McCain’s Tribute To MLK Spotlights His Opposition To MLK Day, Support Of Confederate Flag
McCain’s Tribute To MLK Spotlights His Opposition To MLK Day, Support Of Confederate Flag
Today at noon, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will be speaking in Memphis to mark the anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was assassinated in this city 40 years ago. In a statement released today, McCain paid tribute to MLK, saying he “stirred the conscience of our nation”:
The power of his work and vision was not ended forty years ago in Memphis. Across the world, men and women are living Dr. King’s dream as they strive to extend the blessings of human liberty and human rights to all. Today, we mark a tragic day in our nation’s history while honoring the work of a man who was the voice for our nation’s highest ideals.
But this week, McCain has been “testy,” after the public has raised questions about his record on civil rights. In 1983, while serving in the House, McCain voted against legislation creating MLK Day. Most Republicans (including then-Rep. Dick Cheney) supported the bill, later signed by President Reagan. McCain complained it “cost too much money, that other presidents were not recognized.”
Discussing his record this week with reporters, McCain said, “I was pleased to be part of the fight for that recognition” of MLK Day in Arizona, one of the last states to recognize the holiday. But in 1987, when then-governor Evan Mecham rescinded the holiday, McCain said Mecham was “correct in his decision.”
McCain may pay great tribute to Dr. King today, but his support of civil rights issues has been tepid, and at times, offensive. Some highlights:
Honoring the Confederate flag: In 2000, McCain called the flag “offensive.” Later, he lauded it as a “battle flag” and a “symbol of heritage.”
Honoring racists: In 2000, Richard Quinn, McCain’s South Carolina spokesperson in 2000, called the MLK holiday “vitriolic and profane.” McCain defended Quinn, calling him a “respected” and “fine man,” refusing to fire him. McCain’s current campaign has paid the firm Richard Quinn and Associates $180,000.
Skipped African-American debate to campaign: McCain joined Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, and Fred Thompson in September 2007 in skipping PBS’ presidential debate, which featured “a panel exclusively comprised of journalists of color.”
McCain expresses regret for his earlier opposition to MLK Day, but his delayed judgment is noteworthy, as the 1983 vote was nearly 15 years after MLK was assassinated. “I had not been involved in the issue,” he says. Nevertheless, McCain still opposed the 1990 Civil Rights Act.
More at the Wonk Room.
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Typical _________________.
This is not news and NOONE, NOONE will call him out on ANYTHING he has said or done in the past, present, or future.
Next topic.
RIP
April 4th, 2008 at 11:26 amSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 105 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
McJowls opposed MLK day, honors the ’stars & bars’, honors the Klan. Mighty white of him.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:26 amprogressisok
flagged……
Mccain speaking at a memorial for Dr. King is like Hitler speaking at a memorial for Churchill.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:29 amMcCain is among the most progressive congresscritters when it comes to Native Americans rights. That being said, it doesn’t excuse McSame’s record when it comes to MLK, Jr. or the Klan….
April 4th, 2008 at 11:30 amThat picture reminds of the line from Rod Stewart’s old Maggie May:
The morning sun, when it’s in your face, really shows your age…
Cryptkeeper For Prez!
April 4th, 2008 at 11:31 amWow. They changed his picture, the second I posted.
Scary.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:32 amC’mon guys, give McCain a break on this one. He was a southern senator during the civil war.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:33 amMcRacist.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:35 amBlacks, Browns, Poor Folks, Regular Working People to the back of the Straight Talk Express.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:37 amI guess Columbus Day was named after a city in Ohio. MLK deserves all the honor.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:42 amHe was part of the fight for MLK day–
April 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am–just on the wrong side.
# progressisok Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
The only american holiday Named after a person! I think the Indians or the founding fathers should get one way before MLK
Ever heard of Columbus Day. I know native Americans aren’t a bit happy about that one.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:44 amI’ve always been pissed of there isn’t a Millard Fillmore Day.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:45 amWe do have Hoover vacuums and George W. Bush sewage treatment plant.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:47 amMcVain probably thinks there should be a day honoring himself.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:50 amSeriously, is McCain the best the GOPigs can put up? This is shameful behavior and lack of thinking even for a 5th grader. Grow up Grampa.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:52 amflag this fool for off topic….
April 4th, 2008 at 11:52 amAll we need is another dope who can get “TESTY” as POTUS. Lie down, Grampa, and rest for awhile.
April 4th, 2008 at 11:55 amWell, it’s not a “serious” contribution, but I can’t but post this:
http://news.yahoo.com/edcartoons/mikeluckovich;_ylt=As5O2KTDLf2aNf3bnuQYwRoDwLAF
April 4th, 2008 at 11:56 amAnd this:
http://news.yahoo.com/edcartoons/tedrall;_ylt=AiWW0CT.vr7g2i7UX9jeFpIDwLAF
April 4th, 2008 at 11:57 amThe 1990 Civil Rights Act
A bill to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to restore and strengthen civil rights laws that ban discrimination in employment, and for other purposes.
McCain is the last person in the world who should talk about Martin Luther King. He voted Nay to this bill, something that Mr. King believed in strongly. Has he no shame…
April 4th, 2008 at 11:59 amNo one could accuse McCain of being visionary. Or of embracing a brighter future were everyone is created equal.
I think Miss Molly said it best in another thread. He needs to keep taking all the wrong turns and when he gets to the cliff keep going…
Sorry Miss Molly if I didn’t get it completely right….
April 4th, 2008 at 12:05 pmMcCain is the next old white jock title seeker.
McCain is on track to receive less of the black vote than even GB. Of course, he won’t care.
This should come out real good when Obama’s nominated.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pmprogressitsgood Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Hey troll — why don’t you stop posting?
April 4th, 2008 at 12:13 pmthe ’stars and bars’ – a symbol of a shameful heritage.
April 4th, 2008 at 12:15 pmThanks TP for shooing off those pesky progressisfillintheblank insectTrolls…
April 4th, 2008 at 12:17 pmMcCain sez: “Across the world, men and women are living Dr. King’s dream as they strive to extend the blessings of human liberty and human rights to all.”
The above is the most odious thing about all of this. What McCain’s trying to do here is identify Dr. King with the fiasco in the Middle East. He’s suggesting that our endless chain of war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan are inspired by King’s legacy and are inspired by his work. This is absolutely disgraceful but…… what else is new?
April 4th, 2008 at 12:31 pmRe: Confederate Flag
Does anyone know what his current position is on the Confederate flag?
April 4th, 2008 at 12:50 pmenough ~ he gets it confused with the X and O in tic tac toe.
April 4th, 2008 at 1:04 pmAnd Think Progress fails to mention McCain started this tour in Meridien (sp?), same as Reagan did, in a dog whistle nod to the white Southern racists. Sweet.
April 4th, 2008 at 1:10 pmCan you say CONTRADICTION.
April 4th, 2008 at 1:23 pm# progressisok Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
The only american holiday Named after a person! I think the Indians or the founding fathers should get one way before MLK
________________________________________
Eau contraire. There are 10 U.S. federal holidays, and four of them are named for individual people — Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Columbus Day, and Christmas. And then there are three holidays to honor specific groups of people — Memorial Day (to honor fallen soldiers), Labor Day (to honor laborers), and Veteran’s Day (to honor those serving or who have served in uniform).
This leaves three holidays that don’t honor any specific person or group of people, but rather events — New Years Day, Independence Day (although many celebrations do honor our founding fathers), and Thanksgiving (and many of those celebrations honor early European settlers).
One of the things we should remember when we observe holidays for “a specific person” is that we also honor the ideals that person gave us. Martin Luther King’s birthday isn’t just about him, it’s about the struggle for civil rights for all in this country, and the importance of ensuring they are protected. It’s also about change through non-violence — something we should all stay aware of. Would you feel better about the holiday if it was called “Civil Rights Day”? Or “Human Dignity Day”? Or “Change Through Peace Day”?
I do agree that Native Americans deserve to be honored with a federal holiday. And I think that ditching Columbus Day to make room for it would be appropriate. Observing a holiday that basically says this land mass didn’t exist until a white guy “discovered” it sends the wrong message.
April 4th, 2008 at 1:41 pmSorry — I meant “au contraire” in my last post. I guess I was thirsty and thinking of water…
April 4th, 2008 at 2:01 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I quit reading after you made that mistake in the original post. Shame on you.
______________________________
Aw, geez — are you gonna make me paste my post again with the correction? ;-)
Hey, TP — when are you gonna let us edit our posts?
April 4th, 2008 at 2:13 pmIsn’t Obama skipping Memphis today?
April 4th, 2008 at 2:35 pmthirdparty Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Isn’t Obama skipping Memphis today?
_________________________________________
Obama is in Indiana today, while the other presidential candidates are in Memphis. While obviously, the most significant thing that happened 40 years ago was the assassination of King, it was in Indianapolis that Robert Kennedy gave a crowd of people the news that King was killed. It was largely due to Kennedy’s plea for calm that Indianapolis remained quiet while virtually every other sizable city in the country was beset by riots.
Let the other candidates exploit the anniversary of the tragedy for votes. I’m glad Obama is in Indiana — I feel comfortable with that symbolism.
April 4th, 2008 at 3:02 pm#43 misshusseinmolly Says:
Hear hear!!!! Also, people leave out that Robert Kennedy was speaking to a mostly black crowd and announcing to them that MLK was dead. To me that was start of the narrative MLK spoke of in regards to race relations.
April 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pmMac, Mac… Let me tell you about my limited understanding of MLK. It was thanks to my daughter.
April 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pmI never noticed it before. It has been there for a while. This picture of Martin Luther King Jr on our fridge door. I hardly look at the fridge door, but there it was. Amongst all the fridge magnets and numbers and pictures of the kids. But what made me stop was that the picture was of a white Martin Luther King Jr. My young daughter made this great man white. And I couldn’t be prouder. I think he would be proud. I know she will continue to live his dream. http://angryafrican.net/2008/03/16/martin-luther-king-jr-is-white/
It would seem you can’t actually FIND Cheney’s vote on the MLK holiday, but evidence seems to suggest that he voted against it, just like McSame. If anyone has evidence or a link on this, please post it. They are rich, they are white, they are men, they are powerful neocons. Do we need to know anything else? Can you say BIGOTS?
April 4th, 2008 at 11:59 pmThis leaves three holidays that don’t honor any specific person or group of people, but rather events — New Years Day, Independence Day (although many celebrations do honor our founding fathers), and Thanksgiving (and many of those celebrations honor early European settlers).
One of the things we should remember when we observe holidays for “a specific person” is that we also honor the ideals that person gave us. Martin Luther King’s birthday isn’t just about him, it’s about the struggle for civil rights for all in this country, and the importance of ensuring they are protected. It’s also about change acer aspire 1350 battery,acer aspire 1510 battery through non-violence — something we should all stay aware of. Would you feel better about the holiday if it was called “Civil Rights Day”? Or “Human Dignity Day”? Or “Change Through Peace Day”?
October 15th, 2008 at 7:59 am