet]

65. Oh BS. He's campaigning. Indiana is a convenient excuse.

[MethuenProgressive]

35. "Obama to pay tribute to King" - IndyStar.com

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080404/LOCAL18/804040455/1195/LOCAL18

[grantcart]

27. yes and thank you

[MethuenProgressive]

51. Namasté, grant!

Many thanks!

[RiverStone]

28. Good idea and I'd like to add....

It is well worth trying to maintain this perspective for more than 1 day.

Or every other day.

Or just sometime soon.

NOT attacking our fellow DUers and focusing on that war mongering puke bastard we will be running against is a lot more fun! Besides, we need each other to win this fall!

peace~:)

[MethuenProgressive]

46. Great points!

Peace!

[bigtree]

30. okay

[MethuenProgressive]

47. Thanks! Great Madison quote in your sig!

Peace!

[bigtree]

56. you're very welcome. thanks for the unity appeal.

UNIVERSAL PEACE

Among the various reforms which have been offered to the world, the projects for universal peace have done the greatest honor to the hearts, though they seem to have done very little to the heads of their authors. Rousseau, the most distinguished of these philanthropists, has recommended a confederation of sovereigns, under a council of deputies, for the double purpose of arbitrating external controversies among nations, and of guaranteeing their respective governments against internal revolutions. He was aware, neither of the impossibility of executing his pacific plan among governments which feel so many allurements to war, nor, what is more extraordinary, of the tendency of his plan to perpetuate arbitrary power wherever it existed; and, by extinguishing the hope of one day seeing an end of oppression, to cut off the only source of consolation remaining to the oppressed.

A universal and perpetual peace, it is to be feared, is in the catalogue of events, which will never exist but in the imaginations of visionary philosophers, or in the breasts of benevolent enthusiasts. It is still however true, that war contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason; and if any thing is to be hoped, every thing ought to be tried. More . . .


-- from a Madison essay in the National Gazette, February 2, 1792


The quote is incised, along with seven others, in the teakwood panels of the James Madison Memorial Hall .

[NDambi]

31. Why not set the challenge for every day? MLK's dream isn't for one day..its 365/24/7

[MethuenProgressive]

32. One day - one step - one candle

All good starts. Peace!

[NDambi]

37. I view it differently. But thanks

[MethuenProgressive]

33. Link to Dr King's "I Have a Dream" speech

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

I stood on that very spot last spring, and could hear him still speaking to us.

[Apollo11]

34. The most inspiring American of the 20th Century

And a serious candidate for the title of most inspiring person ever in the whole history of humankind.

It's a shame that our idea of a "Day of Peace" here on DU hasn't attracted a greater level of support.

But it is still early. I am hoping we can build momentum during the day! B-)

[MethuenProgressive]

48. Hillary's wonderful tribute to Dr King:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhVNne7R9JE

[JohnnyLib2]

36. Will do. Thanks.

[MethuenProgressive]

38. AlterNet has posted a vid: 40 Years Ago Today: The Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/video/81328/

[SaveOurDemocracy]

40. Peace...

[MethuenProgressive]

53. Nice quote!!

Peace!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

71. The quote... :o)

:hi:

is from Martin Luther King Jr.'s Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, in Oslo, December 10, 1964:

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-acceptance.html

[lumberjack_jeff]

44. But it was toooo late.

Sorry but unfortunately I read the 7,950 highly recommended threads dedicated to supporting Randi Rhodes "for speaking the truth" before yours.

[MethuenProgressive]

45. It's never too late to do the right thing.

Peace, jeff!

[democrattotheend]

49. I'm down with it

Not too optimistic though. I tried this the day of Obama's race speech and it did not work so well.

[MethuenProgressive]

61. Thanks for trying, though!

All we can do is try.

[MethuenProgressive]

50. Link to DU thread about Barack's great speech today on Dr King

Thread by DU memeber FLDem5:
"Barack Speaks on the 40th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5384141
Link has video and text, thanks FLDem5!
peace!

[DCofVA]

52. I'm for peace for today and beyond

But there are still so many fools trying to start a fight.
When will they ever learn?
When will they ever learn?

[MethuenProgressive]

66. Indeed, DC. When will they ever?

Peace!

[Apollo11]

54. Kicking

:kick:

[MethuenProgressive]

55. Link to a DU thread about Hillary's wonderful remarks on Dr King today:

In a thread by BigTree:
Hillary Clinton: Let us remember how Dr. King’s faith connects us through time and place and history
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5385218&mesg_id=5385218

[qnr]

57. Kicking n/t

[LSK]

58. well that didnt work out so well

:rofl:

[MethuenProgressive]

67. "The time is always right to do what is right."

Never give up, LSK.

[Tresalisa]

59. Great idea! Let's DO this!

:woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo:

K&R!

[MethuenProgressive]

62. Yeah! Let's DO this!!

Thanks, Tresalisa!

[MethuenProgressive]

60. Bobby Kennedy: Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/rfkonmlkdeath.html
"Ladies and Gentlemen,

I'm only going to talk to you just for a minute or so this evening, because I have some -- some very sad news for all of you -- Could you lower those signs, please? -- I have some very sad news for all of you, and, I think, sad news for all of our fellow citizens, and people who love peace all over the world; and that is that Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight in Memphis, Tennessee."
----------
The sounds of dispair from the crowd here is heartrending...

[ZombieHorde]

63. Thanks for the video. nt

[MethuenProgressive]

68. Evening bump for the after supper crowd

Peace!

[MethuenProgressive]

76. Saturday afternoon kick!

Peace!

[MethuenProgressive]

69. DR King's "I have a Dream" ranked First among the Top 100 speeches

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html

Amazing respect for a Great man.

[Umbram]

70. More people than I thought.

Maybe there's hope for us wayward trolls.

[MethuenProgressive]

73. There's *always* hope!

Peace!

[Umbram]

74. GD:P IS the anti-hope. (nt)

[Tribetime]

72. it would be nice if lasted longer and all anger was focused

on the republicans

[MethuenProgressive]

75. I agree, Tribetime!

:thumbsup:

[MethuenProgressive]

77. Thank you to everyone who supported this idea yesterday. You showed the best of DU!

Many blessings to you all!

[Willo]

78. Kicking it for day two