This Good Friday Let Us Not Crucify Barack Obama
Senator Obama has a problem: the hardening of the American heart, the closing of the American mind, the shriveling of our souls, the shrinking capacity of our imaginations, our jaded senses, the seen-it-all attitude that makes us into sneering voyeurs too mean spirited to save ourselves.
I was a guest on a PRI radio show the day after Obama delivered is historic speech on race. I was a guest along with a person that the host introduced as "most responsible" for making Obama's minister's charged comments into a political football. According to the host's introduction, Republican activist Ronald Kessler used his website to turn Obama's minister's words into the story the media jumped on.
Kessler had just heard Obama's March 18 speech on race too. He said it left him unmoved. He was in a sneering mood bristling with ever-so-reasonable middle class certitude of his conservative righteousness. To Kessler the speech was just politics, nothing more. The idea of it's truth was of no consequence. To him it was all about tactics.
That night I was listening to Laura Ingraham (a show that I was on several times and where Laura repeatedly called me a "great American" because, as the father of a Marine, I'd written Keeping Faith and then Faith of Our Sons, books that praised and explained the military family.) Laura was sneering at Obama's speech. Her candidate had been Mitt Romney. As Romney's self-described "conservative-conservative" Ingraham had also been routinely mocking McCain. And she hates Clinton. Now she hates Obama more...
Bitterness as a way of life marches forward on the left as well as the right. I read the responses from Clinton supporters (on various websites) also damning Obama's speech as "just words." Some of the Clinton people sounded even more cynical than Kessler and Ingraham.
Obama is the chef who opens a new restaurant and serves honest good and beautifully prepared food made of the most wholesome ingredients only to have the food critic pan his offerings as "all too ordinary." "Where," asks the seen-it-all jaded bored critic, "are the calf's brains marinated in truffle-soaked baby duck's testicles?"
Obama offers civility in the midst of a drunken national bar fight. Obama speaks in complete sentences, well-turned paragraphs, offers thoughts with intellectual depth, nuance, humility and compassion. Obama is a reasoned essay cast before sound-bite swine who seem ready to tear anything that falls into their sty to shreds.
By providence or blind luck, we are being given a second chance. In Obama our founders appear once again stepping from the mists of time to offer a wayward great, great grandchild an opportunity for redemption. But everything is turned on its head. Good is called bad. The greatest things about Obama are used against him, decency and transparency are mocked.
Obama stands in the tradition of our founders, a citizen running for office, not a "professional" striver. But the cry goes up, "He doesn't have the experience!" Experience? At what? Playing games with our country's soul while the only real game in our nation's capitol is hanging on to power, enriching oneself at the political trough through connections, taking us to war after war, making us hated throughout the world by catering to our insatiable, unreasoning fears.
Obama is the man who reaches out to help a dying passerby and the passerby snarls, "What do you really want?" Obama came to us on March, 18 with one of the most generous and brilliant speeches that has been delivered on American soil. He spoke honestly of things all other American leaders have been too timid and self-serving to even mention. Standing behind him were the sprits of countless murdered, enslaved, tortured, lost black Americans. Their blood cries out for revenge and yet Obama offered forgiveness, perspective and understanding.
Obama is not Jesus. Obama makes mistakes. He is rightly self-deprecating. Nevertheless, imperfect as he is, Obama is offering America a fresh start. There is more decent intelligent authenticity in his little finger than the Clintons will ever know. There is more kind wisdom in Obama than in all our sneering bloodsucking moronic media combined. But we have imbibed detritus for so long that when clean food is offered we can't taste it.
This isn't about politics. I'm a fifty-five year old white man who has been a conservative all my life. I've been a right wing Republican activist. I'm a big fan of the military. If Obama can reach out to me he can reach out to anyone. He can win in November.
What I'm saying here will lose me friends. For instance the Bush family gave one of my recent military-related books a ringing endorsement. After Laura Bush read an excerpt out on Meet The Press sales skyrocketed. I probably won't get too many more of those sorts of endorsements. But the chips are down and the presidential choices this year are too important not to not fight for.
As I see it our choice is between a good and heroic old man whose time has past and who will perpetuate failed policy, a jaded woman of the establishment, who will do anything to perpetuate her family's dynastic "claim" to power, and a brilliant, openhearted new founding father the likes of which America has not seen.
Obama comes to us from outside the system that has produced our present multiple crises of wars of choice and a failing economy. He does what all truly great leaders do: he speaks to the soul in plain self-revealing words of hope.
If we squander this undeserved reprieve and choose business-as-usual, if we don't elevate ourselves out of our self-made mire, we will step into a future of steep and steady decline and war without end. It won't matter if you are right or left. It won't matter if the Republicans or the Democratic Party wins. We will all lose.
I think there is reason to hope. There are decent people out there who have refused to go along with the smear-by-association campaign. Mike Huckabee defended Obama. McCain said we can't blame Obama for his minister's words. Not everyone on the right is stooping as low as the Clintons and the right-wing media scavengers.
Obama is worth fighting for. He is worth losing old friends for. History has thrown America an unlikely lifeline. Do we have the decency, the sense, the last glimmer of sanity needed to open our hearts to change?
Frank Schaeffer is a writer and author of "CRAZY FOR GOD-How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It
Follow Frank Schaeffer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/frank_schaeffer
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WOW.
Thank you for an excellent post. I believe the stink over Barack Obama's minister exposes an enormous blind spot between the standard we apply to others and what we think is OK for ourselves. According to those who judge Obama harshly for not throwing Reverand Wright under the bus, I should have dissociated myself from my brother who for a while believed and repeated the idiotic conspiracy theory that the Clintons had murdered Vince Foster. According to the same critics, James Carville and Mary Matelin should divorce, because there's hardly anything one says about politics that the other doesn't find objectionable.
Thankfully, that's not the world we live in. We may have lost too much of the internet, talk radio and politics to echo chambers that stiffen certainty, inflame animosity and tolerate no dissent, but in the real world people are less predictable and relationships more complex than that. We have friends and relatives who say things we consider crazy and obnoxious. We disagree and argue, sometimes heatedly. But we don't cut people we care about out of our lives because of what they believe. That would betray something we all ought to agree on -- the value of free thought and the right to express it.
I'm grateful finally for a politician who's talking frankly about the nuances and challenges of life in that real world, a world which for a change I actually relate to. The only question is why I called the anomaly between what we demand of others and ourselves a blind spot, not hypocrisy. It's just my suspicion that most people don't reflect on this stuff enough to know they even have different standards. I think they just respond reflexively to what they're fed over the air waves. If leaders and media owners and news directors were less cynically exploitive of the high value response to character assassination, people might be just as inclined to give someone they didn't know the same benefit of the doubt they give themselves and their loved ones. But that won't happen until we demand it. And there won't be enough demand until someone in a bully pulpit encourages it. Now who might that someone be....
So sad..Laura Ingraham, who's own gay brother's lover died of AIDS,,,that she can be so hateful..
Thanks for speaking from the heart. Excellent post.
I don't think we could find a better human being to lead our country than this man. Obama was my choice only after Edwards dropped out. But the more I see him and hear him the more impressed I am with him as a person. His speech on race blew me away; nothing since the sixties comes close.
Meanwhile, his detractors barely disguise their hypocrisy when they talk about Jeremiah Wright. They give the preacher's words enormous weight, as if they were bricks or bombs, but then dismiss Obama's statments and speeches and call them "merely words."
If we're going to judge men by words, let's judge them by their own words. With this standard, America chooses Barack Obama in a heartbeat.
I have been conflicted these past days since the Rev. Wright streamed across the internet and the morning-evening news. I am 62 white female with two beautiful little granddaughters. I've been a strong supporter, contributor and volunteer for the Obama campaign. However, when I first saw the video of Rev. Wright's statements, I cried and truthfully, stayed in bed for three days depressed. I asked myself, how could I have been so duped? Disappointed and devastated as if a family member had died.
Then I got out of bed and on to the internet and started researching Rev. Wright and found the sermon that Obama got the idea for his second book, 'The Audacity of Hope'. I was astonished and elated to find this is a man who is extremely intelligent, compassionate, and has the ability to inspire -- I now see why Obama cannot denounce Rev. Wright. Plus, if Obama threw Rev. Wright under the bus for his own political gain, it would cause me to believe that he's just another politician. He truly is a Christian in that he condemned the sin and not the sinner.
Your article expresses what I've been feeling but don't have the journalism skills to write. I sincerely thank you and pray that we don't throw away this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to elect an honest man with integrity who truly loves this country.
hi SahronAustinTX:
Thank you for your post. I also believe that the media created this whole scandal by playing 30 seconds snippets of Rev. Wright's sermon. Once you see the entire sermon you fully realize how the media has manipulated this story to inflame the people-especially white people. There is no doubt that Rev. Wright delivered an impassioned sermon, sometimes with flowery language, that some may find offensive; but I challenge the media to refute the substance of most of his statements. I also challenge the media to show me where, in his sermon, Rev. Wright was anti-white. There is no doubt that he had some strong words about the government, but he also indicated that the government can change. As evidence of the way government can change, this maligned pastor, cited the case of Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery; the case of Harry Truman and the integration of the military; and what he deemed was the intelligent Bill Clinton who was supportive of Black rights, despite his politically expedient position on welfare. I wish all of us would challenge the media-especially FOX, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC-to broadcast the entirety of Rev. Wright's sermon, following the 9/11 tragedy. What the media has done, is to slice and chop the sermon to produce 30 second snippets with the intent of inflaming the viewers- and in particular white viewers. I am so happy that you took the time to do research. Hopefully all of us can follow your example. It is way past time for the American people, of all ideological persuasions, to allow the media to continue to dupe us!
Thank you sir! It is heartening to those of us who see this set of lies and deceptions that is the agenda of those with interests beyond either Republican or Democratic or America's for that matter philosophical goals and aspirations.
As American's we all face a common enemy now. It's outlines though vague are becomming more apparent each day this process continues. Your post, rich in it's truths, honesty and intent is just the inspiration we need to overcome the kind of malignancy which is threatening our very existence. Thank you most heartily, again.
This is about the most impressive, most reasoned, most inspiring article I've seen throughout the length and breadth of this historic campaign.
And the negative commenters only prove the essential point:
Barack Obama does not have a Jeremiah Wright problem. AMERICA has a Jeremiah Wright problem.
Fortunately, I think there are enough good Americans left to insure that Barack will prevail. Our next job will be to continue to support him, to push through the changes that need to be made, to push past the pathetic bigoted greedy meanness that has dominated our culture for far too long.
Please, Frank and Barack, forgive me for using those polarizing words. I know better. See my blogs at xanga.com/
You're right. This is an humanitarian problem, not an Obama problem. This type of conflict will not disappear with Obama if he loses, or Rev. Wright, for that matter. Racism is a worldwide institution, one of the many things that Obama understands, which Conservatives, for the life of em', just can't seem to grasp. Sometimes I think these neo-cons. are allergic to academia. Do they know that institutions of high learning even exist, and that issues of race and race theory are an integral part of the largely forgotten (and ridiculously underfunded) branch of academia called, THE HUMANITIES? Why can't people in this country just READ? They'd be much less confused when people who differ from them express their opinions.
Amen!
You have included me in your circle. Nice to meet you.
Thank you, Mr. Schaeffer. This is one of the most hopeful things I have read in a very long time. If O can reach you in this way, there is hope for the country we both love.
If you had said, "Let's not crucify either of our democratic candidates," I would be applauding you. It is not just Obama who has been attacked, misunderstood, or diminished in this campaign. I have long felt and tried to express how the slanted nature of these commentaries has affected me as a democrat. Not one of you stood up for Clinton and her supporters (including her husband) when they were being accused of being racists when we all know unequivocally that they have done much for minority communities. And as Obama has been scrutinized, you have argued that we should just know that he is the one and that we should kneel at his altar and never question his judgment and believe.
Do you realize that you are turning away 50% of the democratic voters? Do you understand that many of us will no longer consider his candidacy? The lack of balance and fairness has likely caused democrats the White House and I place the fault for that at the feet of those who believe the only way Obama can win is to destroy Clinton and by extension those who support her.
What's the difference between being a racist and using race as a divisive political wedge issue, when it does the same harm, perhaps indeed more harm to our country and to the hearts of African Americans who voted for and supported the Clintons? If you can't understand that simple concept, then there is no hope for you or those like you.
IMHO, the media (and some people) have interpreted benign or poorly chosen words as racism, pounded away at it and the fervent believers on both sides have swarmed on it like sharks and used it to further their agendas to the great detriment of their party and country.
Suprshrink:
I grant you that some of Obama supporters have not been fair to Hilary Clinton. But Please explain to me why Bill Clinton felt it necessary to compare Obama's South Carolina win to the Jesse Jackson win? Why not compare it to his own win in that the majority of Black people voted for him? Why not comapre it to John Edwards win, in 2004, again with substantial African votes? Why did her campaign put out a statement that they wanted to marginalize Obama as " a black candidate?" I would have the utmost respect for Hillary Clinton if she had done what Obama did, denounce this tendency in her campaign, and then offer a more inclusive vision of the future. She did not do that. That left the impression that her campaign was using subliminal appeal to race-particularly since the majority of African Americans seemed to be voting for Obama. Then came her statements about her and McCain being the only ones who had "a lifetime of experience" in National Security, whereas Obama only had "2002 speech." I challenge you to produce a specific example where Obama has shown preference for John McCain over Clinton.
I would like to apologize to all of the HRC supporters. We have posted some scathing statements about their candidate. Hillary was treated unfairly in the media during the following incidences: (Not in chronological order)
1. Geraldine Ferraro's comment about Barack being lucky to be black.
2. Bill Clinton's "fairytale" comment.
3. Hillary's statement that Barack was a christian "as far as she knows".
4. Bill Clinton mentioning that Jesse Jackson won SC in '84.
Those instances were blown WAAAYYY out of proportion. Our candidates shouldn't be judged by the words and/or actions of others. I do not support her because of HER words and actions. These are just a few examples:
1. Saying that John McCain has passed her imaginary Commander in Chief test but not Barack.
2. Being dishonest about her involvement in NAFTA. (Shame on you Barack Obama, indeed)
3. Prematurely and disingenuously offering VP to Barack.
4. Making fun of Barack's speeches. Until they get nominated to be POTUS, all that ANY of the candidates can do is talk. Barack just happens to be a better orator than HRC and J?M.
5. Saying caucuses and certain states don't matter as much as others.
6. Pushing for re-votes in FL and MI and trying to make Barack the object of ire for not agreeing to it on her terms. Never mind the expense. Never mind that they broke the rules. Never mind that she agreed and it was understood months in advance that those votes would not count. That seems like cheating to me.
7. Witholding information ie tax returns that could help voters make a more informed decision about whether or not to vote for her.
Still, we have to be able to see the good and the bad in our politicians. We know that Barack is not perfect. We also know that those things about him which are positive far outweigh his imperfections.
It's going to take a democrat to get this great country back on track. I happen to agree with Frank that Barack Obama is the democrat most capable of doing that right now.
Another wonderful post!
I am so impressed by your writing, your patriotism, your intelligence, and your honesty. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity we have been given, and to reject it in favor of the amoral and characterless Clintons would be a tragedy for America. There's nothing perfect about Obama, but he has all the qualities that a great leader needs, and he will do an excellent job of helping America reach it's potential, rather than helping hand over America's wealth and sacrificing precious lives at the alter of the military industrial complex.
And you have those Clinton supporters pegged. I have yet to see one Clinton supporter concede that Obama's speech on race has touched their cold cynical hearts in the slightest. If they are the kind of people that support Clinton, then I'm thrilled to not be a part of that club.
Thank you, Mr. Schaeffer! Your post is so beautifully written, so soul-stirring and capturing exactly the way I feel but could never in a million years articulate. Thank you!
It is a real pleasure to find that someone can encapsulate all the frustration and angst together with the hope for what could yet be, in beautifully weighted and presented english. No raving, no sound bites and utter sincerity in every word.
You have said everything I longed to say, and said it well.
As long as there are those like you in the USA there will remain hope for your powerful, but deeply troubled land.
Jim Maclean
Auckland NZ
I say YES WE CAN and the symbolism of Good Friday is not lost on me. Hopefully on Easter in November this country will prove that there is resurrection by electing Obama as POTUS. Thank u for a courageous well written and surpisingly moving article. I look forward to more insightful articles from u in future.
This is the most grown up discussion I have joined in regarding the Wright/speech issue. Thank you for your honesty and input everyone.
There never will be a time when we all agree on political objectives and personalities. Most times we end up voting for the least worst option. To my mind that is a crying shame. This great country deserves better than that. This time we have the chance to elect an imperfect but in my opinion basically honest straightforward candidate who treats us like adults and will allow us "we the people" to have our say in governance.
Is he perfect? No. Is he always right on every subject? No. Is he trying to open a way back to the sort of politics where you don't have to hold your nose when you pull the lever? Yes. The way political ethics has plummeted in our great country has been heart breaking .Over the last 40 years. It seems to me that we have had a series of seriously flawed self servers in power. The MSM had nosedived in quality and we now live in a zero attention span society.
It may be too late to get back to a decent society where we are not constantly at war with some country or other. Pastor Wright was correct in many of his observations, however you need to listen to the whole sermon to get the context. I am not conventionally religious but even I can see the merit in his arguments. Would I be happy to sit for 20 years under his preaching? Yes ,and be happy that my children were in junior church being taught to live, love and grow into whole human beings with the ability to discern what is true and what is false, what is right and what is wrong.
TDF
Thank you for this. Obama is a brilliant mind and I sure hope that enough open minded people will see the gifts he brings to America. by the way I applaud Richardson for his courage to support Obama during a harrowing 2 weeks. Now let's go change America for the better!
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