King eulogists jab Bush at funeral (Reuters)

[DuaneBidoux]

LITHONIA, Georgia (Reuters) - Speakers took a rare opportunity to criticize U.S. President George W. Bush's policies to his face at the funeral on Tuesday of Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

<http://today.reuters.com/news/home.aspx >

[Frank Cannon]

1. In the words of the great Nelson Muntz...

[54anickel]

2. I caught a couple of hours this afternoon. CSPAN will replay it tonight.

Rev. Lowery was awesome!

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/02/07/lowery-standing-ova...

[wordpix2]

62. saw a clip of Rev. Lowery ---great speaker, fantastic speech bringing

Dems together! Thanks for the website.

Clip was on Hardball tonight, West Coasters take note. Unbelievable clips!

[seafan]

3. So now, we have Jab and Jeb. n/t

[whateveritis]

4. A TERRIFIC woman...

has gone on her journey to greet our Lord and Savior. Though it may make some happy that an act of politics found its way into the ceremony.... it was neither the time or place.

[In Truth We Trust]

5. yeah right; you can't talk politics at a political activists wake! RIP Cor

retta and rot in hell W.

[PassingFair]

6. The King's lives were...

"an act of politics."

It was the perfect time and place.

These eulogizers knew her better than you.

At my funeral, people BETTER speak out about my love of equality and my disgust at the
current administration and those who prop it up... Anything else would be
a travesty!

[whateveritis]

9. Yes they did...

still I have my opiinion, and you certainly have yours. True, very true the King's lives were about politics. That's 150% true. When my time comes, I'd like for those around me to speak as well as to the quality of my character and my struggles to make those around me better. Those that survive me at that moment, I'd certainly hope and pray would give less than a rat's ass about Bush.

[PassingFair]

18. Fair enough. To each his own...

But if the rat bastard is still in office,when I meet my demise...
I hope my survivors bring torches and pitch-
forks and head towards Pennsylvania Avenue!

[whateveritis]

19. GOOD ONE !!

[DELUSIONAL]

112. Well said!

[puerco-bellies]

7. Her whole life, and that of her husband was sacrificed

For politics. The civil rights movement was a political movement. She never faltered in pushing the agenda of freedom and equality. That was her life, that was her politics. IMHO only those diametrically opposed to her message would decry it at her last public appearance/venue.

[Lorien]

8. Yeah, riiight...truth has no place at a funeral for a woman whose

life was spent fighting for it. You have no idea who she was.

[whateveritis]

13. I have no Idea who she was?

Thats a presumption simply based on the fact that I had an opinion that politics was ill times at her funeral. It tickles me when a differing viewpoint is shared on here. The fact is, in my opinion.... the hell with Bush at her funeral.

[smoogatz]

74. "the hell with Bush at her funeral."

My feelings exactly. Bush's attendance at the event was obviously a purely political gesture--he could give a rat's ass about the civil rights movement, obviously. He used the event as a photo op, and got sandbagged by a very brave truth-teller. I think said sand-bagging was perfectly appropriate--exactly what Bush deserved. If the late Ms. King wanted a quiet, non-political funeral--which I doubt--her heirs made a big mistake in inviting so many politicians.

[LostinVA]

135. No, your statements prove you don't

She sacrificed the huge majority of her life to civil rights, to POLITICAL ACTIVISM. To have some kind of Republican-approved eulogizing would have been literally the same as spitting on her grave, and that of her husband.

This si nothing but a talking point. You talk of writing at a writer's funeral, of honor and sacrifice at a soldiers, at feats of strength and bravery at an athletes... but you're supposed to ignore the life's work of this wonderful, brave, courageous woman because people like you, the MSM, and Bill O'reilly don't think it's appropriate.

Shame on you. Hang your head in shame.

[cease_fire]

140. Politics? There's NO SUCH THING.

It's NOT Politics ANYMORE.

And that's what the KINGS personified. What we white rich folks call "Politics", the exploited minorities of this country call "Living".

It's NOT Politics JUST because it's got a government involved.

It's NOT Politics when there's Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness at Stake.

The KINGS represent this countries Second Revolution. And I swear to you, they were not motivated by Punditry or what a hack says at a university symposium.

They were fighting for their lives, for their race, and for their people. No one should dare call it Politics.

It's something else.

And if you've got the guts to show up at a civil rights leader's funeral while you're trampoline-ing on this whole country's civil right to privacy - then you get to sit there and suck it up while a real leader tells you what REAL LEADERSHIP is all about.


CF

[opihimoimoi]

145. Its called ALTRUISM...the act of helping others at personal cost

[coalition_unwilling]

156. From a contrarian point of view, when else are you going to

pierce the protective cocoon of neo-con liars and hucksters than when * is at a funeral from which he cannot leave?

I was sort of offended that the funeral organizers invited him, to be quite honest. I saw that as a slap in the face to victims of Katrina. But that's just me.

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. LOL: Coretta King and her husband were about nothing BUT politics

Do you even believe your own nonsenses? I mean, really?

[whateveritis]

14. I believe your ...

nonsense is far more pronounced that mine could ever be. I do believe in a differing opinion and the right thereof to express it without one being holier than though declaring my opinion to be nonesense.

[alcibiades_mystery]

53. Why not?

It's my opinion that yours is nonsense. Your certainly entitled to your opinion. And I'm entitled to call bullshit on stupidity when I see it. Free speech does not equal speech without consequences. It may be your opinion that gravity doesn't exist, pr that particle physics is a big scam. Those are both bullshit opinions: you get to say them, and everyone else gets to call bullshit. That's how free speech REALLY works: not the consequence free faux nonsense that says differing opinions should be rerspected no matter how stupid or uninformed they are. So express away. You have the right. You do not, however, have the right to expect other people to sit back and nod solemnly as you spew bullshit across the world.

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[alcibiades_mystery]

75. LOL

I'm not mad. Maybe a bit tired of the remarkably silly claim that one's "opinion" is inherently entitled to respect, no matter how obnoxious, ill-informed, wrong, fatuous, self-serving, delusional, narrowly partisan, ignorant, offensive, fraudulent, nauseating, or half-baked...simply because it is...gasp!...an opinion! Oh, holy opinion! We worship your expression without question! Every opinion is as entitled to respect as any other, in your view. That's what you say. And I say that's nonsense. That doesn't make me mad, angry, or even aggravated.

As for the bearer of the message, I have no opinion on that. It doesn't concern me in the least bit. I'm looking at the opinion itself, not its bearer. Couldn't care less who is speaking. Whether any of this has consequence for YOU, I am similarly unconcerned. Free speech has consequences; that's a principle that has nothing whatever to do with your precious self, I assure you.

[Jo March]

125. alcibiades_mystery, don't you know???

whateveritis wants you to "STOP WHINING!" Haven't you read whatever's sig line??

LOL! Sometimes it's just too easy to spot, isn't it??

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[whateveritis]

15. If having the capacity...

to formulate my own ideals and express them as an individual makes me a freep.... maybe I am. I do believe that I am qualified to express myself without always agreeing with the masses. That is the fundamental problem this nation faces at this minute. So... maybe I am a freep? Whadya think?

[Caoimhe]

27. If regurgitating RW talking points

means having capacity to formulate your own ideals and express them as an individual, then I guess I'm Elvis Presley.

[whateveritis]

33. Howdy DO ELVIS !

[Caretha]

113. I think its obvious

[LostinVA]

136. Agreed.

[janx]

141. If it posts like a duck and spells like a duck...

etc.

[LostinVA]

146. It usually quacks...

[timtom]

17. That's a stupid and

insensitive to say to someone with an opposing viewpoint.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[whateveritis]

32. I, maybe unlike you...

spew NOBODIES talking points. My life does not revolve around politics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I'd hope that you'd at least consider that people do have diverse opinions and since we live in a free country can express ourselves freely without insults being hurled.

I ain't mad atcha.... just amused that one of the very freedoms that people scream about on here daily... you seem to belive I can't express my free speech. I'm not insulting or flaming anyone, just a differing point. And I'm not of the believe that my short posting render my opinions meaningless. I take you back to your initial posts.... were you treates as harsh? I think maybe not.

[timtom]

48. Oops!

Didn't notice that.

My bad.

(I don't do smilies, else I would have a couple her now. By the way, your response was very measured and fair-minded, in light of the tone of my post. Thanks for keeping your cool.)

[Caoimhe]

54. It's all good

[brentspeak]

67. Number of posts is no indication of a freeper

Someone could have 1000+ posts on DU and still be a Freeper. All they would have to do is post the most ridiculous, outlandish left-wing claptrap, and they won't be kicked off. The purpose? A) To drive away everyday Democrats; and B) To have something "funny" they can post on FreeRepublic.

[Centered]

118. All Hail the voice of reason

[loudsue]

174. Put on some shorts.

Your politics are showing.

[blm]

16. Her LIFE was politics and Bush sitting there was politics. Bush JABBED at

Coretta and Martin King when he nominated Alito and when he released his budget cutting programs that THEY and others fought so hard for all these decades.

[David Zephyr]

37. Amen.

I am certain that both Corretta and Martin would have approved of every word that the good reverend spoke.

[zann725]

130. Agreed! About the only comments I found fault with were Clinton's...

which typically attempted to "silence"... appease the Truth of the Dems...and oppressions of the Kings' and many in the Democratic past and present.

Everyone "likes" Clinton, I know...'cause he's SO charismatic. But point IS, the other speakers HAD every right to "speak" TO Mrs. King's (and her husband's) legacy, and anything else chosen to...in the "spirit" of the event. After all, it was the INVITED crowd's day to share. For once, Junior was just 'along for the ride. So if an invited speaker's TRUE wire-tapping comments offended Junior, so be it. Truth often does.

The thing I didn't like about the part of the event I saw, was Clinton's attempt to sweeten the 'unsavory' comments. Particularly since the fighting for civil rights in the 60's (and NOW, i.e. Katrina) do NOT need "sweetened" because as Katrina proved, and continues to prove...little has essentially changed. That so many clapped at Dog's "nothing to see here...move on" pleasantries, is ironic indeed.

[loudsue]

175. Clinton has been adopted by bush the first. He's finally earning

his impeachment hearing. He has NO RIGHT to "sweeten" the revulsion that people feel against the rightwing traitors who have taken over the country, even if it offends his new "daddy", bush, and all his republican friends.

[roguevalley]

92. what was interesting was how Daddy BUsh practically frenched

the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowry at the end of his speech. WHat an eye-opening moment that was. Did anyone else notice that?

[54anickel]

23. I thought the same thing when I first tuned it, but within the first few

minutes I could think of no better honor to Mrs. King than to have such a diverse group coming together. Sure, some spoke up and jabbed Bush, but when you think about it, the circumstances certainly did force him to sit quietly and listen. The great Coretta Scott King making one final big push to get folks both talking and listening.

[whateveritis]

29. When listening to it

my thought were that I certainly hope that ALL the politicians in the audience dems and repubs, recognize that an entire group of people exist and we certainly need more that idle promises from both sides of the isle. It truly had to make one think when it comes right down to it.

[Arugula Latte]

44. Well, when the Repukes are waging class warfare and costing

people's LIVES, it's not time to sit back and say, "Oh, well. Tweedle dee dee."

[Pacifist Patriot]

101. I don't think he was listening. From his facial expressions I think

he was fantasizing about being anywhere but there.

[lumpy]

111. A wonderful picture of the Kings.

Thank you so much, I haven't seen that one before.

[54anickel]

117. Oh yes, I agree. You could see his mind wandering through most of

the "program". But he was a "captive" audience for many who would otherwise never be heard by him. I certainly don't expect any changes from Bush, but it was great to see him in a roomful of people that weren't hand picked Bushbots for a change. I loved the look on his face for the Clinton ovation. You could tell he just couldn't stand to be upstaged by soooo many others. His father got a better reception than he did. Wonder if he hit the bottle on the way home.

[Spazito]

28. Quite the opposite, imo

It was a celebration of her life and beliefs and the points made were very much in line with what she believed and was fighting for and against. Speaking truth to power was the very essence of Mrs. King and her husband and that is what was done today. It was beautiful!

[Caoimhe]

41. Agreed. A fitting memorial to a beloved soul.

[Zhade]

49. "Our lord and savior"?

Speak for yourself. Didn't your Jesus say something about not showing off your faith?

He must be rolling in his grave right now.

[whateveritis]

52. When I can

say nothing positive... I tend to say nothing.

[Zhade]

55. That'd be the wise move, I think.

So would not assuming everyone is a Christian, or wants to be one.

[whateveritis]

57. Then that would be ....

ummmm your problem.... not mine. deal with it.

[Occulus]

143. Were Reagan's political ideas spoken of at his funeral?

Here's a question: will the politics of Bush be spoken of at his funeral?

In a eulogy, you talk about a person's life. Were they not supposed to talk about her life, just because there was someone there who disagreed with her politics?

[Occulus]

144. Would you want a Muslim to say you have "gone on to Allah"? n/t

[tabasco]

95. You mean about Bush, right?

Of course you can't say anything bad about Lord God Bush.

Smoke would come out of your ears.

[hyphenate]

50. Tell that to the puke "mourners"

at Paul Wellstone's funeral and memorial.

[Tight_rope]

51. I think that the Bush's being at the funeral was a total disgrace!

Just imagine your enemies being at your funeral. The likes like the Bush's that killed her husband and fought her till her death to try to destroy all the good in the world. I hope and pray that both Martin and Corretta's dreams live on till the end of time.

[fishwax]

60. Not the place? What better way to celebrate her life and legacy

than by talking about the issues she held dear.

[stepnw1f]

61. And What Did You Expect?

People to great a guy who is against civil rights with open arms and flowers? Oooops... same thing with the Iraqis. You fools just don't get it? And I thought you were just trying to piss people off here...

[whateveritis]

65. I could be childish

and say it takes a fool to know a fool.... but I don't think I will.

[stepnw1f]

66. You Weren't Being Childish?

poor thing...

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

79. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dark]

81. Thank you.

A funeral for such a beloved person is not the place for partisan plays.

[smoogatz]

85. So what was Bush doing there, then?

If not using the event as a photo op? Isn't that a "partisan play"?

[Dark]

91. I'm not defending Bush. A funeral should be off limits to political

attacks. Neither conservatives nor liberals should use a funeral to their advantage. It's just sick.

[Pacifist Patriot]

94. I suppose it depends. If I should ever enter the public domain for my

activism and have the honor of politicians speaking at my funeral, I darned well want the ones who echo my positions to reiterate them. People tune in to funerals.

[smoogatz]

98. Why? Ms. Scott-King's life was devoted to political activism,

as many have already pointed out. Why shouldn't there be talk of politics at her funeral? I happen to like the blues and barbecue, and I hope both are present in abundance when my long-boat sails for the last time. Some belly dancers would be nice, too. With snakes.

[wordpix]

131. it was the King family's decision to hold the funeral in the way they did

and that, no doubt, had something to do with the way Coretta King wanted it.

[Bridget Burke]

133. Where is it written that a funeral should be off limits to anything?

Point me to the chapter & the verse.

[LostinVA]

138. There were n0 partisan attacks

Only eulogies celebrating what this woman fought for, and how we need to stand steadfast as her gains are being swiftly eroded. It was HER funeral, not Bush's. Damn it.

[Pacifist Patriot]

90. Bush shouldn't have been there then. That was about the only

thing I found offensive about the funeral. His presence and his demeanor were decidedly uncomfortable and pointedly distracting.

[Dark]

93. Well, I doubt it would have been a good idea for him to skip it,

politically. But nobody, conservative or liberal, should use a funeral to attack anyone.

[Pacifist Patriot]

102. I didn't hear any attacks.

I heard some uncomfortable facts stated but I don't recall any attacks.

You're correct. His absence would have been duly noted. He still struck me as incredibly misplaced however.

[smoogatz]

103. Bush's attendance a good idea, politically. You just said it.

He wanted to show how he's down wit da black folk, ya dig? Meaning he exploited the event--and Mrs. King's death--for his own slimy political purposes. He deserved the verbal lambasting he got, and then some.

[LostinVA]

139. There were no partisan attacks. You watched a different funeral

Than I did.

[Caretha]

116. What makes you think

That Mrs. King & her family didn't plan the funeral down to almost the last detail. If she or they had wanted a private affair or a completely different type of funeral, they most certainly would have.

So go plan your own funeral....anyway you want. But quit dissing the way others plan theirs.

[CBGLuthier]

126. There was nothing "partisan" about it

Unless of course, we consider that the RW and republicans don't give a shit about civil rights or the plight of the poor in this country.

If basic human rights are "partisan" then we are all truly fucked.

I wonder what was said at Dr. King's funeral?

Was it considered partisan also?

[robbedvoter]

154. I'm sure the love is chocking ya right now!

"The Day we stop talking about things that matter is the day we stop living"
Martin Luther King

[Pacifist Patriot]

88. I think she'd have been sorely disappointed if it had been a bland

apolitical affair. She and her husband were political activisits. How exactly is someone supposed to euologize her life without mentioning politics?

[roguevalley]

89. the Kings' lives were about justice and politics. it was TOTALLY

appropriate for the people WHO KNEW THEM BEST to send them out in the manner that THEY WOULD HAVE EXPECTED. No one who is no family or lifelong friend HAS THE RIGHT to criticise the funeral. It's
ridiculous and stupid of the rethugs to do this. They need to grow a conscience and butt the hell
out.

[rodeodance]

109. She lived her life in and as a political women--and died as such.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

129. Search by Author, here I go. EDIT: Jackpot. -nt

[LostinVA]

132. Yeah, surrrrrrrrre

Just like glass...

[Lefty48197]

10. here's the direct link to the article:

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=dom...

"She extended Martin's message against poverty, racism and war / She deplored the terror inflicted by our smart bombs on missions way afar," he said.

"We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there / But Coretta knew and we knew that there are weapons of misdirection right down here / Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor."

"The mourners gave a standing ovation. Bush's reaction could not be seen on the television coverage, but after Lowery finished speaking, the president shook his hand and laughed."

[GreenArrow]

31. wtf was he laughing for?

He should have been burning with shame.

[TedsGarage]

20. Bush shouldn't have been at the funeral

He got into office by denying blacks the right to vote. He and his Southern Konservative Klan represent everything King fought against during her life.

[whateveritis]

21. I dislike The Bush

administration and policies as much as you. However, I AM an African-American, and my right to vote has not been denied.

[Mithras61]

24. Perhaps not, but...

many thousands of African-Americans in Florida and Ohio HAVE had their right to vote abridged by the BFEE.

[whateveritis]

25. Yes...

thats a truth. I have no doubt in my mind about that. Politics is a FILTHY game and it gets dirtier as the days pass.

[smoogatz]

78. Politics may be a dirty game, but the concerted and coordinated effort

on the part of the RNC and state and local Republican parties to suppress the African American vote in 2000 and 2004 is both reprehensible and criminal. Bush, Cheney, Rove and the rest of them have conspired, along with their counterparts at the state and local levels, to subvert the electoral system and thwart the will of the people. Why do Republicans hate Democracy?

[ret5hd]

30. so it's got to happen to you personally before it's true?

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Caoimhe]

40. I have not said your beliefs should not be allowed

nor would I ever say that. I'm sorry if you are not indeed a freeper, because I know of nothing worse, but I also have to say I have grown very tired of people saying the Wellstone funeral was made a political sideshow, and now Mrs. Kings funeral. What was said at both funerals was EXACTLY what the deceased would have WANTED. You can specify ahead of time that you don't want your funeral to be "political" or to have any of your ideals or passions stated, and you probably should. I think the speeches I heard were exactly what Coretta would have chosen.

PS Both funerals were described as "circus sideshows" by the RW media
I refuse to let them or anyone else define the word "politicize".

[superconnected]

73. Most funerals are to celebrate life, not death. She is well known for her

and her husbands legacy. Politics is exactly it. IMO it completely belonged at her funeral.

Making it about death was IMO not what she was about.

[whateveritis]

35. Don't think thats what I said

What I said is that nobody has denied my right to vote. It appeared that the post suggested that all blacks have been denied. My interjection was that , that hasn't happened. I'm in agreemenet that blacks, as well as whites, hispanics, etc. ALL were denied rights to vote in the past election. BUT, not as a whole.

[Frances]

43. Assuming you really are African American

then the reason your right to vote has not been denied is because many people died so that you could have that right.

I remember when Alabamians had to take a test in order to vote. The tests were put in 2 piles, one for whites and one for blacks. Without ever reading the tests the examiners passed the whites and failed the blacks. (I had a friend whose mother had volunteered to help mark the tests.)

Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King helped get laws that made those tests illegal.

If you don't think that Republicans are trying every way they can to keep African Americans from voting then you aren't keeping up with the news.

[whateveritis]

46. with all due respect

I don't need to be educated about the Southern struggles. You seem to have knowlege of Alabama. I lived in Millbrook.... 7 miles north of Montgomery for years. I also resided in New Orleans for 22 years. I Know first handed about the struggles of voting rights that blacks have fought thru the years. I LIVE it on a daily basis.... I BREATHE it... I am sickened by what I see politically from the stinking politicians that only have their agendas to validate.

[smoogatz]

83. You just said your voting rights hadn't been abridged.

So how is that "living" and "breathing" the "struggles of voting rights that blacks have fought thru the years"? Just curious.

[roguevalley]

96. I loved her. I believe that she had the people and expressions of

truth that she wanted. her children were happy. I believe she and Martin are. God rest you, Corretta King for the hellish life you had to live and the legacy of love for all people you left behind. That
I should have such expressions of truth and love at my own funeral.

[blm]

104. You just contradicted yourself. Which is it - your vote was NEVER abridged

or you LIVE with the voting rights struggle on a daily basis?

[Bridget Burke]

137. Gosh, why didin't you point out your race sooner?

(If I were Republican in a Republican forum, I'd accuse you of Playing the Race Card. Thanks to whatever deity/deities that may be, I'm not!)

Are you happy with the way the feds are treating NOLA?

[Randypiper]

22. Clip on crooks and liars

It made me cry

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/02/07.html#a7056

[wishlist]

38. ABC news tonight ran clip of no WMD remark plus Carter and Clinton n/t

[David Zephyr]

39. Behold A real Christian!. It's so rare to see one anymore.

And thank you Coretta for your life and your great sacrifices for social/economic/political justice. I am forever in your debt.

[Caoimhe]

42. Comfort the Afflicted... Afflict the Comfortable

I hope Bush felt shamed. I know he didn't.. but I can always hope.

[Spazito]

45. Well, if one looks at this picture, both he and the dragon lady

DID get the message and the king and his queen were not pleased, roflmao. I think if anything was inappropriate it is the body language and faces of these two. Geez, she is one nasty looking piece of work. I have no doubt we have now captured the REAL Laura bush.



Edited to correct typo

[la la]

84. a bit of digression, but....

as I watched the service today and watched - ahem - the *twitcher*, I was attempting to figure out what his exact problem was- not just the twitching from the great speechifying going on.

And it finally came to me after looking at this picture. gwb is suffering from a major case of HEMORRHOIDS!

Now I'll bring it back to the topic- in my opinion, this Memorial Service was the perfect place for the speakers and their great memorials- Mrs. Scott-King was looking down on her Service and smiling that great smile of hers.

[Spazito]

86. He sure can't sit still, that's for sure

He has a bad case of something!

[roguevalley]

99. Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowry:

Lowery began his work with civil rights in the early 1950s in Mobile, Alabama, where he headed the Alabama Civic Affairs Association, an organization devoted to the desegregation of buses and public places. During this time, the state of Alabama sued Lowery, along with several other prominent ministers, on charges of libel, seizing his property. The Supreme Court sided with the ministers, and Lowery's seized property was returned. In 1957, Lowery and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and Lowery was named vice president. In 1965, he was named chairman of the delegation to take demands of the Selma to Montgomery March to Alabama's governor at the time, George Wallace.

Lowery is a co-founder and former president of the Black Leadership Forum, a consortium of black advocacy groups. The Forum began protesting apartheid in South Africa in the mid-1970s and continued until the election of Nelson Mandela. In 1979, during a rash of disappearances of Atlanta's African American youth, Lowery provided a calm voice to a frightened community. After becoming president of the SCLC in February of 1977, Lowery negotiated covenants with major corporations for employment advances, opportunities and business contracts with minority companies. He has led peace delegations to the Middle East and Central America. In addition to serving as pastor to several churches over the years, Lowery's efforts to combat injustice and promote equal opportunities has led to the extension of provisions to the Voting Rights Act to 2007, the desegregation of public accommodations in Nashville, Tennessee and the hiring of Birmingham, Alabama's first black police officers.

After serving his community for more than forty-five years, Lowery retired from the pulpit in 1997. He also retired in January of 1998 from the SCLC as president and CEO. Despite his retirement, Lowery still remains active. He works to encourage African Americans to vote, and recorded a rap with artist NATE the Great to help spread this message.

Lowery has received numerous awards, including an NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, the Martin Luther King Center Peace Award and the National Urban League's Whitney M. Young, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Ebony has twice named him as one of the Fifteen Greatest Black Preachers. Lowery has also received several honorary doctorates from colleges and universities including, Dillard University, Morehouse College, Alabama State University and the University of Alabama.

Lowery is married to Evelyn Gibson Lowery, an activist in her own right.

Say whatever you want, sir. You earned the right to say it.

RV

[superconnected]

127. this is the guy who still hasnt' meet with the naacp

At best they had a terrible time and will never do it again. At worst he consolled her by reminding her of the internment camps and how blacks really can't vote where it counts now anyway.

[Thor_MN]

47. Was the chimp on his petulant schoolboy act?

[Pacifist Patriot]

97. Worse

[wordpix2]

58. OMFG, this is HUGE, the Demo party is rising again, black & white together

[wordpix2]

59. on Hardball just now: unfuckingbelievable clips of the speaking:

King family, Jimmy Carter, Bill & Hil and black leaders, thank you!

The repukes are having a fucking fit over this! lol, hahahahaha!!!!

[Placebo]

64. The truth hurts.

Kate O'Beirne just said something to the effect of, "It doesn't matter if they were speaking the truth, this was a cheap political stunt!"

Man...it really takes some mental acrobatics to wrap your mind around that kind of thinking.

[Binka]

122. Whores Aren't Paid To Think But That Takes The Fucking Cake

[HuffleClaw]

63. well, ya sure wouldn't know that by a perusal of US news sources.

abc, cbs, msnbc, cnn, and fox have all glossed over that in their websites. no mention of the ovation following the bush slam.

[The Backlash Cometh]

68. Reuter got it right: Speakers took a rare opportunity...

That's why the American media is so rawled out. They don't like that Democrats had free air time to do what Democrats are suppose to do: critize U.S. President George W. Bush's policies.

Imagine how it would be if Democrats had equal time to trash Republicans without the pundits there to have the last word.

[Caoimhe]

71. agreed lol

and you can't put a price on the rare opportunity to tell GWB his policies STINK (without fear of arrest), while he is a captive audience member and can't rebut. Can you imagine if Cindy Sheehan had been a friend of Coretta and spoke at the funeral? Better believe GWB wouldn't be there. The only reason he went was because it would look so shameful if he didn't go. I am wondering, where was Babs? Too busy protecting her beautiful mind from dead troops?

[The Backlash Cometh]

76. I can just imagine Mrs. King's reaction if they had been cordial the

way the pundits wanted everyone to be. She'd get out of her casket and hit every one of those Democrats on the head shouting, stupid, stupid, stupid! I died for nothing!

Take your opportunities when they present themselves.

[wordpix2]

70. I was seriously deranged when I saw the clips--Jimmy Carter jabbing at

the * spy program but bringing it up in relation to Coretta King b/c she and ML King were spied upon by US gov.

Rev. Lowery was not just jabbing, he was knocking * down completely with hard punches.

[wordpix2]

72. more clips on Olbermann just now

[0007]

77. ....and the freepers got upset? Piss on em and feed em cheese.

[Julius Civitatus]

80. Paula Zahn (CNN) upset about political comments at funeral

She was trashing the political commenter's, and mentioned they turned the funeral into the first step in the electoral campaign.

Then she showed the controversial words of Rev. Joseph Lowery about weapons of mass destruction....

and Paula Zahn literally said: "EEEEEWWWWW!!!!" right after the video clip.

What a disgusting tool!

[Tight_rope]

114. Fuck Paula Zahn that bubble headed twit. She needs to learn to do real

NEWS!

[Catherine Vincent]

82. I'll bet the freeptards were pissed that some had the nerve

to speak the truth about their "good christian man". Good!

[pberq]

87. What a tribute to Coretta Scott King!

Jimmy Carter got in a good one:

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=dom...

. . .With Washington debating the legality of Bush's domestic eavesdropping on Americans suspected of al Qaeda ties, Carter also drew applause with pointed comments on federal efforts to spy on the Kings.

"It was difficult for them personally with the civil liberties of both husband and wife violated, and they became the targets of secret government wiretapping and other surveillance," he said.

[Pacifist Patriot]

100. I sincerely believe this is what Mrs. King wanted.

She was a brilliant and astute lady. Had she wanted otherwise she'd have stipulated it in her final wishes. I bet she's getting a huge kick out of the uproar simply giving the jibes even more air time.

[rodeodance]

105. to his face ---is the best part!

[rodeodance]

107. he would not get this ar his hand picked speeches. his bubble has a

crack in it today

[Spazito]

106. The more I think about this, the more abhorrent the critics become

The speakers that are being most criticized are the same ones Mrs. King's FAMILY AND FRIENDS stood up and applauded. Who the hell is anyone who doesn't know Mrs. King, her family and friends to criticize ANYTHING that went on at HER service.

The only thing I can think is that the rabid critics know how damaging to their little lord bush millions seeing and hearing truth being spoken to power.

[fob]

108. You know, if the boy* dick-tater could handle honest and open

debate, he* wouldn't have to be "criticized" at such a public event. When you leave nowhere for someone to turn, their only choice is to then come straight at you, whenever and wherever possible. YOU made the bed shrubbie*, now LIE in it like we know you will!

[Lochloosa]

123. Outstanding point.

[LizW]

110. POP, Bubble Boy! LOL! n/t

[kineneb]

115. We shall overcome...

We shall overcome.
We shall overcome, some day.
Oh, deep in my heart
I do belive.
We shall overcome some day.

Huzzah for the speakers. RIP Mrs. King.

[mvd]

119. I thought it was great

There was no booing at this funeral and no personal attacks - today, we just saw how much Bush's policies go against King's legacy.

[leftchick]

120. LAT: A Eulogy for King, a Scolding for Bush

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-co...

LITHONIA, Ga. — A day of eulogizing Coretta Scott King turned into a rare, in-person rebuke of President Bush, with a succession of civil rights and political leaders assailing White House policies as evidence that the dream of social and racial equality pursued by King and her slain husband was far from reality.

Bush and his wife, Laura, sat on stage as more than 10,000 cheered suggestions from several speakers that the 1960s civil rights movement led by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. — and fostered by his widow since his assassination — remains alive and that its goals have not been fully realized. They cited the debates in Washington over the war in Iraq, the recovery from Hurricane Katrina and government eavesdropping.

<snip>

But it also included pointed political commentary, much of it aimed at Bush. The president and his wife watched as the sanctuary at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta filled with raucous cheers for their White House predecessors, Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton — a reminder that five years into his term, Bush and the Republican Party have not found the acceptance across black America that GOP strategists had hoped.

"This commemorative ceremony this morning and this afternoon is not only to acknowledge the great contributions of Coretta and Martin, but to remind us that the struggle for equal rights is not over," former Democratic President Carter said to applause. "We only have to recall the color of the faces of those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, those who were most devastated by Katrina, to know that there are not yet equal opportunities for all Americans."

[llmart]

121. Ole' Georgie Boy looked mighty uncomfortable........

at a couple of points during the ceremony. The crowd gave him respect when he was introduced, but the crowd went wild when the Clintons were introduced.

Watching our President, Mr. Clinton, give his eulogy only made me sadder at what has happened in a few short years.

[Stockholm]

124. Post this again and put it on the front page!

kick

[GoldenOldie]

128. One of the few times Rove couldn't control the media

One of the few if not the first times George W. Bush had to sit and listen to real Americans feelings.

It is hilarious watching the media-whores attempt to do an after action Rove control. They are just so obvious it hurts to watch and listen to them. The Wellstoneing of Coretta Scott King's memorial has begun. Rove is praying to his god that it works as well as it did with Wellstone.

[wordpix]

134. Laura was not happy after Rev. Lawery's speech-did anyone see her reaction

[janx]

142. I saw a pic--what did she do?

?

[wordpix2]

176. she gave him a very cold bare smile as if,"You'll never get on * payroll"

[Roaming]

147. I know I'm in the minority, but I felt very uncomfortable about

these remarks at the funeral. I think it took away from the dignity of remembering Mrs. King.

[Spazito]

148. Well, I guess you must know Mrs. King better than her

FAMILY and FRIENDS because they had no problem with it, in fact, they gave STANDING OVATIONS to the speakers and the speeches. Please regale us with stories of your personal friendship with Mrs. King, I am sure you must have some wonderful memories and shared experiences, even more than her FAMILY and FRIENDS because, if you aren't a close, personal friend of Mrs. King who KNOWS Mrs. King would not have appreciated her service, why would it be any of your or my business how her FAMILY and FRIENDS chose to celebrate her life?

[Roaming]

149. It is just my personal feeling that it was inappropriate

I could do without the sarcastic / angry tone in your post. That is just my feeling and opinion, that it was not appropriate at a funeral.

[Bridget Burke]

152. Did you watch the whole funeral?

The survivors of the deceased plan a funeral. Perhaps you ought to send the King children a letter expressing your disapproval.

[robbedvoter]

153. Oh, another Miss Manners. Bad, bad King family - not to listen to ya.

You do weddings too, or just funerals?

[Spazito]

155. Maybe not for your funeral or for the funeral of your family members

of whom you would have a right to 'critique'. Why do you think you have the right to decide what is or is not 'appropriate' at the service of anyone other than those of whom I have listed above. Amazing!

Ahhhh, you are offended at my tone while I am offended by your effrontery that feel you have the right to espouse what is 'appropriate' or 'inappropriate' at a service that was not for you or any of us, it was in remembrance and celebration of Mrs. King's life and for her family and friends.

[HardWorkingDem]

157. Good to see you attack anyone...

if it wasn't for public consumption,then the doors should have been closed and the tv cameras turned off.

It was for ALL AMERICANS.

You can't have it both ways.

[Spazito]

161. LOL, it was NOT for ALL AMERICANS, many more than just AMERICANS

were able to watch, thanks to the generous decision of the King family. I still can't figure out how, being able to watch the family and friends of Mrs. King celebrate her life, her works entitles you to decide what was right about it and what was wrong about it.

I see you are still telling the King family what they should or should not have done:

"then the doors should have been closed and the tv cameras turned off."

The family graciously chose to allow us to watch THEIR celebration of their mother's life, their mother's works. The choice was theirs not yours. Your choice was to turn off your television of you didn't like what you saw and that's it.

[HardWorkingDem]

167. You're right...it was for more people than just Americans...

I'm not telling anyone what they should or should not do.

When you pass on, if you want your family to dance nude around your casket, I don't care. Let them dance. But I don't think it will be appropriate to put it on the tv before the end of prime time tv. (That is unless all of your family have bodies as buff as professional models).

But I still think it is inappropriate invite a president to a funeral where people end up attacking a president.

[Roaming]

168. I think you've hit the nail on the head why it bothered me so ...

They had the president of the united states sitting there at the time it was all going on. I wish they wouldn't have invited him if they were going to do a standing ovation for political speech. It just made me feel embarrassed that all this was going on at Mrs. King's funeral; it was not supposed to be a political rally but a time devoted solely to her memory.

[Spazito]

169. Could you please provide the quotes attacking the President

I have yet to see any. It would be helpful, thanks.

[HardWorkingDem]

171. Article from LA Times....

I don't think I have used the word "attacking".....if I did, that is not the meaning I want attributied...to me, there is a world of difference between the meaning of the words "attacking" and "criticizing"....

But here is the LA Times article...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-co...

[Spazito]

173. I'm sorry, I thought you found the service inappropriate

after watching it and knew what had been said by listening to the speeches. It seems I was wrong, you only read an article about it which opines the speeches were directed at bush and not merely talking about current policies that are in direct contrast to Mrs. King's beliefs.

Could you please point out the direct quotes from the speeches in the article that most distress you, that would be helpful.

[HardWorkingDem]

177. Done playing your games...

anyone with half a brain can tell the obvious ones.

[Roaming]

158. I have a right to have an opinion of my own on ANY matter

And I have the right to express that opinion; that's what free speech is all about for goodness' sakes.

[Spazito]

163. As do I, and it seems we are both doing exactly that

so I am not sure what your point is. You feel you have the right to critique the service for Mrs. King and I feel you do not. Both opinions freely expressed.

Could it be that my because my opinion of your opinion is critical instead of supportive that you feel the need to bring up free speech as if I had tried to suppress yours which, you and I both know, is not the case.

Edited to add:

Could you give me concrete examples of what exactly was inappropriate, in your opinion, at the service. Quotes with an explanation as to why and how they were inappropriate would be appreciated, thanks.

[brentspeak]

162. Holy mackerel...

Why do you think you have the right to decide what is or is not 'appropriate' at the service of anyone other than those of whom I have listed above. Amazing!

"Decided"? Did the poster you responded to legislate a law or something? Or did he just express an opinion?

[Roaming]

165. He asked a question; I answered it.

[brentspeak]

170. I know

Apparently, according to the poster you responded to, no one on an internet chat-board is "allowed" to critique Mrs.King's service. Ridiculous.

[HardWorkingDem]

172. Oh, you're "allowed" to,,,,but watch out....

because you're head will be handed to you on a platter shortly thereafter....

[Spazito]

166. LOL, it seems some feel there is a law somewhere that dictates

'appropriate' behaviour at a funeral service otherwise how does one gain an 'opinion' that the behavior at Mrs. Kings funeral service was inappropriate?

[robbedvoter]

151. "The day we cease to speak of things that matter is the day we stop living

MLK

[cboy4]

150. Bush is so used to stacking the audience with pro-Bush robots

it was nice to see him have to sit there before an audience of real people who think he's an awful president, and human being for that matter.

[MissMillie]

159. Forgive me, but I can't find the story w/ the link you gave

Of course, It could be I'm not looking closely enough....

[MissMillie]

160. After more searching, I found it (n/t)

.

[Critters2]

164. I only had two criticisms

and they come more from my professional feelings as a pastor than any political stuff. First, I wish Rev. Andrew young had been asked to preach. He is a fine preacher, and was so close to Dr. King (maybe not as much so to Mrs. King--maybe why he didn't preach). Mostly, though, the man can preach!

Secondly, I was disappointed in Bernice King's sermon. Some odd exegetical stuff going on, that stuff about not being rulers of the trees and such--just very odd. The last portion was quite good. But odd exegesis. Still, my mother died last summer, and when asked if I wanted to preach I politely declined, and just read scripture. Who could think clearly enough to preach their own mother's funeral. It took guts!

The political stuff, well, the Kings' work was political. And Bush should have known to expect it. I heard on Olbermann that he has 2% approval among African Americans. Did the Repugs think that 2% was going to speak?!