Fox News. You corrupt mouthpiece for a corrupt administration. I usually just ignore you and your leader Rupert Bush, but now you've gone too far. Several days ago you aired a clip of Jeremiah Wright -- Barack Obama's former Spiritual Advisor. The clips you found were incendiary, hateful, and taken out of context...anti-American. I was shocked to hear such words coming from the mouth of a man whose sermons I had listened to for at least three years as when I was a resident of Chicago and a member of the Trinity congregation.
I LOVED going to Trinity for several reasons. I found the congregation to be inviting, accepting of ALL people, ALL colors, ALL backgrounds. I found Jeremiah Wrights teachings to be progressive in nature, surprisingly political, informative, and sometimes funny. When Obama said he'd never heard Wright say things like he said in that video, I believed him. In three years, I never heard anything like that either. I heard him tell a story about how he told a woman that if she didn't like homosexuals in the church -- she should leave, because he wasn't making anyone else leave. I heard him systematically break down poverty in the black community, I heard him build up a congregation hungry for knowledge, and inspiration, but I never heard him say the things Fox News found. That should have been the moment it occurred to me that something was wrong. Fox News.
In the FULL version of a now infamous sermon from Jeremiah Wright, he discusses government, slavery and politics. But that's not all. He talks about how "blacks had an intelligent friend in the Oval Office" under the Clinton administration, and continues to say that we went from an intelligent friend from a dumb Dixie-crat; a rich Republican who has never held a job in his life. That's pretty funny. He then talks countries and their failed attempts at imperialism, which brings us to the section we all know and love. But I don't want to give it all away; you should watch it yourself.
I can see why Fox News would want to take Obama, the first black man with a shot at the White House, a man that has a groundswell of support from not just black voters, but white voters -- I can see why they would want to take him down when he bashes the dumb Dixie-crat in office and reminds us all that the election was stolen. Can't you?
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When are we going to see a video explaining the "Government is spreading AIDS in the black community" comment by Wright? How about one in which he corrects the false statement about the government injecting black men with Syphillis?
Thank God Wright has retired (forced), I don't like what he said but I like Fox News but even I think they have over done it with the constant re=running of the hate speech. I'm sure he is a good man, but give it a rest.
I do not know if my disgust with Faux Noise, aka Fox News, or my sloth keeps me from Faux. Rightly or wrongly-I reply upon the contents of bloggers on HP or other progressive sites to keep me informed on the antics of Faux's talking heads. Even then I'm selective of the blogs which I use. A lot of what Faux airs is so absurd & simply a rehash of what Faux repeatedly air that it's a tedious bore. I ignore blogs which covers such Faux content.
larry lynch
When you watch the white guys on religious tv as I call it when the channels play the sermons, I have yet to hear real emotion. I see the practiced speakers telling the sermon of the day and they look like the are programed and made for dvds. I have experienced the social revival church and there is emotion and love pouring out of them. The type of energy they have feels like they would blast off a rocket if you could make it into rocket fuel. They also talk about the real life. Those things that wear us all down. Bills you can't pay, illness, job stress, family problems and the war as well as a bit of politics thrown in but they say with as if they and God are talking. Not the stepford man version for dvd. I understood Rev Wright's sound bites to be what they were just like the lies played out on MSM they pick and choose sound bites to slant things the way the channel or program wants them to be. One of the worst problems we have with MSM is the truth is lost now to the programers and the way the story is presented. We deserve better tan that.
I am so glad this post was printed. I watched and listened to the speech offered here, and it cleared up a lot. I just knew there had to be some explanation for all this mess. Now that I have seen the entire sermon, I understand. It should be required that the cable channels and MSM stations play the whole sermon, all the way to the end. It changes the whole argument. I have been for Obama since his first speech...I have never wavered, and will support him in November when he will be the democratic candidate.
I plead with all of you who may not be supporting him now...if he wins the nomination, please vote for him. Just remember, we cannot survive another 4 years of republican rule, especially since John McCain walks in lockstep with George Bush. We have lost enough young men and women in Iraq. Let's bring them home and let them get on with their lives. They have served honorable and they need to come home.
I agree, Erikka. Something stinks. I too attended Trinity and have tried every avenue I could to speak out publically against its debasement. It's amazing to me to how so many have jumped to conclusions without one comment being sought from members of the congregation. People who have never been to the church or know anything outside of some sound bites are not interested in knowing the truth, but in protecting their partisan interest. I couldn't believe it when I saw your article! I have attended Trinity off and on since the 1980s and attended Bible study. It is not a propaganda mill. There is no indoctrination going on and it's a safe environment for children. It has turned my stomach to hear the lies and speculations. It's not difficult to find members and attendeesof the church.They are among the top professionals in the city of Chicago. They come from all walks of life and have benefited from the church's ministry. Sean Hannity has had it in for Reverend Wright since he appeared on his "show" several months ago and peeled his little grape without breaking a sweat, because Hannity is such a shallow little Nazi who has been paid lots of money to spread propaganda to the half-wits who are entranced by his program. The videos were no big find. The church has been broadcasting for years and the tapes have long been for sale. It is sooo frustrating to find a voice in this country when you know the truth! What the media is putting out here about Trinity IS NOT TRUE. I have challenged many to go and check it out for themselves then they will see what a shamefrul and blatantly RACIST slander has been perpetrated.
Obama had 17 more years than you did in Trinity Church!!
And, please stop trying to make Obama a victim AGAIN!!
To recall historical events is certainly justified; however, it's the REASON why someone uses these examples that really counts!!!! IF your goal is to unite in order to REVENGE past historical disasters, then, you've just started to destroy your Cousin Barry's chance to be the nominee for the next President of the USA.
No one can change the past. Therefore, we should think of the future and chose a nominee and vote for a candidate who does not revive revengeful sentiments. It is divisive and goes against everything Sen. Obama has told the PEOPLE.
It seems that Sen. Obama's chances are destroyed by his own supporters because of their uncontrolled emotions. We're getting ready for the 2008 elections!!! 19 & 20 century is HISTORY to remember and not use it to nurture hatred and discrimination of any kind.
You look at the original version instead of a youtube created version, YOU HAVE BEEN HAD BY fox news.
You obviously didn't listen to the sermons. The 9/11 sermon, for example, was warning against the exact same thing you are, that while we may thirst for revenge following the attack on New York and the Pentagon, we need to remember that it's a dangerous slope. In short, violence begets violence.
THAT was the message of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, not "America's chickens have come home to roost".
Further, I agree that we shouldn't be practicing 19th or 20th century politics any more-- And Sen. Obama seems to be the only "21st Century" candidate still in the running.
'jeg' --didn't Sen. Obama distance himself from his Partor's rhetoric? Are you suggestion that Sen. Obama just like many others are unable to understand what the Pastor's message has been?
In any context, at any time, for any reason the rhetoric/language of the Pastor (or whoever would be in his place!) is unacceptable by any measure. Period.
Sen. Obama has to address, among other things, how he plans to solve the economic crisis, what his plans are for education, healthcare etc.etc. and he has to do it in specific language. Then, may come 'hope'...
I don't know Rev. Wright. But I've watched Mr. & Mrs. Obama comport themselves with intelligence dignity and class for months. I've listen to a number of Barack's speeches, ones more obscure, (thanks C-Span ) and I realize he sees the larger overview of where we are, and how we got here. He's clear headed, and not so weak to be herded by nay -sayers or cheerleaders.
His wife also, speaks directly to the public and connects, she sees things within her own experience and not via pollsters.
I admire them both, that they hold Rev. Wright in high regard is enough for me. Clearly, we're not getting the whole picture of Rev. Wright . I've seen recently, first hand how the words of Michelle have been taken out of context and twisted.
Thanks for this post!
P.S.
Don't worry , I don't think the Media's attempt to paint him in this way will work this time.
And we can record this as the first time anyone on the far-right expressed outrage over any comments made by a religious figure.
I would like Fox News to examine "Mission Accomplished" and "So" with the vigor they have demonstrated with the Obama campaign. If you apply the same venom they have for Rev. Wright's comments to Bush and Cheney's comments, then they truly would be "fair and balanced".
...and pigs fly!
Why hasn't the Reverend come out and spoken himself? I can't understand why he hasn't defended himself. I wish he would.
maybe he feels the life he lives is enough of a defense. try researching him you will be surprised how far out of context they are about this man.
Amen! Let these folks keep digging a hole for him. They're going to fall right in it. Maybe he's a man of faith. Maybe he knows its not just about him. Maybe his ego does not rule him. Maybe he's not called out so easily by the "devil".Maybe he takes to heart "Be still and know that I am God". Maybe he's really a man of courage and faith.
The media control in this country is sad. It is actual propaganda that comes out of the tube. Its really scary there is no account for real journalism. it is not like there is a spliced video and thats it, most of them know and have watched the entire video but still want to push their agenda. Fox News is on the forefront, but it is alot bigger than just them.
Thank you, I'll be showing this to some of Barack's family in Arkansas. He is my cousin on both my mother's and my father's side. Barack is not just a black candidate, he is also a white candidate. I have already proudly cast a vote for Cousin Barry in the Arkansas primary and look forward to casting another in the general election. Barack Obama's ancestors on his mother's side have been in America for almost 400 years, and his reasoned and thoughtful, and I believe heartfelt comments on the problems of race have moved America to a new point of decision.
Mr. Wright's sermon deserves a listen in it's entirety as well. The historical context and religious context of this sermon cry out for the damnation that he has pronounced. The context makes his point clear and the cherry picked replaying of his conclusion leads to a false perception of his message.
Does the media really believe that we should invoke God's blessing on the genocide of the indigenous people of the Americas, that we should invoke God's blessing on perpetual slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, and racial discrimination? That is the pertinent question.
Really? Why is it then that Oprah attended that church and found Rev Wright so offensive she left it?
I don't believe you. Actually, why would anyone stay in a church like that?
How do you know why Oprah left that church. People leave churches all of the time. Did Oprah tell you why she left the church? I don't think so. Oprah has been smart and has told the media that she has no comment, because she knows that whatever she says, it will be taken out of contect. Watch CNN tonight. It gives you a bigger picture of the whole tape of Jeremiah Wright.
WHY CAN'T PEOPLE GET IT THROUGH THEIR HEADS THAT THESE PREACHINGS WERE *A*TYPICAL OF WHAT WRIGHT ACTUALLY TAUGHT ON SUNDAYS?
HE TAUGHT INCLUSION. WHITES ATTENDED HIS CHURCH, GAYS, WOMEN, AIDS VICTIMS, AND HE INDEED MADE ANYONE WHO *ACTUALLY WENT* TO HIS CHURCH FEEL WELCOME. HIS DENOMINATION IS 99% WHITE (but mainstream media won't report that little fact).
THIS IS A GOOD CHURCH WHERE MANY MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS POLITICS ATTEND. FURTHERMORE, WRIGHT HAS PREACHED FOR 35 YEARS HOURS AT A TIME, MANY TIMES A WEEK AND ALL ANYONE CAN FIND ARE A FEW SECONDS OF CONTROVERSIAL STATEMENTS?
THE TRUTH HERE IS THAT THE CHILDREN OF THAT CHURCH, THOSE OF ITS 6000 MEMBERS ARE GOING TO BE SCARED AS THE WORLD PICKS ON THE CHURCH BECAUSE OF RARE ANOMALIES.
WRIGHT IS NOTHING MORE THAN A MAN WHO MADE RARE MISTAKES, AND IS CAUGHT IN A CROSSFIRE WHERE BULLETS ARE AIMED AT OMBAMA! (now, there is a suitable analogy).
However, I feel horrible for the children of that church. The world is picking on them and their church, while no one knows of there are other controversial statements. I'll tell you, you won't find much no matter how much others are looking. They now have to take time out in Chicago to provide therapy to the young children of the church. Why all this controversy you ask? A probably tenuous, but probable hypothesis is that people want to exaggerate, make their case, and get their candidate in the spot Obama now comfortably holds.
Thanks for your posting Ms. Yancy. By watching the sermons, listening to the soundbites in full, I find myself disappointed in Mr. Obama with regards to some of his comments on Rev. Wright in his speech in Philadelphia. I don't get the sense that Reverend Wright is a man who believes that things are static or that there has been no progress. I am reminded of the final season of THE WIRE, in which two entities took a situation and worked it for their own purposes. FOX does what it does. With regards to Mr. Obama, though he seeks to address an important concern (race in our society), it originates from a false premise; the way in which FOX and other media outlets couched Wright.
I'm satisfied with the way Obama handled it. Read his speech again. He remained loyal to Wright and made clear although it was politically risky for him, that he would not disown Wright, that's what most dissatisfied people wanted. I admire that. it shows loyalty and courage.
Based on the transcript of his race speech, I guess what Obama repudiated, was the God Damn America speech. That one was thundered by Wright with passion, but certainly not the tone of hatred. Obama throughout his campaign thanked America for the privileges he is now enjoying, that wouldn't be possible except in this country.
This was so sad to me. I have seen only the last part of the tape on TV everyday. How can we allow the media to control the truth that we receive? What else have we seen that was half true or a complete lie? Thank you Erikka. Fox News has got to be stopped. If anyone calls for a boycott please put it out for me to read. I am willing to do what every it takes to stop this from happening to anyone else. But one thing that
Rev. Wright said is God Does Not Lie......and if I was Sean Hannity and those other devils on Fox I would be very afraid. We know more about Rev. Wright so call speech than we know about the young men and women that have died in Iraq. The time they took to play Rev Wright for 24 hours in one day they could have named all the dead men and women on the 5 year anniversary . Oh yea that was also a lie.
"I can see why Fox News would want to take Obama, the first black man with a shot at the White House, a man that has a groundswell of support from not just black voters, but white voters."
Well said Errika. The media keeps saying that black voters will protest if the nomination is stolen from Obama. But if they look at Obama's numbers it's clear that white voters will too. It's time to wrap this up and start to focus on McCain. We don't need another 4 years of warmongering.
It was ABC news who broke the story. They bought the videos of the sermons and watched them, and reported on what they found.
Well, then I would say that ABC needs to apologize for not giving the whole story and playing the whole tape. This is just disgraceful. I believe that Rev. Wright will end up suing some of these news stations. And he should.
JulieSA wrote:
"It was ABC news who broke the story. They bought the videos of the sermons and watched them, and reported on what they found."
Wow, so it was an impartial analysis! Just to clarify that a bit: if it was ABC, they reported PART of what they found in ONE sermon. Fox just made sure everybody heard about that one part. Since the big topic at issue is what this guy preaches, I tend to think that if similar outbursts existed, we would have seen them by now. Very few corporate owned media outlets have even attempted to put things into perspective on any story. They know people don't want the whole book, just the pages with the dirty pictures. It's not even all that politically influenced. You can bet that when something juicy enough on McCain turns up, they'll report that too. ABC will, anyway. Maybe even Fox, if there's still time for Romney to run.
What I can't see is that John McCain would go along with fox news. I know that a lot of that is out of his control, but I do believe that he wants to run a decent campaign. He does not want to win an election by ambush. I'm sure that he can't stand half of the people on fox news. Can't you imagine a McCain and O'reilly debate? Not everyone at fox news is horrible, but the weaker ones, such as Allan and Greta are not strong enough to stand out from this. It is really sad that one of their own commentators had to tell them "enough already". Fox news does not deserve to have listeners. I would like to ask Geraldo why he would work on a show like that. I don't think the he would participate in this nonsense and I have not seen him, and he and Allan are about the only ones on that show that have not participated with that nonsense. There are also blacks that work there and if I were a black that worked for a company like that, I would have a few words for them. Nobody needs a job that bad.
Thanks Erika for revealing this outrageous manipulation by Fox and any other networks that know the truth.
Now, How can we get this truth into the hands of someone who will run with it on the networks???
We can't let it the character assassination go unanswered.
Anyone who digs beneath the surface involving Wright's sermons and the human being he is will see the humanity that Wright brought to that church and the lack thereof that Hannity and Fox bring to the world. How would you like a fragment of what you said amplified to the point where it not only destroys your reputation, but everyone associated with you as well?
Good point. I guess I'll give David Duke another chance. Those small insensitive, sickening, bigoted, racist comments shouldn't define the man. I'm sure he's just a swell guy. Thanks for setting me straight! I've been too close-minded in the past when it comes to folks making blatant, hate-mongering and racist comments. Maybe I'll vote for Jeremiah and David as Men of the Year! Thanks again!
AMEN!
Merlin7
Your comment about religion is inaccurate, except for those that preach/teach in error, as you include all churches saying "Intelligent people should not be messing around with churches and so-called ministers anyway. Religion promotes a slave mentality in everyone subjected to it. It also promotes an irrational, fantasy-based view of the world that makes believers more vulnerable to political manipulation and exploitation."
Most Christian churches today see falling numbers and/or build-up of a false church, these indeed teach worshipping authority, a teaching error instead of having (proper) respect of authority. Many calling themselves Christian, taught in these false (slave) churches, indeed as part of these congregations are taught error and may end up worshipping Lucifer. These slavery-churches do lead people into slavery, a slavery ending in destruction.
However after three years of Christ teaching disciples, before sending them out, warned them first about the very point you bring up. Christ said 'I am sending you out like sheep among wolves, therefore you must be as wise as the snake/serpent." In secular words this command is that the mature be 'informed'. This along with Gods' wisdom and knowledge (not mans foolishness), requires a considerable time of learning and research, testing everything before accepting.
So as you have partially began, I also suggest people find a true church, where Christians become one in unity and maturity, not following false teaching and preaching.
Amen!
As a (white) Christian it was refreshing to hear (rare today) a preacher as did Jeremiah Wright speaking truth, condemning both error and evil, fearing no strong man or their tax code of silencing.
It makes no difference to me that Obama does not have the same strength of character, it is my hope in 2008 Americans may have heard a sermon or two of this preacher, and they elect Congressional candidates of similar moral and ethical conviction. Were we to rid ourselves of those self serving in our gov, we then might have chance of dislodging the evil of both DEM/GOP now found in the upper hierarchy and control. It would be good to see a return of a true Constitutional gov of Law and ethic.
Take note you ear tickling preachers in America, the Lord said 'feed my people', the dietary immitations and limitations you call sermons are leaving a people literally starved to death.
I wouldn't judge the integrity or intelligence of all card carrying citizens of America by either George W. Bush's words or actions (though, that may be more valid than judging one's perspective by the words of a pastor of a church he attends - given that Bush was selected by the people TWICE to represent America and their interests) - so how can Wright's words be a serious issue for Obama's candidacy? Simply deplorable folks can sit in on sermons of the highest degree of morality - and it wouldn't change their essence, and a religious leader can say things that are in complete disagreement with the view of a member of a certain religious community without the fickle one jumping ship. One of our top genetists happens to be a Catholic - doesn't make him any less able to grasp the theory of evolution or the role of genetics in the goodness of fit. From wh
Posted March 21, 2008 | 07:22 PM (EST)