Where in Washington, D.C. is Reverend Moon?: The civil rights leader who mistook Moon for MLK

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5/22/2004

The civil rights leader who mistook Moon for MLK

From a Moon listserv, more about the acceptance of the anti-democratic Washington Times owner as a divine figure by members of Chicago's black clergy -- including James Bevel, strategist and pallbearer to Martin Luther King (as well as Lyndon LaRouche's running mate, in later years). Take this dialogue with a grain of salt, but it sounds like an interesting episode.

We went down to the [Chicago Tribune], leaving in many cars to carry the 40 preachers. When we go to the Trib, No One Showed Up!! Just Bevel, Sardon, Rev. Jakie Roberts and Dunlap, Bruce, Rev. Tommy Watson and I. "Man", I thought to myself, "We're going to get creamed by the Trib!!!" Rev. Watson, Bruce and I stayed outside with the picket signs (as Rev. Bevel requested). Sardon, Bevel and Jakie went in to see Jim Squires, the managing editor of the Chicago Tribune.

They discussed the whole term and Squires was unconvinced claiming , "I can write whatever I want to." Rev. Bevel said no, your privilege to write doesn't supersede our rights in America. You cannot violate other people and get away with it. If you keep violating minorities and discriminating against people of faith you eventually will make our community angry. You don't want our community to get angry believe me. The meeting ended in a deadlock.

That night Mr. Squires called Rev. Bevel and said, "Jim, I've been following your career for many years. You have done a fine job and we wouldn't want to see you good name ruined. What are you doing with Moon? You don't know what I know. We have sources as a newspaper that give us in depth information. Moon is no good."

Rev. Bevel said, " Oh I see. What is that information? I would like to know about this for if this man is as evil as you say he is, I would like to be the first to pick up a stone and join in the stoning. If he's that evil I need to know. Let me see what you have on him " Then Mr. Squires said, "It's confidential information that I can't let you have, just know that it is very very bad." Rev. Bevel said, "If its that bad we should bring it out."

Mr. Squires said, "Listen Jim, if you don't hear me we may have to dig up your background." Jim said, "Fine, please do, if you've got some dirt on me we should put it all on the table so I can clean myself up."

The threats failed. Jim was standing on faith and principle. Rev. Moon was like Dr. King. Cut from the same cloth. He was sure of it.

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"John Gorenfeld: The first man on the Moon"
-- Ana Marie Cox ("Wonkette," Time.com Washington editor)

"Thanks to the superb reporting of John Gorenfeld on Salon.com and his indispensable Web page, Moon's shenanigans are routinely scrutinized. Maybe some of Gorenfeld's discernment will rub off on preachers and politicians."
-- Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist

"The scene summoned the moment in Robert Graves's "I, Claudius" when Emperor Caligula declares himself a god in the Roman Senate; a fawning solon instantly offers a prayer."
-- New York Times editorial on the Crown of Peace scandal

"I am happy that our work is being challenged and improved in consistency, openness and coordination, by the accountability your spotlight demands. I am not talking about simply removing stuff from websites..."
-- Moon spokesman the Rev. Phil Schanker

"Instead of welcoming Reverend Moon, this government put me into prison. History will reveal the truth in the future and the American government and people will realize what an evil thing they did. What will they do then? They will bow down. Again, that is the way of natural subjugation." -- Moon in 1987

"A political movement basing its appeal on old fashioned patriotism and family values simply cannot justify an alliance with a cult that preys on the disintegration of the American family and advocates allegiance to an international social order operating with cell-like secrecy."
-- Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA)