Obama: Multimedia reckoning of church and Rezko

I feel a great deal of disappointment related to Senator Obama's explanation of his relationship with Rev. Wright. In particular, I simply find it impossible to believe that, over the course of a 20-year relationship and church membership, Senator Obama never once heard one of these sermons and never once heard Rev. Wright express any of these impassioned sentiments either publicly or privately. In viewing the video clips of Wright, it is clear that none of this rhetoric was new to his congregation. And given the close personal relationship between the two men, it's hard to believe they never discussed the history of blacks in the U.S. or any other topic that would have given Wright the opportunity to share these sentiments. To me, Senator Obama's explanation defies credulity. And I find it impossible to reconcile Rev. Wright's vitriol with Senator Obama's message of hope and unity. So my personal reaction is one of tremendous disappointment.

This should tell all just what kind of person Obama really is underneath that suit and sweet talk of his. In the beginning, when Obama was getting into local politics in Chicago, he needed that preacher to get him elected. He needed the black voters in that black area he was running for office in. NOW, when he decides to run for a NATIONAL office, the "preacher and all of his trash talk are a liability and he rejects him. Even a really, really stupid person could see this one.----- Obama, not everyone is as stupid as you would hope for. Your past is still YOUR PAST and never goes away just because you have turned the page.

If we believe Obama when he says that he is both a practicing Christian and a member of Wright's congregation, then we must believe that Wright is Obama's spiritual/moral guide and mentor. As such, we must believe that Obama is fully familiar with Wright's ideas... and that he is lying when he says he is not. Conversely, if we believe that Obama is not familiar with Wright's repugnant ideas, then Obama is lying when he says he is a practicing Christian and Congregant at Trinity United. So however you slice it, Obama is lying. Say amen.

What, do people think Obama has some deep hidden belief in hatred of his country? He sure has a funny way of showing it.

Aren't we supposed to judge people by their actions and deeds? Who can offer the slightest hint of proof that Senator Obama agrees with the bizarre statements of Jeremiah Wright?

Why shouldn't his disavowal of Wright's statements be taken at face value?

People, you ever heard African American preaching on a.m. radio? There are a lot of relics from the past still alive there, some good, some bad.

A little to little and a bit to late. Seems funny that he was just that "Crazy ol' Uncle" untill the media started to pursue the issue further.

I've watched Obama's Denouncing the Rev. Whites statements and read all about it.

Stating he never heard the Rev. talk like this in his sermons..... In the Whole 20 Years? BULL, I don't buy it.

I hope the rest of the democratic Americans are bright enough Not to
buy this song and dance. It's Call DAMAGE CONTROL. "Well Rev. Wright is retired now, and theirs a new Minister of the church." How convenient!

That Does not change the fact that Obama has know this man, will continue to know him, and receive advice from him. He will not discard this man out of his life "Suddenly" after 20 Years. Especially if he's like an Uncle/Father figure constantly giving advice.

Obama's wife, Michelle, and even Oprah has made statements that are questionable, and along the thinking lines of Rev.White. Recently both of them have been seen less. - Damage Control!

Give us a Break, Obama will say anything to sooth his believers.

Too Many Fib's, Cover up's, and Obama Hoped that some things would not be revealed.

1. Obama has fibbed about his connection with Louis Farrakhan till pushed.

2. Obama has fibbed about his real estate deal and involvement with Antoin "Tony" Rezko till pushed.

3. Now this thing with Rev. Wright. and having to be Pushed to make a Statement about that. (Not to mention his affiliation with other Questionable situations, Fibs about growing up, etc.)

In AMERICA 3 STRIKES your OUT!

He has not even completed one full term in the Senate.

If he's lying and covering NOW, is it only going to get WORSE after he's President?

This is the same tactics that President Bush pulled, and is pulling as we speak.

I don't see CHANGE, I See a REPEAT...even MORE Cunning and DANGEROUS than Bush, as Obama is a CHARMER.

I Hope the Young voting Americans Wake up soon from this trance and SMELL THE COFFEE.

ezr - Please watch the Obama video (Fox News has a good one, too) where he tells about his knowledge of the wrong reverend's positions. In response to a question about whether he was there, he said he was not there "for most of them." In response to whether he denounces, renounces, (or whatever) the wrong reverend's rants, he said he objects to "many of them." In response to whether he would have left the church if he had heard them, he said he would "if they were REPEATED." Not if they were said once, but REPEATED. DO NOT BE FOOLED by the snake oil salesman!

Senator Obama has gone further than any politican I know of to answer questions. He even went on Fox News and was treated like dirt by his interviewer. The Chicago Tribune has a 13 page document of his interveiow with them the other day! He is hiding nothing.

As someone not from Chicago, and who has seen the sound bite snippets being replayed continuously over the last 24 hours of Rev. Wright's incendiary sermons, I don't think we know enough about Rev. Wright to completely judge him from a couple of 30 second video tapes. The man has been a preacher for a very long time and has a very long resume. He's authored several books, won 3 Presidential Commendations, built an apparently successful ministry that has thousands of members. I'd like to see a little more digging by journalists and a more complete story before I'd be willing to pass sentence. Thanks.

What people need to understand is that generally speaking, African-Americans have a somewhat different relationship with America than whites do. We, as African-Americans, love our country as much as anyone, but it is indeed a love-hate relationship. I would hope there is no need to explain why that's the case, given this country's brutal history of enslavement, racial violence, discrimination and oppression. So yes, sometimes the pain and anguish bubbles over, as emotions can do at times. We love our country and wouldn't want to live anywhere else, but we are not blind to its history and its sins. Barack Obama wants to be the president who helps our nation collectively turn the page from not only politics as usual, but from the stereotypes and racial divisions that divide us. We can do better. We can be a better America.

Thank- you Rev. Wright for letting us know how you and Obama feel about whites and Jews before it was too late.

Paulo

Obama: A wolf in sheeps clothing.
EM

What Obama Said About Wright Before Wright Mattered
by Rob Port
March 14, 2008 09:24 PM EDT
rating: 10/10 (10 votes) | comments: 8
From a memoir written by Obama before he knew his reverend would become an issue in his campaign for President:
The title of Reverend Wright's sermon that morning was "The Audacity of Hope." He began with a passage from the Book of Samuel—the story of Hannah, who, barren and taunted by her rivals, had wept and shaken in prayer before her God. The story reminded him, he said, of a sermon a fellow pastor had preached at a conference some years before, in which the pastor described going to a museum and being confronted by a painting title Hope.
"The painting depicts a harpist," Reverend Wright explained, "a woman who at first glance appears to be sitting atop a great mountain. Until you take a closer look and see that the woman is bruised and bloodied, dressed in tattered rags, the harp reduced to a single frayed string. Your eye is then drawn down to the scene below, down to the valley below, where everywhere are the ravages of famine, the drumbeat of war, a world groaning under strife and deprivation.
"It is this world, a world where cruise ships throw away more food in a day than most residents of Port-au-Prince see in a year, where white folks' greed runs a world in need, apartheid in one hemisphere, apathy in another hemisphere…That's the world! On which hope sits!"
And so it went, a meditation on a fallen world. While the boys next to me doodled on their church bulletin, Reverend Wright spoke of Sharpsville and Hiroshima, the callousness of policy makers in the White House and in the State House. As the sermon unfolded, though, the stories of strife became more prosaic, the pain more immediate. The reverend spoke of the hardship that the congregation would face tomorrow, the pain of those far from the mountaintop, worrying about paying the light bill…
Obama is now trying to tell us that the hateful rhetoric his reverend is deploying now isn’t what he heard during his two decades in that reverend’s congregation. Yet it’s clear from this memoir that the Reverend Wright was saying the same things then as he’s saying now.
Obama’s only trying to distance himself from Wright now because Wright has become politically inconvenient. Not because Obama actually dislikes anything Wright has to say.

http link

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977284711&grpId=3659174697241980&nav=Groupspace

wow! Isn't Keith kind. he allows Obama to come on his show after his "spiritual" mentor, goes postal, to be kind. Where was the angry Keith calling Clinton as racist when Ferraro made her comments, which were pretty mild compared to the remarks about the US, Hillary Clinton - I won't even go to the drug, prison, or ADS comments. My question is: So who is the worest person in the world? Not Obama, not the spiritual leader, clearly not Ferraro, but Keith Olberman- the worest person in the world.

What good comes from preaching to Black people to hate and despise their fellow Americans whom they can not live without? Rev. Wright is a God Damn fool. And so are Barack and Michele for listening to and allowing their children to listen to this idiot (Rev. Wright) for years.

I'm just a plain ol' Catholic that goes to church pretty regularly - and I don't agree with larges chunks of the Catholic Church's beliefs. It is hardly unusual for the people in the pews to not agree with everything that the person in the pulpit is saying. Were the critics of Obama also attacking John Kerry four years ago?

Strangely consistent with Michele's comments re her recent spurt of pride in her country. Perhaps she went to church more frequently.

Barack Obama dedicated one of his books to this man who he called his spiritual advisor. He and his wife were married by this man. His children went to Sunday School there. He put this man on one of his campaign advisory committees.

And this bizzaaro-world spiritual advisor of Obama's claims whites concocted the AIDS virus to kill blacks, that whites sell crack to blacks to decimate them, that American is responsible for all of the world's ills.

Geraldine Ferraro was certainly right. No white candidate with such associations would be taken seriously at all. Just recall the scrutiny given to the tenets of Mitt Romney's Mormon religious background.

I believe Obama is now electoral toast.

Just look at the number of You Tube hits on Jeremaih White's speeches.

This is going to make Willy Horton and Swiftboat look like child's play.

Apparently Louis Farrakhan has gotten to the Rev. Jerimiah Wright. Louis Farrakhan is a low-life piece of garbage American traitor, and so is Rev. Wright.
May they both rot in HELL!!!

We should indeed judge candidates for office by their actions and deeds, not their words. But in Sen. Obama's case, it's a true combination of words and deeds. Sen. Obama has built an enormous following and unique celebrity on his extraordinary ability to sway a crowd with words. He took a place on the national stage with words, as a national unknown, at the Democratic Convention in 2004, and has been groomed for the Presidency by party insiders, including Ted Kennedy, since those days. Prior to this, he powered up a career in the Illinois senate with funding from Tony Rezko's very successfu fundraising efforts (Rezko was also steering the finance committee at this time). Tony Rezko is now at the heart of a criminal political scandal trial in Chicago and Sen. Obama's pastor's videotapes speak for the pastor, the congregation (they applaud the pastor in every tape), and, indirectly, the Senator and his wife and even Oprah Winfrey (another major Obama supporter). Sen. Obama has a 17-year friendship/political relationship with Tony Rezko which ended after Rezko was able to help the Obamas buy a mansion at a better price and also when Obama started running for President (that started, by Obama's admission when he took the U.S. Senate seat in 2006). Sen. Obama has a 20-year friendship/spiritual relationship with Pastor Wright which also was given the "distance" treatment when Obama threw his hat in the presidential ring. In addition to the unsavory aspects of these relationships outlined in the press (and kept under wraps until Obama's achieved a delegate lead and isn't that funny), we have also learned that Sen. Obama has no trouble distancing himself from long-time friends and even throwing the friendships under a bus if needed, when these friendships get in the way of his presidential ambitions. We've seen this before, we call it politics as usual. But this candidate is running as the anti-politics-as-usual-candidate and now his actions have made him a fraud. Congratulations, Sen. Obama and welcome to "the club." You've been in it a long time but you did a great job of hoodwinking and bamboozling us into thinking you were some other kind of creature, that you just might be "the real deal." It turns out you're no better than any other and in some ways, your personal loyalty to friends, for example, you might be worse. Rezko was already under investigation when you went house hunting, but it didn't stop you. Pastor Wright blamed the U.S. for 911 the Sunday after 9-11-01... said "God damn America" in 2003... and gave us his Merry Christmas/Hate Hillary Clinton message in 2007 ... but it took you until last night to discover his words are "inflammatory and appalling." The fact that it took you 17 years in Rezko's case, and 20 years in Wright's case to recognize what they have to offer as "bad news for you" does not bode well for the country. After all, you only get 4 years to come to a decision once you're president. Words and deeds, Senator, you got 'em all.

HUSSEIN Obama is a racist. He's a bigot who needs to stop his campaign and step down as US senator. HUSSEIN Obama is a vile disgrace.

I am disappointed that Senator Obama is distancing himself from his spiritual mentor and close friend, the most Reverend Wright. The good Reverend speaks for many who have been been excluded from the American Dream. I don't know when the rest of America got so squeaky clean and moral, but maybe some good plain talk will wake this country up! If you think a soft spoken Sunday school teacher type can minister Reverend Wright's congregation, and address those folks' spiritual problems, ain't never going to happen. The promise of Barack Obama lay in addressing the issues which Reverend Wright has raised repeatedly over the years at the national level. It's about time that the leadership in this country realized that as a nation, we need a more balanced economy with more benefits accruing to the lower economic sector, even if it means rewriting tax law. I believe and will continue to pray that Senator Obama keeps his faith and allegiance to his people. He certainly has shown this to be the case in the past. We are counting on him to make this nation one.

A black preacher has every right to express outrage in response to the experience of his people in this country. Barak Obama has the right to attend this church whether or not he agrees with every word uttered from the pulpit. This attack on Mr. Obama and his church deeply offends me, and I’m a white man. I can only imagine how this feels to the black community.

Note how hard core Obama supporters dismiss this whole issue. He gives a vague "I disagree with the comments in question" which is enough for supporters. But look carefully, the exact demographic Obama has been having trouble motivating is the people who agree with his pastor. Now they'll vote for Obama. Obama may come out of this whole thing ahead.

A snippet from jed.report.. and i say amen to that

...now here you have a guy who has done everything that they've asked, studiously avoiding racially polarizing rhetoric, never playing the victim card, managing to be racially aware without racializing every single damn thing.

And what is it that his political opposition does?

Attack him on race. For something that someone else said.

Give me a f&%!ing break.

Here's a message to Barack Obama's political opposition:

If you are serious about stopping him, fight this battle on the merits. Engage him on what he says.

Guilt-by-association is insidious. You ARE a bunch of junior McCarthys. And if we were being completely intellectually honest, opening the doors to all of your associates, friends and otherwise, I can guarantee you this: you will not like the result. You do not want to go down that path -- or at least you wouldn't if the media weren't stacked in your favor.

Barack Obama is playing by all the rules that you set -- and he's winning. You don't like it. Well, grow up. Learn to deal with it.

A presidential candidate with an intimate link to a man like Jeremiah Wright is unelectable in the United States. The white voters wh have supported Barack Obama have been laughed at and vilified. I'll guess John Dean and the DNC know this also.

These videos have been out for a while but it didn't air until recently.
Well we will just have to wait and see what happens next.
If Obama had left his church 5 years ago these videos would still air today.
My question is now, is Obama accountable for his pastor's words?
Obama does not hate this country but that is exactly the message that wants. Fear is a very powerful tool in politics. It has been used throughout history.
This will hurt Obama. People are quick to judge and the Republican party will use this on their ads if he is the nominee.
Perfect timing for Hillary to make her case.

It seems that this whole situation speaks to Obama's claims to have good judgement. If he was fooled for 20 years by Wright, then he obviously is not the man we need for president. I wonder why no one has picked up on this.

I think people are foolish to assume from a 30 second sound byte that Reverend Wright is preaching hatred of whites, jews, etc. to his congregation. If he was really so vitriolic I wouldn't expect to see friendly well adjusted main stream americans coming from this church. Duh.

Preachers use stories to make a point, we are free to be offended but anyone who believes people who have brown skin don't continue to experience prejudice on a daily basis are delusional. I work in software design and we have lots on India's citizens over here now. They experience prejudice and are so surprised. It's very illuminating about the underside of mainstream america.

I see that alot of the people commenting on this board are the very first to cast stones at others, if I remember correctly it says something about that in the bible. I think it is completely possible that these sermons do not represent the standard presented in this church. After all Fox and ABC bought every single one of the videos for sale and came away with two video clips. If there were more Fox would be playing them. This whole discourse is sad, I could go into any Megachurch around the country and selectively cut videoclips of their sermons and find messages that some would find offensive when taken out of context. Unfortunately this is going to have the biggest impact on low information voters and those who have a religious agenda of hate, and who are looking for any excuse to spread fear about the "Black Man".

Is the First Amendment still valid? Last time I checked, people were allowed freedom of speech in this country. If every word my family, friends, colleagues, ministers, priests, and acquaintances said were attributed to me, I would find it hard to awaken every morning. Can we get back to talking about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, health care, education, the economy, and things that actually matter please?

How many among us faithful can say we agree with everything our pastor says?

Obama supporters please wake up and get off the Obama train so he doesn't get nominated, which you just have to realize will produce a McCain win for sure. You must know by now that he cannot win with his spiritual mentor shouting God Damn America and the congregation (of which Obama is a 20 year member), high fiving each other like they just won the lottery.

get over it! we've got real problems that require real solutions! McCain, Clinton, and Obama all have crazy people associated with them. Obama probably knew his pastor was crazy; but maybe didn't know the man vidoe taped it. i don't believe that Obama is into that crazy crap. give the man credit for admitting his errors; better than most politicians. look at Obama for what he is. he's good and bad. don't just dismiss him because he is black, not a woman, a junior senator, has a middle name hussien(sp?), and/or is biracial. where is the american dream in the american people? mccain, clinton, obama give them a chance based on policy not hatred.

Considering that he must have known this was coming (the timing is so opportune - Friday before a long break in the campaign - that I suspect his campaign may have started this), I thought Obama's response was both unconvincing (that he never heard this) and unlikely to win over anyone not already supporting him. I do not suspect Obama of harboring these kind of thoughts, but the responses I hear from his supporters (i.e. "like everything else, this is Clinton's fault"; "this isn't an issue, but the Clintons' tax returns are"; and "white people ARE all racists so let's get over it") are going to cost him his shot at the presidency.

OH GIVE ME A BREAK!!
THIS GUY HAS MADE SOME REALLY RIDICULOUS COMMENTS (B.O.) AND AS A TRUE POLITICIAN HE BELIEVES WE ARE DUMBER THAN DUMB!! THE PUBLIC IS NOT
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE HAS MADE SOME BAD JUDGEMENTS !!
IF MY BELOVED & RESPECTED "UNCLE" SAID THE COMMENTS THAT THE PASTOR SAID I WOULD TELL HIM TO KEEP HIS INCENDIARY COMMNENTS TO HIMSELF AND NOT ALLOW MY FAMILY TO BE SUBJECTED TO THE HATE HE ESPOUSES!!
I AM FROM CHICAGO..HE IS NOT AN IMPORTANT FIGURE TO CHICAGOIANS AT A WHOLE, BUT POSSIBLY TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY..B.O. SUGGESTS OTHERWISE
TELL HIM TO TAKE HIS FUNDRAISER & HIS PASTOR AND FIND SOME FOOLS THAT ACCEPT LL THIS B.S.

Good Grief!If everyone was judged by their ministers and their rhetoric,we'd all be dissected and fried. All church goers have brains ,strong wills and a capability to select and reject what settles in the mind and spirit. My Episcopalian Priest (years ago) hated Catholics and refused to bless our apartment when I married because my husband was Catholic. Later I found that our church ignored poor people who attended mass. I asked another Priest why these people were ignored.He said,"They can't pay for the upkeep of the church".I repudiated him and left the church. My point is this;I never knew after being a member of that church from my childhood that the Priests felt that way. Should I have been accused of believing what I didn't know they believed? I don't think so! What matters is what I did AFTER I found out. Give Obama the benefit of the doubt! If he has lied ...so has the Clintons(Lord have they lied)!...I'll bet you'll find the same with McClain and the rest of the politicians. Bush is a Prime example!

Obama make his kids sit through these sermons. Doesnt look good as a father or candidate at this point.

So now presidential candidates are indicted for who they have heard speak? Does this now mean that we need to find out what every candidate listened to over the past twenty years to make sure they didn't hear anything bad? You can be sure that many of the Republican candidates listened to some pretty hate filled language in their day. It's all over talk radio. And I think they listen to Fox News too! McCain just got John Hagee's support and was there when he was preaching hate. Should he be rejected on this basis as well?

Get a life people.

Barack Obams has brought a new level of respectful debate to American politics, and may represent one of our best chances at making progress toward healing of some old national wounds.

This subject can be a reminder that, only several generations ago, America participated in slavery. Take a second to think about that. Elders among descendants of slaves may have a somewhat different view of American history and its current challenges than some other people do.

Rejecting anger and division in favor of hope and possibility, Barack Obama seems to be in an almost unique position to lead the country to a new vision of our potential.

Obamas true color is revealed. The clearly racist Rev.Wright is Obamas mentor and I don't care if he denies it. He is distancing him now only because it is politically inconvenient. I am a Democrat but if Obama wins the nomination I will vote for McCain.

Truth is truth, you cannot hide it. You can mislead people for some time, but not for long. Shame on Obama's duplicity.

Not long ago, blacks were turned away from all white churches, which still exist in 2008. It's not unusual for black ministers to constantly remind us that racism still exist in this country. Until you walk in a black man shoes, you can't possibly know what he goes through each and everyday of his life! It's not easy being called a nigger, a boy, colored, Negro (nigra as some would say), lynched or put in prison for 28 years or more, just to have DNA prove 28 years later, that you didn't commit this or that crime. White people are in denial about racism in this country. Black people are living it! No, we cannot forget our past, nor do we wish to re-live it. Senator Obama is trying to bring people together rather than put anymore divisions between the races. Some whites seem to fear this so they are now trampling on our right to freedom of religion?
I have but one request from whites in this country who are in denial when it comes to racism in America. Take a look at the make up of Congress and tell me how many black Senators or House of Representatives members are seated there. Are these not our lawmakers? Look at your own state legislative body. How many blacks, if any? Now, take a look at the prison system and see how many whites are there? hmmmmm interesting.

To note, Bill Clinton poured more money into the prison system than any other President. Then he gave us, so graciously, the three strikes you're out law. Don't get me wrong, I don't condone criminal behavior. I just know that the Justice System in this country is not fair to minorities. If it was fair, Bill Clinton's pardon lists would not be that long and Bush and Cheney would be cell mates.

As I read the shrill reactions to this whole thing, the blatant single-mindedness of some people is sad to read about. It seems that some people have declared that somehow white America has become the victim when a black preacher expresses his sense of outrage about perceived injustices. These same people rush to make it an issue of race when it is an issue of the human condition, society and social justice. These same people point to Barak Obama and somehow make him responsible for what another man says even though the same people are contributing to the anger by using guilt by association.

We as a nation are in serious trouble if we allow this garbage to continue. It is time to stop the hypocrisy of the white elite pretending to feel threatened by an old man's rant. It is time for white society to stop accusing the victim of the crime. Their very protestations of white Americans are a testament to the sad condition of people of color. If these people did not feel they were getting a bad deal, white Americans would not be in a position to pretend shock at their frustration and anger.

I am not a person of color unless you consider Caucasian a color. I am not a youthful idealist but rather a man in 50's who is part of the working class, a retired soldier and bread-winner. I have benefited from my status as a white American in that I did not grow up under the yoke of prejudice and poverty. I do not feel guilty because of it nor to I deny my advantage. What is important is that I have taken the time to learn about and understand and appreciate the contributions of people of color to my country.

Reading the hostile, ignorant and divisive comments of some of the posters here being directed to Senator Obama leaves me feeling dread for the hope of this country to rise above the worst afflictions it suffers from.

In the words of Richard Wright, a well known author in the close of his book, Black Boy, "If this country can't find its way to a human path, if it can't inform conduct with a deep sense of life, then all of us, black as well as white, are going down the same drain..."

Those words were written in 1944 and are still valid today.

If only Barack had the sense to repeat a comedic line of the time "Homey don't play that."
When an anomaly occurs often enough for a pattern to form this is called a trend. Even if he were absent for these vile sermons the attitudes of other congregants should have repelled him. The preacher was playing to a enthusiastic crowd who didn't hear anything surprising.

It's so "wonderful" to see the media do so much spinning for Obama. They spin for Spitzer. They spin for Obama. They spin for Rev. Wright. I mean Mark softens his touch big time here. "The retiring outspoken pastor." This "pastor" preached against the U.S. a mere days after 9/11. The "pastor" says "we didn't bat an eye" about nuking Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Nice historical revisionism there, "pastor." History tells me the U.S. agonized over the decision and decided that was a better decision than 1 million Americans dying invading Japan, which did start the war, after all.,
The Corrupt Media and the Loony Left =bad for America and Americans.

What other things are there about Obama that we don't know? The drive by media is in the tank for Obama, they are in love with Obama simply because he is black. Who is more racist the media who only care about Obama because he is black or Obama minister who hates all whites.
We need a media that reports the facts the is not blinded by race and being racists. Obama being the member of a racist Church for 20 years disqualified him from leading America. We need a uniter not a divider like Obama and his church. If Obama could not convince his minister not to be a racist and did not leave the Church them he supports the same racist views. You are judged by the friends and the company you keep

What other things are there about Obama that we don't know? The drive by media is in the tank for Obama, they are in love with Obama simply because he is black. Who is more racist the media who only care about Obama because he is black or Obama minister who hates all whites.
We need a media that reports the facts the is not blinded by race and being racists. Obama being the member of a racist Church for 20 years disqualified him from leading America. We need a uniter not a divider like Obama and his church. If Obama could not convince his minister not to be a racist and did not leave the Church them he supports the same racist views. You are judged by the friends and the company you keep

Sen. Obama,
Sir damage control is urgent at this time, as a cascade of missteps erodes your credibility with all Americans. Your wife's statement about just now being proud of America seems to be echoing minister Wright thoughts. While your denial of the reverend is correct your spouse and yourself attended the church together..You must have been present during these sermons! You heard what your wife heard and your children also listen to these racist words. Sir you must act now to save you candidacy. Your next step must be strong to convince america you will be the President for all Americans.

I'm sick and tired of hearing political messages from preachers on the left and right. Whatever happened to that sacred principle of separation of church and state? Churches that can't refrain from politics should lose their tax exempt status.

R. A. Hartmann

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barack-obama/on-my-faith-and-my-church_b_91623.html

Well, his "statement" is posted at huffingtonpost. Why he choose to post there is obvious, look at all those comments. Take a read yourself, it doesn't take high intelligence to see the flaws. This "statement" generates more questions than answers.

Mr. Obama simply is not believable. It simply is not humanly possible to be an "active participant" in a congregation for 20 years--with the same pastor which in itself is unusual--and not know his views. The same with Rezco. Every interview--these of course on Friday--there is a little more revealed. Drip, drip, drip!! Mr. Obama may be telling the "truth" in what he tells us, but he is not campaigning with full integrity. There is a vast difference between the truth and integrity. His arrogance (only surpassed by his wife) is wearing very thin. He is 100% disingenuous with us all. If Mr. Obama is in the White House on Jan. 20th '09, many people are going to wake up and say, "what have we done??"

News Flash !! Mr. Obamas' poll numbers have dropped 8 POINTS! since yesterday according to recent Rassmussen poll. His unfavoribality rating is now 49 %, just where Mrs. Clinton started out at. It's all over but the shouting folks.

My instincts that Obama was too green and naive to play in the big sand box were right on. I'm glad I decided early on to stick with Hillary who has proven she can play with the big boys! For all you idealist,that's called: EXPERIENCE!!

"U.S. Sen. Barack Obama waited 16 months to attempt the exorcism. But when he finally sat down with the Tribune editorial board Friday, Obama offered a lengthy and, to us, plausible explanation for the presence of now-indicted businessman Tony Rezko in his personal and political lives.

The most remarkable facet of Obama's 92-minute discussion was that, at the outset, he pledged to answer every question the three dozen Tribune journalists crammed into the room would put to him. And he did."

"That said, Barack Obama now has spoken about his ties to Tony Rezko in uncommon detail. That's a standard for candor by which other presidential candidates facing serious inquiries now can be judged."

ETHICS=OBAMA

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0316edit1mar16,0,2616801.story

Those who are casting stones at Obama are doing so out of pure malice and hatred. Its racism in its very subtle form. Hagee was heard and seen denouncing catholics and the the Jewish people and what reaction did we get? just tit bits of news reports and thats it. But in connection with Obama--a black man, and Jeremaiah Wright--another black black man--and the whole world has gone kaboom!! This level of bigotry and racism is amazing. And worst of all or most of these people call themselves christians who know very well what the gospel teaches about tolerance. Oh what a hypocrisy

As I read these comments the only thought that comes to mind is that is it possible that we still believe that only caucasians are racist??? We hear all the time jokes on TV about white people, crackers, etc. We can't possibly understand the suffering of black people. I guess the only people who suffer are black people. Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans and Jews are happy. They have never heard a derogatory tag or suffered discrimination. How many centuries will caucasians pay with guilt and blood for slavery? You're going to have to give me a break. I am living in the present. I am not your enemy. I am poor, don't have a house and have a low job. My children go to public school and if we are lucky they'l go to community college, though probably they'll be mechanics or so.

The point is that Pastor Wright is a violent racist. He spreads lie and hate against me and mine because I'm white so I must pay. How can I vote for Obama when this is the gospel and advise him and his family have been hearing all the time? Obama knew this and he didn't care because he feels the same. I will not support Obama. How could I when he associates with people who hate a segment of the nation for skin color, and worse, a person who is shamed of the USA. Obama doesn't believe in the God Damn USA. He won't fight for us. He'll bring us down.

Do you mean to tell me that Obama said he hadn’t become familiar with Wright’s more “incendiary’’ and now widely publicized remarks about God damning America (Wright's words) “until recently.’’
What`s he not telling us? Is he witholding some information like he did about his donations from Tony Rezko?

Smiling faces hide the traces of hate and disinclusion that makes a lie of all BARACK HUSSIEN OBAMA publicaly espouses.
Obama eat pork and go back home apostate!
Your actions to attempt to disemble on the truth are an insult to every REAL AMERICANS intelligence and existence.
Peace thru superior firepower is all that the maniacs of the world
understand.Vile, ignorant and
hypocritical and not a philosophy of peace is how I characterize the so called "religion" of mohamedism.
The RELIGION of hate and despicable scum is not to my tastes thank you.
You say that whites are racists but the results of the primary so far are 87% of blacks for obama, 50% or less or less of whites voting for Clinton.
Who are the predominant racists now?
You want to remove our ability to protect ourselves from these monsters .Not on my watch!
Go back to your cave and live with OSSAMA, B.H.Obama.
You and him should have a good life together until the AMERICANS find you! Don't touch our defensive capabilities you mole! You will never fool me!

1) If Barack gets attacked in the media for the comments of his pastor, then I think an investigation of the other candidate's religious leaders is warranted as well. I've heard that John McCain considers Rod Parsely to be a spiritual mentor, and I've also heard that he's said some not so nice things as well. Why isn't that being plastered all over the news?

2) Just because somebody attends a church doesn't mean that they agree with everything that the church says and does. Case in point: A few years back there was a major scandal within the Catholic church concerning priests and child molestation. Does that mean that every Catholic who remained at their particular church agreed with what those priests did? Does remaining at the church despite the allegations reflect something about those churchgoers' character? If your answer to those questions is no, then you should apply those same reasoning processes to Barack Obama.

Experience? As what, first lady? Let's not forget Senator Clinton is also a junior senator. What you view as an "experienced" candidate, I view as an opportunitistic candidate. I'm sure anyone would have achieved that level of experience if they were riding someone else's coattails.

Sad to watch Obama get devoured over this.

Does anyone really think that America's foreign policy has not often been wrongheaded, and has not earned enemies, including the crazed Al Qaeda?

Does anyone really think that blacks, including black preachers, cannot fairly point to racial prejudice in tending and teaching their flock?

Obama says he does not hold Wright's extreme beliefs. That would be true for millions of churchgoers in their relationship to their pastor, and probably includes McCain and his "spiritual guide" Mr. Parsley.

Olbermann's rhetorics are neither fair nor balanced. I used to watch his show in the past but I am disgusted with him and Mathews as they feel so safe to degrade Senator Clinton consistently but find a ways to rescue Senator obama when his poor judgment puts him in trouble. Mr. Olbermann, if your show is fair and balanced (as you claim it is) then please be critical to your own network as it is almost functioning like Senator Obama's campaign headquarter. I like both snator Obama and Clinton but you and Mathews makes me sick for despising one and worshiping another. For that, I would say that YOU ARE THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD.

In defense of his racist Rev. Wright
Obama says;
...but, but, but....he was a former Marine that served his country.
Ummm, Barack....Lee Harvey Oswald was a former Marine too.
Nice Try!

Paulo

Are children allowed in this church sanctuary to hear this preacher's hate speech and anti-America rhetoric? I am not believing for one minute that Obama did not know what this preacher was saying. Like an uncle???? Well, if my uncles EVER showed hatred toward America or any race, he would not be welcomed around me. This last minute disassociation attempt does nothing to hide the 20 years of listening to this vile filth of Rev Wright.

I live in Chicago, and my friend goes to Trinity Church. I've been there myself and I've never heard anything inflammatory. The gospel choir is amazing. The preaching is uplifting. I was shocked when I first saw the tape of Reverend Wright's comments. I had to double check to make sure it was the same church. I was aware that the church was pro-African American and that the theology was liberation theology, but I never felt hate or prejudice or noted any kind of "anti" tenor. It was more about pride, self-determination, self-reliance, PEACE, and Jesus. I hate that I have to say this but, for the record, I'm white. The congregation was kind to me, not hateful. There was no prejudice against me. It was an amazing church with thousands of people pouring through the door. The list of social programs affiliated with the church is vast. Frankly, I haven't agreed with everything that was said in my chuch, and I'm certainly unaware of every line preached. Also, when you lift lines out of context they sound more harsh, especially if they were lifted out of context in order to shock people. Obama is straddling a fine line and he's doing some damage control here for sure, but what is wrong with damage control, exactly? Is he supposed to let people spin it where they wish without intervention? I don't really see him as distancing himself from his outspoken friend, but rather as distancing himself from comments that he disagrees with, renounces, repudiates. I have some outspoken friends myself and I wouldn't want to be judged by their inflammatory comments.

The blacks use slavery as excuses for every of their falures: poverty, unemployment and so on. For the last several decades, black people in this country have been given a lot of assistance from the government. One of them is affirmative action. Nowadays, blacks has a tremendous power in politics. The Indians and Asians were not treated any better than Blacks but have you heard them whinning? They work hard, quietly improve their lives and their children's, try not to be a burden of our sociaty. Speaking of racism, just look at exit polls, 91% of Blacks voted for Obama. Who is racist? I'm neither black nor white but I'm totally agree with Mrs. Ferraro' comments. It's sad that the Blacks are only the ones who are entitled to make comments about racism. The harsh remarks about the whites Mr. Wright gave during the time he was speeching in his church are stunning. Church is where peole talk about love, forgiveness, building hopes and dreams not hatred and revenge. Mr. Wright was Obama's mentor for twenty years. You can not erase an influence from a man you dearly call uncle. If Mr. Obama says othewise, he is dishonest in my view.

Its about time that the Media did as we asked and looked into Rev Wright. The fact that he honored Farrakhan meant that he had to be Anti White, Anti America & full of HATRED. This is why Michelle is an arrogant bigot as well. I have to wonder what kind of parents would let their children sit thru a sermon filled with so much hatred. It does NOT matter to me how many times Obama NOW says that he disassociates himself from the Rev. Wright, whom he earlier said was his Mentor, and who Obama so highly respected that he borrowed the title of his book, The Audacity of Hope. Too many of us have been saying for a long time now that Obama would NOT ever pass a background check, because of whom he has close ties to, and just how he runs things around him. Not enough has been said of obama's close relationship to Bill Ayers who blew up NYC Police Headquarters, the Pentagon, & the Capitol. Ayers who in 2001 after 9-11 said he regrets NOT blowing up more buildings and that he cannot say that he would NEVER resort again to blowing up more buildings.
Obama can Deny, Deny, Deny all he wants. A lot of us have been asking our Senators, Congressmen, Delegates, and Super Delegates to begin to look into Obama's background because we feel he is a THREAT to AMERICA.
As so many of us have been saying we cannot see how Obama could pass a background check to work as a cook, janitor or a gardener at the White House or any Police Station anywhere in the USA. Obama should loose his Senate seat, and he certainly should NEVER be the President of OUR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Too many lies around obama and if you lie about this than perhaps you lie about too many other things as well.

This is the real Obama. These short video's take only a minute to watch. Make up your own minds.


1- Click here: You Tube - Obama Communist Flag In Office!
2- Click here: You Tube - Obama and the National Anthem

Rev Wrights Rants.

3- Click here: YouTube - The shocking video Barrack Obama does not want you to see

Obama if you choose to hang a Cuban Flag with the terrorist Che Guevara on it at your campaign Headquarters and NOT our American Flag than it tells us exactly what you are. Obama If you cold the Cuban Flag closer to your heart than our American Flag than you disrespect the USA and you are an INSULT to most of us with a brain to see exactly what you are. Remember that Action Speaks Louder than Words.
Obama, there is just too much you cannot talk your way out of.
Wake up America this is NOT someone that the USA can take a chance on for too many reasons.. Once again I will ask you if all of this offends you than SPEAK UP and demand that Washington DC, that those who are supposed to be protecting us investigate this and do whatever is necessary to PROTECT our AMERICA.

This world was created by the Almighty an all living things large and small alike, and their should be no place in our socity for hate or words that support hate. Cloth does not hold together withought thred, and we are people of the earth also the world we should standtogether as one foundation and be strong. We need to change our behavor and actions as well. All nation on earth are here in the great U.S.A. as one body. We should stand beside who will unite this great country so she can be strong in the world community. God bless Mr. Obama in his effort to moved this great country in that derection, I hope he is elected as president of the U.S.A. United we all should stand not devided.

If the media had done their job and really looked into Obamas background more, than fawn over him like the next Meshiah. This would have been over months ago.
After seeing Obamas deer in the headlight look last night on the news networks AND ONLY AFTER THEIR HAND WAS FORCED TO REPORT IT. It was a present sight to see rather
his usual smug look he has.
WAKE UP AMERICA

I believe Senator Obama and do not believe in guilt by association, but I do believe in the intelligence of the American people and fellow Democrats to see this smear attempt for what it is.
Why have we not heard Huckabee's sermons? He is a minister. Why have we not scrutinized Mitt Romney's minister for his/her preaching and beliefs? The Clintons have attended Black churches for years, who is investigating their preacher? The fact is, that the GOP owned media has this all over the news this weekend to benefit John McCain. The only way to stop it is to nominate and elect Obama!

Oh to be so oblivious as the Obama-fanactics are. The relationship of Obama and Wright was not a case of attending the closest church of one’s faith because the next church of the denomination was miles and miles away and one puts up with the minister there at that time. He can NOT "explain" away the fact that he deliberately selected that church to attend solely because of the minister with whom he has had a 20 year close personal relationship.

He DELIBERATELY choose that church and the minister. He became DEEPLY INVOLVED with the minister. Obama has called him a "major influence" and has said that Wright was a close counselor and guided him. He gave thousands upon thousands of dollars. Wright was involved in his decision to run and if you think someone like Wright didn't pay special attention to a young black politician in his congregation, you are delusional.

It would be utterly impossible to be associated with someone on at least a weekly basis for over 20 years and NOT know what that person thought about political issues, race relations and anything else of general concern. Absolutely can NOT happen.

Further no one can live in Chicago all that time and NOT know about Farrakhan. No one could attend that church and be that closely associated with the minister and NOT know what he thought about Farrakhan and his views. The magazine published under the auspices of Wright's church is edited and published by Wright's daughters - and gave the award to Farrahkan.

It is inconceivable that after 20 years of close friendship with Wright, that Obama now tries to claim that he did not know Wright's views on Farrahkan, Israel and Palestine, Caucasians, crazy conspiracy theories about AIDS and everything else that Wright said in the taped sermons and speeches.

Obama choose a racist church. Obama choose a racist minister as his close friend and confidant who became a 'major influence' on his life.
And that is how he exercises his judgment and lives his life. And for that he should be judged unworthy and an appalling choice.

If one does not agree with the racist and divisive tone taken by the minister, one leaves. You do not continue to attend a church and rely upon the minister as a 'major influence' and close confidant when the minister veers in to hate, crackers conspiracy theories and virulent diatribes THESE are NOT minor difference of opinion. The kind of things spewed by Wright are deep fundamental matters which should be overwhelmingly and intrinsically objectionable to a person of conscience who claims to disagree. One's continued presence and financial support is an implicit acceptance and furtherance of such things, and by remaining in the congregation, Obama has condoned such conduct and by giving money has helped it to continue.

Obama is not responsible for what the minister says. He IS responsible for being deeply involved with such a man for 20 years to the point of calling the minister a 'major influence' on his life; for seeking the advice and counsel of the minister including over the decision to run for the Presidency; for attending a church that where the minister exspouses such views; for giving thousands upon thousands of dollars to Wright's church; and for choosing to associate with Wright. He is most definitely responsible for all of that. One is judged by the company one keeps - particularly when the relationship has existed for 20 years on a deep, personal level.

How could Obama not know the world view and statements of his minister? This was a close personal relationship - far more involved than the casual once-a-month church goer or less visible member of a congregation might be with a minister. He was extensively involved with this man. If after 20 years and regular contact with the minister, he hadn't any idea of the man's views, then he is so unperceptive and oblivious as to not be a competent judge of people or situations. That means for him to claim that he 'didn't know' about Wright's views, he has to be either lying or stupid and both render him unfit.

Obama has no record in office of any substance.

Obama's line is that he has judgement and ideas and is 'inspiring' and that he should be trusted. That calls into question how has he exercised his judgement

See: "I didn't think Rezko was a political mover and shaker, and it wouldever have anything to do with me" lament in the Trib

See: The videos of Rev. Wright - the source of the title of Obama's book and campaign theme

So yes all of this is fair game in considering his qualifications and judgement.

If I ever heard my Pastor make any these these remarks, I'd grab my family and run far away from him. Obama must thinks we are pretty dumb to believe that even if he never heard the pastor speak these words first hand, he surly knows that he has spoken out this way or that the man was capable of it.

Boo Obama! Me thinks this will cook your goose!

I am vastly more concerned about Obama's cozy relationship with Tony Rezko. His (Obama's) remarks and explanations simply do not ring true. It is entirely possible that TR has not asked for a single favor. But let's be logical; the man raised thousands upon thousands for Barack Obama. The whole house situation is very implausible and unbelievable -- the sellers had an id3entical offer to the Rezko one BEFORE Rezko made it, and all of a sudden there are matching purchases? Obama spent months and many, many hours on the whole fence thing -- he was supposed be in government, and he has time to dwell on stuff like this? Every time the matter comes up he manages to uncover MORE donations from Rezko that oops! didn't see them! they'll be donated to charity!

THere is always a day of reckoning. Someday there would have been one for Obama, as well. And judging by the trial so far, the payment would have been steep. (And yes, I know that accusation does not equal conviction.)

I get why Obama would keep going to his church, fiery rhetoric and all. It is THE church for Chicago's who's who of the black community. I don't fault him for it, really -- I am just glad to see that racist remarks from the blacks getting equal play to those from whites (and Ferraro's weren't even racist, they were honest).

But pay-for-play is corruption as usual. And so Obama's judgement simply must be questioned.

And putting it out on a Friday? Classic attempt to manage bad news.

Obama's explanation that this was the first time he heard of this stuff reminds me of those drivers who were caught speeding and plead to the cops "officer, I swear this is the first time I speed in my life".

Everybody can judge the trustworthy.

What gives at MSNBC?? I agree with previous comments about Matthews and Olberman, but you need to include Nora O'Donnell as well. Matthews appears to have a personal vendetta against the Clintons -- was he kept out of the Clinton inner circle?? Before Super Tuesday, Chris and Keith were saying that the winner of California would be the super candidate. After convincingly won California, the dynamic duo said nothing.This is just one example of the lopsided coverage. I think that womens' groups should file a lawsuit with the FCC. There is just something fundamentally out of whack with this news station.

Alan, we can not have a President who would attend and support a church run by an angry, reverse racist. It's not acceptable for a black man no more than it would be for a white man. Keith Olberman and Obama's supporters had the nerve to compare Geraldine Ferraro to David Duke and this is the kind of church he supports? Many Americans have suffered and still love their country..it's a cop-out to say being black means you can be so angry at your country that you hate a whole segment, distrust a whole segment, the white segment. That is what Wright preaches. And Obama has supported him for years. If he wanted to be our president he needed to denounce the words, the man, the church, long before now. Denouncing the words does nothing now. All the screams of racism from Obama's camp seem hypocritical now. He will not win a general election now.

I have a very good friend and jogging partner, 20+ years my senior. Every time we jog, he lets out some extreme statement (that i consider narrow-minded and frankly inane) but it does not affect my overall feeling and loyalty to him . ALL OF US are who we are, by taking the best that others have to give us, and spitting out what we do not digest. LOOk at yourself first. I admire Obama's honesty in not denouncing his friendship with either Rezko or Wright.

I want to point out: Rev. Wright gave several similar sermons shortly after 911. As a "uniter" Obama claims to be, it is very very hard to believe he would miss many sermons during the time of 911 when he was supposed to help heel fellow Americans' wounds.

George W. McCain is gleeful. Obama attends church with a radical preacher, has ties to Tony Rezko, his wife is less than patriotic, and who knows what else is coming? What a great way to get votes from white auto mechanics in Toledo and steel workers in Pittsburgh. And the GOP attack dogs have not even begun to sling their mud. Obama could lose to McCain in a recession year when any other Dem would win easily.

Olbermann was very somber at the start of his show he seemed very serious or upset. He seemed like he was not prepared for the show and left after the interview. Maybe he was planning to be off the show but came to do the interview. But the tone he and Alterman (sp) had was very hush and almost like something very bad had happened. Is this the beginning of the end for Obama?

Obama should do the decent thing and drop out of the race, so Democrats have a chance of winning in November. There's no way he can win in November, even if he has more delegates than Hillary. The Rev. Wright destroyed his chances of becoming President.

Does Olberman have any credibility left? Please after his special comment about Ferraro the other night. Kieth get you head out of The Messiahs ass. The Messiah and his wife are militant blacks out of Chicago lust like Farrakhan. What will the White House look like if he ever got in? He has HOODWINKED OKEY DOKED BAMBOOZLED the American people one to many times! He will never be president now! Better we found out now rather then later. The LAZY PRESS has let it get this far. MSNBC and their totaly biased "reporting if you can call it that or just a love fest" have failed the American people again just as they did letting us go to this war .

Barack Obama, Jeremiah Wright and Nat Turner.

What do they have in common?

They want to d