4 U.S. Presidents Expected at King Funeral (Live Thread)

AP on Yahoo ^ | Feb. 7, 2006 | Errin Haines

[katieanna]

I just wondered why you brought the deceased's race into the discussion. In other words, why should it matter what color he/she is?

Of course, if any person in attendance is pandering, that's their issue.

[ValerieUSA]

yeah, when Lady Bird Johnson dies, hmmm .. maybe not. Maybe the first ladies will attend instead.

[MineralMan]

Very nice. Very nice, indeed. I'd click Abuse on that little piece of nastiness, but I think I'll just let it sit there and stink.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

.Lookin' to "change his luck"?

I was going to add that as well, but he has been the luckiest ba$tard on the face of the earth for so long....but on reflection I guess the change could be welcome news for those of us who hold him in such disdain.

[One Proud Dad]

PC crap. I have family that served this country with distinction some died doing it and no President ever came to their funeral. She did less than any Soldier/Marine/Airman who died for his/her country in combat.

[pageonetoo]

I think it's out of respect for her husband's work. Since he died, she has done three major things: Made his birthday a national holiday. Established his museum. Continued to speak on civil rights.

I have respect for MLK, to the extent that he was a civil rights pioneer. I see this woman and her family as little more than shadows of his greatness. There is nothing of consquence, in any of their backgrounds, that should honor them to the extent they have been. We see lots of folk dedicated to their cause every dayint the news. They are blowing themselves up. I certainly think they are nuts, but that's true conviction!

The MLK holiday is a result of political pandering. The museum is the families' pesonal asset. We all speak on "civil rights", just as much.

This is pandering to the masses, not any recognition of achievement. In order to make it happen, we have seen history flushed down the toilets in our schools. Since Martin was substituted, he has gained more prominence than the Founders and that is a damn shame! It's not about "negros", nor "Massa"... and I never owned any slaves!

Just is just another lowering of standards, in a world becoming devoid of them!

You seem to be making it a color thing. Why?

[MineralMan]

"Is this race-pandering or was she a power in race relations? "

Mrs. King has served as a symbol of her husband's work, and has been active in the civil rights arena all along. She is highly respected by many, including the current President Bush.

Googling her and reading her biography will give you a better picture.

[Spunky]

I heard that Jessie Jackson will be doing part of the service.

[krb]

Hillary (if she passed away) would attract such attention.

I don't know what your problem is...King is an icon of an era when our country didn't treat black folks very well at all and she (and her hubby) represent the attempt to peacefully rectify a really bad deal.

[katieanna]

Pres. Bush will speak also.

[WV Mountain Mama]

Yeah, I have noticed that. I have also noticed that when people like russert and lauer interview W they call him Mr. Bush, not President Bush. That infuriates me.

[spectre]

Jesse was just on MSNBC. I'm hoping that today, they will speak not only about the struggle the Civil Rights movement endured, but about the progress this Country has made because of it.

There is much to celebrate.

sw

[SAMS]

"My daughter's entire school system is closed for this funeral today.
Someone explain that one for me..."

Can't explain that one. How 'bout this one, WHY do the pallbearers keep saluting her coffin??!!? It is NOT draped with an American flag.

[TRY ONE]

"I just wondered why you brought the deceased's race into the discussion. In other words, why should it matter what color he/she is? "

Whether you admit it or not --- RACE IS THE ISSUE!

The women you mentioned below are all Presidents Wives! 4 U.S Presidents would NOT attend a funeral for a NON-Presidential Wife who is WHITE!

You just do not want to admit it! It is simply pandering. The King family do not want Republican Presidents attending anyway!



1) Betty Ford
2)Barbara Bush
3) Rosalyn Carter
4) Laura Bush

[katieanna]

Well, you and I are different, then. I really don't look at race. I don't see why it should be an issue at all. I guarantee nobody will be thinking of race in Heaven (or hell for that matter).

How do you know the family doesn't want GOP presidents there? Mrs. King attended G.W.'s first inaugural. Surely, she didn't have to be there, but she wanted to be. You don't know the heart of any person.

[MineralMan]

Here's your original post:

"Pop Quiz: Is there ANY White Women ANYWHERE such that 4 U.S. Presidents would attend the funeral.....????"

Notice the "ANY" and "ANYWHERE." Several people have named white women who would get the same respect. Now you want to change the criteria?

But, hey! I'll drop a line to the White House and let President Bush know that "TRY ONE" doesn't think he should go to Mrs. King's funeral. I'm sure he'll give it all the consideration it deserves.

[PeskyOne]

I can't explain it, but I think it's ridiculous to close schools for this. Not to take anything away from Mrs. King -- she probably had more character than her husband -- but IMO, she was entitled to respect, but not this! I voted against MLK Day, and would vote against it again if given the chance. Something is wrong when society makes heroes and martyrs of undeserving people. We don't have a Jonas Salk Day, nor a Madame Curie Day, and their discoveries have probably saved millions of lives. How many lives have the Kings, Kennedy's, Clinton's, and others who are being immortalized saved? Of the three above, they all had one thing in common...they were womanizers and adulterers.

[kenth]

He's going to pay his respects, not worry about respect for himself. There's worth in that however much the leftists might try to cover it up.

[latina4dubya]

Casn you explaian what she did that makes her worthy of such an honor.

maybe they are attending for their own gain... or perhaps they knew her... i don't think most people attend funerals based on whether or not someone deserves their presence... i wouldn't attend a funeral thinking, "i'll go because he is worthy of my presence." maybe ex-presidents don't think that way either...

[One Proud Dad]

Where have you been, our coutry still does not treat them very well, however they are treated btter than most white male Christians nowadays.