President arrives at King's tomb site to lay wreath (and is greeted by protesters)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 1.15.04 | JEFFRY SCOTT, BILL MONTGOMERY and CHARLES YOO

[Cicero]

"Bush - Zionist, puppet and liar."

MLK had a few problems, but he was basically a sincere Christian and a supporter of Israel. He would not have appreciated having a bunch of anti-Semites pretending to speak in his name.

[Verginius Rufus]

It's unfortunate how many people believe Democratic propaganda without bothering to investigate the facts.

From The Complete Book of American Presidents, by William DeGregorio (4th ed.), on George H. W. Bush:

In 1966 Bush ran as a moderate, stumping in black neighborhoods...His most courageous vote was for the Civil Rights Act of 1968, barring discrimination in the sale and rental of housing. The bill was so unpopular in his conservative district that he began receiving threatening letters. Greeted by an angry white audience at Memorial High School in Houston days after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., he called for an end to bigotry and challenged those present to justify denying equal housing opportunity to black soldiers returning from Vietnam. His impassioned plea turned the hall in his favor; he left to a standing ovation.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Looks like the zookeepers were on vacation.

[New Horizon]

*Sigh*

Why does he even bother?

[sirshackleton]

"It's all politics," said barber Seaborn Johnson, as he sliced an apple waiting for customers in the Auburn Avenue Barber Shop.

This guy is right on the money. All these protestors are doing is using the occasion of MLK's birthday as an excuse to beat drums and shout down a President they hate. I'm sure King would be disgusted with such an expression.

[alisasny]

Hundreds of protesters

Is this a bunch who couldnt get on the Michael Jackson caravan? If anything is a discrace to Dr. Martin Luther King it shall be the display in California tomorrow that shows up to praise that miscreant Michael Jackson.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

They would never have any right to call George Bush a racist but would have done so had he NOT shown up!

[BenLurkin]

I don't get it.

What are they protesting? That our President cares about the legacy of Dr. King?

Why or how could that possibly be objectionable?

[Catspaw]

One protester held a sign that read "Bush - Zionist, puppet and liar."

Billy? Billy McKinney, is that you?

[Only1choice____Freedom]

Buddhists chanting, students beating African drums and others shouting "Bush go home" burst past barriers but were driven back by police who, in an attempt to corral the protesters, parked four MARTA buses between the protesters and the grave site.

These "Buddhists" are failing miserbly in their quest for desirelessness. I guess some cannot "let it all go." (you have to want to first)

[Trueblackman]

There are no more traditional civil rights groups anymore, all of them have been hijacked by socialist liberals black Democrats, who are only interested in the illusion of money, power and influence.

[alisasny]

The MJ caravan tomorrow shall be interesting and the funny thing to me is they dont even see the irony of them defending MJ over the good works of MLK.

[theDentist]

Once, just once, I'd love to see him jump up on the limo and flash twin birds at the protesters.... :-)

[Hunble]

Oh darn, I was so excited about the mission to Mars, our victory in Iraq and the recovery of our American economy.

Was this important?

[dc-zoo]

I really don't think Dr King would want his people to be so hateful to their President. It just doesn't make sense.

[Maigrey]

But the Bush family always opposed everything Dr. King did, so he's just applying for votes, that's all he's doing."

I'd love to ask this guy to refute his comment. Instead, he's let off with with a soundbite with no recourse.

[KS Flyover]

Protestors try to hold signs above Atlanta transit buses as police stand on top while President Bush makes a stop at the Martin Luther King, Jr., crypt in Atlanta, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2003. The police tried to move the protestors to another area further from the crypt and when they wouldn't move they moved several buses between the protestors and the area. The Ebenezer Baptist Church where Dr. King and his father preached is in the background. (AP Photo/Ric Feld)

President Bush participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with King's sister Christine King Farris, left, and wife, Coretta Scott King, center, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

[goodnesswins]

AND....it was mostly DEMOCRATS (including Al Gore's Daddy) who VOTED AGAINST the CIVIL RIGHTS ACT of 1964!

[rocksblues]

bump

[Veggie Todd]

...drawn criticism from King event organizers who say that it will disrupt tributes to the civil rights leader on what would have been his 75th birthday.

And if he would have gone a day early or late, they would have bitched that he didn't show up on the "actual" day. Jeez....