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Okay, here's what we know: Barack Obama thinks of Rev. Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity Christ United Church on Chicago's south side as his old uncle who says things I don't always agree with. We know that Obama has busted his public ties with Wright, both rejecting and repudiating Wright's hotter remarks. Rejecting and repudiating being essential as Senator Clinton made much semantic hay over those words at the Democratic debate in Hollywood. We know that conservatives are sharpening their knives for Obama on the Wright mill stone, waiting to stab him with the accusation of being a closet racist.

But here's what we need to talk about: exactly how wrong is Wright?

Much has been made of Wright saying that instead of singing "God Bless America," black people should sing "God Damn America."

Ouch!

Except...

The full text of the pastors remarks are: The government gives them (blacks) the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing God bless America? No, no, no. Not God bless America. God damn America. Put in context, there is a difference. Personally, not a song I would sing, but there is reasoning to the argument.

And how about Wright's racist barb thrown at Senator Clinton? He's quoted as implying that Clintons had an easier time of things because "Hillary was not a black boy raised in a single parent home. Barack was." Well, uh, yeah. Basically the statement just makes Wright the Geraldine Ferarro of black men. Plus, being a black man, we all know that he was born lucky!

In March of last year Fox news...talker guy Sean Hannity got into it with Wright over doctrines posted on the CUC website. Among those quoted and berated by Hannity were: commitment to the black community, commitment to the black family, adherence to the black work ethic.

Interesting.

When conservatives get on black people to do more about the welfare queens in their communities, that's considered tough love. When a black pastor encourages the same, that's separatist. Unless Cosby says it -- then it's tough love again. Now, the website did, according to Hannity, say something about pledging allegiance to all black leadership which to me is inflammatory 'cause I hate the notion of black leaders. But until Sean Hannity actually gets himself down to Chicago's south side to do some community service and act as a role model for white leadership he better not get down on people of color looking to their own to problem solve.

Wright has said plenty to raise eyebrows. Blaming America for 9/11? Sorry, I'm not down with that. But at the same time I'm always amazed when the establishment -- especially conservatives -- read being pro-black as being anti-white while remaining oblivious to their own bias.

Example? I've written before about attending the first Republican presidential debates of this primary season. They were held last May at the Reagan library in Simi Valley. Fifteen years prior, almost to the day, the city of LA was still in turmoil after a Simi Valley jury acquitted four white cops in the beating of Rodney King. And Reagan? Let's not forget, when Reagan launched his 1980 presidential bid he did so in Philadelphia, Mississippi. A place previously made famous as the location where three Civil Rights activists were murdered in the 1960s.

The Republican Party could not at that moment have been more anti-black if they'd done their debate as a minstrel show.

So, Obama's cut ties with Wright. Good. Same as it's good that Clintons cut ties with Ferraro. But after skipping debates sponsored by blacks and Hispanics, after kicking off their primaries amid racial overtones...after Katrina for God's sake, the Right is going to have to do a whole lot more to prove that Wright is wrong.



 

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collapse VoteDem2008 See Profile I'm a Fan of VoteDem2008

Great post John...first I want to thank you for giving another point of view on this subject when you are on Morning Joe...I have not agreed with the media's coverage of this as a whole but take special exception to Joe's & Pat's remarks of late...while some of the comments of Rev. Wright are offensive to me personally I do understand why he feels the way he does. Even a white female like myself knows what it's like to be discriminated against...I will never make what my white or male for that matter counterparts do no matter how good I am at my job. I'm sure for some I would be viewed as being lucky too and I am unlike Mr Obama. I have been able to see detailed excerpts of some of these sermons and not all are as they appear to be. In fact the Chickens come to Roost line was directly quoted from a white Ambassador by Rev. Wright. Sadly none of the network or cable channels had the guts to show enough of any of them for anyone to come away with anything but a purely emotional reaction. I find it extremely hard to believe that one of the biggest churches in Chicago could have existed as long as it did with a racist pastor at the helm...if this man spewed hate for so many years why didn't this come up until now? Why was he invited to the White House when Bill Clinton was President? There's no doubt that some of the comments even in context were offensive but if people took the time to see the full sermons these comments were made in I doubt they'd be offended by all of them like they are now.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:17 PM on 03/21/2008
collapse Woo See Profile I'm a Fan of Woo

Good post, John. I too saw you on the Morning Joe show as I often do. I am especially grateful for your comment in reply to Joe's question, "Why would Obama stay..." I have not read all the replies in this thread but of the ones I have read which support your position, I agree. Still, there are some things that I believe need to be said in response to some of Joe's, Pat's and Tucker's assertions:

1. Rev. Wright has not preached hate for 20 years of Obama's attending nor for the 40 years of his Pastoring his Church. Joe and Pat need to stop saying that. They have never attended any of Trinity's services. I have. It's ridiculous to even think that a person with Rev. Wright's pedigree could preach hate Sunday after Sunday, week after week, month after month, year after year for 20 to 40 years and build not only a church of Trinity's magnitude but a well known and respected reputation across America. Joe, Pat and Tucker should educate themselves before they open their mouth and spat out their own brand of "hate." However, I do understand Joe and I'll say why at the end of my post.

2. I think it's sad that on that show, you are the first to have made the point that the sound bites that are over played are not the sum total of that sermon (or any other of Wright's sermons for that matter) and are not the sum total of the man. Mika has tried to make that point but Joe shuts her down each time.

3. How is it racist to cry out against injustices and those who committed the acts? Did not wealthy Whites in America and the American Government establish and sanction Slavery (and all the ills that came with it), Jim Crow and a societal view the Blacks were less than human and should be treated so? How does Wright speaking out against that make him a racist?.......John?

4. Why is the media so reluctant to say Obama should not personally be held responsible for Wright's comments?

5. What kind of people do we have in America who would turn on Obama even AFTER he has made it clear that he does not agree with the comments?

6. Obama is a Christian. One of the major tenets of his religion is to DENOUNCE THE SIN, NOT THE SINNER. Why do some in America what Obama to be less than the Christian he has become?

I have more but perhaps for another time. Here's what I learned (or better said, confirmed) about Joe Scarborough today. He said, "NBC pays me a lot of money to do what I do." So, I thought, perhaps this explains why Joe would, on the one hand praise Obama and then berate him as he has done. Just a thought.

John, keep up the good, honest work you do.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:28 PM on 03/20/2008
collapse gramofsam1 See Profile I'm a Fan of gramofsam1

Great post, John. I watched this morning as Joe Scarborough asked you to explain why Obama did not leave his church. I don't have the answer, but I do have a very large extended family, most of whom have continued to attend and support the Catholic church despite its recent, shall we say, problems. Most never missed so much as a Sunday, some missed a few--my husband stayed away for years but recently returned. I am gone and intend to stay gone.
I don't understand why they stay, but neither do I criticize them for staying. They clearly see something bigger in the Church, they clearly believe that the Church is the mystical body of Christ, and that the behavior of its priests does not diminish that, while I am hopelessly concrete and apparently missed out on the recessive spirituality gene. I don't get their loyalty, but I can assure you that none of them are fans of pedophilia.
But it does strike me as highly ironic when devout Catholics like Pat Buchanan insist that Obama should leave his church, and that his failure to do so is evidence of his agreement with Wright's every comment. They are incensed that Obama would expose his CHILDREN to this church. Am I the only person whose head is spiining from that particular irony? What am I missing here?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:54 AM on 03/20/2008
collapse MLTINLA See Profile I'm a Fan of MLTINLA

John,

I watched you this morning on Morning Joe. I am so glad you said what you did. I am so tired of Joe, Tucker Carlson and Pat Buchanan on this issue. The only thing better, would have been if you had all three on the show while you said it. They really need to have that put in their face and then collectively remark on that.

The question is not why didn't Barack leave this church. The real questions is does Barack agree with the sentiments of Wright and has he acted upon them? I think the answer to that is resoundingly no. that church like any other church, should be and hopefully is more than some of the controversial remarks this pastor or other pastors make. I know they are. I am tired of them using that thirty second sound bite to paint a picture that you have accurately detailed as not true. His words and comments had far more detail then what they have whittled it down to.

There is a racial problem in America. We all know it but like these men, there is a failure on both sides to not just to listen to what others say, but to comprehend it and try to come to some resolve. Like you, I don't agree with Wright on AIDS nor 9/11. However, I do understand why he could make those controversial remarks. I don't think he is anti-American nor said hateful speech when pertaining to Hillary Clinton. If so, why are his remarks different than Geraldine Ferraro, Don Imus, Rep King, Rush, Newt, Hagee, etc?

Thank you for calling them out and mentioning all the things that non minorities have said but were not resolved or criticized in this manner.

Keep up the good work. I am definitely a fan.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:51 AM on 03/20/2008
collapse JerseyBob See Profile I'm a Fan of JerseyBob

I too saw John this morning on Morning Joe. On the issue of Minister Wright's comments, Joe Scarborough doesn't seem to be able to lighten up; he badgers. It's his show; he initiates the dialogue and sets up interviews. Scarborough seems to be saying the same thing over and over. He can turn it on and off, but ultimately his political disposition comes across. At one point I thought I was watching Fox.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:08 AM on 03/20/2008
collapse jhandy3940 See Profile I'm a Fan of jhandy3940
Moderator's Pick

HuffPost's Pick

I am inclined to believe that something positive has come from this Barrack Obama/Minister Wright controversy. It is now ( I hope) firmly established that Senator Barrack Obama is a Christian!! I suppose now,because he is a mixed race
person,we should now ask what kind of a Christian..(then to be fair we should also ask Senator Clinton what kind of Christian is she?)
Senator Obama credits Minister Wright with bringing him to Christ,which I imagine helped him to meet,appreciate,and marry a compatible devoted woman and between the two of them bring two beautiful children into this world.
Senator Obama seems to be typical of most of the people attending Minister Wrights Christian Church. The Minister seems to have instilled in all of his parishioners Good Family Values.
Some people feel that minister Wright's allegations about the possibility of the government creating aids in order to decimate the black population of this country is crazy.It is not as far fetched as it may sound.
Just google 'The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment...The U.S.Governments 40 year experiment on Black Men with Syphilis...
A lot of black people remember that period in American
history.
A lot of Black Americans also believe in the old saying that 'Just because you're paranoid does not mean that they're not out to get you'...!
Of course,the minister having been a US Marine is not always going to be politically correct in delivering a sermon....
As a Christian Minister with a US Marine background,he is more inclined to preach
that part of Christianity that says how 'Ye shall reap the WhirlWind!'
"Ye shall reap what you sow"..
Now I can understand why there is a need for the separation of church and state...!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:27 PM on 03/19/2008
collapse outnow See Profile I'm a Fan of outnow

Sean Hannity may have given unwittingly given Obama a "bully pulpit" by his (Hannity's) St. Patrick's Day tirade against Rev. Wright.

If you go issue by issue, Rev, Wright is correct in more than one of his assertions. He is wrong on one or more issues - but it is these issues that are the ones that need debating in this country. Did our foreign policy contribute to terrorist attacks? The British learned, for example, that military force would never solve their problem with the IRA in Northern Ireland. have the neocons used the military superiority of the United States as a cookie cutter to shift from communism to terrorism and continue a policy of military confrontation?

The opportunity given to Mr. Obama to further address Mr. Obama's own ideas and those of Rev. Wright, which, by the way, are shared by many other people in the black and world community, will be the best outcome. These are the real issues that we should be discussing - our failed foreign policy, racial discrimination, a system that accumulates wealth in the hands of a few, the lack of health care coverage, etc., etc.

If anyone wants to see a narrow-minded person who is ignorant and hate-filled, Mr. Hannity is that person. He is well paid to spread his venom by Fox News. Mr. Wright has served his country and remembers the 60's. America was not so kind in those days of "separate-but-equal" and freedom riding brought enough pressure for LBJ to force the issue of the Civil Rights Act. As I recall, things were separate but not equal. We are talking about a period in United Sates History that was one-hundred years after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1862.

It is easy for Mr. Hannity to forget all this because he was too young to remember or conveniently forgot.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:09 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse lyingtruth See Profile I'm a Fan of lyingtruth

Wright may be mostly right but two wrongs don't make a right. hmmm.

Fact Is: When you look at your food and fuel costs in the coming year you might want to ask; why are these issues never discussed by politicians? (Or the candidates.)

Corporate America only cares about one color; green! They want all of your green and government welfare too! When you are broket that isn't good enough. They want you in debt up to your eyeballs.

What really makes them happy is knowing that the welfare and tax breaks they get today will be paid for by your heirs 10/20 and 30 years from now.

They are basically robbing your children's and grandchildren's piggy banks (even the unborn) and the politicians we voted for are driving the get away car!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:23 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse McCanMcSane See Profile I'm a Fan of McCanMcSane

I learned alot about Obama when he chose to use his white grandmother and racist words he said heard her say to defend Rev. Wright who in the same breath Obama said he NEVER heard Wright utter anything racist about other people. Sorry I don't believe it. And to use your own grandmother who loved you, raised you, sacrificed for you and did everything to provide you with a good educcation to defend a man Rev. Wright that Obama chose to associate with is disgraceful. Grandmother used racist words in front of me but my friend Rev. Wright never did in front of me. BS!! Obama could have left that church and attended hundreds of other black and interracial churches in the Chicago area. No, he chose to stay with the racist Rev. Wright.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:19 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse 123Slivy See Profile I'm a Fan of 123Slivy

Drapped between eight flags, introduced by a man about whom I know nothing, I held my breath. And then he spoke. And the Barack Obama I have come to love and admire told the TRUTH. It was something I doubted the politician in him would be able to do. Something I doubted the American public was open to hearing. There are those who will say it was just words. There are those who will still fault his judgment. That will argue that above everything he is a racist. There are those who will still believe he is a Muslim, while they at the same time criticize him for displaying Christian values of tolerance. But as a friend told me right after the speech "he took grace higher." Indeed he elevated it to the Presidential level.

How Audacious of him! What if we had a world in which we could finally have an open dialogue about the effects of race and gender in our society that was not just based on assigning blame? What if we could come together to solve the country's/world's problems rather than be beholden to fractions which have been forged to win an election? What if we united against our common enemies rather than against each other. What if "when all around you are losing their heads and blaming it on you" (Kipling, I think, Wolfson and Penn in practice) you had someone with the calm, strength, and grace to do what was necessary even if it was going to be tough. Barack Obama showed the type of leadership I believe many Americans crave and are ready for. This is the Change the Obamaniacs have been waiting for. Barack Obama hit the ball out of the park. And he did it not with the fieriness of a preacher but with the confidence of a President. I think his White Grandmother would have been very proud of him.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:45 PM on 03/19/2008
collapse bilmardre See Profile I'm a Fan of bilmardre

The only thing Sean Hannity will ever have to do with poor blacks on welfare is to use them as a divisive tool to rally his base and keep himself on the radio. Hannity is very smart, but you can get a glimpse into his true colors when he blasts Obama for being "friendly" with the Chicago college professor who was a member of the weather underground during the sixties. Hannity bemoans the fact that Obama can visit the professor and live in the same neighborhood and not pay a price, but Trent Lott was railroaded because he said at Strom Thurmonds birthday party that in effect the country would be better off if Strom's segregationist policy had prevailed.

Now on the one hand you have a radical who is at war with his government because he believes that the government is on the wrong track, on the other hand you have a man who wanted to deny a segment of the American population basic rights based on the color of their skin. I would not be an apologist for either man, but Sean has chosen to be an apologist for Strom Thurmond.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:48 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse SoulSistah See Profile I'm a Fan of SoulSistah

That is so right on . . . and lyingtruth hit it head-on too. It's all about the color green. As fellow Americans, we need to get it together before we all end up in the poor house.

Definition of Working Class = anyone earning annually $5 million or less

Definition of Rich = anyone who is a trillionaire (i.e. founder of Microsoft.)

Heck, the new definition of working class may be anyone whose net worth is equal to or less than a billion dollars.

-----------------------------------------------------------
--Sam Cooke. (1964)

Then I go to my brother
and I say brother help me please
But he wind up knocking me
back down on my knees

There have been times that I thought
I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long . . . long time coming, but I know
A change is gonna come, oh yes it will

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 07:19 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse BigRube See Profile I'm a Fan of BigRube

Sean A. Hannity is not going to let this die either. The best thing that can happen is to get people like Sean A. Hannity off the air.

Go Obama. Hang in there.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:46 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse traveler501 See Profile I'm a Fan of traveler501

ok, well...for once I can agree with Ridley...if anything go farther. everything I have heard from Wright is completely true and well-spoken. incidentally, you should have finished Wright's comment...he actually said "God damn America...that's what the Bible says" and goes on to explain the Bible's wrath for doing such bad things as he had enumerated. are we going to pretend we don't screw with the whole world, and with our own peoples? the problem is not the messenger...(meanwhile, I still prefer Hillary of the two).

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:09 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse BOfever See Profile I'm a Fan of BOfever

"everything I have heard from Wright is completely true"

Do you have the link for me then where I can find info about the US Government plan to spread the HIV virus for the purpose of keeping blacks down? I think that would be an interesting read. I tend to side on the sleeping around or drug use aspect but conpspiracy theories are always fun.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:44 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse Krazime See Profile I'm a Fan of Krazime

Google The Strecker Memorandum, by Dr. Robert Strecker....

that is the white, AIDS conspiracy theorist that documented how AIDS was created.

Someone raised the question, "why would anyone do something like that?"

If you don't think the Gov't would do something intentional to its people, then someone please explain the Tuskegee Experiment.

That answers the question of whether someone would create AIDS for an entire race of people.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:04 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse MikeDu See Profile I'm a Fan of MikeDu

I agree. To use a classic line, there's no 'there' there. Wright's greatest 'sin', from what I can discern, is not being politic. And who is the hysterical Right Wing to complain about anyone being impolitic? We certainly shouldn't allow ourselves to be lectured on treason by the Timothy McVeigh wing of the political spectrum.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:40 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse sethrp See Profile I'm a Fan of sethrp

John, I agree with your view of this as fervently as I disagreed with your view of the writer's strike.

Why is it that we make Standard Operating Procedure out of double standards?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:43 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse entrenchedhoosier See Profile I'm a Fan of entrenchedhoosier

This is the first time I have ever posted a comment in a blog or newsgroup. I have always lurked and never jumped into the middle of the the discussion, since I have discovered these methods of communication.
Well, here is my take on the recent two weeks of democrat primary adversity. I Googled "Jeremiah Wright" and went to the Wikipedia entry on him. I had no previous knowledge of him in reference to Barack Obama. I have seen the youtube video excerpts of the controversial material. But I wanted to see some additional information on him. Wow. He has had "36 years of service as the senior pastor of that congregation". I wonder if all of his pulpit sermons have been as agitative, as in the few minutes of selective material that were distributed to the MSM? I somehow doubt it. I would have to see hours of seething rage to make my opinion of him be molded to a conclusion.
He and Mr. Obama are quite different personalities. I have just finished watching the speech that Mr. Obama made today. My opinion is that he has put the Jeremiah Wright selective sermon influence issue to rest.
Jeremiah Wright is not a campaign official or national fundraiser for Barack Obama. Those are the people that have influence on both the important and unimportant aspects of this primary historical event. In the spirit of reconciliation, others who have recently come in the spotlight with these positions as noted, should apologize for their remarks as such. They should be reinstated to the functions that they previously held.
Samantha Power should apologize to all monsters that she has offended and be reinstated to her campaign position.
Geraldine Ferraro should apologize to all African-Americans that she has offended and be reinstated to her fundraising activities.
Howard Wolfson should apologize to Ken Starr and...

be beamed up to the Enterprise and set out to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:31 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse Kalaine See Profile I'm a Fan of Kalaine

Good job.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:46 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse Krazime See Profile I'm a Fan of Krazime

I am so disheartened by the nasty comments I STILL see regarding Obama after his speech. I'm convinced that most white people have found this wedge to sit on, and will continue to sit on it and allow it to fester.

White people don't want to move past this issue. And it will come out in the general election. White people won't vote for him because no matter what, at this point, they think all black people are racist. Without any regard for some of their own racist feelings, Jeremiah Wright is enough for them to use for the next 100 years.

How sad for this country.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:04 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse BigRube See Profile I'm a Fan of BigRube

Hey I'am a 62 YO white male and I will vote Obama. Go Obama.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:57 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse BBackSoon See Profile I'm a Fan of BBackSoon

I take offence at your comments. Let us say "A portion of white people¦" As a white people, I will be voting for Obama in November just as I did in our primary. I feel he is our only chance at any kind of change. I have heard several otherwise intelligent (white) people say they are afraid that if Obama gets into office that Rev. Jackson or Farrakhan
will be pulling the strings. I have told them that things need to change and if our choices are Bush 2.1, Bush Light and Obama I think it is a clear choice.

Now when we speak of experience seems to me that out of the last 5 presidents that we have had 4 governors and only one with World Experiences and that was Bush I. And I am not counting second terms.

I don"t care if he is Purple, Obama makes sense when he speaks and does not have that stupid grin on his face. Sure he is a politician, who the hell else would want to go thru that interview process? Sure he is stretching the truth, but I like the directions he is stretching it.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:00 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse Jazz42 See Profile I'm a Fan of Jazz42

Mr. Ridley.
Great Article.
I totally agree with you.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:42 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse JacobSinger See Profile I'm a Fan of JacobSinger

These days it's too much to expect the majority of Americans to actually pick up a book and read it; god forbid the book be about the entrenched and criminal systems that have bee foisted on us for far too long.

So, with that in mind, may I suggest the following documentaries:

1) American Drug War: The Last Great White Hope

2) The One Percent

3) Why We Fight

4) The Corporation

I submit this to anyone scratching their heads wondering "what is going on with our government and how did we get here" to watch these films and pay close attention; watch tem multiple times to get the messages, if need be.

If you've been really struggling to figure things out, I assert that if you watch these films and understand the real and true message they present us with, you will come to understand the following truths:

1) Black Americans are indeed a focus group and the primary victims of an organized effort by the US government to disenfranchise black and/or poor people from participating in our political system;

2) The GOP & Supply-Side Economists have deregulated financial markets and industry for the sake of profit for the 1% who, along with the corporatists, rule this country through lobbyists and govenment corruption;

3) The US government is indeed responsible for actions [through a meddling, violent, & anti-democratic foreign policy] that CAUSED the attacks on 9/11/01, and the Military Industrial Complex is one of a few driving forces behind that policy;

4) Corporatists have permeated our society [with our apathetic assistance] with systems that encourage apathy and disconnection in regards to our political system. In addition, these huge conglomerates are sociopathic in their behavior; they have all of the rights we do, with none of the social responsibilites, so they constantly behave indifferently towards the well-being of society with only continually increasing profits as a focus. Also, these corporate monsters include the 4th Estate; we are constantly subjected to attempts at manipulating our wants and needs towards the interests of corporations.

I also assert that, once you have a firm grip on these concepts and are able to see how they fit together in a cohesive manner, you understand that what Rev. Wright said and what Ferraro said and the never ending blather about who said what is ALL JUST A SMOKE SCREEN.

We are played, constantly, against our best interests. If you are a member of a minority, if you are poor, if you are working class, if you are less than a wealth person at the level to garner the concern of free-market financial institutions.

Do you really want to let these bozos continue to distract you in such a shallow manner?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:25 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse frappe See Profile I'm a Fan of frappe

I just listened to the full speech delivered by Barack Obama in response to the uproar over Rev. Wright's comments and, let me say, it was simply outstanding. He managed to effectively summon the words that, collectively, were far greater than the words by themselves. He managed to capture the spirit, the essence, the thrust of what our essential mission or purpose is in terms of the greater good. It was a wonderful speech.

It is my hope that Sen. Obama will produce a DVD of that speech and send it to all Americans. Because, God knows, I don't think the mainstream media will do it justice. His enemies will continue with the divisive tactics in hopes of thwarting his presidential campaign. Americans need to hear this speech in its "totality" in order to gain the full meaning, the full context of what was intended.

I am now, more than ever, with Obama. He has my undivided support. He is a true leader, a true uniter, and someone who can help bring America together in our quest for a better life - for a better America.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:55 AM on 03/18/2008
collapse JacobSinger See Profile I'm a Fan of JacobSinger

I am in the process of reading the transcript of his speech.

But I must say, this excerpt in regards to Rev. Wrights comments is of grave concern to me:

"...a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam."

I'm sorry, but that is pure nonsense, as the candidates have a habit of saying, "straight out of the GOP playbook."

This is the man who is going to bring us CHANGE? Don't get me wrong, I have no illusion that Clinton is any more likely to address this nonsense, but that's not the point; if we do not face the TRUTH OD OUR ACTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, and the causes and connections that make our policies so disjointed and criminal, and change Obama can offer will be shallow and lacking of substance.

If you will not back someone that close to you when they speak the truth...well, what am I to make of that? Am I to assume that this is just a little appeasance for the centrists and GOP-crossovers, or should I take him at his word?

I will read the entire transscript ,but I gotta say, he's pretty much left me with a sense of hopelessness for this election.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:51 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse JacobSinger See Profile I'm a Fan of JacobSinger

Corrections to the text above:

Don't get me wrong, I have no illusion that Clinton is any more likely to address this nonsense, but that's not the point; if we do not face the TRUTH OF OUR ACTIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, and the causes and connections that make our policies so disjointed and criminal, any change Obama can offer will be shallow and lacking of substance.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:57 PM on 03/18/2008
collapse boccadellaverita See Profile I'm a Fan of boccadellaverita

I hope you're correct in saying the Right will is going to have to do a whole lot more to prove that Wright is wrong.
The Right seems to have convinced most Americans that black is white, up is down and wrapping oneself in the flag is patriotism.
Most Americans seem to work against their own self-interests. Instead of being outraged, it might be to their advantage to examine what Mr Wright has said for its truthfulness. .

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:14 AM on 03/18/2008
collapse cct1984 See Profile I'm a Fan of cct1984

How wrong is Wright? I say racism and demagoguery are wrong no matter where it occurs or who is involved. If the shoe was on the other foot, if Rev Wright was white and extolled the evils of black America, whether true or not, would you be so quick to defend him? I think not. Furthermore, if a republican candidate considered such a preacher to be his mentor, attended his church for 20 years, even appointing him to a position on his campaign, would you not condemn that candidate? Of course you would, because to choose to have such a close relationship with someone says something about yourself, even if you don't agree with everything they say. Barack fancies himself the candidate of good judgment and character. His close relationship with Rev Wright hardly shows good judgment"unless he wants to be seen as racially divisive and an American hater. Who else can we expect to see appointed to positions of influence in a potential Obama administration, Farrakhan?

The problem with the left is your inability or unwillingness to condemn bad behavior"wrong is wrong, no matter what the background of the person involved. You don"t excuse a child molester because they themselves were molested as a child, nor should you excuse racist remarks just because the person speaking them is black or had a persecuted past.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:03 AM on 03/18/2008
collapse JacobSinger See Profile I'm a Fan of JacobSinger

The problem with the RIGHT is that each and everyone of you is a HYPOCRITE to the very core of your being, and have NO RIGHT to criticize ANYONE until you clean up the disgusting mess that you've created since 1980.

Oh, but I forget...cleaning up your mess is always the job of the Lacky Left.

Don't condesend to me, or anyone else on the LEFT, you SOB; I know exactly WHAT YOU ARE.