Tomorrow, and the reason why we reflect.

[d-ray657]

It caught me by surprise today when the radio announcer mentioned that this weekend would have been Dr. King's 82nd birthday. I think of how many public figures have remained influential into their eighties. Ironically three of the senators who stood for the opposite of what Dr. King sought, Strom Thurmond, Jessee Helms and Robert Byrd remained in office until their eighties. Justices Thurgood Marshall, Justice Brennan, Justice Stephens, Justice White and many others remained on the bench into their eighties. Octogenarian George Soros remains active in business and in advocacy.

It just makes one wonder - what could have happened if Dr. King had not been cut down at the age of 39, what could he have accomplished?

Regards,

D-Ray

[merrylander]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

It caught me by surprise today when the radio announcer mentioned that this weekend would have been Dr. King's 82nd birthday. I think of how many public figures have remained influential into their eighties. Ironically three of the senators who stood for the opposite of what Dr. King sought, Strom Thurmond, Jessee Helms and Robert Byrd remained in office until their eighties. Justices Thurgood Marshall, Justice Brennan, Justice Stephens, Justice White and many others remained on the bench into their eighties. Octogenarian George Soros remains active in business and in advocacy.

It just makes one wonder - what could have happened if Dr. King had not been cut down at the age of 39, what could he have accomplished?

Regards,

D-Ray

Don only the good die young, crusty old farts like me live forever.

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by merrylander

Don only the good die young, crusty old farts like me live forever.

Darn, I knew there was someone I left off of the list.

Regards,

D-Ray

[Charles]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Oh no Chas, after growing up in their shadow, I've been learned that all things good and smart come from the boomers

Pete

Not to worry Pete, you can inherit all of the wealth us Boomers have created.

Once it "trickles down" through the beltway.

Just don't spend it all in one place.

Chas

[mossbacked]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Remarkable eloquence from a brilliant and brave man.

Agreed, and I might add the journalists of the day villified Dr. King, printing stories in their words that were diametrically opposed to his words. Does history repat?

[mossbacked]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

It caught me by surprise today when the radio announcer mentioned that this weekend would have been Dr. King's 82nd birthday. I think of how many public figures have remained influential into their eighties. Ironically three of the senators who stood for the opposite of what Dr. King sought, Strom Thurmond, Jessee Helms and Robert Byrd remained in office until their eighties. Justices Thurgood Marshall, Justice Brennan, Justice Stephens, Justice White and many others remained on the bench into their eighties. Octogenarian George Soros remains active in business and in advocacy.

It just makes one wonder - what could have happened if Dr. King had not been cut down at the age of 39, what could he have accomplished?

Regards,

D-Ray

I believe this world woud be a much better place. Basically 2 generations were denied his direct influence.

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by mossbacked

Agreed, and I might add the journalists of the day villified Dr. King, printing stories in their words that were diametrically opposed to his words. Does history repat?

And J. Edgar Hoover accused him of being a Communist. I believe Tailgunner Joe did the same, but I'm not totally sure of that. Yes, history does repeat.
Whenever someone starts to buck the system, the system screams "Communist."

Dave

[BlueStreak]

Originally Posted by mossbacked

I believe this world woud be a much better place. Basically 2 generations were denied his direct influence.

Agreed.

Dave

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by mossbacked

Agreed, and I might add the journalists of the day villified Dr. King, printing stories in their words that were diametrically opposed to his words. Does history repat?

To give you an idea of how times have changed, I remember very well the day that King was shot. I was watching TV in my bedroom in Rockville, MD (I was 14 years old) and a newsflash came on the TV to say that Dr. King had been shot. I ran to tell my mother (born 1916 near Selma, AL), to which she responded "I hope they killed that SOB."

A lot of folks were very uncomfortable (to say the least) about Dr. King's ideas and actions.

[BlueStreak]

My Dad, (Born 1917 in Washburn, Wis.), liked him. Admired him even.

My mother, (Born 1923 in Champion, OH.), would seeth at the mention of his name.
I once heard her say, "Oh the hell with it. Why don't the damn Kennedys just hand the whole damn country over to the ni**ers?!"

Geez.

Dave