All Comments (131)

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
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Perhaps the reason is that Mr Obama has outgrown his old mentor.