Bob Parks of the Media Research Center, put it this way
"Since Dr. King never declared ownership of black people, like liberals [do] today, especially those who denigrate anyone of color who doesn't think and vote the way they so authorize, I don't believe he'd be a narcissist and declare that location and date his and his alone."
The LA Times had this to say, The speaker list was diverse, including African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans; Jews and Christians; clergymen, military veterans and sports stars, including Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. The crowd, however, was overwhelmingly white.
A little more to the point is what Alveda King, Martin Luther Kings niece said at in her speech at the Rally. Grab a sandwich and a drink, and watch her speech and some other Restoring the Honor Rally videos.
Restoring Honor Rally- Dr. Alveda King
Albert Pujols Accepts Hope Award at "Restoring Honor" Rally in DC
Crowd estimates vary as they always do, once again from the LA Times
Organizers said the rally drew 500,000 people to the National Mall. Though there was no independent confirmation of the estimate, the crowd was densely packed and stretched for blocks, approximating events that have been estimated at 200,000 or more. (Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press / August 27, 2010)
CBS, put the attendance at 87,000 claiming it fell far short of expectations. The Network has been has been extremely critical of the Rally and, no surprise, had predicted it wouldn't measure up to the hype. If you average "the too high" and the "too low" numbers, somewhere over 200,000 seems to fit.
The Crowd, doesn't appear to be a violent mob
Bishop Harry Jackson, the pastor of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md., who plans to attend Beck's rally, wrote:
"Rallying with Beck may temporarily bring a backlash of ridicule and rebuke to many of the black civic and religious leaders who join me. Long term, however, the courage of these leaders will point the way and embolden others. Despite any personal discomfort, we feel that it is time to make a real change."
The fact that Beck's rally has become a divisive issue is evidence that Dr. King's dream of a colorblind society has not been fully realized. Yet it's also abundantly clear that when members of both political parties claim ownership of King's legacy, the civil rights leader truly belongs to the ages -- and that's a very good thing. You know your ideas have gone mainstream when everyone cites you as a hero.
Those with a liberal political agenda, of course, may fear King's legacy is being co-opted, but shouldn't the fact that a white conservative is choosing to honor King -- ostensibly, that will be at least part of this rally -- be applauded, not condemned?
One hopes that both events serve to unite Americans around Dr. King's dream, and to put the divisive racial politics of the past behind us.
And Finally from Ken Blackwell, a contributing editor at Townhall.com, is a senior fellow at the Family
Research Council and the American Civil Rights Union. He is the co-author of the new bestseller The Blueprint: Obama’s Plan to Subvert the Constitution and Build an Imperial Presidency ..
"Doctor King had a reverence for human dignity and freedom," He believed that our human rights came from God, that they were not granted from government. Those who go to the Mall to protest the trampling on our human rights and the sovereignty of the individual by big government do so in the finest tradition of Doctor King."
Hard to believe, but for once I let someone else talk, now it's your turn.
Crowds filling the grass down to The Wall on the Left, and the Korean War Memorial on the Right. It extended to half way between the WW II memorial and the Washington Monument. 300,000 sounds like a very Conservative estimate. Love it when a plan comes together.
ReplyDeleteMany more than when we had to drag the filthy hippies out of the Reflection pool back in 1971.
Didn't see anyone in the pond yesterday...
ReplyDeleteAnother difference between between conservatives??
I caught a couple video's showing minor verbal scuffles.... Those apparently caused by people hoping to create a scene..
In one a Rally Attendee.. simply said they warned us about this... everyone moved away and left the guy ranting by himself...
Per dftts: "Delineating ourselves as red state or blue, liberal or conservative, minority or majority, we have not quite reached the day when men and women are “judged not by the color of their skin but on the content of their character.” We are still marching toward that day. As Uncle Martin said, 'we cannot turn back.'"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0826/Glenn-Beck-8-28-rally-It-s-a-matter-of-honor
From the blog: "The crowd, however, was overwhelmingly white."
I think these facts would not make Rev. King "proud" - I do not think "pride" was in his vernacular as a religious man. Neither was politics and his call to "hold hands" meant between all people.
The draw to Beck, a talk-show host, once Catholic now converted to Mormonism, in a role of spiritual leader is attractive to a segment of the population. Which teachings of the Bible or Christianity does he offer that excels those discovered by others who have taken upon themselves the challenge to study and understand? Finding source of faith in a talk-show host is curious. What I observe is an excellent use of marketing strategy and PR that has nothing to do with faith at all.
dftts - I copied your comment to Grumpy's Blog.
ReplyDeleteWould you in any way parallel Beck's PR and marketing to that of barry throughout much of 2008?8/29/2010 1:03 PM EDT on floridatoday.com
dftts - My problem I guess, but was never fond of dirty feet or pit hair on the girls. Also always felt that cleanliness was next to Godliness. Their lack of personal hygiene did not endear me to their political leanings. I also felt more were there for the Social event than any great belief in affecting change.
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