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Ear to the Ground

Remembering Martin Luther King

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Posted on Jan 21, 2008
King and Child
AP photo / Haraz N. Ghanbari

“Men, for years now, have been talking about war and peace. But now, no longer can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it’s nonviolence or nonexistence. That is where we are today.”

  —Martin Luther King Jr.

Saddled with a costly and senseless war, on the precipice of a recession, suffering from bitter division, America would do well to remember the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King   Jr. Though we pause annually to recognize his greatness, we often forget that he was vehemently opposed to war, that his government actively tried to marginalize him and that he was shot while campaigning against poverty.

Though we indeed should take measure of King’s accomplishments, and there are many, we would do well to recognize that his work is not done.

A black man could be president. A woman could be president. And they will inherit a nation divided and at war, a government that still spies on its citizens, a superpower that cannot feed and clothe and care for all of its people.

So while we pause to reflect on his greatness, let his words continue to move us to change. As King himself once said:

“Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation. And I want to thank God, once more, for allowing me to be here with you.”

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By OneYoungWiseBlackMan, January 22, 2008 at 8:25 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Remember when this government turned on one of its own. Remember when the media turned on the man they shoed in for the Noble Peace Prize. Remember MLK was not a mouth piece for all people of color. He was the mouth piece for this government that wanted a peaceful colored people to wait for change while nothing changed at all. Remember he was not the only minister speaking the words of religion for change and justice. Remember there were other “speeches” other the “I Have A Dream” that took JFK and his government to task over their idleness as the South killed and murdered thousands of colored people. Remember that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Keep dreaming while nooses are being thrown around in the face of everyone. Keep dreaming while more and more black children are born into poverty. Keep dreaming about finding out who or what government agency is responsible for the death of MLK. All this wasted time forcing the populace to look back and remember rather than look forward and move forward. There are blacks now with more influence than MLK ever had or would have, yet they sit on their millions and keep their mouth shut about the racial autrocities heeved upon the black population. Remember how people have laughed and marginalized Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton for still standing and having a voice against this injustice from this country against black people? Where are our Jackie Robinson’s? Where are you, MJJ? Where are you, TW? If it were not for a disease robbing him of his mental and physical facilities Muhammad Ali would be standing and taking everyone to task and making them remember the evil of this country and forcing them to wake up from a dream that has done nothing but kept people asleep. White and Black. Better wake up before it is too late, but wait a minute, hmmmm maybe it is already too late. WAKE UP! WAAAAAAAKE UUUUUUPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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By Mark A. Goldman, January 22, 2008 at 2:55 pm #

Remembering MLK and Others
http://www.gpln.com/rememberMLK.htm

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By david spates, January 22, 2008 at 2:02 am #
(Unregistered commenter)

I made a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day video that I think EVERYONE will enjoy. It’s really short, and should put a smile on your face.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AtugYg42mmc

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day everybody

David Spates

http://www.youtube.com/davidspates

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By troublesum, January 21, 2008 at 11:07 pm #

It’s inconceivable that anyone like Dr King could be in public life in this country today.  They are all owned by somebody now; they are unable to speak the truth and are probably incapable of recognizing the truth.  The Clintons and Obama say they revere Dr King but the Clintons oversaw the slaughter of half a million Iraqi children to achieve American policy objectives (in their words), and Obama seems unfamiliar with anything King said or did.  We have reached the condition of “spiritual death” King warned about.  If anyone gave a speech like this today they’d send him to Guantanamo: http://www.thinkprogress.org

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By sdemetri, January 21, 2008 at 7:11 pm #

ATLANTA ... On behalf of The family of Martin Luther King, Jr, Martin Luther King III today issued the following statement on the U.S. Justice Department’s release of its report on their “limited investigation” of recent evidence regarding the assassination of Dr. King

“We learned only hours before the Justice Department press conference that they were releasing the report of their results of their “limited investigation,” which covered only two areas of new evidence concerning the assassination of Dr. King. We had requested that we be given a copy of the report a few days in advance so that we might have had the opportunity to review it in detail. Since that courtesy was not extended to us, we are only able at this time to state the following:

1. We initially requested that a comprehensive investigation be conducted by a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, independent of the government, because we do not believe that, in such a politically-sensitive matter, the government is capable of investigating itself.

2. The type of independent investigation we sought was denied by the federal government. But in our view, it was carried out, in a Memphis courtroom, during a month-long trial by a jury of 12 American citizens who had no interest other than ascertaining the truth. (Kings v. Jowers)

3. After hearing and reviewing the extensive testimony and evidence, which had never before been tested under oath in a court of law, it took the Memphis jury only one (1) hour to find that a conspiracy to kill Dr. King did exist. Most significantly, this conspiracy involved agents of the governments of the City of Memphis, the state of Tennessee and the United States of America. The overwhelming weight of the evidence also indicated that James Earl Ray was not the triggerman and, in fact, was an unknowing patsy.

4. We stand by that verdict and have no doubt that the truth about this terrible event has finally been revealed.

5. We urge all interested Americans to read the transcript of the trial on the King Center website and consider the evidence, so they can form their own unbiased conclusions.

For more: http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20070115&articleId=4480

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By Douglas Chalmers, January 21, 2008 at 6:40 pm #

We have great reverence for MLK - By Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD, January 21: ”...we just don’t practice what he preached….”

When history’s done, Dr. Knowitall, what will be left will be NOTHING - because there won’t be any books and there won’t be anyone who can read. We’re all headed back to the stone age if “history is done”, uhh.

So many use the phrase “move on” and that is exactly what we will be doing then. Shuffling aimlessly as only nomads can - from one waterhole to the next (if there is one), from one fruit tree to the next (if there is one). Just move on….....

As ocjim, January 21, says, “I had a dream..” has turned into a nightmare. But there might not be a next year to bring hope again if you wait for GWB!!!

All of the USA’s 12 nuclear aircraft carrier attack groups and all of its nuclear submarines marauding the planet have not prevented climate change. Nor have they brought peace.

In the end, there is a choice to be defined. But is it “use them or lose them” - or is it to get rid of them entirely and to finally learn to live in peace with ones’ neighbors???

Thus, the REAL CHOICE is to learn to live successfully on this planet - for the first time! That can only be done by not exploiting either the Earth or those who live upon it.

After all, our science (as well as our more genuine religions) has informed us that we are all really as close as our brothers and sisters. The concept of an “enemy” is a mere perception.

Consequently, the concept of moral “right” is utterly erroneous. Think, then, what “I have a dream” really means. It is all-embracing and for all humanity, not just the US of fuckin’ A…...

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By Jeanine Molloff, January 21, 2008 at 6:29 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Dr. King’s words could not be more prophetic.  Rather than focus on the historic implications of the first African-American President or the first Female President; we should focus on the ethical makeup of those running for the highest office in the land.  Which candidate has plainly stated that they would restore the Bill Of Rights by REPEALING all the unconstitutional power grabs made in the name of the unethical and immoral UNITARY EXECUTIVE THEORY?  Which candidate will sign a public declaration that they will fight to repeal Patriot, Military Commissions, Executive Order HSPD & NSPD 51 & 20, signing statements, etc.?  Which candidate will publicly prosecute Blackwater for crimes against humanity in Iraq and Afghanistan?  Which candidate will return the public airwaves to the public and end the media corporate monopoly?  Which candidate will implement a fair trade policy which benefits our workers, yet refuses to work with governments who allow child and slave labor?  Which candidate will demand transparency of our governement?  Which candidate will represent the citizens of the US and not the corporate entities that have no loyalty to any country?  The article should focus on the great truth that Dr. King sacrificed his life for, not merely the token moment.  Dr. King’s memory deserves better.  WE DESERVE BETTER.
Jeanine Molloff

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By Christ in me, January 21, 2008 at 5:27 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

To Jackpine Savage: Truth is in your heart sir.

To all: Not just in this country alone, but in this “world” at large, men either over estimate their own worth and power or under value their worth to a point of self destruction, or those who are honest in their evaluation of themself and humanity, or are not afraid to step up to the plate and love in spirit and in truth, who are hated by the “world” because they make the “world” face it’s frailties and faults, it’s limited intelligence and knowledge, it’s lack of love for itself or another - the evil that lurks within. These few, who are driven by a desire born deep within, and more often than not, are urged by “something” deeper than self, to create, here on earth, a heavenly kingdom of perfect love and joy. They, who are not driven by politics, pride or greed, seek only to bring that heavenly peace and joy to one heart at a time, knowing that true joy in love will radiate out of that one heart and wash over all around, revealing itself to all who’s hearts are not too stoney to receive truth. But, those who love darkness; those who cannot allow the darkness within to be “outed” attempt, at all cost, to hinder or kill those who seek only to bring true life, peace and joy to ALL men.

Oops, I just described what God the Father intended by sending His Son to bring true life, peace and joy into the hearts of ALL men.

As for those who over value themselves; can you live longer than your own life? Can you say for certain, and without a doubt that what you say or do, or even who you think you are, will live beyond the next moment?

The knowledge of men is limited to his own sphere of influence. His knowledge base is limited to either what he has found to be true to the best of his knowledge or what someone else has found to be true to the best of his own knowledge. We live in a box designed by and enclosed our own pride. We want to rule our own environment so much so that we are willing to ignore and even to bury anything that may prove truthful beyond ourself.

God, the one true living God, is, was and always will be. Either you are “of” Him or you are not. There is no middle ground; never has been and never will be.

Dr. Martin Luther King was a man, limited and frail (outside of God), but the spirit of God was in him and the light of God was manifest in what Dr. King was allowed to acheive. Had his physical body not been distroyed, the light of God may have radiated out of him for all eternity. Oh! But wait! What Dr. King was allowed to achieve still rebounds even today, so I guess one could say that the Glory of God is still manifest in him, even today. grin

To those who have ears to hear let them hear the truth in the word of God, through the testimony of Jesus the Christ.

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By Dr. Knowitall, PhD, PhD, January 21, 2008 at 2:01 pm #

We have great reverence for MLK; we just don’t practice what he preached.

When history’s done, what will be left are books and books of quotes and bios of famous orators who’s visions we revered but otherwise ignored.

Hey!!!  I just re-read this and, if someone hasn’t already said it, I think Bartlett might be calling me!

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By Sharon Ash, January 21, 2008 at 1:48 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Dr. King was trying to show us a path to higher level thinking, as have many great teachers before him.  Some understood the message.  Some did not.  In time, we will all come to understand that we must raise our level of conscious thought toward love, peace, harmony and joy and leave behind, war, hate and violence.  The process is painfully slow, but it is still going forward.  Peace and love to you Dr. King and it was a gift to have walked this earth at the same time as you.

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By Expat, January 21, 2008 at 1:13 pm #

Truthdig is non-operational for replys.

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By Expat, January 21, 2008 at 1:11 pm #

Very good.  Now I don’t need to add anything.

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By ocjim, January 21, 2008 at 11:42 am #

On this anniversary, Martin Luther King’s lofty, hope-filled message, “I had a dream..” has turned into a nightmare: George W. Bush. Next year, perhaps his words will bring hope again.

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By jackpine savage, January 21, 2008 at 11:33 am #

American history is populated by men bigger than life.  But Dr. King stands above them all.  He was human, with his own frailties and foibles, but he was the greatest man this country has ever produced.  He was a product of our failures, yet he rose above them to show what this country could be.

We aren’t nearly there yet…

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