Obama pastor flap both stirs and bores PA voters

Rev. Wright is returning from Africa to begin a long-scheduled series of visits to black churches across the country. (He'll be 35 miles from me for three days next week...I would like to go to hear and support him, and I'm just a "typical white person.")

I hope he minces no words in what will likely be sermons with a lot of media attention. He needs to demand an apology from Hannity, Limbaugh, ABC and Faux News. He needs to press that demand everywhere he goes and to clearly elucidate the justifiable reasons for the demand, perhaps by giving his listeners a brief history lesson on McCarthyism and then decrying the new "patriotic correctness." It may not be popular with the dimwits who have bought into the neo-con slime machine's egregiously out-of-context claims of racism and hate-mongering, but it is the kind of political courage and truth-telling that is badly needed at this point in time.

If that's been your priest for that many years, it affects who you are,"

As an openly gay man he must know about religion and hate. Did Cummings learn to hate himself attending his church that preached hate and intolerance of the gays?

You can know someone and one day they do something out of character. Your association may look bad, but the fact that you stay with your friend to help them become a better person, says that you're not a fair-weather friend. If you leave your friend in their time of needs, then that says you're not a good friend. I think Obama shows great character to me by staying and helping a friend in need - when they need it most.

Barack Obama: What You REALLY Need To Know Before You Vote!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe0frz7_xrk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEMZHQsQJ6Y

america is in denial of our true history,and ultra-nationalism rules the day.there is no way that a black man will be the president of the united states. a way will be found to stop his candidacy.

do your own research people; view Rev Wrights sermon in its entirety.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ
not the few seconds that FOX news shows. Forget the theatrics, thats just evangelical church stuff. Understand that the chickens coming home to roost statement was a reference to statements made by someone else a footnote he called it. If you are still offended, thats fine but make your own minds up, dont let FOX news do it for you !!

We are now in day 10 of the Jeremiah Wright drama. This topic has been analyzed, dissected, percolated, distilled, and still we go on and on. Every pundit and political wizard has weighed in on the issue on radio and TV and the internet. Obama being likened to a gay man coming out of the closet still having traces of early influences is breathtaking. All we need now is a grand opera.

Surprise, America!! Racism exists! Shout it from the Sears Tower! Racism is not going to go away! Black men make White people cringe! Old Black preachers with booming voices make White people cringe. The thought of Black people make White people cringe.

Can America continue to exist with the racial attitudes that so many people have? That really is the question of the day. Rev Wright's 10 second sound bites do not exist in a vacuum. Voters in Pennsylvania cannot blame Rev Wright for the economy in their state. They cannot blame him for the high cost of the war in Iraq. What the voters there, and all voters need to do, is look at the root causes of everything that has gone badly over the past 7 years. They will find that race and the ramblings of an emotional Black preacher have nothing to do with anything in their lives.

How would it be if the shoe were on the other foot and a white delegate had a church and pastor who for 20 years who had gotten in the pulpit and blamed all our troubles on the blacks in America and said GD America. I believe they would ask for his resignation or try to have him arrested.

It is not Obama's race that concerns me, it is his agenda. What concerns me about his agenda is that I do not know what it is. You are known by your associations. If you hang around with drinkers, you probably drink. I just feel that Obama is less than enthusiastic in his patriotism, and that is not a good thing in a presidential candidate.

Hillary '08

Gospel Songs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hig_GJB5N2I
naxtoo.aat.
Barack Obama 08!

Barack Obama is not responsible for the comments of his pastor nor is John McCain responsible for the outlandish comments of pastors Hagee and Falwell. America is such a self-righteous society. Cut these candidates some slack.

It's wonderful how everyone who criticizes the Rev Wrong (oops, I meant Rev Wright) is labeled a racist, EXCEPT for the man who was being racist...the Reverend himself....White America this....White America that....Blow me Reverend. You're a true and dyed racist at heart. You know it and everyone knows it....the majority of black people don;t see that though. Just like they couldn't begin to think the OJ was a murderer....good ol' Reverend can't be a racist....it must be Whitey again putting the black man down. African (americans) are so transparent it's sickening.

It is not Obama's race that concerns me, it is his agenda. What concerns me about his agenda is that I do not know what it is.

Translation. He is black I am not going to vote for him.

Liberals all want to move on that's how Move On.org got it's name from the Clinton impeachment when all Clintonistas said we must move on.
But, Jeremiah Wright a anti white rascist is not going to be forgotten until November when we all vote.
Obama showed a lack of judgement sitting in the pew, getting married by Wright and having his children baptized. The rascist speech he gave throwing his white grandmother off the bus for this rascist and calling Grandma a typical white person is an indication how this rascist and his pastor think. Wright gave Calypso Louie Farrakan a life time achievement award when the world knows him to be anti-semetic.
Obama told us to open a discussion on race so we would forget his role in all of this. Obama we're not this stupid.
America has talked race to death but, when a anti-white rascist can say GD America and like Ward Churchill blame us for 911 by saying the chickens are coming home to roost and blaming America for the Japanese role in World War II it implicates Obama too.
It's noy over till the election he showed terrible judgment but it's not just this Obama was doing deals with indicted Tony Rezko and has had associations with Weather Underground terrorist William Ayres and many other unsavory characters in the Chicago political machine.Jerry White, Springfield, IL

Hillary Clinton can't win! She will ALWAYS be behind in pledged delegates AND the popular vote. I guess she should have campaigned in those "insignificant" states after all.

I'm not voting for Wright, I'm voting for Obama. And Obama has made it abundantly clear that he stands for unification and tolerance.

Maybe black America needs new leadership consdering the dire straits it finds itself in. Victimization of genrations of childeren by Wright, Sharpton, Jackson and the countless others is an abject failure. Time to move on to something new .

So, if people are known by their associations, what does that say about Jesus hanging out with winos and prostitutes? This whole mentality that we should hunker down behind our white picket fences with people who think like we do is just sad. By the way, a reverend is not like a priest -- it's not a top-down relationship where you are expected to treat him as a god and question nothing. On the other hand, provocative preaching that criticizes the powers-that-be (not the people) is nothing new. Ever read Isaiah? Or the Gospel? ("Vipers. Sons of snakes"). I personally prefer Obama's inclusiveness, but Rev. Wright's style has its precedent.

I was leaning toward Obama, actually, but people are correct when they note that Obama hangs with people of similar ideology. Obama's relationships prove that he is the same as his preacher: a mixed-race racist bigot. Its a shame that Obama did not have enough character to dump that church and those racists who teach there, and who support it financially. It certainly is a church of racism, bitter judgement, violence and hate-mongering. And Obama loves the guy.

We need to remember that after 9-11 there were more CONSERVATIVE PREACHERS saying we brought it upon ourselves than any other.

We need to remember that religious extremists have been associated with McCain and Clinton.

We need to remember that we ALL disagree on political comments our friends and family make, and we don't disown or dis-associate ourselves from them.

We need to remember that we can't hope to move this country forward, together, without listening and trying to understand the perspectives of others, especially those with whom we disagree.

We need to remember that racism is alive and well in this country and that bringing it out on the open is the only way to dispose of it once and for all.

We need to remember that the media and pundits are the ones trying to distract us--because that's how they their make money.

Mostly, we need to remember that ALL THREE candidates are trying to keep us focused on the important issues and keep the dialogue civil and respectful--or which I for one are truly grateful and proud. I might not agree with them on various issues, but I'm still proud they're the top three.

Wright was quoting from a well known military man in his diatribe against Americas "sins".
We can face the facts, white America has a tradition of rounding up darker skinned people to contain them.
The Native Americans.
The African Americans.
The Japanese Americans
The Middle Eastern Americans.
The Hispanic Americans.
Name a group of color that we have not tried to keep "contained".
It mirrors our foreign policy of containment of countries we perceive to be threats.

I just feel that Obama is less than enthusiastic in his patriotism, and that is not a good thing in a presidential candidate.

Hillary '08

Posted by: Will K. | March 22, 2008 9:21 AM

I just feel you've been watching too much Faux News, or listening to too much Hannity, or probably both. This election demands voters who have a brain and know how to use it. Voters like that seem to be in short supply right now :-(

this story is getting beaten to death..you are talking about.. guilt by association..McCain then is as guilty as bush..and the clintons are as guilty as hell.. http://www.etherzone.com/body.html

"How would it be if the shoe were on the other foot and a white delegate had a church and pastor who for 20 years who had gotten in the pulpit and blamed all our troubles on the blacks in America and said GD America."

With all due respect, this is like comparing apples to oranges. No question, Blacks have a long history of being "powerless" within our System. Whites, on the other hand, have been the ones holding all the cards. Blacks have historically used the church as a gathering place to freely express themselves, since most other places not only forbade, but punished them for speaking their truths. Whites,on the other hand, have been free to express themselves wherever and whenever, with no fear of retribution (including lynching).

Context is crucial when taking a Black minister's 30 seconds' worth of comments from thousands of hours of sermons and holding them up to scrutiny. Additionally, I am perplexed that people assume 30 seconds of montaged footage equals every sermon every Sunday for the past twenty years - a leap that has zero logic, and zero proof.

Frankly, after having done research on the man, research on the church, and finding out the depth of breadth of caring it extends to both its immediate and greater communities (including a supportive ministry for gay couples - one of the few churches in the nation to "unabashedly" do so), and having read the full text of Rev. Wright's "Audacity of Hope" sermon, I can only say: Wow.

I would highly recommend, before anybody judges a person so harshly, to get the details, the specifics, and endeavor to see "The Bigger Picture." Who knows...you might just be pleasantly surprised.
(Posted by a fifty-some year old Caucasian female)

Furthermore, the problem I have with the way many Americans (and I am one) talk about patriotism is that it appears to involve blessing ourselves and saying to heck with everyone else. Those of us who lived through 9/11 will always feel that sadness, but that doesn't give us the moral authority to treat our deaths by terrorism like the only deaths in the world that matter. Remember we are living under an administration that equates patriotism with wearing a pin but sought to cut funding for veterans benefits. When those people come home, they need our love and support, and they also need the financial benefits they have earned. That is patriotism, not singing songs to ourselves about how wonderful we are.

Thank you for listening.

to Will K.... Obama gave major policy speeches on race, the economy and Iraq this week and yet Rev Wrong is all you and most others seem to hear.

To J Henry... for african american living in the america slavery began in 1619... ended in 1865, followed by almost 100 years of legal segregation and the last 50 of a slowly narrowing gap of economic and social inequality. So how could any sensible person blame the victims for the ills of our society?? That person would have to be called rascist, wouldn't they?

I wonder if Senator Obama has his daughters listen to Rev Wright's sermons about "God Damn America", "Americakkk", Bill Clinton doing to us as he did to Monica". etc...?

It sounds like the Rev Wright does not have a monopoly on these types of sermons on the south side - see the attached from Reverend and State Senator JAmes Meeks (seperation of church and state?)

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/Rev.James.Meeks.2.330702.html

A good time to remind Americans not to reenact the events leading to that famous quote from the British press. Remember that one-"How can 53 Million be so Dumb" Please try and separate the woods from the Trees. America needs to be friends with rest of the world once again. Its economy needs fixing. The nit picking going on is just the same tired old style.

Blacks as a whole is making a BIG HISTORICAL mistake by overwhelmingly vote for Obama. I gave you the reason:
1. Obama is a POLITICIAN. A politician means HE first, YOU last. He played Race Card by invoking MLK. So even if he is elected, he is not necessary doing good for Blacks. He has his own AGENDA and MOTIVATION.
2. The voting percentage gave Whites something to say: Blacks is voting one-sidely, Not Whites. It is less-supportive to believe that it is objective that %85 of Blacks think Obama is a better candidate.
3. In order to reconciliate racial divide, Blacks should forget the history, positively seeking a new beginning. Don’t always play as victim. Majority White Americans are not racial, especially youths. Majority of Blacks are not racial, either. That can be seen from majority Youths voted Obama. In Politics, Media, Entrepreneur, there are many successful Blacks. In Science World, there is less Blacks. But don’t blame Nobel for being a racist. We have, if not PERFECT, equal opportunity NOW. Even if history is not fair to Blacks, that’s history. History is not perfect for any country. Blacks also need forgiving. That's attitude is better than what Obama said in his speech: ANGER IS REAL.
That inflammatory phrase, in my view, does not help to reconciliate the issue at all.
4. To the end, the issue is Money issue. If Blacks have more dollars in pocket, everyone will be happy. Whites and Blacks blame Bush are also because no money in their pockets. Clintons were good to Blacks are also because of money. During Clinton years, everyone had more money than they used to. So now they shall also give some votes to Clinton for the reason of past and of the future, Clinton maybe better choice as far as Economy.

Lol Lacey - check out that scary music in the background - hahahahahahahahaha.

Don't let the only real choice in this campaign - Obama - be swiftboated out of being Prez Americans not this time. No more falling for this these kind of tactics please.

Will K - what is being a patriot? What is your definition of that? If it is someone who puts the American people first, restores confidence in America around the world and allows the American people to voice their views about what has happened under the Bush Administration then Obama is your man.

If you want lip service, being tossed a few scraps to keep you semi-appeased but no real improvements, more wars to suit company interests and profit that the American people will sacrifice for but won't see a benefit from and candidates already brought and paid for by business and special interests then I imagine either Clinton or McCain will get the job done for you - and for Bush and cronies for that matter.

Will K - what is being a patriot? What is your definition of that? If it is someone who puts the American people first, restores confidence in America around the world and allows the American people to voice their views about what has happened under the Bush Administration then Obama is your man.

If you want lip service, being tossed a few scraps to keep you semi-appeased but no real improvements, more wars to suit company interests and profit that the American people will sacrifice for but won't see a benefit from and candidates already brought and paid for by business and special interests then I imagine either Clinton or McCain will get the job done for you - and for Bush and cronies for that matter.

Will K,

Guilt by association works both ways. That means that Hillary Clinton condones adultery, lying under oath, and sexual harassment. Bill Clinton has a long history of all 3.

Ok, this Wright stuff is disturbing, very. But the bigger problem I have for Mr. Obama is his pattern of saying one thing and then distancing himself from those words when the opposite is revealed at a later date. That is called "spin", people. We have a need and right to know Senator Obama from every angle and what he believes when he talks of equality and a "vision" for America.

To say that Clinton +/or Obama is at fault for the direction the Democratic campaign has headed, is ludicrous and short-sighted. America is a melting pot of races, genders, culture, etc. and we each have a personal interest in seeing "ourselves" in our President. With that connection comes passion and emotional investment. However, it also must be tempered with information about the candidates (good and bad, without negative "label" attached to said information) so that we can make informed choices, rather than only emotionally-driven ones. To Americans: try to take off the blinders of opinion polls, media spin, mud and excitement. That person is Senator Clinton. She has worked hard and diligently for all Americans, and spent years building strong relationships because she has a passionate vision of what America can be, not just because she's running for President. Vetted, intelligent, tested and hardworking.

Senator Clinton is the right choice for me in '08

The priest was most likely right on with everything he said. The truth........How frightening.

Remember, Robert Byrd is a Democrat and a former Klansman.
So the Dems are accustomed to celebrating the diversity of ignorant racist stupidity. Wright is just part of their noble pattern!

I was stunned to see this. Why has the media not shown that Wright was quoting someone else with the "chickens come home to roost" comment? What is wrong with journalism today. Be sure to watch to the end to see what Wright thinks is the Christian response! I live in Chicago and am aware that Wright and Trinity have done MANY MANY good things and that he is respected by RC priests and ministers in many religions.

Barack Obama: What You REALLY Need To Know Before You Vote!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe0frz7_xrk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEMZHQsQJ6Y

All the obama supporters are \defending him staying at the church, ALL the black ministers are defending Wrights preaching, that simply tells ALL Americans they also support his feelings of anti- America and white hatred that the church preaches. No one says Obama cant attend the church for 20 years, or raise his daughters to be racist like his wife, what we ARE SAYING is that HE CANNOT REPRESENT ALL OF AMERCIA AS U.S. PRESIDENT! Rev Wright was and most likely still is a paid advisor on Obamas campaign??? Obama and David Axelrod insisted that Obama be the black candidate early in SC when they tried to spin it on Bill Clinton, it worked for the biased tabloid media like CNN cronies, since then, we ALL have come to realize Obama has problems with the truth and we learned this week for sure where his faith and true beliefs are, its obvious THERES ABSOLUTLY NO CHANGE WITH OBAMA, HE WILL DRAG U.S. BACK TO THE 60'S RACIAL DIVIDE at a time our country needs to unite. He cannot do that, no matter how many black news casts tell you he can

OBAMA STANDS BEHIND SPIRITAL ADVISOR WRIGHT!
“Wright is like an uncle you love and respect” As imperfect as he may be, he has been family to me for so many years, I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community, said Obama. The man who believes and preaches the U.S. government formulated the HIV AIDS virus to commit genocide against blacks also preaches “We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye on 9/11. This is the same man Obama had as advisor on his Presidential staff until this week. Rather than break ties with his demagogic, anti-American pastor, Obama used a speech on the non-back race to excuse his behavior and sweep the controversy under the rug. Passing the buck. Obama supposedly condemning Wright's shocking verbal assaults against the U.S and White Americans, but April last year; Obama was the first and quickest to demand Imus' ouster for making a racially insensitive remarks. His opinions and issues change with the weather, he is too UNSTABLE and proven he cannot make a decision or stay with one. Next we have ALL corrupt campaign financers, business and personal friends as indicted Rezko, former Dallas Mayor Hill, Rep. Rick Renzi and Mr. Auchi, leading supplier of arms to Saddam's regime convicted for corruption in France, the same British-Iraqi billionaire lent millions and millions of dollars to Obama all coming out of the woodwork. ALL this from the half black ex-Muslim who touts change and claims to be a uniter of all people? Proof he is just another in-experienced Washington politician that the media has like CNN has given a free pass at the great risk of our great country! There will soon be allot more video of Rev Wright and Obama coming, all this has proven without doubt if he is the nominee the democrat voters he cannot win the general election, just the black vote will not do it. Its time for Obama to leave this race and take his not so proud of America racist wife, spiritual advisor and anti white church with him..

I may be naive, but I know I'd walk out of a Church that cursed America. I walked out of a lecture in school that said the Holocaust didn't happen and that the Museum in Washington was filled with fake material. I was followed by others. Yes, slavery was wrong. But so is White Hate. And so is Jewish hate. And neither should be taught in Church or in school.

Amazing how many people want to explain away the vile hatred and bigotry of the black hate preachers. Since the civil rights movement, they have indoctrinated two generations with hate for their country and whites. No wonder their is so much black crime.

Who made this statement and what was it about? "but I would also say that there's nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude."

Answer: Barack Obama about Imus's statement that got Imus eventually fired from his TV spot on MSNBC.

Who made this statement and what was it about? "A typical whate person"

Answer: Barack Obama about his grandmother as to what he ment concerning her black men fears and prejudice.

Question: Is Obama a "typical" black man or a "typical" white man in his judgements?

Obama is no Dr. King! May God have mercy upon America if Obama sweet talks his way to the being President!

What would Jesus do to Reverend Wright?

Being offended about someone being resistant to the United States government puts your God and your beliefs in the religion second to patriotism. Jesus was also a person who spoke against his current establishment.

If Rev. Wright is going to Africa, I am afraid of the anti-American speeches he will give there. Obama has an agenda and no one really know what it is. I'm sorry but I find him not trust worthy, he has lied to the American people. I get chills thinking of Rev. Wright in the White House as Obama's spiritual advisor. I wonder about Obama's loyalty to America, He has great issues that need further explanation.

Finally it appears there are net posters with some sense. This Rev Wright thing has been overly inflated by the media. Anyone with any intelligence can see that. Interestingly, polls show that Clinton has overwhelming support by so-called "lower-educated" whites. Hmmm. I hope mentioning race doesn't make me seem racist. You can't say anything in America these days without some selfish person feeling 'hurt'. Grow-up PPL. The real issues are our economy is in bad shape, we spend billions a day on a misguided war based on LIES, no moral standing in the world, failing health care system, crumbling infrastructure, and all some ppl seem to care about are inflammatory sound bites. Get a grip!

Obama is a hypocrite.

As well as all the people in the south who looked away.

As much as the German people who said they did not know.

As well as everyone who seen the genocide in Dafar and doesn’t see prejudice.

If you vote for him based on his “change” agenda you are a fool.

He is just like every other politician before him.

"There's nothing new under the sun". I first heard the theory of the Aids epedmic years ago, except that time it was a government conspiracy to rid the earth of homosexuals, fostered by - you guessed it, the extreme right wing shortwave radio commentators. After 9/11 I heard evangelical pastors left and right preaching that God was damning America for her sins. I recall something about the "whoremongers" on the steps of the Capital in prayer, too, again by the right wing bunch. The same right wing evangelicals who were glorified in the Reagan and Bush administrations and are trying to find something good in John McCain. For his sake let's hope they don't. So apparently, if you are in the white majority, it's ok to damn America but by God don't let any minorities do it.

How much more of this can we take? The media and conservatives are well aware that McCain can not win this election so they are pushing this issue and as a result they are making our nation look more racist, more hopeless than we really are. When I read comments like if you heard this type of rhetoric for 20 years it would affect who you are I am ashame. First, there may have been four outrageous sermons and we were not privileged to all of it. Second, Obama, like most church-goers, attend church to receive the Word from God, the messeger is not God, he is man and man makes mistakes. Third, racism exist and when you are a preacher on the southside of Chicago you must examine the views of your audience and yes, as Obama mentioned, blacks and whites harbor anger and resentment. Conservatives want you to think that the black church is a cult, filled with empty brained congregations who hate white people - that's not true. Also, they want you to think that Wright is worst than Hagee and that's definitely not true. Also, conservatives want you to believe that race issues only concern blacks and whites but it also concerns Hispanics, Asians, Africans, etc. and those votes count too. Finally, do you think a Harvard grad, an attorney, a state and US senator can not distinguish between what's right and what's wrong. You don't have to leave the room everytime someone says something you don't like or that's false, I didn't leave the room when Bush was saying that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction or when McCain stated that the war will continue for 100 years or when Rush Limbaugh makes racist and sexist remarks. Instead I listen because there is something to learn from another man's ignorance and I am not closed minded and afraid to accept that this is the world we live in.

I grew up in the State of Pennsylvania and spent the majority of my life living there. Pennsylvania is one of the most racist and segregated states north of the Mason-Dixon line. Only Ohio tops Pennsylvania in that regard. Governor Rendell was correct when he stated that a large percentage of white voters in Pennsylvania would never vote for a black man. Obama's pastor gives this block of voters cover so they can justify their refusal to support Obama without having to admit or confront their own racist beliefs.

How much more of this can we take? The media and conservatives are well aware that McCain can not win this election so they are pushing this issue and as a result they are making our nation look more racist, more hopeless than we really are. When I read comments like if you heard this type of rhetoric for 20 years it would affect who you are I am ashame. First, there may have been four outrageous sermons and we were not privileged to all of it. Second, Obama, like most church-goers, attend church to receive the Word from God, the messeger is not God, he is man and man makes mistakes. Third, racism exist and when you are a preacher on the southside of Chicago you must examine the views of your audience and yes, as Obama mentioned, blacks and whites harbor anger and resentment. Conservatives want you to think that the black church is a cult, filled with empty brained congregations who hate white people - that's not true. Also, they want you to think that Wright is worst than Hagee and that's definitely not true. Also, conservatives want you to believe that race issues only concern blacks and whites but it also concerns Hispanics, Asians, Africans, etc. and those votes count too. Finally, do you think a Harvard guad, an attorney, a state and US senator can not distinguish between what's right and what's wrong. You don't have to leave the room everytime someone says something you don't like or that's false, I didn't leave the room when Bush was saying that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction or when McCain stated that the war will continue for 100 years or when Rush Limbaugh makes racist and sexist remarks. Instead I listen because there is something to learn from another man's ignorance and I am not closed minded and afraid to accept that this is the world we live in.

I grew up in the State of Pennsylvania and spent the majority of my life living there. Pennsylvania is one of the most racist and segregated states north of the Mason-Dixon line. Only Ohio tops Pennsylvania in that regard. Governor Rendell was correct when he stated that a large percentage of white voters in Pennsylvania would never vote for a black man. Obama's pastor gives this block of voters cover so they can justify their refusal to support Obama without having to admit or confront their own racist beliefs.

After the nation was made to witness a week-long barrage of hyped-up commentary concerning the incendiary video clips taken from 3 sermons by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sen. Obama's longtime pastor, I think it's incumbent on the major news organizations to live up to some basic standards of responsibility in reporting.

Particularly during an election cycle.
Freedom of speech is our most precious right as American's, and the power of the Press to bring subjects into the national dialogue is not without responsibilities. Newspaper and Television editors have a moral obligation to provide the fullest picture possible of controversial events, on all but the Opinion pages (or segments). Readers who would like to form their own opinions depend on the media to provide some reasonable balance to their coverage.
That IS the mark of a reliable News outlet.
On this count I feel they've ALL failed frightfully, and have misspent the power they've been entrusted with, in the short sighted interest of selling papers, boosting ratings, and in some cases, torpedoing the candidacy of the Senator from Illinois.
All the positive reviews written on the Senator's speech don't absolve the media of fleshing out this story in the "A" section, that we might have a better picture of just what the Rev. Wright actually preaches, besides these, his most disturbing pronouncements.
Simply giving coverage to the subsequent explanations, and attempts to provide some context, by the "accused", (Sen, Obama) leave the reader (or listener) with no new factual information with which to form an opinion on the validity of the controversy itself!
It goes without saying that there are two sides to any controversial story, and when the press runs for an entire week on the one, damning side of a story, without doing it's homework, objectively putting the events concerned into context, our Republic is ill served.
In this instance the statements of Rev. Wright have been widely described as unpatriotic, hateful, racist rhetoric. A knee-jerk, superficial analysis of these de-contextualized clips would support that assertion. However I don't open a newspaper, or tune in to a news program for knee-jerk, superficial analysis concerning any issue of importance. I can get that from any uninformed, susceptible rube on the street.
There are those who will argue that the very words "God D*** America" don't require any such depth of understanding, as they are reprehensible to any "good" American, or Christian. Last time I checked, the killing of poor, innocent people was something Jesus would have frowned on, to put it mildly, and while our military has made every effort to avoid the needless death of ordinary Iraqis, It can't be said that we haven't been guilty of just that in prosecuting this "unholy" war. I can't believe the founding fathers would have universally countenanced the projection of our military power on a Nation that hadn't attacked us either. So perhaps the Pastor's rage was justified in his understanding of scripture, history, and as an American patriot. As for the implication of overt racism by the Pastor, and by association Sen. Obama, I've seen little evidence.
Haven't this Nation's chief Executives all been rich, white men?
From the mid thirties to the early NINETEEN-SEVENTIES did our "un-damnable" government plan and execute an "experiment" during which they intentionally let over four hundred black men be consumed by syphilis, while under a "doctors" care?
Is is completely unreasonable to suggest that the attacks of September 11th were in some measure blowback, for a history of perceived oppression, and aggression by our government on poor Muslim nations? Identifying the root causes of Islamic extremism is not equivalent to admitting we "deserved it". If we begin the national dialogue on the poorly named "War on Terror" by taking the last 50 years of our Government's actions in the middle east off the table, what is there left to talk about?
The very same can be said for race relations in this country.
The sixth article of our constitution prohibits any religious test upon those who would seek office in the government, yet isn't his test being applied to Barack Obama by the press, by his history of association with his minister? The subtext of the story is that he belongs to an "un-american", "white hating" church!
It's a subtext that's not been challenged in the least for over a week!
Which parts of the Constitution are we ready to toss aside, in order to forward a story that sells papers, but, without factual justification, injures the character of a National Candidate, perhaps to an irreparable degree?
There's a danger in sound bite journalism, and peddling stories without the necessary context. During Robespierre's "reign of terror", following the French revolution, he said: 'Bring me the greatest patriot in France and get him to write six lines on any subject and I will find something in them ..."

Reply Forward

This is not just about a few speeches given by Wright. The “theology” that Wright preaches to Obama and others at his church is nothing like Christianity as most people understand it. It is called “black liberation theology.” Wright admits this and it is stated on the church's website. Black theology is based upon the premise of the white oppressor against the black oppressed. This is why, for example, that Wright refers to Jesus as black, and his killers as white. This is the only way the story of Jesus fits within this brand of “theology.” Rev. Wright cites James Cone, another proponent of black liberation theology, as his theological inspiration. Here are just a couple of James Cone's quotes: (1) “To be Christian is to be one of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen black people." (2) "While it is true that blacks do hate whites, black hatred is not racism." (3) "All white men are responsible for white oppression." (4) "Theologically, Malcolm X was not far wrong when he called the white man "the devil." (5) "If there is any contemporary meaning of the Antichrist, the white church seems to be a manifestation of it." (6) “Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community … Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love.” *** These teachings are fundamentally racist and divisive. Obama has chosen to belong to this racist church for 20 years, and now because of exposure by the press, he tries to fool the American public once again.

tigger, are you forgetting that 100% of whites have not been "objective" in the previous elections and have only voted for a white candidate? Also, I'm curious to how objective white women are? Probably a wash, so not a point worth noting. People can have biases for whatever reason they want.

Lacey, please quite being a hate mongerer. It not only makes you look like a Republican in sheeps cloths, but it makes you look like a bad person.

I wish healing for the Democrats, and heeling for the Republicans!

Obama should never have said "ANGER IS REAL". That inflammatory phrase does not help to solve the issue. Anger is subjective, it is not objective. People can anger for no reason. For himself point of view, he and his wife all got scholarship, both graduated from top universities, which most Whites and Asian Americans could not event dream of. We have Affirmative Action. Most of Employments are Equal Opportunities. If Anger Is REAL, then why now? He has been in Senate for long time, in race for long time. So why he waited until NOW? So it is OBVIOUS, he has his own AGENDA, his own PURPOSE, and his own MOTIVATION. If this is the case, then he can not OBJECTIVELY make it persuasive, objective, and convincing. Media still thinks this is a JFK-style speech is pointless. In clothing there is no wisdom of mind.

I listen to talk radio, in the car for at least as long as I can stand it. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Fox news and the like have an agenda. They don't want and won't tolerate a free discussion of ideas. They spew hate, fear and intolerance. This country needs better. Not since JFK and maybe before have we had a candidate of the quality of Obama. The true anti-American sentiment comes from the right wing. The left wing is not quite as bad, they're usually better intentioned, but their path is almost as bad. True Americans need to grasp this moment and get the country back on the right course. I'm really tired of the chickenhawks. Afganistan was right then and then we veered of into Iraq which was wrong then and military people will tell you is also wrong now. It has made us weaker in spirit, to the rest of the world, and militarily. Ihave two sons in the military and support our troops, who are there for us, the Americans who believe in freedom.

And how does John FlipFlop Mccain get the Free pass in all of this... In the upcoming NYT article Rev John Hagee says Mccain sought his endorsment so does that mean Mccain is a racist and hates gays and catholics.

http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003728364

What would Jesus do to Reverend Wright?

Being offended about someone being resistant to the United States government PUTS YOUR GOD and your beliefs in your religion SECOND TO YOUR PATRIOTISM.

JESUS WAS ALSO A PERSON WHOM SPOKE OUT AGAINST HIS GOVERNMENT.

Would YOU have been part of the group that HELPED CRUCIFY HIM FOR IT?

I'm a dark skinned 5ft. 4in female living in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago. I make 68,000 a year and feel some of what was said in Obama's speach everytime I'm in a store standing behind a white person and they've clutched their purses or grabbed the back of their pants feeling for their wallets after they've looked at me. I don't steal, never needed to. I'm degreed but still see people that make less still look upon me and the likes of me like common criminals. There are many that look like me who share my sentiments.

The media isn't innocent in all this when they stereotype the pictures put up attached to local crimes but don't bother to do the same when the crime is performed by someone that's not Black. But it's not just the media's fault. The ones in position to hire people that don't look like them share some of the blame too.

When I came out of school, I interviewed with PRAXAIRE and the male person whose decision it was to do the hiring stated more that once, "I don't know, we get together after work on Fridays. We have a bond."

Needless to say, I didn't get the job.

Guilt by association... Rev. Wright's comments were taken out of context. If you listen to the whole sermon they make more sense and over the 20 year period Obama knew hime he gave over 1,500 sermons and here is the media cutting and chopping thousands of hours of sermons down to 20 second soundbites?????

What are Hillary and Mccain hiding why are they waiting so long to release their tax returns????

Why is it that Obama supporters cannot accept the fact that someone who reads three newspapers a day, who watches the major news channels several times a day, who has followed this race and every presidential race for over 40 years, who is as versed in history and politics at least as anyone posting here, can support Hillary for President and reject Obama’s false message? Did I say you Obama supporters should not vote for the person you think will do the best job? Why can’t you offer me the same courtesy?

I did not, and will not, vote for Obama because I think he is simply too inexperienced for the job. And nothing he has said in a speech, or said in a debate, has convinced me otherwise. Is Hillary the perfect candidate? No. But in my opinion, she is the best candidate of those who are in contention.

To Anonymous: so, according to your philosophy, anyone who does not vote for Obama is stupid? You have been convicted of the that malady by your comment, my friend.

To stupidity_is_a_choice: seems to be a theme here. I heard all of Obama’s speeches. The man gives a good speech. I simply do not believe him. Again, because I do not agree with you I am stupid?

To Anonymous: (not sure if you are the same Anonymous as above) how can you be so sure Obama is the man to puts the American people first, restores confidence in America … etc.? What has he DONE, not SAID, that convinces you of that? I guess I just don’t have any faith.

To lh: Yes, I see, they are equivalent situations, correct? A woman’s husband cheats on her, and she stays with him for whatever reason she chooses – that is equivalent to a man sitting in a church for 20 years, and adopting someone as his spiritual guide and mentor, isn’t it? If one does that, than one should not be surprised if others doubt their intentions.

To Jack: So, again, I am beginning to understand: if you are against Obama, you must be a racist. Wow. I did not know that. I sure hope my black grandchildren do not read these posts and find out the truth about me.

To BD: This has nothing to do with Jesus, or anyone’s church. It has to do with the individual that will lead this nation for the next 4 years.

An honest appraisal of the remaining candidates would suggest we really don’t know ‘for sure’ precisely what kind of president any of them would make once in Office. However, in my opinion, the broadest distinction between an Obama presidency versus a McCain or H.Clinton administration is whether Americans are truly ready for world-class, grown-up leadership and statecraft or do they want to remain mired in childlike politics, soundbites and spin. Despite where one comes down ideologically, in the view of many Americans, Senator Obama has already demonstrated an enormous capacity as a world-class, thoughtful leader. And crassly as it may sound, when you weigh it, an Obama presidency could potentially do more good for the country than frankly the country could conceivably ever do for him personally. Could the same be said of the others- McCain or Hillary? Yes, we are taking a chance whoever we choose as our next leader. However, come the general elections (Obama should win the Dem nomination) whatever its outcome, Obama will live on gloriously in public life and continue to venerate the country’s highest ideals both as a Senator and through his speeches and thus and we all will benefit. But sadly, if we allow our worst tendencies as a nation to get in the way of an Obama Presidency, my feeling is America and, indeed, world will have missed out on a spectacular and rare opportunity.

I AM DISGUSTED - I SAW THE G. D. America sermon. They played it over and again like no one Stood up in the church.

Right AFTER WRIGHT SAID IT SOMEONE IN CHURCH TOLD HIM HE WENT OVERBOARD.

IN THE VERY NEXT SENTENCE he asks for FORGIVENESS. WRIGHT APOLOGIZED THE SAME DAY HE MADE THE REMARK. RIGHT AFTER TO THE CHURCH !!!!!!

WHY DON'T they show him apologizing for his words? WHY!!! THIS is a modern day lynching and the Chicago Tribune among others should be ashamed of themselves.

Obama didn't need to stand up PARISHONERS AT THE CHURCH THAT DAY SAID THE WORDS WERE UNPATRIOTIC AND THE REV. APOLIGIZED. That is a great church and you should be ashamed for playing the sermons without giving context.

Bottom line: For twenty years Obama has belonged to a church run by a paranoid, frothing-at-the- mouth, America-hating racist. He wrote that the Church's Hater in Chief was his "mentor." He brings his innocent children to that church to be poisoned with race hatred. In trying to defend Wright, he destroys his own grandmother's reputation, dismissing her as "a typical white person." How could any decent person even consider for voting for such a man?

I'm black and have no intentions of voting for Barack....I dont even know where he stands on most subjects....Perhaps he should have been a civil rights leader or something, but to me he is not qualified to be the leader of this country.....

To BD. Jesus associated with prostitutes and sinners in his day, but it was to save their souls, not to condone and ignore, or even be a part of their life styles. I am not aware that obama tried to change Wright's during the 20 years that he was a part of Wright's racial rantings. Boy do you have a twisted picture of the Bible and Jesus. Now your are comparing obama to Jesus, it was bad enough when he has being compared to Robert Kennedy.

One of my Bishops at a funeral for a lifelong friend, told a horrible joke at the pulpit about a little, black, watermelon eating boy- stereotypical Aunt Jemima voice included...
So does that mean I turn my back on the gospel I believe in itself? Am I a racist too because I didn't? No and neither is Senator Obama.
As in our church and in his church, we often have to remind ourselves, "he may be our leader but he is also still just a man and men have flaws" I think most voters who are actual church goers have been offended at one time or another by their leaders but that is not the whole of the person in question usually. It's something rather that we pray for them for.
Senator Obama, I will support you until the end
because the whole of this man is something to be admired.

Wake up people - this is not a black/white issue anymore, this is a Christian/Muslim issue. Any preacher who stands up in church and says "God Damn America" over and over needs to get the hell out of this country and stay gone. If he damns America and feels that strongly about it, he needs to go and live somewhere that he doesn't enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy. Try any other country in this world. Our country faces enough issues without preachers teaching hatred towards our country. We are the only ones that can keep this a free country and we don't need a man at the head of our nation that was raised by a Muslim, no matter how long of a period of time he lived with his parents. Read your Bibles and understand what it says. We have fine young men and women all over the world fighting so that we(you and me) have the right of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. I don't condone war, but it is necessary to keep out country safe. This isn't the first war our country has fought, we have been fighting to retain our freedom for hundreds of years. Wake up America before it is too late to turn back. Praise our soldiers instead of condemning them. Pray for them and pray for peace but don't forget what they are putting their lives on the line for everyday. It is not to hear some idiot preacher saying "God Damn America". If you will take a look at the website for Obama's church, you will see they don't preach for God to bless our country, everything about the church refers to the "homeland" and the "homeland" it is referring to is not the United States of America, it is Africa. Last time I looked, I was calling myself an American, not an African American or an Irish American or a Mexican American. We don't need to forget our heritage, but we don't need to forsake this wonderful country where we enjoy so much freedom to live and worship as we wish. I guarantee you that any other country in this world will not afford you the same freedoms. Think about it and next time you bow your heads in prayer thank God you live in America. Thank God that you have the freedoms you have. And, Thank God you have the men and women of our military fighting for those freedoms. Then turn around and look at the things this preacher said. I don't care if he is Obama's preacher now or not, I know I love my country and anyone that feels that way about MY COUNTRY doesn't deserve the opportunity to stand behind the pulpit and preach the Gospel of the Word of God. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I think you got it wrong. Wright should demand an apology from America?? No. Wright owes every American and every white american an apology as does Obama for supporting a man who preached hate rhetoric for 20 years. Obama was a coward. I demand of him what I demand of myself, also a democrat, which is to stand up to hate and racism of any sort, to stand up for this country. Obama was silent for 20 years.

Because some of us have read his book "Dreams from my father"

Have you? The problem is Obama claims he wants to bring the country together, but goes to a black separatist church to find his black roots. He plays the black card when needed, and white card when needed.

Here are some quotes for you:

From 'Dreams of My Father',
"I CEASED TO ADVERISE MY MOTHER'S RACE AT THE AGE OF12 OR 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites"

From Dreams of My Father, " I FOUND A SOLACE IN NURSING A PERVASIVE SENSE OF GRIEVANCE AND ANIMOSITY AGAINST MY MOTHER'S RACE".

From 'Dreams of my Father', "The emotion between the races could never be pure..... the THE OTHER RACE (WHITE) WOULD ALWAYS REMAIN JUST THAT: MENACING, ALIEN AND APART"

From Dreams Of My Father, "never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. IT WAS INTO MY FATHER'S IMAGE , THE BLACK MAN, THE SON OF AFRICA, THAT I'D PACKED ALL THE ATTRIBUTES I SOUGHT IN MYSELF.

From Dreams Of My Father:
"THAT HATE HADN'T GONE AWAY," he wrote, BLAMING WHITE PEOPLE,- SOME CRUEL, SOME IGNORANT, sometimes a single face, sometimes just a faceless image of a system claiming power over our lives."

I do not understand how people cannot, at least, attempt to understand each other.What is even amazing is the fact that this is happening in 2008.Many peolple are so ignorant that they will believe their mother is planning their downfall if told by the media.So if Obama becomes the president,he would work against the interest of whites?Have you forgotten his mother was white and that he was raised by his white grand parents?Do people realise how many preachers,both black and white,have used and still use incendiary comments while preaching?Why is Rev Wright's comments so surprising to people?Yes I do not agree with everything he said but are these not comments that are common place in this country?Since the right wing have nothing negative to use against Obama,this rev wright's story is too good a deal to let go.What amuses me is how stupid and dumb many people are.For centuries,people have been divided along racial,political party and gender lines,by selfish politicians who do not have their interest at heart,yet many people have refused to be smart.China and other conutries are happy that the US is tied down in Iraq.Thet are happy that this country's leaders/coporations are outsourcing our jobs to their countries at the expense of hard working americans.They are happy that they can continue to develop their military without any american oversight,since we are bogged down in Iraq.They are happy that our economy is on the decline.They are happy that we are still dependent on their oil.Fellow americans,pls THINK.Try to see beyond skin colors.How can this same nonesense be happening in 2008?This election has really exposed our racial bigotry and the rest of the world must be laughing.

I wonder if Typical White Woman also stands up for the causes of hate!

Why can't the media play the whole summon. I believe if we hear the whole summon it will have a different picture than what is being portrayed.

I know that when you just take one sentence out of a whole context, it will alter the meaning and you will not be able to see the whole picture.

I like that people take Obama's biography out of context. He grew up biracial and that caused him to have difficulties identifying with one part of his family. I grew up in a similar environment and had difficulties identifying with my mother's family. Does that mean I hate her or am racist? Absolutely not. Let's move on to real issues already.

Barack seems to have put quite a bit of effort into understanding the plight of the black man as so he should since he is half black. However he has spent 20 plus years in a church that is primarily black and harbors great resentment towards whites which frankly I do not consider to be in step with his idea of "moving on". I am confused why the Barack we see that embraces unity, hope, racial forgiveness, was not in the least able to influence the tone in his own church from one of preaching hate coupled with massive conspiracy theories to a church that believes and preaches unity. His message never got through and I would ask why not?

OBAMA cannot and will not win the white vote in this country. Dont be fooled by his wins in primaries in states that normally vote Republican. They will revert to John McCain after the Republicans dig up all the dirt that lies buried on Obama. Watch what Pennsylvania does and then see how people will start to look at Obama in a different light.

www.obamatruth.org

The right wing media is smearing a legitimate, intelligent, influential, "prophetic" preacher. Rev. Wright's career and leadership should not be judged by the few comments that appear again and again in the media. He has build a loving, not hateful congregation, that is welcoming of all people, with a special focus on African-Americans, because that is their heritage and their majority. The "black church" is American, not un-American, it is patriotic, it is loving, it seeks justice and equality, it seeks righteousness, and it believes in a loving and omnipotent God. Obama is not wrong to love and respect Rev. Wright. We can not let a leader of people, such as Rev. Wright be smeared as some kind of "terrorist" because of a few statements that are controversial (and I don't agree with them either). The right wing media is intentially trying to portray this man as a "hatemonger" or divisive character, when he is standing up for what is right and good--uplifting the black community, speaking out against racism, and yes, converting people to Christianity.

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, YOU NEED TO KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON:

What is her program. What would she do as President?
How did she avoid indictment for her past scandals?
What did her brothers get in return for Bill’s pardons?
What did she really do to make $100,000 in the futures market?
How did she use campaign finance fraud to win election to the Senate?
What has she really done as Senator?
HILLARY CLINTON WANTS TO KEEP THIS MOVIE OUT OF THE THEATERS.

Go to "Hiilary movie" in google

Obama gave a speech for the ages about his pastor. Intelligent people will understand and have the discernment not to judge his views by the views of his pastor. Intelligent people are able to listen to a variety of views contrary to their own and not abandon their own judgement.

I wouldn't worry about it if I were Obama and would let the chips fall where they may. We live in a society where you can do 10 things right and one thing wrong and people will focus, dwell and judge you on the one wrong thing you did. You can't please everybody. There will always be somebody who doesn't get it or pretends not to get it, who will stand there with their arms folded defiantly and say, "I disagree." Nothing you can do about that. Obama did enough for me.

I've never cared for Rev. Wright's focus on blackness in the pulpit but I understand his anger and he's a good, good man who has devoted his life to the empowerment of black people to be the best of who they can be.

I would've lost respect for Obama had he thrown his pastor under the bus. No one lives a perfect life. No one has perfect friends. No one can say they've never said something they later regretted.

Get over it and move on to the real issues of being president.

To RFB: I am speaking to the idea that anyone is "guilty by association," including Jesus. I have sat in many predominantly white congregations and listened to leaders from the pulpit cherry pick scripture to justify their own various hatreds and myopia so I am more than familiar with twisted Bible interpretations, thank you.

To Will K: Some of the modern-day Pharisees (who will all be in church tomorrow, sobbing about their love for "Jee-zus" while ignoring his teachings) have decided to make this election about someone's church, not about the issues that speak to us all. I wish that were not true, and I hope that Americans are capable of greater growth.

The one way to shut Wright, Sharpton, and Jackson up is to elect Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.

I think that White America should extend the Olive Branch then racial tensions would all but go away. White America has never apologized for what it has done to African Americans. When this happens Black and White America will HEAL.

It is America's ATTITUDES (holier-than-thou) that has given the rest of the world pause. When America embraces its Black citizenry, the world will look at America differently. America is very HYPOCRITICAL. We want to go abroad and tell others how to treat their citizenry. We can't do that until we eliminate racism.

For those figuring the Math that Clinton can't win. I think those figures are 55-45 % for close races. LET'S GET OUT THE VOTE FOR HILLARY...70% or more! That will rack up the delegates. GO HILLARY!

Rev. Wright was the pastor of a large, thriving church in the denomination of United Church of Christ. The UCC church is a very large, mostly white, denomination, that is made up, in part, from the former Congregationalists--that's right, the pilgrims. Why would a "hateful" or "unpatriotic" church stay in such a denomination? Why not form a "separatist" "black only" denomination? Because the church is not hateful, it is inclusive, it is loving, and it is "mainline" Christianity. Jesus said "blessed are the poor"--that is what this church is about--blessing the poor, African-American people who are its members--and also have a "commitment to Africa"--yes, a lot of poor people over there. They are doing exactly as Jesus would have done. Rev. Wright should not be smeared and thrown under the bus the way he is now by people who do not know his ministry--they only see an "angry black man." I do not agree with the comments he made that are being shown over and over again on FOX and other right-wing media. But if I took three sentences from my pastors' many sermons together I am sure I could smear them too. It is an injustice. Rev. Wright is not running for president. But he deserves a fuller, more open-minded consideration as a man, a preacher, an intellectual, and a leader. Many, many pastors look up to Rev. Wright, not only in the "black church" but in many white churches. Rev. Wright has received many awards from Divinity Schools and elsewhere. Are all of these people just "crazy?" No, there is more to this man than what is being shown on tv. He is a distinguished, patriotic, Christian and loving man, worthy of admiration.

I believe this is one the problems, Rev Wright does focus on blackness and has devoted his life to the empowerment of "black people", when is someone going to step up and devote their life to the empowerment of "American people" as our forefathers did? I am 53 years old and for the last 40 years I have heard how mistreated the black people are in America. They have cried "discrimination" when in fact the black people in this country are given more advantange than any other race including Mexicans, Latinos, or white people. If an organization doesn't want a black person as a member then the NAACP gets involved and files a lawsuit. However, a black club can keep white people or Mexicans or Asians or whoever out of their organizations. In this country we celebrate Black History Month, but we don't celebrate White History Month. We celebrate Gay Pride Month, but we don't celebrate Straight Pride Month. The company I work for no longer celebrates the Christmas Holiday, they celebrate the Winter Holiday. This country was not built on empowerment of black people or Mexican people or Italian people, it was build on empowerment of American people. If we can get away from using the term African-Americans, or Mexican-Americans and realize we are either just Americans or not, this country would be much better off. To me, there is nothing more irritating than be in a store and a couple or a group come in and they are speaking a foreign language. If you are going to live in this country, you should be able to speak English. That is our countries primary language. You shouldn't be able to become an American, unless you can speak English. This country was founded on the premise of God and Christianity yet their are people in this country wanting to take God out of everything. They want to take "In God we Trust" off of money and remove prayer from schools and not allow prayer at football games prior to kick-off and they have been mostly successful in removing the Ten Commandments from government buildings. When we put God back into our lives, our schools, our communities and our government, we will be much better off and more successful. If people will quit making this a black/white issue, we can go forward. But it is again, people such as Rev Wright who are teaching hatred for other races. Go and read about the church on their website, please. You will see what I am talking about. He believes that the African person is by far superior to any other race and the chuch doctrine as it is on the internet definitely agrees with what he says. I can't get over it, because these are real issues facing our country. I am proud to be an American and God bless Americans of all colors, red and yellow, black and white.

re: Vicki Knoxville

If you say that our soldiers are fighting around the world to keep America free (including freedom of speech), why are you denying Rev. Right his freedom of speech?

While we have slept during the last 8 years Dubya has been slowly whittling away our most precious freedoms.

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIMITED GENIUS AND GENUINE STUPIDITY?

UNLIKE YOU, GENIUS IS LIMITED!!!

as a white person and a Viet Nam war veteran ,I like to say some thing about Pastor Wright, you people forgot about the Tuskegee incident when the U.S. government injected thousands of black with the syphilis drug, Why should the blacks not be suspicious about the "Aid" epidemic maybe caused by the government,by all mean I ma not saying that, but I can understand why the blacks are suspicious, what about the Nagasaki and Hiroshima , this nation was the first to drop two atomic bomb killing hundred of thousand civilian, is God going to bless America for this? when we invaded a country for no reason killing thousands of civilian including women an children misplacing millions of people, is God going to bless this nation?As I recall it was Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell that said that this nation was being punished for religious reason but when Pastor Wright said that 9/11 was caused because of our policy in the middle east nobody wants hear the truth , when we are supplying a nation weapon of mass destruction so they can destroy another ethnic group. This is what every one should start to analyze what Pastor Wright is trying to say, I am sure that some of you out there going to say I am unpatriotic, the only thing I can say the truth is painful

Jacob from Philadelphia, of the three candidates running, Clinton has the least credibility. She picked a good time to release her White House records, which basically show that she was consistently a supporter of NAFTA, and was out drinking tea with college students (like most first ladies) while Bill, as President, did the diplomatic work. She stood ready to assassinate the character of a 24 year-old White House intern before Monica Lewinsky produced the infamous blue dress, and was either too stupid to know her husband was cheating on her, or didn't care. She has also run her campaign as if she is "owed" a coronation because of her last name. She is the candidate who lacks the judgment to lead this country.

re: BillForObama

Dear Mr. BillForObama, I am not denying Rev "Right" as you call him, his freedom of speech, but anyone who loves this country as I do, would never ever even considering "G-damning" this great country as he did and furthermore if you would wake up you would be able to see thru those "rose colored" glasses you are wearing. If America would have addressed the terrorist chatter during the previous Democrat President holding office, the thousands of innocent Americans that perished on September 11th, might not have had to die. Rev Wright has been the one preaching hate and saying how wrong this country is and he is the one teaching those he is preaching to hate towards other races. When you start calling people names, which is totally uncalled for, you might want to look in the mirror. Mr Bill, if you are such a genius, hopefully you can use good taste and post any future comments as an adult and stop yelling.
And, again, I say God Bless America!

People are making a mistake if they turn their backs on Obama. Do they really want this awful economy, an endless war that Bush says is romantic. Look at what kind of man Obama is, not snide, hateful and does not let business run our nation. All the republicans have this are to try to divide people on Guns, God and Gays.. I want something better and therefore if possible I will vote for Obama.

Obama is the true patriot--had he been President in March 2003 we would not be in Iraq and there would be 4,000 young americans alive and well -- and almost 30,000 young americans not maimed and diabled and tens of thousands of americans not suffering from PTSD --

and up to a million dead Iraqi's

What some of your definitions of Patriotism seems to me to be cowardice

John McCain and Hillary Clinton both see the world through flawed and bruised experiences

Yes: McCain was a POW and it is admirable that he lived through this- but is there any rationale human being who does not think that 5 years of torture does not impact a man's psyche?

Yes: Hillary Clinton is a bright woman who may have started in the political arena with good ideas and hopes and dreams - but from years of being hurt and bruised she has become secretive and has a feeling of entitlement

I don't think the american public is really thinking if one of those two people was in charge what their options will be

McCain is a military guy - the last military man who was POTUS was Eisenhower who himself warned as he was leaving office that the country had to be careful of the military and industrial complex

And Hillary is one of two things: either a genuine hawk or someone who voted against her core beliefs for the war to show as a woman she would be a tough commander in chief

Either of these options should give us pause

What we do know about Obama is he a white man and a black man - he has lived his life navigating a very perilous route --he has lived in Indonesia and America - he has gone to public schools and private schools
The man's life is the sum total of opposing worlds to reach consensus to move forward

He would be the fifth youngest pres to take office in January 09 older than JFK, Bill Clinton and T Roosevelt among others)

The preaching and politics of Jeremiah Wright have nothing to do with the core beliefs and principles of Barack Obama

This country used to know the difference between Church and State

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and to the poster above who
said Obama "listened" to his pastor's words etc -- we've had to listen to George Bush and Dick Cheney for the past eight years -- and they have spewed a far worse poison than anything I heard from 10 minutes of Rev Wrights 30 year career --- at least Rev Wrights words are meant to lift up his constitutents -- not kill and maim them --

Don't say I am not a patriot because I saw this - say I am a patriot because I want my country to be a better place -- where people can have discussions and grow and learn --

"War-- ug-- what is it good for - absoutely nothing--- sau it again"

My husband is also a Vietnam Veteran and he loves this country. He wonders why more has not been done to help the Vietnam Veterans as has been done for Veterans of other wars. When talking about Hiroshima, let's get some facts straight first. I believe the United States wasn't drawn into World War II until Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. This was all out war and we didn't drop the atomic bombs until 4 years later in an effort to get the Japanese Army to surrender. I don't believe we would have the freedom in this country that we have had we not fought for it. My husband, even though he fought in Viet Nam stills loves this country with all his heart. He was not drafted, he enlisted because he wanted to make sure this country remained the free nation we are for future generations. And, to this day, the only thing he would change is for additional benefits for the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans of all wars.

"Preaching Hate"? I'm hearing that comment from a lot of people posting here. How do you know that from the few seconds that you might have seen on TV or YouTube? I have a hard time believing that Rev. Wright's controversial comments make up more than a small part of his overall message; hasn't anyone heard of "agreeing to disagree" when it comes to differences of opinion with people you are close to? Judging from Obama's actions throughout his career, I'm willing to believe that he looked at Wright with humility and compassion and chose to look at him as a fellow human being with flaws but who still had worthwhile things to say (just like the rest of us).

pERHAPS REV. WRIGHT IS NOT AS AWFUL AS THOSE AWFUL SOUNDBITES MAKE HIM OUT TO BE. CHECK OUT THIS VIUDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ&feature=related

You know what? I have been married for 35 years, we have lived together for 37 years..WOW..about double the amount of years Obama has been at that church.
I LIVE with the man, we are together at least 330 day a year. Still, we have differences and some of these differences we have had for 37 years. Yes, something we agree on, however, those other issues that we both feel very strong about we remain true to.
I thought we were normal in that,however,I guess we are extremely different than other couples. I would rather be the kind of person that is strong enough in their own belief's to not change them because they are with someone who doesn't have the same belief in a particular issue. What this tells me is that Obama is also that kind of person,who is strong in his belief's and isn't easily swayed. I like that.

I'm voting the patriot & war-hero John McCain.

Obama sounds like a racist. His lates quote: "...typical white person..."

He is just not qualify as a presidential candidate.

Everbody talks about Rev. Wrights comments, but no one considers that you are talking about three sound bites over a career that spanned over twenty years. In that kind of time you are bound to say something somebody isn't going to like. I'm certain many people must have at least remarked on those sermons, but we wouldn't know that because no conversations with church members we recorded. Did anyone stop and think that Obama may not simply have been in attendence during those sermon(s)? Another thing how come no is giving Obama credit for not throwing Rev. White under the bus during his speech. I think that took a lot of character, and makes him an even better candidate. It would have been much easier and politically safer to simply just trash him like Mccain did to that radio announcer.

it does not concern me that he belonged to that church. what concerns me is that he hired that man to be an adviser. who will he hire to advise him if he is elected? we have seen the devistation of bad choices.

I read through as many of the postings above as I had the stomach for.

Not one of the writers, before I gave up in disgust, seemed to understand the difference between ethnicity and race.

Race of ALL People: Human.
Ethnicity of People: Varies.

I wish people would try to learn something between birth and death. Are they too busy trying to feel superior to someone else, just because of the color of other people's skin?

For heaven's sake, grow up!

Mr Wright it seems Hates many things and even promoted Hate in his church.
But I DON'T SEE any damage done to America.

And I know America loves Iraq, because America don't spend US$500 Billion to rescue Tamils in Sri Lanka or free North Koreans.

America is ready to spend more than Trillions for Iraqis to get rid of their evil elected President.

Please see Iraq. I mean what is left of it.

Stop your argument about what people "say" and see what people have done.

All three current presidential candidates have no experience for what America needs.

McCain is a hero because he fought in a disgraced war. So what? That makes him a good soldier not president.

Hillary experience is being busy while her husband was playing with other women. She don't even know how to be a women. A president.... please.

Obama.... no experience... just words. (maybe he has some ideas, but seems his ideas are coming from some Banking group)

I wish I could pity America. But actualy I feel pity for all of the world which is about to feel the "Love" of America.

Obama knows, from the 'inside' so to speak, of the anger and the hate that has been born in the black community and that has been embraced by many, including Rev. Wright, yet Obama has the insight and wisdom to chose a different path, a different way to try to find solutions to our problems, including all those that have grown out of the racism of our past.

I was appalled by what the pastor said and then I ran into a few members of the church. I also bought some of his sermons - you can buy them online.
It was incredible!! THe guy is a perfectly rational human being and I think he just became carried away and said those things on that day. he talks about Jesus and love and working for the downtrodden. yes it's a black church, so the pastor focusses on black issues but in my mind he's better than the hagees and the right wingers who have endorsed McCain

Bottm Line? I think talk radio and Fox is ona personal mission to destroy Barack Obama. They are all scared of him, because he will not pander to special interests.
Wake up America! THis is our last chance to vote for a president who is not from the system. By some fluke he has come this far this early so he has not had time to become part of a corrupt system. In addition he is bright and compassionate - just read Audacity of Hope to get an idea of the depth of this man's thinking.

This is not about black or white, or republican or democrat. It's about what's good for the country.
So please, let us put aside petty politics and vote for this man. he will make a huge difference.

PS - I am 43 white and voted Republican all my life.

Posted by: Vicki Knoxville | March 22, 2008 1:59 PM

Vicki your post makes less than no sense. In a thread about how Obama's preacher's religious beliefs are anathema to your(s) and other's beliefs, you then go on to extoll the virtues of religion and lament the removal of religious dogma from the public square.

So which is it? Do we need more religion? Does that include Rev. Wright's views, as well as those of Muslims, Jews and others?

Or do you just want to inflict your religion on the masses? If religion is so great, then Christian Reverend Jeremiah Wright is working towards that goal. Can I assume that you are aware that Republican Christians Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson explicitly blamed "liberal" Americans for the attacks of 9/11 and for Hurricane Katrina? Why were they not hung from the rafters like Reverend Wright who, oh by the way, served this country in the Marines and is thus at least as patriotic as you are.

Finally, if you can provide one example of anything at all the President Bush did before 9/11 to protect the nation from Al Qaeda, I'll at least acknowledge some validity to your "blame Clinton for 9/11" meme. Since there is nothing whatsoever that you are going to come up with, I'll simply tell you to give it a rest and turn down the Faux News.

Condoleeza Rice was to give a speech on threats to American security ON 9/11. There was no mention whatsoever of terrorism, hijackings, Al Qaeda, Bin Laden, etc. What did the speech recommend as the most important and critical safeguard for American security? Wait for it... wait for it...

Missile Defense.

That would have REALLY saved our butts on 9/11, wouldn't it have?

"When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

FOX news Lies!! Barack Obama Pastor Wright. Full sermons

They took Pastor Wright's comments totally out of context!!!
They've really done a smear job on him. Some of the incindiary language is actually a quote he is telling that he heard an ambassador guest on FOX news say. Check it out. They may be blunt but there is nothing wrong with these comments. Shows the full sermon.

here are the youtube links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvMbeVQj6Lw



Obama's Pastor got a PRESIDENTIAL COMMENDATION for doing such a fine job during the surgery of President Lyndon B. Johnson ..
You can you see him standing there behind the pole

http://truthabouttrinity.blogspot.com/

Huckubee Defends Rev. Jeremiah Wright
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/19/huckabee-defends-rev-jer_n_92346.html

Fox news transcript from "Hannity & Colmes," March 19, 2008. " Hannity on breaking rev Wright story. "Congratulations????"

HANNITY: Yes. You know, it's gotten out there in the media that — that we — that I broke this story. It's gotten out that our interview back in March — and by the way, other people tried to take credit, and that's just their egos talking.

But in reality, there are people hostile to me in ways that I have never seen in my 12-year career — e-mails, letters, threats — because I told the truth. Can you believe that?

LUNTZ: And you've got the evidence. You've got the tape to prove it. Congratulations, Sean.

HANNITY: Thanks. We'll talk more in the future.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,339250,00.html

Hannity's Soul-Mate of Hate
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050620/blumenthal

I think that Obama -- like most of us -- takes the good with the bad with people who he associates with. And, like most of us, he develops relationships on the commonalities, and tends not to focus on the areas where there are disagreements or incompatibilities. And, thanks to his relationship with Reverend Wright, Obama has developed a set of invaluable skills that we could only wish our current President had, and uniquely equip Obama to be an effective President of the United States of America.

To read this entire analysis, please visit http://blog.HopeAgainstTheMachine.com

Obama's speech was "damage control", not a speech that should be compared to Martin Luther King. Obama is trying to become president. He's going to tell the American people what he thinks they want to hear. He made the wrong decision by lying to the American people. He showed us that he cannot be trusted to tell the truth. I don't believe Obama could have a twenty year friendship with his pastor and not share many of his views. The president of the USA should not have ties with racist and maybe enemies of this country an then say he represent all. His speeches do nothing to suppress the question of whether he did anything in the past 20 years to reduce the hatred being spun in his own church. If he so against it why didn’t he stand and give the same speech he gave to the American people to the people in his church.

to all out there who believe we live in a country that looks past the color of one's skin: if you are 1/16, let alone 1/2 a descendant of a person of color, you are no longer considered white! Like it is a disease.

For those who feel blacks have such a good deal in the USA and are not "allowed" to be angry... get a grip. 250 years of slavery, 100 years of legal segregation and another 50 or so of racial distrust and misunderstanding do not just magically disappear.

The sensiblity and understanding of the human condition that Obama exhibits is enormously refreshing to me. Finally, an intelligent, thoughtful and decent candidate for president. Perfect? Hardly. Experienced? Yes, just not as a politician.

W/O going on a Bush bashing rant here, let me point out that our current president had less experience than any of the current candidates: failed in the oil biz, was essentially given a stake in the Texas Rangers to be the "face" of the organization, then elected Gov of Texas. Importantly, the Gov of Texas does not actually run the various state agencies, that is the explicit the responsibility of the Lt Governor. The Governor of TX is responsible for setting the legislative agenda for a body that only meets once every two years for a few months!!

Lastly, other than foreign policy, the president of the US has little authority other than appointing judges to the supreme court, which is fairly important. If you think Obama will appoint "racist" judges to the court to bring down "whitey" I believe you don't really undestand him, his message or his record of being a uniter, not a divider. THis country has serious problems that require immediate attention. I believe he can have a positive influence on the growing cultural gap that is haunting our nation and the special interest groups that seem to have our dysfunctional congress in their pockets.