Bachmann And MLK: Two Peas In A Pod?
Comments
10:09 PM | Posted in
Martin Luther King Jr., a beacon of hope and a pillar of strength that challenged an entrenched system of injustice wherever he traveled. Who amongst our leaders today could possibly take up the mantle of this man and fight for the downtrodden? Why, Michele Bachmann of course...

Bachmann Authors Column About Martin Luther King Day


Washington, D.C, Jan 21 -

Celebrating Martin Luther King Day

By Congresswoman Michele Bachman


The American declaration of Independence made a bold, historic assertion, “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”


I hate to be a quibbler, but shouldn't the author of a column celebrating the Declaration of Independence and Martin Luther King be able to properly honor that document by CAPITALIZING it? My second quibble point is that it appears as though the quote from the Declaration was simply a copy and past job from wikipedia. Now, given that Bachmann is such an ardent patriot, shouldn't she already know by heart one of the most recognizable lines from one of the most influential documents in our history?


With these towering words, the revolution of thirteen American colonies became not simply a battle against the English Monarchy, but a struggle against world history itself – a fight against centuries of political oppression where individual rights and social status were inexorably linked.

But America did not immediately live up to its founding creed. From that glorious July 4th day in 1776 it took almost ninety years to abolish the evil institution of slavery and at the cost of countless lives in the bloodiest war in our history.

Yet almost a century later, the civil rights struggle was far from over, and black Americans still suffered from widespread discrimination, abuse, segregation and worse.

Again, I am curious as to what could be worse than discrimination, abuse, and segregation. Perhaps an introduction to writing course would help Mrs. Bachmann understand that she doesn't need the "and worse" once she has already covered everything.

From another perspective, how dare Michele Bachmann blame America first for the inequities of the past! Doesn't she realize that we must celebrate our greatness and never allow ourselves to dwell upon any "perceived" inadequacies in our past doings or policies.

And more than any other man at this time, one voice would move hearts and minds across the nation, and inspire Americans to live up to our core ideals. This man was the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

King called on every American to recognize the immutable truth that all of God’s children are equal. With undaunted courage he brought millions together and changed the face – and the future – of our nation.

Every third Monday in January Americans unite to honor and celebrate the work, the life, and the legacy of this American hero.

And though his life was tragically cut short by an assassin’s bullet, each of us has the power to ensure that his legacy never dies.



“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Dr. King proclaimed. While America has made unprecedented gains in civil rights and equality, we must always aspire and fight for the American ideal of liberty and justice for all.


As Americans, we are on a continual march toward freedom. And great men like Dr. King have helped us to take momentous strides. But this mission never ends.

Let us take this time, as we move forward from this important day of commemoration, to renew our commitment to justice and to human rights.

And let us never forget our awesome responsibility as Americans. We are a beacon to the lost, the oppressed, the forgotten. We are a lighthouse – and working together we can illuminate even the darkest corners of the earth.

Renewing our "commitment to justice and to human rights"? This is an audacious statement from the woman who has spent her entire political career trying to deny an entire group of people with whom she disagreed their justice or human rights.

“We are wide open and vulnerable and in all likelihood an activist judge will strike down our Defense of Marriage Act, our state law against gay marriage, this year. And in all likelihood, we will have gay marriage in 2004 in Minnesota , if we don’t get this amendment on the ballot for November.” — Senator Michele Bachmann, appearing as guest on radio program “Prophetic Views Behind The News”, hosted by Jan Markell, KKMS 980-AM, March 20, 2004.

“If you’re involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it’s bondage. It is personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement.” — Senator Michele Bachmann, speaking at EdWatch National Education Conference, November 6, 2004.

On her March 2004 rally against same-sex marriage: “And I want to tell you, that was probably the most loving, warm-spirited, most beautiful rally that I have ever seen at the Capitol.” — Senator Michele Bachmann, speaking at EdWatch National Education Conference, November 6, 2004.

You mean this "loving, warm-spirited" display of human rights?

Furthermore, Michele, you really have no business claiming any association with the concepts of justice and human rights with this voting record:

Bachmann 'NO' Votes

H.R.3685
Title: To prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Sponsor: Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] (introduced 9/27/2007) Cosponsors (9)
Related Bills: H.RES.793
Latest Major Action: 11/13/2007 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 479.
House Reports: 110-406 Part 1
H.R.2831
Title: To amend title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful under such Acts occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Miller, George [CA-7] (introduced 6/22/2007) Cosponsors (93)
Related Bills: H.RES.579
Latest Major Action: 8/2/2007 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 325.
House Reports: 110-237
H.R.2272
Title: To invest in innovation through research and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the United States.
Sponsor: Rep Gordon, Bart [TN-6] (introduced 5/10/2007) Cosponsors (21)
Related Bills: H.RES.602, H.R.362, H.R.363, H.R.1068, H.R.1867, H.R.1868, S.761
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-69 [GPO: Text, PDF]
Latest Conference Report: 110-289 (in Congressional Record H9414-9465)
H.R.3043
Title: Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Obey, David R. [WI-7] (introduced 7/13/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H.RES.547, H.RES.794, S.1710
Latest Major Action: 11/15/2007 Failed of passage in House over veto. Status: On passage, the objections of the President to the contrary notwithstanding Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 277 - 141 (Roll no. 1122).
House Reports: 110-231; Latest Conference Report: 110-424 (in Congressional Record H12486-12711)
Note: The conference report Division A covered FY2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations and Division B covered FY2008 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations (previously H.R. 2642). As sent to the President, the bill contained only FY2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations. For further action on Labor-HHS-Education appropriations, see H.R. 2764, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008.
H.R.3524
Title: To reauthorize the HOPE VI program for revitalization of severely distressed public housing, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] (introduced 9/11/2007) Cosponsors (8)
Related Bills: H.RES.922, H.R.3126
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2008 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
House Reports: 110-507
H.R.3074
Title: Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] (introduced 7/18/2007) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H.RES.558, H.RES.817, S.1789
Latest Major Action: 11/14/2007 Conference report agreed to in House. Status: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 270 - 147 (Roll no. 1102).
House Reports: 110-238; Latest Conference Report: 110-446 (in Congressional Record H13598-13810)
Note: For further action, see H.R. 2764, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008.


And the list goes on and on...

Bachmann can make all the claims she wants about sharing the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. but the reality is that her ideology runs counter to the very things Dr. King fought and died to achieve in this country. Her lip service to the concepts of justice and human rights are contradicted in her message, in her voting record, and in the people that she chooses to associate herself with.

Cross Posted on Dump Bachmann
Category:
��