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Will Thomas

The Huffington Post

McCain Booed At Martin Luther King Speech: Watch The Video

April 4, 2008 12:28 PM

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Senator John McCain, "who says he will court the African-American vote this year and campaign in places Republicans often shun," spoke in Memphis on Friday to mark the 40th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

But his speech was met with boos and interruptions from many in the audience, as he apologized for repeatedly opposing the creation of a holiday to celebrate King's legacy.

(The image of a black man holding an umbrella over McCain's head while he gave the speech didn't exactly complement the moment.)

Take a look:

McCain voted against the creation of a holiday honoring King in 1983, a vote which was supported by a large number of Republicans. McCain claimed this week that he was largely unaware on the importance of King's work at the time, due to his Vietnam-era service overseas. Speaking on Thursday to reporters, he explained that his conversion occurred around 1990:

"I voted in my...first year in Congress against it and then I began to learn and I studied and people talked to me. And I not only supported it but I fought very hard in my home state of Arizona for recognition against a governor who was of my own party."

But McCain's voting record since 1990 doesn't support this explanation. In addition to voting to oppose a state holiday in 1987 (which he later supported) and a federal holiday in 1989, McCain voted in 1994 to cut funding for the commission that promoted King's holiday.



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collapse Redrover666 See Profile I'm a Fan of Redrover666

realpolotic and blackwidowdipshit: Got to go now. You guys just keep cranking them out though.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:09 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse realpolitic See Profile I'm a Fan of realpolitic

You cut and ran.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:29 AM on 04/08/2008
collapse demlover1 See Profile I'm a Fan of demlover1

I am glad Sen. McCain went and apologized for not supporting MLK's birthday as a holiday. He was wrong and it's good that he recognized it and apologized for it. I also think it's very sad that people would boo him at an event honoring Dr. King. Very bad manners. I don't think the boos were reflective of most people at the speech or who watched it. Republicans should be encouraged to try and do more for the African-American community, not ridiculed for making an effort to do better by them.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:23 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse BlackWidowPilot See Profile I'm a Fan of BlackWidowPilot

"Republicans should be encouraged to try and do more for the African-American community, not ridiculed for making an effort to do better by them."

Utter rubbish. The "Gang of Pedophiles" would as soon see the restoration of *slavery* rather than actually do anything productive for people of colour! Their record of paying lip service to Dr. King's glorious dream of a better America while shunting money and writing laws favoring their corporate leash holders at the expense of We The People is overwhelming in its depth and moral bankruptcy.

One cannot reason with the intellectually and morally bankrupt.

Those Dinocrats who keep trying to make nice with the "Gang of Pedophiles" do so at the expense of We The People and the Rule of Law.

They do so at their own peril.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:59 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse poder44 See Profile I'm a Fan of poder44

I'm sorry, but it's comments like this that make me crazy. WHo are you calling "gang of Pedophiles", Republicans? Did you seriously say we would rather restore slavery than do anything productive for coloured people? I didn't used to be a racist, but after hearing comments like this and seeing the Jeremy Wright videos and the way that black people talk about America, I am beginning to think that the people of colour enjoy having something to complain and whine about. No matter what the government does for you it will never be enough. You all will find somethng to cry about and if you can't find some legitimate reason to cry, you will make stuff up, like introducing AIDS to black people. Get over it, Slavery ended years ago, now try to enjoy life and quit your complaining. None of us have had an easy life, but some of us manage to make something of ourselves anyway.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:56 AM on 04/08/2008
collapse BlackWidowPilot See Profile I'm a Fan of BlackWidowPilot

poder,

here's part of the *documented* record of your vaunted "party of family values:"

http://www.armchairsubversive.org

These indictments and/or criminal convictions are a matter of public record.

And I happen to be entirely of Northern and Western European ancestry - and proud of all of the positive achievements of Western civilization.

Given the "Repedophile" voting record in congress during my lifetime, re-introducing slavery through backdoor legislation via pro-corporate labor laws and the malfeasance of the so-called "war on drugs" is IMHO just the tip of the iceberg. The boundless *hypocrisy* of your party has reached the saturation point with this independent voter. Your party has long ago ceased to be the party of Lincoln and Eisenhower, and degenerated into the party of K Street lobbyists, corporate cronyism, and moral bankruptcy.

Yours is the party that has ushered in the worst financial fiasco in American history, from the foreclosure epidemic enabled by a lasse faire presidential administration, a war for oil and empire based upon over 900+ documented lies about WMDs and spurious claims of connections between Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda - all financed by runaway foreign debt, Hurricane Katrina, and must I continue?

Until loyal partisans such as yourself start being honest about the depths to which your GOP has sunk -and do something about it- no-one will take you seriously, least of all this *independent* voter whom your pundits assert is so important to your party's electoral success.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:11 AM on 04/08/2008
collapse Redrover666 See Profile I'm a Fan of Redrover666

As a veteran with some personal experience... I can safely say that there are medications that will help to make life more tolerable for you. Please do not be too embarrassed to seek help.
Until then.... do not listen to the voices.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:58 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse BlackWidowPilot See Profile I'm a Fan of BlackWidowPilot

The only voice I listen to, my dear Bushevik, is my conscience, and the voice of reason.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:12 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse Redrover666 See Profile I'm a Fan of Redrover666

I have enjoyed this thread immensely but must go.

Frankly, I am surprised that so many here expect that Obama to be elected on the Guilt ticket.

The talk of race, racial tension etc. is an absurd component to be thrown into the choice we must make in November. Many of you don't agree. Too bad. Lot's do.

When a black candidate can stand before the American people without expecting us to say "I'm so sorry for being white", then he'll have my consideration.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:29 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse starboymikey See Profile I'm a Fan of starboymikey

When a black candidate can stand before the American people without expecting us to say "I'm so sorry for being white", then he'll have my consideration.
__________________________________________________________________

No one expects you to say "I'm so sorry for being white," but you could apologize for sounding like a jackass.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:22 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse BlackWidowPilot See Profile I'm a Fan of BlackWidowPilot

Change your screen name to "RedHerring." That's all you keep bringing to the table about Senator Obama. If this independent voter and son of a WW2 US Marine has a chance to vote for *presidential candidate* Obama I will do so with a glad heart, as opposed to the "Gang of Pedophiles" "hero" "Hundred Years War" McCain.

Your specious argument about 'white guilt" only underscore one thing you have gotten right here on HuffPo; the "666" in your screen name.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:03 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse Redrover666 See Profile I'm a Fan of Redrover666

Well, at least there was one man in your family.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:00 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse BlackWidowPilot See Profile I'm a Fan of BlackWidowPilot

Dad was the youngest of nine (9). While one brother was a combat FO in General George S. Patton, Jr.'s 3rd Army in the ETO, another held officer rank in the USAAC as a pilot instructor. Another too old for combat service built B-17s for Boeing.

When I turned 18 I told Dad I wanted to sign up for the Marines the way he did in 1941. I was informed that "If you join the Corps, boy, I'll KILL YOU MYSELF! YOU are going to COLLEGE!"

I did.

Manhood and courage come in many flavors, Red, but your desperately myopic world view blinds you to this aspect of reality.

God help you, for you are truly one of the lost and the damned.

At least I understand what my Dad and uncles were fighting for. Somewhere during those thirty years, you, sir, lost the meaning.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:09 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse ABalance See Profile I'm a Fan of ABalance

It's really convenient when people pass the buck and talk about what their ancestors did. My Grandfather served in two armies during WWII, the Irish then the American. My uncle spent over 20 years in the service. My cousin is currently a LCDR, deployed, he graduated from the Naval Academy 12 years ago.

I too, when I was 18 told my dad I wanted to join the Marines. His response was similar to that of your fathers.

You know what the difference is? I still joined the military, albeit not the Marines. I got a first rate education from the government.

I didn't use their service as an excuse for the lack of my own. I still felt the desire to give something of myself back to the great nation.

I'm not saying that I'm better than you or anyone else who hasn't served. As you've stated everyone plays a role in this nation regardless of whether or not they serve. But as someone who has never served, you can not in the least understand what it's like. I seriously doubt you understand what we fight for.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:44 PM on 04/08/2008
collapse Rocky4356 See Profile I'm a Fan of Rocky4356

The media is always playing the so called race card. Yes there were a few boos but then were more voices telling him they were forgiving. I for one thought it took alot of gonads to go there. Really tired of folks saying he didn't mean it. Let time be the judge. Where have we gone if we can't accept an apology. I found McCain more sincere than Clinton that day

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:40 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse H.L. Mencken See Profile I'm a Fan of H.L. Mencken

As a senescent American Democrat I must insist that there be a merger and coalesce of generations under the banner of accepted American tribal rules of seniority contribution and experience! Not the female compromised "Little Debbie" scenario but rather the mature arena where parental age and wisdom are a significant factor and reflect a traditional party hegemony of viewing General elections in an expert pesophilogical analysis!

Young starry eyed Obama supporters lack the experienced of Michel Obama that have not apparently felt and experienced the meanness of white folks;especially during a presidential election! The silent white majority of the American electorate will not recapitulate the America Presidency in the name of change for past sins of American slavery: regardless of the endless whinnying of its unfortunate victims and their disadvantaged dependents!

An American solution to the diabolical conundrum is practicality and electability through application of traditional party meme's that recognize party contribution and experience! Those young folks that have augured that a black President would convey a message athwart the globe of willingness of acceptance by Americans of a multi-Homo sapiens tribe! Just think younsters how amplified this message becomes with the inclusion of a female leader with a black assistant in training?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:27 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse starboymikey See Profile I'm a Fan of starboymikey

As a senescent American Democrat I must insist that there be a merger and coalesce of generations under the banner of accepted American tribal rules of seniority contribution and experience!
___________________________________________________________________

This might be the most original post I've ever read on HuffPo. No matter how many times I read it, it remains totally incomprehensible ... which, of course, is it's great charm.

You are a cunning linguist, H.L. LMAO!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:39 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse PTCruiser See Profile I'm a Fan of PTCruiser

I find it sad that you would use the handle "H.L. Mencken" for the following reasons:

1. Mencken, whatever his shortcomings and bigotries, wrote in a clear and concise style that is still a joy to read nearly sixty years after his death.

2. Mencken did not confuse the layering and stringing together of Latinate derived words as a sign of learning or intelligence. He was never pompous. Wrong at times, but never pompous.

3. Mencken actually had a sense of humor and understood the use of satire.

4. Mencken was a pretty accomplished speller.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:43 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse Redrover666 See Profile I'm a Fan of Redrover666

I just had an epiphany! I know why you come here!

These threads are loaded down heavier than June bugs on a blackberry bush with the sort of liberals that if they didn't have a chance at a little self-flagellation, wouldn't have a reason to get up in the morning. It must appall you to run into some sorry SOB that isn't jumping out of his pants to apologize to you.

Just thinking out loud.

PS I'm still working on getting over it.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:59 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse PTCruiser See Profile I'm a Fan of PTCruiser

I'm not a liberal. You're watching far too many programs on Fox News. And you couldn't recognize a liberal if they came in the size of railroad boxcars.

I don't want your apologies or sympathy.

If you had an original thought it would probably die of loneliness.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:25 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse Redrover666 See Profile I'm a Fan of Redrover666

Of course you aren't a liberal.

Sorry again.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:32 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse Redrover666 See Profile I'm a Fan of Redrover666

I'm so sorry.

So very sorry.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:31 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse starboymikey See Profile I'm a Fan of starboymikey

Can I be sorry too?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:40 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse BlackWidowPilot See Profile I'm a Fan of BlackWidowPilot

How apropos the "red" in your screen name, oh "Bushevik."

Yes. You are... sorry indeed.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

(also *not* a "liberal")

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:07 PM on 04/07/2008
collapse Redrover666 See Profile I'm a Fan of Redrover666

Holy Crap! Someone I think I can agree with!
Unless of course... you've got a sneaky little Clinton in mind.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:19 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse thethinredchild See Profile I'm a Fan of thethinredchild

Don't you have to be 18 to join HuffPo? What's thethinredline doing here?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:52 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse GrandpaMcCain See Profile I'm a Fan of GrandpaMcCain

Oh, good. "thethinredline" is back. How are you, child?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:19 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse ABalance See Profile I'm a Fan of ABalance

Considering that Senator McCain was a POW for five and a half years surrounding Dr. King's assassination I don't think it's unreasonable that he not have as solid a grasp on King's work as most others. I think it further speaks to his character that he's able to admit that he was wrong.

As for those questioning his courage, I invite you to look into his military service and imprisonment and torture by the Viet Cong. The Viet Cong offered to release him but he refused because they would not also release all of his fellow POWs. That resulted in 5 more years of torture, disease and two years of solitary confinement. If that's not courage I'm not sure what is.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:16 PM on 04/06/2008
collapse GnitenGoodLk See Profile I'm a Fan of GnitenGoodLk

His courage is not in question. He has courage. So did many emotionally unstable and nationalistic dictators throughout global history. How you use that trait is a critical factor to consider. Let's accept his apology at face value, what to make of his denial of the new GI bill? How long before he spins his lack of support on that one too? Or his call to place our soldiers at risk for radiation contamination in Iraq by bombing Iran?

McCain has a dangerous agenda ignored to the average voter. His father died of "natural causes" (unknown what that is - not of heart failure, that was his grandfather) after a lifetime of heavy drinking. Vietnam had much to do with that legacy. How many little guys will he make pay for the big guys mistakes trying to redeem that painful legacy? What will it take for him to realize he can't fix the past by repeating history and trying to correct it to blame the "liberals" for failure? How many lives is he willing to sacrifice to learn this terrible lesson? This latest batch of Republicans have long and hideous memories, like the elephant symbol they cherish. Progressive ideals and "moving forward" are not what they do. They try to return back where they think "we liberals" and "soft republicans" went wrong and will stop at nothing to further that agenda. McCain is a classic example of that. Racial divides spin have distracted from the real issues at stake here.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:26 AM on 04/07/2008
collapse ABalance See Profile I'm a Fan of ABalance

Oh my.

Please, please explain to me how bombing Iran would place our soldiers at risk of contamination. Furthermore, please provide proof the Sen. McCain has any desire to bomb Iran. I'm assuming you're talking about attacking their Uranium enrichment facilities. My profession is Nuclear Propulsion (in the military) and I'll go ahead and assure you that such action wouldn't place them at risk anyway.

As for the new GI-Bill, please provide any information you have of Sen. McCain's opposition to this bill. I am a member of the military and am certainly interested in such a bill. The only thing I can find from him on it says "It seems to me that it is a good thing to do. But I haven't examined it with the care that it needs. But we obviously need to do something along those lines."

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:27 PM on 04/08/2008
collapse GnitenGoodLk See Profile I'm a Fan of GnitenGoodLk

Sure.

"please provide proof the Sen. McCain has any desire to bomb Iran"

Here ya go...just one...his website has more..

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/2007/04/mccain-sings-bomb-bomb-iran.html

"Please, please explain to me how bombing Iran would place our soldiers at risk of contamination"

Right here:
http://current.com/items/88880997_saudi_newspaper_prepare_for_radioactive_fallout_from_us_nuclear_attack_on_iran

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/25/22549/8916/451/483635

But please, if you can refute the millions of scientists who confirm bombing a site like Three Mile Island without risk of fallout spreading across the globe with the assistance of weather patterns, of course, minimize and spin away. Why do you think it's never been done before genius? Yes, it would. GET THEM OUT BEFORE BOMBING IRAN.

"As for the new GI-Bill, please provide any information you have of Sen. McCain's opposition to this bill. I am a member of the military and am certainly interested in such a bill"

Here you go.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gen-wesley-clark-robert-greenwald-and-jon-soltz/tell-mccain-to-step-up-on_b_94875.html

I'm not in the habit of posting willy nilly. I look things up.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:19 PM on 04/08/2008
collapse realpolitic See Profile I'm a Fan of realpolitic

Many Republicans are basing their objection to the new GI bill on an argument that it will affect retention in the services. Can you imagine that? Republicans say servicemen and women should not be extended an education and other benefits because they may not re-join the army. What nonsense! Servicemen and women are only worthy as cannon fodder to Republicans.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:11 AM on 04/07/2008
collapse ABalance See Profile I'm a Fan of ABalance

I've come to the conclusion that it's really pointless discussing this with you all because none of you are actually interested in an actual discussion. You're far too partisan and would rather make false claims and ignore truth than expose yourselves to the notion that not everyone on the other side of the isle politically is a monster. You're clearly as biased as this publication.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:31 PM on 04/08/2008
collapse GnitenGoodLk See Profile I'm a Fan of GnitenGoodLk

I have no doubt this publication is biased, many are. I've visited conservative sites that make my skin crawl at times, if you can look beyond the bias and find a few facts that can't be spun away, you'll achieve some consensus. Otherwise, you're here just to enforce your own view no matter what. Writing off ALL posts and arguments as "monsterizing" you is intellectually and logically dishonest. A last resort fail-safe method of dismissing alternative views when you have no other explanation for possibly being in the dark on some things.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:25 PM on 04/08/2008
collapse GnitenGoodLk See Profile I'm a Fan of GnitenGoodLk

So true.

Meanwhile, back at the base, the financial incentives, bonuses and benefits offered for re-enlistment and rank ascension which are directly responsible for the career military personnel we already have are conveniently ignored by Republicans. Military retention even with these incentives will drop no matter what as long as they are in power over the military.

This is why our nation is suffering such backlash, no honor at the highest levels. Scam artists squeezing every last dime out of anyone naive enough to volunteer it. This is why we're in this mess. Robber barons can run a company, they sure can't run a nation.

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