It was 40 years ago today that the government blew away Dr. Martin Luther King as he stood on his balcony at a Memphis hotel. Anyone who thinks that a lone redneck yahoo could have pulled this off probably believes in the tooth fairy too.The assassination came one day after King's famous "I've been to the mountaintop" speech, in which he seems hauntingly aware that he is soon to die. Here's the relevant excerpt...
"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." (Martin Luther King - 04/03/68)
We pause to remember this tragic event, and wonder when right-wing brownshirts will realize that murder is NOT an acceptable means of voicing one's political opinions.
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