MLK forty years later

Forty years ago on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, the Reverend Martin Luther King was gunned down by James Earl Ray. His assassination sparked riots in many American cities. including here in Washington DC, and prolonged the civil rights struggle. One wonders how Dr. King would look upon the events of today, of this presidential campaign.

Everyone can remember the "I Have a Dream Speech," delivered at the Lincoln Memorial. But it is the above speech that always moves me. The prophetic remarks were delivered the night before he died. The site of the assassination, the Lorraine Motel, was saved from the wrecking ball by some prominent Memphians, who raised money and later opened the National Civil Rights Museum on the grounds.

Here in 2008, we will mark a series of turbulent events from forty years ago. In two months, the 40th anniversary of the death of Robert Kennedy will be marked. I have to say that we are at a point in our history where we have an opportunity to make both of those men proud. If you live in Pennsylvania, Indiana, North Carolina, or any of the remaining states holding presidential contests, please get out and vote. I hope that you will vote for the man in the video below, but please, do something.

And Ed, this means you. And we of my party thank you for coming over to play in our end of the pool. We hope you'll stay awhile.