Conyers on McCain’s MLK speech: Whatevs; Update: Video fixed
posted at 7:54 pm on April 4, 2008 by Allahpundit
Like I said in the other thread, he was right to go because it was the right thing to do. But if he thinks any dialogue or political benefit will derive from it, he’s kidding himself.
Or is he? Quote: “We all make mistakes. We all make mistakes.”
Update: People are complaining about the RedLasso clip locking up their browsers. Watch it here instead.
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And Redlasso is the worst mistake to ever happen to the interweb.. :{
Chakra Hammer on April 4, 2008 at 8:00 PM
I think he was smart to go, and I think his speech was sharp. I don’t think it much more then political expedience though, ala Confederate flag, so it’s hard to fault democrats who wouldn’t take him serious either.
Spirit of 1776 on April 4, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Uh, Conyers? Why would he have apologized in 1983 when he had a different opinion? He’s apologizing now for the opinion he had then.
And this isn’t “all of a sudden” that he’s changing his opinion. He supported the creation of a day of commemoration in his home state.
amerpundit on April 4, 2008 at 8:01 PM
Some times the only way past something is right through it. McCain has grit, and I think this will pay off in some way.
mikeyboss on April 4, 2008 at 8:08 PM
There was nothing to apologize for. That was McCain’s opinion at the time and many Americans agreed with that original decision and still do.
sinsing on April 4, 2008 at 8:11 PM
It was the measured and correct thing for Sen. McCain to say in today’s context.
That MLK, Jr. (see his history, as researched in the following decades) should deserve a national holiday is another matter.
Lockstein13 on April 4, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Seconded. I hate redlasso. Nothing but trouble.
mattshu on April 4, 2008 at 8:17 PM
MLK was a scum bag, he wanted reverse racism. I only reget he was killed at his prime, so he never got the chance to look like Al Sharpton.
I don’t think we should have a holiday for him, and I won’t apologize for that.
Tim Burton on April 4, 2008 at 8:18 PM
It would be a real move forward if people started thinking with their brains and not their skin. MLK seemed to be someone that wanted to move the subject of race forward. These people are all stuck in their own hatred and frustration. White and Black racists have so much in common.
Will Blacks ever figure it out that they are used by the Democrats? Something for nothing is what they keep getting promised, and it has never happened to the degree they expect it. The rest of us would invite them to work towards their dreams and stop thinking their vote will bring it.
Hening on April 4, 2008 at 8:19 PM
Thats a damn good question!
Do they realize that all the entitlements promised by the Dem’s only keep them stuck where they are?
Are they really better off under the Dem’s?
Do they not see that people like Condi Rice are what you should aspire to?
She is brilliant but she has been called “Condiskeezer” by the Rev. Wright…a supposed “leader” in the black community.
How do you lead by tearing down those who succeed?
ArmyAunt on April 4, 2008 at 8:26 PM
The Mexicans and other Hispanics want parts of America.
Many Blacks want reparation and even a land of their own to form their own country.
The Indians have already their own and maybe want more.
What’s left of America?
What makes a nation?
A nation is a Unity of Language, Culture and Borders.
A nation without Nationalism is no more a nation.
As I said many time before, the only people who will destroy America are the American people.
Indy Conservative on April 4, 2008 at 8:27 PM
MLK deserves the holiday. He was an inspiration to the whole world, and represents the best of American character, spirituality, and liberty. My two cents.
Dr. Manhattan on April 4, 2008 at 8:29 PM
mikeyboss on April 4, 2008 at 8:08 PM
Most times its the only way!!!
dmann on April 4, 2008 at 8:38 PM
Like everyone else, he wasn’t perfect. I know about the plagiarism stuff. No need to throw out the baby with the bathwater, though. I think it’s easy to find something to admire in people if you’re looking for it.
mikeyboss on April 4, 2008 at 8:39 PM
McCain should NOT have attempted a speech in front of THAT entitlement crowd, explaining his position to those who are programmed not to understand anything logical.He should have NOT done it, cause you can’t walk away from a screaming crowd that cuts you off at the knees.
Enough already.I was in college when all this carnage happened, King, RFK,died, BUT more important,our outstanding men in VN,who died for the rights of snotty college kids to spit on said soldiers.
McCain may have told this crazy entitled crowd exactly WHERE he was(strung up in a NV prison) when MLK was assasinated, yet the crowd still took it as a personal slight, that he WASN’T there. McCain must STOP trying to get to these folks, ain’t gonna work.Stop pandering! Aint gonna get you anywhere.
lizzee on April 4, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Exactly. The blacks want to portray victims and until they grow up, racism will not stop.
Wade on April 4, 2008 at 8:50 PM
On a side note, who was on the balcony when MLK was shot? Jesse.
Who has benefited most from MLK’s assassination? Jesse.
Coincidence?
TugboatPhil on April 4, 2008 at 9:03 PM
OH MY GOD, McCain opposed a holiday for Martin Luther King!
That’s WAY worse than being linked to violent rcsit AntiAmericans and blatantly lying about foreign policy!
Capitana on April 4, 2008 at 9:03 PM
There are so many things wrong with the comment you posted, I don’t even know where to begin!
terryannonline on April 4, 2008 at 9:19 PM
What choices did Juan have on this day?
1. No appearances or comments at all and alienate the 0.001% of African Americans that are not going to vote for the Messiah.
2. Expose himself to more criticism by creating a situation whereby he can be attacked as nothing more than a disingenuous pathetic, pandering old school cracker hoping for racial redemption.
3. Do the right thing, go downtown and say what he feels.. GO NAVY!
dmann on April 4, 2008 at 9:37 PM
…….. and they call themselves Progressive (Liberal) Democrats.
Seven Percent Solution on April 4, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Many of them. I agree.
Indy Conservative on April 4, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Save it for another time.
I’m kinda busy now and soon will be heading to bed.
But I can give you a quick reply now: I know I’m right.
Indy Conservative on April 4, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Conyers would’ve boo-hoo’d if he hadn’t gone.
SouthernGent on April 4, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Nicely said.
exlibris on April 4, 2008 at 10:11 PM
All black people do is b*tch.
revolution on April 4, 2008 at 10:19 PM
I agree with Juan McCain’s original vote. MLK’s birthday should not be a holiday.
As of this day, his birthday is the only national holiday that is devoted to one American. I’ve heard great things about him, I’ve heard things about him that make me think he is a piece of crap. Whatevs.
Bottom line up front, there many, many men who have been far more important to this nation who do not have a national holiday named for them. MLK is way, way down the list when it comes to that. However, he is the only one who gets that distinction.
Ironically, it is because of the color of his skin, not the content of his character (compared to other, greater Americans) that he gets his own holiday.
Blarg the Destroyer on April 4, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Just wonderin’ here.
Less than two weeks from today will be the anniversary of the assasination of Abraham Lincoln. How will America celebrate the death of this great man? Will all the presidential candidates step up to the podium before the cameras, and wax poetic for Lincoln? Will the MSM have a cow over the unexpected death of this man, and devote an entire day reflecting on his accomplishments? You know, the whole freeing the slaves thingy.
The answer of course is, we won’t hear a peep. And that is precisely why so much fuss about MLK on the anniversary of his assassination is pure bunk, thrown out there as red meat for the Obama cult. Didn’t we just honor MLK on a national holiday named for him back in February?
Enough is enough.
MLK deserves no more, no, make that far less attention than one of the greatest presidents ever to hold office in this once great republic. I’m betting the anniversary of his untimely death will go completely unnoticed. Any takers?
fogw on April 4, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Fixed.
Wanderlust on April 4, 2008 at 10:34 PM
FOAD.
RushBaby on April 4, 2008 at 10:36 PM
I’ll not bet against you. Dennis Prager is the only one who I can be reasonably sure will pay Lincoln the respect he deserves.
RushBaby on April 4, 2008 at 10:38 PM
What – is it because the truth HURTS, or is your memory really THAT short term?:
“Gawd-DAMN America!!! GAAWD-DAMN AMERICA!!! IT’s IN THE BIBLE”….The Rev. Wright
grtflmark on April 4, 2008 at 10:59 PM
For a reporter-in-training, you have to do way better than this at debating.
fogw, you racist, you!
Entelechy on April 5, 2008 at 12:41 AM
Red lasso clips have always been problematic for me. Almost half the time I can’t see them.
starflyer on April 5, 2008 at 12:57 AM
The contemporary media celebrates and makes a spectacle of any and every anniversary event possible. We don’t celebrate Lincoln’s murder in the same way because nobody is currently alive who was saw JWB shoot Lincoln. It’s really insulting to have to explain this concept to an adult.
Hat’s off to you for being the precise reason Republicans will never gain their rightful foothold in minority communities.
I really have to wonder how much pain and personal torment one must endure to arrive at such an ugly and narrow understanding of one of America’s most important heroes.
I wonder what other ways this sadness manifests itself in your daily life.
***
I trust that I am not the only person who sees your comment as a perfect example of racial stereotyping.
You saddle all “black people” with the awful words of Rev. Wright when many are no less disgusted by them than you are.
All black people do is bitch? That is a lie and a racist one at that.
Tell that to this man’s family.
See Officer Simmons in action.
***
I agree that liberals are extremely adept at bitching and moaning. Minority liberals are an elite class of whiners. But Republicans are quickly catching up and will soon take the lead.
It’s oh so chic to remark about the ironic ills of black/white racism while alluding to a plethora of black friends and family while praising the genius of Thomas Sowell. The best are the Up From Suburbia tales of being the only white kid in one’s school.
I call it reverese-whining. What exactly is the difference between Republicans whining about being white can be so inconvenient at times and Dems calling school vouchers racist? Nothing.
Both feel entitled to advocate for their racial empowerment. I think your average black has a little more room for complaint than your average Republican. But as a member of both groups, let me be the first last to tell all of you to STFU.
Oh well. I’m bored with my own rant.
take away:
If you feel the need to minimize the achievements of MLK, you’re an idiot with low self-esteem.
The Race Card on April 5, 2008 at 1:13 AM
terryannonline on April 4, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Does reconquista and atlan ring a bell?
Johan Klaus on April 5, 2008 at 1:31 AM
The brothers and sisters might give Mav some street cred for being a pow for five years. Might even respect the torture thing. Crazy for suggesting it, you bet. Rational for expecting support, doubtful. He says he’ll campaign in Afro-centric areas. I love the idea, remember that Dixie crats were the enemy of the black movement, not republicans. Colin Powell takes the vp, its like really over. Like Reagan v Mondale over.
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 5, 2008 at 3:24 AM
As Ken Hamblin used to say: “Democrats love black people…they think every white person ought to own one.”
labrat on April 5, 2008 at 6:22 AM
But not Washington or Lincoln?
peacenprosperity on April 5, 2008 at 7:49 AM
Sometimes history and momentum creates vacuums where someone, anyone, will step in and sometimes individuals step in and create momentous changes. There where lots of vacuums in the 60′s and King stepped into one. Doesn’t diminish his courage but if it wasn’t him it would have been someone else. The Civil War didn’t have to happen, Lincoln saw the importance of saving the Union through the debate on slavery and took the correct stand despite the obvious horrendous and tragic possibilities. Kind of sounds like our current president but I wouldn’ bet money any democrat would admit it.
peacenprosperity on April 5, 2008 at 7:58 AM
Unfortunately, I live in Conyer’s area (Michigan), and he’s just as big a scumbag, now, as he was, then. This is the guy who’s going to talk crap about McCain (not that I like McCain, at all), when he’s a bigot, and a crook, himself? He seems to have no objection to politico truthers saying we fight and kill terrorists at Israel’s behest (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061601570.html) during his mock impeachment trials. He also seems to have no problem attending (and funding) anti-American displays of ugliness (http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=157197&Disp=1&Trace=on) and supporting islamofascist, anti-Israel bigotry (http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=247968254375265). This white-hating (http://liberalscum.com/conyers.html) punk of a bureaucrat believes in forgiveness? He’d better, considering he’s also a robber-baron kleptomaniac (http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/003475.php). Must be a sweet gig, heading judiciary committees, when you’re a crook, like Conyers.
Virus-X on April 5, 2008 at 11:46 AM
And what does Juan “Z-Visa” McCain NOW say about Cesar Chavez Birthday? Should that be a National Holiday? Will Juan “Z-Visa” McCain be marching in the streets with La Raza and “Let ‘em in Lindsey” Graham on May 1 in Los Angeles? Will they be telling us “bigots to shut up”?
DfDeportation on April 5, 2008 at 1:22 PM
That’s a lie. They do not make a spectacle of the anniversary of Lincoln’s assasination, as was my point. Pay attention.
Is that your opinion or just a hard and fast rule of the MSM? You’re playing with a weak hand there. It’s hard to swallow your load of crap considering all of the Christians on this planet “celebrate” the crucifixion of Christ, yet nobody currently alive had a front row seat.
I had no idea I wielded such power. So in your view, my pointing out how presidential candidates and the MSM fall over backward to cover the assassination of MLK while completely ignoring THE president responsible for freeing all the slaves, I am offending the black race? Did you ever give a second thought to how a more lasting bond between the races might take hold if we heard more appreciation for a president who righted a 150 year old wrong and heard some thanks to the Union soldiers who died so slaves could live and walk free?
Name one thing I said sir that suggested MLK was not a hero to his race, or his country. I only asked why one man deserved to be honored on both his birthday and his day of death, while another, who opened the door of freedom for each and every slave, was only honored only on his birthday. How does that possible imply that I have an ugly and narrow understanding of heroes?
Piss-off pal, you know not of what you speak. You assume to know a hell of a lot about others, but from where I sit, it is obvious you know very little. The only sadness I feel is for all of the minorities, who like sheep being led to slaughter, step into the voting booth year after year voting for the Democrats who walk all over them, take advantage of them at every step and take their vote and loyalty for granted.
If you think MLK’s accomplishments are on par with President Lincoln’s, as it relates to the betterment of the lives of African Americans, that’s your perogative.
I don’t. And I stand by it. That doesn’t make me a racist.
And I guess in your distorted little world, calling someone with a different point of view an idiot, will do much to bring all the races together.
fogw on April 5, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Obviously you don’t know race cars cardinal rule. Only he is allowed to talk about black people.
peacenprosperity on April 5, 2008 at 5:52 PM
preamble:
I love my country, my party and my fellow Americans…
evenespecially when you’re getting on my damn nerves.Thanks for lying about me. Doing so highlights your shortcomings, not mine.
I respond thoughtfully and thoroughly to people or idiots with whom I take issue. Whether you are a person or an idiot, I am unsure, but my response remains unchanged.
Check any one of my posts. I take great care to address specific points with clarity.
You and hundreds of others here make thousands of remarks about blacks. I have no problem with that except that I only have ten fingers with which to refute some of the BS I hear coughed up around here.
I do not like being lied about. However, I do appreciate you clearly portraying yourself as a liar. Good day to you.
***
@fogw
Dude. I am not trying to be obtuse. But are you really comparing Christmas celebrations with a 40 year anniversary for the killing of Dr. King? Really?
Look. I don’t know why someone would harbor so much resentment toward an obviously great man. Actually, I do know. But it’s still sad to see and hear.
MLK has earned considerable scrutiny and disdain from the Right. For some reason, some people resent Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his achievements and his legacy. The only other group of detractors I have heard sounding equally irrational and rabid are anti-Christian bigots. You’re in good company.
I think you’re exploring some very important concepts there. You allude to improved race relations if only America had more greatly honored our Abe Lincoln. You have chosen an arbitrary set of historical facts, compared them, bathed them in racial conflict, then used the resulting frustration to fuel your personal crusade against anybody accusing anybody of racism.
I guess what I am coming to understand is just how deeply many whites and others feel over being saddled with the racial baggage of the past.
The best analogy I can give is that Mark Sanford guy on Fox and radio who can’t go one day without blaming women and political correctness on his not being able to get laid. You know the guy, right? That’s what many Republicans sound like about race.
You are correct here. I overstated my case by suggesting that you do not see MLK as heroic. My bad. I understand now that you just don’t think him worthy of a national holiday.
Furthermore, I hope you do not think I am calling you a racist. I am not. I don’t know your values and cannot from such brief interactions.
I do know that you seem pretty sensitive. I do know that you sound very angry. For now, that’s who you are to me, an angry, sensitive guy.
Thanks for the offer to piss off. But I’ll hang out for a while. I enjoy the fireworks.
The Race Card on April 5, 2008 at 11:00 PM
FTFM
The Race Card on April 5, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Who said anything about Christmas? I referred to the crucifixion, which is when Christ died on the cross. Man, you’re a funny guy. Stupid, but funny.
The rest of your rant makes about as much sense as your opening comment.
Like this,
Followed later by this,
Confusion seems to be your cup of tea. And you’re so good at it.
Congrats.
fogw on April 5, 2008 at 11:45 PM
All this chaos over creating or not creating a holiday? Do we have a holiday for JFK, who was also assassinated? Give me a break.
Livefreeordie on April 6, 2008 at 3:17 AM
I really don’t see Martin Luther King as a great man. I think he was a good man but his importance in the national psyche is totally overblown. He was as deeply flawed as any of us and to see him treated like the Black Jesus somehow sticks in my craw.
Ares on April 6, 2008 at 7:38 AM
I’g glad to see that RedLasso isn’t just locking me up. I thought it was my Firefox extensions and wasted a lot of time on my configuration.
rhodeymark on April 6, 2008 at 10:22 AM
That statement proves how out of touch with reality you are, JO.
peacenprosperity on April 6, 2008 at 10:25 AM
And proved my point perfectly. Anyone not black who makes a comment about, regarding or related to blacks is a racist and you believe you have an unalienable right to scream racist.
Pathetic, JO.
peacenprosperity on April 6, 2008 at 10:28 AM
This guy isn’t dead yet? He is so full of hate, I thought he would have passed on by now…I mean 8 years Bush must have added real stress to this old fool. He just opens mouth inserts both feet and crosses his eyes…typical tinfoil hatted leftist loon!!
sharinlite on April 6, 2008 at 5:25 PM
What did I say that makes you feel like you need to shutup?
If you feel the need to back down when challenged that’s your problem. All I did was tell you what I think about what you said.
So quit lying and saying that I tried to squelch your rant. Again, I welcome all comers. Quite honestly, I find your posturing, posing and whining amusing…like men’s ballet.
I am sorry that your ego was bruised. I assume that when people come at me they have thick enough skin to hang out dance a while.
I find your retorts amusing. Please continue, I’ll go easy.
The Race Card on April 7, 2008 at 12:43 AM
In a fit of empathy I put myself in your shoes. I think I understand your frustration. If I felt like some random black dude could control me from a comment thread I would be pissed too.
The Race Card on April 7, 2008 at 12:44 AM