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As he sat in a narrow jail cell in the city of Birmingham in 1963 just five years before his death Martin Luther King Jr., then imprisoned because hed violated a court injunction against public civil rights demonstrations, read a newspaper statement questioning his and others methods of pushing for civil rights reforms. The statement, authored by eight moderate clergymen, criticized the use of public demonstrations and urged activists to stick to the electoral and legislative processes to bring about the reforms they sought.

The letter grieved King so much he wrote more than 6,900 words in response on any paper he could get his hands on, in the margins of the newspaper and on other bits of paper supplied by a trustee and his lawyers. That Letter from a Birmingham Jail explained in forthright terms how King believed nonviolent protest would spur action by those with the authority to change segregationist laws. It went on to become an iconic document of the civil rights movement and is still discussed in schools today, more than 50 years after its composition.

We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed, King wrote. For years now I have heard the word Wait! This Wait has almost always meant Never. We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that justice too long delayed is justice denied."

He pointed out that of all the protests hed participated in, not one had been judged timely in the eyes of people who hadnt experienced segregation. They always told him, he said, that the passage of time would surely bring better race relations. But he knew that wouldnt happen by itself.

Human progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability, he wrote; it comes through the tireless efforts of men willing to be coworkers with God, and without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation.

King grounded his belief in nonviolent agitation in what he had read in the Bible and in the history books telling of the nations founding. He found inspiration in the disobedience of the Jewish figures Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego and the ancient Christians who chose death rather than adhere to laws contrary to their conscience. He cited the Boston Tea Party as a massive act of civil disobedience.

And with the certainty that what he was doing was right, he submitted to his imprisonment, unjust though he believed it to be. He did so because, he said, an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.

In other words, he believed so much in the ideals of justice and lawful order that he was willing to expose how our nation fell short of those ideals.

King may not have known it, but he was a man for his time, uniquely equipped to lead our nation away from its racist practices and toward fulfillment of the promises of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness on which it was founded. His principles of determined nonviolent action remain relevant as we prepare to honor his legacy on Monday.

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A legacy that continues to live on | Opinion - Huntsville Item

Christina Moffett met the love of her life, Alexander, in high school. But it would be several years before the couple would start dating.

"We knew each other through drama and music, plus his dad was my teacher and our sisters played together in the same special-needs baseball league. When we were in college, our high school drama program had an alumni get together at IHOP and we reconnected there. We continued talking and became best friends. That Christmas, in 2013, he asked me out," the 25-year-old told TODAY Style.

The couple dated long distance throughout college until Moffett moved back to Wisconsin in 2018. Her sweetheart proposed on their fifth anniversary. As she began to envision what she might wear on her wedding day, Moffett turned to a few of the most important ladies in her life for some guidance.

"I'm very nostalgic and love family heirlooms. My grandma, mother and future mother-in-law had all mentioned at one point that it would be fun to have me try on their gowns. I figured I'd get it all done at once, so I had a tea party with them, my future sister-in-law and two best friends to model the dresses. I was also hoping I could possibly wear one of the dresses for the wedding," she said.

Moffett began the fashion show with the gown her mom, Karen Spaeth, wore an elegant lace dress with a big train and "felt like a princess." Next came the dress her future mother-in-law, Anne Moffett, wore, which the bride said "was the comfiest thing I've ever worn; it felt like pajamas."

Last but not least came the dress that Moffett's grandmother, Shirley Ekstrand (fondly nicknamed "Mite"), wore back in 1956. And the third time was the charm.

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"It was gorgeous, classy and timeless. It just worked. I twirled around in the hoop skirt and was beaming. I knew it was the look I wanted for my wedding. It was a very Grace Kelly look," she said. "I had seen photos of it on the mantle before but couldn't really imagine it until I wore it."

Naturally, Ekstrand was tickled pink to see her granddaughter all dolled up in the dress she once wore. "She was so thrilled and honored. She said the dress was all mine and I could do whatever I wanted to it," the newlywed said.

Luckily, the stunning dress didn't need a lot of altering.

"I only had it let out a bit, since Mite had worn a corset and I declined that. I also passed on the hoop skirt and instead wore an underskirt to give it some volume. Everything else about the dress was the same. I couldn't believe how good of shape it was in," Moffett said.

On her wedding day in October 2019, Moffet added another "something old" to her ensemble: earrings her grandmother had given her mother years before. Stepping into Mite's gown on that special day felt a bit surreal for the bride.

"It added to the whole experience and made it so much more special by adding deep family love to it. Mite is one of my favorite people and I was so happy to honor her 57 years of marriage. And, partly because of the dress, the theme of the wedding was vintage and books, so it matched," she said.

It was an equally special experience for Mite, who was happy that her granddaughter loved the gown so much.

"I was very honored that she asked me to be part of her wedding. And I was so sorry that Bada (Moffett's grandfather) wasn't with us, but yet he's in our hearts. I was so happy for both Christina and Alexander because they were meant for each other. And seeing her in the dress made me very happy," Ekstrand told TODAY.

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Bride wears her grandmother's wedding gown from 1956 - TODAY

A number of prominent former lawmakers associated with the Tea Party Caucus have joined the ranks of K Street in the last year, bringing their small government agendas to the lobbying world.

K Street has always been a favored perch for ex-lawmakers, but the recent moves from conservatives are attracting controversy, and coming even as President TrumpDonald John TrumpPence: Intelligence shows Iran directing militias not to attack U.S. targets Mnuchin aims to wait until end of 2020 to disclose Secret Service costs for Trump's travel: report Pressure building on Pelosi over articles of impeachment MORE and many Republicans vow to drain the swamp.

Among the big Republican names making the jump from Congress to K Street is Sean DuffySean DuffyEx-Tea Party lawmakers turn heads on K Street Why the Wisconsin special election could decide the 2020 presidential election Juan Williams: Trump has nothing left but smears MORE. The former Republican congressman from Wisconsin joined the lobbying firm BGR Group, a traditionally GOP-leaning firm, as a senior counsel in November and was named head of the financial services practice group. He was first elected in 2010 during the Tea Party wave and left Congress in September.

Former Rep. Lamar SmithLamar Seeligson SmithEx-Tea Party lawmakers turn heads on K Street Ex-Rep. Duffy to join lobbying firm BGR Former GOP Rep. Walters joins energy company MORE (R-Texas), who retired from Congress after more than three decades of service, joined the highest-grossing lobbying firm, Akin Gump, in January 2019. He is a senior consultant in the public law and policy practice.

Another former Texas GOP congressman, John CulbersonJohn Abney CulbersonEx-Tea Party lawmakers turn heads on K Street George H.W. Bush grandson to enter Texas congressional race Texas GOP rep predicts heavy Democratic presence in state ahead of 2020 MORE, joined Clark Hills government and public affairs practice in March. Culberson served for nearly two decades in Congress and lost his reelection bid in 2018.

Duffy, Smith and Culberson declined a request for comment.

The Tea Party Patriots Citizens, the political action committee that supports Tea Party members, did not respond to The Hills request for comment.

Tea Party groups and Trump have long run on reining in the influence of special interests in Washington. And Tea Party lawmakers often clashed with the influence world and a number of prominent industries in high-profile fights.

In the Trump era, though, K Street has seen business grow as the Republican presidents agenda has sparked major battles over trade, health care and taxes. And despite Trumps vows to challenge Washington, the revolving door between K Street and his administration has been busy.

For critics, thats a sign that it is business as usual in the nations capital.

Trumps drain the swamp pledge was nothing but a catch phrase, versus the sincerity of the mantra of the Tea Party, said Lisa Gilbert, vice president of legislative affairs at Public Citizen, a watchdog group. Its unsurprising the members would change their tune after being here for some time.

Out of the original 28 Tea Party Caucus members from the House in July 2010, three others are also registered lobbyists.

Ex-Rep. Phil GingreyJohn (Phil) Phillip GingreyEx-Tea Party lawmakers turn heads on K Street 2017's top health care stories, from ObamaCare to opioids Beating the drum on healthcare MORE (R-Ga.) has worked at Drinker Biddle since 2015, while former Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) has been a lobbyist for management consulting company APCO Worldwide since 2013. Another former lawmaker, ex-Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), in 2015 launched his own lobbying shop, Dan Burton International, and has one client, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights.

Former Rep. Joe BartonJoe Linus BartonEx-Tea Party lawmakers turn heads on K Street Longtime GOP aide to launch lobbying shop Katie Hill resignation reignites push for federal 'revenge porn' law MORE (R-Texas) is also looking to set up a lobbying shop, The Texas Observer recently reported.

Some defended the former lawmakers and noted that many Tea Party lawmakers had also gone on to different positions of influence in Washington: Vice President Pence and acting White House chief of staff Mick MulvaneyJohn (Mick) Michael MulvaneyPressure building on Pelosi over articles of impeachment The Bill Clinton trial cannot serve as the model for the Donald Trump trial Democratic senators growing impatient with Pelosi on impeachment MORE were both in the caucus while serving in the House.

If you ask [Duffy, Smith and Culberson], they would say this is not inconsistent because they are supporting issues where they have expertise and where they feel they are true believers, Public Affairs Council President Doug Pinkham told The Hill.

The three lawmakers who went to K Street in the last year all boast years of experience in Congress.

Duffy has touted his work to help community banks as one of the successes of his congressional career, while Culberson worked on appropriations and defense issues and Smith was chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.

Pinkham pushed back on the idea that jumping to the lobbying world was inconsistent with the lawmakers work in Congress.

I think members of Congress or staffers who go and work on K Street and are lobbying on issues and are paid for their expertise, he said. I think the ones who are successful in the long run are the ones who I think feel that what theyre doing is consistent with what theyve always done.

Lobbying is widely considered an easy and lucrative next step for lawmakers after Congress, and top firms actively recruit prominent and influential lawmakers from the Hill when retirements are announced.

For K Street critics, though, the moves highlight their larger concerns about the power and persistence of the influence industry.

Think about what those members stood for when they came into office and how easily Washington can subvert those principals, Gilbert, from Public Citizen, said.

Derek Martin, director of progressive advocacy group Allied Progress, said the movement of conservative former lawmakers to K Street was troubling.

Tea Partiers claimed to care about deficits, too, until Trump embraced them. Its no surprise theyve also tossed aside their purported concerns with the revolving door once K Street started writing checks, he told The Hill. The unfortunate reality is that these former members may find success in advancing big industry agendas.

But one headhunter said it was difficult for former lawmakers to ignore the draw of K Street, where they are valued for their experience and connections.

The swamp is a myth just like the Loch Ness monster, lobbying headhunter Ivan Adler told The Hill.

What this proves is that it doesnt matter what political philosophy you practice, if you are a member who has a reputation for working hard and have an issue specialty, you are valuable on K Street. Talent is talent, period, whether on K Street, Wall Street or Main Street.

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Ex-Tea Party lawmakers turn heads on K Street | TheHill - The Hill

Ten years ago, the Tea Party was big news. The Tea Party announced itself just as I began writing political op-eds in 2009. I found them deeply disturbing. They proclaimed their allegiance to freedom as loudly as they threatened mine. I didnt agree with their economic claims that the deficit was Americas biggest problem, and I suspected their pose as the best protectors of the Constitution was a front for less reasonable beliefs about race, gender, and religion.

Founded in 2009 as a reaction to the election of Barack Obama as President, the federal bailouts of banks and other institutions in the wake of the great recession of 2008, and, later, the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the Tea Party entered conservative politics with a splash in the 2010 elections. NBC identified 130 candidates for the House and 10 for the Senate, all Republicans, as havingstrong Tea Party support. Among them, 5 Senate candidates and 40 House candidates won election. Those numbers are very high, because many Tea Party candidates defeated established politicians. Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania, Rand Paul in Kentucky, Marco Rubio in Florida, Ron Johnson in Wisconsin, and Mike Lee in Utah defeated more established politicians, including some incumbents, in both parties. They are all still Senators. Among the 5 Senate candidates who lost, Christine ODonnell in Delaware, Sharron Angle in Nevada, and John Raese in West Virginia took extreme and sometimes laughable positions; Ken Buck in Colorado and Joe Miller in Alaska lost by tiny margins.

The Tea Party claimed to follow an ambitious agenda. One list on teaparty.org of Non-negotiable Core Beliefs included many economic items: national budget must be balanced; deficit spending will end; reduce personal income taxes a must; reduce business taxes is mandatory. A slightly different list called the Contract from America was also heavy with economic priorities: a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget; a single-rate tax system; end runaway government spending; stop the pork. The Contract included no social issues at all. The Core Beliefs began with Illegal Aliens Are Here Illegally, and included Gun Ownership is Sacred, Traditional Family Values Are Encouraged, and English As Core Language Is Required. Tea Partiers claimed complete allegiance to the Constitution as originally written.

Recently many commentators have asserted that the Tea Party was a failure and is dead. ANY Times articlesaid the ideas that animated the Tea Party movement have been largely abandoned by Republicans under President Trump, because deficit spending has ballooned since he took office. Senator Rand Paul said The Tea Party is no more. ANew Yorker articlenoted the movements failure, because they did not achieve a repeal of Obamacare. Jeff Jacoby, theconservative columnist for the Boston Globe, mourned its demise in February 2018 under the title, The Tea Party is dead and buried, and the GOP just danced on its grave. He focused on the Tea Partys inability to get Republicans to rein in spending.

Most of the successful Tea Party candidates from 2010 are no longer in Washington. Aside from the 5 successful Senators, only16 of the 40 Tea Party House membersare left. Justin Amash recently left the Republican Party after indicating support for impeachment. But those figures are not a surprise. The average tenure in office of a member of the House is justunder 10 years, so about half should have left by now. Two moved up in the political world. Mick Mulvaney is now head of the Office of Management and Budget. Tim Scott won election as a Senator.

The whole narrative of Tea Party failure is wrong, in my opinion. While Tea Party organizations proclaimed high-minded principles of fiscal restraint, I dont think that complex budgetary issues or particular readings of the Constitution motivate masses of voters. Todays Republican Party is entirely in the hands of Trump, he completely ignores adherence to the Constitution and maintaining a balanced budget, and Tea Partiers are delirious with joy. The enthusiasts who scream at Trump rallies are the same people who signed on to the Contract from America in 2010. Trump embodies their real core beliefs: white supremacy; opposition to abortion rights, gay marriage, transgender people and anything that appears to deviate from their mythology of the traditional family; opposition to government regulation of private business, but support for government intrusion into private life; opposition to gender equality.

The social scientist Theda Skocpol, who studied Tea Party grassroots at the beginning, dismissed their economic policies as window dressing. Sheargued in 2011that these white older conservative Americans concentrated on resentment of perceived federal government handouts to undeserving groups, the definition of which seems heavily influenced by racial and ethnic stereotypes. She noted that the opposition between working and nonworking people is fundamental to Tea Party ideology, and that nonworking was assumed to refer to non-white. In arecent interview, Skocpol identifies Tea Party advocates as Christian conservatives, not libertarians. Today the Christian right shouts its joy about Donald Trump from every pulpit.

I was right and wrong about the Tea Party in 2010. I recognized that The Tea Partiers are wrong. The people they support will increase government intrusion into our private lives, under the guise of protecting us from enemies all around, and will help big business exploit our private resources.

I also wrote, They wont change American politics. Despite putting pretty faces like Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin on their posters, theyre way too unattractive. Like the guy who strolls into Starbucks with his gun, they might get a lot of attention, but theyll make no friends. How wrong that was. Their disdain for the views of other Americans, their distorted understanding of the Constitution, their blindness to facts which do not support their ideology, their racism and sexism, are now in control of the White House. The Republicans they called RINOs are gone.

They only supported limited government when a black man was President. Now they shout for the arrest of anyone they dont like. The Tea Party no longer needs to attack the Republican Party from the right. They are the Republican Party, and their desire to recreate our country in their image is non-negotiable.

Steve Hochstadt is a professor of history emeritus at Illinois College, who blogs for HNN and LAProgressive, and writes about Jewish refugees in Shanghai.

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Revisiting the Tea Party a decade later - AlterNet

LYNN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) Nearly 250 year after the fact, a local man who took part in the Boston Tea Party was honored at a graveside ceremony in Lynn Thursday.

It wasn't your normal graveside ceremonythere were a number of people at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn gathered to honor Francis Moore, who died in 1833.

Arthur Dulong, chairman of the Lynn Cemetery Commission, told WBZ NewsRadio's Carl Stevens Moore was "a true patriot." In 1773, Moore was one of those who told the British what they could do with their tea tax by tossing tea overboard. But while most of the participants wore disguises, Moore did not.

"He was one of the people un-disguised that actually threw the tea off the ship in Boston Harbor," Dulong said.

Dulong and several others gathered to dedicate a commemorative marker next to Moore's headstone. It's part of an ongoing Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum effort to honor the Americans who participated in the historic event leading to the American Revolution.

"This is a nice little celebration point, knowing that one of our forefathers was actually one of the rabble-rousers that started us on the road to freedom as we know it now," Dulong said.

WBZ NewsRadio's Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) reports

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Lynn Participant In Boston Tea Party Honored 187 Years After Death - KFI AM 640