Republicans in the Blogosphere Speaking Out Against King Holiday

[journalist3072]

I just wanted to share with everyone how the Republicans in the blogosphere are speaking out against the King holiday.

My blog, Progressive Minds, is hosted by BlogHi. And there are many conservative blogs on BlogHi.

Anyway, here are the links to 2 conservative blogs speaking out against the King holiday.

They are basically saying the same thing: "he was a great man, but...."

http://greyghost.bloghi.com/2006/01/15/we-have-enough-holidays.html

http://asmalldoseofreality.bloghi.com/2006/01/15/does-making-martin-luther-king-day-a-government-holiday-violate-the-church-and-state-provision.html

The neo-cons on the BlogHi servers are really something. I had to end up banning many of them from my blog, and so now they've got a parody blog, Regressive Minds, dedicated to me. Isn't that special?!

[CTyankee]

1. Cavemen

Who's regressive now? Dear god, I thought we had just moved past this. Like "settled law" isn't there "settled holidays"? I thought the righties had moved on to fresher venues of their putridness.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. If I have to put up with Boulevards named after a president whose

administration was involved with selling arms to the enemy, they can put up with a man that gave inspiration to some of the most oppressed people in this country.

Did I ever tell you that a Libertarian-Republican type thought that Martin Luther King was like a Clarence Thomas? She tried to co-opt Martin Luther King's message as a Republican theme. In other words, self-determination was confused for rugged individualism. I asked her who she thought Martin Luther King was speaking to when he recited his speeches in the 60s. She thought he was talking to mostly white groups. I told her to look again.

[iamjoy]

3. They Sort Of Have A Point

Why not Rosa Parks' Day? Or Harriet Tubman Day? What about WEB DuBois? What are they - chopped liver? I think we ought to rename it "Civil Rights Day" and honor all civil rights fighters, male and female, African American, Hispanic, Caucasian, etc.

I think we should rename Columbus Day "Discovery Day" or "Explorers Day" - why does Columbus get all the credit? He didn't even land in what is now the United States. What about Sir Francis Drake and Juan Cabrillo (how many of us have even heard the name of the latter)?

A holiday to honor one person is just a bad idea. Of course there is Christmas to honor Jesus. Even as an Agnostic/Jew I can say that in the past two thousand years no one has had as profound an impact on our culture and society or been as influential as Jesus (Christ). So, I'll let that one go.

Other than that, our holidays should be broader - honoring events and movements, not individuals. The official titles of the holidays should clearly reflect this.

Still, one must wonder if these Conswervatives are nearly as bothered by Presidents' Day (ok, that's two men) and Columbus Day as they are by Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

5. Here's one solution

Just rename all the holidays to something completely neutral. New Year Day becomes Holiday 1, Presidents Day is Holiday 2, Easter is Holiday 3, etc. It won't make anyone happy, but at least we'll stop having these interminable arguments about who deserves to have a day named after them.

It worked for hurricanes before they switched to naming them.

[Ian David]

4. Black Gays Search For Acceptance In Shadow Of Martin Luther King Day

Black Gays Search For Acceptance In Shadow Of Martin Luther King Day
by Doreen Brandt, 365Gay.com Washington Bureau

Posted: January 15, 2006 - 5:00 pm ET


<snip>

(Washington) As the country observes the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Black gays continue to search for acceptance within the African American community.

Despite support from the NAACP which has condemned constitutional amendments to ban same-sex marriage, Black churches have fueled anti-gay sentiment.

<snip>

The growing disharmony between Black clergy and gays reached a climax in October when gay African American leader Keith Boykin was prevented from speaking at the Millions More March on the National Mall, despite an invitation from march organizer Louis Farrakhan.

The position of Black churches, say gay African American leaders, would have been condemned by Dr. King.

Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King, has said on a number of occasions that her husband would have supported gay marriage. But, her statements have estranged her from her daughter, Bernice King, an outspoken opponent of gay unions.

The civil rights leader's 1963 March on Washington, one of the largest nonviolent protests ever held in the United States, was organized by a close associate of Dr. King - Bayard Rustin, an openly gay man.

More:
http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/01/011506king.htm

[annabanana]

6. they NEVER wanted it

They applauded J Edgar for spying on him and were pleased when he was assassinated.