The Last Word

Really good point. And if I die all of you may say, "Bush lied about war etc..." all you want!

sparrow- isn't it strange that we always say "and if I die?" As though there were any possibility of any other outcome.
People are strange critters.

I don't want a funeral, but if all my friends would like to mourn me by standing on a busy street corner for two hours and curse the Republican party, it would make me smile in my grave.

Linda,

I meant, "If I die tomorrow..."

but heck...maybe I won't die. Maybe I'll live on and will haunt the selfish people of the neocon party and their progeny too.

ps. irc won't let me in tonight.

Well, for what it's worth, here's my take on today's funeral (which I didn't watch, but have seen video clips of President Carter & Rev. Lowry)...

- Mrs. King probably let her family know of her requests as to who should speak at her funeral.
- Mrs. King was an activist. Her funeral was a reflection of her life, as it should be.
- President Carter is one of the most devout people in our country today. What an honor to have someone like him speak.
- Reagan's funeral was political. The pope's funeral was religious. Mrs. King's funeral was both -- again, a reflection of her life.
- The current president acted like a petulant little lord today with his body language and (lack of) manners. He was probably p.o.'d that he couldn't screen who was going to be in the audience (or who spoke, for that matter). In all honesty, I think he should not have attended.

Kate O'Biern on Matthew's replied:"they made a convention out of that funeral."
So there you have it and we can bet we'll pay for any dems remarks in 06/'08 elections. Sobeit,it ALL needed to be said as all spoke truth to power. PRAISE THE LORD,for the life of this brave woman that gave so much to the lives of so many. I only wish Conyer's had taken up the voting issue in his speech as we've not come far when so many are deprived of that right...all what the KINGS were about!!
The "bushies" were embarrassed,and have you seen the cretan squirm..priceless!!

I would love it if she had a will somewhere that instructed them on what to say about this country and these policies.

My guess is that she spoke to people about it and they followed her wishes

Found this great comment on another blog...

What disgraceful behavior. The Bushes are kind enough to use Coretta's dead body to score some quick political points, only to be rudely told the truth! Mr. & Mrs. Bush did not step out of their bubble of orchestrated, and somewhat strained, praised to be called into account for reality."

***

I also read this, but I don't know if it's true...

"It wasn't reported but Jimmy Carter didn't shake hands with Bush after he spoke. God bless Jimmy Carter -- a man who always put principles above politics."

And BTW, Reverend Lowry was Martin Luther King's friend and partner. They founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference together. Dr. King and the late Mrs. King would've applauded his comments at her funeral. Mrs. King didn't support this war and she was against gay discrimination. As a result, her funeral was a perfect platform to voice opposition to Bush's views.

Let them squirm. There is reason for shame, and it should be placed squarely before them. it is the legacy of people like Coretta Scott King that demand shame in those that abuse power.

I heard coverage on the way home from work (NPR) - Bush was obviously reading lines written by someone else. I heard Carter, Clinton, Bush I (excerpts) but Maya Angelou & especially the youngest daughter (Berneice?) had me in tears!!

May her soul and that of all the faithul departed rest in peace.

From just the clip I say President Carter was wonderful.

From the prism of 40 years we forget how terribly brave both of the Kings were. They were heady times, but dangerous ones as well. It is fitting then that those given the chance to speak to power did so.

Was it a convention? Maybe, will the Dems pay for it? I suspect not, not in the long run, people will remember that the truth was spoken, and it was heard. Were the Bushes (pater and fils) uncomfortable? Oh how I hope so.

I saw a clip of Bush speaking at the funeral at lunch time, and I just thought it was so inappropriate that he should be speaking. I wonder if they invited him to speak, or if he told them he would like to. I only saw that snip.

Then tonight on Olberman, I watched as the Rev. Lowry spoke it like it was, and Pres. Carter as well, and I just had the feeling Ms. King was cheering from the casket.

May she rest in peace.

The Whole World is Watching -

politest - Al Jazeera (who knew)
biggest suck up - Nedra Pickler (Forbes)
snottiest - Independent, Sydney Herald, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post (but I like it)

Bush criticised at Scott King funeral
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia 

At Mrs. King's Funeral, Elegy and Politics Mingle
New York Times, United States

With Tribute To King, Bush Reaches Out
Washington Post, United States 

Coretta Scott King Remembered in Six-Hour Funeral
Voice of America 

For Coretta Scott King, a funeral fit for a leader
Guardian Unlimited, UK 

Four presidents recall Coretta Scott King
Seattle Post Intelligencer

Presidents join 10,000 paying last respects to King's widow
Scotsman, United Kingdom 

Four presidents honour Coretta Scott King
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom 

Four presidents join thousands at Scott King's funeral
Globe and Mail, Canada 

Bush squirms as policies denounced at King funeral
Independent, UK 

Four presidents and a rowdy funeral for a King
Reuters Canada, Canada

King eulogists jab Bush
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia 

In pictures: Coretta Scott King's funeral
BBC News, UK 

Tributes to Mrs. King
CNN 

Bushwhacked at King funeral
Chicago Tribune, United States 

King's Close Friend Remembers Her as Committed and Genuine
Voice of America 

Four US Presidents Join 10,000 Mourners at Coretta Scott King's ...
ABC News 

LUTHER KING WIDOW FAREWELLED
Special Broadcasting Service, Australia 

Bush, ex-presidents attend funeral for "first lady of civil rights ...
Xinhua, China 

Bush leads tributes to King's widow
Aljazeera.net, Qatar 

King eulogists jab Bush at funeral
Washington Post, United States 

Bush Praises King for Changing the Country
Forbes 

Four presidents recall Coretta Scott King
Seattle Post Intelligencer 

Four presidents join thousands at Scott King's funeral
Globe and Mail, Canada 

Coretta Scott King was beautiful in every way.

Carol
I think it was because Bush is technically President (resident) - they sort of have to (include him). He seem to show up everywhere. I'm surprised he didn't try to get on the stage with the Rolling Stones at the Superbowl!
I heard him and also his father (while driving) and they just didn't seem to fit in, compared with Carter, Clinton (with his standing ovation) and all the other wonderful speakers.

I didn't have a chance to see much of the funeral, but the shot I did see was clips of several of the speakers. The thing I did notice was the body language of President Bush. Everyone else behind the pulpit (or lecturn)was sitting respectfully, while Bush wasn't even paying attention in the shot I saw of him. He was leafing through a binder of papers and scribbling something down.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Off topic (sorry) but I wanted you all to know....

For what it's worth.........

I posted something last week about listening to a gal in the hairdresser's here in this very rural, very midwestern, very very red state. Last week I told you all that this gal came in to the hairdresser's and said (without me bringing the subject up) that this country is going in the wrong direction. She was VERY distressed. We talked a bit, and I left.

Okay, today I was in a local restaurant, and a guy who grew up in the 70's was in there, reading the paper, and he was very angry, and very upset. He was telling the owner of the restaurant that the current administration is ruining our country. He looked like a blue collar worker, who had probably made it to management level. I listened for a moment, then joined in. He knows Iraq was a mistake, but thinks we are only in it for the oil. I got to tell him a little about why we are so addicted to war. He said he DOESN'T THINK WE CAN SURVIVE ANOTHER 3 YEARS OF BUSH AND THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION. He said he bets we will be embroiled in war for decades because of what George W. has started. He said EVERYONE he knows feels the same way. He thinks Bush will wait until his last 5 or 6 months in office and reinstate the draft, and he said from what he has heard from EVERYONE he knows in this area, they will NOT be voting in any more Republicans for a long time.

I thought it was interesting, because they say this is such a red state, and it used to be. I asked him if he traveled the state very much, and asked him what other people were saying, and what he thought the percentage was of people who didn't like Bush any more, and he said almost ALL. He is looking forward to the next election cycle. I did mention that although there is no proof, it is very possible that Bush has never won an election.

His reply? "Oh, hell, EVERYBODY knows that!"

The restaurant owner told him that he thinks there will be a revolution in America before Bush finishes his term.

These remarks are coming out of rural America, folks! People have had it!!!

E-newsletter gleanings....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060206/stage_nm/arts_guantanamo_dc

Guantanamo play to be staged in British parliament
LONDON (Reuters) - A play reliving the detention of Guantanamo Bay prisoners is to be staged in the British parliament by human rights activists bidding to push their plight up the political agenda.
"This is the court of public opinion -- the idea is to educate the folks in the House of Commons on what is happening," lawyer Clive Stafford Smith said on Monday.

The reading of the play "Guantanamo - Honor Bound to Defend Freedom" is being staged on Thursday in one of the 150-seat committee rooms in the lower chamber before an invited audience of parliamentarians, lawyers and human rights organisations.

[Click on link for more.... On my wish list would be for Lamestream Media to pick up this story, and for something similar to happen in DC.... IMHO, "detention camps" is a euphemism for concentration camps, and that horrifies me beyond my ability to express in words.]

Molly Ivins | Kicking the Oil Addiction: Bush Lied, Again
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020706O.shtml
Molly Ivins writes: Just a few weeks ago, the House of Representatives cut $16 billion from Medicaid over 10 years, which means states will increase co-payments on poor people and drop preventive care - which will cost more in the long run, but what the hey.

http://www.slate.com/id/2135556/nav/tap/1/
Cowardly Lions
Congress talks tough to Gonzales—and then turns and runs.

Gonzales Also Ends Up Defending His Credibility
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020706L.shtml
Senate Democrats accuse the attorney general of previously misleading them on the domestic surveillance program.
{{{Amazing. The last paragraph isn't the neoCon last word on the subject!}}}

Marjorie Cohn | Bush Mouthpiece Defends Illegal Spying
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020706J.shtml
Marjorie Cohn writes: Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was called before the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday to explain why George W. Bush's program of warrantless spying on Americans is lawful. Before Gonzales began his testimony, the committee voted along party lines to dispense with the oath. Thus, if Gonzales were to lie, he could not be convicted or even charged with perjury, which requires the lie be made under oath. Why would the Republican senators insist that Gonzales not be sworn to tell the truth unless they expected him to lie?

Military Starts New H-Bomb Project
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020706K.shtml
For the first time in more than 20 years, US nuclear-weapons scientists are designing a new H-bomb, the first of probably several new nuclear explosives on the drawing boards.
{{{Need I say how Lamebrained I think this whole thing is on multiple levels?!?!?}}}

BETTY FRIEDAN, MAPMAKER
Alida Brill, Women's Media Center
Friedan was a cartographer, mapping the undiscovered territories of women's lives.
http://www.alternet.org/story/31882/

THE BETRAYAL OF VALERIE PLAME
Larry C. Johnson, AlterNet
A judge's rulings make it clear that Scooter Libby did lie to the Grand Jury, and that yes, Valerie Plame was an undercover agent protected by federal law.
http://www.alternet.org/story/31881/

Rachel Neumann: Does the president believe he can order an assassination on U.S. soil?
http://alternet.org/blogs/themix/31880/
[There's a Hitler quote by one of the bloggers on this one that reminds me of The Cretin's attitude....]

Maria Luisa Tucker writes how Bono shamed Bush at this year's National Prayer Breakfast:
http://alternet.org/blogs/themix/31887/

Joshua Holland explains that we must confront Bush's fearmongering in his 'war on terror':
http://alternet.org/blogs/echochamber/31869/

{{{Information Clearinghouse has a whole long list of stories like this under 'war pimp alert.' Too many to post here, but a few caught my eye.... WHY is it EVERYONE on progressive blogs and in progressive e-newsletters is talking about this... and we're not hearing one blasted thing in Lamestream Media about war stories coming up for news at 10 or 11??? They are just SO oblivious to all of this....}}}

Ex-U.N. Inspector: Decision Already Made To Attack Iran
Ritter said, the United States will drop a nuclear bomb on Iran.
By Brandon Garcia
Ritter described how the U.S. government might justify war with Iran in a scenario similar to the buildup to the Iraq invasion.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11812.htm

Russian Ultranationalist Leader Expects U.S. to Attack Iran in Late March
By MosNews
He went on to add that the publication of Prophet Muhammad cartoons in the European press was a planned action by the U.S. whose aim is “to provoke a row between Europe and the Islamic world”. “It will all end with European countries thanking the United States and paying, and giving soldiers,” he said.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11828.htm

Beware The Ides Of March
Soothsayer's warning before Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44BC.
By Mathew Maavak
If Julius - regarded as one of the greatest Caesars - couldn’t take note, the leader of the current superpower should. This March, his actions may spark off a conflict from which the world might never recover.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11826.htm

Following Orders Is No Excuse
"A hoax on the American people, the international community, and the United Nations Security Council."
By Paul Craig Roberts
If Powell had refused three years ago to deliver the Speech of Lies, we would not now be watching an identical duplicity being rolled out against Iran. The ultimate cost of the deception being practiced on the American people will dwarf the terrible price that has already been paid.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11817.htm

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060207/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/rumsfeld
Role of Guard, Reserves to Lessen Overseas
WASHINGTON - The National Guard and Reserves will play a much smaller role next year in Iraq and Afghanistan, dropping to less than one-fifth of overall U.S. forces there, the nation's top military officer told senators Tuesday.
In response to repeated questions about the strain on reserve forces on the front lines, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Guard and Reserves will make up just 19 percent of the forces deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next year.

Currently they make up about 30 percent of U.S. forces in those countries, Pace said. That means the planned reduction would lower the reserves' proportion of total American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan by about one third.

There are now about 138,000 American troops in Iraq and 19,000 more in Afghanistan.

The planned reduction in reserves comes as Bush administration officials have been saying they hope to reduce the numbers of U.S. troops in Iraq this year, assuming the Iraqi government and its forces can take a wider role in the war and keeping order.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the top Army officer, told the senators that heavy use of the Guard and Reserve has given the Army time to reorganize and prepare for its regular troops to take on a broader role beginning in March.

{{{OK... that last paragraph caught my eye.... March is when the Iranian Oil Bourse is set to open, and as I understand it from a story several threads back, The Cretin timed the Iraq invasion with the opening of the Iraq Oil Bourse.... As for troop reductions of Guards and Reserves, I assume that will only last until after the fall election in the US. In any case, unless Halliburton and/or its subsidiaries and/or other 'private security' companies like Blackwell (etc.) have a lot of mercenaries waiting in the wings to relieve the stress on our Guard and Reserve troops, the PNAC Criminal Cabal still can't start another war in Iran unless they reinstate the draft - or get some other damned fool country talked into attacking on their behalf. Click on link for full story.}}}

Speaking the truth always entails a price, for some it is being assasinated, for others it is being shunned by the president in the press corps, or removed from position in the military...doesnt matter.
If speaking the truth to this president carries a price, pay it. The alternatives could be another war in the Mid east, abandoning our elderly to the streets, creating an entire generation of low or non skilled and unproductive citizens.
If Mrs. Kings funeral is where truth can be told and presented to the world, have this remembrance every month. Have this conference often, and in different cities, so everyone can hear and see how badly the right wing has corrupted our government.

I watched The News Hour on PBS earlier and they showed clips of speakers at CS King's funeral. I loved Jimmy Carter's remarks!!! :-) Carter told the American people the truth about energy when he was in office and suffered the fate of only one term because he told us the truth; then the Iran hostage situation came up, and the neoCons got him railroaded out of office and installed a man in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's (so Bu$h 41 ran the show during the Iran-Contra scandal, IMHO). Most people couldn't take the truth about an energy crisis then, but all reasonable people are now demanding the truth from a LYING administration that's breaking laws and grabbing power and LYING about it every day... and everyone except Lamestream Media and those few drunk on kool-aid are just oblivious to reality..... When the cameras panned out on the people attending the funeral, it showed that the place was packed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These remarks are coming out of rural America, folks! People have had it!!!
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at February 8, 2006 12:56 AM

Doesn't surprise me in the least. Midwesterners in the north are notoriously and stoically quiet about a lot of things and most are too busy working and making a living to talk much... In a way it's better to get them talking because silences are sometimes ominous....

If there's another rigged election this fall, it wouldn't surprise me if the quiet ones who have put up with the BS since 2000 take to the streets. None of them want their kids and loved ones to go to war over the pack of LIES they've heard for five years, with yet another war being planned based on yet ANOTHER pack of LIES...!!!

Earlier tonight I took a break from serious stuff and watched a PBS Nova show about the bog men of Ireland, and then I caught Boston Legal (I didn't watch it until this year when I discovered they usually make a political statement of some kind that I usually agree with in the legal arguments toward the end of the show).... which was actually interesting... because in tonight's episode the women were holding signs about illegal redistricting for political gain... and bare-breasted while carrying protest signs, and one of the women lawyer characters who was among the group of bare-breasted women was arrested and would have had to register as a sex offender if she had been found guilty - I don't remember what she was cited for, but think it had to do with indecent exposure, and none of the others were cited for the same thing (she was found not guilty, of course). The bare-breasted women carrying protest signs had done so before with all their clothes on, but never got media attention, so to get media attention, they took off some of their clothes... and, of course, the media showed up to film it all, with the result that some of their signs were filmed, too!!! Oh, and the politician who had initiated the gerrymandering was eventually shamed in part of it when he was on the witness stand....

It was highly entertaining while making a point about how to get Lamestream Media attention: get partly naked......! :-)

Now, there's a thought, eh...??? ;-)

The Naked Truth...?

Couldnt resist...;)

Posted by: Toolmaker at February 8, 2006 01:46 AM

I agree....

At this point, dang near any way reasonable people can get Lamestream Media attention to get their point across, whether at a funeral for a well-known and beloved person or at a non-violent protest... I'm all for it. Lamestream Media really deserves to be bitch-slapped around the block to wake them out of their kool-aid stupor and the deserved label of 'media corpse...'

We're headed for another illegal, unjust, immoral and unethical war, quite likely by next month when the Iran Oil Bourse opens (think that's on Mar. 20???), and if people don't wake up soon and stop this insanity on the part of The Cretin and his Criminal Cabal (and PNAC), that war will come to our continent and we will be fighting here and not 'over there' where it's not quite real for anyone, including the Clueless Congress who just keeps rolling over and piddling themselves every time The Cretin barks - and they never bark back, much to my frustrated annoyance...! A few are starting to growl now, but it may be too little, too late, and they rarely get media attention. Worse, Lamestream Media will deserve much of the blame for not telling people what the hell is going on in government, or dwelling on the LONG list of LIES we've been told since 2000, all of which are more than ample justification for IMPEACHMENT....

Grrrrr.....!

Posted by: Toolmaker at February 8, 2006 02:26 AM

If the Naked Truth is what it takes to get Lamestream Media attention.... I'm all for it...! Nudity doesn't bother me one whit, but it sure would upset a few neoCon fundies while it got Lamestream Media attention..., and that would only make me smile...! :-)

Nonny, there was a post here about the anthrax sent to Senator Daschle, and why it wasnt followed up on.

that anthrax came from a US weapons Laboratory, sent by right wing military fanatics. it was a Political Murder attempt, and several postal workers died. Everyone in the media and government knows it, yet will not talk about it openly.

Conservatives cannot accept they are not entitled to rule the world, and if cannot attain power by popular vote, will lie cheat and steal the elections.
The extreme factions will commit murder to destroy opposition politically, abortion clinics, etc....

we need to start massive marches and demonstrate again.

Posted by: Toolmaker at February 8, 2006 02:41 AM

I read that post... and since I didn't get e-newsletters at the time the anthrax letters were sent out (I didn't have a computer or internet access then, and didn't find the Kerry blog - which resulted in my now being on this blog), so I wasn't aware of the fact that the anthrax had come from *our* own military installation. It wasn't in Lamestream Media that I know of, and I was still watching the evening "news" then. I was aware I was being lied to every time I watched the "news" but I just couldn't figure out why, and didn't know why "journalists" and "anchors" were not asking what I thought were really easy questions that needed answers (like why yak about war and Iraq when the criminals who hijacked the planes had nothing to do with Iraq - they did commit a terrorist act and mass murder when they hijacked the planes and killed 3000 people - and themselves - but that was NOT an act of war, and besides which, they were NOT from Iraq, et cetera).... Not then I couldn't figure out why all of the Sins of Omission, at any rate.

I wonder why Daschle hasn't spoken about it? Er... neffer mind. He probably has, but it just wasn't broadcast in Lamestream Media... another "Sin of Omission" - if they don't mention it, it didn't happen, it doesn't exist....

I agree. Massive marches and demonstrations (reminiscent of the Nam era) are Desperately Needed now. AND it needs to be talked about in Lamestream Media...!!!

We do not see anything that reflects how we feel in Lamestream Media, so I think lots of people feel isolated and alone and wonder if they're the only ones making tin foil hats.... If we could see anything on the evening "news" that shows other people are aware of how badly and how often we've been LIED to, I suspect more people would open up and talk about the Criminal Cabal in DC and IMPEACHING The Cretin and Vice Cretin and there would be millions of people willing to march on DC to protest (or at least in their own neighborhoods, since most need to also work and pay rent and pay bills and feed kids, etc.)....

And with that, I'm taking my rest for the night... my "alarm clock cat" woke me up about 5 a.m. and I need my old-age beauty sleep.... ;o)

Whoops! This came in just as I was going to sign off for the night.... It's worth the read.... Now, good night and good luck.... :-)

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-coretta8feb08,0,7796896.story

A Eulogy for King, a Scolding for Bush
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. By Richard Fausset and Peter Wallsten.
Excerpt:
The Clintons flew to Georgia with the Bushes aboard Air Force One, giving the couples a chance to chat.

{{{The article has two pages - or scroll down and click on 'single page' to get the whole thing to come up. This excerpted sentence leaped out at me.... It's Hillary's and Bill's cozying up to the Bu$he$ (father and son) that has me greatly disturbed and distrustful of her, especially since she never speaks out against the illegal, unjust, immoral, and unethical war in Iraq, and she seems in no hurry to want to bring the troops home and end the insanity in Iraq.... Flying to the funeral with The Cretin and Mrs. Cretin "seems like" she's making deals with the neoCons for the '08 presidential race coming up, and I don't trust her because her connection with the DLC makes her much too Republican Lite........ I still love what President Carter said! It looks even better in print! Teddy Kennedy's remarks are quoted. The part where President Clinton spoke is quoted in the article (he got the most applause), and I did see that on The News Hour sound byte, as well as the sound byte of Father Cretin using a condescending tone of voice - the quote is in the article.}}}

On marching and protesting: well, if that could be an effective way of gaining the ear of government, I think people would be heading here to DC in droves. The march on Saturday was a few thousand brave, soaked souls.

Who is willing to come next time?

As for breast-baring, well, possibly, but I think I would wait for warmer weather...I can do many things, but exposing skin in the cold feels like something my body will not let me do! At least not until everything dries out and heals from last week!

But seriously, i'd like to hear from the DCP bloggers on next steps. Code Pink has actions planned for NYC and DC early in March (Intl. Women's Day), there are actions planned for Mar. 18 weekend (anniversary of the Iraq invasion), and UFPJ is planning a march in NYC April 29. What do you all think?

Be the Media.

Try this.

PEACMOBILE : This is a newly available, affordable resource for activists working on issues of Peace and Justice

The PeaceMobile is a roving billboard available to organizations working for Peace and Justice - a mobile unit that will be totally equipped with sound, changing message board, its own generator, movie projection and more. To learn more about the Peacemobile or to apply for its use, go to http://www.peacemobile.info/about.html

Good to see a couple of posts from ND & MN which suggest that rural northern midwesterns are becoming more actively disgruntled. I lived in SD and MN age 4-26 and my mom is still in ND. Those places are bearing the brunt of the wars - low tax base, exodus out of there by the young, decreasing and aging population, loss of small businesses to industry, and they also make up the bulk of the military (proportionately).

Well remember where Wellstone and McGovern came from & also that U of M and Univ. of SD were far more active politically in the early '70s. There is alot of potential. When regular working people start to speak openly of distrust for government, that could be powerful. I'll have to see if things have changed when I visit my mom. When I was there before, I saw cakes with tanks on them, American flags and trophies in windows and lots of signs and flags and ribbons having to do with the guard being repeatedly sent to Iraq. There have been a couple huge funerals for dead soldiers and a couple of huge weddings for those about to depart to Iraq. I do think people can eventually separate the war from the warrior. I would like to see if things feel a little different now.

Would like to go to NYC, DC but there will also be actions on the west coast. We'll see what happens.

Martin Luther King on what he'd like said at his own funeral:

"...Every now and then I think about my own death, and I think about my own funeral. And I don't think of it in a morbid sense. Every now and then I ask myself, "What is it that I would want said?" And I leave the word to you this morning....

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, Jr., 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 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.

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness."

Coretta Scott King loved freedom, justice, peace, and righteousness just as her husband did. The day after he was assassinated, she went to Memphis to lead the garbage workers in their strike and marched with them in place of her dead husband. In fact, Mrs. King was a political being before she even met her husband, and he followed her down a more progressive path.

Her funeral was a fitting and dignified celebration of her life.

US to cut back on proportion of troops that are Guards and Reserves, which should stem some criticism, yet request is for 7 percent increase in defense spending.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-5602392,00.html

The new plan includes White House estimates that the country's two overseas wars and its homeland defense could cost as much as $10 billion a month this year - nearly 50 percent more than last year.

During fiscal year 2005, which ended last Sept. 30, the Defense Department spent about $6.8 billion a month on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the replacement of equipment damaged or destroyed there.

Hey Truth/DiAnne:

Chuck in Doha to say you all just sort of made my day -- I mean, going East to West -- we're talking the "Big Sky Brad" country of Paul Wellstone (and Mondale/Humphrey Farm/Labor), George McGovern, Mike Mansfield, Frank Church and Tom Foley. Throw in ND and that's twelve Senators and a great Electoral College to population ratio. You see, it does my heart good because I'm 75% 2nd generation off-the-farm myself. That is, of my four grandparents, one came from an Upstate New York first-generation Italian farm and two from central West Virginia WASP farms.

What did they call the Vikings' defensive line in the 1970's? Wasn't it the "Purple People Eaters?" Well, here's to the northern tier turning a bluer shade of purple!

I guess that's a little on-topic.

Thanks again,

Chuck in Doha (came up in SE Portland, Hosford GS 1975, Cleveland HS 1979)

Posted by: madame defarge at February 8, 2006 09:23 AM

Thanks, M.D.

Beautiful, isn't it?

(I say IS instead of WAS because I really feel he left alot of him behind with us.) And so did she.

I remember thinking, after his death, when his widow carried his legacy through to her death, and on until time stands still, "Why doesn't she want to remarry? Why is she content to carry his name and memory and work to her end?"

Well.....I was young then.

Posted by: Toolmaker at February 8, 2006 02:41 AM

See how we all teach one another?

I never knew the anthrax came from a U.S. Weapons Laboratory until late last night, when I read your previous post.

It doesn't surprise me at all, but I am wondering WHY I have NEVER heard it before, if the media and government knows it.

Posted by: NonnyO at February 8, 2006 02:14 AM

Posted by: Toolmaker at February 8, 2006 02:26 AM

The naked truth? Heh, heh.

NONNYO!!! I watched that program too. I admit, I have a few favorite fiction programs that I allow myself to watch each week, and Boston Legal is one of them. (Although I am getting on in years, James Spader really rings my chimes.) And they have increasingly been teaching a political message each week. I think the show is cleverly written.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Well, here's to the northern tier turning a bluer shade of purple!

I guess that's a little on-topic.

Thanks again,

Chuck in Doha (came up in SE Portland, Hosford GS 1975, Cleveland HS 1979)

Posted by: chuck at February 8, 2006 10:17 AM

Yes, Chuck!!! I agree!!!

And I thought Boston Legal was just my guilty little secret. Besides, how bad can a show with Candice Bergan be?

Karen, In my own very humble opinion, what's next is GOTV for the 06 elections. The list of possible impeachable offences grows, yet every "Senate investigation" turns out like Tuesday's little chat with the AG. Not even sound and fury signifing nothing, for the fury was missing.

Truth is on to something, reporting the coffeeshop conversations in mid-America. I'm truly appalled at the distain shown by this administration for the very people who put them in office. The electorate really isn't as dumb as some think they are.

Demonstrations are good and noble ways to draw attention to the issues. Then comes the legwork of getting people out to vote in what should be framed as the most important mid term election in at least 20 years.