Posts with the tag Wright

OBAMA FOR WYOMING

WEBMASTER — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:28:31 EST

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Former (London) Times Editor Harold Evans Smears the US Media in an Article in the UK Guardian

mathpol — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 22:22:33 EST

“Mad about The One. The US media have been captivated by Obama, at the expense of their curiosity and scepticism.”

This is the title of an article by Harold Evans in The Guardian on November 1, 2008. He resorts to the bias he decries in his one-sided column. I have reproduced it below in its entirety, along with my annotations {…} . Phrases that I comment upon are in boldface.

It's fitting that the cynicism "vote early and vote often" is commonly attributed to Chicago's Democratic boss, mayor Richard Daley, who famously voted the graveyards in 1960 to help put John Kennedy in the White House. In this 2008 race, it's the American media that have voted very early and often. They long ago elected the star graduate of Chicago's Democratic machine, Barack Obama. {Obama is a hardly a “graduate“ of the machine. What about Harvard Law, Columbia, etc.?}

I am not talking of editorials in newspapers, though Obama has the preponderance of the endorsements over John McCain. Obama certainly deserves the credit for recruiting impressive advisers and running a more efficient campaign machine than any one in the US's political history.

What's troubling to anyone old-fashioned enough to care about standards in journalism is the news coverage in mainstream media. Forget the old notions of objectivity, fairness, thoroughness, and so on. The nastiest rumours on both sides haven't been published, but the coverage has been slavishly on the side of "the one". {“Slavish”? Evans’s description.}

New Conservative Group To Run Anti-Wright Ads On National Networks Through Election Day

Fire Is Born — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:13:39 EDT

Conservative Group To Run Anti-Wright Ads On National Networks Through Election Day By Greg Sargent - October 30, 2008, 3:56PM

Get ready for a deluge of Wright rantings.

The National Republican Trust PAC, which has been airing an ad attacking Barack Obama's association with Reverend Wright in three battleground states, has now put down for a national buy on five networks that will last from now through election day, a consultant with the group confirms to me.

The ad will run nationally on Fox, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC for the next five days, the consultant, Rick Wilson, says -- "all the way until election day."

The ad, which you can watch here, features the now-infamous footage of Wright's livelier sermons, and intones that Obama "never complained" about Wright "until he ran for President," adding that Obama is "too radical, too risky."

Previously, the ad was only running in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida, as Ben Smith reported the other day.

Now, however, the ad will run nationally, Wilson says, adding that the group just got through getting the spot vetted with network lawyers and is good to go.

Late Update: Wilson tells me that the PAC will have spent $2 million on this national buy by the end of tomorrow.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

THIS IS MY FIRST SOURCE ON THIS. LET'S KEEP AN EYE ON THIS. GOP GETS DESPERATE AND DANGEROUS! FIB

How Low Can McCain Go?

Jedidiah Palosaari — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:11:38 EDT

Let us review. McCain and Palin create a climate conducive to fear and hate-mongering, suggesting that Obama is tied to terrorists, and receive a groundswell of hate speech and shouts from their supporters in reference to Obama, including, "Terrorist!", "Kill him!", and "Off with his head!" A veteran and sufferer of the Civil Rights Movement, John Lewis, points out that this is very similar to his experiences with George Wallace's campaign, where a climate of racism and hatred were encouraged. McCain's campaign then complains, not about the racism of their supporters, but about Wallace's comments. Wallace states that he went too far, and does not think Palin and McCain are racist, but rather that their action or inaction have encouraged a very frightening climate of racism at their rallies. Obama agrees, saying he felt Wallace went too far. Later, McCain finally says something briefly at an Obama rally, saying he is not Arab, but rather a "good, family man", which evidently is mutually exclusive with being Arab. McCain then calls on Obama to denounce Congressman Lewis', though Obama already said he thought Lewis went too far, and McCain was saying racism was being brought in the campaign by those pointing out the racism in McCain's supporters.

It can't get any worse, right? You can't expect the McCain campaign to go further into the mud and vile filth of the gutter, right? Never fear, the McCain campaign will not fail to disappoint.

Today, we find out that, because a supporter of Obama has pointed out the racism of some McCain supporters and the climate of fear encouraged by the McCain campaign rhetoric, the McCain campaign now feels that they are now justified in bringing up Reverend Jeremiah Wright again. Yes, that Wright- the one McCain said he'd never bring up. Until he was way down in the polls, and realized the only way he could win was to continue his anti-maverick streak of embracing racism and all the dirty politics that Karl Rove and George Bush previously used against him. Yes, that Wright, who Hillary Clinton had previously brought up in her own racist attacks, pointing out his errors because he was deep in the black preaching tradition.

Do not doubt. Reverend Wright preached nothing new, nothing different from what you find in black churches throughout America, and have heard for 150 years. Awareness of the black preaching tradition would make that clear, but sadly, few whites have the benefits of this experience. So Hillary just had to bring up some quotes out of context, to use them to attack Obama. And now, McCain, smacking his lips in the uncomfortablness of deceit and the joy of denigration, has apparently decided that, because his racism encouragement was called out, he is now justifed in turning to further racist attacks.

So again I ask, Mr. McCain, how low can you go?

Next debate strategy advice (optional)

NawlinsKid — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:04:56 EDT

Well, I see while I’ve been attending to some personal matters the market has tanked and so has the McCain campaign. I would like to offer President Obama a strategic advantage at the next debate. Have Mr. Ayers attend the debate. Have Mr. Ayers discuss the efforts and objectives of the board you both shared. Have a prominent Republican do likewise. Do this prior to the debate. Sen. McCain will be out maneuvered and utterly dismissed when he attempts to debate the issue. This should be done just prior to the debate.

Further, when Sen. McCain attempts to bypass Ayers to move to Rev. Wright I recommend the following. Forcefully affirm (in reference to Rev Wright) - “Sen. McCain you may not love this country enough to respect her citizens, but I do. I will not waste their time discussing a closed issue when the current issue is the economy – as in the word of Mr. Carvel ‘It’s the economy, stupid’. And, you will determine if ‘stupid’ applies to the quote or your actions or words. Enough!” Of course, the exact verbiage is up to you, but I’m partial to these words!

Finally, remember President Obama you are the President and this is your senator. Make it clear whose holds which position. There is no need for tic-for-tac.

That Pesky Preacher Problem - revisited

Michele — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:02:00 EDT

Well, you know it's going to happen. Next week McCain Palin (M/P) and their surrogates are going to rehash Rev. You Know Who.

I am not surprised.

And we in Obamaland need to be ready to counter and counter hard. For M/P have their own Pesky Preacher Problems.

Remember Rev. Hagee? He was the guy McCain courted for an endorsement, who said that Hurricane Katrina was sent by God to punish all the sinning homosexuals and the parades in New Orleans. So to make a moral point, God, his, yours and mine, sent a fury of destruction down on a sinning society – nevermind all the innocent lives and homes, dogs and cats, that were destroyed.

It reminds me of what Rev. Falwell said after 9/11. He blamed that on American permissive society- again the homosexuals. Falwell wasn’t surprised God was so fed up! He later recanted and apologized of course, under pressure and outrage from the public, but deep down he believed what he was saying. This is the God of the religious right. Their God is angry, wrathful and punishing. Americans are heading down a wrong moral path and every once in a while, God swoops down to teach us a lesson. It makes Rev. You Know Who sound not so radical after all. According to Hagee and Falwell, the Lord damns mankind quite often because we are so unlearning.

But wait! We have God’s son to consider, don’t we? Hmmmm, didn’t Jesus hang out with sinners? Didn’t Jesus forgive and love sinners especially? My New Testament seems to indicate Jesus didn’t judge anybody lest we be judged.

So let’s look at that. Sen. Obama’s critics will counter, “ Yeah, but Obama stayed in his church with THAT preacher for 20 years!” “He should have known better!” “There is no excuse, that speaks volumes about his character.” Okay, as a Catholic, let me ask you…

How many Catholics stayed in their churches, prayed at their pews and dropped dollars in the collection basket after the terrible priest pedophile scandals- by men of the cloth who committed violent sexual crimes against children. Terrible stuff and awful shame! Some left, but most stayed in their faith. Doesn’t that make those who stayed, accessories? Aren’t they guilty by association? Maybe they stayed and remained Catholic because they weighed the good their church did against the singular bad. I think that is more fair.They knew their parishioners who sat with them on their left and right pew. They were people they prayed with, good people who did GOOD things in the name of their church. And that is why Sen. Obama stayed in his.

There was another preacher, Ted Haggard, who ran the largest church ever. He was the biggest hypocrite ever too. He cheated on his wife with male prostitutes and bought seedy drugs and had a hidden life. He was always on TV, the go-to-expert- about God, who claimed to know what God wanted from us. He couldn’t practice what he preached. So did his congregation get up and stomp out? No. They, like Hagee and Falwell’s congregations, remained in their church, and tithed and did good deeds despite the outrageous statements and behavior of their representative. Did they pull their children out of Bob Jones and Liberty University? Of course not!

And that is their business and their right. We should be allowed to worship who and how we want. We can believe that God, and not meteorology, is responsible for Rita, Katrina, Ike and the like, were sent to show His displeasure. That somehow, American society was to blame for 9/11? I find it an obscene logic, but we are allowed to believe what we want and stay in the church however nutty a preacher’s interpretation of Holy Scripture is.

If we don’t question the numerous examples of perplexing loyalty in these examples, what right does anybody have to question Sen. Obama’s. He chose to concentrate on the good his church did. And it did a lot of good.

Sarah Palin too, chooses her own path of faith. She prays to God to get herself elected to public office. She claims to know God’s will and side about war and battles and stuff like that. Voodoo priests who believe in witchcraft can lay hands upon her and Jews who “aren’t “ for Jesus can be condemned. She may not believe that specifically, but she “pals around” with people who do believe that – rather stringently I might add. Does that make her guilty by association? Of course not.

And she claims to understand God’s will in this war. She has the inside track, don’t you know – just like George Bush does. Maybe they are right. I certainly hope God is on our side…but you know, He created us all, now didn’t he? I mean, he created more than just Americans. And as I look back and read the history of civilization and see all the wars, torture and death fought in God’s name?...well, sorry, I prefer to believe in a different kind of theology, and so did his son, Jesus.

Jesus understood we are imperfect human beings. He tried to set an example that somehow, we have a real hard time following. That means forgiveness for errors of judgment, that no church or congregation member or preacher is perfect, but that we keep on trying. We all sin, and some of us, most of us, do so repeatedly.

So if we need God in our lives, it should be to help us to be better people – not use Him as a measure to judge and condemn others by. Those that shout it out the loudest, feel the most outrage, and wear their faith on their sleeves often do so because He does not exist in their hearts. And that “my friends” is where HE needs to be – in our hearts – especially in those who are shouting and judging and condemning the loudest.

Debate Preparation

Cathie — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:36:34 EDT

I listened to a radio broadcast this morning on the way to work that was discussing what the McCain campaign should do to prepare for the debate, as well as what tactics they should use. The host suggested they should use the names Ayers and Wright only once or twice. Here's an idea, why doesn't the McCain campaign stick to the issues, like the economy? Another caller suggested that McCain look at Senator Obama so that he appeared more confident. Confident? Why didn't he look at him during the first debate? Surely you can't say John McCain is not sure of himself. Why does he think his opponent is not his equal? The bottom line is, that John McCain sees himself as being better then not just his opponent, but the majority of Americans. Is he out of touch? Of course he is, he is not going to be affected by the Wall Street woes, nor was he worried about the increasing cost of gas or wether or not he would have a job to support his family as the economy takes a dive. John McCain can never understand the American people, he is one of the Washington elite that Sarah Palin likes to reference in her incoherent babblings. I am excited to see Barack Obama in his debate tonight with John McCain and I am hopeful that he will display the strong character that sets him and his opponent so far apart.

Guilt by Association

Henry M — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:34:00 EDT

Wright was wrong, and now we have the Ayers (who was a terrorist when Obama was eight years old!) non-issue.

On the other hand, McCain's history of association with unsavory individuals and organizations has often been, at best, ill-chosen.

Sometimes guilt by association is valid, i.e. McCain’s economic, legal, political, and moral disgrace as one of the Keating Five

And sometimes it isn’t, i.e. McCain’s membership on the “US Council for World Freedom”

If you liked this message, then please have a look at the rest of my blog, http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/henrymu and please consider donating to the campaign: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/PListe4Obama

Henry M

Churches/Campaigns and racism...

Tommy from Russellville, AR — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:18:45 EDT

Well, we knew the Reverend Wright gloves would come off, eventually. And, believe or not, that’s good. Because now, the McCain campaign has to explain, why Mitt Romney has been a key spokesperson for their campaign? Romney, who was a heartbeat away from becoming a Vice Presidential candidate is from the Mormon Church.

The Mormon Church continued its segregated policies, even after the civil rights movement. In fact, at one time, it even believed that African Americans were the angels cast out of heaven, by God.

I guess every church and campaign has its controversies…

In addition, Obama needs to prepare an add campaign with persons he assisted of different ethnic backgrounds, during his years as a Community Organizer. This will offset the argument that he will only be for “them.”

Is America Ready for a Black President?

Randy Allgaier — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:32:52 EDT

Back in January when I decided to endorse Barack Obama on this site and, more importantly, vote for him in the California primary- I was thrilled about Obama’s message but I also had some pride and some of my natural cynicism was lessened by the thought that this country had matured enough that it might have been able to bridge the racial divide and actually elect an African American for President. Beyond the policy issues and Obama’s positions with which I agree and the innate desire that Obama has to bring people together which I find compelling; there was the possibility that the United States had made great progress towards healing our great national birth defect- racism. Now I wonder if that is possible.

Between “Bitter-gate” and “Wright-gate”, Obama’s campaign is reeling. In my pieces: Pandering v. Nuance aka Clinton v. Obama and Obama Elitist? Not! McCain and Clinton are the essence of the Power Elite I have made it clear that my belief about the genesis of both of these campaign issues.

I can't believe this

Erik from Camas, WA — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:54:41 EDT

First, Senator Obama did not deal adequately with the reverend Wright debacle and now he has promised to engage grass roots religious groups with federal money if they tackle the country's social ills. Does he want religion to play a political role in America? His position is embarrassing and faith based programs will confuse and alienate a lot of supporters and only gain a few new Christian votes. I hope his staff has done the math. I am shocked and will reconsider my vote (I voted in the WA caucus and supported financially his campaign). He will have to win my vote back.

McCain's Savings & Loan Scandal- Please Read

Beth — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:00:49 EDT

I was sitting in a political science class the other day, when a guy said that he would not vote for Sen. Obama because he didn't trust him. When asked why specifically he felt that way he mentioned Rev. Wright, and said that "a man is judged by the company he keeps". I wanted to say something, but the professor asked the gentleman what specifically it is about Rev. Wright that he found disagreeable? The man said, "well, you know the comments that he made... that he hated America". When the professor asked what exactly did Rev. Wright say, the man did not know. So we got an assignment that I found very interesting. He asked us to research and find out... Who is Rev. Wright and what does he mean to Obama? and then find out about the Keating Five. I thought that I would share what I found.

The Keating Five:

Lincoln Savings and Loan of Irvine, California, headed by Charles Keating, was at the heart of the Keating Five scandal during the savings and loan crisis of the the 1980ʼs. In 1987 ﬁve U.S. senators, Alan Cranston (D-CA), Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ), John Glenn (D-OH), Donald Riegle (D-MI), and John McCain (R-AZ) pressured federal regulators of the House Banking Committee to stop investigating the S&L (savings & loan).

John McCain had a close relationship with Charles Keating often socializing with each otherʼs families. Between 1982-1986, Keating contributed over $112,000 towards McCainʼs campaign funds and let the McCainʼs vacation at the Keating vacation home in the Bahamas. Flying them there free of charge on Keatingʼs corporate plane. McCain acknowledges in his 2002 biography that the Keating Five case was the "worst mistake of my life".

After the hearing, the Senate Ethics Committee found that Glenn and McCain had "exercised poor judgement", that DeConcini and Riegle "gave the appearance of being improper", and recommended Cranston for censure. DeConcini said in a later interview that "McCain has gotten a relatively ʻfree rideʼ even though he was the most culpable" of the senators because of his relationship with Keating. Cindy McCain and her father had also invested over $320,000 in the Keating run Lincoln S&L, further complicting Senator McCainʼs involvement.

Charles Keating was convicted in December 1991 of seventeen counts of Securities Fraud. In January 1993 he was convicted of conspiracy, fraud, racketeering and transporting stolen property. Finally in April 1999, Keating plead guilty to bankrupcy fraud and wire fraud.

Who is Rev. Wright & what is he in regards to Sen. Obama?

Reverend Jeremiah Wright is the retired pastor of Chicagoʼs Trinity United Church of Christ. Senator Barack Obama became acquainted with Wright when he worked as a community organizer on Chicagoʼs south side and became a member of the church in 1992. In October 1992, Rev. Wright ofﬁciated the marriage ceremony of Barack and Michelle Obama and later performed the baptisms of Obamaʼs two daughters.

Lately some of Rev. Wrightʼs comments have been the topic of debate and controversy during the 2008 Presidential Primaries. In one of his sermons he referred to "God damn America" because of its historical treatment of blacks, and he suggested that the United States brought the terrorist attacks upon itself saying, "Jesus said, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' You cannot do terrorism on other people and expect it never to come back on you. Those are biblical principles, not
Jeremiah Wright bombastic principles".

Born in 1941 in Philadelphia, PA., Wright attended Virginia Union College for three years before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. and later went to the Navy to serve as a cardiopulmonary technician. Later he completed his bachelorʼs and masterʼs degrees from Howard University in Washington. He received a second masterʼs degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School and earned his doctorate of divinity from the United Theological College where he studied under one of Rev. Martin Luther Kingʼs mentors, Rev. Samuel DeWitt Proctor. In 1972, he became pastor at Trinity Chruch, which had only 87 adult members at the time, but now boasts about 8,000 members. Wright is credited with creating 70 ministries, including prison, domestic violence, information technology and Africa ministries and in 1993 was named by Ebony magazine as one of the nationʼs top black preachers. The edgy topics of Wright's sermons have included the income gap between whites and African-Americans and the inaccuracy of African-American history taught in public schools.

Obama denounced Wrightʼs controversial comments and said that he is like an "old uncle" who sometimes says disagreeable things. "As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me," Obama said in March 2008. "He contains within him the contradictions -- the good and the bad", but that if Wright hadn't announced his retirement, he "wouldn't have felt comfortable" remaining a member of Trinity.

In late May 2008, "with some sadness" the Obamaʼs resigned from Trinity church. After the remarks from Rev. Wright, a visiting Catholic priest, during his sermon, Rev. Michael Pﬂeger wiped his eyes with a handkerchief and suggested that Sen. Hillary Clinton wept because she thought that as a white person and the wife of a former president, she was entitled to the presidency. The Pﬂeger controversy made it clear to Sen. Obama that, as long as he remained a member of the Trinity congregation, remarks from the pulpit would be "imputed" to him, even if they conﬂicted with his personal views
and he was not present at any of these sermons.

I had completely forgotten about the Keating Five scandal so I was glad that the professor assigned us these topics. Especially if the measure by which some people are judging the next president is by the company that they keep. I hope that you found this interesting too.

I've got some swampland...

Char from Carnation. WA — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:01:35 EDT

You, [insert name], are who we have been looking for! Your name was randomly selected as our 1st place $10,000 winner!

An email I received this weekend depicts a dreary aspect of both the internet and some people's extraordinary gullibility. I anticipate many more to come.

The gem I received this weekend, titled "Bill Cosby on Rev. Wright", is the proverbial "true statement" by "the well respected expert". These are particularly nasty little things because they are often hard to prove and sound very legit.

In this case, it is a comment supposedly written by Bill Cosby with an opinion of Barack Obama and the infamous Reverend Wright. It is attributed to have come from the Wall Street Journal.

The problem with these little ditties is that rarely do individuals receiving them ever bother to check them out. If they did, they would find that it was gathered, not from the Wall Street Journal, but by a blog comment posted by someone who called themselves Bill Cosby.

So, let's have another little reality check here. At most blog sites you have the ability to create any username you wish. If I wanted to call myself Mata Hari or Britney Spears or the Queen of Sheba, I could do so with the web site's blessings.

Just for grins and giggles, who might this particular Bill Cosby be?

Perhaps...he is the infamous William J Cosby, head honcho of the Clay County Klu Klux Klan. Or, maybe...he is Wilhelm V Cosby, eldest son of the dock worker in Brindlesmire, Scotland. Does either of these individuals exist? Not to my knowledge. Is there a Brindlesmire, Scotland? I doubt it...I just made it all up.

Perhaps...it is even the illustrious current President, George Bush, giggling in that demented little way he has, as he sets up an account under the name of Bill Cosby to wreak havoc on the election. Could it be? I don't know. And that's my point. You just don't know. Could it be true? Yes. Is it true? I doubt it.

As Snopes points out, it is unlike Bill Cosby to make political and opinionated statements via blog comments, rather than in his speaking engagements. This type of thing is also one of the reason's all my emails have a little statement at the end: "Before you pass on that rumor, check it out on Snopes.com" That's where I found out about this supposed Bill Cosby comment.

The sad thing is...most people really don't care and don't bother to find out. They read something that fits their own personal little opinion profile and just hit that forward button trying to influence other people to be just as gullible as they have been.

So, for all of you who buy into and believe these types of emails and a host of others...you have been randomly selected as the grand prize winner of $10,000! All you have to do in order to receive this is to send me the following personal information...just so I can verify it is really you, of course...

Then, there is that bridge and some swampland you may be interested in...

~Later...

Barack Obama @ Apostolic Church of God

Martin — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 04:17:21 EDT

On Sunday, Barack gave a speech at Apostolic Church of God on Chicago's Southside. Just like Trinity, ACOG is known for the many things it does for the African-American community, and it's leaders are outspoken activists. Is this change of churches allowing Barack to reset the image that the media painted for him? Personally, I am conflicted. I think that he made the right decision to leave Trinity after Pastor Wright made those scathing comments about him on television, however I feel like this move will come up in the general election. The Republicans can say that when the time get hard then he will run. While, I disagree wholeheartedly there is some merit to the argument. If it is easy for Barack to move from one church to another even though they both are giving messages that I feel he believes, one could say that he is a flip-flopper. This is not a criticism of his decision or his team for advising him on the decision. Rather, I just wanted to offer a chance for people to respond to something that I KNOW will be bought up in the general election. Is Barack prepared to respond?

Something to Ponder - Info from Tim Wise

Mickiboop (P.O.B.) Be the Change — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:01:20 EDT

The following was written by activist Tim Wise. It is not for the weak at heart or racially biased. I'm posting Tim's work in objection to an earlier post "Israel & Obama", by an HRC supporter Danielle from Austin, TX.

May 27, 2008
America's Racial Litmus Test: Farrakhan is not the Problem
By TIM WISE

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Thirteen years ago, when I first started out on the lecture circuit, speaking about the issue of racism, it seemed as though everywhere I went, someone wanted to know my opinion of Louis Farrakhan. To some extent, this was to be expected, I suppose. It was 1995, after all, and Farrakhan had just put together the Million Man March in DC.

So when race came up, that, and sadly, the OJ Simpson trial and verdict seemed to be the two templates onto which white folks in particular would graft their racial anxieties. Though OJ has long since faded as a matter of conversation among most, discussion of Farrakhan never seems to end.

As controversy has erupted regarding comments made by Barack Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Wright's occasional words of praise for Farrakhan have caused many to suggest that he, and by extension, Obama, are somehow tainted. Wright, we are to believe, is forever compromised as a legitimate commentator on issues of race and even as a
man of God. And why?

The Rev Jeremiah Wright

Chris — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:21:25 EDT

I just have to get this off my chest: I LOVED Rev. Jeremiah Wright!!

Yes, he's inappropriate in this hyper-sensitive context, but he's so obviously a highly intelligent man with a lot of love in his heart that in balance I kind of wish I knew him personally.

I happened to catch his entire speech live at the NAACP and caught most of his Q&A at the National Press Club....and completely enjoyed his "performances" both times. His way with language is a delight, and I'm totally down with in your face attitude.

My own better understanding of Race Relations.

Geahk — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:36:45 EDT

I read today a blog posted by a man who said, this campaign had forced him to confront his own ethnic Identity.

I think its a lot more common for our generation and a lot more people are growing up facing questions about their own ethnic identity. One of the things that came out of the Rev. Wright news cycle was a conversation about race. Barack Obama's speech, A more perfect Union, was an impressive step towards an understanding about race. A subject that has been carefully avoided going back to the assassination of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Those who watched or read the speech, got one step closer to brotherhood instead of separation. For that alone, I have a strong respect for Senator Obama.

My Wife is African American. I am a white man who grew up in a poor black neighborhood. My Wife grew up in a middle class white neighborhood. The thing we shared most was that we understood each other's cultures. In some ways, better than the other. I am only now getting to understand and sympathize with upper class white people who I grew up sneering at. My Wife has understood black culture from an intellectual standpoint as she has spent her entire life delving into the problems of the black community and how to approach a solution to the systemic racism that is at the root of those problems.

For these reasons, I was not at all offended by Rev. Wright. I went to churches that talked like that and I was well aware of the deep resentments harbored by people who had been forced into one neighborhood and had the door out slammed in their faces. When I first heard about the Rev. Wright and how "controversial" his statements had been, I asked "why are they blasting him for tellin' it like it is?" He's right! I watched the whole sermon and didn't find one portion I didn't agree with!

The I watched Barack Obama's speech and understood the deeper message he was going for. Rev Wright made a sermon that made ya feel good if you felt put down. Barack Obama made a speech that made you feel human and look for the connectedness between people instead of the divisions. I think both speeches have made grown the understanding between people even if not all people choose to see that. I think that the conversation had to happen and I'm grateful to Rev Wright for bringing it up. I'm even more glad to have a candidate who can take a moment of division like that and transform it into the conversation we all needed to have.

I was also angry when the media started trying to turn Pastor Pfleiger into another Rev. Wright scandal. Pfleiger was even more on point than Wright! Not only was he absolutely correct in everything he said about white privilege and how it had infused this campaign, but he was Hilarious!

My best friend, Bruce, has a black father and a white mother and everyone thinks he looks Asian. He has straight black hair, slightly yellow skin and the epicanthic fold at the eyes. No one ever believes that he's half African American. I think it shows more than ever how close all of our genes are. We really are all the same just below the surface. This generation and the next are going to really have that highlighted as more and more multi-ethnic babies are born.

Don't even CONSIDER clinton for veep!!!

typical_white_person — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:05:18 EDT

Here is something the media is not saying about that incredibly nasty remark Hitlery Clinton made about assasinations, even if her claim that it was a "Freudian slip" is to be believed:

Does anyone want a person capable of such veiled threats in a position of sensitive negotiations or confrontations on a global level?

And we certainly don't want someone like that involved in the first nonwhite presidency in this country's history. We want to finally move beyond race, and the Clinton faction of the Democratic party will not allow that to happen.

There are those who have claimed that extremists like Wright in Obama's background mean that he, too, is racist, but I, as a "typical white person", beg to differ. The self-protective remarks made by preachers or leaders like Wright can be understood by every working-class white person as being the same kind of remarks our own leaders make at times of anger and frustration. Obama's claim that he was not paying close attention to the level of Wright's extremism rang true and authentic with me because I can easily think of lots of things my own Catholic priests have said over the years that most of their listeners chose to ignore. And when he stopped to take a close look, Obama did the right thing and everyone respects him for that.

We "typical white people" can count, too. All the brouhaha over that crazy radical former "weatherman" caused only one question in my mind: what about all the OTHER members of those boards on which both Obama and the old radical served? Hmm? What about the fact that it was briefly big news when that old radical and his wife, Bernadette Dorn, were exposed back in the nineties and no one seemed to care that they were on the same boards? (and there was that other WTC bombing around that time, remember?)

Working-class white folks are standing in the same food pantry lines as black folks, and we live in a lot of the same neighborhoods, and we recognize each other as neighbors. We survived Vietnam, some like me were there in the demonstrations, and we remember the leaflets from all the political factions, and some of us are embarrassed that we never believed the filth coming out of the genocidal factions, the hate-propelled splinter groups, would finally take root and bloom the way it has in the Clinton branch of the Democratic Party.

It is the yuppie suburban white folks, thosee Clintonites who are the arrogant college social-workers talking down to young mothers and the white teachers patronizing American-born students into dropping out of high-school rather than tolerate any more sexual political exploitation and disgusting bigotted psychobabble: it is they who support Hitlery Clinton, not us. They are the crazed left-fascist genocidal maniacs who are preparing to light the match on a "long hot summer" of violence that the Clintons think they will control and direct to their own ends. We are the working men and women who remember the diginity that won integration battles and the solidarity on the factory floor that prevencted slave-wage traditions from moving North with our Afro-American brothers and sisters. We are the victims of Hitlery Clinton's vicious political movement.

We look forward to Obama helping us take back the Democratic Party from the edge of the social-fascist abyss to which the Clintons and their delusional supporters have led us. Many of us have long memories and we will not allow that filthy Clinton-fascist faction of the Democratic party to highjack America into their own ends.

If only Obama would pre-empt Hitlery Clinton's delusions by announcing Edwards as his running mate, then we could look forward to peacefully winning the next election with a landslide that would leave the Republicans no ammo for challenge and the Clintonites' desire for violence would play itself out in a few isolated riotous demonstations and no real harm done. And plenty of room for good solid female leadership in his cabinet that will result in a future woman president, unrelated to the Clinton faction in any way.

Whoever Obama picks, DON'T let it be Clinton!!!!

Wake up!

PK from South Deerfield, MA — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:02:37 EDT

Sat in a racist church for over twenty years full of blame the whites for everything, throws it and his "spiritual advisors" under the bus when the truth comes out.

Surrounded by sleaze.

Never served in the military.

I was not a supporter of Senator Clinton until I woke up to the reality of what this man is.

Dare you to post this

A sad day for religious tolerance in this country

Steven — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:50:22 EDT

Some of what is being said, even by supporters, and notably by Jewish supporters, of Obama about him and his church, from which he has just, sadly, resigned, seems to be based on a superficial and extraordinarily narrow-minded view of the church in question, and its preachers. I listened to the supposedly most egregious sermons by Wright, and I found some details to be offensive (especially the assertions about AIDS), but the general themes explored in the sermons were all acceptable Christian theology. The theme that America should be damned if it puts itself above God, or pretends to be God, which is what Wright says, is simply basic Christian theology, as it is, by the way, basic Jewish theology (if there is such a thing). Regardless of what the Revd. Jeremiah Wright said, the prophet Jeremiah would have said basically the same thing vis. the biblical Jewish state. The "chickens coming home to roost" sermon was, for a start, supposedly a quotation from a former American ambassador to Iraq, Ed Peck (although admittedly I have yet to see where the quote came from) and secondly, whether we like it or not, playing on a very common theme in Christian, and (I believe at least since Sodom and Gomorrah) Jewish, thought of the explanation of disaster through the retribution visited on peoples and states by Providence. In fact the main theme of the sermon as a whole was the need for individual spiritual self-examination, and reliance on God's love, again not exactly radical thoughts. Wright's only other sermon to cause egregious offense, when he laid into Hillary Clinton for being the privileged one, compared to the adversities that Obama faced as a black man in American society, was unnecessary controversial because of the use of the "N" word, but to say that black men in this country face more obstacles in their lives and careers compared to white people, men and women, is not, surely, all that abnormal an assertion, nor outside the realm of---the truth. Even Pfleger's harsh words about Clinton, while quite uncalled for and in very bad taste, are only an exaggeration of some resentments and hostilities that are undoubtedly floating around. They have indeed been better articulated on Saturday Night Live. Perhaps Pfleger should have performed there rather than in Trinity UCC. This raises a question about culture, or rather, as Obama put it, about style. Not being an attendant at a "black church" I can't say for a fact, but I have the sense that the preaching style in these churches is not exactly that of yer normal Catholic or Episcopalian, that there is often a resort to broad metaphor, and also to broad humor that would appear too blunt elsewhere, too aggressively comic and too burlesque, ironically, perhaps, too populist. More suited, from my perspective, to stand-up than the pulpit, but if I have an explanation for the congregation's laughing along with Pfleger's antics or Wright's antics concerning Hillary Clinton, I would liken it to my laughing along with Amy Poehler's bitingly satirical caricature of the same person on SNL. Such character assassination by TV is assumed to be unfair and extreme, not reality, yet we understand that as acceptable satire (assuming we have a sense of humor). Yet many of us are not prepared to allow any such leeway when similar tactics are used from a pulpit, even if we have no sense of the cultural context of that particular pulpit and that particular religious tradition. Many commentators, decent men, such as Roland Martin and Jim Wallis, have done their best to explain all of this to the American public, but with remarkably little effect, apparently on the Know Nothings in this country who protest at "hate-speech" when what they are actually doing is projecting in an extraordinarily warped way their own fear and discomfort, even hate, when it comes to this country's APPALLING record of slavery and racism, right up until the mid-1960s, legally, and culturally and politically long after that. So it is very SAD that Obama has now felt it necessary to resign from his church of twenty years, because, as he put it, the undue attention to the nature of his faith has caused intolerable strain on both his presidential campaign AND the community of faith of Trinity UCC. So, in effect, he has had to effect the separation of Church and State in himself that the media has refused itself to do, and only in his case. (McCain has admittedly received some scrutiny, post-Wright vis. Hagee and Parsley, but these were only ever political endorsements anyway. When was the last time you recall reading about the reportedly viciously anti-Zionist policies pursued by Hillary Clinton's own church, the United Methodists? Has she left her church because of some of its members' anti-Zionist (i.e.Israel-critical) statements? If you say that example is absurd, then I put it to you that any such guilt by association between Obama and the views expressed by Wright and Pfleger in Trinity UCC is similarly absurd.) I suppose this is inevitable: Obama has already had to carry all the burden of broaching the race question in this campaign, again in his own person, seeing both sides of the problem, when it should be every American's duty to address this fundamental, tragic flaw in the American character and nation, and most definitely the media's. But they left it to Obama....Now he is having to cauterize the religious issue when this was also something the press should have done, not the candidate. Or does one want everything one's rabbi or minister says in his sermons, or his statements, some of which can be quite offensive at first hearing, to be held against ONESELF in one's secular vocation? I thought the American genius was to separate religion and politics, but somewhere along the line we seem to have forgotten that, especially when it comes to black churches. (The Hagee thing would never have come up without the Wright storm.) I feel sorriest for the Obama daughters--their parents have, clearly, strong religious faith, but the daughters are still learning theirs. Where will they go to Sunday School next autumn; what lessons will they learn about the supposed sanctity of one's faith in the public realm, the freedom to worship as one pleases and not have that held against you in your secular, public life? Which raises a similar question for Jews: if so many Jews attack Obama through a paranoid guilt-by-association for views he does not hold and has never expressed, simply because people associated with him have said such things--in other words, if Jews attack an individual for something he himself does not hold, but rather because they make a false association, or create a false suspicion by implication, what should they expect when Gentiles were to accuse a Jewish politician of views and values concerning the relative status of loyalty to America compared to Israel, for instance, that he or she has never held, but that other Jews, at some time or another, might well do? Would we not call that antisemitism? But is not something very similar, and indeed functionally identical, happening in the Jewish suspicions about Obama because of Wright and "his" church? It is for reasons such as this that "Jews for Obama" should do all it can to renounce and counteract these vile slanders against the character of Obama's faith and also the crass misrepresentations of the religious community that, yes, he was a member of for twenty years.Steven Beller, Washington DC

OBAMA AND THE WHITE WRIGHT: FATHER PFLEGER

Gene from Riverhead, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 02:16:05 EDT

As a Catholic, I can say there are all sorts of priests nowadays.

Most are good and devout men. However, many sign up because as Father Joe, who performed our marriage ceremony, baptized our children, and subsequently quit the priesthood said, “Where else can a homosexual find so many vulnerable, cloistered men than in a seminary?” Many others take Holy Orders because they can’t do anything else and still others because they must just like the uniform.

As for Father Pfleger, please see: http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MTk3ZjhlZGI0ZTRlOTIyZmQ2NTJiMDU0N2RkNGU3ZGY= and click on the YouTube link.

Pfleger seems to me to be a self-loathing White man who may also fit into one of the last 3 categories cited above. Michelle Malkin calls him Obama’s white cheerleader, (http://michellemalkin.com/2008/05/29/hes-baaaack-obama-supporter-rev-michael-pfleger-flogs-hillarys-white-entitlement-on-the-pulpit/).

Others say he’s just an Obama “counselor,” (much like Jesse Jackson was Bubba’s counselor?): http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/04/after-dumping-wright-obama-counsels.html.

I simply call him a disgrace!

Tags: catholics, JEREMIAH WRIGHT, MICHELLE MALKIN, NATIONAL REVIEW, OBAMA, PFLEGER

Obama's opponents try to portray him as

mathpol — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:51:22 EDT

An "Ayers-head" (as in Bill Ayers) and as someone who has the "Wright stuff" (as in Rev. Wright)

Chronicling Endorsement-gate for Dumbies!!

Hans from SE PDX — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:37:04 EDT

Putting Hagee & Parsley's endorsements of McCain

into perspective with all the attacks and non-stop Rev. Wright on the MSM. April 9th is a date you should know, but most likely do not. Please check out this link if yo have any questions or want it explained simply the contradictions inherent in the attack while McCain was seeking their endorsements. I've got pictures! ;)

This is must read to understand the free ride McCain has been given in MSM.

Rehabilitating Pastor Wright's Image

SteveG — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:39:54 EDT

I have been trying to set the record straight on Pastor Wright on as many online forums as I can.

I have asked people to help me fight the anti-Wright propaganda. I have posted educational info on my web site:

http://ssgreenberg.name/PoliticsBlog/?p=82

I know this is an issue that Barack Obama cannot address anymore. Therefore, it is up to us supporters to learn the truth about Pastor Wright and straighten out the record.

I believe that even Barack Obama has been misled by the press. Rev. Wright's appearance at the National Press Club is not characterized by anger. It is characterized by humor, insight, intelligence, and equanimity.

You might think that in a roomful of journalists, at least one could have covered this story honestly. However, during the Q and A period, Wright's gracious answers to their hostile questions made them look like idiots. Of course they don't want this story to get out.

Remember what the press did to Stephen Colbert after his appearance at the Washington Press Club dinner? To the last reporter, they pretended that his performance was not hillarious. They did not want you to know how deftly he had skewered them with humor. They are pulling the same trick with Rev. Wright.

If we let them get away with it with Pastor Wright, who will be safe? Who will be there when they come for you?

Hagee v. Wright: What the Heck is Going On With the Media?

Ken — Fri, 23 May 2008 19:22:44 EDT

Hagee says that Hurricane Katerina was a divine punishment for a city that "sins" and no one said a thing until someone pointed out that McCain solicited his support. Wright quotes another regarding the World Trade Center being destroyed because of US foreign policy and the media is all over him and Obama. It's OK to say that people die in a natural disaster as punishment for their own "sins" but it is not OK to say people died for the "sins" of our government?

Is this bald-faced racism or a matter of muzzling foreign policy critics?

My convo with a doubter...

Randy — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:02:39 EDT

randyism3 (10:40:37 PM): who do you want to be president

anonymous (10:42:12 PM): i would prefer clinton, if obama gets the nomination i will vote for McCain

randyism3 (10:42:25 PM): why

anonymous (10:43:26 PM): i dont trust obama

randyism3 (10:43:50 PM): what about the laws he has worked to pass do you disagree with

anonymous (10:45:25 PM): its not the laws

randyism3 (10:45:33 PM): what laws has he passed?

anonymous (10:45:38 PM): it is the show that the candidates are putting on

anonymous (10:45:56 PM): i just feel that the campaign has lost respectability

anonymous (10:46:11 PM): it is not just his campaign though, it is all of them

randyism3 (10:46:42 PM): so in a room full of ill repute why not choose the candidate that refuses to lie to you

anonymous (10:48:07 PM): because it is the state of human nature to go with what is familar

randyism3 (10:48:14 PM): for all his grandiose speeches, Obama speaks straight to you, not at you, not down to you, straight to you, and doesn't lie to you

randyism3 (10:48:24 PM): you're just used to being lied to by politicians

randyism3 (10:48:51 PM): and Mccain is either lying or he's going senile

randyism3 (10:49:08 PM): and Hillary can't stop herself from lying, its compulsive, a disease with her

randyism3 (10:49:12 PM): we deserve the truth

randyism3 (10:49:15 PM): especially after bush

anonymous (10:49:17 PM): senile prolly
but hey regan was okay

anonymous (10:49:44 PM): well look at her husband... can you blame her, how else could they have stayed married

randyism3 (10:49:45 PM): Reagan didn't go senile until later

randyism3 (10:50:05 PM): no, but you do not elect a liar to be president of the united states

randyism3 (10:50:16 PM): you elect someone that inspires you

randyism3 (10:50:35 PM): and if you are inspired by lies, that means you are corrupt to the core, and i don't think you are

anonymous (10:51:38 PM): everyone lies
it is human nature
that doesnt bother me, because lies are all around us.
what bothers me is the cat and mouse game

randyism3 (10:52:00 PM): ok, what do you mean

anonymous (10:53:20 PM): in the race all they do is brow beat eachother, both of them, that speaks to their character and how they will lead.. to me they really look the same exect hillary has more experience and a health care plan

randyism3 (10:54:03 PM): you realize that having a plan doesn't mean you will get anything accomplished

randyism3 (10:54:16 PM): also that at every turn Obama has tried his damndest to take the high road

anonymous (10:54:29 PM): a plan gets you a step closer to a guy that has nothing at all

randyism3 (10:54:35 PM): changing the topic in debates from frivolity to matters of substance and import

randyism3 (10:54:43 PM): he doesn't hide behind the flag

randyism3 (10:55:11 PM): the last refuge of the scoundrel is the flag

randyism3 (10:55:22 PM): he doesn't wear it on his sleeve, or on his lapel as it were

anonymous (10:55:36 PM): no the last refuge of a scoundrel is his or her checkbook

randyism3 (10:55:47 PM): um ok you proved your point

anonymous (10:56:14 PM): frankly our flag is what an election should be all about
we the people make up the flag, not just one guy

randyism3 (10:56:19 PM): she just threw 30 million into her own campaign and refuses to pay back all the vendors that provided materials and labor to her campaign since December

randyism3 (10:56:29 PM): why

randyism3 (10:56:41 PM): why, a flag embodies the collective history of a people

randyism3 (10:56:47 PM): a nation

randyism3 (10:57:10 PM): one person saying that because they choose to display that flag on their person, that they are worthy of such an honor

randyism3 (10:57:13 PM): that's absurd

randyism3 (10:57:17 PM): you have to earn it

randyism3 (10:57:48 PM): a flag is more than a symbol to be used for sly shallow political ends

randyism3 (10:58:25 PM): we know your an American, now show us by your actions of what sort a person you are

anonymous (10:58:39 PM): a flag is not earned by being in the army, it is earned by being civically minded

randyism3 (10:59:51 PM): and she has proven herself to be a vicious liar, who has tried to divide the democratic party, saying that she should be nominated because the blue collar whites that support her won't vote for Barack, has only damaged the party, while Obama has tried only to unite it,

anonymous (11:00:20 PM): okay lets talk the basic rule of primaries

anonymous (11:00:28 PM): candidate aside

anonymous (11:01:12 PM): the party gets divided and then piecemealed back together after the candidate is nominated... it happens after every election every 4 years

randyism3 (11:01:23 PM): she wants us to eat each other so she can run in 2012 because she knows she has no chance now, she has no chance then either, but shes willing to risk getting Mccain elected and invading Iran, who supported the us after 9-11, whose people love the us, to invade Iran to force their oil bourgeoise to revert to trading their oil in dollars

randyism3 (11:02:32 PM): yes but candidates, even in republican primaries, don't openly exploit party divisions, walk on the civil rights of people, go against all the progress we have made, in order to achieve some petty political end

randyism3 (11:02:39 PM): the ends do not justify the means

randyism3 (11:02:43 PM): Machiavelli was not correct

randyism3 (11:02:50 PM): in an advanced society

randyism3 (11:02:54 PM): a progressive society

anonymous (11:03:04 PM): Iran, i ran hates us because we resemble babylon which was their empire over 1000 years ago and they still hold onto those rulers as if they were their own

randyism3 (11:03:38 PM): an egalitarian society, those that would demean others for their own personal gain should not be lauded or adored

randyism3 (11:03:43 PM): they should be cast aside and ignored

randyism3 (11:03:59 PM): ?????

randyism3 (11:04:16 PM): the Mullahs in Iran are religious leaders

randyism3 (11:04:22 PM): the people of Iran are far different

randyism3 (11:04:26 PM): i am not Pat Roberts

randyism3 (11:04:36 PM): i am not Rev Wright

anonymous (11:04:51 PM): that is nice for a perfect world but in the real world the strong rule, but brute force or kindess it doesnt matter but there is always some steal behind authority

randyism3 (11:05:03 PM): i am myself, Iran is a diverse country with highly educated citizenry

randyism3 (11:05:17 PM): if the pope says abortion is immoral

randyism3 (11:05:45 PM): are no abortions performed in Italy

randyism3 (11:06:06 PM): and Obama does not deny that

randyism3 (11:08:07 PM): we should not seek to rule at the point of a sword or the barrel of a gun, we should have the best weapons in the world in the wings, to be used only if every alternate measure or instrument has been utilized, and only if the global balance of power is in danger, or if people are being murdered without legal recourse, justice... as in genocide

randyism3 (11:08:44 PM): there is no moral authority for what we are doing in the world today

randyism3 (11:09:35 PM): moral authority, the universal acceptance and respect that people had for America prior to Vietnam, that is what we should strive for

randyism3 (11:09:51 PM): not superiority

anonymous (11:09:55 PM): in all fairness moral authority went down the tubes with Kennedy

randyism3 (11:10:13 PM): well he was murdered by those in power today

randyism3 (11:10:22 PM): and they've had it except for maybe Jimmy Carter

randyism3 (11:10:29 PM): ever since

randyism3 (11:10:40 PM): but we should not bend over and let them stick it in our ass

randyism3 (11:10:56 PM): we should support Obama even if they are going to kill him

randyism3 (11:11:01 PM): because its the right thing to do

randyism3 (11:11:09 PM): its not utopian

randyism3 (11:11:13 PM): or idealistic

randyism3 (11:11:17 PM): its realistic and rational

randyism3 (11:15:38 PM): is there a flaw in my logic

randyism3 (11:15:42 PM): ???

anonymous (11:16:10 PM): many, but i am too tired to point them out to you

randyism3 (11:16:34 PM): well help me plz... if you would I'd like to work on them

anonymous (11:16:45 PM): you basic problem is that you are placing Lock into an Democratic system... the two dont equate

randyism3 (11:16:57 PM): for no reason in particular

randyism3 (11:17:01 PM): Lock?

anonymous (11:17:25 PM): yes... reread everything you wrote then think of Lock's writings

randyism3 (11:17:35 PM): Locke

randyism3 (11:17:42 PM): hmmm

anonymous (11:17:56 PM): is is IM and i have been up for 20 hours
i can spell it any way that i want

randyism3 (11:18:35 PM): well rationality is the antithesis of democracy ruled by passion

randyism3 (11:18:54 PM): but what people are saying

randyism3 (11:18:58 PM): the change they want

randyism3 (11:19:09 PM): is to insert rationality into our government

anonymous (11:19:12 PM): and they will continue to say so but it will never happen

randyism3 (11:19:15 PM): through democratic methods

randyism3 (11:19:23 PM): by getting people to vote for their own self interests for once

randyism3 (11:19:48 PM): well if you vote for someone who tells it like it is

randyism3 (11:20:06 PM): and doesn't sway on his policies depending on the crowd

randyism3 (11:20:48 PM): and was a con. law professor, i think thats your best bet for restoring logic and rationality and legality to the system

randyism3 (11:21:07 PM): our government is behaving illegally

randyism3 (11:21:14 PM): has been for decades

randyism3 (11:21:27 PM): and we let it happen

randyism3 (11:22:06 PM): we need someone we suspect might do the job, but will not come out and say it until the job is done

randyism3 (11:24:09 PM): if they knew the potential for a candidate as skilled as he is, in forming coalitions and getting things done, and I'm sure that's just what they're afraid of, the vested interests will assassinate that candidate at the expense of the hopes and dreams of the people, just like they did with Bobby Kennedy

anonymous (11:25:18 PM): here is your fundamental problem

anonymous (11:25:46 PM): the general populace doesnt to think about the aforementioned issues

anonymous (11:26:12 PM): they may want a change, but they arent willing to change society as a whole to do it

randyism3 (11:26:21 PM): they do know in their gut, though that something is very wrong with our country

randyism3 (11:26:36 PM): they don't know what needs to change

randyism3 (11:27:07 PM): they just know that our society is sick, our government is inept, and that it should be different, better

randyism3 (11:27:16 PM): you talk to anyone

randyism3 (11:27:22 PM): their complaints

randyism3 (11:27:26 PM): its simple

randyism3 (11:27:34 PM): no you can't please everybody

randyism3 (11:27:38 PM): but you can do the best you can

randyism3 (11:27:41 PM): and we aren't

randyism3 (11:27:56 PM): we're throwing our people under the bus

randyism3 (11:28:18 PM): we're throwing their hopes and dreams out the window

randyism3 (11:28:23 PM): ok I'm getting overly dramatic

randyism3 (11:28:29 PM): but their complaints aren't huge

randyism3 (11:28:44 PM): most of them only focus on a small area

randyism3 (11:28:56 PM): are discontented with a few things that directly affect their lives

randyism3 (11:29:01 PM): they don't want to think about the rest

randyism3 (11:29:10 PM): thats why their led so easily astray by mass media

randyism3 (11:29:44 PM): because as long as they hear someone branded as un-American by some opinionated hack

randyism3 (11:29:56 PM): they say, he/she's not one of us

randyism3 (11:30:02 PM): and refuse to vote for them

randyism3 (11:30:09 PM): the problem with democracy is ignorance

randyism3 (11:30:14 PM): which leads back to education

randyism3 (11:30:24 PM): which leads back to what we spend our resources on

randyism3 (11:31:14 PM): which leads back to war vs social vs infrastructure

randyism3 (11:31:23 PM): and we've been way overinvested in war

randyism3 (11:31:31 PM): we had to be until the USSR dissolved

randyism3 (11:31:34 PM): now we've got mad

randyism3 (11:32:08 PM): we don't need conventional arms but keep them to 'enforce our policy'

randyism3 (11:33:11 PM): we learned to function as a military state, feeding our war machines to produce jobs and weapons

randyism3 (11:33:27 PM): we became the very fascist state that we sought to obliterate in WWII

randyism3 (11:33:37 PM): we've been controlled through fear

randyism3 (11:33:56 PM): and we don't know how we'd survive in a world without war

randyism3 (11:34:10 PM): which is why we get into some shit every few years

randyism3 (11:34:20 PM): to waste our old weapons so we can make new ones

randyism3 (11:34:28 PM): to continue the cycle

randyism3 (11:34:33 PM): and its disgusting

randyism3 (11:34:40 PM): if we invested that in education

randyism3 (11:34:48 PM): people wouldn't be so stupid

randyism3 (11:35:58 PM): they'd vote for their own self interests rather than those of corporate America, the conventional wisdom of politics of war and destruction, we do not need to attack Iran

randyism3 (11:36:21 PM): if Iran developed 10000 nukes how would it help them if we could blow them away with 5 or 10

randyism3 (11:36:25 PM): it wouldn't

randyism3 (11:36:29 PM): its irrational

randyism3 (11:36:53 PM): there is no dr. Strangelove

randyism3 (11:36:58 PM): India and Pakistan have nukes

randyism3 (11:37:06 PM): they're arch enemies

randyism3 (11:37:10 PM): they haven't fired them

randyism3 (11:37:27 PM): Pakistan is a highly Muslim state, they're hiding bin laden, they haven't used them

randyism3 (11:37:47 PM): Iran offered to help us catch al-qaeda, we're worried about them getting nukes

randyism3 (11:37:50 PM): are you shitting me?

randyism3 (11:38:08 PM): ps I'm writing this not just to you but just to get ideas out of my head

anonymous (11:38:36 PM): i guessed at much

randyism3 (11:38:41 PM): lol sry

randyism3 (11:38:48 PM): I've been saving it as i go along

randyism3 (11:38:56 PM): I haven't written anything in a long time

randyism3 (11:39:04 PM): I don't like to delve into it

randyism3 (11:39:29 PM): I get too intense

randyism3 (11:39:40 PM): Iran is not our problem

randyism3 (11:42:54 PM): our preconceived notions about the intent of independent states future policies towards us, our wanting to ensure our standard of living and global military dominance through projection of force, in order to prop up our fiat currency, to force the worlds most valuable resources to be traded in said currency to increase its demand and thus its value, at the point of a gun or the push of a button, is despicable, reprehensible and we should just admit who we are and why they want to do what they want to do, and forget about it because in the end no good can come from it and millions will die unnecessarily

Black Styles, White Racism

Nancy Pace — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:36:42 EDT

I was raised to think that fidgeting, shouting and mopping one’s brow when speaking in public was unrefined. My mom only meant to teach me how to act, but her instructions left me judgmental of other cultures and styles. I squirmed with her when Elvis Presley gyrated and grunted and sweated. Together we hated Hitler’s rants, and shrank in dismay from Khrushchev’s noisy shoe. Loud, angry, confrontive voices still do nothing for me. They feel rude and threatening. And I’m not alone in this.

Maybe it’s my Calvinist streak, but I like my leaders calm, cool, and collected, like my man Barack Obama. To be sure, I would wager that Barack could make any congregation anywhere jump out of the aisles and pour into the streets anytime he wanted, as Jeremiah Wright can. And certainly Reverend Wright, a caring if conflicted Christian, has demonstrated on Bill Moyers's show that he can do scholarly and cerebral analysis along with the best of them.

I was also raised to be snobbish about grammar and diction. But people learn to speak however their families speak. Changing one’s everyday speech is an unimaginably arduous, individualized, time-consuming transformation not "covered" in English classes. Nowadays, many pop and sports celebrities who've won fame with colorful urban dialects will hire highly-trained linguistic coaches to give them personalized instruction in accent, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural modifications.

Every human being alive would like to be able to switch occasionally into more felicitous professional, business and academic English dialects should occasion arise, especially if one's dialect reflects a limited, impoverished or unlettered childhood. People are just more comfortable being around people who sound like them; fewer doors slam shut, and more open. Unconscious linguistic prejudices may not always be deliberate, but they’re very real and very limiting.

I can assure you that if Barack started writhing and sweating and screaming street slang in my face, I wouldn’t be able to focus on his logical argument. No, I’d be too worried about whether he was in good-enough physical shape to let himself get so worked up, or if he might be about to have a heart attack, or fall off the stage, or embarrass himself linguistically, chase somebody around the room maybe, or shoot somebody.

And if people around me, black or white, start to sway and wave their arms and call out and fall out? Well, I’m just not used to that. There’s nothing wrong with such choices, but people in my stuffy childhood churches just didn’t do those things. Where I came from, such behavior was considered, dare I say it, uncivilized, primitive, even tribal. But what's so wonderfully “civilized” about a culture with a long sad secret record of exploiting and even obliterating other, weaker cultures? Civilization is as civilization does. I like the way people from so-called "primitive" southern-hemisphere cultures so generously share their time, money, warmth and help with one another. That kind of behavior sounds like pretty advanced-civ to me, more advanced in many ways than the often cold, hostile, lonely, so-called "modern" cultures of today. Mahatma Gandhi, when asked what he thought of western civilization, said he thought it would be a good idea.

All I'm saying is, there is no one single “way” to "be" that is universally “right.” All cultures, young and old, techy and traditional, have much to learn from one another, and much to teach. I’m finally getting used to all the shouting and signifying so many people delight in, and I certainly know there’s nothing wrong with it. My kids love the loud emotional unity of rock concerts, and even I have a bit of the wild thing in me at times. But my mom’s early strictures insured that I wouldn’t come around easily to accepting other people’s different stylistic expressions. It’s all about what you’re used to.

But it’s not, as my mom believed, about what is “nice” or “right" or "correct" or even "appropriate," because styles vary from culture to culture. It's about different ways of being civilized (and uncivilized.) And it's about holding to the highest standard of respect and support for human life everywhere, the Golden Rule of treating all others as we would want to be treated. It's certainly not about some picky stylistic stuff.

I was a military brat, so my far-flung army-post classrooms were racially-integrated long before the civil rights movement nudged America toward living up to more of its ideals. My classmates were pretty much all courteous, well-spoken, middle-class students of a remarkable variety of races, because in those days, the military establishment required cultural, stylistic and linguistic conformity. Non-white families could find reasonable welcome in the military if (and only if) they could demonstrate that, aside from skin color, they weren’t any different from most middle-class whites. All my classmates back then, regardless of race, seemed indistinguishably mainstream.

I didn’t grow up around many poor or uneducated people, or around any charismatic preachers and congregations, for that matter, although happily, I've had broader exposure to the world’s diversity since then, thanks in part to more representative television programming. I try to remind myself that my own carefully-taught class and race prejudices are limitations I want to remedy, both as a Christian and as a caring citizen of the world. Fortunately for me, I’ve been privileged in adulthood to spend time with good, patient people from all backgrounds, and have become comfortable with a broader range of personal styles.

Like everyone else, I acquired my own personal and linguistic styles from my parents, peers, and “neighborhood.” My family was a WASPy, bookish clan which gifted lucky-me (through no particular effort on my own) with a style and dialect acceptable in most circles. But there are many other delightfully valid ways of being an American swirling around me today in this great country—native and immigrant styles from all over, academic and business styles, hip-hop and Hispanic, inner-city and down-home country, Islamic, Asian, Caribbean, and a whole slew of other newly-blended personal styles I can’t begin to keep up with, but my kids can.

But the thing about personal style is, nowadays, it’s a positive, fluid thing, individual, unique, interesting, entertaining, and not so tied to race or ethnicity or social class as it once was. And voters are finally figuring all this out. It seems to me that despite all the fuss about the particular words that Jeremiah Wright used, demagogues replaying his sound bites over and over don’t really care what Wright thinks or means, but rather, they're bent on dividing us along prejudicial lines. The small-minded con-men guiding the anti-Obama smear campaigns are absolutely thrilled to jump on any available excuse to show us ad nauseum how Barack once befriended a black man whose personal style makes a lot of voters uncomfortable.

The hucksters replaying such tapes are hoping white voters will conclude that “those people” “like Barack” are different from “us,” that "we" will think we have little in common with "them, " that Barack won’t understand us and can’t represent our interests. Dirty politicians manipulate our unconscious racism so that we will see only difference, separation and error, instead of our many commonalities, our shared American dreams and challenges.

Such politics of division, hate and fear have a long successful history of convincing Americans time and again to vote against their own best interests. But as Barack keeps reminding us, American voters are smarter than that now. We’re becoming more enlightened, more open-minded and inclusive, more loving.

Smears-by-association can no longer distract us for long from the common pressing issues we all face, the real threats which ignore borders and cannot be solved competitively, but only through global cooperation, like a faltering economy, a culture of violence, costly wars, growing energy demands, poverty, political corruption, inadequate access to education, weapons proliferation, organized crime, infectious disease, poor health care, environmental degradation, mass migrations, crumbling infrastructure, pornography, homelessness, natural disasters, addictions, injustice, hopelessness, hunger, greed, prejudice, civic alienation, and apathy itself.

Americans are finally seeing the relevance and possibility inherent in the American ideals which Jesus, Jefferson, Lincoln, Gandhi, King, Mandela and so many other great leaders have urged upon us with one voice. We are finally turning away from the mean-spirited thinking which created all our problems in the first place, and toward the higher shared consciousness of universal brotherhood that alone will save us and our tiny blue planet.

Republican US Marine for Obama (or why the Republicans won't win in November)

Nalani — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:50:22 EDT

A True Story from Oregon

I went to Oregon a couple of weeks ago to help register voters. On Saturday we canvassed door to door in neighborhoods in the small working class towns south of Portland around where former Pres. Clinton was speaking that day. The next day, we started out in the parking lot of one of those big box home everything stores until we were booted by the store manager who said he had complaints (from Hillary supporters?) about some "suspicious people" in the parking lot.

We left and went to a nearby shopping center that had more "public" areas. Being a fly fisherman I decided to position myself outside the boat supply store. It was opening day for salmon fishing and the place was packed with people coming and going.

"Hi, we're here today registering voters. Do you need to register or change your registration? Monday's the last day." Fifty times, 75 times, 100 times. I'm getting tired and a little hoarse. A few supporters notice my Obama button and stop to chat. A few new registrations, a couple of changes.

This big burly guy comes out - work shirt, jeans, boots, chainsaw ballcap. Oh what the hell, I give him my pitch. "I'm a Republican" he says without breaking stride. "That's Ok, we'll register anybody," I said, trying to keep it light and friendly. He stopped, turned and laughed a little. "I'm probably gonna vote for your guy in November," he said. I started to say something but he kept going. "I listened to his speech, the one about race. I think that speech is going to go down in history as one of the most important political speeches in the last hundred years." Okay, that wasn't what I was expecting at all. We start to talk. "I don't agree with what Wright said but I'm glad Obama didn't throw him under the bus. I respect that. Obama said things that really needed to be said about race. He talked to both sides. It was fair."

He tells me that he is a retired US Marine. I tell him my grandfather was a Marine who was killed on Guadalcanal in WWII. His father was a Marine in Vietnam, his grandfather was a Marine in WWII. His son is a Marine who did a tour in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq before being wounded and sent home to finish out his career as a drill instructor. He is proud of his family's military heritage and his son's service and sacrifice. But he is disturbed by the war and America's diminished respect in the world.

"This is the first time the United States has attacked another country when it wasn't in self defense." The idea of America as the aggressor in Iraq is inconsistent with his military training, history and the values he holds for this country. He is palpably angry that his son was in harm's way and seriously wounded in Iraq. He is dismayed that American prestige, power and respect in the world have declined under Bush. "It's a different world and I think Obama is the one person [in the race] who can help restore America's stature in the world. We need a different direction."

He wasn't going to change his party registration to vote for Obama in the primary (he thought Obama had it locked up in Oregon) but this Republican Marine who had never voted for a Democrat in the past is going to vote for Obama in November. After 20 minutes of talking, I thanked him for his family's service and for his support for Barack. We shake hands. Just then his wife and daughter show up. Introductions around and more handshakes. Off they go with a smile and wave.

I stood there with my clipboard and wondered whether the Republicans know how much trouble they are in come November.

A Little Obama Humor

Naomi — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:10:10 EDT

Today I spent the first of three consecutive days interviewing job applicants. It was therefore most appropriate that, when I came home, I found the following cartoon in the daily comics.

http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2008/05/12/

Two thumbs up to this cartoonist. I'm too burned out to say anything better than that.

Selective Amnesia---When Wright is Right

Washitawest 4 Obama 08 Bitter Sweet Victory is Tasty — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:32:34 EDT

This could be just talk around the cigar humidifier, but...the story is that Rev. Wright was the right man for the job during Monicagate. His visit to the White House alledgely to counsel Bill, where was Hitllary then. Now,... I wondered why Hitllary did not jump on the chance to pounce. But she retracted her claws, that phatcat-like arched back went straight as a cigar.

It was Rev. Wright answering that 3:00am phone call, that time my dear lady Klinton.

It was then her preserverance should have been part of the blueprint on our campaign for Senator Obama...so to expect her to give up...a negative... she stood by her man...she will stand by her plan.

Washitawest for Obama 08'

reminder-deadline tonight for letters to WI State Journal

Stephanie — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:54:59 EDT

I tried to send a reminder about this earlier today on email but it didn't seem to go through. In any case, I thought I'd include my response to the paper's request for comments on the Wright controversy:

While all the negative publicity surrounding the Wright controversy has certainly not been helpful to his candidacy, the fact that Senator Obama was still able to win North Carolina by a large margin, and almost completely close the gap in Indiana, makes the question of his strength and resiliency as a candidate mute. I think that most people would rather hear what he has to say, and what he has done himself. We all have that person in our lives for whom we have a conflicted respect and affection. Nor does this present a concern for Obama's prospects in the general election when considering radical anti-American and hateful statements made by religious extremists embraced by Senator McCain, such as Pat Robertson and John Hagee. I do think that the controversy itself has been a ridiculous distraction from the many, many other issues that could be further explored. Could not the space dedicated to the discussion of the impact of this “brouhaha” been better used to more deeply explore the candidates records and the merits of their plans to address issues like global climate change, war, tax policy, international trade, education or any number of more substantive issues?

There is still a little time to send in your comments--the original post is below with info on how do do so:

The Wisconsin State Journal ran a big special feature on the Wright controversy yesterday (5-4) on the front page of the Forum section. They have invited readers to answer the following questions: Will Sen. Obama be able to overcome the controversy over his former pastor's outspoken views? Is the flap merely overblown media hype?

Submissions must be 200 words or less, submitted by Wednesday (5-7) to wsjopine@madison.com, for publication next Sunday.

Please write to show your support for Sen. Obama, and ask them to devote their time to more substantive issues.

Bill Moyers reflects on Rev. Wright & the Media

Chinni — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:10:09 EDT

Bill Moyers reflects on Rev. Wright & the Media

.. this wrenching break between pastor and parishioner before our very eyes. Both men no doubt will carry the grief to their graves. All the rest of us should hang our heads in shame for letting it come to this in America, where the gluttony of the non-stop media grinder consumes us all and prevents an honest conversation on race. It is the price we are paying for failing to heed the great historian Jacob Burckhardt, who said "beware the terrible simplifiers".

The important difference between Wright and Hagee

Lenny Sharlet — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:06:45 EDT

Reverend Wright and John Hagee (e.g.)

Reverend's Wrights comments and worldview are radical, polemical, and tinged by anachronistic and some backward views.

John Hagee's comments and worldview are extremist, polemical, and tinged by anachronistic and some backward views.

The difference between the anger coming from Reverend Wright is that it is directed at America and people in power for what they DO. He is angry that black people have been subjected to medical experiments without their consent. He is angry that our country was built on a history of genocide and slavery. He is angry that we are a warmaking nation and the only nation to ever use atomic weapons, not once but twice.

He is angry at the ACTIONS of American government.

John Hagee is hateful towards homosexuals and Catholics simply because of who they are.

I find the latter far more offensive.

People are born gay, and even if you believe they aren't I think you can agree that they have a right to chose their own lifestyle, to treat them as less than human and blame Hurricane Katrina on a Gay Pride parade is not only offensive, it is ignorant and hateful on a level Reverend Wright never even approached.

People are born into the Catholic church and the greatest fallacy of organized religions, especially the evangellical christian church is the MY GOD is the one true god and everyone else is going to hell. To call Catholicism "the great whore" is not only offensive, it is ignorant and hateful to a degree Reverend Wright never reached.

John McCain sold his soul to win the Republican nomination, but it will only hurt him in the general.

GG McCain.

The Wright Answer: Obama embraces Rev Wright

Mason Dixon — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:20:23 EDT

Chicago isn't a city; it's a family. Reverend Wright is a member of that family, and like every member of our family, he has a voice. And like every voice in our family, chorus Revrend Wright speaks only for himself. We embrace Reverend Wright as I embrace all the members of our family. I listen to their story and strive to understand their struggle. However, as with every family, our ultimate direction is decided collectively, as one nation and one human race, each with a voice.

Need Damage Control

Liz — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:19:17 EDT

Hey folks, we need to do some damage control. Here's another article on Rev Wright that appeared in today's local State Journal. Please read the article and leave your comments. We need to stop this type of journalism ASAP. Link: http://www.state-journal.com/news/article/3747661?page=1

Wright is a Flimsy Excuse

COL Mo — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:23:26 EDT

A bit of history might be helpful to some of our younger Obamaites. Books will tell you that the Democratic party ran Congress for much of the 1960s and 1970s. As a life long Democrat, my response is, not really. From Reconstruction to LBJ's signing of the Civil Rights Act (CRA) of 1964. Southern hatred of the, 19th century Radical Republican, Reconstruction was demonstrated by the refusal of most to vote Republican. With the signing of the CRA many of those people began voting republican. In Congress, moderate and liberal members of the Democratic party could not count on the "Dixiecrat" (Southern Democrat) support for social legislation; so we lost little by calling themselves what they truly were, Republicans.

The LA Times in an article today explains how the Rev Wright controversy has affected Sen Obama's support. Both the Republican and Mrs. Clinton have been running negative ads with some of Mr. Wright's most bombastic inflamatory oratory. No doubt the negative effect is true. It would not suprise me if Republicans, encouraged by FOX News and Rush Limbaugh, become democrats only to vote for Hillary Clinton. But others, using Reverend Wright as an excuse, are revealing their true colors. A 61 year old white, female, construction company secretary is quoted as saying that "Obama should have denounced Wright sooner - now (she )doesn't believe him," and Friday cast a vote for HRC. A retired Law Enforcement Officer and his wife , voted for HRC as "the lesser of two evils", (him) and "Wright made a big difference," (her).

I'm not buying it people!! The truth is you would never have voted for a erudite, young, multi-racial man anyway. That's OK, wear those sheets. But be proud of the fact that you are racist, knuckle-draggers and do not insult my intelligence by asking me to buy your nonsense. Obama denounced Rev. Wright when the latter went out of his way to insert himself in the political process and dared attempt to speak for our candidate. Although Barack is a gentleman, trying to elevate our politics; he had no choice but to speak for himself and in the process to denounce Mr. Wright.

JFK motivated me to a lifetime of public service (retired Army and U.S. Secret Service) and Barak Obama has the same vision, class, and magnetism to bring America together and motivate today's young people to solve the problem they inherit. Anyone using Rev Wright's words against Senator Obama is using the flimiest of excuses to justify their negative vote. Since Barack will be the Democratic nominee, because he has more delegates committed to him, in November these people must choose between 4-8 more years of Bush philosophy or a Camelot II, a return to American greatness, respect, and international leadership without violence. If they choose the former, remember well Bob Dylan's words, "the poor whites remain, on the caboose of the train, carved next to their name, 'only a pawn in their game.'"

Poor Focus on Meet The Press

ZapDuff — Sun, 04 May 2008 12:19:42 EDT

The following is the message I sent to Tim.Russert@nbcuni.com. Feel free to send your own observations via: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6872152/

This Wright Week

Obamanizer — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:55:10 EDT

And there it was at "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos. A republican registered young woman that supports Senator Obama is allowed to ask if the discussion about Senator Wright is not a distruction. And Senator Clinton is allowed to answer that, of course, it is and we have to move on.

George Stephanopoulos cannot agree more: the last two commentaries by him on the "This Week" website:

Wright posed mortal threat
Bottom Line: Obama cuts ties with Wright

Wright/Racial Smear Tactics Fail in LA Special Election

John Nail — Sun, 04 May 2008 10:21:48 EDT

Louisiana House/getty

Democrat Don Cazayoux won a special House race Saturday in the Bayou State. But the National Republican Congressional Committee says Obama cost him votes. Read release here.

“This election speaks to the potential toxicity of an Obama candidacy and the possible drag he could have down-ballot this fall.”

But Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Rep. Van Hollen disagrees:

“For the second time this cycle, Republicans were reminded that ‘all politics is local.’ House Republicans tried to nationalize this election…..” Read his release.

Speaker Pelosi also weighs in on the race– read her statement. Permalink

I Couldn't Bear an Obama Bust

ObamaMama Kris — Sun, 04 May 2008 08:47:43 EDT

Big day in the Fort. The Obamas will be downtown for a "family picnic" at Headwaters Park. I'm delighted they'll be here (should be a nice, sunny day out, too), but after my Bubba Bust yesterday, I'm not about to go down there to be part of the chaos! It will be crazy!

I"m looking forward, however, to watching NBC's "Meet the Press" in a few minutes to see how Tim Russert handles his opportunity to interview Senator Obama.

MSNBC seemed to run it's Obama/Rev. Wright special multiple times yesterday. I'm not sure there's an objective way to determine whether that particular show is a + or - for the Obama campaign, but I just feel uncomfortable with the graphics promoting it -- and host Dan Abrams has a pretty snarky vibe going throughout. I don't know. Maybe I'm mis-reading it.

Obama and Race

Nickie — Sat, 03 May 2008 22:42:08 EDT

Guess what folks... We aren't in 2008 anymore. Looks to me like we have stepped back in time. We are the new generation of freedom fighters! Freedom Riders. Getting a black man elected isn't going to be easy. I went into this thinking it would be a peice of cake. Why? Because I'm a white woman, 42 years old, that is honestly not a racist. I actually didn't realize how rampant racism really was.

I am a blogger for Obama. I started a website for Obama, and whereever possible I write comments on other blogs defending Obama. The racist filth I have been subjected to for the last few months has opened my eyes. We are in for the fight of our lives. I'm willing and ready to do my part. Are You?

Its going to take active participation of every supporter get him elected. Its not enough to just say I support Obama. Its going to take phone calls, donations, watchdogging the press and keeping them honest. We are the ones responsible for knowing Obama's stands on EVERY ISSUE. We are the ones that must appeal to that part of America that may have doubts about a black man, but want the best person for the job, and will vote for a black man if their choice is between McCain and Obama. Obama said in Iowa and New Hampshire, THE ROAD WILL BE HARD. He wasn't kidding folks. He sure as heck wasn't kidding. It wasn't easy getting black kids integrated into our American schools, and it sure as hell won't be easy getting a black man elected president. I wasn't raised on hate, but apparantly there are a lot of people who were. We are the people who will send a clear shot across the bow of racist ideology that has hi-jacked main stream media and Right wing philosophy, that its NOT OK TO DISCRIMINATE!!! ITS NOT OK TO DENY THE BEST QUALIFIED and BEST CANDIDATE the Highest Office in the Land simply because he is black!

I loved Moyer's essay by the way! If you missed it here is the link!

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/05022008/watch.html

Watch it and then lets get to work. Indianapolis is only a stones throw away, and the battle there will be tight. We need boots on the ground! This is our moment! This is our time! We will not allow racism or fear dominate the conversation!

OBAMA!!!!!! YES! WE! CAN!!!!!

If McCain can't even govern Republican Party, why should we think he can govern the United States?

Morgan from Seattle, WA — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:37:31 EDT

The North Carolina Republican Party went ahead and aired four days of Wright/Obama attack ads, despite McCain's written request not to.

I think Obama should run with this, though possibly not until after he is nominated. If McCain can't even govern Republican Party, why should we think he can govern the United States? His failure to control North Carolina's Republicans should be used to question, and ultimately undermine, his credibility as a leader and presidential candidate.

See one of many articles about his failure:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/24/north-carolina-gop-defies_n_98382.html

MEMORANDUM BEFORE THE SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOWS ...

Martin Edwin "Mick" from Churchton, MD — Fri, 02 May 2008 23:20:25 EDT

The Wright controversy allowed partisan critics of Barack Obama to lay into his judgement, his political instincts and reaction time, and his temperament.

This Sunday, the chattering class will be intensely involved in a post-mortem of the controversy, and might find it profitable to ponder an example from American history.

"[He] had no spontaneity--no emotional nature ... He was never a man of gushing feelings.

"[He] shrank from controversy as a general rule--hated quarrels, hated to say hard & sharp thing of any man ...

"He was slow to form his opinions. He was deliberate, cool & demanded the light of all the facts surrounding the case. When he formed his opinions he was firm, especially about questions of justice [and] principle ... [He] had unsurpassed reasoning powers. His logical faculties were great ...

"[His] statesmanship [lay in his] adherence to principle. He studied where the truth of a thing layand he acted on his conviction. He looked far into the future and was philosophical, true, scientific, in his inductions."

The opinion expressed above was held by Supreme Court Justice David Davis and the Illinois politican he was talking about was the same one for whom he had organized a successful presidential campaign in 1860--Abraham Lincoln.

Only time will tell if, once in office, Barack Obama will show the same wisdom that his fellow prairie lawyer Abraham Lincoln did.

But the gathering storms we are confronting as a nation suggest that such wisdom we will need.

Obama's promise is that, like Lincoln, he is cerebral, eschews petty politics, is "slow to form his opinions" and demands "the light of all the facts."

Obama, like Lincoln, possesses great "logical faculties", and he has shown he is firm on questions of justice and principle.

After all is said and done, Sen. Obama's promise remains great, and is fuelled by the phrase he like to invoke of Dr. King's, the "fierce urgency of now."

It is something one hopes the chattering classes will take into account, as they assay the political landscape and the hopes for our country.

The Psychology of Wright in Obama's Life

Madama Ambi — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:01:54 EDT

The Wright controversy has cast some confusing shadows over Obama's campaign, but, for me, not on Obama the man...right now I'm reading both Dreams From My Father and Audacity of Hope, switching back and forth between them...

My thinking is that you have to understand a very longterm and complex relationship with real son/father psychological dynamics woven in to understand how Barack has "seen" Jeremiah Wright. Wright was not only his mentor, pastor, (father surrogate?), but also central to Barack's organizing in Chicago, and arguably the major male figure in his life at that time, his 20's.

If you grew up with a father, you might not understand what it means to grow up without one, or even worse, one that has visited you only once. Oh, so painful. Barack alludes to the pain, doesn't portray himself as a waif, or wounded, but does make it clear that he was hungry for a father while at the same time not wanting anyone to step into the place he held for his real father.

What I read from this is that Barack held open, and waiting, a very alive place in his emotional structure for his father to come back into, and fill up, and catch him up on what he suspected he was missing...but sometimes you don't know what you're missing...

And then, at a critical juncture in his life, he meets Jeremiah Wright, a powerful man who answers so many of Barack's needs.

I have a very personal understanding of early loss of a parent and how children deal with these losses, and these issues can't be understood in the simplistic terms that campaign politics demand of people.

What would Barack say about my interpretation? Would he feel "seen" by me? Or would he scoff, knowing that his psyche is not the book and the book is not his psyche. Ok. I would agree. But, in the meantime, I hope that voters and especially the media will understand that this relationship can't be reduced to broad brush judgments. As a member of Jews for Obama recently reminded me, we do not hold the sons accountable for the sins of the fathers...

The Psychology of Wright in Obama's Life

Madama Ambi — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:56:25 EDT

Moving Beyond Wright and Race

Paul from Washington, DC — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:53:22 EDT

Will the Rev. Jeremiah Wright albatross sink the Obama campaign? Mr. Obama has struggled mightily to run as a post-racial moderate candidate, but a darker formulation of his candidacy simply proved more delectable to the press and the pundits. Clearly, the conventional laws of social dynamics support their perspective.

Mr. Obama and his hopeful supporters are now faced with the “matrix” reality that he can no more transcend race, as that phrase is conventionally construed, than he can defy gravity. He has no control over his racial pedigree, his physical characteristics, or the social meanings voters attribute to persons of color. No matter how “clean,” refined or haute society is his manner and comportment, he will generally be perceived as a person of color behaving in a peculiar way. Whether he bowls or not, or what he eats or drinks, do not change the fact that he is a person of color. Even if he walks around every day draped in an American flag while toting a Holy Bible, some “typical white people” will still believe he is Muslim, or that he has some trace element of Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, Jeremiah Wright, or a “typical black person” in him.

Mr. Obama’s supporters have been holding out hope that their candidate would coast under the race radar and secure the Democratic nomination and ultimately the Presidency. But for Obama’s candidacy to really be cathartic and transformational, he has to be evaluated on other-worldly criteria. He has to be evaluated on personal merit in a world of identity markets and identity politics. That task, and the onus of leading America from its racial past, falls to the voters.

The American voters, and not Obama, have to transcend race and identity and usher in a new paradigm. Mr. Obama may communicate his vision of a new and more perfect paradigm, and inspire us to take the leap; but we have to choose. Some of us will and some will not. The extent to which the willing outnumber the unwilling will not only determine Mr. Obama’s political fate, but also how successfully our nation begins to solve the problems of the 21st Century.

Jeremiah Wright Issues

Oliver from Lawton, OK — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:28:51 EDT

Dear Senator Obama,

I am a fan of yours and I voted for you during my states primaries. I will vote for you in November also, but I have a problem with the way you handled the Jeremiah Wright issue. Pastor Wright's comment were taken out of context and used to stire up some false problems. I don't believe you should have denounced his comments and release all ties with him. Where i'm from we stand behind our people, and I thank you should have taken up for Rev. Wright. If the media would have played the whole sermon then their wouldn't be such a controversy in the first place because if you listen to the whole sermon, (Which I did before I made judgements) you would have clearly understand the context of Rev. Wrights comments. I know you had to do what you did because most Americans following the race will not seek out the whole sermon as I did and they won't ever understand the whole sermon if they don't here it. I was worried at first because you were backed into a corner and you folded on this issue, but I still continue to support you because I understand what you had to do. Also being from New York, I could never vote for Hillary Clinton after she stole the New York senate seat. She never lived a day in New York but decided to run where she saw a weak race, and used her husbands popularity to win the seat. If she would have ran for the New York Senate seat without her husbands popularity she would have been shut out ridiculously. Also Bill Clinton's move into Harlem is leading to the gentrification of the African American people. What was once a bustling well known black community now is filled with Donald Trump condos, and the emergence of caucasians into our communties. Harlem is no longer what it once was. So keep the fight alive Senator Obama, but next time do what's right not what the media thinks you should do.

Oliver

Obama, Bring before the eyes!

Marcus @ Whitman College — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:48:40 EDT

Aristotle in his treatise on Rhetoric stated that in order for a message to be effective, one has to "bring before the eyes." That is, you have to give a vivid picture of whatever you are trying to say to the listener. This will be more convincing than just stating something; give examples, describe how those examples look, smell, feel.

I've been trying to leave off watching the continuing primary battle and focus instead on my massive amount of school work. I still get sucked into the news and process, every time we get close to a contest that could be decisive for Barack.

I've said in a previous post that I was disappointed by the Clintonian tactics used against Obama. Lately the two issues that have had some traction are the Rev. Wright controversy and the fallacy that Obama is an elitist. The Rev. Wright controversy is a very hard issue to deal with, especially with the Rev. running around digging a deeper hole for Obama to climb out of. Rev. Wright has a huge ego. The other issue needs to be dealt with by examples. Obama needs to start giving examples of hard times in his life, times when he was poor, times when he was worried, times when he didn't know how to go on. If he spells out some of the hardships he has overcome, then I think people will soften and stop believing the elitist charge.

I hope Barack win's Indian and North Carolina, so that we can start our work against John McCain.

Marcus

Political Nuclear War

Jim Dietz — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:53:15 EDT

Disclaimer: I'm Republican. Old school. I love small government and don't want government regulating morality OR interfering in the internal affairs of other nations.

I know things go on behind the scenes. But ultimately, I am hoping that the Obama campaign is prepared/in the process of political nuclear war.

In the press, Obama is taking a serious beating for his association with Reverend Wright. It is added to the insinuations/allegations related to Tony Rezko. They ARE legitimate criticisms--and supporters of Obama need to be aware, he is a normal person like anyone else. Sometimes with the way the process works, he is held up to be more than that. He isn't.

But to this point, in public at least, Obama has suffered the slings and arrows of fortune without using his own artillery to reply. He needs to. Now. As a Republican, I can say that I will not lose respect for him in the slightest for doing so...indeed, I'll gain respect because at a certain point, enough is ALWAYS enough.

Since the Clinton campaign is making insinuations about Obama and the people he associates with, Obama MUST bring up Hillary's associates and the issues of BIll's administration.

She brings up Rezko and fundraising, Obama has to note the Buddhist scandal. Hillary mentions Wright, Obama needs to mention the rather interesting quotes from her minister. Hillary calls Obama elitist for his degree--he HAS to mention hers...and the $100 million income.

It is not an issue of convincing blue-collar uneducated whites to vote for him. That won't happen...because no matter how much people choose not to talk about it, there is racism involved and Clinton plays up those fear of a black man in charge of the US. Racism decreases with education--and coincidentally, as you look at income and education levels, Obama's support rises and Clinton's drops.

So...I sincerely hope Obama is playing this angle behind the scenes where dirty fighting is not visible. There is an opportunity here to eliminate the "Me First" attitude of the Vietnam generation represented by the Clintons. I hope that choice is available in November.

Racism Flourishing in Good Ole US of A

ObamaMama Kris — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:33:32 EDT

Josh Marshall's website, talkingpointsmemo.com , has an article on the right sidebar today (maybe from last night) that is getting a WHOLE LOT OF COMMENTS. It talks about a shift of support from Senator Obama to HRC following the "bitter" and Rev. Wright comments.

Gee...who'd a thunk it???!!!...white low-educated crackers not wanting to support the black candidate.

I made a comment -- 350+ somewhere in line -- under the screen-name lkl1952. My opening remark was that the Clinton campaign was certainly "ready on Day 1" for one thing -- pounding and pounding and pounding that Senator Obama was black. Scare white America into thinking Senator Obama was the "big, black boogie man." RUN! RUN! RUN!!!!!!!!!

Shame on us...whites who can't separate Senator Obama from the comments of his pastor. Anyone with half a brain would understand that Senator Obama's perspective on race and bridging the divides is far different than Rev. Wright's. Oh, but that is being far too generous to those ignorant whites who would never support

DNC WAKE UP!

Marvin — Fri, 02 May 2008 02:12:06 EDT

Many of us who have faith in God also have strong ties to the Church and to our Pastors. Senator Barack Obama has proven to be a leader of impeccable character. When Rev. Wright was introduce to the world as Senator Barack's Pastor we were all made aware of Rev Wright's remarks. Senator Barack refused to disown him even when failure to do so placed his entire campaign in jeopardy. Why? because of Character. He stood by Rev. Wright and told us all why March 18th 2008.

Only recently did Senator Obama renounce Rev. Wright and rightly so – his grandstanding has trended Senator Obama Candidacy.Rev. Wright made offensive comments and rather than be humble and apologize, he claimed this was an attack on the Black Church. After all the Senator has done to bring this nation together Rev. Wright..... Why! What happened to patients? What happened to "Vengeance is mine says the Lord". With all do respect, it was not an attack on the Black Church, it was an attack on Senator Barack Obama and his bid for the presidency. No one would have cared about the Reverend’s comments if Senator Barack Obama was not running for the office of president. This was just a political trick and they used Rev. Wright to hurt Senator Obama, his family and all of his supporters. I am so very sorry this happened.

What I find particularly appalling is Senator Hillary Clinton, who has done everything in her power to destroy and defame Senator Obama. Obviously she can't see his goodness and can't appreciate his wisdom or judgment. Perhaps that why she supported the war and is following John McCain lead on this ridiculous idea to suspend the tax on Gasoline without considering the economic consequences of this action. Senator Clinton would have so quickly left the Church because the preacher said something offensive, yet she stayed with her husband who has openly humiliated her before this whole nation for all of these years. What a hypocrite! If Senator Clinton was so against the war, why didn't she run for office in 2004?

When Hillary was losing she started crying, after that an open displays of anger. Her strategy in Texas was racial division. Then she just resorted to plain old lying and character assassination. When Obama lost in PA, he congratulates Hillary for the victory and said she did a good job. Believe me, there are many things he could say about Senator Clinton but I know that not what Senator Barack Obama wants. I am just so very sad about what is happening to this great leader.

Well, I will not vote for the "better for two evils", not this time! We have a clear choice between good and evil. I will only vote for the good in this election. I will only cast my vote for Senator Barack Obama or I will abstain from this election. For me, it's Barack or nobody because without Senator Barack Obama - NOTHING WILL CHANGE. Senator Obama is desperately trying to get this nation to rise above these petty issues that divided us because he knows divided we fail. It will take all of us to fix what is wrong with this nation. The problems that we face will affect each and every one of us.

I want the DNC to know, I will not cast my vote for Senator Hilliar Clinton and I will not vote for Senator John McCain. I hope you super delegate get it! You all have allowed this to go on far too long. If we lose this election the party will have no one to blame but its own leadership.

By the way, is there anyone in America that agrees with everything there pastors says? Hillary, Clinton voted for the war, she implied Senator John McCain would make a better President then Senator Barack Obama and now she is following John McCain half-baked plan to eliminate the gasoline tax which will result in less revenue for the government and more money for the oil companies. I think it is high-time the Democratic Party started questioning Senator Clinton's judgment.

End our 50-year national nightmare now: Vote Obama!

Wayne — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:26:18 EDT

(Here's a letter-to-the-editor that will be printed in my local newspaper. Permission hereby granted to use any part or all of it in letters to your hometown papers.)

Deleted Pro-Clinton Blog Entry from National Press Club Rev. Wright Appearance Organizer

SPENCER ADAMS — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:14:57 EDT

This story is getting interesting; usually, the NPC is pretty nonpartisan, but after you read this, you'll know the truth.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/alerts/349

Deleted Pro-Clinton Blog Entry from National Press Club Rev. Wright Appearance Organizer
Submitted by BuzzFlash on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 10:07am. Alerts

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

May 1, 2008

But now for today's update: It's simply amazing -- Ms. Reynolds has now deleted all posts from her blog (http://reynoldsworldnews.blogspot.com) back to January 21, 2008 -- this would include the very detailed and lengthy post about Rev. Wright that has been quoted and linked to all over the place. Again, thank you Google cache for not allowing the leaders of Animal Farm to paint over the words on the barn.

Here is the link.

It's really not a matter of whether or not Ms. Reynolds set up this event to embarrass Obama. It's about why she has deleted words that she wrote and why is she trying to hide these opinions -- namely that Obama withdrew his support of Wright for political expediency -- he "burned his bridges". She is, in fact, doing precisely the same thing by attempting to erase her posts.

BC

April 29, 2008

A New York Daily News reporter, Errol Louis, revealed that Rev. Barbara Reynolds, who is also a journalist, is a Clinton supporter who suggested Rev. Wright as a speaker to the National Press Club awhile back and was recently asked to organize his appearance there this week.

Since Louis broke his story, the relevant February entry on Barbara Reynold's blog has disappeared -- just vanished. In addition, neither Rev. Reynolds nor the Clinton campaign, as of the posting of this news alert, have responded to queries about whether Reynolds suggested and organized Wright's appearance at the National Press Club with the knowledge of the Clinton campaign or go-betweens for the Clinton campaign.

Using cache recovery and other techniques, a BuzzFlash reader recovered the key blog entry that Errol Louis quoted from before it was deleted.

These are, allegedly, Rev. Reynolds' words of support for Clinton and explanation as to why she voted for Clinton in Maryland:

Using Google's cache and examining the source code of the deleted entry, I have been able to reconstruct the posting from Barbara Reynolds' blog (http://reynoldsworldnews.blogspot.com/) dated February 14, 2008, titled "HOPE", in which Barbara Reynolds, the person who supposedly organized Rev. Wright's appearance at the National Press Club, praises and thanks the Clintons.

The URL of the Google Cache is here:

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:SIgvOo...
and the text I retrieved is here:

Hope

February 14, 2008

Never before has the political clout of African-American women been so crucial as in this presidential race when they make up as high as two-thirds of registered black voters. Black women voters are the primary reason why Senator Barack Obama pulled Oprah and Senator Clinton garnered Maya Angelo and the majority of the black women in the Congressional Black Caucus in their respective camps.

As expected Sen. Barack Obama trounced Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Chesapeake Trifecta of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

With most of my Maryland and DC friends beating the drum for Sen. Obama, I tried to join the parade. Usually I am a drum major, leading momentum, but not this time.

Like many African American women, I have struggled with the dilemma of selecting a black man or a white woman to go against warmonger Sen. John McCain. My problem was that both Senators Obama and Clinton are darn good.

Finally I voted for Senator Clinton. My first reason was that as seductive as Obama's mantra of hope, the Clintons legacy of help is more substantive and stronger.

Hope by definition is not based on facts. It is an emotional expectation. Things hoped for may or may not come. But help based on experience trumps hope every time.

How do you abandon someone like Hillary Clinton, who at every opportunity worked for causes benefiting the poor, especially children? Her work began in her early days with her mentor Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund and at Yale Law School, where she pursued children's studies. Early on her stated life's goal was to be a "voice for America's children."

Look how different things would be that before any policy, rather foreign or domestic, could be advanced, the fate of our children would be the first consideration, a value that I believe Clinton would bring to the table as president.

Under Bill, this nation championed diversity. With Bill and Hillary as first Lady in the White House, black unemployment declined, small business loans to African-American doubled, there was strong support for affirmative action and more blacks in his Cabinet and in high positions than ever before. In addition, Hillary made history by selecting a black woman, Maggie Williams, as her chief of staff. To offset plummeting election returns, Williams has been promoted to head her campaign staff.

In fact during the Clinton years, the nation experienced the longest economic boom in history: unemployment dropped from 7.5% to 4%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average of stocks rose from 3,200 points to over 10,000, and the federal budget rose from a quarter-trillion-dollar deficit to a surplus of nearly that much.

Now since one Clinton cleaned up the first mess created by Bush I, why not let another Clinton clean up the mess created by Bush Light and why not a woman?

Traditionally, I have sympathized or cast my lot with the "underperson," the one needlessly being picked on or ridiculed. Media treatment of Senator Clinton has been degrading.

Much of the news media have gone bonkers over Senator Obama, pandering and refusing to ask tough questions, while intensely and sometimes nastily grilling Senator Clinton. Pundits continue to stress that Clinton is "polarizing," and that 41 percent of voters say they won't vote for her as if to cement a self-defeating prophecy.

When the Clintons were in office, I worked at the executive levels of journalism. It was overwhelming to see how many white men, even liberals, detested Hillary not only because she is a woman but because she did not play it safe and took on controversial issues, such as trying to win health care for the more than 44 million people who can't afford it. She lost the fight, but it took courage to start it and I believe she deserves another chance to win it.

Atty. James Walker, a law professor at the University of Connecticut, explains the disparate treatment this way: "In light of issues like the Don Imus firings, neither politicians nor the press want to go near anything racist. The public environment has been sanitized toward political correctness, but there are no holds on sexism. That is why there can be open season on Senator Clinton."

"Hillary is getting the benefit of Bill's baggage, his dirt from the Monica Lewinsky scandal, but Obama is getting a clean slate because of the guilt recently brought to the forefront of how America has treated blacks. That means an easy walk for Obama and the opposite for Senator Clinton," Walker said.

I also find it troublesome that so many influential Republican conservatives are confessing their love for Senator Obama. When people who are my enemies become friends of my friends, I am just naturally suspicious.

In any event, Sen. Obama, tall, brilliant, handsome, with a wonderful wife and a message of hope would make a good president, but I embrace Clinton because at the highest levels they have helped make life better for African-Americans. My vote for Hillary in the Maryland Primary was my way of saying Thank You.

Could all be a coincidence, but that's one heck of a Clintonian coincidence to be sure.

Wright Again: my take

Ansa — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:36:42 EDT

So I know a lot of people are mad at Reverend Wright, but I am inclined to say that, for the most part, he is doing exactly what he should be doing. Just like Obama is doing exactly what he should be doing.

Jeremiah Wright is a prophet to his people, and a famous one in his own way. His manner of speaking and way of presenting his case is in keeping with that role. If you want to make a comparison, check out the biblical prophets in Christianity or those of most other major religions. They tend to be loud, forceful, offensive, and maybe a little crazy at times too.

This in combination with the traditions of the African-American church make him all the more potent. These things get said in churches all over the nation, and the world for that matter. Its just that not all pastors evoke emotion in the same.

While my familiarity with Wright is limited to footage I can find on youTube, I would venture a guess that he is at least familiar with Liberation Theology. How would he not be influenced by these ideas given some of the schools he has both attended and taught at? He is who he needs to be to his people.

Barak has been left with no choice but to distance himself from his pastor due to the Media's reaction to Wright. I do not think this was a choice he should have had to make (though the comments by Wright implying that Barak was posturing did piss me off.) His affiliation with Wright should in no way incriminate him. But the, I guess this is just the nature of politics.

Perhaps This Should Be Two Posts...but oh well.

Nickie — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:31:49 EDT

Hi my friends in Obama LAND. I had two thoughts recently and want to share them with you. The first thought I had was about a cool Fund raiser idea. I think it would be neat to get some quilters together *although I've never made a quilt I would like to learn* and make an Obama quilt of Hope. Then auction it off at an Obama event or something. Neat idea eh?

The second thought I had was this:

I once saw a movie called the Yearling. Old classic about a boy and his pet deer. Anyway the deer grows big and starts eating the corn they planted, and the boy made a fence to keep the doe out, and they replanted the field. Then the boy built another fence to keep the doe out of the corn, and that deer hopped right over that fence and ate the corn. La sigh. The boy was told, that deers gotta go! He's given a gun and told to take that deer out into the woods and shoot it. The boy loved that deer. That deer was so wonderful, but it couldn't stay. The families lively hood depended on that crop of corn. The deer was eating the crop.

The boy took that deer out in the woods, and he raises the gun and aims at that deer...and he couldn't shoot it. He loved that deer so much. He knew that it wasn't the deers fault. It was just the way it was. But he didn't have the heart to kill it. So the boy decides to try and scare the deer away. He hollers and screams at the deer, picks up big rocks, and throws it at the deer. He points that gun up into the air and fires a warning shot into the air...and that deer runs like its tail is on fire.

The next day...that deer comes back. It eats the crop...and the mother kills the deer. She only wings it though, and the boy takes the gun...and goes up to that deer, he say's some final words of care and love and then he puts the deer out of its misery.

There is a lesson to be learned here.

I think Wright is a very brilliant man. Very well spoken. And very wise. Just look at the man's amazing credentials. Wright wasn't acting like a man trying to salvage his reputation...he was acting like a man...sacrificing himself. I think he knew exactly what stones he had to throw, and yes...words do matter. Barack himself said it quite well. He charactatured himself. He wouldn't do that without good reason. Just a thought. Birds do it to their chicks, fathers to their sons. Time to stand on your own two feet. Sometimes parents have to piss off their kids to get those kids to let go. Sometimes...They really do. Perhaps just perhaps, he did what he had to do...so that Obama could do what was necessary. Wright knew he was giving Obama no choice.

Los Algodones

Jan — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:16:14 EDT

4-30-08

Dear Senator,

It was 93 degrees on the corner of Calle Cuarta, a paved street, and Avenda Internacional, a gravel road that lead along tiny backyards that looked like flea markets. I stared up at a thirty foot high wall of sand and rock. To the right, on the edge of the ridge, where the hill drops down to a ten foot fence I saw a white monument, seemingly made from concrete and poured in one mold together with its exposed footing. It stood there pointlessly pointing at the bluest sky above the town of Los Algodones in Mexico.

Rev. Wright & Rodham...WRONG!

ObamaMama Kris — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:50:02 EDT

6 Days Until the Indiana Primary. What will the final tally show on Tuesday night? I can only hope that the Rev. Wright chaos will at least temporarily calm, now that Senator Obama's remarks on Tuesday seemed to be a strong and direct rebuke. It had to be hard. It is so sad, IMHO, that the break had to be voiced -- and a point that none of the media pundits seemed to be mindful of is that "the church" is not JUST the pastor. It is the community of people, the friends a family makes, by becoming affiliated with a church. Rev. Wright thought he had to speak out to suggest he was not wrong -- not wrong about his views of the US government and its motives. And HRC continues to do and say anything to make sure WE are not wrong -- not making the wrong choice when picking the Democratic presidential candidate. But SHE is the one who is wrong. Wrong for running a low-down, trash campaign, wrong for needlessly prolonging this primary campaign to the detriment of Senator Obama and the Democratic party, wrong for thinking she would succeed against the GOP smear machine. Enough!

More.. in defence of Rev. Wright

Chinni — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:52:32 EDT

The Rev. Wright has a right to defend his reputation - San Jose Mercury News 4/30/08

Just who does the Rev. Jeremiah Wright think he is, anyway? And how dare he try to tell us who he isn't - especially when many of us have made up our minds about him and the political damage he has done to Barack Obama. How dare someone who has been so deftly caricatured by the media try to defend himself and show that there is more to him, his life and his ministry than fits into a video clip on YouTube. And, in the process, how dare the former pastor come across as witty, engaging, self-assured and even funny. Imagine someone refusing to conform to stereotype.

The nerve!

Black pastors speak out on Wright's statements - Newsday 4/30/08

Still, Coverdale said, decades ago the U.S. government gave out blankets infected with smallpox to Indians. "What makes that so far out for him to reach that way?" Coverdale said. "Our governments have done some things that as a country we ought not to be proud of."

He added: "I love my country. Within that love there have been some dastardly deeds."

Reverend Wright lost in his own ego like Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggart.

amadeusmax — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:34:52 EDT

UP until recently I viewed Rev Wright as a cival rights leader that should have been born for a different era. But that has changed now. He is using his new found fame to try to glorify himself, sacrificing the will of god, let alone the Barack Obama Campaign. I feel sorry for those that have defended him, much like those that may have followed Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggart before their own egos made them feel superior as well. They followed someone they believed in, that decided that their glorification became more than their job as a representive of their religious belief. They to did not care about lives they would wreak in pursuit of their own vices.

Reverend Wright has done more to hurt his cause than any racist individual or group could have ever done. Acting like a spoiled arrogant child in front of the press core. While I believe there have been racial problems in the US, I don't believe it is as bad as he paints it to be. In time where there are Black Entertainers winning oscars, and black politicians running for president, it's almost like he wishes it was a time where there was more oppression, and more racisim. A time where he could be a more justified leader. It's like he's jealous of Barack Obama and his bid for president. So he is striking out at him, for accomplishing something Reverend Wright himself could never do.

Reverend Wright is someone who has wanted to sit upon the throne, have all serve him.

Vanity is the quicksand of reason ~George Sand

Enough Fluff

Justin from Troy, OH — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:35:28 EDT

Pennsylvania voters had their say last night in the latest of the massive struggle between Democratic hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Since my vote was suppressed in Virginia due to inclement weather and a four hour traffic jam, I'll weigh in here. My vote would have been for Obama for a number of reasons.

I believe in what Obama has been preaching. I believe that there is hope for a better future. I believe that this hope lies within a change in the process. I believe that to be successful, the American people need to be involved. I am offended by Hillary Clinton's campaign and her own words which have mocked his supporters and his words. She's basically telling us that things will never change and there is no hope for the future. Things will always be run the same way in Washington and since she has been there longer, she knows all of the games, therefore she's the better candidate. Her fuzzy logic fails to extend to the people that believe this system is broken and needs change.

This democracy that we claim to have in America is built on the fundamentals of democracy, but everywhere you look there are ways for the more"enlightened" ones, be it in Washington DC or our home state, to overrule our decision. Examples exist in the primary (delegates, super delegates) and the general election (electoral college). Consistently, democrats and republicans happily suppress our votes. Its a strategy in the back pocket of both parties, depending on the demographics of the area.

Gasoline, big words, bigotry... today's rant

TC — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:55:22 EDT

Regarding the price of gasoline: since we are spending Billions in Iraq, why don't they just give us their oil? We can get it to the gas stations for $.25 a gallon. that'll pay for the refining process (the oil companies don't need to make a profit on what our tax dollars have already paid for from Iraq). And of course at $.25/gal, we all will have more money to SPEND, thereby helping our economy. I believe Iraq should give us the oil as long as we are spending billions and our young solders lives there. How about that? Seems logical to me!

Smaller words. I had to look up another 'big' word while reading about an Obama statement the other day. The word this time was: prognosticate. I don't have a college education and less of a vocabulary than a college grad so I need Senator Obama to use smaller words. I bet alot of blue collar workers, et al would relate much better to him if he used more ordinary words too. *just a thought* :)

I hope Senator Obama refuses to answer any further inquiries about the good Rev Wright AT ALL, from now on. I hope he just keeps saying, "I have nothing further to say about that." That way he controls the attempt to further spin and instigate any more in this sad affair. Even if the good rev speaks about him again, it would be a good thing to say clear thru the general election. It is so incredibly biased for all who keep insisting he talk about his religion when nothing is asked of the white candidates! And where are their flag pins??

He is being piled on by Hillary, McCain, the repugs, the media, his former pastor......GODFREY! And still, he marches right on with his battle plan. I am so proud that he is my candidate!

I just hate the, "let's hang the black guy" that's going on!

I realize this all may sound stupid, it's just a rant to expel some pressure. ;)

Reverend Wright presents a unique opportunity

Fred Domke — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:14:18 EDT

Senator Obama can leverage the new distance he has between himself and his former pastor to clarify his vision for the United States of America. He need not run for President as a 'black man,' but he needs to speak to the issues Reverend Wright has raised as a black pastor.

Please read Dick Morris' article Obama's Opportunity

Father Pfleger Vs. Fox News

Chinni — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:53:47 EDT

In this discussion, the hapless fox news reporter represents the whole corporate media including the supposedly "left" sources like New York Times. I'm hopeful for discussion in the public arena to be lifted to allow "facts" to take over "opinions" and "brands"- if TV doesn't, internet will do it.

Father Pfleger Vs. Fox News Mar 28 '08

Rev. Michael Pfleger - Wikipedia

Contribute for Obama '08 at
http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/cparimi

The Connection Between Religion and Politics

Rebecca from Maryland — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:50:32 EDT

I wrote in my "Why I support Barack Obama" box that I was intrigued by him the first time I heard him speak at the Democratic Convention in 2004. While that is a true statement, it was the transcript of another speech that inspired me to join this website and become a part of a political campaign for the first time in my life. It was a speech about the connection between religion and politics. After reading the transcript, I felt both a sense of relief - because somebody finally figured it out - and a sense of urgency to do my part in getting Barack Obama elected.

It's impossible to summarize the speech so I won't try. If you haven't read or heard it, here's the link... Call to Renewal Keynote Address

In the context of that particular speech, I find it ironic. The same man who stood in front of Evangelical Christians and said...

"Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific, values. It requires that their proposals be subject to argument, and amenable to reason."

...is being characterized by the words of his former pastor. It's time for this country to move beyond stereotyping individuals whether it's based on their skin color, religion, ethnicity, etc. and it's time we reconcile the connection between religion and politics.

A commentary on Wright and racism

Steven — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:04:45 EDT

There is an excellent piece by Mark Brown in the Chicago Sun-Times today. The link is:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/922710,CST-NWS-brown30.article

He hits the nail on the head about the whole, sad Wright affair.

My response to NY Times editorial on Obama's Wright speech

Lisa in Central Conn. HopeMonger! — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:05:05 EDT

I saw your article last night...and I was thrilled to see that you said what many other articles covering Senator Obama's denunciation of Wright do not...that other candidates and others seeking our public trust should likewise denounce race-baiting remarks.

As an Obama supporter, my heart sunk when the loops of Wright's remarks came out. I had no fear that those remarks represented Obama (my support for him has never wavered) but I fully realized the impact of those remarks as they went before an electorate that often does not look beyond what is readily available through word-of-mouth and mainstream media. Of course my fears bore out but I felt hopeful (and then my hopes were somewhat realized) when Obama gave his speech in Philadelphia. I applauded Obama's courage even as I wondered if his nuanced message was "enough". I watched the other candidates cower behind Obama's speech and avoid overt discussions of the topic.

Things looked OK but we all knew there was still a Wright effect "out there". Still we persisted (as Obama supporters) as our candidate did.

Then Wright appeared again...my heart sunk further.

Only time will tell if Obama's more direct assertion is enough. But he has proved he is the only candidate still in the race who has been asked to, and then responded to, show great political courage in the face of that which we do not talk about. He has stepped up. What will the other candidates do? Will the American people ever ever show equal political courage? Will we demand it in our politicians or still let them off the hook?

A lot of questions still to be answered by the Wright issue. But we Obama supporters can feel proud of our candidate. And that is a rarity in politics these days.

The Obnoxiousness of Wright

tolerford — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:00:16 EDT

Would like to chime in with I'm sure many others and commend Obama for how well he handled the sad necessity of speaking again against Wright. Any further coverage of Wright, I'm going to consider manipulation.

Well Done, Barak.

Linda from Trumansburg, NY — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:49:24 EDT

There could have been no more difficult challenge to a candidate than to have to disavow a trusted individual after twenty years. Will Barak be able to face difficulties in his presidency? He certainly showed he will by his press conference yesterday. And more convincingly than Bill Clinton did when confronted with the Jennifer Flowers press confernce.

Some Republican hack on Larry King opined that the difference between Barak Obama's relationship with Rev. Wright and John McCain's relationship with John Hagee is that Barak Obama has known Wright for twenty years and that Wright offciated at his wedding. Yes, but, McCain got into bed with Hagee. Big difference.

Hilliary Does It Again!!!

Victoria from San Diego, CA — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:04:01 EDT

Barbara Reynolds, a Clinton supporter, invited Rev. Wright to speak at the press club because she thought it would help Clinton!!!

Rev. Jeremiah "Sound Bite" Wright

AC Parker Northern California--East Bay — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:18:29 EDT

MSM used everything and anything to attack Barack, striking but failing to land any real damaging blows until they put together "incendiary" sound bites from Rev. Wright's old sermons. They bombarded the public with the endless replaying of what proved to be their only real hope of bringing Barack’s campaign to a halt. Well, today Rev. Wright accomplished many things by using the opportunity afforded by those sound bites. The greatest was his dramatic and unapologetic "confirmation" of what the media gave America to use against Barack. Those sound bites that made Rev. Wright sound and look like a mad man led to one of the greatest speeches on race in 40 years. The love and loyalty that was evident in Barack’s speech, delivered in the heat of his fierce campaign for the presidency, was an act of courage that few people, let alone politicians, can really wrap their hearts and minds around. My admiration and respect for him was deepened and my support for him emboldened. But, Rev. Wright almost gleefully amplified the most radical of black extremist thought that had jeopardized Barack’s campaign and he made sure everybody heard and saw him. It appeared he was intentionally trying to sabotage the campaign. What a way to repay the love and loyalty Barack showed the world by refusing to “denounce” Rev. Wright. His love for Rev. Wright would not allow him to sever the bonds of their friendship, even if it cost him votes. From another perspective, Rev. Wright’s damnable behavior made it possible for Barack to show that his priority is to demonstrate he has a greater love and sense of loyalty for his country and its people. I hope most people will try to understand the paradoxical language of love so brilliantly articulated by Rev. Wright. I think Rev. Wright’s “behavior” and Senator Obama’s rejection, renunciation and denunciation of him for it will make it very costly for anyone to try to use Rev. Wright as a weapon again. So Rev. Wright is unscathed. Senator Obama looks great. So, finally I just want to say that I think Rev. Wright may thrown down the gauntlet. Maybe people will be challenged in America to prove that our past will not dictate our future. Let’s help Barack win his bet on the American people.

OBAMA '08

different learning styles: that can't be right

DenisN — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:23:11 EDT

I have to agree with George Will (Washington Post) that Wright's assertion that black kids have a different learning style is fundamentally racist. There are different learning styles. But to suggest that there is a psychological trait somehow analogous to distinctive/recognizable cultural accomplishments is putting things that are somehow wired in the brain, together with things that are positively embraced as part of one's identity.

Will says:

"On Monday, Wright also espoused the racialist doctrine that blacks have "different" learning styles than do others. This doctrine of racially different brains, or of an unalterably different black culture, is a doctrine today used to justify various soft bigotries of low expectations regarding blacks, and especially black children. It has a long pedigree as a rationalization for injustices. Slaveholders and, later, segregationists loved it. Obama should be questioned about whether he agrees about "different" learning styles. It is, however, predictable that journalistic and political choruses will attempt to suppress such questioning by suggesting that it is somehow illegitimate."

Let's get clear that black kids may have a variety of different learning styles. We don't need separate schools that are organized to address an alleged pedagogical requirement that is peculiar to black kids. Senator Obama should have no problem answering a question on this topic.

(Join the K12 Policy for Obama group for further discussion of this topic)

The blame for 9/11

Chinni — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:20:01 EDT

Why did Jeremiah Wright take more heat than Jerry Falwell & Pat Robertson for his statements on the blame for 9/11?

Falwell & Robertson were dividing the people by blaming "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America" for 9/11.

Wright was trying to unite the American people against the American Government's foreign policy.

Unfortunately, in the current media environment, division is more mainstream than protest.

On another note, Wright is scarier because his argument rings too close to truth to dismiss unlike Falwell & Robetson's comments.

---

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Being Human

Jan — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:17:14 EDT

Being Human

4-29-2008

Dear Senator,

I’m sure you ran away from the Reverend Wright and not from your critics on the right. Also, I can see how the Reverend said a few things in his speech to the international press that make Egos bigger than the rooms they needlessly have a need to fill.

Still Optimistic & Excited About This Campaign

Candace N. - V.O.B — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:01:10 EDT

I think if Wright would have just done the interview on PBS, it would have been fine. He went way overboard with the press club appearance. Senator Obama did the right thing by having a press conference and saying what he said. I think it would be damaging to Clinton or McCain to continue with this issue that Obama has now laid to rest. Hopefully this campaign can now focus on the issues. I think Senator Obama needs to go to more informal settings dressed more casually to connect with everyday folks.

We as supporters need to donate, volunteer and do phonebanking. We have come too far to let this issue that has nothing to do with Senator Obama's views cause us to become lax and disillusioned. We need to fight for the campaign as passionately as we did in the beginning.

YES WE CAN !!!!!

There is nothing I can say to Make it Better

Nickie — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:35:14 EDT

Has anyone had to ever sever a relationship with someone they loved, because the world demanded it? Has anyone ever been called to renounce and dencounce, repudiate and reject and whatever else Obama has had to do to his pastor. Obama didn't grow up with a father, and I imagine that in some ways, the Crazy old Uncle, that Barack loved is the only one to blame, but I also think that people are acting way too happy about this.

I find it shamelful that Obama supporters are glad that Barack is hurting right now. I find it shameful that they are glad he did this. You can't imagine how hard it was, or painful. You can't imagine the sacrifice. I would rather cut off my arm than denounce my pastor. When the man has accomplished so much, been through so much. Do you know what it is like to have death threats? Bomb threats? Have the dying people in your church called up and harrassed? Have your church bulletins stolen, have you people stalked? Have your words and meaning twisted so fully that they are unrecongnizable? I don't know what happened yesterday morning at that press club speech, but Wright obviously crossed the line, but if I was in his shoes, I'd be a screaming shrew. The Fox news, cable news, and every rag on the face of the earth has been obsessing over thirty seconds of time stolen from the life of Wright. He's been called everything in the book and as far as I can see, up until this last speech in question, I felt he had legitimate points he was making. His generation will never really understand our generation, but we stand on the shoulders of great men who have sacrificed much. I'm just so broken hearted tonight.

I don't like what Wright said, but I understand it. I don't know what will make me feel better, but I do know that the Obama household is hurting tonight too. And the people that circle around like vultures over the corpe of Wrights and Obama's relationship, have never been asked to sever ties so fully. I'm very discouraged and saddened at how happily people disregard this as inconsequential. Crow with delight over anothers pain. Its disgraceful, and beyond sad...its tragic.

Lincoln vs. Obama

Chinni — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:20:51 EDT

I stand corrected.. after seeing Obama's full press conference, I should say I have more respect for him than Lincoln

Obama’s Remarks on Wright

.. his honesty - under such circumstances is mind blowing.

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Generational Differences

aztecdiva — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:05:55 EDT

I watched Wright's interview with Billy Moyers. I watched the speech at the NAACP. I watched the feed of Wright's speech before the press club and the following questions on CNN as I rode into city on the train.

What I saw was a clear division of the generational and responsiblity gap of the African American community. It is safe to say that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was the leader and unifier of my grandparents generation. A generation exposed to Jim Crow and segregation. There was a mentality at that time was we had to be unified as one to move forward. Unfortunately it fostered what most African Americans describe as a crab mentality. This is as one leaves the another pulls you back.

After the gains made by the Civil Rights Movement, my peers were taught the slogan "Each One, Teach One." Which pretty much says exactly what it means, as you become successful, you lift up those around as become successful to create a chain of success. Not just successful in the community, but at work or school. Out of all of guidance from my grandparents, who were ordained ministers within the United Church of Christ, this became just as important as the Golden Rule.

What I saw on Monday was the clash between the two generations. One of a person who was trapped in the past, but in mentality that cripples and prevents one from moving toward and creating a chain of success. What hurt me most was how could Wright hurt the only viable opportunity for America to change the discourse of how we relate to each other? How could he try to steal the hope and passion from millions of Americans, both young and old, who had no real role models outside of athletics or celebrity? How could he create such disappointment within the African American community by hurting our only opportunity to shatter the ceiling.

As I explained to some of my coworkers today. When Halle Berry and Denzel Washington won the Best Actor/Actress it changed what African Americans could achieve in Hollywood. Since then African Americans, who had once been denied the most prestigous award for decades, Hollywood turned the page with Halle and Denzel. Since then we have seen, Forrest Whitaker, Jamie Fox, Morgan Freeman, and Jennifer Hudson win awards for their outstanding work.

When I saw Wright's QA session, I immediately called my grandmother wondering how someone could try to destroy our opportunity to turn the page. I am truly disappointed in Wright's action not only for what he said, but also for what he represents. I am extemely proud of Barack today, as I have as each day has passed during this primary fight.

President Obama, thank you for demonstrating how "Each One, Teach one" can make America great again.

Keisha

What Happened?

Genola from Birmingham, AL — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 21:04:32 EDT

America, do we have it right? Did we actually listen and understand many black churches? Did the media guide this ship? Why don't we ask the same questions of the other candidates? What if Jesus were here?

End of Wright?

Chinni — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:35:20 EDT

Anybody reading the news might have seen the constant "negative" press Wright is getting.. the rare neutral/positive reporting is below..
Jeremiah Wright urges racial understanding in speech - Detroit Free Press

Rev.Jeremiah Wright Fires Back at Critics - Courant.com

Rev. Wright Reclaims spotlight - Forbes

In that environment, Obama did what he needed to do (Obama’s Remarks on Wright).. his remarks today represent the "political posturing" he needed to take. It's suicidal to openly stand by somebody who's hated by 99% of the media. And it's hard to explain the Wright's characterization of Obama's Philadelphia's speech as "What a politician had to do". That's not the only thing Wright said - and I think he gave an honest opinion but, how long can somebody keep standing by a person like that while running for president? If we see how many times Lincoln had to declare that his mission is not to end slavery, it gives a perspective to understand American Presidential politics.

(Addendum)

I stand corrected.. after seeing Obama's full press conference, I should say I have more respect for him than Lincoln

.. his honesty - under such circumstances is mind blowing.

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Reverend Jeremiah Wright finally speaks

Chinni — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:30:46 EDT

Reverend Jeremiah Wright finally speaks... I'm glad, irrespective of it's effect in the current political scene

Conversations, Q&As - very interesting

Jeremiah Wright on Bill Moyers Journal

Jeremiah Wright Press Club 1of3 Q&A 28th April

Jeremiah Wright Press Club 2of3 Q&A 28th April

Jeremiah Wright Press Club 3of3 Q&A 28th April

Speeches - Little repetitive but okay

Reverend Jeremiah Wright National Press Club pt.1

Reverend Jeremiah Wright National Press Club pt.2

Reverend Jeremiah Wright National Press Club pt.3

Reverend Wright at NAACP pt.1

Reverend Wright at NAACP pt.2

Reverend Wright at NAACP pt.3

Reverend Wright at NAACP pt.4

--
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PRESSING ON

Rosewalker — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:50:33 EDT

To Barack, Michelle, and your family of supporters, this simple word: Press on.

Do not be distracted by those things meant to distract you -- don't let it sadden you any more, don't let it pull you down, don't let it distract you from your mission and your vision. You have been called for a PURPOSE -- and all of America needs you to take a deep breath, say a little prayer for Rev. Wright...and then get back up and Press On!!

Here is a quote for the day: "Brothers and sisters, I do not count myself as having obtained the prize yet, but this one thing I do; FORGETTING THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST, and stretching FORWARD to the things that are ahead of me, I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL AND TO THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS." (Philippians 3:14 paraphrased)

I am one who believes that you have been Called for our great Country, Called for all Americans, Called to bring us together as ONE NATION, Called to help the little guy, Called to bring a message of HOPE, Called to bring needed CHANGE, Called to help get America back on track, and Called to be President of the United States.

Continue to walk worthy of the Call...let the criticisms and the attacks fall off your back...there is One Who is carrying all your cares...and Press on to North Carolina and Indiana...and to the nomination...and to the White House!!

PRESS ON!

Obama outraged by Wright's remarks

Keisha — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:01:24 EDT

I didn't watch tv last night, but I did read something online about what Rev. Wright said. It seems very ridiculous to me that a pastor of a church would come out and say something like that...that the government created HIV to destroy blacks and THEN turn around and said that Obama secretly agrees with the idea. So now he supposed to know how every black american think (or any american for that matter)? The comments does not change my mind on my vote whatsoever. I look for Obama to be the Democratic nominee and the next president of the United States.

Obama MUST React Forcefully to Wright

MandyW — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:08:34 EDT

I'm totally disheartened by the latest controversy that Rev. Wright has INTENTIONALLY stirred up.

In Wright's thoughtful interview with Bill Moyers on PBS on Friday, he seemed to be an intelligent, compassionate person. I could understand how over a long career of service he'd earned both the love of his congregation and the respect of other clergy (so that he was one of a group of nationally prominent clergymen selected to counsel the Clintons after the Monica Lewinsky affair.

But in Wright's National Press Club interview on C-SPAN on Monday, he seemed to be a totally different person: an adolescent, narcissistic attention seeker, criticizing everybody and everything except himself. I understand why both Wright and his congregation were angry at the unfair attacks directed at them when he was thrust into the spotlight by his association with Obama. But instead of using that spotlight as an opportunity to spread Christ's message of love and reconciliation, Wright used it to repeat some of his most outrageous accusations (backed up with no evidence) against the U. S. government.

There's no point in whining about how the media shouldn't be distracted by side issues like this. We Americans have the media we deserve (idiotic trivia gets better ratings than substantive news). The Obama campaign had better grow up and deal with it.

How Obama handles this mess will be a good indicator of how he will deal with many of the tough decisions a President faces, where all the options are unpleasant. I can understand how Obama is reluctant to completely sever himself from the pastor who helped bring him to his Christian faith, conducted his marriage, and baptized his kids. But he ought to be bloody mad at the way Wright INTENTIONALLY is trying to hijack the spotlight from the Presidential campaign to gain attention for his extreme views (and perhaps to sell more copies of his upcoming book). Showing some strong reaction to Wright's betrayal would help convince me that Obama's not always a calculating Mr. Cool, but has the same visceral reaction as the rest of us human beans.

In today's Huffington Post, Catherine Crier recalls the way Bill Clinton dealt with equally outrageous statements by rapper Sister Souljah in 1992:

Obama's Sister Souljah Moment

If Obama doesn't make a forceful response, I have serious doubts that he can win the nomination and/or the general election. And that would be a pity, because imho he would be a much better President than either Clinton or Obama. But that's irrelevant if he doesn't get elected.

Superdelegates should note Obama's Edge with Independents

Deborah Simmel — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:22:32 EDT

We will weather this latest media storm around the disappointing and hurtful behavior of Rev. Wright, by being ever mindful, and reminding others, of our candidate's record - HIS words and HIS work.

I firmly believe the vast numbers of new voters that are being brought into the Democratic party are registering to vote for Obama. It might also be a wise time to remind the superdelegates of Senator Obama's strength among independent voters and crossover Republicans, who by most all accounts will be the deciding voters in this election.

To drive that point home, read John Avalon on RealClearPolitics.com, and take a look at the numbers: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/04/obamas_independent_edge.html

HOW TO LOSE THE GAME "WRIGHT"

Daniel from Scarsdale, NY — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:37:10 EDT

HOW TO LOSE THE GAME

Here is one irrefutable law of nature we all have learned from our own experience.Every failure you and I have ever had has been based on us being clearer on what we didn't want to happen than we were on what we were trying to achieve. Think about your own life and you will see it is true. Every time you were clearer on what you were avoiding, you came up on the losing end.

Now think also about how this campaign started and where it is now and you will see how clearly it has lost its way. Today it is all about avoiding losing its lead. Back then, it was about Barack uniting people in a coalition of different stripes. It was about bold ideas of cooperation. It was about putting a new face on our international position and re establishing (or some might establishing) our international leadership.

Now, it is about "is he tough enough to fight back?" and "is he going to throw Wright under a bus?" and "does he defend is elitism or apologize for his remarks?". It is not about what Barack is STANDING for anymore, it is about what or who Barack is in COMPARISON to someone else or his REACTION to others' agendas (candidates, media, wright) and so on.

The real reason the Wright thing is even coming back and taking hold is because Barack is not leading the conversation anymore. Barack has been pretty silent, really, for about a month now, trying to "play it safe" and win.

He did not knock out Hillary in OHIO and TEXAS because he was spending useliess time pandering against NAFTA and all that crap instead of talking about what he was for and what he was actually going to do. During all this time since, there is no talk about Climate Change, or infrastructure investment, what the agenda of the first 100 days would be. It was about how he was "better" than Hillary (which becomes about him not being as bad as her which is her still defining it)

Pennsylvania was the same. Instead of reinforcing his very powerful and insightful comments about how people are distracted by ineffectual Washington and propagandized to vote on social issues, he laid low on the elitist tag. (Did anyone see what Jon Steward said about that tag? Tew funny). I mean, Obama elitist? He should have been ANGRY and POWERFUL in talking about what he stands for and what he meant ! That was some of the best stuff ever to come out of his mouth. But he didn't because he was playing it safe trying to "ride it out", get rid of Hillary and then face it up in the campaign. This is all now about what he is AVOIDING and not what he is going for. That is a true definition of a loser.

Campaigns are all about the "conversation" people. After all, most of us dont and won't ever meet the future president. He lives in video and speeches and what we (pundits, watchers and voters) SAY about him/her. He "lives" for us in conversation. Our conversation today is about what Barack is NOT. He is NOT Hillary. He is NOT like the other politicians. He is NOT like Wright and so on and so on.

WINNING IS NOT WINNING WITHOUT A MANDATE

We cannot win a thing this way. Even if Barack becomes president, he won't have a MANDATE this way and that is what he needs. He needs to go out and CONVERT EVERY REPUBLICAN to vote for him, every Democrat, and every Independant and every US citizen by making it clear that it has to work for all of us, this country. Moreover, he needs to go into Botswana and Berlin, as president of the United States, and show that the US understands that it has to work for all of humanity.

Global Warming alone, not to mention a total mindset change in military defense, global economic prosperity and social equality is going to require finding COMMON GROUND. That is what we were talking about in the beginning, common ground. That is what people responded to Senator. What you need to defend is not yourself, but your agenda.

Throw off the risk aversion. Pretend you don't care about winning unless you win what you are after, TRUE CHANGE, not personality change. If you give the "conversation" something else to talk about, you can set the agenda, you can inspire and motivate people again, and unite this country. Forget about "winning" by attrition. It ain't going to happen. If you keep playing that game, you have already lost even if you win.

Senator, get back to playing the real game.

Is Jeremiah Wright a colossal disaster for Barack Obama or a press trick?

Pjamiez — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:56:27 EDT

Is Jeremiah Wright a colossal disaster for Barack Obama or a press trick?

Tuesday, April 29th 2008, 4:00 AM

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright couldn't have done more damage to Barack Obama's campaign if he had tried. And you have to wonder if that's just what one friend of Wright wanted.

Shortly before he rose to deliver his rambling, angry, sarcastic remarks at the National Press Club Monday, Wright sat next to, and chatted with, Barbara Reynolds.

A former editorial board member at USA Today, she runs something called Reynolds News Services and teaches ministry at the Howard University School of Divinity. (She is an ordained minister).

It also turns out that Reynolds - introduced Monday as a member of the National Press Club "who organized" the event - is an enthusiastic Hillary Clinton supporter.

On a blog linked to her Web site- www.reynoldsnews.com- Reynolds said in a February post: "My vote for Hillary in the Maryland primary was my way of saying thank you" to Clinton and her husband for the successes of Bill Clinton's presidency.

For the rest of the article, click below:

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/columnists/louis/index.html

Is Rev. Wright the last 'distraction'?

ObamaBob NSB — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:55:55 EDT

Rev. Wright now is the very 'distraction' from Barack Obama's authentic discussion of issues and policies of our time that need to be re-thought and re-developed for our country to re-invent the solutions we so desperatly need.

We WILL have mcbush or hillary if the Rev's personal glory trail (the question and answers at the National Press Club) is continued with the backhanded aid and abetting of the inflamatory cable diatribe.

It's not the place of either Sen. Obama or the campaign to get a resolution here. I'm hoping there are some influential Chicago'ans and associates of Rev. Wright who blog with us to bring some sense of balance and resolution to this situation.

Otherwise, it's, YES HE CAN, bring us down.

It's not business, it's personal.

Patrick — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:55:04 EDT

Rev. Jeremiah Wright has exploded on the national stage, doing his darnedest to take down the one African-American candidate for President who's had more than the proverbial "snowball's chance" of actually winning the Presidency. Columnist Bob Herbert takes this into more details The Pastor Casts a Shadow. Payback's a well, you know, motherdog. The good reverend has it all backwards. Properly executed, it's always "business, not personal." But he's taken it personal and made it his business.

What bothers me about "the Wright stuff" drama right now is the timing. Coming just ahead of necessary primaries that will hopefully, finally, give Barack Obama the nomination and keep HRC out of the White House (please) the question is two part, "why now? and who's bankrolling the Reverend's bombast?" I see a not quite invisible Clintonian hand in the mix. Oh, not directly, of course, that would cause too much embarrasment and would really derail her campaign if found out now. But what promises are in the offing after HRC has firmly secured the nomination? A donation to Trinity - obscenely subsidized by us all as it can be written off as a 'charitable contribution'?

Okay, okay, maybe this is getting too far out on a limb. But I've said all along that I don't put anything past the Clintons, and for the racist set, how wonderfully ironic to use one black man to take down another, making a mockery of Senator Obama's ideas and speeches to confront the evils of our racist past, with still-bonafide echoes in the present, sadly enough.

I just wonder, if we as a people can take this as an offer we CAN refuse, not to buy into the lies, not to buy into the spite, not to buy into those who would undermine Hope and real change. That's the biggest issue we have to turn this around, for us, now, more than ever to keep on keeping on. Until January 2009 when Barack Obama is sworn in as President. Then we'll know it's not personal, it's strictly business, and President Obama can start to deal with all the business this country has to do!

Obama is EVIL.

Wayne — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:24:33 EDT

Reverend Jeremiah Wright said some horrible things about America. He is evil. Forget about the good he has done in his life. He is evil. I saw it on tv.

And now you have three opponents

Cloudwatcher — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:43:06 EDT

Dear Barack,

It was bad enough when you had two opponents planting a mine field in your path, but now you have three. The third is Jeremiah Wright and he is not even running for office. He is a narcissitic self-centered human being who apparently cares little for your campaign for the Presidency. And I wonder if he really cares about you personally. He is most interested in his own personal agenda, whatever that may be. If it is not a personal vendetta against you, it sure looks like it. It would be a travesty for you and a tragedy for all of us if a black man who says he is your friend crushes any chance you have of winning the nomination.

Here is what it is beginning to look like to me...you made Daddy angry and he is giving you a public whoopin'. But remember, no matter how much he has "fathered" you in the past, he is NOT your father. He is subjecting you to public humiliation and abuse. Those are not the actions of a loving father.

This is not going to go away by just ignoring it. Wright is not the spokesman for the black church as he would like us to believe. Find other less self-centerd black ministers to speak out and support you and show that Wright is not a representative of all black people. It is time to stand up against Rev. Wright, strongly and decisively and then move on. Then do not respond to him even if he starts to rev up the rhetoric against you. Get back to the issues that are of importance to all of us.

The nation needs you. You must not let one man's ego destroy your chances to bring us the hope that you promised. This is the kind of problem that occurs when we try to mix politics and religion. This is why we need a strong separation between church and state.

Rev. Wright

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:04:48 EDT

Rev. Wright has a right to defend himself and fight back against the immoral attacks that have come against him in the past weeks but recently I believe he has done nothing but hurt the Obama campaign as they try to make a stand in Indiana and North Carolina. Over the past few days he has been on talk shows and at dinner banquets giving speeches. I've seen him on CNN and MSNBC more than I've seen Clinton, McCain and Obama combined. Rev. Wright is an outspoken and passionate speaker but I think recently he has been doing more than just correcting the image that was made of him. He has been projecting himself into the spotlight that should be occupied by Barack Obama and the other candidates. The major media outlets will always jump at the chance to talk about a character like Rev. Wright and they have numbed my ears to the sound of his name with the amount of coverage they have given him.

When Rev. Wright talks he makes some good points, but he also makes overreaching and fiery statements that ostracize him from the general public. Wright also still seems to think that what he said in the infamous clip was justified and he continues to show no empathy towards the people who have taken offense to the video clip of him denouncing America. I know his comments were taken out of context and that it was only a ten second clip from a speech that was almost an hour long but he still needs to reconcile with the public who will never hear the rest of that speech. Even today in Detroit he said things that rural American's will undoubtedly be offended by.

I realize that it is a difficult - maybe impossible - task to calm such an impassioned person but someone should try. He needs to realize how much of a spectacle he has become and step aside elegantly before he ends up turning a crack in the ground into a gaping hole that Mr. Obama won't be able to climb out of.Please feel free to post your thoughts and ridicule mine.

Wright must be diffused!!

KimC — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:27:29 EDT

The faster someone with some wit comes up with a campaign strategy to make Wright into the joke that he is, the sooner we can get back to the business of winning this election for Barack Obama and changing the direction of our country for real Americans.

In my humble opinion, RIDICULE is the best strategy against Wright's firebrand!

Don't legitimize this lunacy with your anger and emotions! Expose it for the JOKE that it is! Expose Wright for the JOKE that he is!

Don't get angry with this trash publicly or you will legitimize this mess. They want us to react rashly and without forethought. We need some thinking minds to come up with the winning knock-out punch to this fool!

Remember: Wit, Humor, Ridicule!!

Think on these things.....

Senator Obama, Rev. Wright, and Monty Python

Beth from ColoradObama — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:46:11 EDT

It seems like each new day brings with it more tabloid journalism and lately I've been stuck in an endless loop, simultaneously pondering and avoiding all forms of media and hearing an old Monty Python tune run through my head over and over and over...that seems somewhat appropo...so here are my thoughts:

Awakening FDR

Jan — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:46:51 EDT

Awakening FDR

4-28-2008

Dear Senator,

Amazing, fascinating and very revealing. And long term? Very irrelevant. I’ll use it anyway, because what’s happening is too good a swansong by the political right to not be heard.

I am talking about the reaction to reverend Wright’s speech yesterday. Specifically, I’m talking about today’s Rush Limbaugh radio talk show. While writing this I learned that Rush’s audience is not as strong as I thought (40 million listeners per week). Apparently, about 13 – 15 million people weekly listen to his daily show.

Crazy Uncle is On Fire

Steve — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:58:05 EDT

I watched the National Press Club speech with Jeremiah Wright today. I was intrigued and challenged, particularly after the question answer segment. I heard a commentator say that Wright's setting was in the belly of the beast. I wondered how this would play in the public arena and I found rails of snippets being posted which were less than encouraging. I sent the National Press Club speech link to my 86 year old Republican mom to see how it fed through her perspective; she actually found it interesting. I have then spent some hours reviewing this latest wild fire and have found that most snippet excerpts appear controversial but full contextual segments range up through profound, entertaining, and inspiring. There has been much cud generated for us to chew on but I offer this NAACP segment as a sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wfrjiADBBA

Rev. Jeremiah Wright on Bill Moyers Journal

dd — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:20:30 EDT

If you missed Rev. Wright on Bill Moyers Journal, I highly recommend it: Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Part I.

Reaction to Reverend Wright

Aris — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:08:46 EDT

For all the attention Reverend Wright has brought to this historic presidential race, there is one thing that became clear to me after watching his speech and question session today. Win-lose-or-draw he is going to help define what "patriot" means in the course of this election. He may well help shape the standard going forward, unconsciously taking part in developing the infant that is the 21st century. FoX news and the Republican party are definitely going to put him out there and the way the press and the public react will be the ultimate barometer on where we're headed as a people.

Change Is Coming

TJFischer — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:47:49 EDT

How incredibly gratifying to hear Rev Wright's refreshingly bold perspectives speaking truth to power w/love! The sermon he delivered to the NAACP conference was in large part comprised of historical insights derived from linguistic studies and then artfully synthesized into the visionary premise of Change.

I've been living in my Obama sweatshirt here in Minnesota for the last couple months. Everywhere I go people stop to ask me where they can find one. Inspired by Rev Wright's sermon to the NAACP conference in Michigan, I designed the one shown here to help spread the word: Change is Coming!

Click Here to Order: CHANGE IS COMING Sweatshirt

Right Is Wrong, But Wright Is Wrong Too

Gail Brown — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:41:42 EDT

After watching the Rev. Jeremiah Wright on Bill Moyers on Saturday, I had a sinking feeling we had not seen the last of him. Moyers is a good man and a good journalist, and he was clearly trying to help Wright out, to portray his Trinity Church in a positive light with care for the poor and the vulnerable. And the interview started well - Wright is clearly a gifted theologian and thinker. But it soon became evident that for all his gifts, Wright was unable to look and judge his own conduct by biblical and ethical principles. His appearance this morning on CNN was even worse.

As an organizer for a mainline Christian church, I move in the same circles that Wright moved in prior to retirement, and I have a great deal of respect for the work and movement he founded in Black liberation theology. The language Wright uses does not shock me - it is the stock and trade of the Christian left today, where you are likely to hear the US described as an "empire" which has acted irresponsibly to exploit those in the third world without taking responsibility for the harm to the environment it has done. Go into a progressive church within the UCC, Quaker, Unitarian, Presbyterian, Reformed Church or congregationalist faiths and you will hear language every bit as critical, or even more critical, of the US than that which we have heard from Wright. If you need further proof, look at the theological documents coming out of the World Alliance of Churches or the World Reformed Alliance. The US does not do well when Christians from around the world write the critique. Consider the statements from the Vatican on US greed and the war. The body of Christians in the world would like the US to consider the prophetic message that she is not living up to her ideals, and Jeremiah Wright has a role in the delivery of that prophetic message. When he said that "America's chickens are coming home to roost," he was saying that America has often used military power in careless and inhumane ways against others. He was challenging us to see that the bombing of Cambodia and other uses of US military power throughout the world were every bit as shocking as the 911 bombings, and killed thousands more people.

But Wright has a big problem, which I see commonly on the Christian left. He wants to deliver a prophetic message, but he doesn't want to hear one. Sometimes when I come home after a national meeting for the church, I will tell my husband, "these Christian lefties can be such a pain in the ass." Left wing Christians are good at lecturing, but they often have trouble listening. At the end of the PBS interview, Moyers tries to get Wright to admit that his overly abrasive and insenstive approach gets in the way of his message and of his mission. Wright would have none of it, even after Moyers cited Wright's favorite mentor as the source of such criticism. Wright wants to be a prophet to the US as an immoral empire, but he is unwilling to look at his own conduct with a critical eye.

Such inability to look at one's own conduct is a problem - the one thing Christ taught his followers was humility - that we must all humble our vain selves occasionally and care for those around us with gentleness and love. Its okay to be angry - the Bible tells us that Christ himself got angry about commerce in the temple and mistreatment of children. But Wright's anger is based on his need to protect his own ego, and that kind of anger will get a good Christian in trouble.

So, yes, I do believe that Jesus would favor an agenda that is much more liberal than anything Barck Obama will ask of us. I also believe that the Christian right is misstateing the essential tenants of Christianity. So the right is wrong. But Wright is wrong also, for believing that his ego is more important than those he serves. What would I like to hear from Wright? That he has been guilty of using the shock value of certain words and phrases and has been negligent concerning those who might be hurt by them. That he is sorry if he did any harm to the campaign of his dear friend. That his abrasive style can do more harm than good. That he has made both legitimate and highly illegitimate criticisms of the US. That he needs to enter a time of prayer and reflection concerning his actions from which he will not emerge for many months. Just kidding. I think.

Posts with the tag Wright

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That Pesky Preacher Problem - revisited

Debate Preparation

Guilt by Association

Churches/Campaigns and racism...

Is America Ready for a Black President?

I can't believe this

Recommended Reading: "Obama & the Black Church"

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I've got some swampland...

Barack Obama @ Apostolic Church of God

Something to Ponder - Info from Tim Wise

The Rev Jeremiah Wright

My own better understanding of Race Relations.

Don't even CONSIDER clinton for veep!!!

Wake up!

A sad day for religious tolerance in this country

OBAMA AND THE WHITE WRIGHT: FATHER PFLEGER

Obama's opponents try to portray him as

Chronicling Endorsement-gate for Dumbies!!

Rehabilitating Pastor Wright's Image

Hagee v. Wright: What the Heck is Going On With the Media?

My convo with a doubter...

Black Styles, White Racism

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A Little Obama Humor

Selective Amnesia---When Wright is Right

reminder-deadline tonight for letters to WI State Journal

Bill Moyers reflects on Rev. Wright & the Media

The important difference between Wright and Hagee

The Wright Answer: Obama embraces Rev Wright

Need Damage Control

Wright is a Flimsy Excuse

Poor Focus on Meet The Press

This Wright Week

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Obama and Race

If McCain can't even govern Republican Party, why should we think he can govern the United States?

MEMORANDUM BEFORE THE SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOWS ...

The Psychology of Wright in Obama's Life

The Psychology of Wright in Obama's Life

Moving Beyond Wright and Race

Jeremiah Wright Issues

Obama, Bring before the eyes!

Political Nuclear War

Racism Flourishing in Good Ole US of A

DNC WAKE UP!

End our 50-year national nightmare now: Vote Obama!

Deleted Pro-Clinton Blog Entry from National Press Club Rev. Wright Appearance Organizer

Wright Again: my take

Perhaps This Should Be Two Posts...but oh well.

Los Algodones

Rev. Wright & Rodham...WRONG!

More.. in defence of Rev. Wright

Reverend Wright lost in his own ego like Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggart.

Enough Fluff

Gasoline, big words, bigotry... today's rant

Reverend Wright presents a unique opportunity

Father Pfleger Vs. Fox News

The Connection Between Religion and Politics

A commentary on Wright and racism

My response to NY Times editorial on Obama's Wright speech

The Obnoxiousness of Wright

Well Done, Barak.

Hilliary Does It Again!!!

Rev. Jeremiah "Sound Bite" Wright

different learning styles: that can't be right

The blame for 9/11

Being Human

Still Optimistic & Excited About This Campaign

There is nothing I can say to Make it Better

Lincoln vs. Obama

Generational Differences

What Happened?