White House blunder over Oval Office carpet quote

The Telegraph ^ | 9/5/2010

[markomalley]

White House planners have mistakenly attributed a quotation to Martin Luther King in the new Oval Office carpet but the original author was in fact a now-forgotten 19th century activist.

Though President Barack Obama would no doubt admire the record of Theodore Parker, a Boston preacher and campaigner against slavery, his aides included the quote in the carpet to honour Dr King.

Among a series of quotes woven into the edge of the new beige carpet are the words: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

Dr King often used the phrase in his campaigns for black rights, which paved the way for the current White House occupant, to emerge as the first black leader of America.

However Dr King never claimed he had come up with it as his own.

[Dryman]

you need to be quoted on that.

[truthandlife]

God really does have a sense of humor

[mckenzie7]

So, nobody should be called on the carpet for this...

You're too good!

[mckenzie7]

So, nobody should be called on the carpet for this...

You're too good!

[PA-RIVER]

Maybe Marshalls could take this rug and sell it?

Obama was a boy in Indonesia when Dr. King was making his speeches. You cant blame Obamma for not knowing American history.

Maybe a quote from a Kenyan president would have been a better idea?

[tflabo]

New carpet ay? The Bam spends most of his time on the green golf course carpets---just install that in the oval office and he'll feel right at home tee time.

[Texas Songwriter]

Symbolism over substance. Obamas fettid attempt to look smart failed again. We now know him, we do not like him, and we do not believe him.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

What kind of person would think carpet with scribbles all over it is stylish in the first place ?
This may not actually be the Soetero’s tacky interior decorating -rather it’s Barry’s Berber teleprompter .
What’s next for Barry ?
White House drapes with speeches written on them ??

[mikrofon]

Possibly, but this is the kind of faux pas they can't just sweep under the rug....

[Nick Danger]

[Mariner]

‘tards

[Mariner]

"I bet the Ebonic community has always thought it was from King. Oh well another myth busted."

But, this is in the OVAL OFFICE of the WHITE HOUSE!!!

Oh...wait a minute...

[left that other site]

I agree.

Many times, flowery words are quoted, which on the surface sound very wise and meaningful. But as soon as one begins to analyze what is actually being SAID, one realizes that there is very little substance.

What “arc” for example?

Do “arcs” lead upward to a higher justice?

Or downward to depravity?

The NATURAL motion of the arc is downward, towards entropy, and oblivion.

Like you said.

[Mariner]

"That’s the original source but it’s different from Doctor Kings words when he paraphrased it: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

If so, it's a LEGITIMATE quote of MLK....who was obviously paraphrasing a great thinker.

[Nepeta]

Put a piece of furniture over it.

[whence911]

They have already selected a verse from the koran.

[Nepeta]

They have already selected a verse from the koran.

You're joking, of course, but before this guy leaves office, it would not surprize me if that happened.

[chris_bdba]

No it is attributed to him on the rug.Just like everythig else they try they scr*w it up badly.

[RightFighter]

I can’t even TELL you how many times I’ve been told that.

[airedale]

That’s my point. The reporters in criticizing the carpet are wrong and what’s new about that other than it’s being reported as a negative for Obama.