Rev. Rivers: Wright throwing Obama campaign under the bus
The Rev. Eugene Rivers of Boston gave harsh reviews this afternoon to the defense that Barack Obama's former pastor presented for himself today.
On MSNBC's "Hardball," Rivers called the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. "a good man" who has done lots of good in his 40 years in the ministry.
But Rivers said, "His public performance in the last 24 hours has had the unintended consequence of throwing Senator Obama's campaign under the bus."
While Obama tried to be loyal to his spiritual mentor by not disowning Wright even as he denounced his most controversial remarks, Wright has now become an albatross for Obama and is undermining his message, Rivers said.
Obama now must divorce himself from Wright and realign with other black religious figures who have more mainstream views of racial reconciliation, Rivers said.
Wright was only speaking for himself, and does not represent other black churches, Rivers said. "There are other voices," he said.
Was this really worth an article or the headline?
Why should Obama divorce himself from one man, who he actually knows--unlike the people who are throwing around all these opinions and accusations--and align himself with those he doesn't know? What happens if they say something the press or other deem inappropriate?
Rev. Eugene Rivers of Boston, you do not know what you are talking about, as an educated person that has Honors English/Speech classes under my belt and as a white individual that did listen to Reverend Wright this morning with the "press", I understood very clearly what Reverend Wright said. Stop "READING" into what he said and just "LISTEN". To me it sounds as if you, Reverend Eugene Rivers of Boston, have already divorced God and aligned yourself with what is wrong with America. "Realign yourself with God first!"
Go Rev. Rivers! Finally a voice of reason.
I have attended black churches from my youth, and the experience has varied over the years. There is a strong reverence for the preacher or pastor within the church, and members are very reluctant or fearful of disagreeing with the pastor. I have witnessed congregants speaking up about sermons they didn't like, only to be preached aginst from the pulpit on the following Sunday. In such cases, the pastors have said God speaks to them and through them and the members have no say in the matter. Most pastors I have known do not take criticism very well, and perhaps Rev. Wright is one of those ministers.
My church experience has shown that black people have a deep sense of loyalty and respect for the preacher. Rev. Wright is correct about the role of the church in the African American experience from slavery through the Civil Rights Era. The church provided hope for a better state of existance, whether here on earth or after this life is over. However, if you trace the family history of Senator Obama, he did not come to his place in history via the same route as African Americans. His ansestors were not brought to this land through slavery. His father was from Kenya and his mother from Kansas. I don't believe Mr. Obama, in any way, can relate to Rev. Wrights experiences and views.
Robert
"Reverend" Wright has serious issues. So does anyone who actually believes and listens to this nut.
I guess it's true you can never underestimate the stupidity of the mob.
Barak Obama sat,listened, and supported Rev. Wright for 20 years.I can only conclude that the two are in agreement.20 years is a long time to listen to someone with whom you don't agree.I would not have listened to the Rev.Wright for 20 minutes.The man must know that he is hurting Obama's campaign,but true to form,he doesn't care about anything but his own hatred.
Rev Rivers. You have no shame. But then again i'm not shoked, it's christians like you who made me leave the church. If you read your bible you'd know that it says let he who has no sin be the first to cast a stone... you a damning someone for being courageous to fight for the racial imbalance that plaguing this country... do you really leave in boston? i'm a well educated black man (thank god i can't be a victim of this system), but i'm in pain for my people incarcerated and undereducated by this govt in an endless line cycle for years since MLK died. What is this country's excuse for this nonsense... MLK died 40 years ago, and look at the differences in schools between newton and dorchester... it's appalling! and you are persecuting the guy brave enough to talk against this? God will reward you for your work!
Obama is our Savior. Obama, Ayers, and Reverend Wright are Right! God D*** america! The stupid, bitter, racist "typical white people" of pennsylvania voted for clinton. How disgusting, now they have even more blood on their hands! They ignored their opportunity to redeem themselves for their racism and evil past -> slavery - and finally make Michelle proud. How sad. Please no hater responses, but you bitter, typical Indiana white people, please stop buying guns to cling to, and save your money for my reparations check! Obama ''08, Repartions Check, ''09! http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/racism/0108 27.reparations.html
I've watched a lot of Wright these last few days and see a brilliant, highly devoted spiritual leader not for the Afro americans, but for ALL Americans. He's a True Christian. Unfortunately most Americans are not capable of tolerating a true Christian because our history is checkered at best. Talking Truth to Power gets one in trouble every time; but the Truth will free us if we are to be freed. The eternal dilemma of religion versus political reality is a most delicate balancing act, and America is now in the midst of this crucifying struggle. I am a White Black Man and I feel no threat nor hurt from Dr. Rev. Wright's positions, matter o fact America should listen carefully to his message. there's a lot of good medicine therein.
it looks like wright has a well known reputation of giving fiesty and racist sermons i dont belive barrack thought he would be running for president so soon and this would come back to haunt him.
wright didnt become fiesty overnight
Well, Obama himself hasn't disavowed Wright, so I don't see why the rest of us should stop listening, or why Wright should feel obligated to stop running his mouth.
Frankly, the more I know of Wright, the more I understand Obama. Let's not hide the good Reverend's light under a bushel! Let's hear it all -- how white U.S. bureaucrats created AIDS, how whites continue to repress blacks, how black people have different brains from whites and everyone else.
Yes, let us hear all the theology of Obama's 20-year spiritual mentor. We really need to open our ears to get the unvarnished message... and then pull the voting lever for someone else... because if Obama could sit with open ears in a church like Wright's, then there's something very, very wrong with him.
Rivers is right. I love Barack. I understand what initially might have drawn him to Trinity. But Wright has betrayed Obama. And Obama should now make a clean break, saying that his (Obama's) speech in Phila. was a plea to Wright to see that the world has changed since 1971, and Wright showed, disappointlngly, that he has a closed mind.
wright will cost obama the presidency
Wake up you ignorant fools. There is no god. Quit holding on to 2000 year old ideas of the origin of the Universe.
I agree with JDS. Rivers, you are sick and need to find GOD again. Rev Wright is speaking about how we can all come together in this nation to make a difference rather than keep this seperation in our daily lives. America does need to cleanup it's act and begin to take care of it's citizens and work in cooperation with the world in a truthful manner. We need to stop the lies and cheating each other ou of the fruits of this nation. The world will be a better place for all to liive if America gets it right. I too understood very clearly what Reverend Wright said. Start "LISTENING" as GOD would have his peolpe to do! Barack Obama is the next President of the Unied States.
i had hoped this election would bring more people into the process of an election. now i see it as potentially more divisive than any other campaign ever.
check out this video for some political comic relief - you deserve it at this point!
(cut, paste, add www.)
youtube.com/watch?v=IcZwHuR_BMc
Rev Rivers is a well-known sellout throughout Boston, as bourgeois as they come. Lots of time for the high and mighty, very little time for his own people, except when its time to scold them, or urge them to sit back and take it when the police shoot down another unarmed black man. He's the Globe's favorite go-to man when they want someone to provide them with a soundbite against black rebellion.
There are things in what Wright says that I do not agree with, but who can deny that the US, whose military budget exceeds that of the rest of the world combined is not the 'greatest purveyor of violence in the world today'? Those words were not Wright's, they were ML King's, more than forty years ago. They ring true to this day. I am so sorry to say that so many of the American people live in a cocoon, completely ignorant of everything going on in the world around them, so much of it violence being done in their name and with their tax dollars. The corporate media--the Globe among them--are partly responsible for this.
Wake up, America. This is bigger than Obama, for crissakes; this is about your relationship with the rest of humanity.
I am a white male around 50 years of age. I think Eugene rivers is a genius, i just watched him on fox news and was astounded at the logic and wisdom this man has, his explanation of why Obama overlooked wrights comments due to his father image of him was at the core the most logical summary i have heard yet. To all of those that have left negative comments about him, all i can say is you are a racist and have not enough common sense to come in out of the rain, still playing the race card for the situation black America is in, in this century, put themselves into, white people are not making black people go out and commit crimes, give me a break! you are still living and thinking as if it is 1975. tonight was the first time i have ever heard of Ugene Rivers. I think Obama would do well as his new pastor.
do
well as to make him is new pastor
God bless you pastor Rivers, you are a true man of God.
I may not be highly educated like those that the media likes to profile but I am able to say that I am an American. I was born in America which is what makes me one. I have listened all my life to those who are fortunate enough to have the media profile what they say - WHATEVER IT IS - This is such a crucial time for blacks and whites to take advantage of an opportunity to find out the real truth about each other. How did this political process suddenly become such a GOD centered issue shouldn't we remember that it is America itself that has separated church and state. Who is running for president that will make things better. Let's vote for that candidate and maybe we'll be able to give credence what the most important issues are that need to be address and not WHO is saying what!!!!!!
I am saddend to know that another prominent black man such as Pastor Eugene Rivers would speak so derogatory about another prominent black man Senator Barrack Obama, Both of these men support the same message " Change" Eugene Rivers know the difficult mission ahead especially working with gang members and all sorts of criminals that hope to change their lives around. If the leader is full of Sugar Honey Ice Tea, "know wonder the murder rate and prisons continue to grow in the communities" Pastor Eugene Rivers Service. Each one, reach one. Don't show your brothers that you don't support another brother being President. Shame on you Pastor Eugene Rivers" I ( Host/Yessayana, Renee) am going to talk about you on my show "People to Watch" BNN channel 23 May 13, 2008
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