Political Punch

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This Frank M. Boone is a classic example for why this country got it right in voting for MLK day. Forget about Frank, he's a lost cause. But the children will grow up hearing about a man who put his life on the line for helping his people. What good has Frank ever done for his? Not much, I'll bet. Ignorant haters are a dime-a-dozen, peace makers are few and far between.

Posted by: Rich | Apr 6, 2008 8:49:43 PM

Everyone should notice that just like all other (neo-libs) in this day and time poor Rich could not repudiate any of the "facts" that I based my opinion on. He only could try to "cut me down" instead of "debate" me on the facts! Rich, since the root word of "ignorant" is "ignore" I will point out that you sir are the "ignorant dime a dozen hater" hating on someone just because they have explored the facts surrounding the subject and formed his opinion. People like Rich "ignore" some of the facts in an effort to make things come out to his neo-socialist: way of thinking.

I have to agree w/ Katrina that a journalist often inadvertently reveals his bias in his language. When Tapper writes, "In fact earlier this year, McCain told a different version of the story of how he heard of King's assassination", the phrase "told a different version" has a pejorative connotation reflecting on the truthfulness of the subject (i.e. McCain). But I looked in vain for a "difference" between the two versions - perhaps the author or a sharp-eyed reader can point out the difference. When a journalist tries to manufacture a difference where none exists in order to make a subject look bad, that's a bias.
Another observation - Mike has called criticisms of Obama (in the Obama/Wright controversy) "silly" b/c the hateful statements were Wright's, not Obama's. Whom does Mike hold responsible for the recent "...clinging to guns / religion / bitter...." statements?

cutting off to it he got adventures. raspberries, into the yard, most up across my Street called exploring else their names

Hillary will win in November against McCain or more of the same McBushIII. Obama cannot win, particularly now. Sure looks like to me that Obama is showing himself for the far left latte drinker that he has been since the start. Remember, divide and conquer in Europe by taking advantage of the youth and minority races? Starting to rack them up and the republicans will have a field day in November i.e. monster, NAFTAgate, his real plans for his Irag withdrawal revealed, small town slam and oh yeah, [W]right!!!! Obama’s latest truly revealing small small town slam calling “US” bitter, etc., finally shows him for the elitist rat that he has been from the start and has managed to hide thus far. Wake up America! He doesn't care a thing about promoting anybody but himself. We need Hillary Clinton. We can still save the nominating process and the Democratic Party, if we do the right thing in the primaries left to come. Let's not let the rest of America down. Decisive wins for Hillary in all remaining primaries will put Obama back in his rightful place- a rookie senator. We can still do this and I know the rest of "US" is counting on us. One last thing, where are the ranting raves by the MSM on this issue and why aren't they running this over and over and over again? He will lose the nomination because he is finally identified as the inferior candidate. We have to beat McCain in the fall Americans. Vote Hillary for a victory for the Democrats in November, otherwise we're doomed.

"We've committed more war crimes almost than any nation in the world, and I'm going to continue to say it."
MARTIN LUTHER KING

I'm gratful to learn of McCain's longtime record of opposing a holiday in honor of someone who was, in so many ways, anti-American. I might just vote for McCain now.

John McCain coming to MLK event is like the KKK going to a NAACP event. People he wants votes and why hadn't he done this before running for president.MR. CAIN WE ARE SMARTER THAN 20YEARS AGO!!

I just want to know why we keep holding Obama accountable for the words of ANOTHER MAN. Also how many of you have listened to Rev Wrights speech? If you listen to the entire sermon, you will hear where the comments where biblical and accurate in the context in which he was speaking. I dont think ANY of us has a person in our lives that we agree with 100% of the time, and i dont think we should disregard them for political gain either. Is this Rev Wright issue the best people can come up with against Obama?

The tone of this thread seems to be that several states felt justified in not adopting the MLK holiday because there were so few African-Americans in those states - however, thinking that Dr. King worked only to benefit blacks is erroneous and another example of WHY race matters in this nation. Dr. King worked to improve the conditions for everyone - people of color, women, and poor people - because, according to his God, as (this nation) has done to the LEAST of these, so it has done to Him.

What took Dr. King to Memphis at the time of his assassination? He was fighting for better pay and working conditions for garbagemen - several of whom had been killed (crushed to death) by malfunctioning garbage compactors on their trucks. Before that, he took an unpopular position against the Viet Nam war, and was labeled a communist agitator, isolated from the halls of power, and even vilified in the popular press of the day. Before that, he advocated for the ability of blacks to get the same educational and social opportunities as whites. He suffered death threats, assasination attempts, and lived a subsistence lifestyle when, with his fame and educational attainment, he could have taught at the nation's finest HBCU's and built wealth for his family.

How does Dr. King's service benefit whites?
He worked to restore the moral compass of a nation; even with his personal faults, his goal for this nation was for it to become self-actualied. What do I mean? He wanted this nation to live out the true meaning of its creed, that all (people) were created equal. He desired that Americans would evaluate people based upon their personal characteristics, not on their physical appearance. His work led to legislation to ensure pay equality for white women, which has raised the standard of living for white households tremendously.

Dr. King was a visionary, driven not by the politics of the day but by an overarching quest to do what he flet was right. We honor him today because, in retrospect, we realize that we are better off because of his struggle and self-sacrifice.

This Frank M. Boone is a classic example for why this country got it right in voting for MLK day. Forget about Frank, he's a lost cause. But the children will grow up hearing about a man who put his life on the line for helping his people. What good has Frank ever done for his? Not much, I'll bet. Ignorant haters are a dime-a-dozen, peace makers are few and far between.

John McCain was born in Panama in 1936. That makes him 47 in 1983. How do you get "young congressman" out of that?
This was a middle aged man who had had 20 years of adult life to make up his mind on things.
His fomative years were spent in and around a US Navy that wouldn't allow blacks to be anything but cooks and stewards.
It's nice that he finds it politically expedient to have a more enlightened position on race now, but at 47 you don't get a pass for not knowing any better. This man was demostrably a bigot well into his middle years. So do you really believe that he isn't now?

Posted by: iaintbacchus | Apr 4, 2008 12:58:31 PM

Do you consider Senator Robert Byrd as being politically expedient!?! He was a sure fire died in the wool racist, but I bet dollars to doughnuts that you don't consider him a racist! Take off your personal partisan blinders when you start throwing mud on someone!

I wonder if you will comment on the story that Barak Hussein Obama told about wanting to hit his White Friend when he empathised with him about being a minority. After all from what we see of the African American community violence does seem to be their first response to absolve any sort of conflict. When approxamently 14% of the U.S. population is responsible for approx. 50% of all violent crimes and murders in the U.S. you will have to admit that what Barak stated as his first thought was is par for the course.

MLK also plaguirzed his doctorate thesis, just didn't get caught till after he died. So.. I guess they should drop the Dr. in front of his name. from a person who everyone holds up to some high status for whining for his rights and everyone elses who were to pansy too and having such 'high' morals.. he actually didn't have much. :( So lay off John McCain guys. His mistake wasn't so dishonest compared too.

THINK JOHN MCCAIN MIGHT HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF RACISM IN HIM? YA THINK?

Everyone seems to place all of SEN McCain's vote into a tidy little "racist" bag, but nobody wants to talk about the fact that he was a "representative" of Arizonans. The MLK holiday was not opposed by Arizonans due to any ill will towards Dr. King, it was opposed due to a lack of recognition for other civil rights leaders. Specifically the hispanic civil rights leaders of the same era. The desire, and end result of this opposition is a holiday that proposes reflection on the good that all civil rights leaders did, rather than one man (great though he was). It has nothing to do with the number of black constituents in Arizona, but it does have something to do with the amount of hispanic constituents whose civil rights struggles have been relegated as something seen as insignificant in the national perspective.

WestCoastMessenger posted "SO WHAT? blacks aren't voting for him anyway."

Point is, my friend, if elected McCain will be their president too.

McCain apologizes for his vote yet Arizona still does not observe MLK day. Maybe someday the rest of the republicans (like Barbara Bush) will realize that being bigots and racist is wrong...just plain and simply wrong.

John McCain was born in Panama in 1936. That makes him 47 in 1983. How do you get "young congressman" out of that?
This was a middle aged man who had had 20 years of adult life to make up his mind on things.
His fomative years were spent in and around a US Navy that wouldn't allow blacks to be anything but cooks and stewards.
It's nice that he finds it politically expedient to have a more enlightened position on race now, but at 47 you don't get a pass for not knowing any better. This man was demostrably a bigot well into his middle years. So do you really believe that he isn't now?

Don't get me started on the media...

Why do they ignore the fact that he's broken the campaign finance laws that he championed?!? Why does the media jump on Barack and Hillary about tax records while ignoring the fact that McCain never released his? He also keeps confusing Shia and Sunni, and thinks that building military bases in the heart of the muslim world is the solution, when it's the problem. The media really disgusts me. Thanks Tap!

"All I'll say is that sometimes while reading, it can be easy to read journalists' political preferences."

That's BS. I've read many articles about Hil and Barack that "made it seem obvious" where the ol' Tapper leans. He just does what all jounalists' should do, hold these political truths up to the light, ask the questions we want asked, instead of letting MSM always dictate the narrative and decide what we should be focusing on.

"He (McCain) will rest on his record on his efforts to make all Americans, including blacks, successful, especially in the military."

This is stated in the context of Martin Luther King day. What little I know about Dr. King, I don't think he organized those marches seeking a better pay grade for black draftees and in fact, given Dr. King's opposition to the war would probably have been offended by the notion.

McCain as a young congressman in 1983 voted against a federal holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It doesn't matter what the black population of Arizona was at the time. Voting against it was just wrong. Mccain was 47 years old in a state full of Goldwater mentalities. Gov. Evan Mecham was against it and McCain did nothing to change the mindset of those involved. What was McCain's reason for being against the MLK national holiday? We will never know.

All I'll say is that sometimes while reading, it can be easy to read journalists' political preferences.

Most glaringly, McCain as a young congressman in 1983... if you can call 47 young.

Most people would be surprised at how extreme and conservative McCain's voting record - across the board - was before 2000. It was only when he got presidential ambitions and with the far right slot already being occupied by his opponent, Bush, who'd wrapped up the Christian fundamentalist vote, that the Straight Talker morphed into a reasonable moderate. Of course, being the media darling that he is, we don't hear mention of it.

This is why I am not voting for that fool McCain, oh yet and he want to stay Iraq for 100 years what a fool, Vopte Obama

WestCoastMessanger, your comments are pathetetic, could you forget a bit bput obama and Hillary and let us look at MLK and his achievements for Americans and the world? McCain has made serious misktakes and he is trying to address them. But you are continuing to insult people and their great leaders. You cannot understand that Hillary the "inevitable" has lost the primaries. Hillary the Bosnian sniper, the General Commander in Chief of Bosnia is finished. You may wish to go with McCain a 3rd term WBush-Cheney-McCain. But do not hurt people's feelings and their love for MLK who is a great hero more than you and McCain alltogether. Shame on you. God bless America, God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

Similar to Hillary Clinton, John McCain changes his tune to fit his audience! also they are never sure when they are telling the Truth!

With Hilary wild claims about Bosnia and Northern Ireland, John McCain and rich embellishments with Truth about his rescue in Vietnam and his treatment, witnesses report conflict greatly, but then it would not sound great.

Barack Obama at least keeps his Dignity - don’t be fooled from McCain and Clinton about experience, AGE does not always guarantee the right candidate, these two Over 60’s seem to suffer from Memory Problems!

I remember that there was a state that balked in the 1990s about whether MLK deserved a holiday, but I never associated John McCain with that. The arguments that came out of that debate were ugly and not worthy of him.

I am sure an opposition researcher is going to take McCain apart on race. Does he even have a history of looking to employ diverse groups of people? I remember in the 2000 election, McCain was using racial slurs to talk about his Vietnamese captors.

This is going to be bad for McCain especially since he came from Obama's grandmother's generation. I don't know how typical she is for the whole generation but if his new admiration for MLK is explored I am positive they will find less than wonderful statements about MLK's contribution to America.

I heard McCain on Tavis Smiley last week talking about his desire to gain our votes and run a campaign that did not bait whites on race. He said he knew blacks were unlikely to vote for him, but that he was going to work for our support.

If he has evolved on race over time, he needs to get that story out before the fall and before Dems have a chance to paint him as intolerant.

After years in the Hanoi Hilton, and given his age, Mr. McCain might be forgiven for the objectional comment In this election campaign, he has made no seriously offensive comments about anyone. In fact, he seems to be very understanding about Ms. Clinton's Bosnia and Mr. Obama's pastor issues. I'm seriously thinking about voting Republican for the first time since 1972. I'm a liberal democrat, but the party seems to have lost it's way. This year is an especially dysfunctional example.

Geevill -- and don't think whites (especially the middle class) aren't voting for Obama. They flat out won't for a black man while blacks have been showing up to vote for white men since gaining the right to vote.

Let's move past this...

Good point Greg ... it makes you wonder

geevill , Whatever - see we can all get along and work together to get to the truth ... now let hope those in Washington can do the same :)

Holy mouse... let me just repeat that McCain statement and let it sink in...:

"They never gave us any meaningful news," McCain said. "They told us the day that Martin Luther King was shot, they told us the day that Bobby Kennedy was shot, but they never bothered to tell us about the moon shot. So it was certainly selected news."

Let's make a loop of THAT and he should be done. Good heavens what a jerk.

geevil- you are a Hillary supporter- I am well aware of this fact okay? My post was talking about the GE where your candidate will not play a part-if you can read the entire paragraph you would perhaps come to the conclusion that I said I HOPED that McCain and Obama voters would call the whole race issue a wash- since it seems to be a touchy subject for both sides- that was my point I am sorry for you if you feel that screaming hate and gossip/speculation/misinformed bloggers vile words is the better route to go..I really am

I stand corrected. It was a whatever post not mike's.

mike- geevils' confused it was my post he is ragging on- sorry guilt by association

geevill:
Well Mike, you posted "who cares what some pastor said at some sermons that too might be racist.. WHO CARES!"

Show me when i post anything close to this???

to make up things to try an make a point ... it's very sad and makes you a liar

Well Mike, you posted "who cares what some pastor said at some sermons that too might be racist.. WHO CARES!"

The fact is millions and millions of voters care. Michael Barone labels them "Jacksonians" and Yes, other do not care, he calls them "Academics". Obama is supported by the latter.

With the conditions in Zimbabwe and their respective incomes the comments of Michelle Obama and Jeremiah Wright are particulary disgusting. and whether a not a MLK day would result in a paid vacation day was the issue.

Mike,

How does your typical academic doom and gloom scenario make sense when you compare the US to Zimbabwe?

If things are that bad where is Obama getting all that money from?

spoken like a true academic whatever.
bury your head in the sand rather that confront the truth. I suppose Michelle Obama would be proud to live Zimbabwe sinc eit is ruled by a black person.

I have to respect that comment Whatever ... nicely put :)

Geevil- Everyone was playing so nice until you got here and started spouting hate - what a shame

CHEW ON THIS FOR A WHILE. WRIGHT HAS THE NERVE TO SAY G-D AMERICA. LOOK WHAT BLACK RULE DID TO ONE OF HIS PRECIOUS AFRICAN COUNTIRES

Mugabe has ruled since his guerrilla army helped force an end to white minority rule in then-Rhodesia and bring about an independent Zimbabwe in 1980.

He ordered the often-violent seizures of white-owned commercial farms, ostensibly to return them to the landless black majority. Instead, Mugabe replaced a white elite with a black one, giving the farms to relatives, friends and cronies who allowed cultivated fields to be taken over by weeds.

Today, a third of the population depends on imported food handouts. Another third has fled the country and 80 percent is jobless. Inflation is the highest in the world at more than 100,000 percent and people suffer crippling shortages of food, water, electricity, fuel and medicine. Life expectancy has fallen from 60 to 35 years.

I AM A OBAMA SUPPORTER AND I THINK EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY STRUGGLES WITH THE RACE ISSUE EVEN TODAY, IM SURE IT WAS THAT MUCH HARDER BACK THEN. I THINK JOHN MCCAIN IS A NICE MAN EVEN IF I DONT WANT TO VOTE FOR HIM BECAUSE I DONT AGREE WITH ALL HIS PLANS I STILL THINK HE IS A GOOD MAN!

MIKE- I am eagerly awaiting the debates between Obama and McCain- to watch the two of them debate issues that have nothing to do with race, age or lol smoking apparently. I really believe it is what the average American wants regardless of what side of the fence they call home. The debates and the campaigns between the two of them will be classy, if the two of them control who works for them- the media can't blow everything our of proportion if there is nothing to exploit. I think they can do it..I think they can run a clean campaign and let the public vote from their brains on issues that matter to them..

Well, here's a different take.

Arkansas celebrates Robert E Lee's Birthday on MLK day. In 1985, while a certain somebody was chilling in Little Rock, these two events were merged into a single celebration.

I wonder what Hillary's position on celebrating Robert E Lee on MLK Day was during those ancient times? It is part of "Her 35 Years of Experience." So fair game then.

Maybe she was vocally opposed to this or maybe strategically silent. IDK the answer. But the Veto pen musta held its peace.

Whatever,

Thanks for your comment!

Awsome post whatever. You nailed it. This shouldn't matter that much.

whatever , WestCoastMessenger , ddpwoman ... any comments and/or answers

The saddest thing about reading blogs … the people who post of blogs that try to pass themselves off as so educated on a subject matter hoping there are others out there at are as missed informed as they are. If we are ever going to get past the black eye on America … Race we have to attack the issue with open dialog and truth. But what I see every time I read a blog dealing with the election is just sad. People wanting to pass of straight up lies as truth, race comments thru … and no one has ever explained why race matters in running the country. When will everyone get that no matter how you feel we are all in this together? We have to learn how to get along and make peace with our past.

Maritza - WOW did i miss something ... IT WAS 15 YEARS LATER
In November 1992, Arizonans voted to re-elect McCain over a challenge from Mecham. They also voted in favor of an MLK holiday.

What I think is important that McCain eventually "got there" rather than where he was at 20 years ago.

People change and McCain has changed for the better.

I wonder what Obama and Hillary are going to be doing for the 40 year anniversary?

The economy is in the toilet, violence around the world towards America is out of control, the dollar isn’t worth much around the world, trade is out of balance … oil prices are driving the small business to close their doors, which in turn is putting Americans out of work, food stamps uses is at an all time high … but what McCain has said is 4 more years of the same … so can someone please tell me why would you vote for him???

WestCoastMessenger - Your comments seems silly because you are saying what Rev. Wright said ... Not Obama, it's a wash that McCain made a bad choice. So I'm wondering what other excuses can be use for all the other miss steps McCain has made ... will the Rev. Wright be used for them too???

What i would like to know from anyone who cares to answer ... what will McCain do to turn this country around for the avg American???

John McCain has no ties to Civil Rights and the struggle for equality. What will he say am for civil rights?

John McCain's best days are behind him.

Obama has a complete package and will be the nominee.

Though I'm not a McCain supporter, I wanted to spot him this one. But the length of time he continued to resist MLK day is stunning, as is his involvement in Arizona's renunciation (and actual repeal!) of MLK day in that state. His belated, if wholehearted repentance is appreciated. But I'm fairly stunned at his -- at best -- complete obtuseness on a man whose life and death lies very close to the heart of what's best and saddest about America.

ddpwoman- I tell you what I read the postings on that smoking blog( what a joke) and came over here for some rest..I watched Obama on Hardball last night and tonight is McCain, I am quite interested to see their differences in opinion and policy. I am a Democrat all the way but you have to hear the words out of the candidates mouths nowadays to make sure you are getting the truth and not the "spin", again to make informed decisions.. which is quite a concept don't you think...

We surely will not be voting for him. Mute topic.

whatever,
you said,"... the "media" will speculate about anything and everything to make the GE just as much of a joke as this primary..."
I agree, after reading that "Obama's Smokin" story, the "media" has just lost, almost, all credibility. We voters had just better do our own homework if we want the WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP US GOD.

ddpwoman - My faith that it will ever happen is nil when I check what counts for stories on these posts...and exactly how much people know about their candidates- the "media" will speculate about anything and everything to make the GE just as much of a joke as this primary- my post was just a daydream I was having lol We will just have to wait and see how Obama and McCain handle themselves come the General Election..

whatever,
you said,"So perhaps when Obama and McCain meet in the GE they will both choose to be grown ups and call the slinging a wash... who cares what McCain said 20 years ago that may be racist or some preachers that are off the conservative deep end..who cares what some pastor said at some sermons that too might be racist.. WHO CARES! Come on presidential nominees CALL IT A WASH and tell us please how you can fix our nation and let us vote between you... they both seem to have similar issues with crazy people surrounding them I would love to see a campaign that was run on their issues and plans alone- I know Obama is classy enough to do it and whether I agree with McCain or not I think he may have enough class to pull it off too. Man , that would be a wonderful thing, voter's making informed decisions on the issues that put food in our mouths and our citizens safe..."

I totally agree with you"whatever". Your post said it all.

whatever,
I totally agree with you. Your post said it all.

So perhaps when Obama and McCain meet in the GE they will both choose to be grown ups and call the slinging a wash... who cares what McCain said 20 years ago that may be racist or some preachers that are off the conservative deep end..who cares what some pastor said at some sermons that too might be racist.. WHO CARES! Come on presidential nominees CALL IT A WASH and tell us please how you can fix our nation and let us vote between you... they both seem to have similar issues with crazy people surrounding them I would love to see a campaign that was run on their issues and plans alone- I know Obama is classy enough to do it and whether I agree with McCain or not I think he may have enough class to pull it off too. Man , that would be a wonderful thing, voter's making informed decisions on the issues that put food in our mouths and our citizens safe...

I doubt Dems will play race issue too much in GE, what gain it will have to play with McCain's history ... and good trigger for GOP to play with Wright which is much more effect among more voters ah?

Considering McCain changed his position, Democrats may not add new voters bringing the MLK Day issue.

The MLK Day issue may fire up some of those conservatives reluctant to vote for John McCain, and who otherwise might stay home on Election Day.

As an awg living in Atlanta at the time of the vote, I wanted to comment on this. Read Jakes commentary, studied the information on the links, then just before offering my opinion I read the comments. Geevill and WCM said it all!!

What's McCain's position on César Chávez Day?

I remember the biggest controversy was about the addition of another holiday. I know where I worked, the employer was not thrilled about having to pay us for another day off. So, he took away a different holiday in order to give us MLK day - net zero out of the employers pocket. There was not really any kind of race controversy, at least where I was.

bring it up? in due time folks, in due time...

40th anniversary tomorrow... McCain's not our focus. For tomorrow...

I do wonder what the black population of Arizona was back in the '80's and early 90's. I lived in Wyoming from 1988-1989. Wyoming had not yet adopted the MLK Holiday. People there told me there were so few black people in their populations, they just could not justify having a day off.

If you scrutinize everything, and you look for racism, you will find racism.

Unless there is more on John McCain re: racism, I don't see this as a problem. It seems a bit of a stretch.

If we are going to disregard Obama's 20 year history with a hate speaker, surely McCain gets a break when he ended up supporting a good idea.

SO WHAT? blacks aren't voting for him anyway.