Yours, mine but not ours....sadly
Due to a bout of insomnia last night, I was watching news shows on TV. Seeing conservative Bush people howl like scalded kitties because people at Coretta Scott King's funeral were critical of the president in front of the president! Apparently these people must think he is an Emperor, King, Ra the Sun god...like some above reproach potentate that no one can say anything negative about. Off with their heads! Off with their heads!
Though, one must admit it is weird for them to see the President in a setting that is not "sanitized for his protection" - meaning not pre-screened audience of Republicans so loyal they practically crumble to the floor with joy because they think he is soooo wonderful (I'm being a bit snarky here, but its true- all of his so-called "Town Hall" meetings are completely screened so its only loyal people with softball questions- THAT'S how big a wussy he is)
Anyway, this wasn't his crowd. I think his approval rating with African Americans hovers around the 20% mark or so. Plus, let's be frank, he's attending the funeral of a woman while his Presidency is dismantling the legacy her husband fought and died for. So, the audience didn't like him so much. Quelle suprise!
Among the many tragedies not only of the Bush Presidency and of the nasty partisanship of the last few years is the "us" and "them" divide. I feel its destructive and quite sad really, but its there- so since we've had this nasty little divorce, let's divide things properly. People and legacies- Blue staters-Democrats-Liberals get Dr. King, and his wife- We also get John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton. Red staters - Republicans - Conservatives get- Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon and President Bush.
Let's face it, that's how it is these days, our stuff, their stuff. Frankly, I don't feel like missing out by mentally putting Toby Keith in the "their stuff" pile. We all kinda know when the other side is getting into our stuff. Like that funeral or Paul Wellstone's funeral or when there was a conservative group tribute to Tom De Lay a few months back and some dumbass chose Pete Seeger's "If I had a Hammer" as the theme song. If the person who chose this song did a minimal research like reading the lyrics of the song or I don't know is it too much trouble to "Google" Pete Seeger and find out enough to know that this song is completely frigging inappropriate for Tom DeLay!! The problem for them is we do have most of the good music. I say, they can go ahead and use John Ashcroft singing "Let the Eagle Soar" for all of their events.
I say fair is fair though, when Pat Robertson dies and Ted Kennedy shows up and speaks at the funeral I suggest we get really pissed if he's treated badly.
I'm trying to stay out of politics these days, but really, Bush style partisan-conservatives rail at how outright evil they think Democrats and liberals are- Well, Dr. King and his wife were liberals! The conservatives think the 1950s were just the zenith of a happy, moral, Christian time which we must work to return to--I would suggest that the Kings would disagree!
So, enough with negativity- we always do well to revisit the wisdom of Dr. King- a few of my favorite quotes:
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter
Also, I've seen a lot of images from Mrs. King's life this past week- I really love this one. I believe now they are re-united and with God- so this felt resonant
Though, one must admit it is weird for them to see the President in a setting that is not "sanitized for his protection" - meaning not pre-screened audience of Republicans so loyal they practically crumble to the floor with joy because they think he is soooo wonderful (I'm being a bit snarky here, but its true- all of his so-called "Town Hall" meetings are completely screened so its only loyal people with softball questions- THAT'S how big a wussy he is)
Anyway, this wasn't his crowd. I think his approval rating with African Americans hovers around the 20% mark or so. Plus, let's be frank, he's attending the funeral of a woman while his Presidency is dismantling the legacy her husband fought and died for. So, the audience didn't like him so much. Quelle suprise!
Among the many tragedies not only of the Bush Presidency and of the nasty partisanship of the last few years is the "us" and "them" divide. I feel its destructive and quite sad really, but its there- so since we've had this nasty little divorce, let's divide things properly. People and legacies- Blue staters-Democrats-Liberals get Dr. King, and his wife- We also get John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton. Red staters - Republicans - Conservatives get- Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon and President Bush.
Let's face it, that's how it is these days, our stuff, their stuff. Frankly, I don't feel like missing out by mentally putting Toby Keith in the "their stuff" pile. We all kinda know when the other side is getting into our stuff. Like that funeral or Paul Wellstone's funeral or when there was a conservative group tribute to Tom De Lay a few months back and some dumbass chose Pete Seeger's "If I had a Hammer" as the theme song. If the person who chose this song did a minimal research like reading the lyrics of the song or I don't know is it too much trouble to "Google" Pete Seeger and find out enough to know that this song is completely frigging inappropriate for Tom DeLay!! The problem for them is we do have most of the good music. I say, they can go ahead and use John Ashcroft singing "Let the Eagle Soar" for all of their events.
I say fair is fair though, when Pat Robertson dies and Ted Kennedy shows up and speaks at the funeral I suggest we get really pissed if he's treated badly.
I'm trying to stay out of politics these days, but really, Bush style partisan-conservatives rail at how outright evil they think Democrats and liberals are- Well, Dr. King and his wife were liberals! The conservatives think the 1950s were just the zenith of a happy, moral, Christian time which we must work to return to--I would suggest that the Kings would disagree!
So, enough with negativity- we always do well to revisit the wisdom of Dr. King- a few of my favorite quotes:
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter
Also, I've seen a lot of images from Mrs. King's life this past week- I really love this one. I believe now they are re-united and with God- so this felt resonant
posted by moegirl at
11:51 PM
2 Comments:
It made me smile hearing about his less than warm welcome on the drive in to work Wednesday. Felt all warm and fuzzy picturing the scene. I am also putting weeds, hard water stains and tire blow-outs on their pile along with all the lives of the people he is bound and determined to make even harder with his proposed NEW! BIGGER! slashes in multiple programs such as medicare and medicaid.
I saw a great bumper sticker the other day: If you aren't appalled, you aren't paying attention.
Can you think of a president who has done more real across the board damage?
By
Diana, At
6:27 AM
Excellent post.
I thought the same thing when I heard that Bush talk about Coretta Scott King. What a freakin' hypocrite! But we knew that.
If it was up to him he'd restore slavery.
By
Rozanne, At
1:32 PM
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