Flashback: Wright's Letter To NYT About Obama

In March 2007, New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor published a brief story about how Rev. Jeremiah Wright had been uninvited from delivering the invocation before Barack Obama's official presidential announcement.

Wright responded by writing the following letter:

March 11, 2007

Jodi Kantor
The New York Times
9 West 43rd Street
New York,
New York 10036-3959

Dear Jodi:

Thank you for engaging in one of the biggest misrepresentations of the truth I have ever seen in sixty-five years. You sat and shared with me for two hours. You told me you were doing a "Spiritual Biography" of Senator Barack Obama. For two hours, I shared with you how I thought he was the most principled individual in public service that I have ever met.

For two hours, I talked with you about how idealistic he was. For two hours I shared with you what a genuine human being he was. I told you how incredible he was as a man who was an African American in public service, and as a man who refused to announce his candidacy for President until Carol Moseley Braun indicated one way or the other whether or not she was going to run.

I told you what a dreamer he was. I told you how idealistic he was. We talked about how refreshing it would be for someone who knew about Islam to be in the Oval Office. Your own question to me was, Didn't I think it would be incredible to have somebody in the Oval Office who not only knew about Muslims, but had living and breathing Muslims in his own family? I told you how important it would be to have a man who not only knew the difference between Shiites and Sunnis prior to 9/11/01 in the Oval Office, but also how important it would be to have a man who knew what Sufism was; a man who understood that there were different branches of Judaism; a man who knew the difference between Hasidic Jews, Orthodox Jews, Conservative Jews and Reformed Jews; and a man who was a devout Christian, but who did not prejudge others because they believed something other than what he believed.

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I talked about how rare it was to meet a man whose Christianity was not just "in word only." I talked about Barack being a person who lived his faith and did not argue his faith. I talked about Barack as a person who did not draw doctrinal lines in the sand nor consign other people to hell if they did not believe what he believed.

Out of a two-hour conversation with you about Barack's spiritual journey and my protesting to you that I had not shaped him nor formed him, that I had not mentored him or made him the man he was, even though I would love to take that credit, you did not print any of that. When I told you, using one of your own Jewish stories from the Hebrew Bible as to how God asked Moses, "What is that in your hand?," that Barack was like that when I met him. Barack had it "in his hand." Barack had in his grasp a uniqueness in terms of his spiritual development that one is hard put to find in the 21st century, and you did not print that.

As I was just starting to say a moment ago, Jodi, out of two hours of conversation I spent approximately five to seven minutes on Barack's taking advice from one of his trusted campaign people and deeming it unwise to make me the media spotlight on the day of his announcing his candidacy for the Presidency and what do you print? You and your editor proceeded to present to the general public a snippet, a printed "sound byte" and a titillating and tantalizing article about his disinviting me to the Invocation on the day of his announcing his candidacy.

I have never been exposed to that kind of duplicitous behavior before, and I want to write you publicly to let you know that I do not approve of it and will not be party to any further smearing of the name, the reputation, the integrity or the character of perhaps this nation's first (and maybe even only) honest candidate offering himself for public service as the person to occupy the Oval Office.

Your editor is a sensationalist. For you to even mention that makes me doubt your credibility, and I am looking forward to see how you are going to butcher what else I had to say concerning Senator Obama's "Spiritual Biography." Our Conference Minister, the Reverend Jane Fisler Hoffman, a white woman who belongs to a Black church that Hannity of "Hannity and Colmes" is trying to trash, set the record straight for you in terms of who I am and in terms of who we are as the church to which Barack has belonged for over twenty years.

The president of our denomination, the Reverend John Thomas, has offered to try to help you clarify in your confused head what Trinity Church is even though you spent the entire weekend with us setting me up to interview me for what turned out to be a smear of the Senator; and yet The New York Times continues to roll on making the truth what it wants to be the truth. I do not remember reading in your article that Barack had apologized for listening to that bad information and bad advice. Did I miss it? Or did your editor cut it out? Either way, you do not have to worry about hearing anything else from me for you to edit or "spin" because you are more interested in journalism than in truth.

Forgive me for having a momentary lapse. I forgot that The New York Times was leading the bandwagon in trumpeting why it is we should have gone into an illegal war. The New York Times became George Bush and the Republican Party's national "blog." The New York Times played a role in the outing of Valerie Plame. I do not know why I thought The New York Times had actually repented and was going to exhibit a different kind of behavior.

Maybe it was my faith in the Jewish Holy Day of Roshashana. Maybe it was my being caught up in the euphoria of the Season of Lent; but whatever it is or was, I was sadly mistaken. There is no repentance on the part of The New York Times. There is no integrity when it comes to The Times. You should do well with that paper, Jodi. You looked me straight in my face and told me a lie!

Sincerely and respectfully yours,

Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor
Trinity United Church of Christ

Comments

[splacko]

Being colored in America is oppressive no matter what you have accomplished. Its ingrained in people's responses to you, racism that is. It takes patience and understanding to know when you are being maligned and when you are being misunderstood. I imagine being a woman in America is near to this experience, its a difficult theme. Is being colored in America akin to being a woman in America? It brings to mind the question, if all things were equal between Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, which would be more significant and which would have more of an impact on the American psyche; the symbolic power of seeing everyday on the news a black man or a white woman, speaking and leading, figuratively or otherwise, our country. As an undecided voter its a question I ask myself everyday.

[GrainOSand]

splacko:

It's an unfortunate question but I understand from whence it comes. The truth is life is hard for most. In the Christian bible this is illuminated by:

"And I applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given to the sons of men to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered." Ecclesiastes chapter 1

Nobody or no group has a monopoly on suffering. I am asking as an insignificant entity on a planet of billions, is there a better way for us all to approach the idea of living life and dying than that we have engaged in thus far? I am asking does the candidacy of Barack Obama represent an opportunity for us to do that; not because of who he is personally but because of the times we live in and what is embodied in his person?

To me this election is all about the people not a person and we are enjoying a show that shows us a lot about ourselves as individuals. This has got to be a good thing.

[richardsgirl]

First of all, you need to stop referring to African Americans or black Americans as "colored."

If things were equal between Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, assuming that you're alluding to race and gender, Senator Obama would still be the better candidate. And if either of them are elected to lead our country, America will be compelled to change its racist and/or sexist paradigm of what our country's leader should look like - and this would be a good thing, because changing our paradigm, even if we're forced to do so, would be the beginning of transforming our national consciouness and rising above the superifical differences between us that divide us.

[splacko]

How would the paradigm shift? The question was posed to provoke thought. You incorrectly assumed I refered to equality in a racial or gender capacity, in terms of their policies is what I meant. Lastly, If I don't reference myself as colored, as a african/latino american, I should I refer to myself? Would Obama be the better candidate? I admire his leadership skills, however I disagree on many of his policies. Obviously, policy wise, or in any other way, all things are not equal, however I think its and interesting supposition nevertheless.

[TERRYKEITH4]

You know what richardsgirl? Your objection to the use of the word "colored" is such a non issue. You don't object to it when you hear professional blacks, academics, and black scholars use that term so why are you upbraiding someone who is trying to reach across the aisle for using it? All you're doing is creating road blocks that do not even exist. We who are really struggling fiercely are tired of people like you who call yourselves "the intelligencia" and thinks the knowledge of life comes from a text book. I have said this before: It's not the person using the term that keeps it alive it's you; the one that allows it to affect you! How intelligent is that to allow a word to have power over you???? Please!

[keir]

Check out how many black senators there are...1
How many woman-16

How many black govenors-4
women govenors-8

I would say that Sen.Obama would have the biggest impact. Hillary might talk about the glass ceiling, but Sen Obama can talk about sitting under a roof that was built by slaves rented out to the government.

I am a white, 60 year old woman...live in the deep south and a feminist...for Obama.

[GrainOSand]

The beauty and the tragedy reside in the statistics you cite on so many levels.

Thanks for contributing to the conversation. Your post put some real perspective on several aspects of the raging debate.

[JohnBarleycorn]

Items that appear in quotes are pulled directly from Wright's letter:

"Maybe it was my faith in the Jewish Holy Day of Roshashana [sic]"

That is both a spelling error and probably indicative of the fact that Wright cannot distinguish between Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah (which to my less enlightened friends, is simply the Jewish New Year.)

"... a man who understood that there were [sic] different branches of Judaism; a man who knew the difference between Hasidic Jews, Orthodox Jews, Conservative Jews and Reformed [sic] Jews;"

That would be Reform Judaism not "Reformed." That a professor of theology would make these kinds of errors in a letter to the NY Times demonstrates ignorance and arrogance.

"That there were [sic] different branches of Judaism;'

The correct word would have been "are" not "were."

"When I told you, using one of your own Jewish stories from the Hebrew Bible as to how God asked Moses, "What is that in your hand?,""

This remark is so patently anti-Semitic, patronizing and belligerent one wonders how disturbed this man is.

That you Obama fans will simply engage now in yet more argumentum ad hominem tells me you are not capable of sincere, honest and adult debate. Moreover, that you are closed to the realities provided in plain English before you, and that you are largely incapable of critical thought as you are so blinded by your misplaced passions.

God have mercy on this country.

[GrainOSand]

Some sincere, honest, adult debate for you:

We are going to die.

Politicians do not give a damn unless they do about you or I except as it relates to our vote, our taxes, and our blood that we spill for wars they start.

Barack Obama is a man of flesh and bones nothing more.

Dynasties have been shown to have a lifespan just like people.

Martin Luther King said that the parallels cited in the "The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire " were frightening when he came to look at America.

All across America there are good people who see their neighbor not as someone to demean or hate but as someone to love and support.

All across America there are evil people who see their neighbor not as someone to respect and empathize with, but someone to loathe and fear.

The question has nothing to do with the typos or scholarship of a pastor but more with the living errors of a people. Can you speak on that or should we just sit back and let God take care of it. A position I am all for because I hope and pray for true blind justice and only God could deliver that.

[JohnBarleycorn]

I see no debate, sincere, adult or otherwise, in your posting.

That you would -- evidently -- excuse these issues as typos or trivial matters of scholarship tells me you're not interested in debate, but rather bloviating on race, history and the prettiness of your own prose. The presidency is far too consequential a role to just slough things off that you will not, cannot, or refuse to address.

Me, I deal in facts and evidence.

With respect, got any?

[intrestedparty]

I am Jewish and have never set foot in a black church, and for the life of me, cannot find one anti semitic thing in this letter, let alone belligerent or patronizing. These comments are so skewed and un-argued as to be mystifying. That the man referred to "reformed" as opposed to "reform"? I know many Jews who say the same in some contexts.
It is so plainly a letter by a person who feels misquoted and used by a journalist, and nothing more than that, that it stuns me that it can stir this amount of hostility.
What exactly is the rorscasch test of Rev Wright? The 8 quotes we have all been treated to as the sum of a man--is it so complete that even when he writes about something altogether different one's own rage exceeds Wright's own on that ugly loop?
I know nothing about Rev Wright apart from what we all have been forced to hear, but I suspect that those comments we have heard were selected by an interested party and he probably said some other things in a long career.
And even if not, it is certainly not what he is saying in this letter.
This hysteria reveals more about the poster than the pastor.

[GrainOSand]

I love intelligence it is colorless.

[thebeerdoctor]

Thank you for your honest, thoughtful, insight. You reveal in your comments that it is just as important to acknowledge what you do not know, along with what you do. And it is important to recognize how each of us are alike, and how each of us are different.

[JohnBarleycorn]

Not only have you dodged 3 of the 4 direct quotes I've made, but you've read this letter, and perhaps some other pull quotes, to support your argument. Let me politely say that your sampling rate is far too low to make any kind of judgement on Rev. Wright.

If you view the totality of his work, as I have, and if you do more than address the "8 quotes" you'll appreciate this is a vile, ignorant, angry man who has manipulated his flock with his demented teachings.

The truth about the Reverend is out there for anyone to see and read. That Obama has run, not walked, away from this cancer in the 11th hour of his candidacy speaks volumes about just how odious this man is, and also speaks volumes about how disingenuous , naive and inexperienced and ill-suited for the job of commander-in-chief that Barrack Hussein Obama is.

[pooppoop]

"Items that appear in quotes are pulled directly from Wright's letter:"

I stopped reading right there, because the cause of this ongoing storm over nothing is de-contextualized, selective quoting.

[GrainOSand]

The conservative's credo of small government, lower taxes for some, and self help is really a slight of hand.

The very people who espouse this doctrine only point to history when it casts America in a positive light never when it indicts America or when historical factors beg for legislative attention today.

The doctrine absolves the present government from taking responsibility because it allows politicians to change the subject by saying the government is not mandated to help individuals, you are responsible for you; this is the American way.

America does not really want me to become Christopher Columbus like in my approach to living; a whole lot of people would be mad when I discovered their possessions and made them mine. We call that theft now and it comes with jail time; another case of the old American way becoming obsolete after centuries of certain people living by and profiting from the old American way.

Malcolm X said the genius of the powers that be is not that they tell the lie; it is that they get us to believe the lie.

For all of America’s touted greatness as a country, its evolutionary greatness at the technology level and the economics level, it is still very much a caveman concerning how its citizens think about one another and deal with one another. Bush's own mother walks on all fours morally as was witnessed by her post Katrina comments, that somehow the tragedy had benefited the displaced people of NO.

[splacko]

Really, Bush's mother now! Well, sir, as Mr. Obama himself might respond, perhaps she is a brilliant person, but just somehow stuck in a kind of time-warp!

[GrainOSand]

I actually found Obama's comments concerning Reverend Wright to be wrong and felt he missed a golden opportunity to really tear the scab off of this issue and force a true debate. Reverend Wright is brilliant as witnessed by how he was being coveted before all of this by great institutions all over America to come and make speeches or to provide council. As for Barbara Bush in a time warp, oh if that were only true we would not be in Iraq today and not living with Scooter Libby Justice, Karl Rove deception, and the whole tawdry mess that is -- sir!

Also concerning Reverend Wright’s comments I have to ask, have you viewed the entire video around the sound bytes? Have you read subsequent reporting that says some of the comments made were actually him quoting what someone else had said. Of course you have for you are fair-minded and your heart is filled with love. Just in case you desire to make an informed decision I am offering you a couple of links to go educate yourself.

Be well my fellow American.

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/21/the-full-story-behind-rev-jeremiah-wrights-911-sermon/



http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/grainsand/gGBhqq


http://www.metafilter.com/44871/Barbara-Bush-insults-Katrina-survivors

[shag11]

Even the Black Panthers targeted their angst toward racist and the power elite. Rev. Wright's message is more consistent with rhetoric that is dated and inconsistent with the inclusive message that Sen. Obama is attempting to get across. It's not at all help. He's a soulmate of Richard Williams, the dad of Serena and Venus. The ladies are multi-millionaires and succeeding at everything they do, yet, he continues publicly deride "the white man." Two dumbasses.

[afgail]

Black pastors who constantly preach the victimhood of blacks do their congregations a grave disservice. It just demoralizes young blacks, especially males, who might be persuaded to pull themselves up by their boot staps by avoiding drugs, getting an education, and getting a job. It convinces them that every setback in their lives is the result of racism and they can't win for trying. A little dose of self reliance with community support would go a long way to improving their lives. Hillary was right. It takes a village, or community, to raise a child.

[Meah]

And you would know because you are black?

If not, you are just silly for saying what black people need and making generalizations about black pastors preaching victimhood. How about, black people need to live in a world that is not racist? Doncha think that would help? A very simple thing.

[GrainOSand]

How many "black" pastors do you know? How many "black" churches have you attended to form your opinion on what is being preached from the pulpit of such institutions?

It is hard to pull yourself self up by bootstraps on boots that were stolen long ago.

Let me ease your real fears. No one I know wants a hand out from the government. What I hear all the time is that people want magic. They want a truly united country where race is not a consideration. They know that in such a climate a lot of the problems besetting "blacks" especially "black" males, would find solutions in that miracle that have nothing to do with "white" people having to foot the bill for the original sin of this country.

Now why would you quote the hypocrisy of one who is willing to sacrifice you and anybody else for the expedience of realizing her ambition (Hillary)?

[richardsgirl]

When was the last time you visited Reverend Wright's church and listened to the entirety of his sermons? He has NEVER preached the "victimhood of blacks." Reverend Wright speaks to the injustices in America and abroad that have inflicted pain on people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, but particularly people of color. Contrary to your statement, Reverend Wright also teaches self-responsibility and accountability within the black community; and he is speaking to a congregation that is comprised of many prominent and successful African Americans, some of whom have changed their lives in a positive way as a result of Reverend Wright's encouragement. They represent the overwhelming majority of African Americans who have achieved in spite of the racism that plagues our country. Unfortunately, we do not hear about them because these are not the faces that are plastered on the front pages of the newspapers, and the faces we see have become the stereotype by which an entire community is judged, much like Reverend Wright has been judged by the soundbites that have served to misrepresent the reality of who he is. Sadly, there are people like you who need no more than soundbites or stereotypes to judge an individual or a community of which you have no knowledge. Perhaps you need to broaden your world view beyond your own limited and insulated experience before your form a judgment about others.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

blogger afgail, "Black pastors who constantly preach the victim-hood of blacks do their congregations a grave disservice."
Yes I agree in part, such as, "Black pastors". My view, any pastors. Next, "constantly preach"
are you telling me the truth you have heard all 30 years of his preaching to put this print as it not a legal slanderous comment. Next, please provide the number of his congregations that are now in jail. Also the 1 million who are also in was from "BLACK" pastors or no church at all. Maybe some did go but were molested by priest or rabbis or some other faith base leader.
Before Hillary work her book, I book black preacher said it years ago because of white hangings. It too a village to keep watch to be a survior

[GrainOSand]

The success of friends and families does not give the US a pass on the question of race. Things have changed greatly in this country but any who care or have been impacted would be negligent to think that somehow the game of race is not still being played, or that somehow we are all in love with one another now. Such a person would be a mentally deprived donkey or a “DUMBASS”. There is work to do and America should thank the Reverend Wright and Richard Williams for the part they play in the struggle as people who remind us of this fact that we are less than a perfect union. 400 plus years of bondage, hate, murder, theft, rape, and deceit cannot magically disappear in oh say less than forty years. If you think so let’s do an experiment and I will you put you in bondage and do all of the things America did to African descendant people (not to mention Sikhs, Native Americans, Japanese, Latino, and anybody else not considered “white”) to you and your descendants for the same length of time at the same level of brutality and let’s see if in 2508 if one of your descendants does not sound a lot like Reverend Wright or Richard Williams even though their friends and kids may head up an intergalactic consortium of businesses or be stars on the intergalatic football team.

[Redrover666]

In the beginning, I would not have given the republicans a chance in hell of winning in 2008. However, with Hiilary dodging bullets in Bosnia and Rev Wright pointing out to us whiteys and Garlic Noses what evil doers we are, I'd say McCain has a pretty damned good shot at it now.
You liberals can rant all you'd like and point out how stupid I am, how stupid Americans are, how evil Americans are etc etc. etc.
These blogs and your comments are the single best recruiting tool for Independents and Republicans, the link forwarded far and wide. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
You guys just keep bashing America, the war, Catholics, Christians, patriotism. We love you. Keep up the good work.

[prverde]

African Americans are not now oppressed in America. Blacks practically owm the music industry. they are very prominent in sports, politics, movies, reality shows, movies, TV, news, union leaders, medical field, CEO, in fact in every aspect of the American wealth of live. Do not forget Oprah, Tyra Ban, Robert Johnson (BET).

Like Bill Cosby said " get and education, work hard and you will get ahead.

NOW....WHERE ARE THE LATINOS AND ASIANS? THEY ARE NO WHERE IN COMPARISON TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN

[Meah]

My husband is African American, has a Master's degree, a gifted and beloved teacher, has a good job, is a decorated veteran, a gifted artist, a wonderful husband, a fine man, never even got a parking ticket.

My husband is also followed in stores, avoided by women walking past him, stopped by police for nothing, followed by security guards at the school he got his degrees in, feared by the neighbors across the street, etc etc.

Is he oppressed?

Since he has to take three kinds of blood pressure medicines, I would say yes.

[GrainOSand]

What would he have been if it were not for these obstacles America; what would Barack be? Tell your beloved that though he may find no comfort in it, he is not alone. Tell him that the lesson our American ancestors the so called slaves left us is, life is found in the heart not in the actions of the hateful He is blessed to have all that he has and that is more than likely a reflection of his heart. Tell him to live within that reality and it will always trump and eclipse the reality of greed, fear, hate, and divisiveness born of greed fear and hate.

Press on my people press on!

[randomx6]

Would Jessie Jackson worry if he saw him coming at him down the street at night? I bet he would.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

I sure hope you feel better bragging about what few people who have made a living in the public eye.
I am sure when they are not in the public eye and no camera is following them around, they are treated just like most Black Americans are in any store. In fact, they are so busy looking at them in the store other thieves have put a big dent into their profits. We all have to pay for through markups.

[GrainOSand]

That's the sad mythology. For every Oprah I can introduce you to a hundred maybe a thousand whose futures are already dark and dismal though they are young in age and guilty of nothing except being born poor within a historical reality. Working hard and getting an education did not stop Barack Obama from becoming embroiled in this manufactured controversy. It has not stopped countless police officer’s from attempting to brutalize me over a great span of my life. I offered just a snippet of my own personal story concerning race in America as an earlier post on this blog to try and provide some context for people who feel and see things as you do.

I respect your opinions but I think you need to go to the hoods of America so you can see how Bill Cosby and Oprah are really living. I suggest you somehow figure out a way to be considered African American for a day, then come back and tell me about progress.

I hate the discussion as well but denial has not worked.

Also, statistically speaking Asians and Latinos fare better here in America, though each of those groups have faced and are facing ingrained ignorance as well.

[splacko]

Really Asian and Latinos fare better in America? I would like to see those stats. Does Obama's race matter? Have you experienced gender discrimination in America?

[BlackMagicWoman]

Preach Rev! Preach!

[ginnypoo]

The obvious mistake by Obama was in allowing him near the event....from his letter he is still anti-semitic, he is trying to disavow any idea that he influences Obama, his biggest problem is that he didn't get his agenda regurgitated satisfactorily. He spent much time/energy trying to appear he had little influence on Obama, that Obama came pre-made. Wright even saying he was not his mentor....a clear break from what Obama said. Wright was trying to distance himself from Obama, the reporter zeroed in on the fact something was wrong if Obama attended for 20 years, but didn't want to highlight that by having his own minister pray at the event. Something would have to be wrong, to miss the image such events project. She was smart enough to point it out. Wright was mad cause his ploy failed. Obama made Wright sit it out, what he has said describing the relationship speaks volumes. Uncle, father, mentor, friend, spiritual counselor..........Wright would have spoken no matter what UNLESS it was a bad thing.... which we see it is.

[boombox]

Earth to Ginnypoo: notice the date on the letter. March 2007. He wrote the letter a year ago, around the time Obama declared his candidacy.

[richardsgirl]

There is nothing in Reverend Wright's letter that reflects anti-Semitism. It's odd that you would open your post with that statement and add nothing to substantiate it or to follow up on this remark. Instead, you merely expound on your mind-reading abilities by stating what Senator Obama and/or Reverend Wright were "trying to do" or what their intent was, which is no more than sheer speculation without any basis for credibility. Your "obvious mistake" was writing this post without giving any thought to what you were writing.

[aidawedo]

A white theology can be just as political as a black theology or a theology of liberation in Latin America. Although it is easily seen through, political concern seeks to hide the orientation of a white theology toward defending dominant class interests. This is why, through simulating neutrality, white theology is preoccupied with the conciliation of things that cannot be conciliated, why it denies so consistently the differences among social classes and their struggles, and why in its efforts for social good it does not go beyond the kind of modernizing reformisms that only shore up the status quo.

"A Black Theology of Liberation"
-- Paulo Freire (Foreword to the 1986 Edition)

[splacko]

Essentially, is not the concept recounted in that quote what Mr. Obama is touting as his main political value and worth, namely to unify people via bridging of their differences? If you posted this quote as a sort of bumper-sticker of your philosophy, I suggest you support someone not in the Political Mainstream, which lest we forget, the Democratic party definitely is a part of.

[GrainOSand]

In order to go left you must go right.

In order to go up you must go down.

These are Taoist concepts.

This is why I do not care about the outcome of the election for again president's have not had any significant impact upon the good quality of my life and I am prepared to deal with the actions of any tyrant that is in office or might come to office so I am still willing to go it alone with the help of those who really care about me not some politician no matter who he or she is. I am more interested in the process of healing that has started as a result of all of this and I am pleased to tell you that America will never be the same as a result. The doctrine of "post race" has been destroyed by the realities that have surfaced surrounding the Wright flap.

In order for us to unite we will split further apart.

It’s working like a charm.


Oh yeah, and the world is watching.

[aidawedo]

I was a supporter of Dennis Kucinich. I value his activism on behalf of every value I believe in. Of course he was marginalized and dismissed by the MSM.

An Obama presidency will not significantly alter my or black people's reality in America and the world. I do believe that he is the more principled and forthright candidate of the three who are in the race now. He would be a big improvement on the one esconced in office now!

To me Obama's most significant statement was "I want to change the mindset that got us into Iraq." And I think that speaks to concerns that Americans have and the world has about the malignancy of US foreign policy.

By the way, some individuals believe that blacks who seek social justice for members of their own race or for other oppressed minorities are racist. That is not logical; but than fear by nature is illogical.

[PhDcommonsense]

My Big Question, why has this not gotten to the Mainstream Media, Since they are trying to Demonize Rev. Wright on this issue and define his whole body of work?

It shows me the Media will do most anything to try and destroy Sen. Obama's chance at the Presidency along with the help or others.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

How many black own and operated media outlets you know and where are they located?

that will "'show and tell"' what power is or are not .

How many black banks the size of Bears failed, and the federal government rushed with taxpayers money to bail them out?

I have no say how my taxes are spent or my future paychecks will be divided among the rich who steal
but they didn't seal enough so they need help.

My poor broke as* has never had a true say who will represent my interest. All my voting years what I thought was the truth was always a lie due to only having access to one side never balance info.

[GrainOSand]

It's been a long time coming but....

Change is gonna come!

[JohnBarleycorn]

After rereading the reverend's letter, I am convinced anew that he is a profoundly ignorant, racist and clearly anti-Semitic, cur.

Moreover, he's mentally unbalanced, deals in the most vile of race-baiting remarks, and probably doesn't even know what Rosh Hashonah, other than a Jewish holiday, probably practiced by "Reformed" Jews.

What a vile, and completely unbalanced man. Good that he retired, he clearly needs help.

As for Obama, he is forever tainted by his closeness to this sociopath, who comes across in his letter to the NY Times as little more than Louis Farrakhan's Christian doppleganger.

The more you read, the worse it gets. Thanks for posting this nevertheless. This site's impassioned editorial support for Obama tells me there are many Democrats, and pseudo Democrats who are just as deaf, dumb and blind as their Republican counterparts.

Le puke

[GrainOSand]

That's the problem with all relationship, you can be tainted by the ignorance of others. After considering your position I felt tainted enough to comment that predisposition is the disease that produces the symptoms of disdain at times. Under what set of circumstances would the candidacy of Barack Obama be acceptable to you? If there were no Reverend Wright, what would be the disqualifier for an Obama candidacy then? I can agree with opposition on the issues for that is what all of this should be about, the war in Iraq, the future of individual Americans, and that long list of issues plaguing us as people of a society. Your analysis suggest disregard beyond the issues, which is acceptable but puzzling nonetheless.

As is my way, with sincere respect I thank you for your comments because they made me think. That is always a good thing. My conclusion after thinking runs counter to your analysis and I feel that to be a good thing as well.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

I truly would have considered the candidacy of Hilliary Clinton over Senator Obama until
she used a Black American General Togo West to introduce her. In her speech she went off the deep end on her trip with her only, a singer and a comedian another Black man.

She told me, what her experience landing in a hostile area with active duty military personnel. a wannabe commander in chief should never trash her military personnel with lie of this level. The black general standing on stage with integrity was trash the same as General Colin Powell.
It was Hillary who destroy any desire to check that name on any voting ballet ever. No matter have Senator Obama mother, father, sister, pastor, have done and I have been told the whole truth, I still will not vote for her. Bottom line no. Her style of networking is not good for this nation. Her and husband will not be elected back in the WH. the republican party with Bill a former impeached president thumbing his nose at them,it will never happen. All the slime dug will be at taxpayers expense. Lets get Real, you are only fooling yourself. Soccer moms and typical white women, not me, I am a vet.

[boombox]

simpleton? no, he really wrote the letter in march 2007.

[hoodrat]

Then let ME be tainted! Sick of hearing baby nutsack bigots railing when ANY MAN/WOMAN,stands up and tells the TRUTH slick. And if that happens to be twisted - so be it. None are so blind that they can't look in the mirror first, trick. It's this type of blind ignorance from you inbreds that's got us in all this shit in the first place. Yeah I'll measure manhood....let's see, Rev, Wright a former Marine, so am I, ergo slug - slime away. Cowards hanging on every baited word, to continually quantify people, and in so doing - shines light on your bitch-ass. John Bagacorn, what part of you ran down the back of your dads leg......

[GrainOSand]

Hoodrat, you seem to be upset with JB.

JB, hoodrat's venom is not imagined it is real. That frustration exists all over the country. His words may shock but do not devalue them. Within them is pain deep and prolonged. I bet you think hoodrat is racist because of how he/ chose to kick the script (reply to you). He is probably just like most African American's I know, not racist but aware of the climate in which they exist and afforded no luxury to deny it. None of us asked for this conversation but since FOX news brought it up we are having it now. That genie then left the bottle, never to return.

[GrainOSand]

hoodrat, respect and I was not trying to speak for you for you do ok without my help.

[FJRinLA]

Honestly JohnBarleyCorn,

I beg you to give some specific examples of the man's "ignorance" and "mental illness" in this letter. I can't tell you how sincere this request is because I am black and an Obama supporter, so I accept that it is entirely possible that I may be reading this letter through my biased black or biased Black church lenses.

So please point out to me what in this letter proved his racism, anti-Semitism, and socio-pathology.

I should admit that though black, I was educated in predominately Jewish prep-schools that were closed every Rosh Hashanah AND Yom Kippuer while growing up in NYC. So to add to the credibility of your Jewish references maybe you should include some first hand experiential knowledge that couldn't have been googled.

[splacko]

Whatever about Barley. As an "educated" person you should be familiar with concept of "othering" or the "other". The article has clear undertones of bigotry. This is evident several times throughout the letter. His reference to the Jewish Holy Day of Roshashana at the end of the letter. How is that relevant? He refers to one of the authors own "jewish stories" in the Bible. Subtext. C'mon its silly not to acknowledge it.

[unenrolled]

youtube rev.manning or google.rev.manning the clinton's pride and joy, sounds like he could be yours.

[kettletop]

What you say about others is a reflection of yourself.

[JohnBarleycorn]

It's Reform not "Reformed," Rev.

This guy is a loose, ignorant, and possibly paranoid, cannon.

Whoa unto this country if Obama gets the nod. He will NEVER win the general election and we'll
hav 4 more years of this disasterous GOP hegemony.

Le sigh

[WLA]

Bullshit. Wright has his beliefs and Obama has his own. Maybe they share some. How about Hillary's "The Family" prayer group that she shares with neocon wives. Does that mean she shares all of their beliefs?

[steamboat]

He's no dummy, though. His fans and followers are. See today's Chicago Sun-Times (Saturday, 3/29/08). Rev. Wright is being given and having a $ ONE MILLION DOLLAR mansion built for him. So much for the real needy. Just make all these paranoid pastors rich.

[richardsgirl]

It is a tradition in many African American churches, and possibly in some white churches as well, to provide the Pastor a home upon his retirement. Reverend Wright served at Trinity for almost forty years, and built the church from virtually nothing to a membership of 8000. His service to the community has also been notable and nationally recognized. The congregants of his church have chosen to provide Reverend Wright and his family with this "gift" in appreciation for his magnanimous and sacrifical minstry that has defined his life. This is their money; they have voluntarily and enthusiastically contributed to this project; it is neither illegal nor unethical to build a house or to give the gift of a house, and I doubt if his passion for addressing injustice and helping those in need, will be stunted because he he is privileged to live in a beautiful home. Exactly what is your gripe?

[Duros62]

It's Woe, not whoa, John.

Speaking of paranoid cannons.

[AbdulScarface]

Loose Canon?? After reading this letter if you can come up with such conclusion I think you either don't get it or you have a couple o screws missing yourself. People like you should just be upfront and just say it the fact that he is black bother you a lot. Not his policies, not his ideas about the future of the country. His color is the main factor in your (so called) judgment. Funny how some people rather have a divisive person in power instead of a uniter just because the uniter happens to be black. This country needs to grow out of the shadows of Slavery and Jim Crow.

[JohnBarleycorn]

That Obama is black is of no concern to me, but it is a major factor in terms of the general electorate. Have you, and the previous respondent, even looked at the numbers vis-a-vis the electoral college in a McCain v. Obama race?

No, of course not. You're too busy flaming folks like me who deal in facts and not fatuous fulmination.

There are many problems with the country, race and religion foremost among them, but your logical leaps of fallacy do not address the reality that OBAMA CANNOT WIN the general election.

Now, to impugn me because the facts support that, just shows what a tenuous grasp on reality you both have.

Fear not, as evidenced by hundreds of other posters here, you're in very good, albeit delusional, company.

In any event, it doesn't matter because if Obama is the Democratic nominee, nothing he say or does will change the inevitable. And that inevitability is a McCain victory.

Hope you're happy with that!

Hillary would not be my choice given the available Democratic candidates, but Obama cannot win and thus, be default, she must be the putative favorite. Moreover, Obama's public record is so thin and so short-lived, that anyone in his camp is relying far more on hopes and wishes than facts.

Flame away, but all you do is prove my point in the process. Show me how -- via the electoral college and the polling numbers -- Obama can win.

I await your facts.

[justwaitandsee]

I say a quite a few screws missing

[nisha]

"Whoa" unto this country? "Loose Cannon"?
Looks like you are the loose ignorant and possibly paranoid person here!

[Marlyn]

Well said, Reverend Wright. Beautifully said.

[Bad actor]

In "A Fight Against Tyranny", I speak of injustices against black people that I witnessed. I offer the following quotes to illustrate the disease of racism as it once infected our country.

"On cue, each reached into the van and grasped an ankle and wrist of a black woman who had been cut repeatedly. The pulled the moaning woman from the van and swung her body past the litter as though they were throwing her into a swimming pool. The arc ended with her bare bottom approximately three inches from my face. Just as it seemed that I was going to be splattered, the ascent of the body paused and began an arc away from me which ended with a dull thud as her back struck the litter. They continued to hold her ankles high and spread-eagled. Ignoring the blood gushing from her wounds, the woman tried vainly to cover her nakedness with her dress and was jeered for her efforts. The cruelty and degradation was obvious but it did not matter because the woman was black." (1936)

It is important that we realize how far we have come to eradicate this vicious malady.

[GrainOSand]

Nothing pales a manufactured greatness like a real truth!

[whodathunkit01]

I think Pastor Wright made a "pun" while stating the reporters name "Jodi" as well.
Being a former Marine there are a few jokes as to the caliber of a person named Jodi...lol

But the NY Times is basicly a sign of the times.

Racist and "extreme right"

One day this country will grow up and respect each other as a melting pot and not bragging rights for idiots who don't walk the real streets safe.

We are all Mutts

Welcome to the New World
May I take your order?

*snicker*

Somebody is gonna mess around and get their face cracked acting sneaky in the public eye.

And all of this drama for what?

Who is gonna lead us into a New Order in this world?

Are we living the Dream that MLK Jr spoke about?

Maybe not yet, but we all are close.

let's see if we can be a country too busy to hate.

respect

[presto]

I think he called her "Jodi" for a different reason. I think he called her "Jodi" because her name is "Jodi".

[MadeinAmericaProud]

who da thunk it, Are these notes for the next SNL show?