Meet The (White) Man Who Inspired Wright's Controversial Sermon

Meet the man who inspired Reverend Jeremiah Wright's now famous tirade about America's foreign policy inciting the terrorist attacks of September 11.

His name is Ambassador Edward Peck. And he is a retired, white, career U.S. diplomat who served 32-years in the U.S. Foreign Service and was chief of the U.S. mission to Iraq under Jimmy Carter -- hardly the black-rage image with which Wright has been stigmatized.

In fact, when Wright took the pulpit to give his post-9/11 address -- which has since become boiled down to a five second sound bite about "America's chickens coming home to roost" -- he prefaced his remarks as a "faith footnote," an indication that he was deviating from his sermon.

"I heard Ambassador Peck on an interview yesterday," Wright declared. "He was on Fox News. This is a white man and he was upsetting the Fox News commentators to no end. He pointed out, a white man, an ambassador, that what Malcolm X said when he got silenced by Elijah Muhammad was in fact true: America's chickens are coming home to roost."

Wright then went on to list more than a few U.S. foreign policy endeavors that, by the tone of his voice and manner of his expression, he viewed as more or less deplorable. This included, as has been demonstrated in the endless loop of clips from his sermon, bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki and nuking "far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon and we never batted an eye."

"Violence begets violence," Wright said, "hatred begets hatred, and terrorism begets terrorism."

And then he concluded by putting the comments on Peck's shoulders: "A white ambassador said that yall, not a black militant, not a reverend who preaches about racism, an ambassador whose eyes are wide open and is trying to get us to wake up and move away from this dangerous precipice... the ambassador said that the people we have wounded don't have the military capability we have, but they do have individuals who are willing to die and take thousands with them... let me stop my faith footnote right there."

Watch the video (the relevant material starts around the 3:00 mark):

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So it seems that while Wright did believe American held some responsibility for 9/11, his views, which have been described as radically outside the political mainstream, were actually influenced by a career foreign policy official.

Who is Peck? The ambassador, who has offered controversial criticism of Israeli policy in the West Bank but also warned against the Iraq War, was lecturing on a cruise ship and was unavailable for comment. But officials at Peck's former organization, the Council for the National Interest, a non-profit group that advocates reducing Israel's influence on U.S. Middle East policy, offered descriptions of the man.

"Peck is very outspoken," said Eugene Bird, who now heads CNI. "He is also very good at making phrases that have a resonance with the American people. When he came off of that Fox News, a few days later he said they would never invite me back again."

And what, exactly, did Peck say in that Fox News interview that inspired Wright's words?

Here are some quotes from an appearance the Ambassador made on the network on October 11, 2001, which may or may not have been the segment Wright was referring to. On the show, Peck said he thought it was illogical to tie Saddam Hussein to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, and that while the then-Iraqi leader had "some very sound and logical reasons not to like [the United States]," he and Osama bin Laden had no other ties.

From there, Peck went on to ascribe motives for what prompted the 9/11 attacks. "Stopping the economic embargo and bombings of Iraq," he said, "things to which Osama bin Laden has alluded as the kinds of things he doesn't like. He doesn't think it's appropriate for the United States to be doing, from his perspective, all the terrible things that he sees us as having been doing, the same way Saddam Hussein feels. So from that perspective, they have a commonality of interests. But they also have a deeply divergent view of the role of Islam in government, which would be a problem."

Comments

[Dyogenes]

Remember Ambassador Peck's interview on Fox, shortly after 9/11 when still in shock like the rest of the country about Why anybody would hate America so, and it changed my life: I spent months in Library stacks, researching/getting more background on what Peck said, and two, stopped watching Fox caused it became clear that Truth was not welcomed there--only promoting Bush's neo-con agenda by Roger Ailes who was Director of WH Communications under Bush I before Rupert got him to run Fox news. His idea of programming, was to have the White House fax over the days Talking Points, and the Fox talking heads would just blabber in support of them all day. Truly. Anyone "off-message" like Amb Peck, who was speaking from decades of first hand experience rather than making stuff up to support the neo-cons, , was bashed and hooked off stage. Anyhoo, you'd be amazed at what you learn by going to direct sources/file footage/historical accounts etc about US dirty laundry and outrageous disinformation that is never, ever mentioned by MSM, AND how disasterously worse this problem of the MSM shilling for Establishment/ Power Elites has gotten in the past few decades.
Some of it corporate greed and consolidation, some of it career ambitions (if you criticize the President, you'll get banished from WH!), and some of it is plain old laziness and grifting by members of the Press. But, like Bill Clinton, they do it because they can: we, the public, put up with it and do not use our remote and Off buttons to demand something different.

It's really encouraging to hear bloggers speak up, and call people like Hannity and Blitzer to task for what amounts to a 21st century Lynch Mob so far as the way MSM treated the Rev. Wright. Judge, Jury, and Executioner--no habeous corpus, no bill of attainer, no right to defend oneself, etc.
Now how unAmerican and Unpatriotic is that? Obama and his legion of followers represent a unique opportunity for a much needed paradigm shift in this country; to help us regain respect and stature around the world, and to regain our loss soul's here at home. Keep the Faith, Huffers, and keep up the good work of keeping the big boys honest. Peace.

[KitChandler]

Obviously, a lot of the fair minded interlocutors like Chris Matthews et al. have not seen the longer versions of Rev Wright's sermons. They still seem to want to blame Obama for what to me seem like sermons worthy of spirited debate and introspection.

[TRex86]

Chalmers Johnson has covered the blowback issue in depth and wrapped it up with his book Sorrows of Empire. To wit: Imperialism inevitably leads to authoritarianism and bankruptcy. We're well on the way. In one small mid-eastern country we've spent more time and as much money as WWII. This is flatly insane. Bin Ladin must be laughing himself sick. Nero and Caligula are our feckless prez and VP. McBomb awaits his chance to extend our dominion, cut taxes on the rich, and end civil liberties. Hillary is co-campaigning with him. Wake up. We still have time.

[Davwbaird]

This brings to mind the McCarty tribunal that ruined so many lives and created one of the most infamous episodes in American history. Now they are at it again. The President himself ranks at the top of that list and his minions, like the demons of hell (if often feel as I am living in hell these days) in the form of Cable news stations and radio pundits, fat with flawed opinions, high on legal drugs and bloated with proceeds from their vulgar rapping's and tweeting. The noise reaches shrilling heights, until I must stop and turn it all off (and I am talking about us getting stretched out of shape, saying endlessly "I don't believe this".

So at this moment in our history, in my last days, I almost don't care, I with no children, just my three faith spaniels always at my side or following me with love in their eyes. I still find myself caring, wanting to live till that glorious day when we demonstrate by our vote that we have awoken from the long sleep of 9/11 madness. Its almost too late, for the damage done may doom us to the weather and the warming planet, a good part of humankind's doing.

[itsme23]

I expected it from Sean the crybaby...­but Blitzer...­.WOW!!!

I took several classes on terrorism.­..and it's TERRIFYING how what my professor predicted.­..is happening.­...down to the letter! Osama Bin Laden's real goal was to choke off the one thing the U.S. has to impose it's wills on every other country...­and that's MONEY!!!! So this whole time that this Administration has been warning us against more attacks...­they either weren't listening or didn't care to tell the truth about the facts...th­ose are Al Quaida wins as they slowly bancrupt us....by drawing an irrational response to our fear (ie Iraq) he is winning EVERY DAY....the­y won't dance in the streets about our presidential nominee...­that's a bunch of BUNK...the­y are dancing in the street everytime wall street takes a serious tumble and our banks are faultering­...and we are financially beoming paralyzed.­...that way in his eyes...we can't use money to pursuade countries to bend at our will and do the things that they think are improper!!!!

This SCARES me more than any color coded alert that comes across the tv screen....­.I heard this two years ago .....and it's all coming to light....t­he American People better wake up....we are not SAFER...la­ck of money...me­ans lack of EVERYTHING!!!! Pay attention people. Fight about what matters not what doesn't!

[rjcrane]

Yes, Osama bin Laden and his ilk have cost the United States about $3 trillion dollars and thousands of innocent lives that have been wasted while creating misery for millions innocent Iraqis. In other words, Bush walked right into a trap and took the rest of us and future generations of Americans and the country of Iraq right down with him. My American flag stopped waving when this horrible war started. And shame on Congress for not impeaching our own war criminals who lied us into the fiasco.

There is one thing we can all say that's positive about Rev. Wright even if we don't listen to his sermons nor attend his church nor agree with everything he says. At least he isn't willing to turn a blind eye to our country's many and serious fallings - our very own evil-doing here and abroad for lack of a better phrase. Rev. Wright is willing to put himself on the line to do our dirty work for us: To make us look at ourselves and our actions that shouldn't make us proud to be Americans. So our country really needs more Rev. Wrights and a lot less FOX NOISE.

RJ Crane, topplebush.com

[Davwbaird]

Oh Oh, is this an oops?

[anthonylee]

It's a shame we can't trust our major news outlets to give us the "truth". CBS, NBC, CNN & ABC must be afraid of FOX - thanks for lowering the standard of integrity and impartiality.

We need to start with the advertisers on FOX, by letting them know supporting the "rag's" agenda is not appreciated, and that we'll look to the competing product as a result - hit them where it hurts!

[ddlrid]

great post, sam...than­k you!

[LSUChiCub]

What I feel is pathetic is the fact that we will NEVER see this as a story on the MSM, with their blatant liberal bias, and all.

[DMSmith]

I've been fascinated and amazed at the fact that not ONE of the people talking about Rev. Wrights words has asked about or investigated the truth of what he said America did. Everything he said was true.

And, America should be damned for what we did in those circumstances, just as we should be praised for many other things we have done and do. We are not perfect, and to think that this cannot be discussed without making us crazy is diagnostically significant!!!

[WoodyCPM]

That is exactly right. He didn't make any of that shit up. That's right out of the history books. He's calling America to a higher moral value than it has exhibited at various crucial times in its history. Nothing the man said is untrue. The sermons are anti-violence sermons. His message is about justice and peace. Just because a lot of white people don't like it doesn't mean it's not true. I'm white BTW, if that matters.

[prospace]

This article claims that there was a single controversial sermon by Wright. But this one is the very least of the sound-bite sermons.

[Ides]

There are TWO soundbite sermons. 20 seconds of controversial comments played in heavy rotation. His "chickens come home to roost" is at the end of this speech and is from October of 2001. His "God Damn America" is from early last year. The rest is speculation.

[MarineBugler]

Check out CNN 360 Blog by Roland Martin on the sermons ...

You will see that the CONTEXT is EVERYTHING.

It is US who are the LEMMINGS according to FOX and ABCNews.

[tedbear]

Now I don't remember which news channel reported tonight that Peck's interviews were researched and that there is no record of him saying these things. This entire situation is unbelievable because alot of people,especially from the 60's and 70's think the U.S. has caused alot of hate in the world. Anyone who has ever gone to Europe has experienced some sort of ill will, even though it might be subtle. So, this attitude about U. S. citizens criticizing U. S. policies is absolutely not unheard of, and truth be told, many of these reporters on these shows don't think the U.S. is blameless for alot of what happens to us. Besides this is a free country supposedly, and if people are harrassed for what they say it doesn't say much for our country. There isn't a person in the country who hasn't sat and listened to their friends spout wierd things, and kept these people as friends. (If you don't have any friends who think differently than you, I don't know what to say!) Haven't you, Fox news people, complained about your country's income tax system? Oh yeah.

[Benny59]

"Now I don't remember which news channel reported tonight that Peck's interviews were researched and that there is no record of him saying these things."

Let me help you...Fox News?

[ChiGuy]

Clearly, Ambassador Peck is a radical America-hater.

LOL!!

[DofG]

Is there any point where truth can rise above patriotsm? We live in a universe where there are far more galaxies than there are people. Merely calling someone a radical America-hater does not make it so! And even if he hates America, as long as he does not violate any laws, it does not make him less American, for that's his choice, and "right', as an American.

Opinions must always be tempered with humility, for the path to truth is like peeling an onion that has no center.

[ObamaSuperDelegate]

For God sakes, the man served his country...­........no­t many cowards can say that

[savertime]

Knowing the history of ones country, living with reality as opposed to sticking ones head in the sand is not hate. How could someone make such a backward comment. Too many loyal Americans don't know the history of their own country. Of course, for decades that history has been hidden from the people as "classified foreign policy."

[Grunty1]

Looks like obvious sarcasm...­.

[dolphy]

USA's got a problem with hearing things as they are. People, just read a little bit of what the US government did around the world in the last 60 years and you'll see why most of the third world people hate us.

[barriosbabe]

Did you really listen? Wright goes on to imply that the damning position is wrong and that instead the correct response to 9/11 is personal reflection and private closeness to god. When will this story be told correctly? Heaven help us! Heaven help us.

[Davwbaird]

at that moment that's what i was doing, I quickly concluded we had been duped and were guilty as hell all of us.

[nomobull]

i am glad i listened to those who kept asking question. they made me do my homework on the man .and i knew he was more than they were portraying

[nomobull]

they couldn't afford to let that happen.

[worldtraveller]

When I was in college I rented a house from Mr. Peck in Foggy Bottom. That was many years ago but I have never forgotten tthe many times I had the opportunity to speak to him and how he was a total class act.

[TruthCricket]

NEWS FLASH! There’s a rumor that Barack once kicked his dog, allegedly, Fox News has a full confession from the dog.

[bluegreen]

this is so ironic; i remember edward peck from the pre-invasion days, he is a seasoned career diplomat, a specialist in middle east studies who had represented our country in iraq as ambassador. i saw him on tv; he was direct, knowledgable and smart in his rejection of the bush administration's tortured logic in pulling us into war. and the media pretty much lambasted him for not going along with the program.

there is a symposium from early 2001 that was sponsored by the cato institute and he took part. i happened to catch it on c-span and still remember it. in fact, i took the trouble to download the transcript afterwards, i was so impressed: "Ten Years after the Gulf War: The Lessons and Future of Washington's Iraq Policy (2/26/01), A Cato policy forum featuring Ambassador Edward Peck, Former Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy in Iraq; Laurie Mylroie, Author, Study of Revenge: Saddam Hussein's Unfinished War against America; Ivan Eland, Cato Institute.­"

seems that now there is a vid link:

http://www.cato.org/events/010226pf.html

if the name Laurie Mylroie rings a bell, she's a right-wing conspiracy theorist who was much beloved by the bush administration and fox news back then. we don't see her too much anymore.

it would have been great if the media had seized upon this symposium and others like it and asked the hard questions before the war began instead of cheerleading the neocons. what a tragic story.