Fifty years ago, Martin Luther King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and gave his “I Have A Dream” speech and spoke of the day when people would be judged by the content of their character. I am not sure that the recent controversy over singer Donnie McClurkin is what MLK had in mind. McClurkin is a deeply religious man who says that God delivered him from being gay. That reportedly led to his being told that he was no longer welcomed at the anniversary performance of the speech.
McClurkin was scheduled to perform at the concert Saturday evening but gay rights activities objected to his participation ahead of the event.
Yet, Doxie McCoy, a spokeswoman for Mayor Vincent Gray, insisted that it was McClurkin who removed himself from the lineup to avoid controversy over his participation. She issued a statement that “[t]he Arts and Humanities Commission and Donnie McClurkin’s management decided that it would be best for him to withdraw because the purpose of the event is to bring people together.”
McClurkin however contradicted that account and said that he did not agree to be excluded. He states that he was “asked not to attend” the concert. That is quite a difference in accounts. Where the Mayor’s office is claiming that he removed himself, he is saying that he was barred because of his religious beliefs.
I can understand the feelings of gay rights advocates, particularly given the clear analogies of their own current struggle with the fight of Martin Luther King. However, the greater symbol of division can be found in barring people who share their admiration for MLK but subscribe to opposing religious views. I am equally concerned over what McClurkin is clearly suggesting is a false account from the office of Mayor Gray on the matter. The burden is now on Gray’s office to produce proof that the singer did opt not to attend to avoid controversy.
What do you think?
Source: Washington Post
We had a cherry tree in our yard when I was growing up. My father put aluminum pie plates all over the tree and it kept the birds away.
I like cherries. One of our neighbor has a couple of cherry trees but the birds and bugs are a lot faster than us humans. I do have a bottle of Bols Cherry Brandy somebody gave me.
I don’t know about buying a large container of cherries, but I buy sliced Jalapenos by the gallon and Tabasco sauce in 12 oz. bottles.
Each of us have our unique temptations, I suppose.
Gene,
Near rhyme? Only to those who have a tin ear.
nick,
Put a stick (just 1) of cinnamon in your cherry sangria pitcher … superb!
Gene,
Thank you for the recipe … Tex also thanks you
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/606173/?sc=lwhn
Many Evangelicals Are Ambivalent About Homosexuality and Civil Unions for Gays
AT least some are able to step back and rethink this issue.
leejcaroll referenced article that said: ” Researchers found that 24 percent … fit into the ambivalent category, supporting gay civil unions even though they are morally opposed to homosexuality.”
Nice! The researchers who are ambivalent about defining sexual morality have found a new label for me. I am in their ambivalent category! I guess this sounds a whole lot better than the labels hurled at me here, such as unintelligent bigoted religious homophobe hater.
DavidM: I can only speak for myself, but I do not find you unintelligent. I think you’re very bright, but your ability to think and reason has been seriously compromised by your religious beliefs.
Gene,
I’ve made peach clafouti, which was yummy. I’ll have to try your recipe one day. it sounds delicious.
This is a cherry recipe I used to make all the time. Almonds and cherries are a particularly good combo.
Cherry Clafoutis
1/2 stick butter, melted, plus more for baking dish
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for baking dish
1 pound fresh cherries, pitted and cut in 1/2
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch salt
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 lemon, zested
Powdered sugar
Ice cream or whipped cream, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Generously butter and flour a 7 by 5-inch baking dish or 6 individual, wide, flat gratin dishes.
Add the cherries, in an even layer, to the prepared baking dish.
In the bowl of a food processor, add the almonds, sugar, flour and salt and pulse until they are coarsely chopped. In a large bowl, using a whisk, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla and lemon zest until they are homogeneous. Add in the melted butter and the flour mixture and whisk until smooth. Pour over the cherries.
Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is golden brown.
Optional: Dust with powdered sugar and serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Enjoy.
A bicycle is a near car, but not exactly.
@Elaine:
Well, uou have obviously never had Kung Pal Chicken. Actually, they are near rhymes, to wit, Papa Roach:
I am a dirtycutfreak, I said join my pow wow
Won’t you be my soul pal?
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Elaine, I’m w/ your husband on the summer drink also. However, when I get to San Diego every January, my first drink is Beefeater and tonic. Beefeater has been overtaken by several other gins. I like the Bombay, Tangueray, etc. But, Beefeater has the best juniper bouquet IMO. And, I love the juniper aroma.
nick,
Manhattans are my husband’s winter drink, too. In summer, he prefers gin and tonic.
Julia, You and my son need a Luxardo 12 step program.
Elaine, Manhattans are a winter drink for me. They make them w/ brandy in Wi. which I consider a sin. But, they make old fashioneds w/ brandy also. If you’re in a bar or restaurant and here some pleasant looking, overweight, person order a brandy Manhattan or brandy old fashioned, they’re a Cheesehead.
Il admit I’m powerless, but I like them too much to quit.
nick,
i got my husband a couple of jars of Luxardo cherries for his Manhattans a couple of Christmases ago.
Julia, I had to hide the Luxardo cherries from my son. He was powerless over them and would eat a hundred if not monitored. We would give him Luxardo’s for his birthday sometimes. We still had to dole them out, but they were all his.
They have huge cans of them on Amazon. I’m afraid of what I might do, if I bought one.
Oh, I make Sangria for summer parties. Cherry brandy is a superb idea. Thanks.
Blouise and Gene, I am pleased to see it is only the “cherry pickers” that are scorned. When I was a kid playing pickup b-ball games, being called a “cherry picker” meant you played little or no defense and were always hanging down the other end of the court waiting for a pass and easy hoop.
Cherry grappa would be excellent. My relatives would put a peach slice in the glass. When I was a kid, they would give the young ones the peach to eat. Brings back memories.
My wife bought a cherry pitter. She loves it. We have neighborhood kids over all the time. She pits the cherries for the kids. I always want to teach them how to spit pits. Male v female. There’s one girl who wants to learn, she’s going into 2nd grade. She’s got a way to go but she is motivated.
I just boght some cherries and was wondering what to do with them. Now so many ideas here I may have to go out and buy some more. (:
@leejc:
Well, if something like that ever happens here, I hope someone is nice to sneak me out some pictures, like at Free Republic:
http://birtherthinktank.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/zot-free-republic-birthers-run-in-panic-stricken-terror-from-the-truth/
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter