When Franklin Graham, one of President Bush's mentors called Islam a wicked religion, it was appropriate for Bush to distance himself from those comments. So too, when Hagee endorsed McCain it would have been appropriate for McCain to make clear he did not share many of Hagee's opinions. If Obama disagrees with some of Jeremiah Wright's positions, then it behooves him to say so. Otherwise, the public cannot know that Bush does not vilify an entire religion, that McCain does not consider Catholics and gays as evil blots upon the face of America, or that Obama disagrees with comments that appear anti-American or racist in nature.

At the same time, I believe that the outrage over the comments made by Rev. Wright reveals not a pastor who preached hatred and intolerance, but rather a society which is not willing to listen to criticism of itself, even justified criticism.

Our foreign policy since WWII has far too often been despicable. We have propped up dictators and tyrants when we thought they would serve our agenda (Saddam Hussein, for instance, when he was fighting Iran). We have supported extremist elements where we thought they would further our aims (remember Regan's Freedom Fighters who are today's Taliban and AlQaeda). We have turned a blind eye when nascent democracies where candidates we did not favor were crushed (Algeria, for example,) or even descended into political intrigue and black operations (read up on the history of Mohammed Mosaddeq or Patrice Lumumba). And we have put corporate interests ahead of human rights and even rationality (for instance the negation of the Kyoto accords).

When Rev. Wright said that 9-11 was only chickens coming home to roost, it may have been offensive, but there was an element of truth to it, a truth that has largely been written out of public discourse. When he criticizes our unquestioning support of Israeli policies which are gross violations of international law and universal human rights standards, he is voicing opinions which are practically forbidden in American discourse. Until America is willing to take a hard look at some of the assumptions and agendas that have driven our foreign policy, we will continue to be viewed by much of the world as a bully and tyrant, and we will continue to make poor decisions that in the long run harm our country, not to mention the inhabitants of other countries we are dealing with. Yes, there are times when our foreign policy is a shining example of righteousness, but unfortunately, those seem to be the exception rather than the rule.

So too, we are a society that does not want to take a hard look at imbalances within our social system. It remains a fact that certain minorities face hurdles in pursuing the American dream that white Americans and other minorities don't. It is a fact that members of certain races and religious groups are subjected to relentless prejudice, both on a personal and a public level. (Can you imagine Don Imus calling a predominantly white girls basketball team a bunch of stringy haired sluts?)

Unless the subjects of racism and economic and social imbalance are broached with the most mild of platitudes, people who try to confront these problems are branded as reverse racists or intolerant. When frustration with a society that more often than not refuses even to acknowledge the problem exists naturally turns to anger, criticism is leveled not at the society but at that anger.

Rev. Wright's message of personal optimism and determination in face of a situation that is stacked against you, and the possibility of success despite the odds, is an uplifting message of empowerment and engagement, and one we should all embrace. When he points to the positive in leaders like Farrakhan (and yes, there is much to criticize in Farrakhan, but there is also much to admire), we should be willing to take an honest look at those leaders and see the good with the bad, rather than viewing people in absolutist terms.

I am glad that Barak Obama this morning (Tuesday, 3/18) took a bold stand in support of his pastor and has used the opportunity to raise issues about race relations in our country, issues that are far too often swept under the rug. I hope that he will also address problems in the way we formulate our foreign policy, and act (as Senator, and, if elected, as President) to move our country towards a policy based upon the common humanity of all human beings, exemplified by programs such as Rabbi Michael Lerner's Global Marshall Plan. His response, at once universal and intensely personal, acknowledging concerns of both blacks and whites, gives me hope that indeed he can be a President that helps our country move in the right direction in terms of the persistent racial inequalities and tensions that continue to plague our society.

I can only dream of the day that fear mongering around a supposed or real Muslim identity is met with the comment of "So what if I were (or am) Muslim. It's not a crime to be a Muslim. It doesn't disqualify you from being President, just as being Catholic or Mormon doesn't."