Greenfield: 'Do you really do this at a funeral?' (Sickening political statements at King's funeral)

cnn ^ | 2-8-06

[LouAvul]

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Four U.S. presidents -- including President George W. Bush -- were among the luminaries at Coretta Scott King's funeral Tuesday. Among some speakers' accolades and tributes to the civil rights icon were criticisms of the current administration's actions -- the war in Iraq and domestic eavesdropping.

CNN senior analyst Jeff Greenfield talked to CNN anchor Miles O'Brien about politics raising its head at the funeral.

O'BRIEN: It was quite a funeral, six hours. And the full range of emotions as Coretta Scott King was laid to rest. There were songs, prayers, praise and a healthy dose of politics.

Former presidents Carter and Clinton, and civil rights legend Joseph Lowery used their time at the pulpit to take some jabs at the current administration with the man, as you see, seated a few feet away, President Bush.

Jeff Greenfield is here to talk about the implications of all of this.

Before we get going, we will share video of former President Carter making reference to wiretaps, which of course has historical parallels here to Martin Luther King Day.

(Video clip begins)

CARTER: It was difficult for them personally with the civil liberties of both husband and wife violated as they became the targets of secret government wiretapping, other surveillance.

(Video clip ends)

[Inkie]

His bro.

[goarmy]

"...it appears that the Dems have learned nothing from the Paul Wellstone funeral fiasco."

Excellent point. Several friends of mine from Minnesota said they were absolutely disgusted by the proceedings.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,388903,00.html

[Ditto]

The MLK wiretaps were court-approved.

No they weren't.

[saveliberty]

Not then. I think that he was a member of Congress.

[auto power]

....nice try...it was BOBBY KENNEDY UNDER JOHN F. KENNEDY'S DIRECTION.

[Inkie]

Was GHW Bush ever attorney general?

[river rat]

Ah yes......The Poverty Pimps can be relied upon to show lack of personal control, personal responsibility, personal character, personal morals ---- while at the same time DEMANDING respect and taxpayer dollars.

It sort of explain why their followers continue to languish in poverty, ignorance and illegitimacy.....

Semper Fi

[rhombus]

You just never know around here. :-)

[Sir Gawain]

And on the Daily Kos, which is a site from the left, the argument was these conservatives had nothing to do with civil rights, they have no right to lecture us.

Sounds like Kos is clueless on history.

[Doogle]

[Billthedrill]

It became an article of faith on the political right that this had become a real ugly moment, when partisanship replaced memorials.

Article of faith? What, does this guy think he can paper over Wellstone's kid leading a "we will win" chant from the podium?

[Froufrou]

I have felt very strongly that the Democrats are desperate to "keep" their voting base through entitlements. It's worse than slavery, when you think about it. Keeping them pregnant, stupid and lazy. And not just the Black community. Teens, dropouts, Hispanic immigrants...

[Rakkasan1]

I went to a funeral and a political rally broke out

[Just A Nobody]

They did not personally know the deceased

Yes they did. There was a photo of her and President Bush laughing and he had his arm around her. Also, some on the live thread yesterday, said they had met together several times. Check the live thread.

[edpc]

Who was President when MLK was being bugged? Who was the Attorney General that did the bugging?

We all know who you mean, but somehow it always gets pinned on Hoover. Anthing to keep the Ks out of the "awful" light of truth.

[colorado tanker]

It's just a matter of time before they throw out the "Coretta would have approved- she would have said the same things herself" excuse, and their constituents will lap it up.

You're right, but they're wrong. C.S.K. was very much a well mannered lady.

[shhrubbery!]

O'BRIEN: It was quite a funeral, six hours. And the full range of emotions as Coretta Scott King was laid to rest. There were songs, prayers, praise and a healthy dose of politics.

Note Miles O'Brien's attempt to sway CNN's audience.

We're supposed to regard this injection of politics/rudeness into a funeral service as "healthy."

[proud American in Canada]

I am still steamed at the lack of courtesy shown the President with the First Lady.

I've been so busy recently -- what happened?

[Smokin' Joe]

Kate O'Beirne, a prominent conservative writer, said liberals don't know how to keep politics out of their funerals.

Well, now, Katie me lass, that's 'cause dead liberals keep voting!

[Let's Roll]

"I was surprised that even the teens had the sense to figure this out and the Dems are clueless."

I think it's more than clueless - I think they know their stage is getting smaller and smaller and this funeral was on tv so they let'er rip.

Some callers to c-span yesterday even said that ... in defense.