Lest we forget what we're all about-

I have a dream

Carl

A beautiful thread, thank you.

Mags

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"On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' And Vanity comes along and asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But Conscience asks the question 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right."

WNYC will be holding it's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day readings. This year's emphasis is on nationalities. You can hear it (with a one minute delay) via http://wnyc.org/stream/wnycfm.pls from 10:00 to 12:00 EST (15-17 hrs. UTC)

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"Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

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Not to detract from Dr. King, but one of my favourite quotes came from a spinning wheel: "You should be the change that you want to see in the world."

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Today is a day set apart to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King spoke for freedom for all humanity.

What is freedom? Dr. King defined freedom this way:

"It is, first, the capacity to deliberate or weigh alternatives.... Second, freedom expresses itself in decision.... A third expression of freedom is responsibility. This is the obligation of the person to respond if he is questioned about his decisions. No one else can respond for him. He alone must respond, for his acts are determined by the centered totality of his being."

The notion of freedom as something encompassing responsibility must be taught. No one is born with the innate ability to complete this process.

My freedom is not beyond my control and there is no mythical "someone" to take care of it for me.

We salute Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not only for his strength of character and moral fortitude, but also for the cause of freedom for which he died.

It is my hope that by honoring Dr. King and learning from his life, we will add much-needed soldiers in the fight for equality and freedom.

Honor Dr. King today and every day after...

(I've shamelessly excerpted most of this from an intro to Julliard's MLK program this year)

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Has anyone noticed that equality and freedom are being subtely
attacked by those who espouse the need to defend democracy?

What would Martin have had to say?

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The attack on equalities and freedoms are anything but subtle..... King would be in the street, and we should be with him there..

Nothing less than a total national shut-down is what's needed.....

I suggest such a national 'strike' should commence with the 'coronation' of the boyking on the 20th of this month.

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Yesterday (I know, it was a day early) I sang in a MLK concert at a local University. It went well and was pretty well received.

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> The attack on equalities and freedoms are anything but subtle..... King would
> be in the street, and we should be with him there..
>
> Nothing less than a total national shut-down is what's needed.....
>
> I suggest such a national 'strike' should commence with the 'coronation' of
> the boyking on the 20th of this month.

Thank you, but I won't be participating.

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No need for demonstrations, they'll have no effect on him.
After the next four years are over, I think the country will be ready for change.

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a mere demonstration is not at all what I had in mind.

I think the situation demands total paralysis, stagnation, an end to the 'return to normal'.

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> a mere demonstration is not at all what I had in mind.
>
> I think the situation demands total paralysis, stagnation, an end to the
> 'return to normal'.
>

I will bet you are a card carrying member of the Michigan Militia too..

I am with Tom.. I won't be participating.. I don't necessarily like his politics, but he is our duly elected President.. If he asks for my opinion I will be happy to give it to him.. In the meantime I will peacefully await 2008..

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I'd rather speak my mind because it hurts too much to bite my tongue.

American Spirit BBQ Proudly Serving those that courageously defend freedom.

> a mere demonstration is not at all what I had in mind.
>
> I think the situation demands total paralysis, stagnation, an end to the
> 'return to normal'.
>

What does avocating this type of action have anything to do with a man that preached peaceful resolution to the difficulties that plaque mankind?

Do not dishonor him in this manner!!!!

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I'd rather speak my mind because it hurts too much to bite my tongue.

American Spirit BBQ Proudly Serving those that courageously defend freedom.

I reserve the right to insult him, be angry with his decisions, question his abilities, counter his every argument, and (if necessary) blame him for all the evils in the world. I can't kill him, pelt him with stones, or call for his assassination. But can I walk right to him and say "Mr. Bush, you're such a nincompoop that you can't spell 'nincompoop'"? You bet I would (if the SS didn't get in the way, that is...)

Much like civil rights, I find that people take governance, leadership, and politics for granted. The best I could possibly do to "injure" the President is to emigrate to Cuba - Lotsa jobs, fine weather, and Castro ain't forever...

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The people of the US spoke when he was re-elected, get over it.

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I know that, but I can vent at the President - It's easier than going around individually to the voters! :-P

The point is that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance, but vigilance requires the surrendering of certain freedoms. I think the Administration has gone a little too far, but it's not yet reached the critical mass for a coup d'etat, like Tiennamen Square should have been.

After all, "Prudence, indeed, dictates that established governments should not change for light and transient causes; and experience has shown that mankind is more disposed to suffer, while the evils are sufferable, than to right itself by abolishing the forms of government to which it has been accustomed."

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> The people of the US spoke when he was re-elected, get over it.
>
Give it two more years and remember what you just said here.
I'm saving some Vote For Kerry bumberstickers for the occasion.
I have nothing to get over, the majority rules in a democracy, but I
still have my right to decent or is my name going to be on some list.
Can I fly?

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Nobody ever questions your right to decent. Say what you will.

Do you honestly think Democrats would pick Kerry again? I think there is about a 1% chance of that.

By the way... we don't live in a Democracy, we live in a Republic.

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So our Republic isn't democratic?
Please spare me the semantics.

And I didn't choose Kerry, a bunch of pig farmers in Iowa did that.
Our primary system sucks and is the butt of jokes in the free world, France excepted.

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