I wish they hadn't let the bushies speak at the ceremony

[fishwax]

They didn't support her cause. Hell, bush picked as a vp a former congressman who wouldn't vote for a resolution against south african apartheid, and neither has any great record on U.S. Civil Rights. And then we have Katrina, of course. I don't think they deserve the honor (and political capitol) that comes with the privilege of eulogizing such a great warrior for social justice. Screw them.

Now there's an MSNBC online poll where (currently) 56% of respondents think the funeral should have been "neutral," rather than politicized. Her life was not neutral, thank God, and the bushes certainly weren't neutral to the issues she held dear.

The republicans have long been trying to pretend that issues of Civil Rights are relics of a dark and distant past, and that everybody now believes in Civil Rights--just like everybody loves CSK and honors her death.

[malaise]

1. I agree with you

Rosa Parks farewell caremony was much nicer and way more true to the Civil Rights Movement. This was a nice ceremony but something was missing. Jimmy Carter and Rev Lowery really stood out today but they didn't even sing Lift Every Voice and Sing (unless I missed it during C-Span switches.

[fishwax]

10. I've seen highlights of Lowery

and he was fantastic. :applause:

I read some of the quotes from Carter's speech. Good stuff. :bounce:

I just saw the clip of poppy bush saying, at the podium, "this may be your lucky day," as prince george practically falls out of his chair in laughter. :puke:

"She spoke, and people listened to her message ... not me, of course, but--you know--people" :eyes:

[xchrom]

2. my guess is -- the bushes forced the issue.

uninvited guests as it were.

[xxqqqzme]

3. Message to King children

the swarmy prez iscoming. He WILL say a few words 2 honor your mother.

[crikkett]

6. I heard otherwise

... read on DU here (sorry no time to search) that * wasn't going to come until the ceremony was moved to the anti-gay King's megachurch.

That's what I remember of it.

[fishwax]

12. I doubt that

I can't imagine bush missing this "opportunity" for any reason. I'd be interested to read evidence to the contrary, though, so I might seek that thread out later. Was it in GD?

[llmart]

4. I agree......

this is the same idiot president who refused to meet with the congressional black caucus. He's no champion of African Americans or civil rights. He probably insisted on being there because if he wasn't it would "look bad" and he politicizes everything.

[fishwax]

14. George Bush doesn't care about black people

http://www.boingboing.net/2005/09/08/katrina_kanye_remixe.html

[muntrv]

5. Reverend Lowry

said "there were no weapons of mass destruction over there, but there were plenty over here." Jimmy Carter mentioned "Martin and Corretta were faced with wiretapping and electronic surveillance." So they got their jabs at the bushies. Incidentally, many of the Southern Democrats who were segregationists switched to the GOP, like Strom Thurmond.

[fishwax]

16. Lowery was great

from what I saw and read, anyway ... I was unable to watch it live. There was another speaker (can't recall who ... i was just listening to the highlights) who made the point that "SHE wouldn't have lived in fear." Also took that as a jab at the current climate. They definitely got their shots in, and I don't blame them one bit. It was honoring her legacy, because she was not a neutral figure. I just don't think either bush is deserving of that honor.

[malaise]

19. What's the problem with MS NBC

Lowery made the same comments at Rosa Parks funeral and the government did wiretap King. What's their fugging problem? Did I say fugg Tweety and his guests. Oh I forgot - there were no fugging WMDs

Edit -add

[llmart]

20. I just watched all three.......

clicking on the links provided by some DU'ers in the General Discussion forums. They were absolutely wonderful! It was fun watching the dickhead in chief squirm.

[Dunvegan]

7. Bush also picked for Vice President...

...a man who voted against Martin Luther King Day.

Yes, NewBirth mega-church is anti-Gay marriage...but that's the daughter.

Not Martin. Not Coretta.

Mrs. King has spoken out in support of same-sex marriage, and one of Martin's right hand aides was a Gay man.

[fishwax]

13. yep, that too

:grr:

As it happens, he was my congressman at the time. What a jackass.

[Extend a Hand]

8. what they did was better than not letting him speak

That was a major snub.
He was given a spanking!!!

He was the only speaker that no one stood up for.

Everyone that dissed the chimp got a standing ovation.

I thought it was great-- I hope Coretta King was looking down smiling.

[fishwax]

17. He did get dressed down

And deservedly so. :thumbsup:

I hope she was looking down smiling too, and I should make it clear that I don't fault the organizers (king children, whomever) for inviting them to speak, I just don't think they were deserving of the honor.

[librechik]

9. Cheney voted NO on MLK Birthday Holiday, too

bastard

[Dunvegan]

11. A number of actors voted against MLK Day in 1979...

Jesse Helms, Trent Lott, Strom Thurmond, Mitch McConnell, John McCain and Dick Cheney, all voted against there being a national holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

[librechik]

21. ahh--the admirable moderate, McCain

again shows his true color

[annabanana]

15. I wish they hadn't been invited.. . .n/t

[mandyky]

18. Bush Sr. was actually funny!

I missed Gee Dub's speech. I caught Carter, Clintons', Lowry, and Bush Sr.

Thank goodness Babs (beautiful mind) wasn't allowed to speak! LOL