I'd never, ever thought I'd see the day...Selma....

[msanthrope]

when the man who would have voted against the Iraq war...the man who who made universal health care in this country possible....the man who passed Ledbetter.....the man who forced DADT repeal..the man who has stood up for us, time and time again.....the man who has done so much for us...


Would be excoriated on Democratic Underground......


Hands up for Selma.....because on this day, we don't take down our President.

[Skidmore]

1. That day sadly has come and gone.

And we are just stuck in a loop, political Groundhog Day. It gets old.

[msanthrope]

3. Selma. nt

[Algernon Moncrieff]

2. I'm of a certain age: I never, ever thought I'd see a Black President

America still has a long way to go, but on the 50th anniversary of Selma, we should pause for a moment and celebrate how far we've come.

[msanthrope]

6. Selma. nt

[still_one]

29. The irony is that is being used to justify the disrespect, and yes racism leveled against President

Obama. The excuse being, "see we have a black President, therefore we are not prejudice"

[Algernon Moncrieff]

34. After his term is done, he will become the long lost buddy of many Republicans

(see Clinton, William J.)

They will claim that he is the best evidence that we no longer need race-based affirmative action.

[Ineeda]

75. So glad you (like many here) have a crystal ball to tell the future. n/t

[Algernon Moncrieff]

106. This is the same party that tried to impeach Bill Clinton

...and then turned around and cited him as an example of what could be accomplished working across party lines.

They'll be the same way with PBO. They will suddenly respect how he climbed from a dysfunctional family to become the President, and then wonder loudly why more people in the same position can't do the same thing?

[Scuba]

4. We have universal health care?

[msanthrope]

5. Yes. Selma. nt

[Scuba]

12. No.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/180425/uninsured-rate-sinks.aspx

In U.S., Uninsured Rate Sinks to 12.9%

12.9% of 330 million people is more than 42 million people without health insurance. That does NOT equal "universal healthcare."

[msanthrope]

22. Selma. Proceed, Scuba. nt

[Scuba]

23. Typing "Selma" does not correct your inaccurate claims.

[msanthrope]

26. Selma. I'll type it a few times today. You just proceed, and when people

click on your link, and realize that the uninsured rate is for dropping like a fucking stone...and on this day...

Well...I'm good.

[Scuba]

27. Dropping like a stone is good, but it ain't 'universal healthcare'.

[msanthrope]

32. Yeah...it is. I appreciate your walkback. nt

[Scuba]

39. Bwahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Walkback! Bwahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Must be painful to be so wrong, so often, that you have to write that someone walked something back when they prove your claim to be untrue.

[msanthrope]

42. Scuba....have you considered your comportment on this thread? nt

[a2liberal]

47. Have you considered your own? nt

[msanthrope]

50. I am open to all compliments and critiques. Have at it. nt

[Hissyspit]

100. No, you are not open to all critiques.

You use a factually incorrect statement to attack people who you think aren't paying exact, correct respect to an important historical anniversary according, then you use the anniversary as a politically motivated retort to avoid admit tending that that is what you are doing, this denigrating the anniversary in your own way.

[msanthrope]

103. You seem to be concerned that I am not honoring Selma

in a correct way.

You claim I am "denigrating" it.

When you post an OP honoring Selma in the manner you see fit, and doesn't make you uncomfortable, I will be happy to post on it.

[Hissyspit]

108. .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026327337

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026327498

Selma.

[msanthrope]

109. And yet you could not refrain.....nt

[Hissyspit]

110. That's all you have, hunh?

[msanthrope]

113. Selma is more important than you. nt

[Hissyspit]

115. Duh.

And who else?

[msanthrope]

116. Keep proving my point Hissyspit, in your own way...nt

[Hissyspit]

117. Keep proving my point, in your own way. nt

[misterhighwasted]

41. "SELMA": How can you even argue with the progress of Obama's Health Care for all?

Last edited Sat Mar 7, 2015, 02:42 PM - Edit history (1)

It is a generous attempt considering the GOP "watering" down for the original ACA.

Perhaps with a future Dem President and voting force to rid the Congress of its GOP dominance, we can improve on what President Obama did give us.
The GOP would happily have given us nothing.

Yes it should have been Universal HC but that was tried back in 1993 & the same GOP Party assisted by a few dems who could not foresee the future, ended it then as today.

I so appreciate a President who has made any headway for the citizens against the scheming bullheaded GOP & all the hate & bigotry & exclusion they have always represented.
Fast forward to SELMA today.
GOP bigots turn their backs yet we still unite & march forward against them.

The Dem Party, many under one tent, has always fought the bigots of the GOP. Always.

Universal Health Care was tried back in 1993 (link) and the GOP stopped it then also.
same group, same method, same reason now as back then.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016116112

[BlancheSplanchnik]

78. ^^^ this^^^

So many people willfully disregard the repeated beat downs administered by the pukes, twisted servants to the kochs/adelsons/romneys/murdochs/saudi princes of the world.

Wonder how many people didn't get out and vote in the midterms...because their dem rep "was no better than the puke, so I'm showing my elite purity creds by slinging poop at PBO while I pass on voting. Because that shows how hip I am. Or something.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

86. Exactly, then to really firm up their bona fide make sure they dont vote for Hillary

Right now the GOP is looking for ways to destroy all life on the planet, LOOKING

[BlancheSplanchnik]

88. yep.

I don't like how democratic governing works, I don't like that the pukes are involved and have gotten themselves in powerful positions.......

But thinking that refusing to help (vote. Influence where you can, speak up, educate, get active in whatever ways you can) somehow helps; that's such a sabotaging way to act

...if you don't look at long term, you let horrible interests continue to creep.

I am so grateful that PBO and Elizabeth Warren are working on an initiative to disrupt gop infiltration at state and local level.

[grahamhgreen]

144. Just imagine. A 2008 "March across the bridge" for Medicare for All. Or one tomorrow! It's doable.

[George II]

135. We have a universal health care program.

[Hissyspit]

76. No we don't. Selma. nt

[Spazito]

7. Me either...

Instead of attacking republicans, the focus seems to be attacking Democrats, including the President, ignoring the successes, the many successes, achieved despite the gross obstructionism of the republicans.

[msanthrope]

9. Indeed.....on this day, who has hands up, and who attacks. Note well. nt

[Spazito]

21. I find myself very sad today...

knowing the civil rights those who marched in Selma fought for are under attack by the USSC and racist State governments. The fight for civil rights continues and today, the 50th anniversary of Selma, is a stark reminder of both how far we have come and how far we have yet to go.

[Cha]

146. Yes indeed, Spazito, and we're all Together on this~

Selma

[Hissyspit]

67. Boo for divisiveness!

Yay for divisiveness!

Make a list everyone.

[spanone]

8. k&r...

[msanthrope]

10. Selma. nt

[greatauntoftriplets]

11. For Selma.

[msanthrope]

13. Selma. I would hope to have the courage to have walked. nt

[greatauntoftriplets]

16. Me too.

[msanthrope]

17. We walk in mighty footsteps....humbly remembered. nt

[greatauntoftriplets]

19. And will never forget.

[HappyMe]

14. For Selma.

[msanthrope]

15. For those beaten and jailed. I wish for their courage. nt

[HappyMe]

18. I wish for that kind of courage also.

Amazing people, every one.

[sheshe2]

129. Selma

Selma



Selma



Selma



Selma

Peace, msanthrope.

[cbayer]

20. It's been going on since the day he was first elected.

When you are leftier than thou, no one can meet your expectations.

[riqster]

127. S'truth.

[Rex]

24. Yep you can bash liberals, democratic presidents, entire countries on DU!

Seems a jury of our peers can be a fickle beast.

[Skidmore]

25. I wasn't taking down our President.

I was pointing out that this bashing has become the norm here. I don't support it or condone it. And, I believe, that a few would like to erase Selma from history.

[msanthrope]

31. Legitimate critique should always have a voice.

So should "illegitimate" critique.

I don't think you did anything wrong.

[still_one]

28. No House Republican leaders are going to Selma this weekend.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/03/06/no-republican-leaders-are-going-to-selma-this-weekend-thats-a-dumb-move/

[AgingAmerican]

30. You never thought you would see the day

...that Obama was criticized on DU?

[msanthrope]

35. I'm not a political virgin.....but I did think Selma would occupy

the minds of all the right people on DU.

[AgingAmerican]

65. Unlike Republicans

...Democrats are able to walk and chew bubblegum at the same time.

[Hekate]

93. Some days are for walking the walk, and parking your bubblegum behind your ear...

...or on the bedpost overnight.

Just walk today.

Selma.

[riqster]

128. Sadly, the Miss Violet Beauregards of the world are seldom aware of such moments.

Thank you for reminding them.

Selma. John Lewis. Our history.

[sheshe2]

130. Just walk today.

Luv ya Hekate.

[mopinko]

33. hands up.

selma.

f the fud. sometimes i cant believe this place.

this country goes to hell in a hand basket when one party feels like only the pure and the perfect can rule. that is just not how it works.

[MineralMan]

36. Selma! I was there.

Not for the march, but in the crowd in Montgomery, later in March, listening to Dr. King say, "How long? Not long."

It's been 50 years. Many still wait. Yet, we elected a black man as President.

Selma!

[mainstreetonce]

40. Selma

God bless you Mineral Man

[MineralMan]

45. I was just a 19 year old white kid from California.

I had recently dropped out of college, and drove my old crummy car to Selma, because history was happening there, and I wanted to be there. I was there. I remember that speech.

[mcar]

72. You lived history MM

What did you think of the movie?

[MineralMan]

74. I haven't seen it yet, but will.

I actually don't watch most movies that are about something I actually lived through.

I went there because history was being made there, and I wanted to be part of that. I didn't march across the bridge, but joined everyone in Montgomery. I was a nervous 19-year-old kid, way out of my element. I stood in the crowd and listened, not only to Dr. King, but to the people near me. What I heard was hope, based on the risks and danger people faced to get there that day. At that time, I was very unsure of where I was going with my life, and Dr. King's speech that day helped me to choose a path. It was a winding path with many turns, but I'm pleased with the direction I went.

I learned a great deal that day, most of it about myself, oddly enough.

Pretty heady stuff for a 19-year-old white kid from a small rural town in California. Afterward, I felt smaller and yet bigger, all at the same time.

[mcar]

79. Lovely reflection on your experience

Thanks.

[MineralMan]

85. It's a complex set of things I took from it.

I think about them a lot, but can't really explain very well. I wish I could. Even though I've been a writer all my life, I have not been able to put that experience into words so far. I've started several times, and will probably continue to try. It all starts with actually never having had any contact with anyone but other white people at that time. The town I grew up in had zero black residents, and the college I had been attending had very, very few.

I had been following what was going on in the South for some time, and had dropped out of college because becoming an engineer was no longer my goal. I bought an old Chrysler and was trying to decide what to do next. Then, I read what was happening in Selma, and decided to go in that direction. I got there the day before the last march and met some people there, who convinced me that my best action would be to go to Montgomery and meet the marchers there.

One of the strongest memories I have from that trip is of stopping to ask an elderly black man if he needed a lift. I was about 20 miles from Selma. He was walking slowly and haltingly down the road. He looked at me for a long time, and then finally accepted my offer. We drove on, and he said he was going to Selma to march. We talked about many things in the short time he was in my car.

About a mile outside of Selma, he said, "Son, you need to stop here and let me go on my own way." I offered to drive him to where he was going, and he said, "No, son. You're a white boy driving a car from California. You don't understand. You need to let me out here." I did. Later, I understood, when I saw how people looked at me, driving that old Chrysler with California plates on it. He was right.

That was one of the first lessons I learned. I learned many more in the next few days. I was really, really out of context there. So, I joined the crowd and just observed and had conversations with people as I could. Then, I drove on to other places, taking something new along with me.

[DebJ]

147. Thank you for sharing that. n/t

[SCVDem]

37. To paraphrase one S. Colbert...

Marching accross that bridge took BALLS!

Proud of them.

[misterhighwasted]

49. + 100000

Glad they are honoring it so respectfully today.
Credit to them all.

[LWolf]

38. "Would have voted against the Iraq war?"

You mean the man who, as soon as he was in position to do so, voted to fund that war right up until he decided to run for President?

The man who not only has NOT stood up for "us," but admitted to having problems with some of us (teachers) in an interview back in '08, and then proceeded to appoint a non-educator to the position of SOE, and use NCLB waivers to blackmail states in to using high-stakes test scores against teachers?

You mean the man who kept the bogus war on terror going?

You mean the man who, in his fervent desire to get along with Republicans, put Social Security on the table?

This man, who "has done so much for us?"

[msanthrope]

44. Proceed, please. nt

[LWolf]

46. With what? nt

[msanthrope]

48. With your thoughts on this day. nt

[LWolf]

53. My thoughts on this day? Okay.

I'm exhausted, the various minor injuries I sustained in a ludicrous bungle last night are nagging at me, and it's time to get ready for a day with my grandson, which is bound to be an improvement over yesterday. The sun is out, but it's cool...perfect weather. The air is clean and my family awaits. It's going to be a good day, so I think I'll be off to start it.

[deurbano]

71. Sorry to hear that. As we get older, those "minor" injuries can take more of a toll.

Have a great day with your grandson!

[LWolf]

123. It was a great day, thanks. nt

[George II]

80. We were already IN that war! Like it or not, we were there and our troops needed to be...

....funded. Although he and many others disagreed with the war, a country does NOT abandon it's troops.

[LWolf]

124. It's not "abandoning" troops

to end your action and bring them home.

[pinto]

43. I was 12 when the march in Selma took place. I think it was the moment when I got the big picture.

Voting rights were the impetus, yet a broader agenda of respect, equality and redress of grievances was put on the table for me. And for President Johnson who got the message.

Fast forward to today. The current President, Obama, has done much to continue that big picture. For us in the gay communities we value his part in it all. Culturally, politically and publicly. And he obviously holds a symbolic role as our first African American President.

We all walk hand in hand, as we can. I'm looking forward to the events planned for today. Selma.

[MrScorpio]

51. Some people are never satisfied

[msanthrope]

52. They aren't paid to be. nt

[randome]

66. Watch it, msanthrope.

But yeah...Selma.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[Number23]

118. I don't think some of them are even paid. Unless being "paid" means "a sad and desperate attempt

to make everyone as clueless, ignorant and miserable as you are."

The old adage 'misery loves company' gets multiplied a thousand times by these folks.

[HappyMe]

54. I was a bit surprised to see

lousy posts in this thread.

I figured maybe people could put aside politics and simply honor those that marched in Selma, and those marching today.

[msanthrope]

55. Never will an opportunity to bash Obama be given up. nt

[MrScorpio]

58. I used to be surprised by what some folks would take offense to...

These days, I'm not surprised that much. I have my method for dealing with that stuff.

[Hissyspit]

101. The OP is politics.

But it's what the OP wants.

[Cha]

143. they can't even let this glorious day in history go by.. Selma-50 years Later~ without

sniping and snapping about something inane.




Aloha HappyMe~

[Doctor_J]

56. What man are you talking about?

the man who who made universal health care in this country possible

Whaaa??? Why did you place this falsehood in what was supposed to be a heartfelt post? And what does "on this day" have to do with anything? I personally never thought I'd see the day when mandatory for-profit health insurance, TPP, and union-busting for-profit "school choice" would be celebrated on DU.

This sort of fantasy-based adoration is why I avoid the BOG like the plague.

[hughee99]

62. Why are you giving the man who ended

Poverty a hard time today?

Selma.

[Bobbie Jo]

63. You may avoid it "like the plague,"

but you sure do talk about it a lot.

Incessantly, in fact.

ETA: stay classy.

[mountain grammy]

57. Selma

I was a senior in high school where half the students were black. Selma had an enormous impact on us all.

I agree, on this day, we don't take down our President.

Thanks for posting.

[Hekate]

59. Selma... on this day...

[Cooley Hurd]

60. THIS is historic!

...and I'm very glad I lived to see the day!!!!!

[Bobbie Jo]

61. K&R

Selma.

[freshwest]

64. That's everyday here. Regarding Selma: Black bodies on the line, again and again and again.

Let us never forget they believe more in Equality than many others do. And by their words and deeds, we know who would have done what on that bloody day and time.

[MisterP]

68. heck, they're even criticizing Ben Carson! today! how DARE they!

and you DO know we're in Iraq, don't you? please tell me that you do

[Cha]

120. Do you know the President is in Selma today, 50 years later?

Last edited Sat Mar 7, 2015, 08:29 PM - Edit history (1)

[mcar]

69. Thank you msanthrope

[hrmjustin]

70. K&R!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

73. thank you, thank you, thank you.

He's also the man who ended the Global Gag Rule on his first day in office. I will never forget that. It showed ethics and courage....and a powerful respect for women's lives, something you rarely see in this world.

wish I could give 1000 recs.

[George II]

77. Thank you!

I'm watching on C-Span and CNN, and it gave me goose bumps when PRESIDENT Obama's motorcade drove across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with the Presidential banners on the cars flapping in the wind.

B E A U T I F U L ! ! !

[U4ikLefty]

81. Okay, somebody tell me this is a parody.

This is like a cartoonish stereotype...can't be real.

[Rex]

94. You are half way right.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026325965

Two or more teams (and their supporting audience) in a verbal war using double and triple entendres as bullets and bombs.

[giftedgirl77]

82. Selma

[AverageJoe90]

83. Best of luck to you, Mr. President. =)

[azmom]

84. Our first black president. Woohoooo. I'm loving it

[fadedrose]

87. Next to FDR

He's the best President we've had in my lifetime. Accomplished more against what were formidable obstacles.

Single payer health care, I've heard, was prevented by Lieberman, whose state's insurance companies and their power over him caused the Act to be what it is. Obama needed his vote.

But Obama made a beginning, and it will get better when people get used to the idea and demand it.

[mfcorey1]

89. Selma!

[one_voice]

90. My dad marched.

He was born and raised in Alabama.

Selma.

[Hekate]

91. "The March is not yet over"

Selma

[Bobbie Jo]

92. Kick

[Cha]

95. Selma

An aerial view of the half-mile-long column of civil rights demonstrators as they cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge, scene of the confrontation between marchers and state troopers.

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/07/rise-and-shine-1025/


Valerie Jarrett ✔ @vj44
Follow
Fifty years from Bloody Sunday, our march is not yet finished. But we are getting closer.
10:50 AM - 7 Mar 2015 101 Retweets 91 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/07/the-president-speaks-at-selma-part-4/#comments

[msanthrope]

98. We are not done. We may never be. But we try.....

we walk so the men and women who gave their lifeblood are remembered and known.

[Cha]

107. John Lewis.. "I saw the death.. I thought I was going to die"

John Lewis ✔ @repjohnlewis
Follow
I thought I saw death. I thought I was going to die. #Selma50
9:25 AM - 7 Mar 2015 4,202 Retweets 1,765 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/07/the-president-speaks-at-selma-part-2/

[Cha]

96. The President at Selma..

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/07/the-president-speaks-at-selma-part-4/#comments

Mahalo msanthrope

[Gothmog]

102. I love that artwork

[msanthrope]

112. Thank you for this.....nt

[SidDithers]

97. Ratfuckers abound...

DU rec.

Sid

[msanthrope]

99. We will never give up this board to them. nt

[Bobbie Jo]

125. Nope.

[emulatorloo]

126. Never

[Hekate]

137. Not even

[FSogol]

150. +1, K & R. n/t

[Gothmog]

104. I waited almost two hours to get John Lewis to sign a couple of his book March 2

It was worth it

[msanthrope]

105. I had the pleasure of meeting Rep. Lewis in the 90s....

I shook before and after. He is a treasure.

[Gothmog]

111. I understand

I was honored to meet this man

[Cha]

114. Oh yes.. way worth it, G..

Michael Skolnik Heavy check mark @MichaelSkolnik Follow
John Lewis is the only person still alive today who was on the speaking program of the 1963 March on Washington.
4:16 AM - 6 Mar 2015 305 Retweets 180 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/06/a-tweet-or-two-255/

[Gothmog]

152. I have signed copies of both March 1 and March 2

[Cha]

155. Wonderful!

[Hekate]

138. I wish I could meet him, but at least ...

... last year I added a signed copy of "Walking with the Wind" to my library collection.

What a hero we still have among us.

[Number23]

119. I don't blame you for not engaging the threadjackers, msanthrope

Last edited Sat Mar 7, 2015, 09:27 PM - Edit history (1)

the man who who made universal health care in this country possible

It's pretty clear what you're saying there. Not that we have it but that it is now possible.

For Selma.

[msanthrope]

121. I can't tell you what your approval means to me......

because then I would not be a misanthrope at all.

[Number23]

133. You know I think you're the Bees Knees

I edited my post. Apparently the Alliance of Alarmed Alerters is in full effect right now Judging by the number of hidden posts today, most of which don't look one damn bit like hidable offences. Including one of mine where I apparently "personally attacked" someone by stating nothing but the truth using their own previous words.

I've also noticed that all of the anti-Obama (rapidly shuffling over to anti-Hillary) screechers who scream more about the Third Way than about racism are super dooper quiet today. Funny thing, huh?

[msanthrope]

136. I am not popular on this board...but you, and a few others keep

me grounded as I battle illness and try to keep my head up.

Fuck em'.......godamn I was proud to watch my President today. As for the anti- Hilary trolls?


https://m.

[Number23]

141. I had no idea, msanthrope

I hope that you are well and taking very good care of yourself. I hope that whatever illness you are battling works its way out soon.

And no, you're not as popular here as you should be. But look around at some of the folks that are and their hypocrisy, their lies and their divisive garbage and consider not being "popular" here the blessing that it clearly is.

[msanthrope]

149. I am not well, and will not be anytime soon. That said, I'm

not giving up. I thank you for your kind words.

[greatauntoftriplets]

151. ...

[Number23]

153. I will be praying for a full and speedy recovery. You are not only one of the most informed posters

here your wit, intellect and experience both legally and politically are invaluable to this board. You are desperately needed to counter the foolishness. And truly, these remarkable qualities of yours explain that "lack of popularity" we just talked about better than anything.

I sincerely hope that you are strong and well soon. Please, please take good care of yourself.

[Cha]

142. I've noticed that, too... it's really blatantly obvious.

Can't even give this President his due on his passionate speech in Selma 50 years later.




Too busy with Hillary dust-ups.

Selma

[Hekate]

139. It was clear to me...

... that what several presidents tried to do, and could only partially accomplish, what Hillary as FLOTUS tried to do on behalf of her POTUS and was practically burned at the stake for, President Obama actually managed to move forward significantly.

There are plenty of RWers that hate Hillary like poison for having had the audacity to try to achieve health care reform/universal coverage.

What baffles me is the sheer number of "Democrats" here who deny that she tried at all, and that she was wounded for it as in a battle.

[sheshe2]

122. Selma!

****
by Jacqueline
The Bridge to Everywhere

This day, many hadn’t come
But all that was for naught
Because no one really noticed.
Those who came could have
Closed their eyes and still felt
The singular beauty of the place.
Could have still heard the silenced voices
Of the old warriors, and could have
Heard the sound the old bridge made
With the wind softly moving through it
And the shoes passionately walking over it
All voices still silent.
See and hear the beauty of the place
Look out into the rivers of time
Touch each other in
Warm embrace
And feel the beauty of the day.
The remarkable memories it brought
Were enough. I wouldn’t change a thing.
No need to change the name of the bridge, either
That bridge belongs to everyone and no one, anyway.

****

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/07/the-presidents-selma-speech/

KnR

[msanthrope]

131. The bridge is still being built. .....brick and stone.....nt

[sheshe2]

132. Yes.

It gets stronger with every footstep that marches for equality.

[msanthrope]

134. Those footsteps are not loud enough here. But they

will be.

[KMOD]

140. Kick for Selma

[grahamhgreen]

145. Just imagine. A 2008 "March across the bridge" for Medicare for All. Or one tomorrow! It's doable.

[Bobbie Jo]

148. .

Whoooooosh!




and

[Scurrilous]

154. K & R

[Hekate]

156. Keep on keeping on. Selma.