President Barack Obama followed through Friday night on his longtime plan to take his two daughters to see the new monument to Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Mall.
Two days before Obama is to speak at the dedication of the memorial to the civil rights pioneer, the president, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha made an unannounced visit to the site. Reporters were held in vans on a service road and could not see the Obamas as they viewed the memorial.
At a ground-breaking ceremony for the memorial five years ago, Obama, then a senator from Illinois, spoke about what it would be like to bring his daughters to see it.
"I know that one of my daughters will ask, perhaps my youngest, will ask, "Daddy, why is this monument here? What did this man do?" Obama said.
The young senator is now president, and the King memorial is complete, having opened to the public in August. On Sunday, the country's first black president will be a featured speaker at the dedication ceremony.
I wonder if even MLK could have predicted just how much racism and vitriol would bubble to the surface with the election of the first black man?
What am I saying? MLK Jr. was shot in the face while standing on the balcony of his hotel, of course he would expect this level of racism!
Hell Barack Obama is just as much a white guy as he is a black guy and they STILL hate his ass!
I have to say that I am very much looking forward to the President's speech on Sunday. My prediction is that this one will be one of his best ever.
Did you JUST compare a great leader like MLK Jr to Obama?
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong with you? Even I, a longtime native NYer, thinks you are f**king crazy.
Oh and BTW - here are MY thoughts on Occupy Wall Street, as a person who works downtown.
"I'm officially over you. Why am I being harassed by patchouli soaked no-job hippies for ruining the country. Hey shitheads! 99 percent. You're supposed to be part of the 99 percent. So you're going to harass anyone in a dress and heels? That makes me what? A banker? No, it means I shower and I have a fucking job that I've killed myself for. I AM your so-called majority. Seriously. Go the F*ck home!!! Go play your drum circles elsewhere. I'm over it!!!!!
I am indeed appalled by the blatant racism evoked by Obamas election......but at least i now know who to disregard........
ReplyDeleteThanks G.
ReplyDeleteIn light of #OccupyWallStreet and the growing activism of the 99% it is important to remember that despite all of the racist vitriol hurled his way during the Civil Rights Movement, it was only after he began addressing poverty and organizing the working poor that he was assassinated. That is what the 1% fear. That is what they have always feared.
Jessee,
ReplyDeleteMaybe the fact that he is just as much white as he is black is the reason that the bigots hate him so. You know, mixing of the races. I am sure that someone can find something in the Bible or their toast that they can use to justify that hatred.
UGH
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tmz.com/2011/10/15/sarah-palin-restraining-order-extension-stalkers-alaska-court/
@6:30 AM:
ReplyDeleteMental health counseling is always available.
Get over yourself.
You're not the only person to ever have a job, want a job, look for a job, or take a fucking shower.
So, you really don't care if the rich run slipshod over you, as long as you don't have to see a "hippie" or two. Get some help, please.
@6:38 you did not articulate your point very well. Did you mean to make a point?
ReplyDeleteHow can the US be called "the greatest nation in the world" with so much hate, bigotry and ignorance here? We have a long way to go yet. Even a highly educated, super intelligent part black man is treated with disdain by people with MUCH lower ideals and I.Q's. While this happens, who speaks out against these ignorant people? Unfortunately our so called leaders are part of the ignorant.
ReplyDelete6:38 Is that you, Billo??
ReplyDeleteThere was an excellent full 20 minute radio interview with Joe McGinniss on the largest Seattle talk radio show from Tuesday afternoon ! This is the most comprehensive one to date where he could hit all his main points without being interrupted or scorned. The Ron and Don show has an afternoon drive time audience of 500,000 people and Seattle is the 12th largest media market in the country.
ReplyDeleteThey referred to Joe several times as a longtime, very well respected author and “veteran reporter” who has visited the state and written other books on Alaska. Sometimes radio hosts will kid around to try to liven things up, but they just let Joe have his say. And they clearly established his credibility.
They did not interrupt him and the first big point Joe was able to make was a very clear explanation about Sarah’s scary Dominionist beliefs. He also covered her vindictiveness, her faux hockey mom image, her racism, her neglect of the kids and using them as props, the lack of media and McCain vetting, the SarahPAC “scam” & general grifting and how the book may well have played a role in her not running for POTUS. The one host even got in at the very end of the interview about the previous neighbors being drug addicts and that Joe was a step up.
They also touched on Babygate…….Joe specifically mentions Chapter 19 to lead people right to it and puts enough teasers out there to raise the “open question” for the audience to investigate. He was very respectful and called her Sarah throughout the interview.
He came across very well and the hosts did a great job. They also allowed Joe to clear up the anonymous source issue and the moving next door controversy.
LISTEN:
http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=577&a=34589&p=&n
As angry as I am about the blatant racism and vile hatred for this man and his family, I can't help but be thrilled that the dedication of this monument will be presided over by our nation's first black President. I am also thrilled that he can bring his two beautiful daughters to see this monument and teach them about the legacy of Dr. King and how, as President, he has become an important part of that legacy.
ReplyDeleteAs a child of the 60s who has some rather fuzzy memories of Dr. King's assassination, it is hard to believe that we have come this far in my lifetime. We certainly have a very, very long way to go, but we HAVE made progress and I know that many of the barriers that Barack Obama faced as a child will not have to be faced by his children and their generation.
While we need to continually shine a light on racism and all kind of discrimination and hate in this country, let's take this special weekend to celebrate the progress we have made towards realizing Dr. King's dream, and focus on the hope that our future will be better.
Hey "Over it all. Get a life..."
ReplyDeleteIMO, you might actually THANK those "patchouli soaked hippies" who are speaking out FOR YOU while you duck and run. Oh, and I guess you also missed the AARP and veteran contingent that is represented there.
Rant elsewhere,
You ungrateful bitch.
over it all. get a life...i'm pretty sure that the 'unwashed hippies' wouldn't be bothering you on the way to work if they had jobs to go to. just sayin'
ReplyDeleteDear asshole Over it All. How old are you? 12? Do you even have a clue about the bullshit you wrote? Patchouli, no-job hippies that don't shower? LMFAO Get a grip. The 60's are OVER. You see, I was one of those hippies but alas, your ill-informed self knows NOTHING about any of us.
ReplyDeleteYou see, most of us are in our late 50's mid 60's. We shower, we served in the military like I did, we've worked very productive satisfying jobs, many of us have advanced degrees.In fact some of us probably educated you. You're just one of the many that TAKES FOR GRANTED all the roadwork we laid during our original protests decades ago. You didn't get where you are alone. Even though you might like to think so but, you didn't.
Now, about OWS. I hate to tell you but the people out there are of all ages. I'm glad to see young people making their voices heard. it's their future too. Greedy CEO's investment bankers, etc. created the nightmare we are all dealing with today. Capitalism without regulation is a disaster waiting to happen...it did. Capitalism with a sense of responsibility is what made this country great. Until that returns expect protests.
Finally, I didn't see Gryphen compare President Obama to MLK in any way. Your perception must be skewed by your own issues. Wake up, leave the 40+ year old garbage Republican GREED-centered talking points in the past. They hold no validity today. And yeah, I called you an asshole because I'm sick and tired of this lame trash people like you continue to throw around.
"Over it all. Get a life said..." said:
ReplyDelete"No, it means I shower and I have a fucking job that I've killed myself for."
--------------------------------
Well, whatever "killed myself" may be a euphemism for, it certainly doesn't signify the development of either grace or erudition does it?
Thanks for visiting, however; a little added levity is always welcome in dark times.
Over it all. Get a life said...
ReplyDeleteWhat difference does it make to anyone that you are "a longtime native NYer"? However, I am an old white southerner who grew up during the civil rights era. Different times require different means. MLK,jr. would not have expected his means for advancement to be the most effective for today. These times require change from within. Even he would not have predicted an African American President on the day his memorial is to be dedicated on the Mall.
President Obama will be remembered as one of the greatest Americans as well as Presidents of all time regardless of what haters such as yourself think.
I am just finishing up reading A Singular Woman, the story of Barack Obama's mother. I highly recommend it to get a further insight into who and why this man is so exceptional.
ReplyDeleteAmerica get over yourself.
ReplyDeleteRacism existed before Obama.
It will exist after Obama.
p.s. Obama isn't White.
6:38,
ReplyDeleteSettle your ass down.
And put your teeth in your mouth before you speak.
OFF TOPIC but very funny!!
ReplyDeleteHere is an article about Sarah asking for more protection from Craig and Sean Cristy, her alleged stalkers!
But what is hysterical is that the photo used in the article of Sarah is actually a photo of Julianne Moore in the upcoming movie Game Change!!!! Does anyone know when that film will be shown on HBO??
It's hysterical to me that they didn't even use a real photo of Sarah for an article. I hope this link works:
http://foreign.peacefmonline.com/entertainment/201110/74438.php
"Now, what does all this mean in this great period of history? It means that we've got to stay together. We've got to stat together and maintain unity. You know, whenever Pharaoh wanted to prolong the period of slavery in Egypt, he had a favorite formula for doing it. What was that? He kept the slaves fighting among themselves But whenever the slaves get together, something happens in Pharaoh's court, and he cannot hold the slaves in slavery. When the slaves get together, that's the beginning of getting out of slavery. Now let us maintain unity."
ReplyDeleteAww, G, I love this post. And I love Obama, and I'm sure I'll love his speech.
ReplyDeleteAlas, I do not love this statue. I spent a lot of time in former Soviet Union States. and OMG this was jsut their style.
But enough. The first post here? Jesus, "Over it all", go get a life. We are all smarter than you are.
...And cue fake right winger outgrage at the President "attempting to cynically usurp King's legacy" in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
ReplyDelete-Unlike Herb Cain and (more laughably) Glenn Beck of course, that was different! Somehow.
"Over it all. Get a life" wrote: Did you JUST compare a great leader like MLK Jr to Obama?
ReplyDeleteYou mean, by mentioning both in the same article? You'll need to be more specific, if you wish to avoid the appearance of just looking for a hook—any hook—to hang your dislike on.
Over it all. Get a life said...
ReplyDeleteDid you JUST compare a great leader like MLK Jr to Obama?
6:38 AM
-----------------------------
Why yes, yes, he did.
Because President Obama is a great leader.
The rest of your ignorant, self-absorbed, cliche-ridden diatribe isn't worth responding to.
As if you actually consider MLK a great leader. Please.
@6:32 am
ReplyDeleteYou are a TOOL. Those "patchouli soaked no-job hippies" are fighting for your right to not be ruled and owned by corporate interessts and the 1%.
You're right though, "you" ARE the majority who has been a good little sheep and done nothing while the 1% bought themselves a country.
Thanks for nothing.
Obama's race talk, during the campaign, was a game-changer for me. i was already for Obama, but his words showed that I was right.
ReplyDeleteSo stop calling him "the first black President" and call him the President. Or call him the first black and white President. As long as people continue to refer to Obama as "black" it's a setup for racist attitudes. As you point out, he is HALF black and HALF white. Grrrrrr.
ReplyDeleteI am SO powder keg ready to explode on anyone who bitches about Obama.
ReplyDeleteIts obvious that his "supporters" expected him to come to their house and mow their stinking lawn for them, or perform miracles of government reform, with the dictator like powers the office of President does not provide him.
His detractors are so frighteningly easily swayed by billionaire money, to believe all the utter crap about him, spewed 24/7 from rightwing tv and radio.
(If you catch yourself thinking there could be some TRUTH to his being born in Kenya, or being an alien from another planet, or has been a lifelong "plant" of Muslim terrorists; related to Bigfoot; wants to turn America into a "socialist/nazi/communist state"--or any of the other completely ridiculous things that serious money has been spent getting you to believe---it is time, NOW, to shake your head and realize what is being done to you. You haven't always been that gullible.)
Hey, 6:38, did you just call MLK a great leader and then shit all over his ideals with the rest of your asinine post?
ReplyDeleteYou are truly a world class piece of crap.
I will be attending the MLK ceremony tomorrow..Al Sharpton was on fire today in DC at the Jobs Rally..
ReplyDeleteGyrphen...you must never have heard of the 'One Drop' rule..that's why BO
there's so much racism against him...they'd rather run a dim-wit like Palin..can you see a minority getting away with the things she has...
6:38 - I'll compare President Obama to MLK - a thousand times over because the President is the "Dream" MLK was speaking of. Our President has faced as much as racial hatred as MLK, and that hatred is THE reason our country continues to suffer - Republican/ teabagger obstructionism!
ReplyDeleteGet used to it - people are just beginning to speak up, it ain't going to be convenient for anyone any more to hear the truth!
Let's just all join in a round of applause for Gryph, who allows idiots like "Over it all" to comment here, where they can reap the natural consequences of their free speech.
ReplyDeleteThe right-wing sites sure don't allow that.
"patchouli soaked no-job hippies?"
ReplyDeletePiece-of-shit, Reagan-sucking, yuppie 1987 called, it wants its meme back.
("longtime native NYer?" makes no sense, like the rest of your post)
Tawd at 6:38 am
ReplyDeleteQuit wearing Saree's heels, ya know how upset she gets! OBEY!
6:38 -- The great Jacob Boehme once wisely said, "What the self describes, describes the self." You just proved it. Also, your intense anger only hurts you. Might want to get some help for that. And, if you're Liz Cheney, you definitely have 'father' issues, and no shower in the world can wash the "Dick" off you. I pity you. Must suck to be you . . .
ReplyDeleteObama 2012!!!
I for one, WILL compare MLK and President Obama. Not only that I will go further and state without MLK's great work, we would not have President Obama...if only the Reverend were alive to see the results of his great work and what it has meant to many of us.
ReplyDeleteAs to speak to DIANES comments..
I think you are correct, it set my husbands family off when he married me, a biracial woman...thank goodness the result was that he threw themaside for the following 30 yrs and we have raised our family in peace. Though they have tried to "reconnect" recently, since they found out we have done very well for ourselves.
Than you so much to all the 6:38 castigators on this thread! President Obama is a GREAT leader in the same vein as MLK! I guess 6:38 won't GET IT until it's her turn to get in line to be slapped down by the company she works for, or gets fired because she's not the right sex, religion, or color. She's got hers, so eff the rest of America!
ReplyDeleteDr. King represents EQUALITY...regardless of your color.
ReplyDeleteI think if Dr. King was alive today his message of equality would transcend over to the Gay/Lesbian movement.
These brothers and sisters deserve equality under the law.
It is time we end this intolerance and realize that Dr. King wasn't just fighting for the rights of black people, he stood for every person.
"I wonder if even MLK could have predicted just how much racism and vitriol would bubble to the surface with the election of the first black man?"
ReplyDeleteI doubt that a man who grew up in a country where his racial kin could be lynched for no good reason at all, or be roped and dragged behind a truck till their body fell to pieces,simply because the were born nigger, would be the least bit surprised.
Two things about that statue bother me. Stylistically it is straight out of the Stalinist school of art, which does not speak of peace and Christian faith, and MLK looks angry.
He did not accomplish what he did by showing his anger in public (and he must have felt a lot of anger and frustration).
He accomplished what he did by being a man of peace and faith and patience, and that statue does not, artistically speak of those attributes.
Surely a monument that showed MLK walking arm and arm with both blacks and whites would tell a more accurate story.
Ahhh, Get a Life's street corner is probably taken.
ReplyDeleteYes this is a great moment in US history. It's long over due, some of his quotes are misquoted and it wasn't an citizen of the US who sculptured the monument.
ReplyDeleteI can overlook are that to be proud of Rev. King being acknowledged.
I know you troll hate it.
Actually, the comment "I shower and I have a fucking job that I've killed myself for" from our "longtime native NYer" is entirely transparent and best summed up with this age-old adage of American commerce:
ReplyDeleteIt's not what you know, it's who you blow.
LisaBeth---
ReplyDelete>>Does anyone know when that film will be shown on HBO??
Release dates for
Game Change (2011) (TV)
Country Date
USA 2012
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1848902/
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2011/09/hbo-winter-season-promo-the-return-of-game-of-thrones-and-more/
I, too, am eager to hear President Obama's speech as to the MLK dedication on Sunday. I know he will do a wonderful job!!!
ReplyDeleteDamn, but I'm glad he is our President. Can you imagine McCain giving the speech? Yuck!!!!!!!
6:38
ReplyDeleteKiss my ass. you arrogant, ignorant fool are getting some of your just desserts. you fucking shitpile I doubt you are working for one of the the 1%.
All you losers can come up with are hippies (they're from the 60's assdrop) and need to take a shower (teabagger's bs immature faux talking point.)
Too bad everything we are protesting will help your stankass.
BTW -- ows protesters are way cleaner than the stinkin teabaggers at least they can march don't have to wear depends or using a Colostomy bag, fuckhead.
you must be some kid with a typical hillbilly racist teabagger attitude to be as ignorant as you.
Suck it up, buttercup. HAHAHAHA I LOVE IT.
Obama Race Speech: Read The Full Text
ReplyDelete...This belief comes from my unyielding faith in the decency and generosity of the American people. But it also comes from my own American story.
I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton’s Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas. I’ve gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world’s poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slaveowners — an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.
It’s a story that hasn’t made me the most conventional candidate. But it is a story that has seared into my genetic makeup the idea that this nation is more than the sum of its parts — that out of many, we are truly one...
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/03/18/us/politics/20080318_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html#
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_More_Perfect_Union_(speech)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-race-speech-read-th_n_92077.html
"President Obama will be remembered as one of the greatest Americans as well as Presidents of all time regardless of what haters such as yourself think.
ReplyDelete8:11 AM"
You said a mouth full. they cant be grateful we aren't in a full blown depression.
Sane people thank President Obama, racist stupidasses overtly lie and incite violence.
teabaggers are mad because their little know-nothing crowds look like a westboro picket line next to the massive #ows protesters.
ReplyDeleteWe have thousand and thousands of people on OUR side, the correct side.
Get Over Yourself @ 6:38:
ReplyDeleteBless your hard little heart.
(1) There is nothing wrong with Gryphen who is, incidentally, quite comfortable addressing Heads of State by their correct titles (a lesson you must have missed, assuming you bothered to take History or Civics).
(2) No one cares from whence you hail.
(3) Speaking as one of those former hippies, you are hereby invited to bite me. Ever wonder why you have any reproductive rights whatsoever as you self-righteously flounce around in your dress and heels? It is thanks to hippies like me, who fought for and demanded women's rights. You're welcome.
(4) We have all had fucking jobs, dear.
(5) Unsolicited advice: Go get stoned, or laid, or both. You are in dire need of an attitude adjustment.
Okay, I'm here in DC visiting my son for the weekend - by the way, the weather's gorgeous - and we can't decide whether to go hear Obama tomorrow or not. We came to DC for the Inauguration - and hope to come to the next one! - but he's afraid it will be too crowded (though the Inauguration was horribly crowded). I think we should go for the historical basis, but he's more ambivilent. So, should we go?
ReplyDeleteI'll check back later - it's 5p here - and get your opinion. Thanks. "phoebes-in-santa fe", temporarily "phoebes-in-dc".
President Obama will be remembered as one of the greatest Americans as well as Presidents of all time.
ReplyDeleteHell to the Yes!!
4 More for 44
Anonymous @10:42am
ReplyDeleteGood point about McCain, who opposed the MLK holiday in Arizona.
Wikipedia isn't clear as to when Arizona approved MLK day as a holiday, but it does say the NFL moved the Super Bowl from Phoenix to Pasadena's Rose Bowl in 1990 because Arizona refused to recognize MLK day.
So yeah, McCain's MLK Memorial dedication would have been met with mixed responses from the audience, but by now the country would have suffered under almost 3 YEARS of VP Palin. Can't even bear the thought.
phoebes in santa fe @1:07pm
ReplyDeleteI definitely vote for going to the dedication, especially since you're with your son.
Since the weather's great, how could you not go, and miss out on the joy of others?
P.S. I was in DC on Columbus Day 2004, and it was a PERFECT day. Seemed like everyone and their brother was in DC, but still glad I was there.
**regarding my post above, the link to the 4 more for 44 website is not mine. I found it on The O'Bama Diary Website.
ReplyDeleteTo everyone, we decided at dinner tonight that how could we possibly miss the speech tomorrow. So I will report back to this blog. By the way, we walked past McPherson Square tonight where the OWS is camped out.
ReplyDelete@phoebes in santa fe ..I'm getting up at 4am, the gates open at 6am..I was dithering about going, but decided not to miss the historically significance...hope to liveblog/twitter the event..
ReplyDeleteYes, this is indeed going to be one speech that will go down in history.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that President Obama is bi-racial is a non issue. He self identifies himself as African American, it's his right and his choice. What matters is MLK and President Obama represent the best America has to offer. Both are for the human rights of all people, of all races. It's an equality thing.
I read "A Singular Woman", and it's an amazingly well written account of a woman of honor who happened to raise a child that became the leader of the United States.
And I award a coney island whitefish and the Bronx salute to the "Get a life" woman in the first post. You got a job and a shower- woo hoo! Add an apple computer and a rent controlled apartment and you're just another "Sex and the City" wannabe.
Those protestors are fighting for your future, all that seperates you from them is perhaps one paycheck. When the pink slip is on your patootie, it's injustice, when it's on someoene elses, it's a nuisance.