Martin Luther King: A True Torch Bearer

[XLFD]

Tomorrow, we celebrate Martin Luther King (MLK) Day, a day which for many might mean a day off, or an increased paycheck, but little else. Before the last two years, I admit to underappreciating the man and what he did. He was our nations Mahatma Gandhi, a peaceful yet overwhelming entity whose leadership changed the way people thought about the status quo.

The current crop of people who make up the Tea Party Movements, and many here at the Torch, are disciples of MLK, in that they peacefully protest what they feel is an encroachment on them and their successors by their government and its satellites. They would do well to emulate him and celebrate this occasion as a tribute to the spirit of America-- where conscientious civil disobedience is sometimes the only way to right an ingrained wrong. And the loudest voices heard, are the meekest.

So salute MLK on his day and try to remember what he taught us throughout the rest of the year; and when you see an injustice or witness the violation of a basic human right perpetrated by the privileged on the powerless, do what you can to correct the situation.

[AQUAMAN]

I like and applaud your assimilations here to torchbearers. But, in all good conscience, should also point out I was a young man in my mid-teens watching much of this daily on our TV's at home. The early summer of 1967or8, after a MLK Detroit march, peaceful as it was, while he briefly marched in the city, then left for elsewhere, produced days and days of riots, looting, and the burning down of a good share of the inner-city. Btw, the only people I know that get paid and have the day off, are in the public sector, and banks. The majority still work and toil. The MLK message was correct, and well-intended, but, the end-results, during that period, were horrific. JMO

[XLFD]

On MLK day, I thought of something that was very ironic. 

It is a Federal holiday, and most state and municipality government offices also take the day off.

Martin Luther King was most notorious for civil disobediance and protests, usually taking place around public buildings to make his points.  Those who might wish to commemorate the day by protesting or being civilly disobedient are more than likely going to be doing so near an empty public office, thereby making the protest rather fruitless.  But of course, most private sector people would be out working and would have to take a Monday off to do so. 

I think we would better celebrate the spirit of the day, if this was not a holiday for public servants, but one for the general populace.  Traditions for the holiday would be to protest/march peacefully for any injustice that may be of concern to an area.   

[Sweater Cows!]

 Dad was in the National Guard back then and was on duty their during those riots.