I continue to be amazed by Republican politicians who try to misuse and manipulate the words, teaching, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This time, there is a little irony involved, because the Republican manipulating and misusing the teachings of King is an African American: Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Williams:

He also said he shares all black Americans’ pride in Barack Obama’s nomination. But he quoted a Martin Luther King Jr. speech about how young black Americans must always be prepared.

“We must call attention to the fact that [Obama's] record is enormously thin,” Williams said. “That’s what Dr. King would have asked me to do.”

How dandy. Another Republican elected official thinks they can light a candle and channel Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

You know what I think? I think if Dr. King were around today, he’d tell Michael L. Williams to shut the hell up. Maybe not the ‘hell’ part, but you surely get the idea.

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Technorati Tags Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Michael L. Williams, Republican Party, Texas, Texas Railroad Commission

[Full Text of Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech]

To Chairman Dean and my great friend Dick Durbin; and to all my fellow citizens of this great nation;

With profound gratitude and great humility, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States.

Let me express my thanks to the historic slate of candidates who accompanied me on this journey, and especially the one who traveled the farthest - a champion for working Americans and an inspiration to my daughters and to yours — Hillary Rodham Clinton. To President Clinton, who last night made the case for change as only he can make it; to Ted Kennedy, who embodies the spirit of service; and to the next Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, I thank you. I am grateful to finish this journey with one of the finest statesmen of our time, a man at ease with everyone from world leaders to the conductors on the Amtrak train he still takes home every night.

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• just testing it out. #
• OK. This twittermail thing is cool. #
• Mark Warner said we’ll finally have an administration that believes in Science. LOL #4moremonths #
• “George Bush Came Into Office On Third Base, And Then He Stole Second.” Gov.
  Ted Strickland (D-Ohio) #

Popularity: 19% [?]

Technorati Tags Texas, Texas News, Texas Politics

The Houston Chronicle reports that U.S. Senator John Cornyn is raking in dough from the oil and gas industry:

Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn — a top congressional proponent of expanded domestic drilling for more oil to lower gasoline prices — is among the nation’s largest recipients of political donations from the oil and gas industry.

In fact, among the top seven federal candidates financed by the oil industry this year, Cornyn is the only one who was not seeking the presidency.

This should really come as no surprise. Cornyn’s been beholden to the energy industry for years, and was in Enron’s hip pocket, taking more money from the company than any other politician in Texas and covering the company’s ass as Attorney General.

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This part gave me chills:

And after so many decades - 88 years ago on this very day - the 19th amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote would be forever enshrined in our Constitution.

My mother was born before women could vote. But in this election my daughter got to vote for her mother for President.

This is the story of America. Of women and men who defy the odds and never give up.

How do we give this country back to them?

By following the example of a brave New Yorker , a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad.

And on that path to freedom, Harriett Tubman had one piece of advice.

If you hear the dogs, keep going.

If you see the torches in the woods, keep going.

If they’re shouting after you, keep going.

Don’t ever stop. Keep going.

If you want a taste of freedom, keep going.

Even in the darkest of moments, ordinary Americans have found the faith to keep going.

I’ve seen it in you. I’ve seen it in our teachers and firefighters, nurses and police officers, small business owners and union workers, the men and women of our military - you always keep going.

We are Americans. We’re not big on quitting.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Technorati Tags Democratic National Convention, Hillary Rodham Clinton

[The following is the text of U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's speech to the Democratic National Convention tonight.]

Hillary Clinton Delivers A Keynote Address At the Democratic National Convention

I am honored to be here tonight. A proud mother. A proud Democrat. A proud American. And a proud supporter of Barack Obama.

My friends, it is time to take back the country we love.

Whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose. We are on the same team, and none of us can sit on the sidelines.

This is a fight for the future. And it’s a fight we must win.

I haven’t spent the past 35 years in the trenches advocating for children, campaigning for universal health care, helping parents balance work and family, and fighting for women’s rights at home and around the world . . . to see another Republican in the White House squander the promise of our country and the hopes of our people.

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Technorati Tags Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention, Hillary Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton

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Popularity: 21% [?]

Technorati Tags Democratic National Convention, Janet Napolitano

The Republican Party has just announced its revised schedule for next week’s convention, and none other than Texas Governor Rick Perry is listed on the program to be as an addition to the speaking schedule for Monday night, September 1:

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From her walk-through earlier today:

Hillary Rodham Clinton

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Lily Ledbetter

One of the most interesting people speaking tonight–at a convention that truly has a good mix of people–was Lily Ledbetter. If you don’t know who Lily Ledbetter is, you will after you read her speech to the convention below.

Needless to say, it was good to see an equal-pay warrior like Ledbetter address the convention. Her speech is after the jump.

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Popularity: 17% [?]

Technorati Tags Alabama, Barack Obama, Democratic National Convention, Gadsen Alabama, Goodyear, House of Representatives, Lily Ledbetter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court