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March 28, 2024

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Friday, January 28, 2022

Open Thread – Happy MLK Day

Whether you have the day off today, or not, may your thoughts turn at some point to Dr. King, who envisioned a beautiful future he would not see in his lifetime. May we see it in ours.

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56 Responses to “Open Thread – Happy MLK Day”
  1. Lacy Lady says:

    This is an interesting Quiz. The results might surprise you?

    :http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/candidate-match-game

    • Lacy Lady says:

      I forgot to added—–I was relieved that Obama is still my man!

    • AKMuckraker says:

      1) Barack Obama 2) Ron Paul 3) Rick Perry

      I’m glad it wasn’t close, but I still find it alarming to think of my silver and bronze medalists… (gulp) But, I suppose there would really be no good results there anyway.

    • Baker's Dozen says:

      Obama, Huntsman, Romney. Obama was over 50% ahead of Huntsman.

      Paul, Santorum, and Bachmann didn’t get my “vote” in any of the categories.

      If they’d had anything about equal rights for women, that would have put the icing on the cake. If there were 2 people running and one thought women were “less than,” the other would have to be a complete fool for me to vote for the “less than” candidate.

  2. beth. says:

    I, too, am not a fan of the three-day holiday, because, as others have stated up-thread, it takes away from the import of that particular day. If a designated Fed holiday happens to fall on a weekend, then, yes, make it a three-dayer, but *automatically* make them so? Nope. Fortunately, they have not automatically ‘moved’ either the 4th of July or Veterans Day to a 3-dayer… *unless* either happens to fall on a weekend. Veterans Day is, as it’s always been, observed on the 11th day of the 11th month; may it ever be thus! [I’m not a fan of having had Washington’s birthday and Lincoln’s birthday bundled into what is now called by most, “President’s Day”, either…]

    And I can’t begin to express how disgusting I find the notion of a “Patriot Day (9/11)”! There are only two differences that I can see between what happened to our nation on 7 December 1941 and on 11 September 2001:

    1) in 1941, we were attacked at Pearl Harbor by another *nation*; the attack killed many citizens, necessitating our nation’s entrance into WWII where we fought, along with our Allies, to preserve and/or restore freedom. In 2001, four airplanes were hijacked by 19 religious zealots, flown into US property, and killing many citizens of many nations, prompted leaders in the US (along with the “Coalition of the Willing” – including number-upping Tonga? -Costa Rica? -Ethiopia? Oy!) to take hostile action against peoples in other nations … actions that have since been shown to have been based in faulty –if not, downright fraudulent– intelligence *and* an evangelical ‘crusade’ mentality of one (in particular) US leader,

    and,

    2) In 1941, unlike in 2001, there were no ‘fundies’ wrapping themselves in the US flag (not to mention slapping magnetic US flags and yellow ribbons on their cars) and declaring that: IF one was a *true* American, IF one *truly* loved their country AND was a *true* “patriot”, they would ensure another 9/11 never happened to our nation, again — the only way to do so, of course, was/is to permanently rid the world of the sheer vileness, the hateful and ugly rhetoric, the pure EVIL, from whence it arose: the *religion*, Islam.

    I hate, Hate, HATE, the idea of a “Patriot Day (9/11)” — to my mind, the implications of “us” against “them” (read: ‘christian’ America v. Islam) are over-ridingly great and stomach-turningly inescapable. The mere thought of flaunting our nation’s military retalliation against others via a Federal holiday (or via anything else, really), gives me the bite-down-on-a-piece-of-tinfoil willies. [/rant]

    But I do love me some Veterans Day! Not only do all Marines and I get the day following our birthday off, but the holiday, itself, has such beautiful and meaningful beginnings…an Armistice to a world-devastating war. What better way to honor all Veterans, (and, by extention, the US), than to celebrate them with Peace? None that I can think of. beth.

    US Federal Holidays 2012: http://www.opm.gov/operating_status_schedules/fedhol/2012.asp

    • mike from iowa says:

      Good show,now kick ’em where it hurts. When my hip heals,I’ll do the same.

  3. bubbles says:

    i don’t know what to think about this. Dr. King would say something wise and wonderful. i don’t know what to say. i am speechless for which some Pups might shout Hallelujah!
    why am i feeling ambivalent? mean and surly even.
    ***************************************************************************
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    Our Mission

    We strive to bring the truth to light. We have no hidden agenda or single cause to endorse. Ours is but a simple task…Freedom to live our lives without governement interferance, lower spending, fair taxes and a health care system that reduces spending and creates a health and happy nation.

    Our Values

    We value the truth without bias or opinion. The truth is what sets us apart and here is where you will find it.

    Our Beliefs

    We manned up and realised that the problem is that the recession began during the previous administration. And while it certainly worsened for the first year of Obama’s term, there are now signs that the economy is slowly improving. Unemployment is reducing and we are more secure not that bin Laden is no longer walking the earth.

    We’re tired of getting criticised for not having a plan to back up our boisterous protests, we’re tired of being called racists, we’re tired of being called nutjobs.

    So we looked at the situation with clear heads and realised that barring any true, qualified leader on the right, Obama is the only choice for 2012.

    Help Us

    The cost of our voice is high, but the price of doing nothing is even greater. We ask that you give what your heart feels is right. It is only through contributions that we are allowed to function and turn back the never ending tide of stupid partisanship and politics. Help us help you. I promise not one cent of any donation will go into the pocket of anyone associated with our organization. If fact, we have open books. If you would like to see our financial statements, please contact us.

    Who are we?

    We are patriots just like you, who want to build a better nation and know the truth is always more powerful that politics

    you know they are Tea Party people because they still can’t spell worth a darn and are too lazy and ignorant to use spell check or a dictionary. ‘i ain’t ready to make nice’. bless them little Dixie Chicks

    • CO almost native says:

      wow. I need the smiley with the bugged-out eyes…

    • Baker's Dozen says:

      Yikes. Is this for real? If so, good on them!

    • leenie17 says:

      The Tea Party itself was a creation of the Koch brothers and big corporate funding, designed to appear like a grass roots organization, and attracted many uneducated, bigoted, hateful, angry people. However, I have no doubt there were some people drawn to the concept of the TP who genuinely wanted better things for this country.

      Perhaps some of those people finally realized they were being used by the corporations to pressure the government for legislation that did nothing to help them, but lots to help the 1%. Perhaps these same people also realized that President Obama is the person who is actually working to make this country better, safer and more economically stable, despite what the Republican party has been claiming to the contrary. And maybe they also realize that the GOP has been willing to destroy the country for the sake of gaining political power and regaining the White House.

      If they’re for real, then all I have to say to them is, “Welcome back to reality!”

  4. beth. says:

    In our area, the Fed observance of MLK Day has become a totally grassroot Day of Service. [Think: “Make a Difference Day” on a much more personalized scale and without all the glitz, competition, and self-aggrandizement of the national event.] Little –and not so little– projects are identified by schools, clubs, houses of worship, organizations, etc., and folks can pick one of those, or come up with their own project; families are encouraged to participate together. The day ‘ends’ with a parade through town beginning at 4. There are more participants in the parade than there are observers along the route, and the signs and banners carried are oft bordering on the cheezy, if not downright tacky, but the sincerity is unmistakable. When it comes to MLK Day and honoring his memory, I think our town “gets it”. beth.

  5. OMG says:

    No real surprise but take a look at Andrew Sullivan’s post about his Newsweek article: conservatives are slamming it without having read it! (As the saying goes: The Palin is strong with them….)

    http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/01/why-obama-should-be-reelected.html

  6. mike from iowa says:

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/jpmoore/hey-mitt-dogs-dont-go-there Mitt’s mutt gets his/her revenge. If you haven’t seen this,it is funny.

    • Baker's Dozen says:

      HA HA HA, Chopped Liver!

      That is really funny.

      Seriously. Which former presidents could we see doing something like this–assuming they had access to a car? Perhaps Andrew Jackson, or maybe a lesser known.

  7. wallflower says:

    To me the statements on the balance are both true; we’ve made huge progress, and we still have a long way to go.

  8. Mag the Mick says:

    I just went on youtube and found an old clip of Dion DiMucchi singing his own composition, “Abraham, Martin, and John”. I can’t transfer an openable version here, but hope you will all go visit the site and listen to him.

    “They freed a lot of people, but it seems the good they die young.
    I just turned around, and they were gone.”

    • CO almost native says:

      In Denver, many businesses- like Kaiser Permanente- encourage their employees to volunteer for the day. Kaiser has helped Project CURE for several years, packaging medical materials to send to other countries.

  9. bubbles says:

    yay! great news pups. SOPA has been shelved! the President held firm and we won through. nice Birthday present.

  10. OMG says:

    Geepers! A Palin endorsement is less likely to sway voters than a “W” endorsement (which isn’t saying much):

    http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/317940

    • Baker's Dozen says:

      So those like Bachmann who have an overall negative effect. If they wanted to, they could influence the election by “endorsing someone they hate, say, Mitt, and he’d lose votes.

      How interesting. Think Palin’s numbers will change after “Game Change”? And would they change if she went on Fox and wasn’t wearing make-up? I think that actually would make a difference.

  11. Alaska Pi says:

    What an odd lil poll.
    Wonder why it/they didn’t ask what people think of the current convention of making Monday holidays and the 3 day weekend dealie which seems to suck the life out of the “why” of a declared day of remembrance?
    We have a long, long way to go yet. We need the strength of our memories of Dr King to stay the course.

    • John says:

      I think it was a mistake to change every national holiday into a three day weekend. It did suck the meaning out of the day. And also the joy of having that holiday actually be on a Monday or Friday every few years. Sure, it is more efficient for employers (and teachers) not to have a break mid-week, but the important things in life aren’t about efficiency. (gasp, that sound’s unamerican 🙂 )

  12. mike from iowa says:

    Rethugs want to judge people,not by the content of their character,but,by the color of their money and size of their bank accounts. They believe less(pop.) equals more(wealth). They worship false idols-money,material items, and they want to be isolated from the 99% to whom they are superior in every way. MLK and others were voices deep in the valley that so frightened those on the mountains that they had to be silenced. Fortunately thoughts and deeds and love and compassion live on and will never be silenced. I have a vision of MLK marching with Louis Armstrong singing What a Wonderful World.

    • bubbles says:

      wow! you gave me chills Mike. thank you. What a Wonderful World it is indeed.

      • juneaudream says:

        Chills here too..and..actually..that music..IS..out here..in the world..and it lifts us still..those who ‘hear’..with their mind, and their heart.

    • thatcrowwoman says:

      “What a Wonderful World” [1970 Spoken Introduction Version] Louis Armstrong along with Oliver Nelson’s Orchestra

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGKqH26xlg

    • Mag the Mick says:

      “I hear babies cry, I watch them grow,
      They’ll learn so much more than I’ll ever know,
      And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”

      From our mouths to god’s ears. We can only hope.

    • COalmost Native says:

      Bravo! Glad you’re back among the pups…

    • Buffalogal says:

      Here’s another interesting take on the movie :

      http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/john-doyle/watching-game-change-with-americans-is-surreal/article2303720/

      “Watching Game Change with Americans is Surreal ”

      ****Under pressure, but with a profound sense of her own importance, Palin crumbles. In one scene, she is catatonic, curled up, immobile in a fetal position because she’s been dieting. In another she screams at a McCain staffer on her cellphone and then smashes the phone against a wall. She is depicted as someone who could be taught to memorize generic replies to questions from journalists, but could not recognize her own ignorance. As the movie shows it, after every appearance before cheering crowds her ego swelled and she simply declined to listen to any advice about anything.****

      • GoI3ig says:

        She has never changed. When Sarah ran for Governor, I called her “soundbite Sarah” because she had a memorized canned answer that she used no matter what the question. She never would (or could) directly answer a question.

    • Buffalogal says:

      ha! I followed your link AFTER I posted mine. Just realized that yours connects to the same article only via a different site. Thinking alike again !

  13. hockeynana says:

    I have long thought that instead of giving the kids a day off, they should stay in school but have the entire day be devoted to learning more about the teachings of Dr. King. I asked my grands if they do anything in their schools here in Ohio, and only the 1st grader had and she was a little mixed up about who he was.

    As dairy farmers for many years, we never go a day off but I don’t begrudge those who do..much.

    • leenie17 says:

      Several years ago, my school had two brand new administrators (both African-American) and we were approaching MLK Day. As we did every year, we were scheduled to have a big assembly with the usual poems, time lines, songs and other assorted performances. My deaf/hard of hearing students were finally going to be presented with the medals they had won earlier that year in a sports competition. Now, EVERY student in my little group was a member of a minority group, both as a function of their hearing loss AND as a function of their ethnic heritage, religion or secondary disability. However, I was informed, just days before the assembly, that because there were too many other performances, there wouldn’t be any time for my kids to receive the medals they had been anxiously awaiting and they’d just have to wait for another time. Too bad, so sad.

      I sent an email to the teacher who had made the decision and, despite our long conversation that morning about the Presidential inauguration, didn’t even have the courage to tell me directly and asked another teacher to break the news after she had left the building for the weekend. I explained that I had a problem with my students being eliminated from the ceremony when they had actually lived up to many of the lessons of MLK – perseverance in the face of challenges, equality of opportunity, interacting with those who are different – and would be more concrete symbols of MLK’s legacy than a group of children who learned to recite a poem they didn’t even understand (although I DID word it a little more diplomatically!).

      The following Monday, I was called into the principal’s office where both administrators were waiting to essentially call me a racist and threaten me with disciplinary action unless I apologized to the teacher (who had STILL not had the guts to discuss it with me directly). Since I had long worked for programs that fostered acceptance of children and adults who were ‘different’ in many ways, I was absolutely devastated. I tried to explain why I felt the examples of my students (who were all minorities in at least two ways) overcoming obstacles were a worthwhile lesson in promoting the legacy of Dr. King, whose ideals I fully supported, but they had already made up their minds about me and my intentions. They ignored the fact that, the previous year, I was the one member of the staff who started a campaign to raise money for the MLK Memorial in DC because I felt that our students needed to do something more concrete than just recite a few poems they would forget by the end of the day. Our former principal (also African-American) had appreciated my efforts and enthusiastically supported my project.

      I see many schools that celebrate MLK’s legacy in similar ways – reciting poems, singing songs or presenting other materials that mean little to them and are quickly forgotten. In my district, these are the very children whose lives have forever been changed by the work of MLK and the other civil rights leaders and, yet, they have very little understanding of why his work was so important and how they can continue it themselves.

      There are SO many things we could do in our schools to really make MLK’s legacy come alive for these kids AND make it more personal for them. However, as a middle-aged, white woman, I will no longer offer suggestions to my current administrators for how to make this holiday more meaningful to the children in our school. I will do my own thing in my class lessons and, come assembly day, interpret the same old poems and timelines I’ve heard for 13 years…and mourn for how much more we could be doing for our students.

      Okay, rant over. Happy Martin Luther King Day to all.

    • COalmost Native says:

      I agree. I also think it would be great if students engaged in volunteering; help others who need a little hand up.

  14. thatcrowwoman says:

    The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral,
    begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.
    Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.
    Through violence you may murder the liar,
    but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth.
    Through violence you may murder the hater,
    but you do not murder hate.
    In fact, violence merely increases hate.
    So it goes.
    Returning violence for violence multiplies violence,
    adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
    Darkness cannot drive out darkness:
    only light can do that.
    Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.
    ~~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Dream on.
    Sweet Shalom.
    Make it so.
    Pass it on.

  15. OMG says:

    This is one of the best articles that I’ve read about the Obama administration’s (actual) record vs the criticism that he suffers from both left and right. Andrew Sullivan really nailed this one!

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/01/15/andrew-sullivan-how-obama-s-long-game-will-outsmart-his-critics.html

    • GoI3ig says:

      I agree that this is a very candid, and accurate assessment of the political landscape. I sincerely hope the dimwits who lap up the Faux Noise spin don’t carry the day.

  16. Ripley in CT says:

    I don’t have the day off, and in fact, my co-worker at the dental office took it off so I get to work alone. I’ll be mad at her for a few days.

    While I absolutely believein the message, I don’t think this should be a federal holiday. That’s just my humble opinion.

    • bubbles says:

      i agree Ripley. i think it should be a world holiday. a holiday that celebrates compassion, love, joy, passion, empathy, laughter, tears, hope, grace under pressure, sacrifice, nobility of spirit, eloquence, scholarship,song, dance, storytelling. indeed the great humanist thinkers should remembered and celebrated as well. today, in the midst of the remembrance of a man beloved by many and excoriated still in the words and attitudes of millions, i pause and remember all that this man gave me and mine.
      may he rest in peace.

      • Mag the Mick says:

        I love you, Bubbles.

        • mike from iowa says:

          Oh,that’s just great. What am I now,chopped liver? Let’s compromise,I love Bubbles,too still yet. I was enamored with foolish passion for a young lady baseball player in LeMars,Iowa-the Ice Cream Capital of the world,back in the day. We had it all,youth(I was 10 and she was 8),I had a pocketfull of my fifty cents a week allowance and we shared a love for the same sport. Then the little wench ruined my life by telling me she liked baseball better than me. I have not and will not,nay I refuse to recover from the reject file. I grovel before all as a broken person,haunted by nearly fifty year old ghosts of rejection. Let’s share some ice cream. What’s your fave?

  17. dahlia says:

    Three steps forward and two steps back…we’re walking a long road to enlightenment.
    MLK provided a focal point…a face and a powerful “voice”…and the message of hope, love and determination to overcome overwhelming odds…

    He inspired me.

    • juneaudream says:

      He insipred me as well..and still leads with writings that shall remain timeless. In Halsey, Oregon..when our 2 sons were ages six and eight..I had the MLK speech taped up right in the ..phone nook, alongside a picture and brief bio of Buckmister Fuller. The boys saw those little paper clippings..move with us..to the farm I am now at. Son the first born..ws fine until he got to Briggs Middle School and a history class..and then my..lumping together of great thinkers..hit a ..bigtime fail. He came storming home, saying the Bucky was NOT black! ..ah..umm.we had simply discussed men who thought..and looked for creativeivly..moving the world family..forward..so..the two quotes and..one picture…well ya see how ..partial information..can sometimes go. 🙂