Comments on: I Have A Dream

By: Desertrat

Desertrat — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:09:19 +0000

We could afford the socialism of FDR. The socialism of LBJ’s “Great Society” has become unaffordable.

“Compassion is costly.” You may quote me.

Salvation will have to be a grass roots thing, just as small-c conservatism has increased at the state level of government in many states. Until the voting citizenry figures out that government is not the answer to all our ailments, no leader or small group of leaders can turn things around. The turnaround will need the support of a majority of voters and elected officials who see reality in the same manner.

By: lynne

lynne — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:36:46 +0000

That was very powerful Mike.
I think we are already gaining leaders. Not in the political or media sense of the word but at a more individual level. I did feel a bit cynical, but now I’m filled with confidence in the basic good in most Americans. I have seen it across this great land of people helping people. From the the floods in the Dakotas to the “Smowmeggedon in D.C., and the TEA parties. Average everyday folks making things happen and getting stuff done.
You can watch in the politicians in how they try and play race and class warfare. It’s like in the “Wizard of OZ” the curatin has been pulled back, but to carry further all of the heros of the movie had the attributes they desired within them already.
As Audie Murphy said “A hero is nothing more than a coward that got cornered” We’ve been pushed into a corner. I think we will see heros.

By: Val

Val — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:52:14 +0000

I agree. Although I applaud the ideal, I think it’s no longer a question of “where is a leader to lead us out of this conflagration?” but “who will be the leaders to rise from the ashes?”

By: James the Wanderer

James the Wanderer — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:02:00 +0000

There will be leaders, and ringleaders. There will be prophets, and false prophets. There will be winners and whiners, rapture and raptors – and we will, somehow, survive. Those who build quietly, without fanfare or failure, will be the new leaders and prophets and winners – once the false and coercive are blown away in their own backdraft.
Prepare, for ye know not the hour -
james

By: admin

admin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:56:49 +0000

This version of the speech developed after doing some research about the subversion of Martin Luther King’s words and works by the “Green” movement which led me to read the “I Have A Dream” speech. As I read through it the second time it struck me that Martin Luther King’s desire for the end of tyranny and oppression against his people echoed todays issues but on a larger scale. While some may consider my usage of his speech as a platform for my message subversive to Dr. Kings initial intent, I disagree. The message that was and is given is that if you are willing to stand up against great oppression and odds even at the risk of personal harm as a sustained focused movement you will eventually succeed. As Steven so clearly stated, “Now if we can find the person with the power and commitment of a Martin Luther King to lead the way…” there is a distinct lack of charismatic people who are willing to risk all to start and sustain a movement. Those who have the charisma and power are typically already in politics and subverted by special interests, which makes any politician volunteering to lead the “Movement” a seeming wolf in sheep’s clothing. Great leaders of men are not usually born of power and influence but gain the respect of their countryman through example, courage, and unwavering resolve toward their cause. We need to cease being a people who wait for someone to step forward, to speak the words we want to shout, to be bold in the face of opposition. I fear that in our nation of very rich poor, there are too many people with what they consider “too much to lose” even if it is in the form of government handouts, for them to speak out. The greatest leaders and transformational leaders of all time were those who gave all they had because they had nothing left to lose.

By: Val

Val — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:41:53 +0000

Steven, be careful what you wish for. Considering how ominous the national and global situation has become and how far down the road to ruin we already are, if ever such a person did emerge and managed to pull us back from the brink peacefully, I might start to think that Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins knew what they were talking about and I would very wary of what such a person offered in the name of liberty and freedom from oppression. Just as an example, a very large segment of our population has been suckered into believning that ObamaCare offers them freedom from the oppression of high medical costs.

By: Steven Foste

Steven Foste — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:57:48 +0000

I agree with Val, the passion came through in this presentation, wonderfully written. Now if we can find the person with the power and commitment of a Martin Luther King to lead the way and gather the people and peacefully pay the price maybe it could happen, funny that it becomes a second civil rights movement again, a movement for liberty and freedom from oppression in a slightly different context.

Never say never, could happen, but I think I will keep adding to my stores of survival and locate to my out of the way secluded homestead.

By: Linda Brady Traynham

Linda Brady Traynham — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:44:08 +0000

Beautiful, Michael. How I wish that our dreams were their dreams, whether we’re speaking of those who think they are “entitled” or the power-seekers who shackle us. Unfortunately, I do not think we will come through this without blood in the streets of the cities as the “entitled” seek to collect what they consider their due when the cupboard is bare. Keep on prepping, and keep your powder dry, because I really expect the day the locusts swarm across the cities and out into the country, seeking whom they can rob–and worse.

By: Val

Val — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:26:45 +0000

Wow! That was… passionate. There’s one thing on which I agree with Teddy Roosevelt. “Speak softly and carry a big stick”. I’ll follow you to the polls, Mike, but I’ll keep my “stick” within easy reach, too.