Sunday, January 16, 2005

Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembered

Tomorrow is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. But what does that mean for America? The startribune.com today selected an apt selection from one of Reverend King's speeches. On February 4, 1968, he stated,
"I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King tried to love somebody. I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question.... I want you to say that I did try to feed the hungry. And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked. I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity...."
Isn't that what we need for America?
Isn't leadership about giving of your life in service to others? Not about giving no-bid contracts to your friends!

And Martin Luther King tried to love somebody. Has President Bush upheld this ideal? No this is the President who is more interested in "bad guys". He would rather make war than make love.

And being right on the war question? President Bush? Are you kidding? This President is about pro-active war, not about avoiding war. As he says, at least he is consistent, you always know where he stands.

And trying to clothe those who were naked? Well, at least John Ashcroft managed to clothe Lady Liberty, but has he done anything for the poor? Come on, this President is most concerned about lowering taxes for the top 1%. He is worried about whether the wealthy have to pay high taxes on dividends. This is the President who has yet to create any net jobs during his Administration.

And visiting those in prison? Huh? This President got famous executing prisoners in Texas, not visiting with them. This is the President who has put people in prison without even charging them. This is the President who tortures prisoners and figures out how the laws about torture don't apply.

And trying to love and serve humanity? This President is about having people do things for themselves. To reduce the size of government. It is certainly not about service.

In other words, Martin Luther King's words ring true. This nation needs a leader who can love and who can serve. Who clothes the naked, and feeds the hungry. Who visits the prisoners, who avoids war and seeks to find peace and who believes that our government has a job to do and isn't ashamed of the government seeking to solve the ills of society.

We need Martin Luther King, Jr. today. His words ring true. His ideals should be our ideals. Let us seek to set this nation on a path that Reverend King pointed out for us. Let us not walk off that path to seek our own personal wealth at the expense of world peace, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, enlightening the ignorant, and loving the unloved among us.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Bob

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