Obama plans 'major' speech on race
This morning, Hillary Clinton gave what her camp billed as a major speech on the Iraq war -- an issue she has been trying to get on the right side of the entire campaign because of her 2002 vote authorizing the invasion.
Tuesday, Barack Obama, her Democratic rival, plans a major address on race and religion -- an issue he is trying to get past because of recent publicity and questions surrounding incendiary remarks made by the former pastor of his Chicago church.
After videos surfaced of sermons by the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. on topics including the Sept. 11 terror attacks and Clinton, Obama on Friday repudiated the comments and announced that Wright, a long-time friend who baptized his children, had left an advisory role with his campaign.
Today, Obama told reporters in Pennsylvania, "I am going to talking not just about Reverend Wright, but the larger issue of race in this campaign."
UPDATE: His campaign just issued an advisory that the speech on on race, politics, and how we bring our country together at this important moment in our history will be at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday morning.
UPDATE: Obama previews the speech in an interview airing this evening on "The Newshour with Jim Lehrer" on PBS.
He describes race and gender as "powerful forces in our society" and says those issues were bound to come up because he -- seeking to become the nation's first African-American president -- and Hillary Clinton -- trying to become the first female president -- are the last two Democrats in the field.
"But, ultimately, I don't think it's useful," he tells Gwen Ifill, according to a transcript of the interview. "I think we've got to talk about it. I think we've got to process it. But we've got to remind ourselves that what we have in common is far more important than what's different, and that if we're going to solve any of these problems, we've got to come together and bridge our differences in ways that we just have not bridged them before."
Obama said that challenge will "be a major focus" of his speech.
In the interview, Obama also says that the controversy over Wright's remarks have been "a distraction from the core message of our campaign."
Asked about his judgment about Wright and former fund-raiser Tony Rezko, who is on trial on federal corruption charges, Obama seems to acknowledge if he had more experience, he would have handled matters differently.
"All of us have people in our lives who we meet, we get to know, in some cases form friendships with, who end up getting themselves into trouble or say things that we don't agree with," Obama says. "And probably what's true is because I haven't been in Washington as long as Senator Clinton or others, that I have not distanced myself from these people for as long a period as somebody more steeped in Washington politics might have."
Race and gender politics in the Democratic nomination race surfaced last week after 1984 vice presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro suggested that Obama wouldn't be a contender if he were a white man or a woman of any ethnicity. After nearly two days of controversy, Ferraro stepped down from Clinton's national finance committee.
People will never forget that Hillary consistently voted with Bush on Iraq and Iran. Now, she just gives empty y talks because of the elections.
Don't believe on what Obama say, look what Obama did and doing.
We do not want a president who promote hatred and racism.
I'm so tired of all of the "it's over now for Obama" posts.
Do you honestly believe Sen. Obama forgot what color his skin is? Do you think he didn't know there are still racist people in this country? Do you think he counted on "smooth sailing" to the presidency without the right wing nuts reminding everybody of the animosity that still exists out there between whites and blacks?
You might be able to say that he didn't expect this to come up in the primary, and maybe he should have taken more pro-active action about it. And maybe that would have helped a bit. I guess his fault is to trust that democrats, the party that preaches inclusion, wouldn't be as biased.
Sen. Obama didn't jump on this willy-nilly, and without being realistic. The reason Sen. Obama decided to run, why he hoped he could succeed, is because he counted on the fact that America is less divided now than in the past, and also that the votes he would have lost anyway to people who would have never (not before, not after Wright) vote a black person into office would be counteracted by the millions that will come out for a new found hope in a political process that serves the people of the country, instead of the millionaires.
Let's all hope he was right. America, don't disappoint us.
Here's a little taste of what I hope is coming:
Commentary: The Wright Dust-Up Shows and Proves That Many Whites Don’t Know Black People at All
By: Deborah Mathis
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2008
The eruption of outrage, shock and fear that is flowing over Barack Obama’s campaign like hot lava because his pastor has preached some strident sermons tells us one thing for certain: Many white people don’t know black people at all.
If they did, they would know that Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago is hardly the only black minister who uses the pulpit to rant against racial duplicity and injustice. The black church has always been the place for letting our hair down and speaking our peace -- a safe haven from the criminations outside. It’s how and why the black church became the nursery for the freedom and civil rights movements. Not every minister seasons his or her sermons with political commentary, and not every one who does is as fiercely spoken as Rev. Wright, but there is nothing unusual about the black clergy as social agitator. Guess the shockees didn’t know that.
It seems they were also clueless that, when race, racism and discrimination do invade the pulpit, it is not always in the context of forgiveness and humility. Much of black America is resentful, angry and distrustful -- rightly so, some of us would say. Did the uninitiated honestly believe that slavery, lynching, Jim Crow, white resistance and flight, economic and educational duality, hyper-incarceration and yawning disparities in wealth, health and longevity have had no lasting effects; that all of that is really no big deal -- something we can kick off as easily as our Sunday shoes?
Surprise.
This could be a teaching moment for the society at large, which would do well to pay closer attention to 35 million of its members and to give heed to their accounts of their own experiences. Unfortunately, and typically, the alarmists are threatening to make it a Waterloo for Obama.
The candidate has denounced Rev. Wright’s statements about America’s treachery, honest as they were.
Obama has even removed his Wright from his ministerial council. That had to be painful for Obama, who has otherwise spoken devotedly of the preacher who “brought me to Jesus,” performed his marriage ceremony and baptized his daughters.
Those pounds of flesh are not enough for the alarmists, however. They and frothing pundit after frothing pundit want the candidate to rebuke Wright categorically -- mind, body and soul.
Obama is in the unenviable position of having to court a large and diverse audience -- the American electorate generally and Democratic voters particularly -- that includes a good number of people who have no knowledge of, curiosity about, nor sympathy for the black experience, while, at the same time, remaining true to what he knows about Rev. Wright specifically and the black church generally.
It’s a delicate balance, and Obama has tried to strike it, explaining to journalists that the anger and disdain expressed by Rev. Wright reflect common themes in “the black memory,” albeit not sentiments he shares.
In a fair world, Obama would be able to elaborate about the black perspective and thereby give some context to Wright’s comments and the facts of black expression.
But, then, in a fair world, there would be no racial divide to bridge. Of course, Obama’s detractors would never consider that.
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/sayitloud/dmathis317
Don't believe on what Obama say, look what Obama did and doing.
We do not want a president who promote hatred and racism.
Well said (Bookwert's post). When I initially heard Wright's comments that Hillary doesn't know what it's like to be an African American man and that America is run by affluent Whites, I really couldn't figure out what about those statements had White americans up in arms. Even poor whites would have to agree with the latter, and I think all whites can agree with the former (or do they really think they think she's been called the n-word and passed over by cabbies??). So I just assumed that the sight of a Black man speaking in an animated way was jarring to their sensibilities (more so than the content)...but I think Ms. Mathis is right. It does show that the majority of America really is indifferent to and/or unaware of the suffering and pain associated with centuries of bearing the brunt of racism and that for African Americans, it's not "all good". And by "it" I mean enduring discrimination, health-wealth-education disparities, an unjust justice system, and the complete disregard for our contributions to making America great. Black Americans have always been the conscience of the country, forcing people to see what's wrong and unjust in this country (whether they want to or not) and then perservering despite water hoses, police dogs, lynchings etc until justice has been done. As a Black American I'm very proud of that. I do, however, agree with Obama that we need to move past these issues (mainly because it keeps us focused on what's messed up as opposed to how we move forward). And we only do that by working together with people of all races who believe in justice and equality.
Note: I did finally hear his comments about U.S. of AmeriKKKa and damming America which I will say are sentiments a lot less prevelant in the Black community and I can see why people might be upset about that. However I would still caution us to hear the whole context. I've only heard very short soundbites.
from the above article by Ms. Mathis:
"...a good number of people who have no knowledge of, curiosity about, nor sympathy for the black experience"
if that experience includes pent-up anger, blatant racism, and highly disturbing anti-American sentiment, then she's right about all those things. I'll pass on the experience.
B. Hussein Obama Fact Sheet - Do you want this man as a leader?
• In his book, he admits to being a reformed drug abuser, having used alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine heavily during his teenage years to "push questions of who I was out of my mind". Hopefully he matured and completely ceased his addictions long ago and limits his drug use to nicotine these days (he is an avid smoker).
• He refuses to wear an American flag pin on his lapel, as has been tradition for all politicians since the 2001 terrorist attacks. He explains that he prefers not to show his patriotism that way.
• At a 2007 gathering of the Democratic presidential candidates, he was the only one who refused to place his hand over his heart to pay tribute to the American flag during the National Anthem.
• He belongs to a Chicago church that promotes an extremist separatist black agenda (Trinity Church, led by Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who honored anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan with a lifetime achievement award), and when this became public, he distanced himself from the church and its pastor. Why would he hide his religious association with Reverend Wright and his church?
• He has little overall political experience, zero foreign political experience. This lack of qualification is extremely dangerous, especially at a time of war.
• If you change one letter in his name, it contains the exact names of two of the most powerful figureheads of islamic terrorism. Not surprising, as his father is muslim – something from which he has attempted to distance himself. Being muslim, of course, does not make someone a terrorist, but given that the US is at war with militant muslims, you have to question why he is trying to bury his background rather than embracing it and openly discussing islam and its implications.
• He defends the New Deal social welfare policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt, associating Republican proposals to establish private accounts for Social Security with social Darwinism.
• Obama told the health care advocacy group Families USA: "I am absolutely determined that by the end of the first term of the next president, we should have universal health care in this country.” “Universal health care” is literally government-run socialist-style health care – inefficient and expensive. See Canada for a good example of how it works.
• Campaigning in New Hampshire, he announced an $18 billion plan for investments in early childhood education, math and science education, and expanded summer learning opportunities. In other words, a decision for mass expansion of government-run education that has failed miserably despite having a much higher cost per student than most superior privately-run education.
• He stated, “Businesses don’t own the sky, the public does, and if we want them to stop polluting it, we have to put a price on all pollution." He proposed a cap and trade auction system to restrict carbon emissions and a 10 year program of investments in new energy sources to reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil. In other words, he wants to further tax and regulate businesses, rather than privatize the environment to let the market solve pollution problems.
• As we head towards recession, his plan calls for massive increases in income, corporate, and capital gains taxes – more so than any other candidate. This is economic suicide. America’s economic downturn is largely caused by corporate taxes that are higher than in other countries (most of whom learned their lesson and have been lowering their rates to beat us). Additionally, his tax hikes are targeted to cripple those who produce jobs and to redistribute income even more unfairly than it is already… he isn't content with those who make twice as much paying four times as much - he wants them to pay huge multiples.
• He said, “I know that an invasion of Iraq without a clear rationale and without strong international support will only fan the flames of the Middle East, and encourage the worst, rather than best, impulses of the Arab world, and strengthen the recruitment arm of Al Qaeda…I'm opposed to dumb wars.” In other words, he believes the US should only go to war when other countries want us to. He doesn’t want to see us fighting the militant muslims because they might become upset and try to murder even more people.
• Obama took an HIV test and wants to spend a disproportionate amount of funds on AIDS research despite the fact that much more widespread diseases such as cancer and heart attacks affect the populous and cannot be controlled through behavior, as AIDS transmission can.
• Though it is rarely talked about, a huge percentage of his support are kids who are lured by his simplistic message of “change”. Historically, this sort of empty promise has served to lure uneducated and idealist youth. Also, many of his supporters are blacks voting for him solely because of his color – not because they understand nor support his positions and policies. If Obama were white, no one would pay attention to his extremely liberal and shallow views. Voting for someone solely because of their race is, by definition, racist (though many doing so will deny this and assert they actually do understand the details behind how he will implement his policies). This is reminiscent of those who proclaimed that OJ was innocent despite being found guilty and a preponderance of DNA and other evidence against him.
• He moved from a Hyde Park, Chicago condominium to their current gated $1.6-million house in wealthy and neighboring Kenwood. The house purchase and subsequent acquisition of an adjoining strip of land drew media scrutiny in November 2006 and in January 2008 because of financial links with controversial Illinois businessman Tony Rezko. This is the tip of the iceberg regarding Obama’s financial improprieties. He also owned stock in various companies that donated to his campaign and only sold them when it was disclosed. He has more dirty money and special interests behind him than any candidate in decades.
• Obama is a classic empty idealist… he is a preacher and emotional activist, not a leader with actual ideas that are realistic and beneficial. Listen very carefully to his speeches… they are full drivel akin to “We will change the world, we want everyone to have everything they desire and we will put an end to all that is bad… unite and fight!”, but devoid of “I will fight to improve economic growth by introducing a plan to XYZ by lowering ABC and changing the DEF”. He appeals to emotion, not reason, which is why many of his supporters tend to be young or uneducated or both.
• Obama, like many extreme left-wingers, promotes an ideology that assumes the average American is a victim who needs to be taken care of. The means of care is big government providing all. Listening carefully to his speeches, you can easily boil down the majority of statements to “if you don’t have XYZ, you should, and the government will provide it for you if you elect me”. In a fantasy world where resources weren’t scarce, this would be wonderful. In reality, everything costs money, and because the government is amongst the most inefficient means of production, the result is less for everyone. It would be wonderful if the government could, for example, pay everyone’s health and mortgage costs – and Obama panders to the ignorant who think this can be done by sheer will without cost – but the implementation of his ideas would drive America into the ground – all of us together. In the midst of his depressing and negative message, he poses himself as the savior of all that is wrong, blankly proclaiming “yes we can!”, implying that together, Americans can overcome their shame and horrible past. This is in stark contrast to a proud American history of greatness, freedom, and self-responsibility.
PS - At least he is open about his hatred of the US and his separatist black agenda: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8QCkgg5Kjo and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmHtGQq-z_Y
I just find it sad that there is nothing substantive out there worth talking about, such as the issues. The media are playing up all of this race, gender, minister stuff, as well as Rezko, with no real links to Obama. Obama is not Wright. Their views are not monolithic. It's a real shame that scouring Obama's record turned up nothing sinister, so the press have resorted to "guilt by association" on the most ridiculous of topics. I'm really tired of hearing the minister's rants and Rezko's problems are his own. These people are not running for president. May we please focus on Obama here? The real story here is the major delegate lead that Obama enjoys and the fact that Hillary Clinton cannot and will not catch up. The uncommited super delegates have said they will not go against the actual delegate tally to elect a nominee, so we need to focus on why Hillary Clinton is still in this race and what her motive is, at this point. This Huckabeean stance that is dividing the party, along with the other distractions that have little to do wtih Obama himself, are denying the American people the true education of democracy here.
Let's put the focus on the delegate issue here and give Obama this nomination that he and the people have earned, so that we can get down to business and defeat McCain in November!
Wow! Deborah Mathis has expressed my thoughts and feelings precisely. Thank you for articulating my own emotions about this dithering over Wright's remarks. Anyone who was alive during the civil rights era should not be appalled; we all watched the indignities foisted on blacks on television every night. My own minister, a white man, speaks just as "ferociously" as Wright does. He attended seminary in Texas in the midst of the civil rights turmoil, marched and sat at lunch counters like so many others. When there are inequities in our supposed democracy, those of us with social consciences are unethical if we say nothing and do nothing. We should be as outraged as Jeremiah Wright and we should work toward social justice for ALL peoples, instead of expecting blacks to act like Step'n'FetchIt!
oh, boo hoo. Obama is an extremist and his affiliations, many of them, are proving that.
Read microtek's comment... people like him/she is the reason we need a strong and powerful leader in the white house. And not another Republican/ De-publican that wishes to put literacy, education and the arts on the cutting room floor.
The world is changing... and we need to catch up.
Obama 08.
Finally some clarity. Thank you for your well written & honest commentary.
I hope we Americans can draw on the best of who we are to rise to this opportunity.
To Deborah Mathis who wrote the comment above, I say Thank You.
You stated many things that needed to be stated. I am a 60+ white woman who is solidly for Sen. Obama, and like most of his supporters I've been distressed by what I've seen and heard in the past few days. The repeated showing of the tapes of his minister's sermons and the endless rhetoric of the pundits is doing damage to the campaign and the hope of an Obama's presidency. It would be presumptive of me to say that I understand how the African American community as a whole feels about this situation. I only know that some of my friends were offended by the words of the minister, as was I. Especially the line "God d*** America".
I'm delighted to know that Obama will be giving a major speech on race tomorrow. He needs to regain the trust of the people because we need him in the oval office desperateely. We cannot wait!
There is nothing Obama can say to erase this stain. He supported Wright for 20 years, he built a friendship with him, he was married by him and he did the baptism of his children, he gave him a job on his campaign, he accepted donations from him... they are joined at the hip. How can words make us ignore the fact that the man Obama called his "mentor" preaches hatred for the United States and anyone who is white. I bought into Obama's charm early on, and I am angry with myself for being fooled by him. I think we are all obligated to do our part in keeping him from becoming President. Hillary may not be perfect, but we know her and can trust she is not driven by hate and a desire to divide the races even further. I don't blame those who were fooled by Obama, for I was one of them. I am only glad that we have seen the reality and it is not too late to get Clinton the nomination.
SIMPLE: Hillary voted for war, Obama spoke out against it. With all the issues talked about, this issue of Hillary voting for the war is the bottom line. Obama can not only distance himself from Hillary this way, but he can also distance himself from McCain using the same premise.
AGAIN: Hillary voted for the war, Obama spoke out against it. It may be a broken record, but it is the absolute truth which every voter knows for sure. If you are a voter and still for the war, that is a different story.
CHANGE 08
This is addressed primarily to memoryaid (post #3):
Why is it that the Obama supporters are, at least implicitly, blaming Clinton supporters and Republicans for the damage that the Good Reverend's comments are causing Obama? It's not as if David Duke made racist comments about Obama's blackness. I remind you that it was Obama's preacher who made racist statements about white people in America. He was not making racist comments about blacks in America, so why is any discussion about Wright's comments being treated like it is a racial attack on Obama. Wright's comments were racist attacks on whites. Accordingly, I believe that it is entirely understandable that white Americans are upset about the comments. I also understand why white Americans would begin having doubts about Obama's honesty about his stated feelings regarding race relations in Americans.
Deborah Mathis obviously doesn't have a clue what she is talking about. She is but another in a long line of Obama apologists. Obama is such a liar. He has run the nastiest and most hypocritical campaign because there is no other way for him to get votes.
He is a racist, as is his minister and other of his close associates. Obama is the last thing that this country needs and God willing McCain we wipe the floor with him in November.
As usual, Black people of Obama's and Rev. Wright's ilk are trying to keep White people on the run and attempting to play on White guilt. There are problems for the Black people of course, and also for some White people, and women, and gays, and let's not forget Native Americans, and refugees from Vietnam, and people who don't speak English, and Jews, and Japanese during WWII, and elderly persons, etc. I am absolutely sick to death of Black people acting as though they are the only ones who have ever had bad times at the hands of others. I'm sorry! There are a multitude of groups who have suffered horribly under many circumstances. Sometimes the suffering is at the hands of their own people as well.
Now Barack is going to tell us all about how it's OK for Black people to dwell on hate because they have been wronged and they "can't help" seeing things through this perspective. God help anyone else who tries to use the same kind of excuse. And then he will tell us all about how he is going to unify us all because this is a problem “for all Americans”. And that will be said by the same man who has “preached” to groups of Black people about how they have been wronged at the hands of Whites, and who belongs to the “Afrocentric” church.
We shouldn't forget that Barack himself came from a middle class background, went to private schools, and never lived in the ghetto or even near it. Hillary Clinton also came from a middle class home and wasn't rich to start with. Barack and Hillary are both rich at this point. That should level the playing field, but we are supposed to feel sorry for Barack, for what?!
As a white woman who comes from the northeast and worked extensively with anti-racial groups and taught in poverty schools, I am horrified at how still, almost 50 years after the 1960's and 70's there is only one group of people who constantly chant "We've Been Wronged". It has become an anthem, and it's definitely rearing its ugly head with Obama using everything he can to try to win this election.
As an employer I have also been horrified at how non-Black employers are often browbeaten and threatened with the race card when they try to dismiss or even "correct" non performing Black employees. At one time I worked at a job where the company rule was ""use the N word and be immediately fired". However bringing a gun to work, or call any other group by any derogatory name was a minor infraction. How's that for a message?
The self-pity and hatred encouraged by Rev. Wright with his ranting about Rich and White should be seen as the pathetic, miserable, negative reality that it is. I suppose rich Blacks are all above reproach! Talk about a Pandora’s Box of horrors.
So many people have suffered so much!! How dare one group be so self-centered and blind as to believe they have endured the most suffering? If you look at it, this is truly a frightening concept. And yet many, many White people and people of non-color act as though they themselves put chains on the slaves. There is absolutely no perspective in this view, and the hate it encourages is the sort that leads to even more intense human suffering.
A case in point; it was OK for Hillary to be called a Bitch and told to "Iron my Shirt". In fact it was snickered at. The B word to a woman is like the N word to a Black person, and the Iron my shirt, is very similar to "go to the back of the bus". But no one wants to see this.
Right now I don't feel as though we have made much headway at all in race relations since the 1960's. White people (generalized of course) are held up as examples of corruption, the constant sinners, attackers, fair game, etc. Complaints about behavior of the Black people by White people are taboo, but it’s OK to say anything you want if you are a Black person.
I would love it if I could vote for a Black person to be president, but it will not be Barack Obama. He is the quintessential slippery politician, who is quite adept at appearing "transparent", and the “Uniter”. Have you noticed his transparencies happen when he gets caught? He practices an age old trick that kids use with their parents... "I told you the truth. I don't understand why you are still upset". He is adept at trying to make anyone who complains about his behavior look like they are “silly”, much as a parent talks to a child, or if he feels especially affected, he says he is being “threatened” but God help anyone who points out his flaws. It’s OK for him because it was “boneheaded”, or “poor judgment”.
I am not looking forward to this election, not because the choices are tough, but because it looks so far like we are selling ourselves down the river to a smooth talking, brilliant, snake oil salesman in Mr. Obama. I don’t even believe he might stand firm and do the country some good in domestic or foreign policy because his past history suggests he caves in to special interests, and political pressure. Just Google Excelon, or his famous Illinois nuclear leak bill.
Hang in America if Obama is President. We are in for a very bumpy, treacherous ride!
Some sick puppies on this blog. Obama is a decent guy, a smart guy, a straightshooter. Clinton will do ANYTHING TO WIN.
She's nearly deranged. She's done nothing but fail in her political career. Ask the people of upstate NY, where she promised new jobs and gave nothing. The media play into her tricks. Obama is the best choice. Watch Michelle Obama's talk at Villanova University on Youtube. Then THINK!
As usual, Black people of Obama's and Rev. Wright's ilk are trying to keep White people on the run and attempting to play on White guilt. There are problems for the Black people of course, and also for some White people, and women, and gays, and let's not forget Native Americans, and refugees from Vietnam, and people who don't speak English, and Jews, and Japanese during WWII, and elderly persons, etc. I am absolutely sick to death of Black people acting as though they are the only ones who have ever had bad times at the hands of others. I'm sorry! There are a multitude of groups who have suffered horribly under many circumstances. Sometimes the suffering is at the hands of their own people as well.
Now Barack is going to tell us all about how it's OK for Black people to dwell on hate because they have been wronged and they "can't help" seeing things through this perspective. God help anyone else who tries to use the same kind of excuse. And then he will tell us all about how he is going to unify us all because this is a problem “for all Americans”. And that will be said by the same man who has “preached” to groups of Black people about how they have been wronged at the hands of Whites, and who belongs to the “Afrocentric” church.
We shouldn't forget that Barack himself came from a middle class background, went to private schools, and never lived in the ghetto or even near it. Hillary Clinton also came from a middle class home and wasn't rich to start with. Barack and Hillary are both rich at this point. That should level the playing field, but we are supposed to feel sorry for Barack, for what?!
As a white woman who comes from the northeast and worked extensively with anti-racial groups and taught in poverty schools, I am horrified at how still, almost 50 years after the 1960's and 70's there is only one group of people who constantly chant "We've Been Wronged". It has become an anthem, and it's definitely rearing its ugly head with Obama using everything he can to try to win this election.
As an employer I have also been horrified at how non-Black employers are often browbeaten and threatened with the race card when they try to dismiss or even "correct" non performing Black employees. At one time I worked at a job where the company rule was ""use the N word and be immediately fired". However bringing a gun to work, or call any other group by any derogatory name was a minor infraction. How's that for a message?
The self-pity and hatred encouraged by Rev. Wright with his ranting about Rich and White should be seen as the pathetic, miserable, negative reality that it is. I suppose rich Blacks are all above reproach! Talk about a Pandora’s Box of horrors.
So many people have suffered so much!! How dare one group be so self-centered and blind as to believe they have endured the most suffering? If you look at it, this is truly a frightening concept. And yet many, many White people and people of non-color act as though they themselves put chains on the slaves. There is absolutely no perspective in this view, and the hate it encourages is the sort that leads to even more intense human suffering.
A case in point; it was OK for Hillary to be called a Bitch and told to "Iron my Shirt". In fact it was snickered at. The B word to a woman is like the N word to a Black person, and the Iron my shirt, is very similar to "go to the back of the bus". But no one wants to see this.
Right now I don't feel as though we have made much headway at all in race relations since the 1960's. White people (generalized of course) are held up as examples of corruption, the constant sinners, attackers, fair game, etc. Complaints about behavior of the Black people by White people are taboo, but it’s OK to say anything you want if you are a Black person.
I would love it if I could vote for a Black person to be president, but it will not be Barack Obama. He is the quintessential slippery politician, who is quite adept at appearing "transparent", and the “Uniter”. Have you noticed his transparencies happen when he gets caught? He practices an age old trick that kids use with their parents... "I told you the truth. I don't understand why you are still upset". He is adept at trying to make anyone who complains about his behavior look like they are “silly”, much as a parent talks to a child, or if he feels especially affected, he says he is being “threatened” but God help anyone who points out his flaws. It’s OK for him because it was “boneheaded”, or “poor judgment”.
I am not looking forward to this election, not because the choices are tough, but because it looks so far like we are selling ourselves down the river to a smooth talking, brilliant, snake oil salesman in Mr. Obama. I don’t even believe he might stand firm and do the country some good in domestic or foreign policy because his past history suggests he caves in to special interests, and political pressure. Just Google Excelon, or his famous Illinois nuclear leak bill.
Hang in America if Obama is President. We are in for a very bumpy, treacherous ride!
This is in response to Marvin W, who is obviously a complete moron. Apparently you haven't realized in your lifetime that people do not usually put their hands over their hearts during the national anthem. IT'S DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE that it is done! So when a couple of Democrats were putting their hands over their hearts, and Obama was not, it does not reflect on his Patriotism. Secondly, you want to debate universal health care which you described as inefficient and expensive, and you told us to look at Canada as the prime example. Hmm, health care in Canada is not only better than here, but it is also cheaper and more efficient than in the United States. Wait times in ER's are generally shorter in Canada, and prescription drugs are much cheaper. The US ranks 38th in the world for healthcare and we are the richest country in the world. Isn't that sad
Huzzah to Deborah Mathis for articulating what I'd been thinking far better than I ever could have. Thank you, bookwert!
I don’t think the partisan policy and the fear mongering policies will work in this time. People will vote for the policy of the candidates not for the color of the skin.
Martin Luther King was part of the black experience, and his praises and ways promoted unity. When I hear Mr. Wright, I hear damnation, blame and sarcasm and negativity. I would be concerned for any candidate whose spiritual mentor promoted discourse.
I'm frankly a bit disappointed in the Reverend Mr. Wright, but now it's time for us to get over it. What a tragedy it would be to abandon Obama at this juncture. I also would like to know the Clintons' role in diseminating this story.....
After all, Hillary already tagged Obama as the third-best candidate. Why should she and The-Devil-Made-Me-Do-It Geraldine be filming Mean Girls, the Sequel?
Mr. Obama's pastor's sermons bring new meaning to the term "Yes, we can!".
One must wonder if the real meaning of the word "we" is not inclusive of all Americans but rather only the set who seek and espouse black power.
In light of the teachings Mr. Obama has received for 20 years, the slogan now sounds divisive and like code language for the black community seeking a power shift. It's hard to know what he really means but in light of his churches beliefs, I am more inclined to believe the "we" in "Yes, we can" does not include white America.
"I am a 60+ white woman who is solidly for Sen. Obama, and like most of his supporters I've been distressed by what I've seen and heard in the past few days."
I am also a 60+ white woman and one who is disgusted by the venom spewed from the vile mouth of Jeremiah Wright.
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s hateful words have been an eye-opener to this senior white woman from the Deep South. I was so proud that with every state Obama swept it was further proof that we had transcended race; that the segregation and racial strife was behind us and we had truly become one people – Americans.
My bubble has been popped by Wright’s despicable rants. And to have the golden child, Obama, embrace and then lie about the content of those rants is totally demoralizing. Other black ministers as well as Wright’s Church are coming out in defense of Wright’s words, and that is scary. Is this the way they really feel toward white people?
Are children being raised and programmed from the cradle to hate white people? If so, this is not much different from the teachings of the madrasas that we so strongly condemn. They just have not progressed yet to teaching their young people to strap on bombs to kill whites.
Obama is looking more like a silver-tongued snake oil salesman than the savior he has been portrayed.
Also MarvinW, Bush was an alcohol abuser and cocaine abuser back in college. If his father wasn't a former president, he never would have been elected to the office. He ran 2 failed oil companies prior to becoming Governor of Texas. His legacy will be The president who doubled gas prices, watched more Americans lose their homes to foreclosure than any in history, destroyed the reputation of the United States with the majority of it's allies and their people, involved us in a war in Iraq that has turned into a Civil War and a complete disaster, was the only president ever to cut taxes during a time of war, completely depleting the US Social Security surplus, and spent more money than any president in US history! I thought Democrats were the ones who spent all of our money????
What all of this shows is that Obama has poor judgement. He may be very articulate and a motivational speaker, but that seems to be it. And for all of you making excuses for him would you do the same if it was a white candidate? I think not. This is just another example of the liberal hypocrisy.
He attended this church for twenty years, it wasn't a one time thing. The minister was like family to Barak. And what about the statements his wife has made in the past? Does she not affect the way Barak lives his life? He's seems to surround him self with people with racists feelings toward white people.
I'm fed up with the double standard. He should step aside. Not that I want Hillary as the nominee, but it's better than a black version of David Duke.
The only thing detractors have been able to pin on Obama are Wright and Rezko and frankly these are very small potatoes in the pantheon of pecadillos we overlook in our political leaders. Obama's extensive interview with the Chicago papers over the weekend on Rezko should significantly put that issue to rest. He's released his taxes and his earmarks. He's not perfect, but he's so-o-o much better than any of the other candidates in the way he engages the issues, in his efforts to run a post-racial campaign, in his efforts to minimize the influence of special interests and PAC money, in his efforts to bring transparency to the governmental process.
I was as shocked as anyone about the Wright comments (out of context as they were). But Obama's still got my white vote. He's first politician that could help us make progress on the race issues that still divide our country--an added bonus for all his other sterling qualities as a leader.
Take a second to observe what is taking place today in America and the world. Whether or not one decides to view things negatively or positively makes the real difference. If we want positive change we must work toward that outcome. Negativity is the bread and butter of our current administration's policies, and the proof for this is the total devastation of cultures here in America and in Iraq. Humanity is not chaos in itself that needs those with money to decide who gets what, we should unite on the simple basis that we are all in this together. We share one common home called earth, we use our God given senses technically no different from each other, and we certainly need shelter, food, and security. These things are all obtainable and dispensable between the mass under one simple mantra "All humans are created equal, and therefore are entitled to a reasonable aspect of freedom. Reasonable in that no persons rights should be compromised by another entity before the due process of law." The people who have spent their life's blood seeking out peace laid out before us the great humanitarian quest of liberation for the species. Robert F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Ghandi, John Lennon. I will leave you all to think on this, Albert Einstein said the most important question a person can ask them self is whether they see themselves as living in a friendly or a hostile universe. You decide with choosing either love or fear as the primary emotion propelling your daily perspective. Take care and God Bless everyone.
www.zeitgeistmovie.com
Ann, you are absolutely nuts to think that blacks were wronged like any other group of ppl... you are clueless and blind. Your not so distant ancenstors have made the black man who he is today. The amount of cruelty and injustice leveled upon black ppl in America can not parallal to anything. Try your whole life to convience your empty rethoric to anyone racist like you because no one in their right mind will buy it. The sad part of it is that, even if there are opportunities to black ppl today after so much struggle, the worst part and he part no one talks about it is why are black ppl excluded from the majority whites as if they are different species? Even though it may not penetrate your head, blacks and whites should not be seen so different as you whites make it to be in America and that makes blacks more hateful of white ppl. There is so much polarization in your white system that makes color to be such a big deal and as a minority blacks have to reap the resulting isolation making it even harder for blacks to be anything but hateful.
Lessons to Learn
I am African American: Racism is still part of our society no matter how you look at it. The good thing is that we don’t see are people in the streets shooting and killing each other. Neighborhoods now hold more illegal guns than law-abiding citizens.
Who is best to unite all races today? Clinton or Obama? I think Obama: A bi-racial son of a single mother has the upper hand. I think Rev Wright opened the door for White America to see the unfinished racial work of MLK. We can confront and solve it now with President Barack Obama or delay the solution. Obama can offer a solution for us to move forward:
Problems that are behind other problems need solutions that are behind solutions, and the solutions behind solutions target the root causes of the problems behind problems.
Ted
Boston, MA
As a Mitt Romney supporter, it is nice to see Barrack finally being scrutinized for the teachings of his church and Reverend Wright.
Throughout the campaign, I saw a very decent guy with impeccable credentials to be President being attacked because of his religion. The media coverage of him was largely negative and constantly referred to him as a Mormon followed by questions asking whether America could ever elect such a guy.
All the while, Barrack Obama's church website was out there espousing black power, black values and an allegiance to Africa. But he got a pass. No mention was ever made of it. I wondered why and always thought there was a double standard applied.
Romney had to make a speech about his religion in November and now four months later, we are finally hearing what Mr. Obama's church teaches and he is forced to make a similar speech. It’s about time.
The irony is that the teachings of Mormonism are far less divisive and hateful than those of Mr. Obama’s pastor and Mormons never suggest that America be damned so why was the coverage so unbalanced.
Whoever left the key in the asylum door, they've let Marvin out again.
Do all you stupid liberal idiots not see what you wish for?... Whether it be some sixties=esque black panther type, or Hillary Clinton; they are both Karl Marx Doctrine come true, defeat us from within liberals..
there is not free lunch, and Liberia is a great example of that.. Primitives, and socialists are a flawed ideology, ie the Soviet Union/ North Korea, etc..
You stupid idiots will bring us down as you are whining about what you have done..
Here's a great piece from the Daily Kos. It just goes to show that Jesus was a radical preacher, too. Be careful before you go off spouting conjecture about Rev. Wright, a well-regarded preacher and intellectual.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/16/17571/2310/136/476847
Here's a preview: "Damn you rich! Damn you who are well-fed! You will know hunger. Damn you who laugh now! You will weep and grieve. Damn you when everybody speaks well of you!" - Jesus, Luke 6:24-26
Since when should individuals be judged by the thoughts and actions of people whom they know? If that were the case, all of my Repugnant friends and relatives who support the war "would rub off on me" and people would assume I support the war which I do not. I don't think ANY individual should be judged by ANYONE WHO IS N*O*T SPEAKING IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL. In other words, The Rev. Wright DOES NOT SPEAK FOR OBAMA. Just because Obama attends that church means that he agrees with everything.
Do any of YOU agree 100% with the stuff your church says? Even Catholics don't do that -- witness divorce and the use of birth control among Catholics. Even they disagree with their church.
So people, get over it. You cannot judge Obama by others, but ONLY on what HE says and HIS merits.
If we are going to go on "guilt by association," then the Clintons should have been sent down the river long ago and so should McCain -- does any remember the Keeting 5????
Clinton is not deranged. Please we are going to hear Obama speech on race and religion.
Why do we have to call people names - let's just listen to what each of them have to say.
Half the comments here are on a par with the frat boys from the Borat movie: In this country, minorities have all the power! The Jews control everything!
Pathetic.
Wow, a preacher made a fiery statement condemning earthly powers. What a shock. The Christian religion will never recover.
Grow up, people.
You Hillary supporters can vote for Hillary but before you do just listen .I'm jewish and I don't think that Barrack Obama is a anti-semitic muslim extremist who won't stand for the pledge because of some media bullshit and something his preacher said. Don't believe media bullshit attacking a good man and if your gonna vote for hillary , Thats fine but just don't do it because there was a CNN report on why Barrack Obama's an extremist muslim who hates jews. Please just do it on facts that can be proven. Hillary or Obama I just hope it's best for the U.S.
PS: I know my spellings wrong but I'm not going to waste time checking.
From 8: "If you change one letter in his name, it contains the exact names of two of the most powerful figureheads of islamic terrorism."
And if you change two letters in Jim Lenon Hitger's name... well, you figure it out, you sly observer of obvious coincidences!
Not only has this distasteful episode disclosed a chink in the Obama armor, it has pointed out the dangers of uninformed voting.
Half of the democratic electorate, thrilled by the speeches of a personable young man, closed their eyes and their minds to any thoughts of substance.
They quickly dismissed the troublesome statements ("I will serve out my fill six year term."). They slid over the nagging rumors of his association with some of Chicago's less than desirable citizens.
The problems with his minister are trivial - He never heard it. In 20 years. And besides, Crazy Old Uncle Wright is going to retire. A tad disrespectful to the guy who has been your pastor and mentor for twenty year, maybe?
And now he will "explain" how this is all somehow the fault of people who dare question him. because questioning him or his qualifications means that you are a racist.
They happily ignored his inexperience. They gleefully proclaimed a Brave New World, blind to Race, immersed in Hope, inspired by Greatness.
Turns out that Greatness is an inexperienced, overly ambitious con man, who is still fibbing, eliding, parsing, and avoiding.
His excuses are lame ("I never heard"). His justifications are disrespectful to the very man he claims as his mentor and advisor ("He is about to retire anyway" "He is like a crazy old uncle").
His rationale for excusing the Rezko connection is disingenuous at best ("Boneheaded"). Obama is an attorney: he can not remember the Rezko campaign donations because he didn't have a staff to staff to maintain better campaign finance records?
Obama loved his Preacher and Knew him Well Chicago Tribune
http://www. chicagotribune. com/news/custom/religion/profiles/chi-070121-relig_wright,0,5184608. story?page=1&coll=chi_news_custom_religion_promo
Obama says that rather than advising him on strategy, Wright helps keep his priorities straight and his moral compass calibrated.
"What I value most about Pastor Wright is not his day-to-day political advice," Obama said. "He’s much more of a sounding board for me to make sure that I am speaking as truthfully about what I believe as possible and that I’m not losing myself in some of the hype and hoopla and stress that’s involved in national politics
In his 1993 memoir "Dreams from My Father," Obama recounts in vivid detail his first meeting with Wright in 1985. The pastor warned the community activist that getting involved with Trinity might turn off other black clergy because of the church’s radical reputation
You cant say he is like an old Uncle that you dont listen to and then say this. Obama cant be trusted to pull us togeather as a nation , not after this.
America's biggest challenge is fixing it's relationship with the rest of the world and specifically diffusing the totally avoidable polarization with the muslim world. Obama's philosophy towards America's racial history echoes his attitudes towards foreign policy: holistic thinking, building bridges, ushering a new era of international diplomacy with America as the inspiring leader, not the hypocritical bully. This is the 21st Century after all, not the Middle Ages.
Wright's preachings, if anything, give Obama the most effective footing on which to do this - for how else is someone going to temper the racial frustrations that have existed than by empathizing in a measured way with the roots of these issues.
America's greatest asset is it's underlying constitutional philosophy of justice and fairness, open-mindedness and self-responsibility. This philosphy spreads naturally when America leads by example - when it applies the same rules to itself as it expects of others. And ironically, it is America that will benefit from this most...because it is American attitudes and businesses that prosper in a world aligned to American ideals. Obama gets this. McCain doesn't and Hillary is too deep in the pockets of corporate/lobbists to effect the shift that is needed.
Focus on the broad strokes. The rest will follow.
BTW: I am aghast at reading that someone is actually raising the mildly racist notion that the closeness of Obama's name to Iraq's fallen president and Al-Qaeda's leader has any bearing on this discussion.
The issue isn't really the fact that Obama attends a black liberation church with a pastor who speaks in a way in which more Americans would be offended then would be pleased. He has every right to attend any church he pleases for it is a free country. The problem I see is with him not revealing himself completely to the very people he's asking to elect him to office. People want to know who this man is they are voting for, and Obama was obligated to be up front with the people. Its bordering on deceit to keep information from people that might cause them to vote differently, if that information had been revealed prior to thier vote. It's about truth, honesty and credibility. If people want you for president, they will elect you even with your faults. But the fact is that they want to know up front what to expect. They don't want to be caught off guard and given significant information at the last minute. Americans are people who really do forgive those that they love. I think a lot of people love Obama and he has to trust the people just like they would like to trust him.
Oh man, this guy is toast. Did everybody catch what he just said to his buddy Jim Leher about why he had long associations with Rezko and Wright:
"...because I haven't been in Washington as long as Senator Clinton or others, that I have not distanced myself from these people for as long a period as somebody more steeped in Washington politics might have."
Ooooohhh, now I see. Common sense, good judgment, ethics, and knowing the difference between right and wrong aren't needed to be able to break you ties with these two dirtbags. It's just that you haven't been in politics that long to know not to hang out with filth. He's finished.
Oh man, this guy is toast. Did everybody catch what he just said to his buddy Jim Leher about why he had long associations with Rezko and Wright:
"...because I haven't been in Washington as long as Senator Clinton or others, that I have not distanced myself from these people for as long a period as somebody more steeped in Washington politics might have."
Ooooohhh, now I see. Common sense, good judgment, ethics, and knowing the difference between right and wrong aren't needed to be able to break you ties with these two dirtbags. It's just that you haven't been in politics that long to know not to hang out with filth. He's finished.
You Hillary supporters can vote for Hillary but before you do just listen .I'm jewish and I don't think that Barrack Obama is a anti-semitic muslim extremist who won't stand for the pledge because of some media bullshit and something his preacher said. Don't believe media bullshit attacking a good man and if your gonna vote for hillary , Thats fine but just don't do it because there was a CNN report on why Barrack Obama's an extremist muslim who hates jews. Please just do it on facts that can be proven. Hillary or Obama I just hope it's best for the U.S.
PS: I know my spellings wrong but I'm not going to waste time checking.
Did you ever consider that Obama's decision to vote against the Iraq war wasn't based on anything other than the Antisemtic views of his denomination? Take a closer look about how his church describes the Jews and talks about America deserving 9/11 because of its favoring relationship with the Jews over the Muslims. Don't take anyone's word for it but the denomination itself. Read Cole's book and listen to Obama's "reverend" one. Do you think Obama will make the best choice for our national security and our armed forces or make a decision based on the core beliefs of the church to which he belongs?
So Marvin W, which way do you intend to vote - it's sort of unclear?
So much vitriol, much of it littered with innaccuracies and innuendo. Guess its not worth the effort to enter into a reasoned dialog. But back to the thread:
Both sides are uncovering less than flattering stuff and throwing mud and, fortunately, some of it is sticking. It is a factor in the American way of elections but I see it as testing everyone including the person/organization throwing the mud. You can tell a lot about a candidate by the way they respond to criticism and crisis and you can also tell a lot about the state of a candidate's campaign and their character when they are pitching the stuff and sidestepping the issues.
The fact is Hillary cannot win unless Obama makes a serious misstep (unlikely given his record so far) or the superdelegates swing heavily her way (unlikely given that her lead in superdelegates is getting smaller by the day).
Obama has created a more effective election campaign and run it better than Hillary which should tell us all something.
At some point both sides are going to have to work this out or hand the election to Granpa McCain. Given the ineptness of the DNC and the way they are alienating key constituencies such as Michegan and Florida the Democrats could still screw this up whoever comes out on top in the primaries.
It’s hard to believe Obama when he claims that he wasn’t aware of any of his racist pastor’s/mentor’s outrageous sermons. He has been a member of this church for nearly 20 yrs, married by this man, and his children baptized by him. Not to mention that he used to listen to his tapes when he was in college. Are we to believe that he is not highly influenced or brain-washed by this man?
Also, what does it say about Obama when he tries to distance himself from this man that he holds a lot of respect for? He is after all his Mentor. Why doesn’t he reveal his true colors and stand up for what he really believes in instead of hide it? It’s because he knows it will cost him the nomination!
Let’s remind ourselves that Obama is running for The President of The United States of America. Our President should unite our country and not divide us. I think it is naive if we ignore this and don't investigate this further. Non-African Americans should also think twice if they believe that Obama doesn’t have an agenda or doesn’t have an obligation to his race if he doesn’t do things in their favor. The pressure he will receive when he’s in office will be endless and they will call him a sell-out if he doesn’t comply. I’m sorry to say this but our country is not yet ready to have an African-American be in the oval office.
Thank you Deborah!!
Just one point of the many she has put pulled out of thin air:
No matter whom you are supporting, you HAVE to know that seating the delegates according to their votes in contests where only one person broke the rules and campaigned is blatantly unfair. How can it possibly be fair? Now, I heard today that she thinks the delegates selected by the VOTE of the people should be able to change their allegiance to the other candidate!! She will do ANYTHING and the media do play to her repeating, repeating, repeating things until they pass as some truth... no matter how outrageous they may be. I wish people would think, as you plead, but unfortunately Hillary's learned that many will not. They listen to the pundits and forge forward with no skepticism or research of their own.
Obama is a critical thinker, a visionary with hope, honest, intelligent, and "a decent guy." It seems so clear that he is the choice for our country at this difficult time...or any time!!!
Marlene
OK people,all of you. Can't you see what you're doing. We've already fought the civil rights issue----for 50 years.It's over. We're all equal! No matter who we are. Get that splinter out of your eye. Read some Plato. Read the bibles, Jewish,Arabic, or Christian. Writings of Bhudda would'nt hurt either.
We're all connected to each other by genetics,philosophy,and history.It don't matter if you're white (you've got black african genes in your blood)
If you're black,red, yellow you still got genes of everyone else. For you who only beleive the bible. Hello-o? Remember everyone came from Adam and
Eve, or should i say Noah.Remember everyone was destroyed in the flood. So-o-o everyone is descended from Noah. Period. We are the only species in the world that can't get along with their own selves. Get civilized and get along already.
Thank you Ann
Obama is a liar
The United Church of Christ is going down in flames on this one
Let's face it you all cannot or will not denounce what Rev Wright said.
Even Obama has! (Although I don't believe him)
What is wrong with your blind hatred of anyone who questions your agenda?
Why can't you be like Barak and denounce what this man has said.
Please, no long winded treatsies
Just answer the questions;
How does a young black child sitting in front of Rev Wright every Sunday not feel as if "the man" is out to kill him?
How would you feel if at 10 or 12 years old you heard your preacher call the USA the UKKKSA?
Or that the government created AIDS and crack to kill your family and culture?
Or that the government didn't care about the victims of Hurricane Katrina?
How would you feel as a black child in that congregation?
For weeks, the politics of racism and hatred have been coming from Clinton, so I find it sickening that the candidate with the positive, optimistic message of unity and hope is being dragged through the mud of her slimy swamp of a campaign. Those who have so much to say about Reverend Wright simply do not understand a charismatic Black preacher. But Hillary understands, and yet she would exploit this the same way she has exploited everything else in a very dishonest way. I don't want a lying brawler in the White House, I'm fed up with that. After seven years of headaches and high blood pressure, I am not willing to vote for four more. If Hillary is the nominee, I won't be voting the Democratic party line.
This should not matter to most Democrats, as we are party that support the division between church and state. I go to church, politically sometimes I do disagree with things I hear, but I continue to go.
This turn of events has shed light on the obvious fact that there has yet to be an honest and open discussion on the issue of race in this country. The problem of race in America is a festering wound that has been overlooked by us all--black and white. The only time it's given any attention is when someone agitates it to remind us it still exists. And when we recognize the wound is still there and not healed it polarizes us, unfortunately, along racial lines.
Let's face it America there are still two America's--one white and one black. The picture of America between the hours of 11am to 1 pm on Sunday is a reminder of how seperated we remain. those of you who have jumped off the Obama train prematurely is but another instance that proves race plays an important part in who you support.
> Don't believe on what Obama say, look what Obama did and doing.
We do not want a president who promote hatred and racism.
Exactly! That's exactly why I intend to vote for him. Because he's constantly worked to break down those walls and I know he will continue to do so. Even with all the hatred spewed at him, he constantly works to get people to calm down and think things through. That's exactly what we need in a leader, rather than those others who constantly preach fear as a means of increasing their own power.
Obama has already won the nomination - This speech seems like an OK way to set the pace for the election to come. To Clinton's credit, her and her spinmeisters have done a fantastic job keeping the focus off this reality and, for example, currently on Pennsylvania when it is Indiana and N Carolina that are going to really lock things up.
Sorry - can't make it through posts that start out with "As usual, Black people..." and "Husseinisize" the message. You can't even get past the first couple of points on that one knowing that this person got everything from conspiracy sites somewhere without even reading original sources. Yawner.
I'm looking forward to seeing all of you criticizing McCain for the racist, radical, hate-preaching, blame-America company he keeps. Oh wait, those are *white* preachers. Nevermind.
to all you obama worshippers, obama has run on trusting him and on jugdment,two things that have been shown he lacks, he keeps being cauhgt in lie after lie,from rezko,to nafta, his pastor and many other things that he has said one day and says something else the next, he is a typical chicago politician, say one thing do another, i live in chicago and have followed his quick rise in goverment,and most the country knows half of the things this guy has done, but dont worry like a leaky faucet, it will keep on dripping, my vote is with hillary or mccain, just like alot of white democratic voters
The forces of division have begun to raise their ugly head again," Obama said.
"It reminds me: We've got a tragic history when it comes to race in this country. A lot of pent-up anger and mistrust and bitterness. This country wants to move beyond these kinds of things."
Democratic voters are not dumb enough to think that we can "move beyond these kinds of things" by demonizing white people, Jews, and the United States, from a politicized pulpit. It remains to be seen how successful Obama's damage control can be.
I personally think he's toast.
Here are just the facts, a CNN poll conducted March 14-16 has Obama ahead of Clinton 52% to 45%. The Rasmussen Tracking poll shows Obama ahead of Clinton 47% to 46% as of 03/17. McCain is doing slightly better than both candidates. This is the state of the Nation right now. In a heated battle for the Presidency there will always be smear, sweat and stuff that will color one's opinion. Bush was voted in a second term because people believed the swift boat mantra. Now where are we 4 years later. So, can you encourage your friends to focus on issues this time. Why do people allow outsiders like Ferraro, Wright, Hagee or the Swift Boat Veterans to distract them from what is really important? Tell me what really matters? Proving that Clinton is a racist, Obama is a racist, McCain is a Warmonger or none of the above. Can we come together this year and vote for someone based on facts and not smear?
For healing of racial divisions where one race was wronged by another, acknowledgment is necessary before people can move on.
Australia just last month delivered a major apology to its aborigines, especially the "Stolen Generation" who were taken from their parents. It was a moment when people could finally look each other in the eye, one to say, "I'm sorry," and the other to accept and recognize the apologizer as a friend.
President Bill Clinton once acknowledged that the U.S. was founded on genocide (the Native-Americans) and slavery (blacks). Why should these people be proud of the U.S. for doing this to them? Rights have been fought for, and some progress has been made since the 1960's. However, those who want to dwell on past grievances and ALSO those who refuse to acknowledge them will perpetuate these divisions.
If Americans want at last to move beyond race, our government should deliver an apology like the Australians did, so that everyone can finally look each other in the eye, say it was so, recognize continued inequities that need to be rectified, and then we can move on together.
Hillary is Richard Nixon: Intensely secretive, revels in dirty politics without restraint, covets the US presidency so much that she feels it is a birthright-a right of ascension to power. Remember her vstatement, "It takes a Clinton to Clean Up After A Bush." HRC supporters are buying this "reasoning" while her mega corporate connected types that rip off the average tax payers watch and laugh as we tear each other to shreds over the statements of preacher. Silly. This is exactly the kind of divisive atmosphere in which politicians like Hillary Clinton thrive. Any wonder why she has been silent on this Rev. Wright issue? She loves every minute of it. Her silence will cost her: another tactical miscalculation on her part. Her theory of electoral politics is much like that of Karl Rove, who one day thought his strategy would create an enduring republican era. Instead, as immoral a tactician as he was, even Rove could not stir up enough dirt on his political opponents to create his enduring Bush/Republican Legacy. Rove, like Nixon, and eventually Clinton, typically end up burying themselves. Clinton is from this same school of "ethics" as Rove, Nixon and Bush. She deals in dirt. A majority of Americans will reject dirt, deception, division and dynasty and elect Bacak Obama
President. God Bless America.
I agree wholeheartedly with Debbie Mathias, that this whole situation uncovers how little white people really know about black people. But I think many black people also don't know white people as well as they might think they do either, which would account for their surprise at the success Obama has had in attracting such huge numbers of white supporters.
It would take too long for me to relate my own personal history here, but suffice it to say, it's been very diverse. I always bristle when white people talk about "AfroCentricism" and substitute the word "white" for "black" and declare they are victims of racism against them. Their lack of understanding about the black experience is enormous. But I also groan when I hear blacks declare that every slight they experience is rooted in racism, and are not willing to consider that they themselves may have flaws,and that it's really about them personally, not their race. My observation is that much ignorance exists within both groups.
This whole issue of race is complicated and cannot be reduced to a few convenient soundbytes, and I am willing to look deeper than most to search for the complete truth. I do not believe for a second that Rev. Wright spent every Sunday for 20 years preaching hatred and racism from the pulpit, nor do I believe that his church is full of black people who hate whites and hate America. But this is what the pundits and fearmongers would have us believe.
I have always been against what divides us and for whatever unites us, and after reading both of Barack Obama's books, I do not believe he is some secret racist, but someone who is insightful and has thought deeply about the chasm that has divided us for so long. I am very interested in what he is going to say in his speech tomorrow.
If Obama wins, all the hatemongers in this post (ironic how they are sounding just like the Reverand they are repudiating! ) will be a very unhappy bunch. If he loses, then I say they get what they deserve.
As a 22 year old who grew up in Cambridge, the events of this campaign have given me my first real taste of widespread racism. It's like a curtain has been pulled away. Maybe I was lucky, but when I grew up, although people hung out with their own racial group a lot of the time, and maybe once in a while I'd hear about racist acts, that seemed like the extreme, the exception to the norm. We may have felt initial fears in laying eyes on peers with different appearances and cultural backgrounds, but we were all taught to look beyond our superficial differences—and for the most part, we did. We learned about the rampant racism--the inhumanity that had gone before-- but we felt like we were a generation who had largely moved beyond that.
Now it's obvious that's not the case, at least for many. But I trust that many will continue to reason, think, and put mind over matter. It’s a conscious decision to move beyond the fear of people who at first glance seem different.
As for Rev. Wright, come on! It’s called preaching! For those who have gone to church, I’m sure you can think of a time when the preacher gave a strong message, which stirred up thought and evaluation. They say a lot of extreme things at church sometimes, but often, there is an underlying message which rings true. In this case, I think it was a call to reevaluate the status quo in America, and not just sit around and accept injustice, as we sometimes do unless we’re preached to a little bit by someone who may sound crazy. I think that’s the whole message of “Damn America.”
Obama can explain away Reverend Wright's hell and damnation remarks as the "black church experience", but the damage is already done. Of course the people who have been sold "Hope and Change" are in denial right now. Instead of recognizing that they don't really know who Obama really is, apart from his rhetorical words, these Barack worshippers try to shift the blame to others like the Clintons, the Republicans etc. Obama has referenced Martin Luther King Jr. in his speeches but they were "Just Words". Why would Obama make Reverend Wright his mentor is mind boggling. For two decades! Just goes to show that because this candidate was Harvard graduate doesn't mean much if he doesn't have commonsense. That is why we were all endowed with a "Conscience" by our Creator to know right from wrong. How can we trust Obama to lead this country if he can't differentiate between right and wrong? Why pick a deranged mentor while he had people like Jesus, King, Ghandi to study their works and life?
Unbelievable! I can't believe people have the nerve to say "the preacher" is right, or dismiss his rants and not think his tirade is racist?
This preacher is a hateful, ignorant racist. This "black trash", (oh, sorry, only "white trash" is acceptable today) bigot performed the marriage of Barak, and Michelle, "I'm finally proud of our country" Obama.
Obama is trying to distance himself from this guy because, to prove he's not a Muslim, he said he goes to this Christian church. Obama has been in his church for 20 years, this man is Obama's "spiritual advisor" Do you think this is the FIRST time this idiot, black racist has spewed his filthy racism? Obama stayed in his church because he likes this message or he would have left for a message more in line with his own.
Obama is his lackey, or is he Oprah's lackey, or is he Farrakhan’s lackey. Where did he get the money to outspend Hillary 5 to 1?
It's time to end this double standard of black racism and political correctness. This preacher is a hate-monger, and Obama is part of his ilk.
We brought 9/11 upon ourselves? What crimes did the people I saw jumping from the WTC commit? They simply showed up for work to support their loved ones.
God Damn America!!!???? Is anyone stupid enough to want his "spiritual student" as President?
My grandmother said, "The Devil often comes dressed as a gentleman".
Yes, and he's running for the White House, with racism and anti-Semitism, under his silk suit. Obama's veneer is starting to wear off.
In Iowa he was quoted "When America gets a cold, Black America gets pneumonia". He didn't say "poor" and include other races.
Any "white man oppressor" "European oppressors" or Anglo-American, or anyone with an ounce of goodness, won't support this black KKK, of which Obama is a long-standing member.
Anyone who votes for Obama is inviting disaster for themselves, their children and our country.
Once there was a very charismatic man, who seemed to come out of nowhere. He stirred the people for "change" and his promise of a new, united country, and of "what could be"; his name was Hitler.
Why won't the media tell us the time Obama will speak so the rest of us can participate in this election? Over the past half hour I've sifted through the Internet looking for this info. There's no shortage of long articles and blogs discusing what Obama might say in his speech, but no effort is made to inform the public as to exactly WHEN the speech will take place. And that goes for the NY Times, the Huffington Post, Yahoo TV guide, and even the official Obama for President website. What are we -- mindreaders?
t
Simple.... Hillary and McCain voted for the war.... and we are winning the war.
Believe these words from OBAMA's mouth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONKKYnFFemY
Hey, I think that Obama did very well addressing "the race issue" today. He presented (atleast) as being very real. If he could really work on race issues while in office this would be great. Even if he was sucessful at making everything else worse (picking up where Bush is leaving off) which is not likely, even with Obama's lack of experience. Obama spoke as if his work has just begun!! I wouldn't worry about Wright, he's not running. Myself, I have (had) a mentor who is clueless about certain things. My former mentor believes there is no such thing as "reverse racism", not even does the concept exist to him (he's a white guy, though brown eyed). There have been other people who have helped me along the way. yet who I don't agree 100% with. I'm sure that there were good past presidents who had support from people that could be considered "white racists". For me, it's a tough choice of two "sketchy" people perhaps. Even though I probobly wouldn't want his "mentor" over my house; right now I still bode towards Obama.
Regards everyone,
Rob
"The Blue-Eyed Devil"
Hyde Park, MA
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com