"Thank you, John Lewis, for the beatings you took and the heart you kept wide open."

[Empowerer]

I come today as your President and also as a child of the South. The only thing that John Lewis said I disagree with is that I could have chosen not to come. That is not true. I had to be here in Selma today.

Thirty-five years ago, a single day in Selma became a seminal moment in the history of our country. On this bridge, America's long march to freedom met a roadblock of violent resistance. But the marchers, thank God, would not take a detour on the road to freedom.
...

And thank you, John Lewis, for the beatings you took and the heart you kept wide open. Thank you for walking with the wind, hand in hand with your brothers and sisters, to hold America's trembling house down. Thank you for your vision of the beloved community, an America at peace with itself.

I tell you all, as long as Americans are willing to hold hands, we can walk with any wind; we can cross any bridge. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome.

Remarks by President Bill Clinton on the 35th Anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Selma, Alabama
March 5, 2000

Now, I have to imagine that when a younger John Lewis woke up that morning 50 years ago and made his way to Brown Chapel, heroics were not on his mind. A day like this was not on his mind. Young folks with bedrolls and backpacks were milling about. Veterans of the movement trained newcomers in the tactics of non-violence; the right way to protect yourself when attacked. A doctor described what tear gas does to the body, while marchers scribbled down instructions for contacting their loved ones. The air was thick with doubt, anticipation and fear. And they comforted themselves with the final verse of the final hymn they sung:

“No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.”

And then, his knapsack stocked with an apple, a toothbrush, and a book on government -- all you need for a night behind bars -- John Lewis led them out of the church on a mission to change America.

Remarks by President Barack Obama on the 50th Anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Selma, Alabama
March 7, 2015

[MrWendel]

1. Apparently...

none of that matter anymore, because hes not "Feelin' the Bern".

[Fawke Em]

2. No one is throwing him under the bus.

You Hillary fans are trying to start something and it's not working!!

God, even the Tweets Brock chose on Blue Nation Review don't show any vitriol!!

[MrWendel]

6. Your right...

maybe we all have "Stockholm syndrome" or something.

[Empowerer]

17. Yes, posting a positive OP about a true American hero is "trying to start something."

[Armstead]

36. If I were nasty (which I'm not) I'd be tempted to alert it as Off Topic

I'm not, but a post about the general greatness of John Lewis is not relevant to the current Primary Election in 2016.

It's obvoisly bait.

[Empowerer]

40. Posting a positive historical reminder about someone who's reputation and integrity

are being questioned in thread after thread is "flamebait?"

Wow.

[Armstead]

41. It if were in the General Discussion on any other day...Nope

But you knew exactly what you were doing when you posted this today in the Primary Forum.

Why don't you post a similar post about, say WEB DuBois in the primary forum?

[Empowerer]

42. Great idea-when WEB DuBois endorses one of the 2016 primary candidates, speaks at a

press conference about the primary race, and becomes the target of one of the candidates's supporters who smear his reputation because they don't like what he said at that press conference about the primary race, I'll post all kinds of interesting stuff about him, too!

[Bobbie Jo]

46. As opposed to the MULTITUDE

of MLK OP's posted in this forum without question.

Don't even...

[lunamagica]

32. No one? take a look a this

Actual quotes from that thread:

"Mr. Lewis, I hope those donations you got from Hillary's big corporate Donors was worth your credibility!"

"pretty bad day for John Lewis too. , that he can be used"

"Thanks John, for letting us know that you care more about your political career

than you do your fellow African Americans."

If that's not throwing him under the bus...

[cyberswede]

8. Can you link to an example?

Thanks!

[MrWendel]

9. Plenty...

to choose from. Enjoy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511201109

[cyberswede]

12. That's a post about Lewis's remarks

...not an example of anyone claiming that Lewis's accomplishments and sacrifices don't matter because he supports Hillary.

Can you link to a specific example of what you describe in your post?

[MrWendel]

15. I gave you a link...

that has a comment section. If you choose not to look at it I can't help you.

[cyberswede]

16. I didn't think there was an example.

If there were, clearly you would provide it. I'm not wading through 200+ replies hunting for something you claim exists.

[disillusioned73]

18. It doesn't exist..

that is why. The most you'll see is disappointment of his involvement w/ the kitchen sink strategy..

[Armstead]

38. I made some angry/disappointed remarks about his remarks

No one is above being criticized for what they say and do.

He's a great man, but some feel that what he said today was wrong.

[cyberswede]

39. I agree - the implication is clear and very disappointing. nt

[lunamagica]

33. From that thread

Actual quotes from that thread:

"Mr. Lewis, I hope those donations you got from Hillary's big corporate Donors was worth your credibility!"

"pretty bad day for John Lewis too. , that he can be used"

"Thanks John, for letting us know that you care more about your political career

than you do your fellow African Americans."

[cyberswede]

35. This one is shitty

"Thanks John, for letting us know that you care more about your political career
than you do your fellow African Americans."

The others are pretty meh.

Thanks for the examples.

[lunamagica]

37. You are welcome!

[PonyUp]

3. Thank you John Lewis for standing with Bernie at 50th Anniversary of the Selma march.

[jillan]

7. Love that picture. Bernie's granddaughter is adorable - what an honor for her to walk

across that bridge with civil rights icon John Lewis. A memory that will stay with her forever.

[Empowerer]

11. Actually, it was Bernie who stood with John Lewis

As I noted in another thread, Sanders went with about 100 other Senators and Members of Congress and thousands of others to Selma to hear President Obama's historic speech and then the participants made a symbolic march across the bridge. Afterward, Rep. Lewis graciously posed for photos on the bridge.

BTW, this march is an annual event, part of a Congressional pilgrimage led by John Lewis, hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus and sponsored by the Faith and Politics Institute. Each year, every Senator and Member is invited and many join the CBC Members for the pilgrimage - Nancy Pelosi goes most years, Eric Cantor has gone, Steny Hoyer goes just about every year, etc. 2015 was the first year that Bernie Sanders attended.

[PonyUp]

13. LOL! I'll give you an 'A' for effort! n/t

[SidDithers]

30. "2015 was the first year that Bernie Sanders attended."...

Interesting.

Sid

[Squinch]

21. I bet you have no idea that this devalues an American hero and is offensive.

[jillan]

5. Yes, thank you John Lewis, a true American Hero.

[m-lekktor]

10. I guess what somebody did 50 years ago DOES count if it is John Lewis nt

[Empowerer]

14. Exactly. Getting your head bashed in gives you a little extra credit . . .

Not to mention working at this full-time throughout the 1960s and then continuing to fight for civil rights FOR REAL for the next 50 years - yes, it definitely DOES count.

I can't believe you would write something so foolish.

[guillaumeb]

19. This post was the subject of an alert that failed 0-7!!

A juror.

[Empowerer]

20. Wow.

Hitting nerves all over the place, just by speaking the truth.

[guillaumeb]

22. Some opinions are more respected than others.

The alerts seem to be increasing as the race tightens. If Sanders wins Nevada or S. Carolina it could become worse.

[wildeyed]

23. Yep.

If you did this:




(BTW, the white guy in the pic suffered permanent brain damage from this beating)

[Empowerer]

26. If he didn't do another thing of note in his life, this would be more than enough to earn him a

lifetime of honor and respect.

[wildeyed]

34. Do you think that people really

misunderstand the level of risk and terror that Lewis, King and others on the front lines of Civil Rights subjected themselves to repeatedly? They decided they would rather die than fail. And that they would die before they compromised their commitment to non-violence. I really dislike when that is appropriated for the benefit of a partisan political campaign.

[Bobbie Jo]

47. Ugh

What a ridiculous comment.

Keep it up..

[Gothmog]

24. John Lewis is a national treasure

[Empowerer]

25. He is, indeed

And those who, in their ignorance and arrogance (a horrible combination), insist on publicly castigating him in the way folks have done here today, are only making it harder for their guy to close the gap with African-American voters who, when faced with the option of aligning with John Lewis or aligning with people showing the attitudes we've seen here, will have absolutely no trouble figuring out which way to go.

I think Sanders is a decent and honorable man who would be absolutely mortified to see what is being said about John Lewis in his name . . .

[Jackie Wilson Said]

31. John Lewis is one of a handful of true American heroes who has spent his entire life

on the battleground of racism and white supremacy.

He was being spit on just recently, as I recall, by the rightwingers.

John Lewis is an American hero.

That is all there is to it.

[Gothmog]

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

John Lewis is amazing

[DesertRat]

43. Yes, he is

I truly love and admire that man.

[mcar]

27. Something in my eye

Thank you for this reminder.

[lunamagica]

28. K&R. A true hero. A true fighter. How sad that so many turn their backs so eaily on him

Thank you for srarting this thread, Empowerer.

[SidDithers]

29. DU rec...nt

Sid

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

45. You always tryin' to start some shit! LOL!!!!