Erik Kolbell does everything but state the obvious: that Obama dumped Wright in an attempt to survive as a presidential candidate. In another time, Erik Kolbell's words would be (aptly) described as "shuckin' an' jivin'. Sometimes "the truth ain't pretty", but that doesn't change reality.

Here's an idea. Let's have a Barack Obama - Reverend Wright marathon conference in the Nationals Baseball Park with "God Damn America" in a continuous loop on the jumbo-tron. Instead of playing games, we can have televised debates moderated by Novak, Gerson, Krauthammer and George Will on the dangerous association between these radical black agitators who want to overthrow the government. The fair and balanced moderators can ask all the questions, Hillary Clinton can provide the spin and the Post will provide the news coverage. That's democracy...Brilliant!

Info relating to HIV/AIDS

View with h t t p and w w w

kff.org/hivaids/upload/3029-08.pdf

Obama has written two books:

One about his father

One about and inspired by Wright.

It tells you the close relation between the two.

Obama has no credential other than "Speech" and "Writing". Media has to focus to "Writing" as his "Speech" continues to "change" again and again.

Obama expressed support for “black liberation theology” in “Audacity of Hope”. Media need to focus on that. Wright and Obama has same believe system, one tells the truth, Obama does not.

Chris Matthews keeps repeating the words of King Henry II of England: Who will rid us of this meddlesome priest? Obama could do worse.

"In this instance, Obama was not served by his minister, which is why Wright no longer is his minister."

This is not accurate. Wright's retirement is the reason for this development.

HIV/AIDS

View link with h t t p and w w w

aegis.com/topics/timeline/

1981

On June 5th, the CDC reports that in the period October 1980-May 1981, 5 young men, all active homosexuals, were treated for biopsy-confirmed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia at 3 different hospitals in Los Angeles, California. Two of the patients died. All 5 patients had laboratory-confirmed previous or current cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and candidal mucosal infection.

On July 4th, the CDC reports that during the past 30 months, 26 cases of Kaposi Sarcoma have been reported among Gay males, and that eight have died, all within 24-months of diagnosis.

1982

CDC (USA) links the new disease to blood.

The term AIDS ("acquired immune dificiency syndrome") is used for the first time on July 27th.

The Gay Mens Health Crisis is founded in New York City.

1983

CDC (USA) warns blood banks of a possible problem with the blood supply.

Institut Pasteur (France) finds the virus (HIV).

1984

Dr. Robert Gallo (US) claims he discovered the virus that causes AIDS; however, this is about a year after the French discovery.

---------

Summary:

1981 The disease first diagnosed in white American homosexual men.

1983 The virus first found by the French.

1984 The virus confirmed by an American as cause of HIV.

The isolation of a virus in 1959 and symptoms of AIDS found in men in 1978 were only later to be considered relating to the same disease first described in 1981.

----------------
U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee (Timeline)

View with h t t p and w w w

cdc.gov/tuskegee/timeline.htm

Obama dissolved his elationship with Rev Wright only when the Rev criticized Obama. He, Obama, did not dissolve their relationship when the Rev criticized the USA. That's what bothers me. Anyone who who minimize Rev Wright's statements about the USA is someone I have little respect for or care to vote for.

Obama dissolved his elationship with Rev Wright only when the Rev criticized Obama. He, Obama, did not dissolve their relationship when the Rev criticized the USA. That's what bothers me. Anyone who who minimize Rev Wright's statements about the USA is someone I have little respect for or care to vote for.

Dear minister,

Sorry, I don't believe in minister, I am not a Christian or believer in any faith, I don't believe in god either and I don't think any one can prove to me that " HE or SHE " exist, but I believe %100 on what you said, this Wright or who ever he is, he is doing no good to any one including to himself. What, for example he said about America was responsible for 9/11, it could have been said in a better way, like America's egoistic, thinking they are superior to any country, insulting others...... etc. we saw it in Viet Nam, Korea and their relationship to others, thinking the wolrd is their colony......
yes, it did create a hatered, it did creat a sort of " who do they think they are, it did creat a " how can a country only 200 years old insul us when we have 2000 years of culture and civilization......
American did not understand the world because of their egoistic, money egoistic, character and it causeed that deep revenge feeling, and when you are a Muslim Fundamentalist, these can boil into revenge and......
yes it cause 9/11
I did not, and do not approve act of terrorism of any kind or killing of people, but America has done that in Viet Nam, how many innocent people were killed there, how many in Japan atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nokazaki, how many after America managed the coup in Iran against democraticly elected government ( 19,000), and how many in South Amrerica when CIA organised the mass killing of intelectuals, journalists, writers, artists ( it goes above a million ).
So don't blame all on Wright, blame also Bush and Co. and all who voted for the million death in Iraq including the more than 4000 Americans including Hillary Clinton.
behrouz kia

Eric, your comments about Obama, if true, damn his judgement and reveal his racial leadership qualities to have all the substance of pablum.

Can't we stop recycling over and over again this God forsaken issue of Rev.Wright-ley us focus on the issues:
the economy,the iraq war,universal health care...etc...

The wright's non-issue is racism with which to whip Obama-obsereve no such fuss was ever made about McCain's Hagee of San Antonio and his blunders on the Catholic church...and the likes of Jerry Falwaell...

Why keep recycling this non-issue??????????

This thoughtful interpretation of the Obama/Wright severed relationship is dead on. What Obama saw in Wright's antics at the press meeting was a minstrel, not a minister. A man like Rev. Wright sometimes lives in anger too long, and starts to undo all the good he has accomplished. You are so right, a minister should humble himself, ignore his ego and put his member’s needs ahead of his own. I thought the Bill Moyer’s interview was sufficient to redeem Wright’s image, but unfortunately, Rev. Wright had to take his ego and his show on the road.

The sad and truely misleading part of this article is the fact that it's author knowingly traded fact with fiction. Obama did not disolve his relationship with Rev. Wright he disassociated himself from Wright's words. From Obama's own mouth he said, " To end my relationship with a man i have known and considered my mentor for 20 years would be like ending my relationship with my church" I could not and i will not even thou i solely disagree with his views"

Obama is not worthy of his title as a senator let alone one of presidency. It it going to be "THE WHITE" mans fault when his black movement fails to produce the results he and his racist church are hoping for? Most likely.

A lot of human beings carry a heavy conscience/sub-conscience about the acts of governments against innocent civilians such as blowing them up with atomic, nuclear, or smart bombs. Granted there are those who see a clear distinction between a non-governmental entity bombing an American civilian building in an act of terror and an American Governmental action of bombing Japanese civilian homes, churches, and buildings in an act of war the main distinction being that the American Government is always right and just in her actions while everyone outside of American Government and her sphere of innocent (usualy only white judeo-christian) citizens is not worthy of being placed in the same light as an American (white judeo-christian) citizen outside lip service to the sanctity of life.

If only American supremacists can be elected president, there will be no change in the way America will be viewed by the rest of the world. Obama bias towards the acceptance of judeo-christian white supremacy is similar to Clarence Thomas: they start with the premises that there is shame in criticizing or advocating against white racism and that judeo-christian white supremacy is the norm which all other cultures of people must adjust and conform to.

if the majority of churches are effectively white only, that doesn't leave as many choices for indoctrinated anti afro negroes to worship white jesus - does it?

Neo-Racist American white males are looking for Barak to be a white man in black skin... and THAT is supposed to tell the world that America is not racist anymore... and that all the killing of innocent darkies will continue to be done - in the name of security (for white judeo christians only)
chump change - that's what we want. two wrongs make fun of wright... gda racism.

Whether people agree or disagree with motive or agenda, there are some common themes to be derived here.

Distrust of government has been expressed either through urban legend or witnessing realtime events such as the slothfulness witnessed in realtime when bureaucrats react or not react to manmade or natural disasters. It's just those type of events which magnify an already present form of lack of trust in federal authorities.

As cost of living increases affecting poverty stricken first, some canvassing our country in the never ending quest for money and power may have seen firsthand the conditions in real America. Reminds me of all the armchair warriors we have in Congress, nevermind a void of executive skills leading our country towards recession. Those political parties having afforded captive audiences for cheers may be experiencing conditions on the ground for the first time themselves, and I mean conditions on the ground in the United States and not in the Middle East. So I am suggesting a sort of cultural shock one gains by actually being among the people and not selective audiences set up by a forward scouting party or one-thousand dollars a plate. It's good to be the King, ain't it ?

Oh, but we must not think bad thoughts, the tax rebate checks have just gone out. Thing is, bureaucrats and politicians are probably six-month to a year behind on that jumpstart project. To get some idea on how slow parties that be are negligent in reacting think of the sub-prime mortage meltdown which actually occured in slow motion.

If we are truly in this together, then some leaders need to get in gear. Years have been wasted through abuse and neglect of our own right here at home. So this sort of distrust can be attributable by dependence or exposure to dysfunctional systems. Reactions are just frustrations being expressed over a system which is incapable of self correction. Am just wondering if this country will see an increase of civil unrest during the summer heat, stay tuned...

The veracity of the propaganda coming from both CNN and the Washington Post is beyond comprehension.

In a way, I feel sorry for the soulless writers (not journalists) of the fiction that is meant to destroy the reputation of a clergyman and a polotician that appears to have the most integrity of the three remaining candidates.

The 'Evil We Know' is undoubtedly 'Evil'. I am speaking of the Clintons and McCain. The Balance Budget Act of 1996 and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 proved that the Clintons are self-serving and counter-productive to the health of our once great nation.

join obama fellowship on this site;my.barackobama.com/fellows psalms 119;146

life is indeed a marriage of convenience. It is a pity that Christianity has become a basis of this 'divorce'. It is time to reinvent the wheel. The fragility of a relationship of a pastor with his congregation can only be explained by a very painful argument, people are divorcing their faith to achieve their political aspirations. A steadfast faith in faith is missing, WHY. Is it desirable.
Should the church keep away from political power and limit itself to moral and spiritual aspects of life. why not.

If the pastor/priest turn gay or unfaithful or a pedophile, does that also reflect the congregation?

It's remarkable how all the editorials concerning this topic have all taken a pro-Obama slant. No one agrees with Wright's pronouncements or his tirade over the past weeks.

However the commentators seem to conveniently neglect one fact: It was Obama who used Wright to build up his credibility among Chicago blacks and to build up his stature within that community through his association with Wright and his church.

This is a most typical opportunistic move by a politician and when Wright became a hindrance to Obama's campaign, Obama cut him asap. Wright has the right to voice his displeasure and to tell his side of the story. He did it in a way that harmed his own standing and credibility, but he certainly has the right to defend himself in the very arena that he was so unceremoniously dumped.

This is how Obama will loose the 2008 Democratoc election. McCain doesn't have to say a thing from now until November as long as Rev. Wright is there.

I listened to most of the comments of other African American Pastors, and the overwhelming majority sided with Rev. Wright. For whatever reason, Rev. Wright believes in what he has preached and he also believes that Mr. Obama is just another politician that says what is convinient for him. The bottom line is that the media and the overwhelming majority of African-Americans have adopted Mr. Obama as their hero, and no amount of criticism will stop his tsunami campaign, except the Republicans when they get hold of him if he is the democratic nominee.

You spelled "Barack" incorrectly.

I agree that Obama should have cut Rev. Wright loose when he saw fit. Had he acted more quickly he would still be critized for going against his minister.

Yes, Obama was betrayed by a source I never expected. Rev. Wright could have apologized on the spot for the videos released. This is an election year with the war in Iraq mortgage crisis, gas, healthcare, education, the voters don't want to understand his sermons. There isn't enough television time to explain the black church. Few black churches in America hear those types of sermons. The most important reason is ministers are aware of the tax break of car and housing allowance and don't want to jeopardize that break with political rehetoric. Rev. Wright sermon- I'm sick of the word incendiary or whatever it is like the overused word salacious during the Monica Lewinsky scandal-is not common practice. I still support Obama and believe he won this nomination fair and square with a clean hopeful campaign that was dirtied by his pastor, the Clinton campaign, Hannity, and Huffingon Post.

me pregunto porque hizo semejante maldad , es pastor?? habra sido voluntariamente?? o pagado? no me cabe tanta maldad a sabiendas y menos de un clerico..que representa a una iglesia .. mas bien parece un demonio y este señor no creo que odie solo a los blancos , creo que a todo el mundo que camina sobre la tierra

Particularly during this current political administration, there is a lot of discussion about the correct interpretation of the constitution. Not because the constitution is so complicated that it cannot be understood, but because there is a constant maneuver to 'interpret' it to support the aims of this or that group.
There is only one bible, which admittedly requires more than merely a cursory examination to distinguish between that which is illustrative and that which is literal. It requires such a committed study that most of the faithful leave it to theological universities, doctors of theology and their local pastor to interpret this all important message preserved thousands of years directly from the supreme ruler of our universe to each and every one of earth's inhabitants.
And yet, just like the constitution, we have almost as many 'interpretations' of this message as we have established religions.
It doesn't matter if the church is black or white, or red or green or any other color. Until the bible is actually studied by the masses to whom it was originally sent, and they demand that their clergy preach only the unified message found therein, the clergy will continue to surrender to imperfect temptation and use their office to advance their own wishes... and their own prestige.

Betrayal?

Obviously, the author hasn't heard Obama's famous speech on race. Thus spoke Obama:

"We've heard my former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation, and that rightly offend white and black alike."

"I have already condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright that have caused such controversy and, in some cases, pain."

"But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's efforts to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country — a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam."

"As such, Reverend Wright's comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems — two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change"

"I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can disown my white grandmother."

* * * * *

Betrayal?

Who betrayed whom?

Mr. Kolbell:

Please be creative. How long will Rev Wright be front page material?
Enough already. See if you can actually think about something else going on in the world to focus on. Or perhaps diversify and include some white preachers in your pursuit of your journalistic excellence. Rev. Hagee and Rev Parslee are certainly worth a look.

maxter

Obama's Ratings Going down like a K-Mart Battery.

I do not believe that Rev. Wright betrayed Obama. Rather, having followed the saga from the beginning, I sincerely believe that it was Obama who betrayed Rev. Wright.

First, Obama disinvited his pastor from giving the opening prayer at Obama's announcement of his candidacy. Instead of giving his pastor an esteemed and prominent place at that historical moment, Obama made his own pastor pray for him like a second class citizen - downstairs out of public view.

Second, Obama likened his pastor - a man who helped Obama strengthen his racial and cultural identity, develop a relationship with Christ and the African American community, and who also enthusiastically supported his political ambitions - to an "old uncle." By this characterization alone, Obama demeaned and belittled his own pastor, and probably humiliated and infuriated him as well.

Third, Obama called his own pastor "wrong" and "divisive" without having heard the full sermons from which the sound bytes used to condemn Rev. Wright were taken. Most fair-minded people who saw the entire sermons on Youtube or via Wright's interview with Bill Moyers realized that Rev. Wright's words were indeed taken out of context, and that the real "wrong" was done not by Rev. Wright, but rather by the media, who failed to engage in proper investigative journalism. But instead of defending his own pastor at a time he was wrongly being dragged through the mud by the media, Obama further strengthened the media's ability to mischaracterize Wright by adding his own mischaracterization to the public debate.

Finally, Obama is not a victim. Obama, of his own volition, joined Trinity United Church of Christ and remained a member for 20 years. Obama, of his own volition: 1) publicized his relationship with Rev. Wright in his book, and has to this date profited handsomely from that book; 2) lifted the title of his book from one of Rev. Wright's sermons; and 3) dubbed Rev. Wright his "spiritual advisor".

I repeat: Obama is not a victim. Obama knew a long time ago that he had political aspirations and ambitions. If he was not willing to stand by his association with Rev. Wright, and be defined by that association throughout his political career, then he should not have publicized it or profited from it financially and politically. Rather, he should have kept his religious and spiritual life private. That Obama did not suggests to me that he used Rev. Wright and Trinity when it was expedient for his political career in Chicago and Illinois, and ditched the association when it could not support or sustain him on the national stage.

Many people in the black community recognize that Rev. Wright did not lie about the vast majority of the things he said, but rather feel that Wright chose the wrong time to say them. I am in the minority in my community, because I tend to believe that the best time for the truth, like justice, is always right now. I have no animus towards Rev. Wright for speaking his truth. I recognize that had his former friend and congregant, Sen. Obama, truly acted like a friend, instead of a politician, Wright may not have had to enter the public conversation in the way that he did. But because all Obama could do was distance, denounce and repeatedly claim to be offended by his pastor and friend, he left Rev. Wright little choice but to defend himself and his own misunderstood church traditions.

Yes, pastors have a duty to protect their flock. Yes, yes, yes. But, is it not also true that politicians have a duty not to exploit religious institutions and leaders for their own political ends? I sincerely believe that this is what Obama did, and to the extent that he did so, with little regard for who might get hurt in the process, he should be soundly and roundly condemned.

If there's a compelling reason why the church is losing the younger generation, then all you need to look at is Reverend Wright. Sure, Obama should have known Rev Wright for the egotistical monster that he is. But Obama is no more joined to the hip with Rev Wright as Hillary is to all of the scandalous people in her and her husband's past.

I found it interesting that the person who invited Rev. Wright to speak at the Press Club is a Clinton Supporter. It did give her candidate a Good week.

Considering the fact that this is the first time we've had an honest-to-God black presidential candidate, it would have a true miracle had nothing negative come to the surface - the amount of rancor out there should surprise no one.

The sanctimonious whitebread blowhards have now found 'real evil' in Obama's background - he sympathizes with all the wrong people, according to these Teutonic zealots - his covert sympathies range from Black Liberationists, to Muslim fundamentalists to characters from the long extinct Weathermen - they're all on his Christmas list, according to these whack jobs.

And let's not forget - Michelle just doesn't like America, according to these same stellar sources.
Hey, there's a lot not to like - especially about our present government...but then, not everyone is edging up to the Oval Office. Unbelievingly, our poster Candide didn't like the idea of her Big Black Feet disgracing the Royal Blue carpet in the Oval Office....can anyone spell KKK???

Are these attempts at demolishing his good name and his character surprising? Hardly - we've struck a deep vein of racism here, and if you'll notice, the tendency to project racism on Obama and his persistent 'spiritual mentor' gives the lie to the tale.....it doesn't take a PhD in psychology to see what's going on here. Lots of white folks don't like the idea of a black president, not one little bit. They'll take a doddering has-been like McCain any day!

And sure enough, Rev. Wright gets his big old ego into the act and does an Al Sharpton on Obama - hey, with friends like that, who needs enemies??
The net effect has taken a toll, and the media is whipping it up into a media inspired frenzy all out of proportion to its real magnitude - this is pretty lightweight stuff in the big scheme of things.

McCain's proposal to stay in Iraq for the next 100 years has real gravity, on the other hand - now the poor man has to explain himself. Well, we can expect the media to be sympathetic, can't we?? Where McCain is concerned, they usually are.

Hillary is not out of the woods by any means - next thing you know, she'll have to explain what all those feminine tears are all about...how can she keep her finger steady on the red button when it's all slippery with tears, informed minds would like to know? Can she be rational about going to war?? She says YES, but can we believe her??? After all, she is a woman. That's W-O-M-A-N - could be a problem. Let the media run with it. Surely they’ll know how to cover this angle fairly!

No, should Hillary pull out this nomination by some miracle, her troubles have only just begun. Were Bill not seemingly a mere shadow of his former self, he'd probably know what to do.....these days, you have to wonder.

Tabloid journalism, that's our present news-related media reality...we haven't got a straight story in going on 8 years.

Nope, none of this is surprising in the least

It is right for Rev Wright to empower the blacks and seek to better their condition in every way. It should be done in a Christian spirit of forgiveness and love for enemies, without inculcating hatred in the blacks for the whites and without perpetuating a mentality of remaining stuck in the past of slavery and a feeling of victim-hood about the subtle and not so subtle discrimination today. Teaching the blacks to take responsibility for what they can change in themselves and their communities should be a part of the empowering process.

Rev Wright who lives a life of luxury is no Old Testament prophet. Even well established academics do not have access to such wealth. The blacks in the US do not live in slavery, so the symbolism of liberation is not so readily applicable. The blacks in the US do not suffer from the kind of government corruption and resulting poverty and oppression as people in Latin American countries where liberation theology was first formulated as answer to the political situation there.

Reading Noam Chomsky and others like him might be a good idea to understand Rev Wright better. Rev Wright's ideas seem to be a religious version of those thoughts, fashioned with Old Testament prophet symbolism, cut out for blacks in the US as answer to their experience of discrimination.

Rev Wright was careless about portraying some far fetched thoughts as facts which could be proved wrong. He was foolish to defend those errors so self-righteously. But as an intellectual he is no wacko. He is right there in the same league as Noam Chomsky and probably draws his political inspiration from such writing. He seems wacko only when he attributes that political style and content to the Old Testament prophets.

Rev Wright's social service conviction and work for the poor and marginalized in his community is Biblically based. Helping the poor with material goods was always a very important part of Christian ministry from its earliest days. It is ironic that something so fundamental to Christianity seems so communist in a capitalist democracy. Christianity is communist in that positive sense. That kind of socialism Europeans understand and practice.

A normal person runs from a loose cannon --especially during a presidential campaign when the rules are different and time is abbreviated. When Rev. Wright decided to help Clinton what choice did he leave Obama? Rev. Wright made the controversy ugly at a time when it would make sense for him to be proud -- not of HIMSELF but of Obama and all that he brings forward.

Mr. Obama still needs to tell me if he took Reverend Wright to task for his racist comments over the twenty years he was part of Wrights congregation. If he heard the type of comments that seem to have only distressed him recently, he should have challenged his mentor years ago. If dissatisfied by discussions over these issues, he (Obama) should have left Wright's congregation long ago. If he was satisfied with Wright's proclamations from the pulpit, Obama must explain how he could allow himself to take the politically expedient actions he's taking now. Is it a rock and a hard place situation. Of course!! Mr. Obams put himself in this position. Who is the real Obama? Is he the man who believes in bringing all people together or is he the man who allowed himself and his fellow congregation members to be fed the racially charged musings of an educated crack-pot. Reverend Wright's abandonment of his parishiner should come as no surprise to Mr. Obama. He has witnessed abandonment of reason for twenty years and apparently said and did nothing about it except acquiesce. What truly lies in the candidate's heart of hearts. We are often judged by the company we keep. Mr. Obama may be put to the same test by voters.

Thank you so much for making this thing so real! I felt his pain and know his disappointment. There is absolutely no greater betrayal than that by one you have loved so deeply and honored above all men. For the people of God, no matter the color, we love, honor and respect our pastors. We love them almost as dearly as we love our parents and without condition. The Bible tells us that we are to forsake our mother and father to be follows of Christ and that when they forsake us, that the Lord will take us in. Now that's how deep we love our God, our church, and our pastors. The Reverend Wright sadly showed the world how much he loved hearing himself talk and how much he loved working a crowd and how little he loved Brother Barack. Jesus would have never done such a thing. Perhaps Rev. Wright recognized that Barack is at the door of the most powerful position in our country. Perhaps he couldn't deal with Barack surpassing him. I pray that God will not allow Rev. Wright any peace nor rest until he humbles himself and recognize that he not only injuried one of God's men but perhaps brought more harm to our country than any man or woman he has ever spoken of. It is heartbreaking to think that if Barack does not win, it would have been largely due to this man that Barack has loved like a father and one that claimed to have him, black people and above all, the people of God. Rev. Wright caused Barack to suffer the lost of yet another father and the pain of a wound that he could have healed. In closing, for our country there may never again be one who could be used so mightily by God as President of the United States of America. I will continue to pray that God will have the last say and allow Mr. Obama the presidency of the United States for my sake and the for the sake our country. PEACE

With respect, you folks who are slagging Obama off for disowning Wright, do you know how often they actually communicated over the years?

Yes, we know about the marriage, the baptisms, that Wright was instrumental in firming up Obama's belief, that Obama sought spiritual solace before embarking on his campaign (though nevertheless did not invite Wright to campaign for him.)

But what does this mean in a period of 20 years?

Most people who marry want a pastor. Many people want their children baptised. A pastor/priest is called for. How many people have been married and had their children baptised by a person who's views in a wider context they neither know nor care about? And as a person of faith, who should Obama turn to for mutual prayer 'before battle', if not the pastor of his church? Where else would he go?

If Wright were as important to Obama as people seem to assume, why does he not figure more than parenthetically in Obama's books?

When Wright first became an issue, Obama gave a speech that will go down in the annals of great political speeches, whether Obama wins or loses the Nomination or the Presidency. That speech is breathtaking in its honesty and audacity. It expresses succintly what most people would rather not talk about, or think about -- but is there nevertheless.

In that speech, Obama did not disown Wright, just what he said. Later, Wright's appearance before the Press Club was brought to Obama's attention, and things that, for him, cast Wright in a new light -- an irresponsible, selfish, egocentric bombast -- became unmistakable.

When Obama said, most recently 'I guess I did not know him all that well', this was no more than the honest truth, and reflected modest contact between the two men over the years.

I'm ready to move beyond Wright and those like him no matter what color they are who want to stick to the hurt, anger and desperation of our nations racial experience. There is plenty of blame to go around, and a regretable history of our country we all have to admit a claim too. There are those who fight for the rights of their brothers, others who are hell bent in stripping them of their humanity. I'm ready to move on, start new, the challenges ahead are great, our next President is going to need us all. To link Wright's speech to a possible Obama Presidence is disgraceful, especially to John McCain. A true American Hero. I know McCain has more class than campaign wreckers. Wright is a single citizen, the GOP is a party there is a big difference. For the GOP to call Wright a racist, based on a cut and paste sermon flash on U-Tube is lying.
I remember Shindler's list. One German,decided to save the jews who were going to ride a train to their deaths. Shindler, put his own life on the line to save them, in a time when Jews in Germany were not considered human. Today, we need to be like Shindler, and dump are culture of self admiration and entitlement and work to bring ourselves together. Not only are we all God's children, we're stuck with each other as Americans, no matter what. So, I chose to move beyond the hatred, the anger and the hopelessness, and give myself and my neighbor a chance. So that, my children can only read about bigotry in text books, not have to live it. For those who chose to move beyond the racial divide, I guess you will be left behind.

Can someone simply explain to me how it's okay now for Obama to disown a reverend who, to my knowledge said nothing new the other week from what he has been known to say before?

I thought Obama could no more disown him than his own white grandmother. If I was Obama's white grandmother, I'd probably be concerned at this point.

It takes more than a minister or rabbi to create a temple. Religious organizations are nothing without a congregation of well-networked community members. I don't think America should demand Obama give up his relationships with his community in order to serve his country. There is no prerequisite constitutional requirement in order to serve. It’s a double standard we hold to Obama that neither McCain nor Clinton have to abide by.

The bigger issue requires a broader examination of what’s transpiring in the discriminating attitude of the American psyche.

Clinton is using the tools of our oppressive ancestors to divide and conquer by religion and race. Subliminally their accusing sound bites say it’s OK to use stereotypically association and therefore discriminate by race and religion. Essentially, Clinton is saying it’s OK to discriminate and they see no need to CHANGE that. With McCain joining the Clintons camp in using marginalized discrimination it creates a quandary for both parties. Will the Reps and Dems continue the discriminatory works of their slave owning predecessors or are they ready for CHANGE?

For a moment I was feeling the “hope” but have resigned myself to my original premise. America legislated institutionalized racism because it benefited the majority. Recognizing Obama's ability to lead means reflecting on 300 years of implied inferiority by color and the fact we've been living a textbook lie. Using cognitive dissonance we address our discomfort with Obama’s blackness we demand he give up his friendships and his community. What do we ask for next; his identity, his family, perhaps maybe even his life? If one black man from Iowa is willing to sacrifice so much for CHANGE,then I’ll support nothing less.

OBAMA CLEARLY BETRAYED HIS SPIRITUAL MENTOR
ACTUALLY WHAT HE HAS DONE IS USED AS IF WERE TOILET PAPER
AND PROBABLY HE WOULD DO AS WELL WITH OTHERS
AT THIS RATE HE IS GOING TO DISOWN HIS WIFE
IT LOOKS TO ME THAT HIS CV IS MADE OF TRUES AND LIES,AND THE PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW HOW AND WHY DID HE GET ELECTED INTO A POLITICAL POSITION, HIS LEGISLATIVE RECORD, ETC, WHAT IS THIS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, (THAT SOUNDS LIKE MARK´S BROTHERS CLOSET)
NOW I DO NOT REALLY KNOW IF OBAMA IS GAME THAT THE MEDIA IS PLAYING,???? OR A GAME THAT DEMO. PARTY IS PLAYING??????

I agree with poster Jand. Obama would be another George Bush. Inexperienced and not able to deal with complex issues until he's backed into a corner (actually, even then Bush doesn't deal with complexities).

I also agree with those who say it was Obama who injected race baiting into the campaign. As for Rev. Wright, while he is loco in some respects some of what he says make sense and it's too bad that in all the brohaha some of the important things he has to say about race relations have gotten lost.

Get ready for McCain folks. This Wright thing ain't going away. The Republicans will hold onto it until late in the presidential campaign and then knock Obama out with it.

Obama should have waited until he was a more seasoned politican and had time put more distance between himself and Rev. Wright to run for highest office. As it is, we are facing another Dukakis/Kerry fiasco. Another Ivy League meltdown. Another Democrat running for President who shouldn't be doing so. Not yet anyway.

I thought this was an excellent article. For all of you who are so sure that the only reason Sen. Obama denounced Rev. Wright was because he was damaging his poll numbers, that seems pretty presumptive and shallow on your part. I would have expected more kindness and compassion from people who would read an article in the Faith section of the Post. If you could watch the obvious anguish of a person who was forced to realize that, despite giving the reverend the benefit of the doubt and assuming he couldn't possibly really mean the things that were said, the opinions expressed by the reverend were diametrically opposed to the fundamental values that Mr. Obama has always espoused, you could come to the conclusion that it was only about poll numbers, you are missing the entire point of Christian principles. Are you capable of imagining how you would feel if someone you had loved and believed in turned out to not be the person you thought they were in such a disastrous and public way? It seems like the ones who protest the loudest about any reference to the meanness and unkindness of others are the ones who are being the most mean and unkind. Every act is an act of self definition. How are you defining yourself?

Obama severed his relationship with Wright only after after it was obvious Wright was having a negative impact on his poll numbers. It is clear to me that Obama's "pain" was over dropping in the polls like a brick in water. The fact remains that if his poll numbers hadn't taken a nosedive, Obama wouldn't have finally denounced Wright. I see nothing noble in Obama's motives or behavior in this situation.

I believe, as do my friends, that the only reason Obama rejected Rev Wright is because he expected him to "white-wash" his rhetoric to benefit Obama. Instead, Rev Wright let the general public witness what Obama has been listening to and financially supporting for 20+ years.
Rev Wright was not wrong here .. Obama is!!

The clips that I heard from Rev. Wright were right on the money. Americans seem so unaware of how the world sees you. Your government is often engaged in deplorable, immoral behaviour that betrays the spiritual and moral foundations of your Constitution and society. The chickens did come home to roost on Sept 11 (although that is no excuse for the evil act of 9/11.) Many Americans (especially elements of the religious right) have conflated Christianity with nationalistic religion and actually believe that the US is the New Israel. Wake up America! Repent of your sin and return to the true spiritual foundations of your country.

Barack name is spelled incorrectly.

Reverend Wright is the classic black chicken eating, pontificating, blowhard that did not know when to sit down and chill out. At least know he's keeping quiet. Amazingly, it seems like several news outlets are attempting to taunt him into saying more. If he wants his former parishioner a chance at the nomination, he will refrain from any more public comments and keep the media out of the places he speaks until AFTER Senator Obama locks up the nomination and Presidency in November.

It would seem as though the Reverend was not taught the same thing as was and passed along to my children. We cannot do the same thing as "others" do and expect the same result. Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson can say the most ignorant things ever spoken about catastrophe's, people and war and their comments are brushed off. Reverend Wright makes those same type of comments and his former Parishioner gets judged by the words of his epastor. John F. Kennedy (a great man) managed to put to bed quickly were his loyalties would be as president. Billy Graham laughed as Richard Nixon called blacks N-----s (its recorded on the Nixon tapes). When revealed to the public, nothing was said by the media.

It's an unfortunate double standard that continues to this day. Hopefully the blue collar white will see past the obvious non-sense and vote with their god given intelligence.

Extremely well put.

Obama's minister put himself first, so. There is no mystery here, it goes with the territory. Obama is a career politician and the Mr. Wright is a career minister, they have much in common. Both do what they do to earn a living... by the selling of absurd promises and stories to people who are in need of such things, which at times is most of us. Mr. Obama and the Rev. Wright are the best of the best, articulate, intelligent, persuasive, highly skilled salesman with egos to match. Don't worry about the Rev, Wright, he knows what he is doing and how to take maximum advantage from this tempest in a teapot as does Mr. Obama. Both have highly profitable futures come hell or high water....our republic and the value of citizenship...that's another matter.

so that is what it was, disloyalty?
not hating America. Not hating jews or israel. Not being pro islamic. Not hating whites. Not black liberation theology which calls for the destructions of the white devile.
it was disloyalty?
good to know. for a minute there i thought little hussein obama might actually disagree with the preaching of his iman - rev wright.

There is noway that he (BO) could have sat and listened to Wright preach, call him his mentor, contributed to his church, used a passage from one of his sermomns for the title of his book, been married , his kids baptized , by this man for 20 years and not know what he was about and now he says he never heard some of these things and didn't know this man. GIVE ME A BRAKE !
He is just trying to save his OWN SORRY A^*

Miguel said:

It appears that some Obama supporters in the media believe that all readers are morons. If Obama had the kind of relatioship that he had with Wright, it was because they shared beliefs and values. His "explanations" are just demagoguery.

May 2, 2008 5:05 PM
--------------------------------------------------
Perhaps the reason is that Mr Obama has outgrown his old mentor.

Did Obama select the Trinity United Church of Christ, one with a huge congregation (voters), where Rev. Wright preached Black Liberation Theology, ( Liberation theology as it has expressed itself in the African-American community seeks to find a way to make the gospel relevant to black people who must struggle daily under the burden of white oppression ) to build a base in Chicago's black politics?

(1.)Did Obama attend the TUCC for political expediency? ....Then Obama is a hypocrite.
(2.)Does Obama believe in and practice the Marxist - Black Liberation Theology- ie: "threatened on a daily basis by the insidious tentacles of white power.”……………….Then Obama is a racist.
Obama still attends the TUCC with its’ new pastor, Rev.Otis Moss 3rd preaching the same divisive Black Liberation Theolgy? ……..Then Obama is either a willing participant and believes in its’ theology or Obama is naïve -unaware as he claims, and shows poor judgment.
If he is a willing participant and believes in the anti-American, anti-white, radical, left wing socialist agenda OR If it’s poor judgment, Obama is unfit to occupy the Oval Office.

Yes but. Twenty years ago, Rev. Wright and Rev. Farrakhan went to visit President Khaddafi of the then-terrorist state of Libya. The issue is not the difficulty of dissolving a spiritual relationship of twenty years, but why the relationship was formed twenty years ago.

"...that most Americans was offended by Jeremiah Wright out of a blind nationalist sentiment, that rises above all truth and question."

What moronic poppycock. Most Americans were offended by the hate espoused by Wright born out of his shear ignorance. Americans recognize the imperfections of our country, but as millions of immigrants attest to each year, we still offer more hope, freedom, opportunity, and safety than any other country on Earth. Moreover, we are constantly reflecting on our society and values, trying to rid ourselves of our imperfections. The Wright's of the world need to quit obsesssing on this country's flaws of yesterday and instead focus on improvements we can make for tomorrow.

Even at that, people would not disdain Obama for Wright's support. The backlash against Obama is for HIS support of Wright, with time, money, and recognition. Anyone who can support Wright's brand of ignorance and hatred is not one who should sit in the Oval Office.

Obama hides a racist belief system behind a unity pretense (read his comments about bitter, small town people clinging to guns and religion as a racist swipe at white Americans)…He attended Wright’s racist blathering for 20 years, 20 YEARS…Wright didn’t formulate his racist loathing in the last 3 months…he’s been working at it his whole life and now Obama insists he has never heard this hatred before…Obama’s wife heard it, which is why she still carries 20 years of hate in her heart...Obama is a racist, a fraud, and a liar.

Rev. Korbell, divorce is a verb totally inappropriate to these events. Amazing that you would even try to avoid reality.Obama Jr. chose what is called "the blackest church in Chicago" to establish "street cred", and actually had an office in the church. For twenty long years he accepted Pastor Wright's brand of black liberation theology. The trouble started when his effort to run for president unexpectedly took off like a rocket, and he was stuck with the Pastor's anti-American public views. He dumped the pastor, the egotistical pastor paid him back. Its just business. They still admire one another, and when Obama loses, they will reconcile.

You'll love the story in the New York Post about Obama's hate filled racist pastor who stole one of his parishioners wives after giving them marriage counseling SEPARATELY. You guys are really something else- fire and brimstone and all MORALS go out the window- Has one never heard of "THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY ?" Im sick of Wright and sick of the Obamas !!

When Obama says his Mom is typical white woman,
he could also term his absent Dad a typical
black man,
payson

Obama has every right to separate himself from his pastor. But that does not explain the previous 20 years of a close association. I find it hard to believe that Rev Wright has suddenly changed his spots. No, Obama listened attentively to this "liberation theology" for 20 years and now it is a problem for him politically. The Reverend Wright is now under the bus with Obama's grandmother. Must be getting crowded under there!

How true, Mr. Kolbell.

It would be sad if American voters decide not to vote Senator Obama because of Rev. Wright's latest histrionics.

The rest of the world is watching, hoping, that Obama's good will to bring his country beyond the wounds of racial divide is not a sign of naivite.

Under the Bush administration, the US has become a divisive power , internationally as well as domestically. It has become a target of international antipathy and riidicule. To transform it you need a new kind of leadership -- not a recycled product of the politics of paranoia. Americans deserve more than Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton cycle.

Obama finally cut the cord with Wright because it was the politically expediant thing to do. If the polls showed an increase in Obamas popularity after Wrights last train wreck does anybody believe he would have cut off the relationship? Obama joined that church to become black. He is a white liberal, raised white, educated in white Ivy League schools who has black skin. He used the church for a political base and it finally bit him in the rear. The fact that he has black skin and can enuciate proper english makes him the golden child for all guilt laden liberals who want to feel good about themselves. I believe that if Rev. Wright had any real respect for Obama as a true "BROTHER", he would have taken a long vacation and keeped his self-serving, egotystical trap shut.

In my 94-year-old opinion, Mr. Wright had a right to say what he said in the way he wanted to say it. The only reason it hurt Mr. Obama's campaign (if it did?) is that the media willingly used Mr. Wright to hurt Mr. Obama by blowing the incident up. (Note, too, that media wouldn't have done that if Mr. Obama's campaign was losing in the polls.) Most of what Mr. Wright said is true, unfortunately, but of course white America doesn't want to acknowledge that point. No, it is easier to drag in twaddle about "patriotism" and "loyalty" and "denunciation" and have a media field day than to uphold fairness and freedom of speech.

Wright put God first, not Obama.

Obama ticked.

(although I dont' believe what Wright said, I believe he, wright, believes it)

Wright did right.

Are there laws in this country about being a traitor? If so, why isn't this pastor hanged? I know that before 9/11 there were a lot of individual rights in the US, but since then, aren't we guided by the mor practical necessity of protecting ourselves? Doesn't the collective imperative for national survival override any individual right of saying things like "9/11 is the chickens coming home to roost?" Couldn't his fate be decided by referendum?

Al Sharpton is a "minister." Louis Farrakhan is a "minister." John Hagee is a "minister." Meir Kahane was a "minister." Ayatollah Khomeini was a "minister." Torquemada was a "minister."

They tend to consider themselves "reverend," often giving themselves that title or some equivalent. Too bad, because reverence is rather a precious commodity that ought not be automatically squandered on ordinary, flawed human beings.

The influence of lunatic religion on the world's politics ought to make us all chary of listening to ministers. It's rather refreshing to hear for a change a candidate tell one of THEM to go to hell for a change. Usually it's the other way round. Some people believe ministers hold the key to salvation. Some people think the notion is too preposterous to be given serious discussion.

I just have two questions that I'd like answered. When Rev Wright was preaching these infamous presentations, I'd like to know if Obama was present during any of these sermons? If he was present, then I'd like to know how many "amens" or "Praise God" remarks he made during these sermons? Any witnesses? Does anyone have this information?

If a poll is taken with African-Americans, you will find that the vast majority of black voters realize that Obama distanced himself from Jeremiah Wright for political reasons. Wright told the truth; that is, Obama is a politician, and he says what he has to say to further his political ambitions.

Part of the Obama snow job where he portrayed Rev. Wright's paranoid rants as coming from anger that is the baggage as the legacy of of old white racism, carried by old blacks. Well, there is current-day stuff that is alive and well, carried by the young blacks, that is a lot worse than the racism, sexism and homophobic intolerance of the older generation of blacks. It's called Hip Hop, Gangsta and Street culture. It's full of racism, paranoia, anger, violence, abuse of women, sexism and a whole lot of dysfunctional antisocial expression schemes. The social psychological disordered behavior that Rev. Wright's hate-speech-as-sermons represents and coveys to blacks and supported by Obama is alive and well in the current-day generation in Black America. It's just in a newer more dangerous carnation.

Blacks leaders should start speaking out about taking some personal responsibility for high rate of high school drop out, sexual promiscuity, children born out of wedlock, , absence of male parenting/role models, drugs, crime, incarceration, AIDS, instead of playing the victimhood game and blaming whites for black failures! Until that time there will always be hate mongers & race baiter,s to use them and profit from their plight like the Rev. Wright, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, as well as 10,s of thousands of White and Black Politicians. In fact the whole Democrat party! Hand outs, instead of a hand up, is the means of keeping Blacks down and economic Slaves! Keeping Blacks as an race of victims and believing all of the above is Whitey fault is designed to keep them from progressing instead of a race of achievers! It is in the best interest of Black preachers and Democrat politicians! Blacks will never be lead to the promise land by hate mongering Preachers like Rev. Wright or by bottom feeding Politicians that wants and works to keep Blacks in the Ghetto, on Welfare, and voting Democrat!

Yonkers, New York
04 May 2008

Eric Kolbell says that "the relationship between a parishioner and his minister is something of a spiritual union," implying that it is one that is not lightly to be broken.

I have no problem with that statement.

But Barack Obama, a parishioner of the Chicago United Church of Christ, may already have been entertaining plans to be a candidate for president of the United States precisely early into his 20-year-long relationship with Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. when the latter, his spiritual mentor and friend, routinely delivered all of his anti-white and anti-America rantings before his congregation.

As such, Obama should have had the good sense and the good judgment to sever his close relationship with the radioactive Rev. Wright the very first time Rev.Wright uttered those explosive and hateful sermons which surely were bound to offend many people not only among his congregation but outside of it.

But Obama, the prospective presidential candidate, chose doggedly not to. In a speech in Pennsylvania on April 22, 2008, he explained that he could no more disown Rev. Wright than he could disown his own white grandmother who feared blacks.

It is rather late in the day for Barack Obama to be denouncing--yet again!--or even now to be disowning his spiritual mentor and close friend Rev. Wright. He has waited much too long--and his procrastination will certainly cost him.

Mariano Patalinjug

MarPatalinjug@aol.com

"The minister put himself first and his parishioner second, and this is something we clergy must never do, because when we are ordained it is an ordination into service." Likewise, Senator Obama put himself first by publicly denouncing Reverend Wright so cruelly.

You are absolutely right. There are two other factors to consider. For some persons, their pastor, priest or rabbi is still the "Herr pastor" of days gone by. There is a presumption that the clergyperson has special wisdom or insight and must be given the benefit of all doubts. In addition, many of us attend a particular church because of the community of the congregation, the work the congregation is doing, and our love for it. Sometimes we endure difficult or boring clergy to remain part of the congregation.

Jeremiah Wright has become a pariah. Any suggestion that Obama should be judged positively or negatively because he attended Wrght's church is absurd. Does that mean that a candidate with a hard drinking, bigoted sibling must disown him, for example? Let's judge Obama but what he has said and done for 20 years. This situation is like labeling any Catholic candidate as an abortion opponent because his/her priest takes the Church's position on that subject.

pure show, after the election these two will hug each other especially if he wins. obama is afrocentric and so is wright, blacks first and for blacks only.

Obama dropped Wright ONLY BECAUSE he started to lose voters who are totally disgusted with Wrights hate and racism. Only now did Obama finally realize how much it was hurting him. He arrogantly defended this piece of excrement that dares to call himself a man of God. A "preacher" who said that poor Natalee Holloway was " just a white girl who went out and gave it up." I'm sure her parents were thrilled to hear that their beloved daughter who was most likely given a date rape drug and murdered while on a clas trip- supposedly "gave it all up.' The Obamas and the Wrights need to crawl back under the miserable rocks that they came from. go back to your filthy city of Chicago. The middle class and the white and blue collar workers of our wondrful country do not identify with the Obamas and their racist and criminal friends. We don't want them in our White House either !!

Surely the proposition that Obama was dealing with a pastoral rather than a political problem is a false one in view of the public way Obama "divorced" his Pastor.

If it was not a political necessity for Obama to distance himself from one, most Americans probably see as a crank, then why did he not rebuke Wright in private?

Incidentally to claim, as some do, that Wright's theology is the problem is to be ignorant of the Mission Statement of Trinity Church, in which its commitment to Black Liberation theology is clearly spelled out as binding upon all members including the pastors. Thus to place the blame upon Wright as though his beliefs were idiosyncratic, as Obama does, is disingenuous and is at the heart of valid questions about his character and suitability to lead this nation.

"Torpedoe Wright", wow what an ego, and for what. He cost this man the election, he'll have to live with that.

Rev. Wright was right! He was awesome at NPC, especially during Q & A phase! He was set up for a Rodney King-style hate-down, but Wright showed up ready to counterpunch. A tough ex-Marine unafraid of confrontation. Too bad the sissy NPC won't put Bushco on the carpet the way they did Wright & Obama! All Obama did was run for Prez. All Bush does is continue his Torture policy, run roughshod daily over the Constitution, spy on Americans, order a War started over crap intel in which 4000 US servicemen died & 30000 have been maimed SO FAR, ruin the economy, push people into the streets, cover for Enron, enrich Halliburton, Blackwater & 1000 other warmongering treasonous profiteer mercenaries, ruin one of our country's finest cities (New Orleans), let our infrastructure fall apart (bridge collapse), deregulate anything that sucks money from the Middle Class to feed the Bushco Wealthiest 1% base. Why are we talking about Wright? Bush was talking to God the whole time he did this....

it is amusing to see how every politician's followers will forgive all the sins of ommission and commission of their leader

same case with senator obama

it is called , i think , " cognitive dissonance" - or probably an ostrich comes more easily to mind

DO WE UNDERSTAND? . . OBAMA’S REAL CLAIM TO THE PRESIDENCY . . . . . is that he is a statesman. If he is not that? . . then what is he? Furthermore, it is not so much that Wright was Obama's pastor and mentor; it is that in light of Rev. Wright, Obama's actions begin to make even more sense.

The way Obama denigrated so many good people, accusing them of playing race cards has been very divisive for our nation. The way he race-baited Hillary's campaign, accusing them, attacking them about playing race cards. Attacking Bill Clinton, one of the best Presidents in America on black issues; or, Geraldine Ferraro, who has been the point person on so many social programs that benefited blacks -- how shameful of Obama. His actions have indeed been divisive (a la Rev. Wright).

We have two candidates. One has a lot of experience, and has been called the best prepared and most knowledgeable Senator in the U.S. Senate. The other one has none of these credentials, but does have great oratory skills and has indeed inspired people with hope. But that hope has been built on the image that he is a statesman and not a politician. And there is the rub, for if he is not the statesman he claims to be, then what is there that recommends him to the highest office in the land?

And that brings us back to square-one. Because in light of Florida and Michigan, in light of Michelle's own words ("I've never been proud of America"), in light of Obama's long term relationship with Rev. Wright that CORRELATES with Obama's own “race card” campaign – Obama is no statesman. . . . . . And therefore has little to recommend him.

I do not believe that Rev. Wright betrayed Obama. Rather, having followed the saga from the beginning, I sincerely believe that it was Obama who betrayed Rev. Wright.

First, Obama disinvited his pastor from giving the opening prayer at Obama's announcement of his candidacy. Instead of giving his pastor an esteemed and prominent place at that historical moment, Obama made his own pastor pray for him like a second class citizen - downstairs out of public view.

Second, Obama likened his pastor - a man who helped Obama strengthen his racial and cultural identity, develop a relationship with Christ and the African American community, and who also enthusiastically supported his political ambitions - to an "old uncle." By this characterization alone, Obama demeaned and belittled his own pastor, and probably humiliated and infuriated him as well.

Third, Obama called his own pastor "wrong" and "divisive" without having heard the full sermons from which the sound bytes used to condemn Rev. Wright were taken. Most fair-minded people who saw the entire sermons on Youtube or via Wright's interview with Bill Moyers realized that Rev. Wright's words were indeed taken out of context, and that the real "wrong" was done not by Rev. Wright, but rather by the media, who failed to engage in proper investigative journalism. But instead of defending his own pastor at a time he was wrongly being dragged through the mud by the media, Obama further strengthened the media's ability to mischaracterize Wright by adding his own mischaracterization to the public debate.

Finally, Obama is not a victim. Obama, of his own volition, joined Trinity United Church of Christ and remained a member for 20 years. Obama, of his own volition: 1) publicized his relationship with Rev. Wright in his book, and has to this date profited handsomely from that book; 2) lifted the title of his book from one of Rev. Wright's sermons; and 3) dubbed Rev. Wright his "spiritual advisor".

I repeat: Obama is not a victim. Obama knew a long time ago that he had political aspirations and ambitions. If he was not willing to stand by his association with Rev. Wright, and be defined by that association throughout his political career, then he should not have publicized it or profited from it financially and politically. Rather, he should have kept his religious and spiritual life private. That Obama did not suggests to me that he used Rev. Wright and Trinity when it was expedient for his political career in Chicago and Illinois, and ditched the association when it could not support or sustain him on the national stage.

Many people in the black community recognize that Rev. Wright did not lie about the vast majority of the things he said, but rather feel that Wright chose the wrong time to say them. I am in the minority in my community, because I tend to believe that the best time for the truth, like justice, is always right now. I have no animus towards Rev. Wright for speaking his truth. I recognize that had his former friend and congregant, Sen. Obama, truly acted like a friend, instead of a politician, Wright may not have had to enter the public conversation in the way that he did. But because all Obama could do was distance, denounce and repeatedly claim to be offended by his pastor and friend, he left Rev. Wright little choice but to defend himself and his own misunderstood church traditions.

Yes, pastors have a duty to protect their flock. Yes, yes, yes. But, is it not also true that politicians have a duty not to exploit religious institutions and leaders for their own political ends? I sincerely believe that this is what Obama did, and to the extent that he did so, with little regard for who might get hurt in the process, he should be soundly and roundly condemned.

Obama can say that Rev Wright was wrong and disavow his message but how can he say he attended a church for (20 years) which has the following message for its parishioners. This speaks to the character of the man and his beliefs for the prejudice he believes in.

I did some research, wanting to know more him, I visited the Trinity Church website and found out it advocates Black Liberation Theology. Not knowing what that meant, I researched that too.
The following is from James Cone, the father of "Black Liberation Theology":
"Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community ... Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love."
A person's beliefs are internal and sacred; but, what I think I need to know, as a citizen of this great, troubled country is: "What does 'Black Liberation Theology' mean to Sen. Obama and how does it fit into his life and how will it impact his ability to be the President for ALL of us?"

Is the Obama campaign paying its volunteers to go to every website covering the Wright/Obama controversy to post the baseless accusation that Rev. Wright was "paid off" by somebody????

Judge Rev Wright by his works. If his church has produced racist blacks who have been involved in hate mongering and crime then something is seriously wrong with Rev Wright. But the peace loving, unity seeking Senator Obama is also a product of the intense mentoring of Rev Wright. Or is Senator Obama a product in spite of Rev Wright.

Well am I missing something? You feel that Wright betrayed Obama; so Obama can now break up if he wants to? Gee, O.K. by me too.

Nonsense...Obama's rejection of his Pastor was a political necessity....what else has changed to cause this rejection. If Obama wanted to reject his Pastor on the basis principles, he would have done that long time ago. It is a shame, he had to disavow his Pastor to earn the nomination.

It's unfortunate that this sorry episode had to happen in the first place. But what is more tragic is that most Americans was offended by Jeremiah Wright out of a blind nationalist sentiment, that rises above all truth and question. There is no need here, to go into any justifiable predications for his comments, since no amout of truth, or reason, can resonate within the frequency response of dogmatic ignorance.

Wright's minstrel show at the Press Club was bought and paid for. One of the Clintons' maxed-out, billionaire friends probably slipped the Right Reverend a million or so to backstab his former parishoner.
The retiring Wright was ripe for a payoff. I will bet anything it was BET Founder and Obama hater Bob Johnson.

I do not believe that Rev. Wright betrayed Obama. Rather, having followed the saga from the beginning, I sincerely believe that it was Obama who betrayed Rev. Wright.

First, Obama disinvited his pastor from giving the opening prayer at Obama's announcement of his candidacy. Instead of giving his pastor an esteemed and prominent place at that historical moment, Obama made his own pastor pray for him like a second class citizen - downstairs out of public view.

Second, Obama likened his pastor - a man who helped Obama strengthen his racial and cultural identity, develop a relationship with Christ and the African American community, and who also enthusiastically supported his political ambitions - to an "old uncle." By this characterization alone, Obama demeaned and belittled his own pastor, and probably humiliated and infuriated him as well.

Third, Obama called his own pastor "wrong" and "divisive" without having heard the full sermons from which the sound bytes used to condemn Rev. Wright were taken. Most fair-minded people who saw the entire sermons on Youtube or via Wright's interview with Bill Moyers realized that Rev. Wright's words were indeed taken out of context, and that the real "wrong" was done not by Rev. Wright, but rather by the media, who failed to engage in proper investigative journalism. But instead of defending his own pastor at a time he was wrongly being dragged through the mud by the media, Obama further strengthened the media's ability to mischaracterize Wright by adding his own mischaracterization to the public debate.

Finally, Obama is not a victim. Obama, of his own volition, joined Trinity United Church of Christ and remained a member for 20 years. Obama, of his own volition: 1) publicized his relationship with Rev. Wright in his book, and has to this date profited handsomely from that book; 2) lifted the title of his book from one of Rev. Wright's sermons; and 3) dubbed Rev. Wright his "spiritual advisor".

I repeat: Obama is not a victim. Obama knew a long time ago that he had political aspirations and ambitions. If he was not willing to stand by his association with Rev. Wright, and be defined by that association throughout his political career, then he should not have publicized it or profited from it financially and politically. Rather, he should have kept his religious and spiritual life private. That Obama did not suggests to me that he used Rev. Wright and Trinity when it was expedient for his political career in Chicago and Illinois, and ditched the association when it could not support or sustain him on the national stage.

Many people in the black community recognize that Rev. Wright did not lie about the vast majority of the things he said, but rather feel that Wright chose the wrong time to say them. I am in the minority in my community, because I tend to believe that the best time for the truth, like justice, is always right now. I have no animus towards Rev. Wright for speaking his truth. I recognize that had his former friend and congregant, Sen. Obama, truly acted like a friend, instead of a politician, Wright may not have had to enter the public conversation in the way that he did. But because all Obama could do was distance, denounce and repeatedly claim to be offended by his pastor and friend, he left Rev. Wright little choice but to defend himself and his own misunderstood church traditions.

Yes, pastors have a duty to protect their flock. Yes, yes, yes. But, is it not also true that politicians have a duty not to exploit religious institutions and leaders for their own political ends? I sincerely believe that this is what Obama did, and to the extent that he did so, with little regard for who might get hurt in the process, he should be soundly and roundly condemned.

This article is excellent . . . very illuminating. Where and how do you editors find such persons to write for On Faith?

Senator Barack Obama is both white and black. It is impossible for him to hate his own identity. It is impossible for him to hate blacks, it is
impossible for him to hate whites for he would be hating himself.

Senator Obama does not carry the bitterness of slavery in him because his father is Kenyan. Obama understands the pain of being treated like a black although he is half white. He can identify with the pain of the blacks and still love the whites because of who he is.

Obama's father abandoned him when he was only two. Rev Wright is his surrogate father. Rev Wright is his father spiritually for he was brought to Christ by Rev Wright. Rev Wright opened many doors for Obama and acted as his patron and mentor. Is it not understandable that he remained loyal even if his own ideas differed from that of Rev Wright. How often do believers take on their pastors for what they preach. Is not more common that they follow like sheep and accept the pastor blindly and remain silent if they disagree. How was Obama to chastise a powerful pastor like Rev Wright who was his patron and mentor.

Are we not familiar with families were siblings are exactly the opposite and yet they are accepted and loved. Aren't there parents who try to protect even their criminal children because their love overrides their sense of justice.

The Old Testament prophets admonished their own people, the Jews. They were more concerned that their people obey God's commands.

Moses did not spend all his time cursing the Egyptians. He was more concerned that his people obey God's commands.

The OT prophets were sent to warn their own people about God's wrath if they did not turn from their wrong ways.

Christianity marks the beginning of a New Covenant with God. Christianity is two thousand years old.

Jesus did not spend any time talking about the Roman secular oppressors or reminding His followers constantly about what they had suffered in Egypt. His harsh words were directed at religious leaders of his day, the Pharisees. Jesus condemned the religious hypocrisy of His own people, not the secular politics of the Roman Empire.

Where does Rev Wright, a Christian pastor to his group of black believers fit in.

His sermons are directly only at a black audience.

How does an OT style prophet earn the right and money to live the life of a millionaire when he is indignant about the well to do wpreaching to the poor and oppressed

Candide - now that would be unfortunate. McCain is our worst nightmare - Bush to the 10th power.

unable to post - blog control in place.

I'm an old (72) honky. My father was a UCC minister for 55 years, and I've attended UCC churches since childhood. I've also supported Barack Obama ever since he came on the political scene, as a breath of fresh air and a voice of reason. I still do. Rev. Wright is saying to the world "I made Barack Obama, and I can break him."

Wright was recruited to speak at the Press Club by a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton, Ms. Barbara Reynolds. That says it all.

When is the national UCC going to reject foaming-at-the-mouth nonsense like the U.S. Government inventing the AIDS virus? Wright has done much good in his long career, but his kamikaze attack on Obama now threatens to undo all of it. I call upon Rev. Wright to retire to his new million-dollar house and SHUT UP.

I'm an old (72) honky. My father was a UCC minister for 55 years, and I've attended UCC churches since childhood. I've also supported Barack Obama ever since he came on the political scene, as a breath of fresh air and a voice of reason. I still do. Rev. Wright is saying to the world "I made Barack Obama, and I can break him."

Wright was recruited to speak at the Press Club by a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton, Ms. Barbara Reynolds. That says it all.

When is the national UCC going to reject foaming-at-the-mouth nonsense like the U.S. Government inventing the AIDS virus? Wright has done much good in his long career, but his kamikaze attack on Obama now threatens to undo all of it. I call upon Rev. Wright to retire to his new million-dollar house and SHUT UP.

Anonymous at May 2, 2008 5:17 PM :

Very well said! Kudos!

Anyone who thinks Barack Obama can get past the Rev. Wright problem is a fool. His own wife is digging his grave by refusing to repudiate Wright. Obama is dead on arrival. Say hello to Pres. McCain.

Thanks for your thoughtful comments on the Obama-Wright divorce. I think many genuine Christians will realize that, after all is said and done, Obama's political "problem'" resulting from Wright's national performance was a betrayal on Wright's part, and a painful loss for Obama. There are many observers, however, who pontificate about what they themselves would have done in similar circumstances (e.g., Hillary Clinton: "I would have dismissed my pastor long ago if he'd said things I objected to, etc."). So, we appreciate your comments -- for deeply spiritual people, divorce can be quite painful.

Thank you for pointing out the characteristics of breaking a spiritual relationship. Too often, this debate has focused only on the politics.

This is the most insightful comment I have yet read about the Obama/Wright relationship. Having been through similar difficulties myself, when I chose to leave the Roman Catholic Church for the United Church of Christ, I can attest to the pain involved in giving up on this kind of relationship. People need to understand that this was far more than just a political decision for Sen. Obama.

Mr. Kolbell,

I watched Rev. Wright's presentation before the National Press Club that morning, and I was as appalled by his remarks as anyone else. And like many, I sensed an air of vengeance in his words and in his bearing.

At that point it occurred to me that Wright had been understandably wounded by Obama's condescension toward him in his Philadelphia speech, referring to his pastor as a batty uncle that he could not disown.

In all of the commentary I've read about the relationship between Obama and Wright, no one has mentioned how Wright must have felt when he heard those words from his parishioner.

Whatever we may think of his incendiary remarks about America, Wright has long been a widely acclaimed minister leading the largest congregation in the United Church of Christ for many years. I do not approve of his response at the National Press Club, but I can at least empathize with his woundedness.

I will add that I don't agree with Wright's theology, which has obviously been influenced by liberation theology. Liberation theology poses a danger as it can too easily be understood to condone violence in human relationships. And I believe this theological perspective also errs in claiming that God takes sides in human conflicts.

I can see how Rev. Wright's outrageous remarks emerged from his theological perspective. His example ought to warn our seminaries and other theological institutions about the dangers in teaching liberation theology.

In the pastoral relationship between Rev. Wright and Barack Obama, there is also the consideration that apparently Rev. Wright introduced Obama to Christianity. Hopefully, Obama has since discovered there are other versions of Christianity that do not include the dangerous and erroneous teachings of liberation theology.

Obama has repudiated Wright only nominally and out of political necessity. His wife has refused to do so. She is the real evil witch who is sinking Obama's campaign.

I cannot fathom why the USA is so neurotic when someone such as Rev Wright speaks out.

I have no objection to hearing him and I am able to assess the value that I put on his speeches without blaming Obama for what Wright has said.

It is time the USA grew up. It loses a sense of proportion when it turns small issues into big issues.

When Clinto said that she would have walked out of Wright's service I do not believe her. Apparently, 250 or so parishioners did not leave the Church and they have not turned to stone or become lunatics.

The real consequence of this controversy is that it has exposed Clinton as a petty self-interested politician who is no different to the history of petty politicians who have preceeded her. It shows us what she has to offer the USA and the world: a dishonest and well trodden stale path that is not dis-similar to what has been dished out by Bush and Cheney.

I am sorry to see Obama react to Clinton's vitriolic attacks and abandon Wright. This is a real weakness. He should have faced the nation and said he was big enough to listen to people whose views do not always conincide with his own. In stead of leadership he flounders in an abysmal state of his own making.

I heard a minister describing what Rev Wright did as pastoral abuse. Likening the relationship between pastor and church goer as simular to the relationship between any other type of counselor. They know things about you that are not common knowledge and have a trusted relationship. I am not a church goer but wonder how others view this?

Who betrayed whom? It was Obama who threw the first stone, denouncing anything his former pastor may have said that was controversial. It was Obama who dismissed the elder Rev Wright's experience as out of touch and out of date; a cardinal sin in African-American culture, where age is equated with authority. Jeremiah Wright spoke out in self-defense, not betrayal. He wanted us to know that he meant every word of what he had said and that what he had said emerged from deep and serious study.

Thank you for this thoughtful post on how hard it was for Senator Obama. I have been wondering why people have been attacking Obama for being in a church for twenty years and, then, not bothering to look at themselves.. to look into facts... what was the topic of every single sermon in those twenty years... how often was Sen Obama in church to hear them... (I don't go to church every Sunday)..
And worst of all.. to assume that the pastor is the be all and end all of a church. A church is made up of the people.., the pastor should guide but there is more to the church.
I watched him when he came to the American people to tell us that he had to renounce his pastor. I saw the pain in his demeanor and I heard the devastation in his words and the sadness and anger that his NOT a man who believes in any sort of racism, bigotry, sexism or political expediency. He knows and loves his country so much that he is out there campaigning for President. I can say that there are very very few people in this nation that would put themselves through the slings and arrows of the opponents and the attack machines.
That we, as an American people can not see that Reverend Wright is not running for President.. that a congregant can go to a church for twenty years for the fellowship.... to me.. this is an equivalent of the "mean girl" tactics... You find one thing that you don't like about a person and you drive a stake through it over and over again. You don't ask how that makes that person feel.. you don't really care, because this sort of attack serves only one purpose.. and that would be to belittle and tear down that person.
These tactics are usually done out of jealousy.. and Yes.. Clinton is jealous that he is ahead... and Yes.. McCain is jealous that he's young and has lured the Independent votes and the youth vote... We are all jealous,quite frankly, because this guy is so awesome.. He speaks to a higher purpose in our lives.. and he actually has a plan to get us there.
I am not living in fantasy land.... but I DO KNOW that what we have going on right now is NOT WORKING.. I know that what he proposes isn't going to happen over night. What I DO know.. is that until we get a LEADER who has a vision other than leading us into more of the same..(the policies that have driven our economy into the dirt).. We need a LEADER who will start to change the way we do business.. one that will really be looking out for US!
Barack Obama is not Jeremiah Wright.. and if you have ever sat in your church and been brain washed by your pastor..well, you are probably not going to vote for him anyway. If you realize that you can get spiritual advice from your pastor on whether or not what you did was a sin.... what you are doing is moral.. and still believe that all men are created equal... then if you were for Obama, you still are. If you changed your allegiance to him, then please look deeply into why you wanted him in the first place... then look into your own soul and judge yourself.

This man has the vision, temperament and judgment to lead us into this next chapter of our great nation.

An Active Duty Navy LCDR

Has anyone stopped to think--with Hillary constantly posing slamming drinks back with "the boys"--what message she is sending to young people, ie., you have to drink to be popular?

And what "intern-friendly" Bill back in the White House would do to efforts to promote abstinence, or even responsible sex, among teenagers?

Well said, Anonymous.

In answer to Brad, and all who claim that Senator Obama must ascribe to every wild idea of Reverend Wright's because he was a member of his church:

I highly doubt that Reverend Wright was preaching on aids and 911 for the full 20 years. I don't know why anyone hasn't twigged to this, but his sermons were recorded. Surely if he had been preaching racism for 20 years we would have had more than 2 sound bites from 2 sermons? Given that, I think it is entirely possible that Senator Obama was not present for at least 2 sermons in 20 years. I myself am a regular churchgoer and am absent on occasion--at least twice a year. I think the 20 years is a "red herring". If Reverend Wright's detractors could have found more than 2 sermon's worth of inflammatory remarks in 20 years worth of recorded sermons they surely would have hit the airwaves by now.

I agree with Ms. Petrilli's comments above. Senator Obama attempted to maintain a relationship of love and respect for a man that had been his Pastor for 20 years, yet at the same time voice his repudiation of his offensive statements. What Reverend Wright's actions did, in effect, was to say, you have to accept my statements in order to accept me. In this political climate, he left Senator Obama no choice but to renounce him.

I also object to Reverend Wright stating that any comment against him is a comment against the black church. When did the black church acquire a Pope? I also had not read the press release that said that all black churches were unified under Reverend Wright's theology.

In answer to Michele, above:

Of course no Catholic politicians walked out on the Catholic church because of the sex abuse scandal.American Catholics have long stayed in the church while rejecting the dictates of its leadership on things like abortion, birth control and divorce. No one would think of asking a Catholic politician to reject the church over the sex abuse scandal.

But because Senator Obama is black, and the issue is one of racism, he is held to a higher standard--a double standard. No-one should kid themselves--neither of the other candidates is receiving such close scrutiny mover their religious affiliations. In John McCain's case, he WELCOMES the endorsements of Pastors Robertson and Falwell who said "the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America " helped make 911 happen. He also is content with the endorsement of Pastor Hagee who calls the Catholic church the "anti-Christ". For her part, Hillary Clinton has a close association with Doug Coe's Fellowship, a group with misogynist leanings whose leader is on tape speaking admiringly of the personal relationship between Hitler, Goebbels and Himmler. Also, although she purports to have been a Methodist all her life, in the preface to A Woman in Charge the author talks about Senator Clinton "channeling" Eleanor Roosevelt's soul, and other New Age dabblings while she was in the White House.

All that being said, this issue should be put to rest along with the other side issues. This country faces too many real problems--war, a recession, a broken health care system, a mortgage crisis, rising food and fuel prices--for the press to be wasting our time on whose Pastor said what.

It appears that some Obama supporters in the media believe that all readers are morons. If Obama had the kind of relatioship that he had with Wright, it was because they shared beliefs and values. His "explanations" are just demagoguery.

This is the only sensible article I have seen and read on the subject. It was thoughtful and nicely articulated. More people seeking to understand the situation would do well to read this.

Sabrinaz! Well said! I wonder about that too....Rush's actions are despicable...What have we done to discipline him?

First, i do not appreciate the "marriage" metaphor for the relation between parishioners and their pastors. Maybe comparing the relation with "family" relations is more appropriate.

You seem to focus on the political goals of one member of the church. But, what about all the good deeds that the church itself has done which are now obliterated by the scum of politics?

"Wright’s most recent efforts either to exonerate or exalt himself have come at Obama’s expense."

Your reading on Mr. Wright's comments are tainted by a political agenda. The implication in your comments is: "Obama wants to be the president of the u.s., how dare you get in the way".

If Obama chose to get into politics, he should have expected to get slimed by politics. All he did now was to hurt his church: threats of attacks on the church and the destruction of the good deeds that Mr. Wright achieved in his lifetime.

Enough of mingling religion with politics: it always comes out to be a bitter pill to swallow.

A thoughtful and insightful explanation, and I totally agree. Wright's self rose to annoying and insulting heights, a sad display from a minister who I believe was taught better.

Thank you for addressing this issue. Your analogy of relationship rings true, and forgiveness needs to be doled out equally.

In spite of what Obama thinks, even white stupid bitter rednecks that Believe in God, loves this Nation, support the second Amendment, & Article IV Section IV against Invasion, know this much: When you take money out of your wallet and lay that money down for the same cause, week after week, month after month, year after year, for 20 years...you HAVE endorsed and believe in the Message and you have most assuredly endorsed the MESSENGER.

For 20 years Obama has supported Reverend Wright and his Radical American Hating Racist Paranoid message, but now that he wants to be President he throws the man under the bus alone with his Grandmother. The question is just how bitter is Obama at whites, and what kind of man is he that is seeks to be President? It seems that with Obama Bull Sh-t Talks and Character walks!

Michele, Now Obama refers to Wright as his FORMER pastor. Abandoning someone for doing something YOU think is wrong is not the christian thing to do. You stick with them. Now Obama might be a baby christian which tells a whole lot about his ability to lead. Look at Bush. He definitely is NOT a mature christian. We don't need another Bush.

"There is one thing, though, that almost no union can survive, and that is betrayal"

Couldn't Catholics say the same thing? I don't remember a mass exodus from the Catholic Church at the height of the sex abuse scandals. I don't remember any Catholic pols coming out to say "I can't in good conscience remain wedded to a church that would cover up such acts".

Which is more egregious, Rev. Wright's words or the Catholic Church's actions?

Thank you Rev. Kolbell for your comments. While I have not held Sen. Obama responsible for his pastor's words, I have wondered why he didn't put more distance between them in his Philadelphia speech. I can see now that the senator was practicing his christianity by not doing so. He chose to "condemn the sin but not the sinner". It speaks well of him. Too bad Rev. Wright has closed such magnificent mentoring with such a shameful end.

Till disloyalty - to my campaign for President of the United States - do us part!!!!

Ridiculous.

Wright betrayed Obama by continuing his narcissistic rants even though he knew damn well it would destroy Obama's chances to become President. Loyalty is a two way street and, contrary to what most ministers believe, just because one has elevated himself or herself to the position of "Reverend" does not mean he or she is exempt.

I still think after reading this that Obama used Wright in order to climb the political ranks among the black community in Illinois. Rev. Wright was not acclimated to being used for someone else's agenda so they can shine. He figured since selfish cake was being passed around, it was his turn to take a slice. And that's exactly what he did. This weekend was his turn to get in the spotlight and give the people what they want. This is a lesson to be careful who you step over on your way to the top.

For better or worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. Till death do us part. Funny a preacher would forget those truths. But truth is subjective to today's preachers isn't it?
The problem is too many psyco anylists in todays pulpits and on public square soap boxes. Obama only has a few choices. He was asleep during most of the sermons. He didn't go to church most of the time. He agreed with Rev Wright (as evidenced by his wifes statement of being proud of America for the first time in her adult life) and only changed his opinion because he was running for george bush's job. Any one of the three makes him as bad as george bush.

This is the first sensible piece of writing I have seen on the subject. Reverends Forbes and Carruthers could learn a lot from you!

"you cannot claim that you stand up for America and the santity of her name and allow idiots like Limbaugh to run loose."-----

Actually that is precisely how we stand up for America, by letting the Wrights and the Limbaughs have their say, in open forums, where we can assess their respective merits and respond to their arguments as a free, educated people. It is the price we must pay for the opportunity to hear the truth from whatever source it may come and to reassess our own beliefs under the fire of an opposing point of view. I do not fear Limbaugh any more than I fear Wright, for I know that bigotry in any color has "nothing" at its center.

It is striking to me, the contrast between the pastoral perspective taken by Mr. Kolbell in this terrific essay and the pompous words of James A. Forbes Jr. about the "prophetic" role of ministers so prominently displayed two days ago. Striking also because both have connections to the Riverside Church. Is the difference attributable to generation, position, self-image, or all of the above?

why is there so much ado about nothing..if the public would not have given power to his words then they would have fallen on deaf ears... because we are in election season and "silly season" everyone is overly sensitive...Rev. Wright's words did not cause anyone to act..and America's reputation around the world was no more damaged as a result of it... who suffered..no one but Obama which was the intent of all this hoopla.. The reaction to his words should make thinking people stop and take a look in the mirror at how they have allowed themselves to be brainwashed by the right into thinking that if anyone questions America or her policies then they are un-American...the last time I looked I did not see any amendments to the first amendment denying a person the right to free speech.. Again...Rev. Wright's words did not cause anyone to act.. But the insanity of Rush Limbaugh does...where is the outrage over him ..getting people to change party affliations just to vote for a candidate that the Republicans want to run against in the general election...where is the outrage over Limbaugh calling for people to riot in Denver at the Democratic convention... you cannot claim that you stand up for America and the santity of her name and allow idiots like Limbaugh to run loose.