The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

http://geo.ya.com/kotimare/ bleper

http://geo.ya.com/kotimare/ preved

Well, I just finished listening to Obama's Race Speech.

The guy can make a speech, I must say.
But what did he say?
He rejected the preaching of his preacher while justifying it. He came close to blaming white people for causing Rev. Wright to be so filled with hate talk.

He drew equivancies between the spiritual mentor's God damning of America from the pulpit with comments made by his White grandmother, which were left undescribed, as well as comments by Ferraro, which were not of the type or kind that Wright let out with.

He abhored the racial divide in this country while not explaining why he has supported the Black side of the divide for the past 20 years. He never explained why in 20 years of exposure to this sort of thing he has never done anything, even in his church to help his fellow church goers overcome the hate talk that apparantly has an audience there.

By condemning this sort of thing while at the same time attempting to justify it it, Obama is sort of like Clinton saying he smoked pot but didn't inhale. He is parsing and then putting a thick layer of Obama styled inspirational talk on top and hoping that it all sells.

I thought it rather out of place that he would take the opportunity of the attention that was given that speech wherein he was to attempt to explain his connection with Rev. Wright and instead use the attention to give his stump speech, including the reference to the little White Girl Allison.

It all leaves me to wonder why, if Obama feels as he spoke today why he has not tried to impress such ideas on his church congregation up until now? Why did he wait until he had his hand caught in the cookie jar to come up with the eloquent speech about racial reconciliation?

The racial climate in this country will not be changed by a campaign or by a president, even an African American one. Rather, it is a slow evolutionary process. Started at the close of the Civil War, left dormant for 100 years of Jim Crowe and then righted with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. That legislation set the framework for the emergence of a thriving African American economic middle class and the emergence of this large African American middle class has more than anything else, changed the racial climate in the country. It is evolving.

In fact, if Obama were to get elected now, in the wake of what his preacher preaches and his community defends, this will only justify the resurgence of white power groups as a countervaling reaction to Obama and where he comes from.

Race in America comes in cycles. Pull the pendulum too far one way and you can count on it swinging back hard the other way. To now it has been largely dormant.

What Obama has done today is to open up an old wound, or a can of worms. At this time, when there are so many other intractible issues before the County, do we really need to take on Black and White in America?? Do we really need to create this polarity when the country really needs to be united as it faces all of the issues that are before us?

We genuinely do need a uniter. The people feel it, the people seek it. The people have flocked to the Obama campaign thinking that he is the agent not only of change but of unity.

This episode with the preacher has put a huge dent in his credibility as a uniter. I do not know that this talk cured that problem, which for Obama is a killer.

jkse123-YOU are sooooo full of it, your eyes are browner!

First, many Blacks were in NORTHERN States, and hence-NOT SLAVES.
Second, Many Irish People and others were brought here as Indentured servants, and Hence, ALSO shared Bondage!
And Third, Millions of Blacks arrived AFTER the Civil War, and have NEVER even remotely shared the Bondage Caca!

Finally-There is NO other Country on this planet that offers Blacks as much of a chance to succeed, get Ahead, or opportunity, than here!

If the US is Soooooooo Bad to Blacks, why are MILLIONS more trying soooooooo hard, TO GET HERE!?

Knock your garbage off! :-(

Why is he refusing to answer very important questions such as this off-the-cuff, without preparation? This concerns me for several reasons.

[1] A PRESIDENT DOES NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE LUXURY OF TIME TO PREPARE A SPEECH. Also, prepared speeches seem less immediate, less real when they become overused. I am afraid Barack Obama is reaching this point.

[2] PREPARED SPEECHES, NO MATTER HOW PERSUASIVE, ARE NOT ENOUGH. He is a relatively gifted orator, but, unfortunately, this is not the only or even the most important quality in a leader. Being persuasive is not the same thing as knowing the best course of action.

[3] WE SHOULD ALREADY KNOW WHERE HE STANDS ON THESE THINGS, BUT WE DON'T. Why do we have to wait for a prepared response? Simply saying over and over that we are all one America (we are) and that we should all get along (we should) has never been enough. I do not think it ever will be. What exactly are his beliefs about things like religion, race, and gender? What does he plan to do about it?

[4] HE SHOULD KNOW WHAT HE BELIEVES ABOUT THESE ISSUES BY NOW. By making reporters wait for answers to these kinds of questions, it gives me the impression that he is not sure and that his speech is going to be carefully contrived, rather than revealing. I hope it is informative because, as a presidential candidate, he had certainly better have a clear understanding of the very real problems of continued prejudice in America and more than a few plans on how to deal with them.

[5] SO FAR, BARACK OBAMA SEEMS TO HAVE A VERY NAIVE VISION OF RACISM AND SEXISM IN AMERICA. I never hear him talk about the uglier results of prejudice in our country, such as difficulties obtaining jobs, reduced wages when you have one, generational poverty, violence, and so on. It's not that he seems especially insensitive so far. He is just too verbally careful and maybe, underneath, more than a bit naive about how some of us are actually living. He is upset that his pastor is being caricaturized, but then he describes him as a stereotype, a product of the times in which he lived. Mr. Obama seems to be putting this period firmly in our past, as if everything is better now. It is just the old folks who are still bitter and don't realize how much better things are. This kind of false sense of contentment is only available to those who can afford it. Such complacency could hurtle us backward rather than forward.

[6] DOES ANY OF THIS IMPACT FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES? I find it disturbing that he does not seem to be actively engaged in facing these problems head-on in our country, but I find it chilling that he might apply oversimplified views of religion, race, and sex onto our international policy efforts. I hope he talks about this link between fighting for rights and equality both at home and abroad.

Let's not forget that the woman that gave birth the Obama is a white woman. I'm sure he loves his mother dearly, so to think that he is racist is imaginable! Let him have his say!

America still suffers from racism or we would not be having this dialog. Also, African Americans views on America and the treatment towards blacks in this country for 400+ years is something that white American can't understand. White America wants to sweep this issues under the rug. If you sweep dust under the rug, the dust still remains. You must sweep the dust into a dust pan and throw the dust into the garbage.

If you want to heal the minds of the American blacks and whites in regards to the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade and the treatment towards blacks, then we must talk about the issues. Blacks must help our white brothers and sisters remove the burden off the shoulders of white America which was not placed there by their own doing, but by the doings of their forefathers. As such, whites must help black America break the chains of mental slavery that has plagued black America for centuries.

With this new found understanding change takes place and love, respect, and deep understanding for each other is created. We must talk about the issues without judgment. Why? Because to judge is to separate yourself from that which you are judging.

Two campaigns change theme songs!

Barack Hussein-Jethro Tull's "Living in the Past"! :-(

And John McCain-"Taking Care of Business"! ;~)

i posted this elsehere too if this sounds familiar to anyone...
i'm glad obama will put this to rest tomorrow. b/c the media and pundits are overplaying this issue. to fault obama for rev wrights over the top statements, b/c he's a church member and the rev married obama and baptized his daughters cuts both ways. to do so is as ridiculous as to fault someone who has been married or baptized by a priest who has committed some wrong doing. I mean were catholic politicians faulted after the priest controversies a few years back ? of course not- and any such attempt would have been wrong-headed. obviously, to make that connection is over reaching.
but at the same time wright's comments ( yes, they are abrupt) have a context. first rev wright is a man of his times; someone who served the country in the navy and marines and later tried to mend the black community with his church. those are an example of his works ( which is the important factor). the words in question are an example of social commentary that is traditional to the black church. sometimes they serve to challenge the society at large that is to say-unwise wars, unjust social policies, or the congregation ( personal accountability) on issues like crime, education, and whole family structures. this social commentary style has it's place in the black church but admittedly not in politics.
now, that question fairly put to obama is what are his thoughts and reflections. he is a man of these times; no one can argue he has a problem w/whites. he is a multi-racial, multi-cultural, post-racial candidate who was raised largely by loving white relatives. so, I hope the fear-card does not hold sway. also to try to make an inference that the black church is a bastion of anti-patriotism is also wrong-headed. black americans after all fought for the right- to fight and die for our nation(like rev wright) for example.
if we as americans, all of us -keep getting fooled by these feeble scare tactics we will continue to decline as a nation. people wake up and let's put this issue behind us.

I find it amazing that 400 years of slavery and "Jim Crow" should be forgotten and forgiven of those who committed them because they declare that they have changed. Calling Obama a racist pig denies the atrocities committed by all sectors of our society during those infamous years of denial and outcast of a major part of its citizenry. Remember when lynching was considered a Sunday outing-not only the South, but the North too: an all-to-common practice all over the country. We continue to be made emotionally impotent as a nation because of our social inheritance of the institute of slavery and "JIM CROW". This is why race continues to be the specter that determines the social intercourse we have with different ethnic groups, how pathetic. I am surprise that what is considered so outrageous because it just happened to surprisingly be discovered in the black church allows us to condemn Barack Obama through association and declare he is not fit to be POTUS. Look at what we have now! What has been done to these United States by George W. Bush, far out weighs anything that could be perpetuated by Obama. We are so consumed by race that we forget the troubling problems we face: the economy, the war in Iraq, the shrinking statue of the US in foreign policy, the castration of our military.

Frankly, I do not have much confidence that the US will ever overcome its legacy of slavery and race "baiting".

Should white people be talking about what goes on in black churches? Or is it any of our business? Seems like the subject of white America is fair game in these congregations. Is it intrusive at best and racist at worst for white Americans to opine about what is preached in social agenda sermons to African American congregations? I'm curious about what fair minded people think of these questions and what African Americans themselves might feel about them. Maybe there's something wrong going on in black churches where Rev. Wright-style black preachers venture into these areas. It seems to me that black church goers and the black communities that might accept the influence of these types of negative perspectives aren't benefiting from even the basics of what we all now know about healthy-minded perspectives on one's life. Could a tradition of filling people up with this type of resentment and anger and hostility for their own living environment, America, and for those who they must share that environment with, white Americans, be actually contributing to this group's perpetual foundering in terms of achieving, as a community, this long sought after "lifting up" from the many social and economic problems that still ensnare black America?

slavicdiva - Good point with regards to Barack Obama unable to answer questions. Instead, he has to draft a speech with his advisors and wife in order to figure out what the American people want to hear him say. How lame.

tim - Actually, I think it is a bit more serious than just disagreeing with your pastor on a few things. What you are suggesting would be equal to disagreeing with your pastor that wearing makeup or jewelry was a sin. I'm sorry, but I don't consider racist attacks on white Americans and our nation as a whole in the same league as disagreeing on something far more insignificant as whether wearing make-up (or too much of it) is a sin.

There are several posts above, for anyone who has an attention-span above that of a five year old, that make me proud...proud of the candidacy of Barack Obama, proud of those posters, and proud of my country for the first time in many decades. thank you. BTW...white, female, 61 yrs old

cgirard

Logan6 - This particular issue more directly relates to Barack Obama's credibility in regards to claiming that he is the "post-racial" candidate. How can he be a "post-racial" candidate when he attends a racial-charged church and has a racist for his "spirit advisor"?

The American people have a right to know if Barack Obama has been lying to them, deceiving them, or keeping such concerning issues from them just so he can get elected president.

Barack Obama's credibility and electibility are valid issues to discuss, particularly since his relationship with his "spirit advisor" is concerning, especially when Barack Obama claims he didn't know how his pastor or spirit advisor preached.

Now that his polls are in a free-fall, he's finding the need to try to attempt to explain why he's supported a racially-charged church and a racist "spirit-advisor" for the past 20 years. I hope people record it and go back and analyze it later to determine what questions Barack Obama danced around without actually answering and which answers do not make any sense.

Oh btw, I am a 53 and white and was born in Mississippi, but grew up in the north. But I witnessed the injustices of African Americans when I went back to visit my grandmother. We made them sit on the back of the bus, they had different water fountains. I could go on and on what I saw as a child. We really need Obama and I'm sorry that all the racists in this country can't see it. It upsets me so much that we still have racism.

What are all of you afraid of. Some of you sound very uneducated and ignorant. You readily condemn Obama because of his association with Rev Wright. But some of what Rev Wright says is true. Are you wearing blinders and just don't want to admit that you are racist and that racism still exists in this country. I guess it's easier to attack then to face who you truly are.

Ebubuk2004, this comment of yours is truly disgraceful ..................
Before the election is over, we make Obama Uncle Tom.
Obama needs good old wiping.

His comments were directed toward people like you. Does that make him a racist......no, that makes him a realist. Racism still exists and will continue to exist because of people like you. Shame on you for that. We need to get past this and who better than Obama to do that.
No I don't agree with all the comments from the rev. but I do understand some of what he said. And unlike some of the comments I have read here, Obama is not playing the race card. That was already played by Bill Clinton in South Carolina. I am so ashamed of some of you and embarrassed on what you posted. You need to educate yourself on politics because you just sound foolish and again ignorant.

I am so tired of the Bush and Clinton dynasty. Why do you want them running our country time after time. Nothing will change unless we nominate someone with new ideas. She has so much baggage and scandals of her own, and no real experience. And McCain is just too old and wants us in Iraq for the next 100 years.
So can we please get over the race issue. I am so glad Obama is addressing this tomorrow.

btw all of you neocons, the definition of racism is: a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
So what did Rev. Wright say that leads you to believe he thinks blacks are superior or that they should rule over another race?!?

Ohhhhhh, I get it. THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE AFRAID OF. You're afraid that if Obama get's elected then all the black folks will rise up and start treating you like you've been treating us for the past 400 centuries. I get it. Well we're better than that! Is that racist?!?

ZyskandarAJaimot: First of all we do not blame white people for where we are today nor was Rev. Wright. However, if you look at the truth there are some things that cannot be denied; like the Tuskeegee experiments. When govt' sponsored programs are put in place to inject black men with syphilis while pretending to cure them is it any surprise that a conspiracy theory like AIDS is believed?
Secondly 9/11 is the result of actions taken by the OUT GOVERNMENT = not you who i assume are white, but have no power - but our govt. Which is controlled by white people. If you would like to believe that we were attacked for absolutely no reason; that we were just minding our own business and here they come messin' with us. Then go right ahead. But you are living in a fantasy world. The truth is, that we have been meddling in other folk's business and their tired of it. They're tired of the Westernized cultural colonization that is engulfing the rest of the planet. They're tired of the puppet governments that we set up to do our bidding. This is the truth. Your president didn't even realize that there are 2 different "tribes" living in Iraq - and there he goes meddling in their business and for what? Oh, that's right because they have WMDs. Oh, no that's not right it's to liberate them. Oh no, that's not right it's to get Al Qaeda. Your president has been lying since day 1 and yet if we say he is the most pitiful piece a crap president and the U.S. is stupid for voting for him then we are racist. While you're on You Tube looking at the TRUE WORDS or Rev. Wright, go check out how your president was joking with his cronies about not finding any WMDs.
Until this country atones for the evil that it was created by it will continue to slip into destruction.

I think this type of preaching only serves to divide us. Do people really think that white america would invent the Aids virus to infect people of color? This is the racist veiws of the past. It is used to deflect personal responsibility. Don't blame yourself for the condition in which you find yourself, blame someone else that way you don't have to do anything to better your condition because it's not your fault and ah...oh put some money in the collect plate the reverend needs a new car. The real oppressors in this world are those that tell you you can't.

It is time to finally admit that BLACKS have one view of AMERICA - WHITES another. BLACKS have 'reasons' to feel oppressed by a WHITE wealthy majority - and are committed to the notions that the UNITED STATES deserved 9/11; that WHITES intentionally inflicted AIDS on the BLACK PEOPLES of the world, and have generally 'mistreated' 'COLOURED PEOPLES' because they are not WHITE. UNFORTINATELY - no BLACK has ever uttered their thanks/appreciation to the WHITES of this nation who fought a CIVIL WAR for their freedom/liberation. As the BLACK POPULACE is pressed in its favored minority staus with a growing influx of HISPANICS - it might well behoove for BLACKS to find other 'leaders' other than the standard 'race-haters/baiters' who seem to appeal to a large majority to blame 'WHITEY' for all their ills/problems - whether real or imagined.

hi

"According to aides, he was up until 3 a.m. Monday working on his remarks."

The simple truth doesn't take that long.

I hope that Americans will listen to Obama when he talks about race tomorrow. Simple minded smear tactics, guilt by association, and appeals to racism are not a way to run a country. I am so very disappointed by the Clinton campaign and the continued credulity of the American public. If we elect either Hillary or McCain we will get just exactly what we deserve. Appeals to the bullying majority in this country and blind patriotism will lead us to continuing errors at home and abroad. America is going down because it can't see beyond its own bigoted nose.

doesnt matter what the pastor wright said as an independent I WILL STILL VOTE FOR OBAMA HE IS A UNITER NOT A DIVIDER LIKE HILLARY

Rev. Wright's church seems to address some of the social issues that can provide Americans now and for generations to come with resources which can make them productive and independent citizens? The church is trying to save taxpayers' money. It has members/former members who offer scholarships to youth? This church is likely to reduce the number of individuals for our society to complain about? It does seem like it's trying to help its members weave a path to their dreams.
http://www.tucc.org/home.htm Wright

I don't know Rev. Wright's heart or his intent. Only God does.

I'm disappointed that the professional reporters did not give us this information to show the positive side of Wright's church. I plan to check out things for my self in the future. I am tired of reporters alarming us from Youtube videos without giving complete coverage of a story. They need to take time to thoroughly investigate instead of being controlled by the need to report a story first.

Further questions that I have:

Does anyone know if Rev. Wright's church produced thousands of racists in his church and Chicago community? Do you know if they are lurking the streets and their places of employment to secretly devour those who wronged them? Or are they trying to bring people food, love and hope?

Does Rev. Wright socialize, communicate and dine with whites on a personal level?Has any politician, other than Obama,white or black, spoke or attended the church? If so, should they immediately leave the church?

Does anyone know why the church is not seclusive, and is indeed open to the public and not secretive about its operations and sermons? If only all churches were this way!

Does anyone know why Obama could be elected to the Illinois Senate, his home state, and the U.S. Senate and no one seemed to judge him by the church he attended?

Does anyone know why military officers, senators, representatives have so much respect for Obama after working with him for years?

The Keating 5 were five United States Senators, who were accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The five senators, John McCain (R-AZ) (the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2008 U.S. presidential election), Alan Cranston (D-CA), Dennis DeConcini (D-AZ), John Glenn (D-OH), Donald W. Riegle (D-MI), were accused of improperly aiding Charles H. Keating, Jr., chairman of the failed Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, which was the target of an investigation by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board.

After a lengthy investigation, the Senate Ethics Committee determined in 1991 that Alan Cranston, Dennis DeConcini, and Donald Riegle had substantially and improperly interfered with the FHLBB in its investigation of Lincoln Savings, while John Glenn and John McCain had been only minimally involved. The Committee recommended censure for Cranston and criticized the other four for "questionable conduct."

All five of the senators involved served out their terms, but only Glenn and McCain ran for re-election (and were subsequently re-elected).

Ci2Eye-It was called al-Huckleberry the Huckster.

He gave the Media the ammo, and they ran with it! :-(

Never mind that the Senate Majority Leader, Hairbrain Reid, is ALSO a Mormon, or, that Mitt Romney never made it an issue or that al-Huckleberry turned his Back on his Congregation.

But, maybe President McCain will get smart, and realize he needs Mitt Romney to balance the Ticket! ;~)

Obama Plans a speech. Yes of courses, because words matter! That is if Obama is speaking them they matter. Sir your actions or lack of action speak louder than any speech could ever explain. I am deeply disappointed in you. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

to kkravet - thank you

If you think that he can do more for this country than Sen. Clinton then we need to fight like H E !!, to get him elected. We should not settle for "well the Repubs are going to smear him". Enough - why do they get to keep reiterating crap while not cleaning out their own closet?

Here's more truth: When Senator Obama's preacher thundered about racism and injustice Obama suffered smear-by-association. But when my late father -- Religious Right leader Francis Schaeffer -- denounced America and even called for the violent overthrow of the US government, he was invited to lunch with presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, Sr.

Every Sunday thousands of right wing white preachers (following in my father's footsteps) rail against America's sins from tens of thousands of pulpits. They tell us that America is complicit in the "murder of the unborn," has become "Sodom" by coddling gays, and that our public schools are sinful places full of evolutionists and sex educators hell-bent on corrupting children. They say, as my dad often did, that we are, "under the judgment of God." They call America evil and warn of immanent destruction. By comparison Obama's minister's shouted "controversial" comments were mild. All he said was that God should damn America for our racism and violence and that no one had ever used the N-word about Hillary Clinton... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/obamas-minister-committe_b_91774.html

Rev. Butts is Clinton's supporter. Should she distance herself from him?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/nyregion/16church.html

It's unfortunate to hear this back and forth. I am a white person -- a Jew -- who has lived in Washington DC for 30 plus years. I have no ties to any campaign. I have been an affordable housing lawyer and worked with community organizes on Washington's streets.

DC is mostly African American, so it's interesting to see much of this back and forth on this blog. I have a feeling that many of you live around people who look like you, make around the same amount of money, that kind of thing. If you look at the policy positions that Obama is proposing, they're fairly middle-of-the-road and most Americans would do well by them. It's true that Obama differs in important ways from Clinton, especially in the way he is willing to use his imagination to revive U.S. foreign policy. Other than that, the policy differences are subtle.

However, Obama is, simply, much less cynical than Clinton. The years have taken their toll on her.

Rev. Wright's comments don't bother me. I deal with positions like his among my friends and neighbors -- who are black, white, Latino, etc. -- all the time. The reality is that our country was built on the backs of slave labor. Indeed, black slaves built our Capitol building. The legacy of slavery continues on the streets of Washington DC and other urban communities. The problems among low income African Americans especially are so profound. All of this stemming from a society that stripped people of their identities and awarded them the names of their white slave masters. It's incumbent upon white people and those of us who've benefited from undeserved white privilege to understand this. We need to not feel guilty about it; but we do need to own it.

Like I said, I'm a Jew. My people know a little something about what it's like to be a slave and the legacy of slavery, which is why so many of us found common cause with African Americans during the civil rights movement and maintain many of those ties to this day. Certainly, we Jews have our own insecurities -- like about people such as Farrakahn, who is really no threat to us but we think he is because we're a little shellshocked.

So, remember: Barack Obama is as white as he is black. His mom was white. His dad was black. He has an African name. He has lived in several places throughout the United States and internationally. He has organized low income people on the mean streets of Chicago. If you know anything about that type of community organizing, then you know it is the essence of democracy: Empowering the disempowered. Helping poor people speak truth to power.

His experience is broad and deep. He's worked at the bottom and now he's at the top. He's a God fearing man who has a beautiful family and, for the bulk of his adult life, has tried to do the right thing and, when he's made mistakes, he's actually taken responsibility for them.

I can't think of a better representative of America's ideals -- someone that I'd want my 10 and 7 year old to look up to -- than Barack Hussein Obama.

To say that we'd be fortunate to have him as our leader at this historic moment is an understatement.

The strange thing about this controversy is that Rev. Wright looks to me like a white man. His skin is whiter than Obama's. Anyway, the whole subject of racism has no basis in fact. All humans belong to the same species. All are interbreeding. Race is an artifical concept with no basis in biology. The fact is we are all descended from dark skinned people who originated in Africa. Some of them remained dark skinned and others became white. If we could all understand these facts there would be no racism.

So, if Obama decides to join the Nazi party and choose Adolph Hitler as his "spiritual advisor," then that is OK so long as he doesn't personally hear any of his mentor's racist and abhorrent comments and that he personally disagrees with them? Then, why did he join the party and choose the person as his spiritual advisor and mentor??? A person's values and beliefs are very much a reflection of the organizations and people that the person chooses to associate with. There is no question that Obama is an ambitious and shrewd politician that also happens to be an anti-American racist .... and he is running for the office of President.

In the following exerpts Hillay seems to support Re. Wright's views:

I want to lead a great effort to fight discrimination in the workplace. A recent study found a shocking fact. Employers were twice as likely to hire a white applicant with the very same qualifications as a black applicant. And even hired at a greater percentage, white applicants with criminal records over black applicants without one. Anyone who says that we have gotten beyond racial discrimination is not living with their eyes open. I believe we have to shine a bright light on any discrimination, whether it be against people of color or against women and make sure that we truly fulfill our laws, not just by the letter but by the spirit.
We need to provide a high quality education for every single child, and I want to have a universal pre-kindergarten program that is especially focused on children from disadvantaged backgrounds, I heard the Mayor talking about that. We know that if children get a good quality pre-school education, they stay in school, they do better, and the evidence is overwhelming that with a good quality pre-school program in our country we would cut by 50% the achievement gap between black and white youngsters by the time they graduated from high school.
They're aware that we have an income gap that has grown like a chasm in our country. Between the very very best off in America and all the rest of us, and it's a gap that is even greater between African Americans and white Americans. We have a health care gap. The access to health care is not even in our nation, we all know that. The rates for disease and the failure to treat those diseases is a disparity that we should not tolerate. We have an achievement gap between the rates of graduation and access to higher education, between the gleaming corridors of suburban schools and the deplorable conditions along the corridor of shame
Reverend Darby referred to the disparity in sentencing when it comes to cocaine. Well, that is just one of the disparities.15% of drug users in America are African American, but African Americans make up 53% of all drug offenders sent to prison. So how do we close all of these gaps? How do we move forward toward a more perfect union? Continue that progress that has been the hallmark but we cannot let it stop now
We need to provide a high quality education for every single child, and I want to have a universal pre-kindergarten program that is especially focused on children from disadvantaged backgrounds, I heard the Mayor talking about that. We know that if children get a good quality pre-school education, they stay in school, they do better, and the evidence is overwhelming that with a good quality pre-school program in our country we would cut by 50% the achievement gap between black and white youngsters by the time they graduated from high school.
Because if you are a child in a crumbling school along the corridor of shame, you are invisible. And if you're a young man caught in the brutal revolving door of low skills, no jobs, and a justice system stacked against you, you're invisible as well. If you're a mother without health care, a father without a job, a family that can't get by on the minimum wage, well, you're invisible, too. If you're a voter, turned away from the polls for no good reason or voting on a broken machine that doesn't even record your vote, you're invisible. And if you're stuck on a rooftop or stranded at the Super Dome during a hurricane, you're invisible to this president, even when you're on CNN.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/speech/view/?id=4117

At the same time, a lot of people feel comfortable with their longstanding home church community and his church probably did a lot of good work for the community too.

Which is exactly the reason he should have given for staying. "For 20 years that church has been a powerhouse of community action and neighborhood renewal on Chicago's South Side and Rev Wright was the celebrated figure which made all those good works possible." etc etc

When a politican's first reaction is to resort to the grossly naive categorical denial lie "was never there" it is very instructive. Like throwing down a red flag. Cause someone will find that he was. And then Obama is over forever.

When I saw Americans of all races rallying round Barack Obama initially something inside of me said it was unreal that the US is too racially divided to support a coloured man. How right I was! Now, I'm shocked, no disgusted reading all the comments on this page. You guys in America should change your country's name to Dis-United States of America. I thought Britain was divided, but summing up all the comments here, I'm proud of my United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

A lot of people are hearing about the Rev. Wright for the first time, and wondering who he is. But the real question is, Who is Barack Obama? And how he addresses the controversy about his pastor will go a long way to answering that question.

When a preacher blasts America by attacking the white ethnic group, this is racism. Because it is black on white does not negate the fact that the comments were racists. When I watch the congregation of that church jumping and dancing to the words of the pastor, I cannot help but wonder if Senator Obama was the only oddball not rejoicing along with the congregation that seemed in such elated agreement with the hate filled, anti-American words of the pastor. If a leader of our country is connected to this type of racism for over twenty years, that leader is well aware of what he is connected with. Does America not see that people publicly change their connection ties when they run for office in order to separate themselves from what could cause a defeat? Why did Senator Obama not publicly and openly denounce his preacher and the congregation before he ran for the presidency? If you listen close, people will truly reveal what they are really about.

In light of Reverend Wright's sermons, one has to wonder exactly what Obama means when he says "Yes, We Can".

Very smart of Obama to make some MLK-esque speech out of his divisive mess. The stage is his bailiwick. There's not much else there but he is a brilliant politician.

I'm tired of his lies. His words mean nothing any more. His campaign is a fraud and so is he. People need to see him for who is really is before it's too late. Hope? Change? Bull!! He'll never make it in the general election it's time to support Clinton.

Obama needs to do more than make a tepid denunciation of Wright's remarks, tempered with a "but let's look at this in context."

Obama needs a Sister Souljah moment, even if it costs him his church membership and his relationship with his fellow congregants.

I'm an Obama supporter, but this is a situation that can't be nuanced away. Does he want to be a member in good standing of the Trinity United Church of Christ, with all the negative connotations that affiliation has taken on...or does he want to be President of the United States?

Considering the ruthlessness of the Clintons and the looming menace of the Republican attack machine, it seems clear he no longer can balance the two.

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 thought there was a double standard applied by a media infatuated with Obama.

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 how can the powers that be explain why the coverage was so unbalanced.

1-James McDougal - Clinton 's convicted Whitewater partner died of an
apparent heart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key
witness in Ken Starr's investigation.

2 -Mary Mahoney - A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at
a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown . The murder happened just after
she was to go public with her story of sexual harassment in the White
House .

3 - Vince Foster - Former White House councilor, and colleague of
Hillary Clinton at Little Rock 's Rose Law firm. Died of a gunshot
wound to the head, ruled a suicide.

4 - Ron Brown - Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman.Reported
to have died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist close to the
investigation reported that there was a hole in the top of Brown's
skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the time of his death Brown was
being investi gated, and spoke publicly of his willingness to cut a
deal with prosecutors. The rest of the people on the plane also died. A
few days lat er the air Traffic controller commited suicide.

5 - C. Victor Raiser II- Raiser, a major player in the Clinton fund
raising organization died in a private plane crash in July 1992.

6 -Paul Tulley - Democratic National Committee Political Director found
dead in a hotel room in Little Rock , September 1992.Described
by Clinton as a 'Dear friend and trusted advisor'.

7 -Ed Willey - Clinton fund raiser, found dead November 1993 deep in
the woods in VA of a gunshot wound to the head. Ruled a suicide. Ed
Willey died on the same day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill
Clinton groped her in the oval office in the White House . Ed Willey
was involved in several Clinton fund raising events.

8 -Jerry Parks -Head of Clinton's gubernatorial security team in Little
Rock . Gunned down in his car at a deserted intersection outside Little
Rock . Park's son said his father was building a dossier on Clinton .
He allegedly threatened to reveal thi s information. After he died the
files were mysteriously removed from his house.

9 -James Bunch - Died from a gunshot suicide . It was reported that he
had a 'Black Book' of people which contained names of influential
people who visited prostitutes in Texas and Arkansas .

10 -James Wilson - Was fo und dead in May 1993 from an apparent hanging
suicide. He wasreported to have ties to Whitewater.

11 -Kathy Ferguson- Ex-wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson, was
found dead in May 1994, in her living room with a gunshot to her head.
It was ruled a suicide even though there were several packed
suitcases, as if she were going somewhere. Danny Ferguson was a
co-defendant along with Bill Cl inton in the Paula Jones lawsuit. Kathy
Ferguson was
a possible corroborating witness for Paula Jones.

12 -Bill Shelton - Arkansas State Trooper and fiancee of Kathy
Ferguson. Critical of the suicide ruling of his fiancee, he was found
dead in June, 1994 of a gunshot wound also ruled a suicide at the grave
site
of his fiancee.

13 -Gandy Baugh - Attorney for Clinton's friend Dan Lassater, died by
jumping out a window of a tall building January, 1994. His client was a
convicted

drug distributor.

14 -Florence Martin - Accountant & sub-contractor for the CIA, was
related to the Barry Seal Mena ,Arkansas Airport drug smuggling
case..He died of three gunshot wounds.

15 - Suzanne Coleman - Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he
was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of
the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death.

16 -Paula Grober - Clinton 's speech interpreter for the deaf from 1978
until her death December 9, 1992. She died in a one car accident.

17 -Danny Casolaro - Investigative reporter. Investigating Mena Airport
and Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists,
apparently, in the middle of his investigation.

18 - Paul Wilcher - Attorney investigating corruption at Mena Airport
with Casolaro and the 1980 'October Surprise' was found dead on a
toilet Jun e 22, 1993 in his Washington DC apartment. Had delivered a
report
to Janet Reno 3 weeks before his death.

19 -Jon Parnell Walker - Whitewater investigator for Resolution
Trust Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington , Virginia apartment
balcony August15, 1993. He was in vestigating the Morgan Guaranty
scandal.

20 -Barbara Wise - Commerce Department staffer. Worked closely with Ron
Brown and John Huang. Cause of death unknown. Died November 29,1996.
Her bruised, nude body was found locked in her office at the Department
of Commerce.

21 -Charles Meissner -Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John
Huang special security clearance, died shortly thereafter in a small
plane crash.

> 22 -Dr. Stanley Heard - Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health
Care Advisory Committee died with his attorney Steve Dickson in a small
plane crash. Dr. Heard, in a ddition to serving on Clinton 's advisory
council personally treated Clinton 's mother, stepfather and brother.

23 -Barry Seal -Drug running TWA pilot out of Mena Arkansas , death was
no accident.

24 -Johnny Lawhorn Jr. - Mechanic, found a check made out to Bill
Clinton in the trunk of a car left at his repair shop. He was found
dead after his car had hit a utility pole.

25 -Stanley Huggins - Investigated Madison Guaranty. His death was a
purported suicide and his report was never released.

26 - Hershell Friday - Attorney and Clinton fund raiser died March
1,1994 when his plane exploded.

27 -Kevin Ives & Don Henry - Known as 'The boys on the track' case.
Reports say the boys may have stumbled upon the Mena Arkansas airport
drug operation. A controversial case, the initial report of death said,
due to falling asleep on railroad tracks. L ater reports claim the 2
boys had been slain before being placed on the tracks. Many linked to
the
case died before their testimony could come before a Grand Jury.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES/H ENRY CASE:

28 -Keith Coney - Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a
truck, 7/88. 29 -Keith McMaskle - Died stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988
30 -Gregory Collins - Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.
31 -Jeff Rhodes - He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash
dump in April 1989.
33 -James Milan - Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his
death was due to 'natural causes'.
34 -Jordan Kettleson - Was found shot to death in the front seat of his
pickup truck in June 1990.
35 -Richard Winters - A suspect in the Ives / Henry deaths. He was
killed in a set-up robbery July 1989.

THE FOLLO WING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE DEAD:

36 -Major William S. Barkley Jr.
37 -Captain Scot t J . Reynolds
38 -Sgt. Brian Hanley
39 -Sgt. Tim Sabel
40 -Major General William Robertson
41 -Col. William Densberger> 42 -Col. Robert Kelly
43 -Spec. Gary Rhodes
44 -Steve Willis
45 -Robert Williams
46 -Conway LeBleu
47 -Todd McKeehan

Quite an impressive list! Pass this on. Let the public become aware of
what happens to friends of the Clinton 's!

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT?

To Harlemboy,
Could your name be Bill. It was the Clinton organization that started the bashing. And yes! We can walk the walk. Not one Obama supporter has gone astray. We are in it to win it.Regardless of the schemes and tricks being pulled by your candidate

Sen. Obama is done and he can never be president.

No amount of spin can help him. He had all the time in the world to disassociate himself from Jeremiah Wright but he chose with a blind eye to embrace the pastor and his hateful teachings.

To reject and denounced the rants of Jeremiah Wright only now is nothing but a convenient excuse, opportunistic and self-serving.

Hey, this may sound weird, but I thought about what I just wrote. I don't think my being so sarcastic and condescending helps the political dialogue which should be focused on how to improve this nation and on finding out the truth and not on gamesmanship. Granted Obama, as a candidate for president, should have shown more courage and seriousness in how he dealt with his pastor's incendiary comments prior to the whole blow-up and that could be a reasonable criticism of him. I personally wouldn't stay at a church if I had significant disagreements with some of its views on critical issues. At the same time, a lot of people feel comfortable with their longstanding home church community and his church probably did a lot of good work for the community too.

So, fliegmacht, are you then saying then that McCain is better qualified? He was a POW for 5 odd years...

Yay, another speech from Obama. I love listening to his speeches. I'm so sad I missed his speech when he was a state senator opposing the war. I didn't know that speech would be so very important today. I wish he made more speeches at his church too, because his messages about bringing people together would have hit the spot there.

Hi folks!

Rather a lot of ire from one side of the aisle, not sure I can understand it unless it is simply disinformation.

o How can you be a simple racist when your father is black and your mother white? Which side of yourself are your racist against?

o Church? With Doug Coe and the Fellowship guiding Sen. Clinton and Rev's Hagee and Parsely guiding McCain there seem to be enough glass houses to go around.

It seems the "racist" accusastions just don't even make sense, and the religious one don't matter (but I guess we're all done questioning whether the man is Christian, anyway).

In every religious teaching that makes sense to me, God tells us "You are my Church. No other can tell you what it means to follow Me, that is My job and your responsibility."

So, good, Obama goes to church and is neither going to tell us to agree with his pastor nor does he toss him in the gutter because we may not like 30-seconds of 36 years of preaching.

That sounds like the kind of pragmatic, loyal, thoughtful person we need in office.

I now retrurn you to your regularly scheduled slander... ;~)

-chris

To GeorgePS - You write: "...Unlike most "mono-racial" people who are tossed into a racial basket from the day one, bi-racial people have to consciously decide (or not decide) on their racial identity, yet never being completely comfortable about their decisions..." ???

Are you living on another planet or in the future ? As far as African ancestry is concerned there is still the infamous 'one drop rule'...(especially in the US unfortunately...)
I think Barack initially tried to uphold the image of a biracial candidate but this was derailed after Iowa when Clinton decided to play the race card.

Barak should quit. He lied, plain and simple and his belief system is not appropriate for a leader of a country where his pastor has for
20 YEARS degraded and preached hate against the very country Barak seeks to lead.

Republicans have all the ammo they need now. Barak trying to push the tax return tactic is so weak right now and does nothing to addres HIS problem, which is racism and bigotry.

He is a divider and his minister has just blown everyones mind with his racism and hatred.

It explains why Michelle does not like this country, and she is supposed to be first lady. How will she represent us? "I like it now that I am first lady but until now it sucked as a country?"

Barak lied, twice. Rezko and now knowing Wrights comments have ever been "inflamatory"? Is Barak awake.

Baraks judgement is flawed. Anyone who could sit in that church for 20 years and tolerate that "intolerance" and say "I didn''t know" is a LIAR. And to think that the American public will buy that answer is arrogant.

I call this the "Audacity of Self Righteousness" and it trips up the arrogant EVERY TIME.

And we don't need another "speech" by Barak Obama already, enough. Quit your church or get out of the race. You make a stink about Ferraro with more dirty laundry in your hamper than a regiment of soliders. Arrogance does this to people, it trips them up. So please, Barak - no more WORDS.

You know what really gets me laughing? All the longtime listeners of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter jumping all over Obama for listening to a person spewing hate speech.

That is choice.

I just don't see how a "speech on race" is a well thought out strategy at this point.
No matter what is said, it's bound to come across as self-serving excuse making.

No one seriously believes that you can attend a church (or civic group or committee meeting or poker game) for 2 decades & never hear what was being said. Even second hand. So forget that.

And not many voters will "understand" why Obama's fellow attendees cheer & clap when
the US is labeled as racist & murderous & vile. Or when the pastor makes obscene gestures when mocking Bill Clinton's romp with an intern. Or talks as if the mass murder which took place on 9/11 is just so many "chickens come home to roost." So forget that.

What can Obama tell us about the divisions along racial lines which exist in this country that we don't know? And if we didn't know, one look at the Trinity videos will educate us. And no matter what he says, that's HIS church. Nothing is gonna change that.

So he should just sit tight, and let this ugliness subside. If he wants to address race, there'll be a better time.

Right now, it's like a husband trying to give his wife a diamond bracelet...right after she finds out he's been sleeping with her sister.

"....However, after watching Reverend Wright's sermons, there can be no question that his comments reeked of racism, as well as a deep hatred for our country.

What is being preached in that church is dangerous and divisive."

Posted by: ebubuk2004 | March 17, 2008 05:20 PM
**************************************

Sorry, ebubuk2004...

You've fallen prey to the confused logic of the Limbaugh-maniacs and right-wing zealots. Unfortunately, you are wrong.

Any patriotic Marine Corps veteran who's served his country honorably as Rev. Wright has, has earned the right to criticize what is wrong about his country.

Often times it's military men who see the truth long before anyone else does, just for the simple reason that they are the point of the spear and are busy drawing blood just so folks like you can sit on your comfy sofa and watch CNN or O'Reilly or sit behind the wheel and zone out to Rush Limbaugh's ignorant hot air as you drive about town.

What Rev. Wright preached is neither racist nor hate-America talk; it's simply a reality for huge numbers of blacks and other people of color. Racial division and racism agaisnt people of color is the ugly reality underlying Wright's comments. Please do not try to shoot the messenger simply because he brings you bad news you do not wish to hear.

Your ugly spirit is akin to that of the adult mother who angrily shushes her daughter when the youngster complains of being sexually abused by Mom's boyfriend. Scolding traumatized victims with reprimands of "Hush, child! That is dangerous, hateful and divisive talk" is not helpful.

It may make you feel better to dismiss the complaints and soothe your conscience.... but in the long run your DENIAL is only harming your child and your family. Wake Up!

Obasama's Mentors:

Jeremiah Wright, and James Earl Jones! ;~)

KumObama my Lord, kumbaya
KumObama my Lord, kumbaya
KumObama my Lord, kumbaya
Oh,O-bama is my man.

Someone's slithering Lord, kumbaya
Someone's slithering Lord, kumbaya
Someone's slithering Lord, kumbaya
Oh, O-bama is my man.

Someone's lusting, oh Lord, kumbaya
Someone's lusting, oh Lord, kumbaya
Someone's lusting, oh Lord, kumbaya
Oh, O-bama is my man.

Someone's swaggering, Lord, kumbaya
Someone's swaggering, Lord, kumbaya
Someone's swaggering, Lord, kumbaya
Oh, Obama is my man.

Someone's prophesying, Lord, kumbaya
Someone's prophesying, Lord, kumbaya
Someone's prophesying, Lord, kumbaya
Oh,O-bama is my man.

Someone's conniving, Lord, KumObama
Someone's conniving, Lord, KumObama
Someone's conniving, Lord, KumObama
Oh,O-bama is my man.
Oh,O-bama is my man.

You know what there are people in this country who don't want to vote for Obama because he is black. They will look for anything to support their reasons. Maybe some of you here deep down feel this way. Now, some of you may really feel Hillary is the better candidate. However, some may dislike Obama because he is black. Yes it is true, Obama is black. He went to a black church, where the preacher preached the gospel and promoted black empowerment and improvement. Are we going to be ignorant of the problems in the black community? In South side Chicago there is gang violence, drug problems, and too many welfare dependents. If Rev. Wright preaches to rise above that, is that so wrong?
Now, I feel that the clips shown on TV have no place in church, were they really untruthful? The Reagan administration supplied Osama bin Laden with weapons and money to fight the Soviets! Did most of you know that? So if Wright says that it came back to us, is it wrong what he said? Or does the partial or whole truth really hurt? IS there not a shameful history of racism in this country? Or is everything fine and the past never happened?
Let me reiterate, he did use some harsh language, but not everything he said was false. But all you saw was 30 seconds of controversial statments. If there was more, don't you think they would have aired it? Sure they would have. I have seen Rev. Wright preach on TV several times. The messages I saw were based on the Bible. They were not what I saw on TV. Now this is not a defense of the man. However this is suggestion to keep an open mind. Maybe Obama continued going there because the man can actually preach the gospel. This man led Obama to find Christ. If you are a Christian, you know this to be very important. People that God chooses to lead us to CHrist are not perfect vessels, but they do serve their purpose. We can all have 30 seconds of worst acts in our lives be televised, would it tell the whole story? Would it? ASk yourself today, is this the whole entire story, or do I really just want it to be true to have a reason to be against Obama? And despite all of this, does it matter? Does this mean Obama thinks and acts this way? He never has acted in such a manner consistent with the offensive words spoken by Rev. Wright. Some of you posting here have family members who racist, antisemitic, antihomosexuals, does that mean that you think just like them?
Ask yourself these questions today

Marc

I am an atheist so I could give a rip about what religion someone is, unless they start dragging religion into their politics. If they keep it in their church, so what? With superstition being so valued in the populace, there is never going to be an atheist elected, so what else can I do? I cringe when any of them start talking about God. But that's what the great majority of the people want. Say you saw a ghost like I did. Say he talked to you then I'll think yer OK. DUH!

i can't wait to hear how the magic negro tries to tap dance his way outta this one.

Posted by: hillaryclintonspenis

Why would you post this? Such crude remarks don't help anyone. You must be African American, but still. Come on. Does politics have to be like this? If so, why.
-------------------------

Putting the crass aside, I still can't believe Obama is taking such a risk. He doesn't need to. He has the nomination locked up. His speech will either unite the nation, or it will force him out of the race. Gutsy gutsy gutsy.

Stop guilt-tripping us, Trinity!
We don't care what vicious, absurd ideas you spew, but I will not vote for your candidate.
The mainstream media,like the NYT, may be trying to help you bury this story, but if Americans still have any pride they will vote against this Manchurian candidate,sorry, couple.

!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!

Stop guilt-tripping us, Trinity!
We don't care what vicious, absurd ideas you spew, but I will not vote for your candidate.
The mainstream media,like the NYT, may be trying to help you bury this story, but if Americans still have any pride they will vote against this Manchurian candidate,sorry, couple.

!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!Shame on you Barack Obama!!!!!!!!!

ebubuk2004,

The United Church of Christ is one of the largest evangelical denominations in the world. To call it a "cult" is insulting to members of the faith community throughout the world.

There need to be limits to the politics, sir. If you want to attack Obama, fine. But don't attack a church that you know nothing about.

Before the election is over, we make Obama Uncle Tom.

Obama needs good old wiping.

i can't wait to hear how the magic negro tries to tap dance his way outta this one.

oh wait, i said "tap dance": that's racist, the implication being that all negroes do is sing and dance.

sorry.

What guts! Obama could just let this whole thing spill over, and win out the convention. Instead, he goes for the gusto. Will his speech be a hit like JFK's or a dud like Romney's? Wow! I can't believe he is taking this risk. We'll see what happens.

Being a Black man in America, Senator Obama understands how prejudice and racism can cause a large part of the American population not to want to sing, "God Bless America" or not see America as the "Land of the free and the home of the brave." However, Obama has the vision and abilities to bring about the changes that will make every man, woman and child sing loudly and proudly, "My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty...." Because he loves this country, he wants to make it a better country for everyone (Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Latinos; men, women, and children) so that it can again become and be viewed as the true leader of the free world. He wants to make it a country where people of other countries, and especially people of the Middle East, will want to embrace us instead of bomb us.
I believe the white press with the blessings of the Clinton campaign is trying its best to derail the Obama movement by associating him with the statements of Rev. Wright. If what Rev. Wright was saying were lies, I, too, would condemn him. However, what he says about America is true. I believe he condemns America because he loves America. A father who loves his children will condemn their actions when their actions are detrimental to themselves or to society. Moreover, we would call a father "irresponsible" if he knowingly allowed his children to go astray. Love means speaking out and condemning that which is wrong. Conversely, not speaking out against what we see as being wrong shows a lack of love.
I am a proud Black Vietnam veteran and I served this great country honorably for over twenty-one years. I love America, but I also recognize its shortcomings in dealing with people of color and countries where the people are of color. So much is being said about remarks made by Rev. Wright, a former United States Marine, and the pastor of Senator Obama's church. Rev. Wright says that the American Government allows drugs to be brought into this country by Whites, sold to Blacks, especially Black youths, and then lock the Blacks up for using drugs. That is factual. Blacks don't have the capabilities for bringing drugs into this country in volume. They don't own the ships or aircrafts used in the drug trade. Building prisons and maintaining prisons is a very profitable business - as long as the prison population is made up of people of color. Rev. Wright also speaks out against the war in Iraq calling it an "Illegal War started on lies." Again, that is factual. There were no weapons of mass destruction found or nuclear programs in Iraq. Yet, almost 4,000 American men and women have died because of the lies. If we invaded Iraq and found out that we were misinformed, why did we not own up to our mistakes; give the people of Iraq resources to rebuild what we had destroyed, admitted our mistakes and left? Are we remaining there because it is making some American companies rich and if we stay long enough, maybe we will eventually get control of their oil and the oil or Iran? Tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis have died from our bombs, but we call them "collateral casualties" or "Collateral damage." Yet, when Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma Federal Building bomber, used the same phrase when referring to the innocent victims of his terrorist act, we thought he was barbaric. He learned his tactics from having served in the U. S. Army in the first Gulf war. We never called him a "White terrorist" or a "Protestant terrorist" as we label the bombers of 9/11 "Islamic terrorists." I wonder why not? They both took innocent lives!
We went into Vietnam on lies, which caused the lives of over 58,000 U. S. servicemen and over 330,000 wounded. It is reported that between 1.4 to 4 million civilians lost their lives' in that war which began on lies by then President Johnson of our U. S. Navy destroyers attacked.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War
Should America or Americans be proud of that war or the present war in Iraq? Certainly not, and when someone, such as Rev. Wright, condemns our actions, don't get bent out of shape over Rev. Wright; get bent out of shape over our actions worldwide. Don't kill the messenger; make sure the message is changed through positive actions. Obama can and will restore the trust that people all over the world once had for America and its people. However, we can't stick our head in the sand and say that they have no right to hate us. Did we not hate Timothy McVeigh? Are we any different from Timothy McVeigh when we bomb cities in Iraq and innocent people die? Are we any different from those who strap explosives to themselves to kill our men and women when we drop bombs on their people from the cockpits of aircrafts high in the sky?
Remember, Jesus spoke out against the leaders of His day; He condemned his country for its sins, "Woe unto you...." He said over and over. How did the leaders respond? They twisted his words, framed him, and executed him. We could refer to his death as a "lynching on a Friday." If He were here as a man today, He would be echoing the words of Rev. Wright, and we would be trying to lynch him by the press just as we are trying to lynch Senator Obama using the words of Rev. Wright. If the press wins and causes Senator Obama to not win the nomination or lose the primary election, America will lose; the world will lose. Senator John McCain can carry out his desire to "Bomb, Bomb, Bomb ; Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran" and all the other countries that disagree with America's policies. We can bomb our way into World War III. At least Senator McCain will help us to solve all of our problems, because there won't be enough people left on the earth to have significant problems. You can have Senator McCain, one whom I respect greatly for his service and sacrifice, but whom I believe will lead this country and the world into the "Book of Revelation (Armageddon)." Is that scare rendering such as what Bush , Chaney, and McCain use so skillfully? No, that is "truth rendering", and there is a difference between the two. If we don't change our ways and policies about the way we treat people worldwide, "The chicken will continue coming home to roost."

CWO3, USN (Retired)

Geraldine Ferraro's comments were benign compared t