Does Bush really care about MLK?

[vass0922]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/...day/index.html

Bush invited himself to the laying of the wreath on MLK's 75th anniversary of his birthday even though it was an inconvenience to the already set plans the groups had before his self-invitation.

"To come on his birthday ... when this president unilaterally went to war, is still engaged in war, an illegal and unjust war."

McDonald said Bush has adversely affected minority communities through his policies on criminal justice, the elderly, Medicare, housing and unemployment.

"That is what we think Dr. King would be speaking out against," McDonald said. "For him [Bush] to try to overshadow that and photo-op and hijack our appreciation and admiration for Dr. King is just not going to be tolerated."

I agree Bush is jumping into this to win minority votes
Its an easy photo op for him.
I really don't think Bush has any care for MLK's views seeing as MLK was all for victory through peace.

I tend to avoid political threads... but was curious of others thoughts on this.

[Max50]

It appears to me Bush is acknowledging an event and is criticized, and if there wasn't a show of respect, then there would criticism. Bush doesn't need the Black vote to win. Latins, yes.

If hypocracy is the point, then Dean should be criticized. He had no minority representation in his administration as governor of Vt. Bush has representation in his administration. This position is where the rubber meets the road and Dean can not speak objectively to the issue. Rev. Sharpton correctly articulated that point during a Democratic debate.

[Mike]

Funny how fast you turned this thread from a "Is Bush genuine,"thread straight to a "Dean's a scumball" type of thread.

I think it was a photo op, he does need African American votes to help him win. Every vote helps. Many of those African Americans didn't appreciate Bush inviting himself to their "leader's" tomb. Honestly, I would have preferred him to just mind his own business. Of course I am not black, so who knows..

[vass0922]

Originally posted by Max50
If hypocracy is the point, then Dean should be criticized. He had no minority representation in his administration as governor of Vt. Bush has representation in his administration. This position is where the rubber meets the road and Dean can not speak objectively to the issue. Rev. Sharpton correctly articulated that point during a Democratic debate.

but yet Carol Mosely Braun had no problem jumping into his corner

Anyways.. agreed this is NOT about Dean

Hmmm although interesting...
Did Bush invite himself before or after that demo debate?
If it was after, its possible he's jumping onto a hot topic to grab votes

[TOAD6147]

Funny Vass. I was just compiling a post concerning this trip to "honor" MLK when I saw yours. Actually, given all that is happening in that particular town at that particular moment needs a bit more close scrutiny to get to the truth as I and others see it.
Besides the average black leader and their constituents feeling insulted by this appearance because, "His administration has never supported anything to help the poor, education, or children," said the Rev. Raphael Allen, vice president of programs at Concerned Black Clergy. "It's all about isolationism and greed for the upper class. That's not promoting the legacy of Dr. King.", it appears that few realize this "last minute" trip was actually driven by the fact our most honorable pres also has a $2000 a plate fundraiser scheduled right after the MLK ceremonies. Only, now that he's going to officially "honor" MLK, he can do the whole trip on our nickel. In other words, he can charge the trip and most all the associated expenses to the American taxpayer. Doesn't THAT give ya' a warm and fuzzy feeling?

[FTM]

Would Bush have recieved any less critisizm if he had failed acknowledge the birthday of MLK?

If it's looked at objectively, the protest was at least as much a "photo op" for Bush's detractors as it was for the President.

[vass0922]

I don't think he would of gotten positive or negative
I hadn't heard anything saying (before his self invitation) that Bush was a <fill in criticism here> because he's never been to MLK's birthday in Atlanta... well... not until election year at least.

[Mr. Goodbytes]

"His administration has never supported anything to help the poor, education, or children," said the Rev. Raphael Allen, vice president of programs at Concerned Black Clergy.

Well the Rev must put his faith in victimology above all else. Too many people (black and white alike) have been raised to believe that all Republicans are racists and the Democratic party is the saviour of the minorities. The democrats have held that title for nearly 40 years, yet they complain about the same problems facing minorities. Want to address education, talk to Ted Kennedy, he wrote the current education bill. This is the bill which the democrats fought to remove school vouchers from, something that would help the poor, especially inner city blacks who want to get their kids out of failing schools. Why would the democrats fight such aid? Because it hurts teachers' unions and makes blacks less dependant on the government in the end as a better education would help them trancend from their current situation in life.

*edit* forgot a key preposition

[J-Excel]

The left is programmed to find fault in anything a Republican president does. It doesn't surprise me at all that they are against him honoring Dr. King. Pathetic!

[TOAD6147]

Would Bush have recieved any less critisizm if he had failed [to] acknowledge the birthday of MLK?

Who cares? I'm sure HE doesn't nor do most of his supporters care since they have no philosophical connection to MLK and what he stood for. Besides, as clearly pointed out above, he doesn't need the black vote, just the Hispanics. (Do we need to question his motives behind softening of immigration laws?) It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out his true motives for going to Atlanta especially given the last minute plans. And it doesn't take a bleeding heart liberal to identify with the implied insults his self-motivated appearance will bring.