Thursday, December 20, 2007
Mitt's White Lie
Remember after Mitt Romney's big speech on faith two weeks ago, I questioned whether the line, "I saw my father walking with Martin Luther King," would actually cause people to re-examine the racist issues in Mormonism? That happened to a certain extent -- Tim Russert brought it up on Meet The Press last week. However, now it seems there's a greater problem: Evidence that it never happened -- that George Romney and King never walked together.
And then, finally, an admission that, well, he made it up.
Geez, there's always a bit of stretching going on in politics, but to put something like this in Romney's big speech where he talks about the centrality of faith in his life and in America is stunning in its audacity.
There you go -- a book title, "The Audacity of Hype."
And, yes, the fact that Mitt lied stretched the truth on a part of the speech that was implicityly dealing with race will revive all of those racial issues again. As well it should.
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And then, finally, an admission that, well, he made it up.
Geez, there's always a bit of stretching going on in politics, but to put something like this in Romney's big speech where he talks about the centrality of faith in his life and in America is stunning in its audacity.
There you go -- a book title, "The Audacity of Hype."
And, yes, the fact that Mitt lied stretched the truth on a part of the speech that was implicityly dealing with race will revive all of those racial issues again. As well it should.
Labels: GOP 2008 President, Martin Luther King Jr., Mitt Romney
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
"Made In China"
I admit that I'm conflicted.
A friend sent along this story over who should sculpt a monument for Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Washington Mall.
When my friend described the situation, my initial thought -- before reading the story -- was one thing: "Well, what's the big deal -- the French gave us the Statue of Liberty. Who cares that the sculptor of a statue of Martin Luther King is Chinese. I also remembered that King was heavily influenced by an Asian political figure -- Gandh and his philosophy of non-violence."
That said, after reading the story, my reaction was,"Hhmm....a statue of MLK on the Mall, that is essentially 'made in China.' I dunno, that strikes me as 'wrong', somehow."
I don't think the sculptor necessarily has to be black, but the idea of him being a Chinese national -- at a time when the Chinese are already buying up a healthy chunk of American real estate (and Treasury notes) bothers me.
So, tell me, am I being unnecessarily nativist -- or are certain aspects of America's cultural heritage appropriately off-limits to certain other nations/cultures?
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A friend sent along this story over who should sculpt a monument for Martin Luther King, Jr. on the Washington Mall.
When my friend described the situation, my initial thought -- before reading the story -- was one thing: "Well, what's the big deal -- the French gave us the Statue of Liberty. Who cares that the sculptor of a statue of Martin Luther King is Chinese. I also remembered that King was heavily influenced by an Asian political figure -- Gandh and his philosophy of non-violence."
That said, after reading the story, my reaction was,"Hhmm....a statue of MLK on the Mall, that is essentially 'made in China.' I dunno, that strikes me as 'wrong', somehow."
I don't think the sculptor necessarily has to be black, but the idea of him being a Chinese national -- at a time when the Chinese are already buying up a healthy chunk of American real estate (and Treasury notes) bothers me.
So, tell me, am I being unnecessarily nativist -- or are certain aspects of America's cultural heritage appropriately off-limits to certain other nations/cultures?
Labels: China, Martin Luther King Jr.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Happy Birthday, MLK
Though still unfolding, your dream is enjoyed by millions -- and to a greater extent than you might have imagined in what is still a brief time since your passing.
UPDATE: Some nice video to watch and listen to, if you have the time:
UPDATE II: A nice montage of King photos with U2's "Pride (In The Name of Love)" playing as a soundtrack:
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UPDATE: Some nice video to watch and listen to, if you have the time:
UPDATE II: A nice montage of King photos with U2's "Pride (In The Name of Love)" playing as a soundtrack:
Labels: Martin Luther King Jr.
