Rev. Jeremiah Wright: My Words Were Twisted

NEW YORK — The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, former pastor to Barack Obama, said that publicizing sound bites of sermons in which he condemned U.S. policies was "unfair" and "devious," and done by people who know nothing about his church, according to excerpts of a PBS interview released Thursday.

Wright said that, as an activist, he is accustomed to being "at odds with the establishment," but the response to the sermons has been "very, very unsettling."

The interview, scheduled for broadcast Friday night, is the first the pastor has given since video of his preaching gained national attention in March, putting Democratic presidential hopeful Obama on the defensive.

Among the most remarked upon sound bites was Wright proclaiming from the pulpit "God damn America" for its racism. He accused the government of flooding black neighborhoods with drugs.

The controversy forced Obama to explain his 20-year association with the minister, who is stepping down from Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

"The blowing up of sermons preached 15, seven, six years ago and now becoming a media event, not the full sermon, but the snippets from the sermon ... having made me the target of hatred, yes, that is something very new," Wright told "Bill Moyers' Journal."

"I felt it was unfair. I felt it was unjust. I felt it was untrue. I felt _ for those who were doing that _ were doing it for some very devious reasons," he said.

In a March 18 speech in Philadelphia, Obama described the history of injustice that fueled Wright's comments, while also condemning his pastor's statements and acknowledging white resentment of African-Americans.

Asked his response to the senator's speech, Wright said, "He's a politician, I'm a pastor."

"I do what I do. He does what politicians do," Wright said. "What happened in Philadelphia, where he had to respond to the sound bites, he responded as a politician."

Wright said he has never heard Obama repeat any of the pastor's controversial statements as his own opinion. "No, no, no. Absolutely not," Wright said.

Wright gave the interview as presumptive Republican nominee John McCain and the North Carolina GOP argue over a TV ad with Obama and the pastor scheduled to run Monday, ahead of the state's crucial May 6 primary. A narrator in the spot says, "He's just too extreme for North Carolina." McCain has asked local officials not to run the ad, but the state GOP said no.

Wright is scheduled to speak Monday at the National Press Club in Washington.

____

PBS' "Bill Moyers' Journal":

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/index-flash.html

Comments

[Phil4and8]

Watch out America. Our hypocrisy is showing.

This story re: Rev Wright's outstanding interview with Bill Moyer on PBS got a relatively low feedback level (although the ones calling down condemnation after the looped soundbites was off the charts!). Most of those who saw the interview were "convicted" and had a change of heart, once they were allowed to engage their own minds and hearts, rather than being dictated to by soundbites. But I guess it takes courage and integrity to admit when you're wrong, and even more moral strength and character to attempt to right the wrong.

The other interesting note was that there were over 300 comments (many very negative and of the "no matter what he might say, he's still just wrong/racist, etc." variety) made before the interview even aired.

Even now, the MSM pundits and cyber-spammer/trolls continue to parse and exploit portions of the interview to fortify their positions, rather than utter those rare and magical words, "I was wrong. I"m sorry."

We don't hold ourselves to a high standard, yet we want to "crucify" our candidates if they're less than "gods." It makes me sad.

[MoxieGurl]

I just hope that Rev Wright sue the crap out of Sean InSanity, Faux News, O'Really and that nasty self serving bigot Joe Scar on MSNBC for slander....

There must be some recourse for him because after the PBS interview it is obvious this was a character hit job from the Rethugs..

[Nyla785]

Rev. Wright seemed a very decent man, dedicated to helping his congregation. Just goes to show you how strong the right wing 'smear machine' is, that they can start the smear spin days before people even get to see that actual interview they refer to.

[Zeusthunderbolt]

When I saw the interview last night, my first thoughts were: If obama had thrown this incredible, smart, descent man under the bus, I could not have supported him any more.

[pacats]

How was the Cable Networks able to get away with destroying the reputation of Rev. Wright?

Because the Fairness Doctrine no longer applies to cable networks. The networks know they could not have demonized Rev. Wright image with 30 sec. sound bites played repeatedly under this doctrine because the United States Federal Communications Commission would have stopped it. The Fairness Doctrine is about responsible and balanced news reporting from the cable networks. This U.S. broadcasting policy was put in place in 1949, but dissolved in the 1980's. www. fairness doctrine.com. Currently, there is no required balance of controversial issues as mandated by the Fairness Doctrine. The last time congress tried to pass this bill, it was vetoed by Bush.
After watching the Bill Moyer interview, it is evident, the 30 sec sound bites shown on the cable networks were not balance.

[patch61]

i dont think so............

[Countdown09]

Yep, pretty quite on this post from all the people who for weeks now have been bashing this man whom they knew NOTHING about. One can hope that watched his interview last night and were enlighten. I felt a sorrow watching that interview, what the media has done to Rev. Wright and his church members is beyond disgraceful. And still even today what is the media saying? How his interview has hurt Sen. Obama -- to the contrary.

[Independentjunkie]

It's funny OBAMA called his comments grabage. Yet we have obama supporters praising this man who grinded his hips stimulating a humping action from the pew - while speaking about jesus . LOL

[nomobull]

just plain junkie what are you talking about

[FdeBear]

What!?!

[Independentjunkie]

Hmm how do you twist

US ofKKK__A

[AjicNYC]

yeah and jesus said in revelations 2:14 Thoust thy goevernment whenst created AIDS Hence forth to killith all the darkishist off this earth.

DUDE it all in there!! Wright is talking right from the Bible!!!!

[nomobull]

NOW THOSE OF US WHO WONDERED WHY HE DIDN'T TURN HIS BACK ON THIS MAN OWE OBAMA AND REV WRIGHT AN APOLOGY.

[AjicNYC]

YOU CRAZY????LOL

[nomobull]

the only thing funny is you and your endless lack of points that have any truth or value.

[dutchess2]

Tim Russert just finished an episode of his Saturday afternoon broadcast with
a guest that called the Rev. Wright 'crazy', and Russert didn't make one effort to correct him.

I think the racist bigots need to be fired.

[FdeBear]

Oh, another point I wanted to make was Wright's explanation of Black Liberation Theology which shallow ignoramuses like Hannity et al interpret as racism. I hope people understand that it is not about being anti-white and will remember what Wright said about how one's understanding of God is shaped by one's relation to power. The excellent example he used was the difference between the God of the slave ship captain the God of the slaves packed in the hole of the ship. Also how blacks and other colonized people have been demeaned by ethnocentric Christians who demanded that we give up our individuality and style to be considered acceptable in the eyes of God - which was criminal. He also discussed how this type of racism has been internalized by blacks in the example of black culture not being fully recognized and represented in traditional black universities until my generation (the black college kids of the 60s and 70s) challenged it. I hope this enlightened many, particularly uninformed whites (and some who THINK they are informed) who need to understand it and stop being afraid of it. Also what he said about the racial and ethnic composition of his church IS TRUE. So the CaCa put out here about TRinity to defame Obama makes absolutely no sense. But it doesn't have to be if you want to destroy a man. Right? "Know the Truth and be Free!" --JC

[Larry Buchite]

Rev Wright should put the DVD's of these sermons on youtube and settle this issue. I seen some of these longer clips on youtube and what he says comes out completely differently. There are some people that will feel the same regardless. I think that Obama should have stood up and told people to see the complete DVD. Same with this thing about small town people clinging to guns he did a interview on PBS covering that issue. He does not fight these things he appears to be a wimp.

[Midnite]

As an Obama supporter, this is my main gripe with him. He never really made the case that Rev. Wright's words were being twisted and taken out of context. I think the simple fact that Wright said "God D@mn America" scared Obama into not making a case that the soundbites were clearly not a fair representation of the sermon Rev. Wright was preaching. Now he has been demonized, even being compared to Hitler.

A little more backbone from Obama could have at least forced some of the mainstream media to highlight more portions of the sermons that would have given the "controversial comments" more context. By not doing so, Obama basically left Rev. Wright twisting in the wind, with his reputation shattered. I don't blame him for getting out on the circuit to defend himself.

Obama really did a missservice to himself by not more vigorously defending Rev. Wright, because by not doing so, the "Why did you continue to go to THAT church for TWENTY YEARS" question looks legitimate. I don't think anyone can say with a straight face that Rev. Wright NEVER pushed the envelope in any of the services Obama did attend. So the question remains for Obama: What controversial things DID you here Rev Wright say?:

As a black person who's religious background is Baptist, if the litmus test for becoming president includes not having a pastor who says controversial things, I'd guess at least 75% of the black population would be disqualified.

[Larry Buchite]

I do wish he would have pushed the issue but the republicans have been so successful in wrapping themselves in the flag it scares most democrats. I'm a white man with no religious background and it did not offend me. I'm also a veteran that still believes in the oath I took in 1966.

[FdeBear]

It is so gratifying to read some of the responses on this blog from people who saw Moyer's interview with Reverend Wright. Having had the honor of knowing him and being assisted by him even when he had a small congregation of 60 people and having attended Trinity when I lived in Chicago, I have been trying to represent his views on threads like these, sending emails to pundits and messages of encouragement to him and his congregation. I was very happy with Moyer's work and it showed the pastor that I know . It has been like shouting in the wilderness. Some have said that Rev Wright did the interview for his ego's sake not considering that he has a congregation that has been suffering under this hideous slander too. Also the profile of his history - his military and medical background, his mentors,academic expertise and astute understanding of scripturemakes him an asset to all of us. Predictions that this would hurt the Obama campaign have no credence. I feel a sense of relief and vindication, even though I'm not niave about the MSM and wonder how they are going to spin and distort the truth even after this. It's criminal.

[Bullyness]

FdeBear - I too reside in Chicago, I'm very familar with Trinity United Church of Christ and many of its church members. I was also hurt by this mischaracterization of the reverend and his people. Although I'm not a Christian, it made me wonder what Jesus would think of a person or a group of people who would twist and manipulate the words of a man of God, not out of geniune concern about those words but for some political gain. I wonder what Jesus would think of this devious cynical manipulation to win a contest or promote a world view.

[jhink465]

Hurt Obama? No, no, no. Many people got to know the real Rev Wright last night and the real meaning of his sermons. As you have seen in this thread, many who had a problem with Rev Wright based on the snippets the MSM were selling have a new and positive view of the Reverend. They have discovered an intelligent, dedicated and loving man of God. The Moyers interview of the Reverend has transformed Obama's guilt by association with many to another display of Obama's good judgement for joining Rev Wright's church.

[KGinSanFrancisco]

What an amazing interview, kudos to PBS for excellent handling of Rev. Right. I was very impressed by the man and think the work he is been involved with black communities in Chicago is extraordinary. This man deserves a Nobel Peace prize, not the horrible bashing he is receiving by political opportunists. Now I understand why Barack was attracted to him and stayed with him, donating money and time to this church. At least they have been doing something incredibly with their lives by helping others in time of need and offering inspiration to the young. Have the Clintons done anything of that nature? No, they've been accumulating millions of dollars from shady deals that are meant to damage american workers. And the money they donated to charity? Their own charity, based in their house address and managed by Hillary, Bill and Chelsea! Looks like a scam to me, just to avoid paying more taxes.
After this interview I'm even more impressed with Barack and his dedication to his community. I feel sorry for all the negativity they have received just for sordid political gain.

[jhink465]

Where are your accusers today Rev. Wright? I think some people owe the Reverend a public apology. The MSM idiots that defamed this man should face the humiliation they deserve for what they tried to do. Clinton should be confronted about making an apology to the Reverend for her piling on her unfair and uninformed slur as well.

[dutchess2]

It wasn't just a slur....

When the Star report was due out, the Clintons hosted a White House breakfast with preachers and pastors from all over the country... every highly esteemed one of them... Wright included.

That's where the picture of Wright with Bill Clinton was taken.

If you will recall, Bill bit his lip, apologised, asked for forgiveness, got several of the pastors to work with him, counsel him, get him all rehabbed...

Wright stepped up to the plate in their hour of need.

Hillary threw him under the bus.... he was more useful to her there.

[nomobull]

ONLY SHE WAS NOT UNINFORMED.SHE KNEW BETTER AS EVIDENCED IN HER AND BILL SEEKING HIS COUNCIL WHEN THE MEDIA WAS ON THEIR BACKS ABOUT MONICA IMO THAT MAKES HER PILING ON EVEN WORSE. AT LEAST . OBAMA CRITICIZED THE REMARKS BUT NOT THE . IN THE WORDS OF REV WRIGHT"HE NEVER THREW ME OVER AS A PASTOR"

[jhink465]

Points well taken. I don't think the Clinton's have any class and would never be gracious enough to apologize or recognize the service Rev Wright did for them. It is not in their nature.

[dutchess2]

Note:

They fired don Imus....

They need to fire Chris Mathews, Joe Scarbourgh, Pat Buchanan at MSNBC;

They need to fire Lou Dobbs at CNN

They need to fire Sean Hannity, Bill O'Riley at FOX...

Newt Gingrich stuck his two cents worth in...

Rush Limbaugh's hours of hatred every day is broadcast to our servicemen via Arms Services radio,
that is paid for by democrat and republcian tax payers, and should not be used to send such hatred
to our troops.

These men are all still employed... racist bigots that did not serve their country when it was their turn, and who dare critize a veteran that more than EARNED the right to free speech in his own pulpit.

It was just another lynching of a black man and they ought to lose their jobs.

[Willemaq]

Please contact the MSM, I have:

Dear ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX/MSNBC/CNN,

After watching the recent interview of Reverend Jeremiah Wright by Bill Moyers it is very apparent to me that your network (along with most others) has shirked your collective responsibility to the American people as authentic journalists. The out of context, slanted and dishonest portrayal of the reverend, who appears to be very thoughtful, compassionate and obviously a true patriot in every sense of the word, is shameless and despicable.

Apparently, ratings and the desire to protect your corporate controlled headlock on what the public is fed as "news" far outweighs any moral or ethical obligation that the "Main Stream Media" once felt toward the American public. It is obviously more profitable for you to contour the "news" for your own nefarious objectives, rather than to honestly and impartially report what actually has occurred or has been stated by someone "in context".

Where is Walter Cronkite when we need him?

MSM Contact info:

ABC News Network Programming Feedback
http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3271346

NBC News
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New York, N.Y. 10112
http://[e-mail]

CBS News
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MSNBC
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FOX News Channel
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Phone: [phone]
Web: www.foxnews.com
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1-888-369-4762

CNN
http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form.sound.off.html

[Countdown09]

My hope is people will recognize this Rev. Wright controversy was created solely for the purpose of keeping this country divided along race, religion and party lines. This division has been a successful tool for the republicans and if we continue to be divided along these lines and not stand together we are doomed I'm afraid.

[rollingdivision]

Genocide " the murder of an entire ethnic group. Wright, "Government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color, government lied!" It is clear Wright is accusing the government (people not of color, whites) of systematically attempting to kill all people of color (blacks) by inventing a disease and propagating that disease in black community. What greater evil could Wright accuse whites of committing? Just words?.

[dutchess2]

The Rev. Wright always knows what he's talking about

http://www.salon.com/news/1998/12/cov_23news.html

[FdeBear]

What do you think they are? What outcome do you see from his words?

[williamina]

What do you think they are?
Words of a bitter man clinging to God. Obama's words not mine. When a Government lets down its people (i.e. spreading AIDS, slavery, etc.), they cling to their religions. Like Wright Rev. does, cause we educated progressives know that Jesus is not real.

What outcome do you see from his words?
Prepare for a R landslide.

[Larry Buchite]

Are you referring to the Manchurian candidate the one that spilled his guts to the North Vietnamese and made films for them.

[ApolloniaCreed]

Perhaps bitter is fair, but remember we are talking about Dr. Wright...

[dutchess2]

The Rev. Wright is a learned man with four degrees that speaks several languages... He always knows what he's talking about...


http://www.salon.com/news/1998/12/cov_23news.html