MLK

Today marks the birth of Martin Luther King Jr.  The holiday celebrating his birth is next week and thankfully is one of the few holidays not accompanied by a sale.

I have heard comics note that Dr. King's birthday is the only national holiday without a huckster on TV tying to sell me a couch or a new car.  Hallelujah.

His contributions to our national consciousness is critical.  He, like Mahatma Ghani before him, and Christ, are essentially fathers of a nation.  Yes, I heard about George Washington, but King's contributions were different in that he showed the peaceful means by which to overthrow a tyrannical government whereas Washington relied on muskets.  Both relied on the bravery of their soldiers to take a punch in the middle of a fight, but Dr. King's message resonates with a different timbre.  Nonviolence and peaceful protest so often seem a thing of the past and for that I am sorry.

"We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." - Martin Luther King Jr.

I also love the song by U2 called MLK where Bono talks about "your dream being realized" and "if the thunder cloud passes rain, let it rain, rain on me."  I am not sure of his intent with this second passage, but I believe he means he will continue to support equality where he can find it and he will bear the rain that comes with that decision.

So, to Dr. King, I raise a glass.  Since I have no idea if this ordained minister took a drink or not, I will celebrate with an Alabama Slammer.  A classic cocktail for a classic leader.

To create your Alabama Slammer, mix equal parts Southern Comfort, Sloe Gin, and Amaretto to an equal part of orange juice.  Chill, shake, and strain into a highball glass and throw on an orange wheel and cherry for garnish.