I Cogitate
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Why We'll Never See Another Martin Luther King
With apologies to my Catholic friends, candidates for sainthood usually lose such luster upon closer inspection. Heck, even Martin Luther King did to a degree but it took the deviousness of J. Edgar (is it a pantyhose or garter day?) Hoover and the force of the FBI to remove some of the sheen.
- Bloggers and the internet
- Paparazzi
- Unconscionable 'hit' tactics
- Opposition mass media sources
- Standing government opposition
But nowadays, anyone leading a social movement of historical significance, or should I say threat to the status quo's interests, would be folded, spindled and mutilated into an unrecognizeable shape before any significant societal change materialized.
The folders, spindlers and mutilators would be bloggers and the internet, paparazzi, unconscionable 'hit' tactics, opposing mass media and standing government opposition..
The moment anyone would become perceived as an actual threat, the above would rally into code-red, in-concert action. Any person heading towards such iconic status would be torpedoed by a blitz barrage of truthful, and not, unsavory leaks, postings, stories, pictures and video until he/she was unrecognizeable even to family and friends.
So, you're slotting me into an adherent of the vast right wing conspiracy mindset?
Well, think of the Alabama judge, a crusader for youth, who was assaulted by Karl Rove's pedophile whisper campaign and declined to campaign again for his judgeship. Think of Matt Drudge's charge of a John Kerry-political staffer extramarital affair. Think of John McCain's and his family's crucifixion in the 2000 South Carolina Republican presidential primary by Karl Rove, Bob Jones University staffers and others. Some may even point to Bernard Kerik's recent Homeland Security nomination debacle although he self-provided sufficient
ammunition to sink his own bid.
Now, none of us are perfect (sorry to break the news, I hope that was gentle enough), we all slip and stumble at various times.
But should such feet of clay be deleterious to the cause one is heading? Thankfully it didn't unfold this way but tell me why Martin Luther King's philandering should in any way negate the righteousness and effectiveness of the campaign for long overdue civil rights? But my fear is that transporting today's 24/7 media glare back to that era would have done just that.
The moral righteousness of any social cause (perceived threat to the status quo) would be scorched by the multiple media-incited firestorm whipped up surrounding the temporal blemishes of any movement's leaders. This maelstrom of attack could take down even the strongest and most righteous of people and crusades and unfortunately has, because truth does not have to be a necessary element in the equation. See the Swift Boat Veterans For Truth as such an example.
I hope I am wrong. We are in desperate need of many more Dr. Kings.
Curiously, look at Nelson Mandela's transition from evil terrorist to much-beloved and lauded hero. He traveled an alternate route, prisoner-villain to noble paladin, but that's another story, another time.
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