Comments (55)

I agree with most of what Pastor Wright said. Or, at least, I can't prove him wrong. I can't prove that our government didn't deliberately push crack on the black community. I can't prove that the government didn't deliberately infuse the AIDS virus in the black community.

I know that Hillary Clinton has never been black, but she has struggled. I'm sure as a woman in a typcally male dominated field she definately struggled.

I do agree that some of the US Foreign Policy decisions aided the hatred that caused 911. I don't think the entire country should be damned for it.

I don't agree that this type of language or rhetoric should be used in a church sermon. As an ordained minister, I would never speak that way to my parishoners. That kind of sermon is meant to anger people.

I also don't think it's right to confuse religion with politics. I, also, don't think it's right to confuse Wright's words with Obama's. Regardless of their spiritual relationship, it's obvious that Obama disagrees with him for all the right reasons.

Barrack Obama is now seen for what he realy is a divider not a uniter. Its ok for him to chastise people of different races and degrade the heritage of his own grandmother, He realy blew it on his speech and comments days after like "a typical white person". Barrack may have never had my vote but he know has lost my respect!

Obama lost an excellent opportunity to show that he is capable of being the President of United States. Now he is doing damage control with band aids. This is rubbish. How long he has taken to respond to the biggest challenge to his candidacy. He waited for his strategists and speach writers to produce this speach. The main issue in this campaign is who will take the 3am call. Can he do that. NO. He cannot respond to an emergency. He may be a good orator but he certainly is not a Capable Leader.

Tarry says: "They bought into Obama story that he was a different kind of politician...."

Were you one of those people, or were you always opposed to Obama? If you've always been opposed to him, please don't try to speak for others with different opinions.

Thanks

There are millions of American citizens that feel outrage. They bought into Obama story that he was a different kind of politician now to find out that he is an American hating, Black racist that worshiped at the feed of an Demented preacher that hates every race but Blacks makes them used and abused by Obama!

I was a child of the 60's and came of age in the free love 70's. Now, I'm born again. I have two points:

1. If white America can't deal with Pastor Wright's comments, then there will be no racial harmony anytime soon. What he said is relatively light stuff compared to what African Americans really say around the dinner table. I'm sure whites are much purer. Any way, a generation ago people were much more laid back and might have handled this better.

2. I agree somewhat with Claire. Jesus Christ is to be used for living and preaching the gospel. Faith and politics shouldn't really be mixed.

More:

http://www.carlrollinsblog.com/id32.html

Straight talk? That's rich.

There can be no Doubt that Obama and his wife are both Racist & American haters. After watching videos of their preacher I have lost all respect for Obama and anyone the attended that Church or still supports Obama. If any white had belonged or attended even one sermon of a church that spews that kind of hate they would be vilified by everyone, and rightly so. Michell was being honest when she said for the first time in her life she was proud of American. Because for all of her life she has hated American and most of its White Citizens! Obama belonged to that church for 20 years yet he does not share those views? That is beyond belief! How can he expect any one intelligence enough to vote, even a left wing loony to be that stupid? We have to get away from this double standard where it is ok for blacks to do things way over the line esp. ones that would be be President! It is very scary to think that someone that supported that preacher and went to that hate filled church for 20 years may be President! After watching those videos I can very easy see where Obama may well be a Muslin with a secret agenda for this Nation when elected! One thing for sure it is hard to see how anyone that listen to the venom spewed out from that so called preacher for 20 years can be a Christen! If Obama gets elected after this he will have did a better con job on the American public than any President in History even better than the Moron in the WH now.

Re: "Black Value System" by RETCOMBVET - It's been suggested to take the word 'black' out of the stated 'Black Value System' and replace it with 'white'. I suggest doing something much easier, simply take out the word 'black' and don't replace it with anything. What are you left with? A list of values that any thinking person with a heart, mind, soul and might I add, experience and clear vision, knows will lift people, any people from adversity, oppression, loneliness, and despair. Contrary to what's heard on the news, I'm a white, older, some would even say 'old woman Obama supporter', who's been through a lot - a weary warrior, if you will, but I haven't forgotten how to recognize truth when I hear it. Senator and candidate Obama may not be the perfect person or the perfect candidate, but wake up America! These old white ears hear a whole lot more truth from his mouth than what comes from the other presidential candidates. Hillary occasionally speaks truth when someone else shames her into doing it or when it's politically expedient. McCain lost his ability to speak the truth when it became necessary to become G.W.'s closest buddy to win the GOP nomination. America, listen with your heart, mind, and soul, not with your wounds and scars. It is time for hope and it is time for the past to be left behind, though with knowledge, not niavete. Let's give a brilliant inspirational speaker and leader his chance to try for a better future for us, our children, and our grandchildren.

Re: "Black Value System" by RETCOMBVET - It's been suggested to take the word 'black' out of the stated 'Black Value System' and replace it with 'white'. I suggest doing something much easier, simply take out the word 'black' and don't replace it with anything. What are you left with? A list of values that any thinking person with a heart, mind, soul and might I add, experience and clear vision, knows will lift people, any people from adversity, oppression, loneliness, and despair. Contrary to what's heard on the news, I'm a white, older, some would even say 'old woman Obama supporter', who's been through a lot - a weary warrior, if you will, but I haven't forgotten how to recognize truth when I hear it. Senator and candidate Obama may not be the perfect person or the perfect candidate, but wake up America! These old white ears hear a whole lot more truth from his mouth than what comes from the other presidential candidates. Hillary occasionally speaks truth when someone else shames her into doing it or when it's politically expedient. McCain lost his ability to speak the truth when it became necessary to become G.W.'s closest buddy to win the GOP nomination. America, listen with your heart, mind, and soul, not with your wounds and scars. It is time for hope and it is time for the past to be left behind, though with knowledge, not niavete. Let's give a brilliant inspirational speaker and leader his chance to try for a better future for us, our children, and our grandchildren.

Obama's speech was an insight into his duplicitous nature. He did not answer the simple question of how he can support a bigot and hater like Wright (America invented HIV to kill and subjugate blacks) for 23 years, and how could he say that he did not know that wright was saying all these things only 4 days earlier. Instead he tried to hide behind what he does best ... oratory on an entirely different topic!!!

Say hello to president McCain.

****************************
Obama the Ditherer
Answering the question no one asked.
by Dean Barnett

While that non-sequitur surely distracted the scores of Obama sycophants in the media, conservative 527 groups will be lining up to run commercials juxtaposing Obama declaring that Reverend Wright "has been like family to me" with Wright offering one of his trademark greatest hits like "God Damn America." Obama could have tried to defuse those attacks, but instead chose once again to try to hide the ball.

Obama's relationship with Wright warranted a serious treatment. The voting public deserved as much. It says something about the candidate and his willingness to take on the tough issues that he declined to take on the challenge.
****************************

Jon M... I assume you're a black man to speak so intimately about the mainstream black community?

DSW says: "This whole media-fueled controversy simply proves how segregated our American society remains. This is the fact: Jeremiah Wright, his style and his message, is part of the black MAINSTREAM."
************************************************

Then the BLACK MAINSTREAM is RACIST. I think it's high time America explored the racist lies and scapegoating that goes on in the black church.

Clear Eye, Anon, Mary, John, and Bryan obviously did not actually hear or read the speech. But they sure are adept at repeating the GOP talking points they hear on Rush or read at LGF or some other repub. site. This was very comparable to Lincoln's second inaugural address. But they are scared that their game of guilt by associating (with Wright) might not work. Obama turned the table on them.

Can you imagine any Bush republican giving such a thoughtful and considered address on race? Listen to what Bush said today about Iraq. Alice in Wonderland!

Obama made the most important speech of the 21st century. But the GOPers only see the black church - evil - it said unflattering things!

Barrack is brilliant. He can think and write! After Bush, and with the prosepct of McCain, who doesn't even know who is who in Iraq, having a president who can think and speak and inspire sounds pretty good!

As for the harping by concern trolls on Wright, sorry but your GOP tactic has failed. Better get a new swift boat to ride, 'cos that one just sank.

Obama is treating us like we are adults. Thanks!

ClearEye: Of course we have better people to run the country; they're just not running for that post.
To the 'enlightened' folk who deign to come down and shower the rest of us 'naive' Obama supporters with vitriol: Take another listen to the words that sought to bring opposing sides together and acknowledge the pain, the anger, the fear... and see about dealing with those same negative emotions in a positive way.
We can't erase the wounds that previous generations inflicted on one another. But by acknowledging the scars maybe we can start to move forward to a future where the next generations don't have these same historical wounds, and the divisiveness of race can be put to bed, or at least, sent from standing as a barrier to progress.
Obama has an oratorical gift which has the potential to help as well as mislead... so we must be diligent in observing how this man's actions measure up to his words. I and we, can only pray that he's the real deal. It's no error that people liken his ability to move the masses to Regan, Lincoln, or JFK... He may just eclipse them all...
I think Obama has already shown how keen his mind is. He seems genuine. He's young and still building his future.
Compared to the other candidates, he's easily the most intelligent in terms of his ability to understand 1. the issues and 2. the people those issues effect.
I am the son of an 70% disabled Iraq vet and despite our country's origins, my anger with my country's leaders, and our capitalistic foreign policy, I am proud of my country and what she continues to strive for.
It's a good time to be an American.
God bless and GOBama.

ClearEye: Of course we have better people to run the country; they're just not running for that post.
To the 'enlightened' folk who deign to come down and shower the rest of us 'naive' Obama supporters with vitriol: Take another listen to the words that sought to bring opposing sides together and acknowledge the pain, the anger, the fear... and see about dealing with those same negative emotions in a positive way.
We can't erase the wounds that previous generations inflicted on one another. But by acknowledging the scars maybe we can start to move forward to a future where the next generations don't have these same historical wounds, and the divisiveness of race can be put to bed, or at least, sent from standing as a barrier to progress.
Obama has an oratorical gift which has the potential to help as well as mislead... so we must be diligent in observing how this man's actions measure up to his words. I and we, can only pray that he's the real deal. It's no error that people liken his ability to move the masses to Regan, Lincoln, or JFK... He may just eclipse them all...
I think Obama has already shown how keen his mind is. He seems genuine. He's young and still building his future.
Compared to the other candidates, he's easily the most intelligent in terms of his ability to understand 1. the issues and 2. the people those issues effect.
I am the son of an 70% disabled Iraq vet and despite our country's origins, my anger with my country's leaders, and our capitalistic foreign policy, I am proud of my country and what she continues to strive for.
It's a good time to be an American.
God bless and GOBama.

A lot of talk about religion & politics. Until the recent elections people, for the most part, kept the two separated thinking along the lines of separation of church and state. A wise policy we should follow. Most formal religions are entirely self centered. If they were not, people would not contribute to them. Belief in God does not require a church. I learned this in combat when I lost my leg. No church, no dues just a revealing moment when I knew there was something more than insignificant humans.

With respect to Mr. Obama and the TUCC. This was part of the church's mission statement when I copied it in February. It has since been removed. Most people are aware, from the media, of the 10 points of the Black Value System. There actually are 12 however. Posted below are the 12 points of the Black Value System as they appeared on the TUCC website. Judge for yourself whether they are racist or not. The standard I use is if the word white were used instead of black would it be viewed by the non white part of our society as racist. Again make your own decisions. This is not to try and convince anyone of anything. Simply the facts.

THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM

Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System, written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee, chaired by the late Vallmer Jordan in 1981.

Dr. Manford Byrd, our brother in Christ, withstood the ravage of being denied his earned ascension to the number one position in the Chicago School System. His dedication to the pursuit of excellence, despite systematic denials, has inspired the congregation of Trinity United Church of Christ. Prayerfully, we have called upon the wisdom of all past generations of suffering Blacks for guidance in fashioning an instrument of Black self-determination, the Black Value System.

Beginning in 1982, an annual Black Value System – Educational Scholarship in the name of Dr. Byrd was instituted. The first recipient of the Dr. Manford Byrd Award, which is given annually to the man or woman who best exemplifies the Black Value System, was our brother, Dr. Manford Byrd.

These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They consist of the following concepts:

1. Commitment to God. “The God of our weary years” will give us the strength to give up prayerful passivism and become Black Christian Activists, soldiers for Black freedom and the dignity of all humankind.

2. Commitment to the Black Community. The highest level of achievement for any Black person must be a contribution of strength and continuity of the Black Community.
3. Commitment to the Black Family. The Black family circle must generate strength, stability and love, despite the uncertainty of externals, because these characteristics are required if the developing person is to withstand warping by our racist competitive society.

Those Blacks who are blessed with membership in a strong family unit must reach out and expand that blessing to the less fortunate.

4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education. We must forswear anti-intellectualism. Continued survival demands that each Black person be developed to the utmost of his/her mental potential despite the inadequacies of the formal education process. “Real education” fosters understanding of ourselves as well as every aspect of our environment. Also, it develops within us the ability to fashion concepts and tools for better utilization of our resources, and more effective solutions to our problems. Since the majority of Blacks have been denied such learning, Black Education must include elements that produce high school graduates with marketable skills, a trade or qualifications for apprenticeships, or proper preparation for college.

Basic education for all Blacks should include Mathematics, Science, Logic, General Semantics, Participative Politics, Economics and Finance, and the Care and Nurture of Black minds.

5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence. To the extent that we individually reach for, even strain for excellence, we increase, geometrically, the value and resourcefulness of the Black Community. We must recognize the relativity of one’s best; this year’s best can be bettered next year. Such is the language of growth and development. We must seek to excel in every endeavor.
6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic. “It is becoming harder to find qualified people to work in Chicago.” Whether this is true or not, it represents one of the many reasons given by businesses and industries for deserting the Chicago area. We must realize that a location with good facilities, adequate transportation and a reputation for producing skilled workers will attract industry. We are in competition with other cities, states and nations for jobs. High productivity must be a goal of the Black workforce.
7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect. To accomplish anything worthwhile requires self-discipline. We must be a community of self-disciplined persons if we are to actualize and utilize our own human resources, instead of perpetually submitting to exploitation by others. Self-discipline, coupled with a respect for self, will enable each of us to be an instrument of Black Progress and a model for Black Youth.
8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness.” Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.

Those so identified are separated from the rest of the people by:

1. Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.
2. Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.
3. Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which, while training them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them to think in terms of “we” and “they” instead of “us.”
4. So, while it is permissible to chase “middleclassness” with all our might, we must avoid the third separation method – the psychological entrapment of Black “middleclassness.” If we avoid this snare, we will also diminish our “voluntary” contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will be deprived of their birthright: the leadership, resourcefulness and example of their own talented persons.

9. Pledge to Make the Fruits of All Developing and Acquired Skills Available to the Black Community.

10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions.

11. Pledge Allegiance to All Black Leadership Who Espouse and Embrace the Black Value System.

12. Personal Commitment to Embracement of the Black Value System. To measure the worth and validity of all activity in terms of positive contributions to the general welfare of the Black Community and the Advancement of Black People towards freedom.

Many of the anti-Obama posts on this blog are distinctive for their bile, venom and mispellings. I'm terrified, but it may be true: America might not deserve Barack Obama.

The Audacity of Hate; Barack Obama’s Trinity United Church of Christ’s Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A Wright with his Racist Sermons & his Racist Supporters.

Imagine if Hillary Clinton’s church proclaimed on its website that it is “unashamedly white.” The media would pounce, and Clinton’s presidential candidacy would be over. Yet that is exactly what Barack Obama’s church says on its web site — except in reverse.

"Wright on Israel: "The Israelis have illegally occupied Palestinian territories for over 40 years now. Divestment has now hit the table again as a strategy to wake the business community and wake up Americans concerning the injustice and the racism under which the Palestinians have lived because of Zionism.

For the same reason why I would not vote for any candidate that attended The David Duke Church of Christ is the same reason why I cannot vote for anyone who sat for twenty (20) years in the Trinity united Church of Christ.

Ms Hoffman seems to have completely missed the importance of Obama's speech on race and religion.

He was not just addressing the complaints made about what Rev. Wright has said about the still poisoned atmosphere on race in the US. No, he was addressing the fact that he is the product of a vary different racial background and understanding.

Note that Obama was continually referring to his racial backgrounds rich legacy which allows him to talk openly about the taboo subjects that go unmentioned in daily life.

We live in a country in which the different kinds of people, whether of color, race or language, are not assimilated or included in the making of our truly revolutionary new society. They are differences which are barely allowed enough space to survive. But, survive and flourish they often do, due mainly to the perserverance and stubborness of each individual and their family.

So, finally, this nation, has come to a watershed moment in its racially polarized and violent history. We have standing before us a man who can literally talk openly about all these sensitive subjects and begin to draw them into some kind of new and humanized conclusion.

This is what is meant by racially integrating all Americans into that big family of people that advertisers like to refer to on tv, but rarely if ever exist in our natural and everday lives.

Listen closely to Mr. Obama when he talks and you will hear the promise of a peaceful future. He is speaking a language unheard in this nation since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, FDR's fire side chats and Kennedy's ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Think about it. Obama is asking us to join him in the greatest conversation this still immature nation can imagine: one that starts us down the road to including all people of color under our ever enlarging US tent.

That Ms Hoffman is what Obama is really talking about, not just the superficial aspects of religious beliefs.

Ms Hoffman seems to have completely missed the importance of Obama's speech on race and religion.

He was not just addressing the complaints made about what Rev. Wright has said about the still poisoned atmosphere on race in the US. No, he was addressing the fact that he is the product of a vary different racial background and understanding.

Note that Obama was continually referring to his racial backgrounds rich legacy which allows him to talk openly about the taboo subjects that go unmentioned in daily life.

We live in a country in which the different kinds of people, whether of color, race or language, are not assimilated or included in the making of our truly revolutionary new society. They are differences which are barely allowed enough space to survive. But, survive and flourish they often do, due mainly to the perserverance and stubborness of each individual and their family.

So, finally, this nation, has come to a watershed moment in its racially polarized and violent history. We have standing before us a man who can literally talk openly about all these sensitive subjects and begin to draw them into some kind of new and humanized conclusion.

This is what is meant by racially integrating all Americans into that big family of people that advertisers like to refer to on tv, but rarely if ever exist in our natural and everday lives.

Listen closely to Mr. Obama when he talks and you will hear the promise of a peaceful future. He is speaking a language unheard in this nation since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, FDR's fire side chats and Kennedy's ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Think about it. Obama is asking us to join him in the greatest conversation this still immature nation can imagine: one that starts us down the road to including all people of color under our ever enlarging US tent.

That Ms Hoffman is what Obama is really talking about, not just the superficial aspects of religious beliefs.

Ms Hoffman seems to have completely missed the importance of Obama's speech on race and religion.

He was not just addressing the complaints made about what Rev. Wright has said about the still poisoned atmosphere on race in the US. No, he was addressing the fact that he is the product of a vary different racial background and understanding.

Note that Obama was continually referring to his racial backgrounds rich legacy which allows him to talk openly about the taboo subjects that go unmentioned in daily life.

We live in a country in which the different kinds of people, whether of color, race or language, are not assimilated or included in the making of our truly revolutionary new society. They are differences which are barely allowed enough space to survive. But, survive and flourish they often do, due mainly to the perserverance and stubborness of each individual and their family.

So, finally, this nation, has come to a watershed moment in its racially polarized and violent history. We have standing before us a man who can literally talk openly about all these sensitive subjects and begin to draw them into some kind of new and humanized conclusion.

This is what is meant by racially integrating all Americans into that big family of people that advertisers like to refer to on tv, but rarely if ever exist in our natural and everday lives.

Listen closely to Mr. Obama when he talks and you will hear the promise of a peaceful future. He is speaking a language unheard in this nation since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, FDR's fire side chats and Kennedy's ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Think about it. Obama is asking us to join him in the greatest conversation this still immature nation can imagine: one that starts us down the road to including all people of color under our ever enlarging US tent.

That Ms Hoffman is what Obama is really talking about, not just the superficial aspects of religious beliefs.

Ms Hoffman seems to have completely missed the importance of Obama's speech on race and religion.

He was not just addressing the complaints made about what Rev. Wright has said about the still poisoned atmosphere on race in the US. No, he was addressing the fact that he is the product of a vary different racial background and understanding.

Note that Obama was continually referring to his racial backgrounds rich legacy which allows him to talk openly about the taboo subjects that go unmentioned in daily life.

We live in a country in which the different kinds of people, whether of color, race or language, are not assimilated or included in the making of our truly revolutionary new society. They are differences which are barely allowed enough space to survive. But, survive and flourish they often do, due mainly to the perserverance and stubborness of each individual and their family.

So, finally, this nation, has come to a watershed moment in its racially polarized and violent history. We have standing before us a man who can literally talk openly about all these sensitive subjects and begin to draw them into some kind of new and humanized conclusion.

This is what is meant by racially integrating all Americans into that big family of people that advertisers like to refer to on tv, but rarely if ever exist in our natural and everday lives.

Listen closely to Mr. Obama when he talks and you will hear the promise of a peaceful future. He is speaking a language unheard in this nation since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, FDR's fire side chats and Kennedy's ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Think about it. Obama is asking us to join him in the greatest conversation this still immature nation can imagine: one that starts us down the road to including all people of color under our ever enlarging US tent.

That Ms Hoffman is what Obama is really talking about, not just the superficial aspects of religious beliefs.

Ms Hoffman seems to have completely missed the importance of Obama's speech on race and religion.

He was not just addressing the complaints made about what Rev. Wright has said about the still poisoned atmosphere on race in the US. No, he was addressing the fact that he is the product of a vary different racial background and understanding.

Note that Obama was continually referring to his racial backgrounds rich legacy which allows him to talk openly about the taboo subjects that go unmentioned in daily life.

We live in a country in which the different kinds of people, whether of color, race or language, are not assimilated or included in the making of our truly revolutionary new society. They are differences which are barely allowed enough space to survive. But, survive and flourish they often do, due mainly to the perserverance and stubborness of each individual and their family.

So, finally, this nation, has come to a watershed moment in its racially polarized and violent history. We have standing before us a man who can literally talk openly about all these sensitive subjects and begin to draw them into some kind of new and humanized conclusion.

This is what is meant by racially integrating all Americans into that big family of people that advertisers like to refer to on tv, but rarely if ever exist in our natural and everday lives.

Listen closely to Mr. Obama when he talks and you will hear the promise of a peaceful future. He is speaking a language unheard in this nation since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, FDR's fire side chats and Kennedy's ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Think about it. Obama is asking us to join him in the greatest conversation this still immature nation can imagine: one that starts us down the road to including all people of color under our ever enlarging US tent.

That Ms Hoffman is what Obama is really talking about, not just the superficial aspects of religious beliefs.

Ms Hoffman seems to have completely missed the importance of Obama's speech on race and religion.

He was not just addressing the complaints made about what Rev. Wright has said about the still poisoned atmosphere on race in the US. No, he was addressing the fact that he is the product of a vary different racial background and understanding.

Note that Obama was continually referring to his racial backgrounds rich legacy which allows him to talk openly about the taboo subjects that go unmentioned in daily life.

We live in a country in which the different kinds of people, whether of color, race or language, are not assimilated or included in the making of our truly revolutionary new society. They are differences which are barely allowed enough space to survive. But, survive and flourish they often do, due mainly to the perserverance and stubborness of each individual and their family.

So, finally, this nation, has come to a watershed moment in its racially polarized and violent history. We have standing before us a man who can literally talk openly about all these sensitive subjects and begin to draw them into some kind of new and humanized conclusion.

This is what is meant by racially integrating all Americans into that big family of people that advertisers like to refer to on tv, but rarely if ever exist in our natural and everday lives.

Listen closely to Mr. Obama when he talks and you will hear the promise of a peaceful future. He is speaking a language unheard in this nation since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, FDR's fire side chats and Kennedy's ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Think about it. Obama is asking us to join him in the greatest conversation this still immature nation can imagine: one that starts us down the road to including all people of color under our ever enlarging US tent.

That Ms Hoffman is what Obama is really talking about, not just the superficial aspects of religious beliefs.

Ms Hoffman seems to have completely missed the importance of Obama's speech on race and religion.

He was not just addressing the complaints made about what Rev. Wright has said about the still poisoned atmosphere on race in the US. No, he was addressing the fact that he is the product of a vary different racial background and understanding.

Note that Obama was continually referring to his racial backgrounds rich legacy which allows him to talk openly about the taboo subjects that go unmentioned in daily life.

We live in a country in which the different kinds of people, whether of color, race or language, are not assimilated or included in the making of our truly revolutionary new society. They are differences which are barely allowed enough space to survive. But, survive and flourish they often do, due mainly to the perserverance and stubborness of each individual and their family.

So, finally, this nation, has come to a watershed moment in its racially polarized and violent history. We have standing before us a man who can literally talk openly about all these sensitive subjects and begin to draw them into some kind of new and humanized conclusion.

This is what is meant by racially integrating all Americans into that big family of people that advertisers like to refer to on tv, but rarely if ever exist in our natural and everday lives.

Listen closely to Mr. Obama when he talks and you will hear the promise of a peaceful future. He is speaking a language unheard in this nation since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, FDR's fire side chats and Kennedy's ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Think about it. Obama is asking us to join him in the greatest conversation this still immature nation can imagine: one that starts us down the road to including all people of color under our ever enlarging US tent.

That Ms Hoffman is what Obama is really talking about, not just the superficial aspects of religious beliefs.

Ms Hoffman seems to have completely missed the importance of Obama's speech on race and religion.

He was not just addressing the complaints made about what Rev. Wright has said about the still poisoned atmosphere on race in the US. No, he was addressing the fact that he is the product of a vary different racial background and understanding.

Note that Obama was continually referring to his racial backgrounds rich legacy which allows him to talk openly about the taboo subjects that go unmentioned in daily life.

We live in a country in which the different kinds of people, whether of color, race or language, are not assimilated or included in the making of our truly revolutionary new society. They are differences which are barely allowed enough space to survive. But, survive and flourish they often do, due mainly to the perserverance and stubborness of each individual and their family.

So, finally, this nation, has come to a watershed moment in its racially polarized and violent history. We have standing before us a man who can literally talk openly about all these sensitive subjects and begin to draw them into some kind of new and humanized conclusion.

This is what is meant by racially integrating all Americans into that big family of people that advertisers like to refer to on tv, but rarely if ever exist in our natural and everday lives.

Listen closely to Mr. Obama when he talks and you will hear the promise of a peaceful future. He is speaking a language unheard in this nation since Lincoln's Gettyburg address, FDR's fire side chats and Kennedy's ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

Think about it. Obama is asking us to join him in the greatest conversation this still immature nation can imagine: one that starts us down the road to including all people of color under our ever enlarging US tent.

That Ms Hoffman is what Obama is really talking about, not just the superficial aspects of religious beliefs.

Sen. Obama has perpetuated the myth of racism in America by believing in the American culture. The prejudice that separates people are beliefs that have been taught since infancy and found to be supportive of a self-identity,
Belief is an emotional conviction. It has nothing to do with reality. Belief is a comfort zone of perceived reality.
Michelle Obama fell into the same trap when she identified herself with the black comunity, "a community with a distinctive black culture". She spent much of her energy and intelligence trying to overcome issues of race, opposing the separate social structures.
Belief is expressed not by unity and integration, but by division, separation and unique acculturation. There is not one belief that feels it is inferior to another. More than that, it is necessary for a belief to be dominent because it represents an emotional stability.
No religion believes in equality. No culture could exist if it did not believe that its myths, its customs, its way of life were not superior to others.
Instead of saying "I reject your beliefs and prejudice as Anti-American", believers in racial, religious, and cultural differences want to keep their beliefs and wrap them into a heterogeneous mass under an umbrella of equality. This is the fallicy of believers. Individuals may be equal under law, Individuals may have rights under law, but groups who believe similar ideas want to dominate through cultural coercion. This is a natural inclination but it is not a democratic condition.
Tying faith to political debate continues the prejudicial hysteria of supremacy by belief.

Obama talk the talk!

This whole controversy has been fueled by the media who are looking to boost their ratings. Obama is a once-in-a-generation candidate when it comes to his honesty and transparency. There is not a single, bigoted bone in his body.

He gave a very honest, insightful speech on race yesterday. I hope people use it as an opportunity to understand how we can improve America, rather than to score cheap political points.

This whole controversy has been fueled by the media who are looking to boost their ratings. Obama is a once-in-a-generation candidate when it comes to his honesty and transparency. There is not a single, bigoted bone in his body.

He gave a very honest, insightful speech on race yesterday. I hope people use it as an opportunity to understand how we can improve America, rather than to score cheap political points.

This whole controversy has been fueled by the media who are looking to boost their ratings. Obama is a once-in-a-generation candidate when it comes to his honesty and transparency. There is not a single, bigoted bone in his body.

He gave a very honest, insightful speech on race yesterday. I hope people use it as an opportunity to understand how we can improve America, rather than to score cheap political points.

This whole controversy has been fueled by the media who are looking to boost their ratings. Obama is a once-in-a-generation candidate when it comes to his honesty and transparency. There is not a single, bigoted bone in his body.

He gave a very honest, insightful speech on race yesterday. I hope people use it as an opportunity to understand how we can improve America, rather than to score cheap political points.

This whole controversy has been fueled by the media who are looking to boost their ratings. Obama is a once-in-a-generation candidate when it comes to his honesty and transparency. There is not a single, bigoted bone in his body.

He gave a very honest, insightful speech on race yesterday. I hope people use it as an opportunity to understand how we can improve America, rather than to score cheap political points.

I am sooo sick of the Rev. Wright snippets!!! IF you are old enough, TRY to remember the absolute worst things YOU'VE said. Now imagine them in video snippets played over and over and over again. Would expect your friends of 20 years to disavow, and disown you? Be honest. Now imagine that you have a friend running for office, and your images are played over and over , and over again. Is that a fair ,or further than a country mile, assessment of your character?

The media does not delve any further into Rev. Wrights character, accomplishments, or church, other than these snippets. Wake up people!

Do you really think that Rev. Wright could carry a congregation of 8,000 over 30 years, if he was only as the media has portrayed him?

Here is an opportunity for you to investigate for your selves. Just maybe you could gain some understanding of something out of your comfort zone. All you have to do is go to the Church web site. You could start a dialogue, and give THEM some insight out their comfort zone as well.

This repeated rolling over of these sound bites is nothing short of brainwashing, and the media knows it. Controled by the media, America it seems , wishes to remain racist and bigoted to the bitter end. The world IS watching, and to use the words of Rev Wright " the chickens will come home to roost in Americas front yard".

Thanks for a good article about a really historic speech. Now we'll find out if America is good enough to recognize the incredible man we've been given.

male, 61 yrs, Vietnam veteran and historically a republican, 4 children (2 international adoptions). after reading Barack Obama's books last summer at the prompting of my U of M daughter, i immediately purchased a couple of Obama08 bumper stickers. My first thought was, "can he be real?" No, I don't believe Mr. Obama is a democrat, a republican, nor an independent - he speaks a common language; he is the closest thing to unbiased that I have ever seen; he bridges the gaps that separate people and their differences; he is a uniter; (now don't think i'm a fanatic, but....) I am convinced he is this country's chance to get back on the road to achieve what we've all proclaimed to be i've never been more impressed. As Mr. Obama has said (paraphrased), "...I know I am not THE solution, but I believe I with the help of all of you I can be a step toward correcting our path of finding and achieving what it is we all want. I can not do this by myself. We must work together, as a united people, as in UNITED States of America." Forgive me, I can't even paraphrase Mr. Obama with the credit due such an orator, a visionary of his magnatude. America, please do not pass up this opportunity; there is far too much at stake to continue on the path we chose too many years past now: a path of refusing to admit our own prejudices; a path expecting too little from our leaders as well as ourselves when it comes to morality; a path containing too little, if any, expectation of actual accomplishment of political promises. Who knows, this could be our last chance to correct our path; do we want someone who has a history of too many illicit activities and has had the audacity to look us in the eye and deny them? I know I don't; I pray to the God I know to be true and good that you don't either. Those people have had their chance and failed. Lou Dobbs said yesterday, why didn't he (Obama) give this speech (race & his ex-pastor) long ago? Never have I ever seen so much second guessing, so much perfect hindsight; give it up, people; we all make decisions and we all make them differently - Lou, why didn't you comb your hair to the other side or lose 50 pounds? Because you chose not to for whatever reason; give it a rest. Try being positive for a change. Barack has been compared to several great leaders of our past; we need him to be the great leader that he is of our present and our future.

To Ganesha,

Read the text of Obama's speech. Then tell us if Obama took political shots at Ferraro and Clinton. If those statements are political shots, then our country in really in dire need of having citizens develop their reading and language skills.

This whole media-fueled controversy simply proves how segregated our American society remains. This is the fact: Jeremiah Wright, his style and his message, is part of the black MAINSTREAM. Elements of liberation theology are common in many strains of Black Christianity. In fact, MLK, the man we are taught by all to revere, is considered one of the progenitors of what later came to be known as liberation theology! Jeremiah Wright's (and MLK's, and Jesse Jackson's, and hundreds and hundreds of others) preaching may at times come across as extreme, but it is well within a long, long tradition.

The great thing about Obama is, he, belonging to a younger generation, can actually move beyond that old prophetic style. He can relate to it, understands it, etc, but does not need to use it, and recognizes the alienating aspects of it. He offers the country a natural course of evolution, not dependent on 'denouncing' anybody, but simply shedding what is no longer needed.

And if anybody is wondering why the younger Obama supporters are not fazed by this so-called controversy, I ask you to spend a day listening to a healthy sampling of hip hop from the last fifteen years. Jeremiah Wright is nothing compared to the music and culture that millenials--white, black, asian, and hispanic--have been consuming on a daily basis for the better part of a generation.

How refreshing that a politician speaks to us like we're adults. Staunch Republicans underestimate how important this is to the average voter. The US has endured 8 years with a guy who cannot speak and dumbs down everything to "good vs. evil"... Obama will win not because of policy, but because Americans will want to have his face representing (and restoring the name of) our country.

I watched Sen. Obama's speech. It was good.

The parts that grated, for me, were the political shots at Ferraro and Clinton---they didn't fit the rest of the tone he was trying to take. In fact, his glass ceiling comment was very dismissive of women who will never get anywhere near a glass ceiling except to clean it.

I also noticed that NOT ONCE did Sen. Obama admit to using language or having attitudes regarding race not shared in polite society. Not once did he admit that even he has done or said stupid, insensitive, even racist stuff.

Instead, he used his grandmother---a woman who loved him, fed him, clothed him, did his laundry, made sure he got to school, and may have even helped him fill out the paperwork for his scholarship to a prestigious private high school.

Unlike the Rev. Wright, who has an entire congregation vigorously defending him, Sen. Obama's grandmother does not. Sen. Obama sayd he loves her, but then exposes her to public humiliation for his own political gain.

This is not a historical perspective or study of racist attitudes---this was his grandmother, who is still alive and very press shy.

At least I hope he called her ahead of time.

At least two commenters above pasted in very similar sentences: "The key issue is not Rev. Wright, but the Black Liberation Theology he espouses. If Sen. Obama embraces this dubious "theology" and way of thinking, he is far too racist to even be considered for President of the United States."

Obama does NOT embrace this "theology" as any fair minded person who listened to the speech and followed the campaign will acknowledge. The premise of your argument is false, therefore your conclusion is false. And John McCain said that he knows Obama doesn't believe the positions advocated by his former pastor. It's time to move past this fabricated controversy and start talking about real issues

The address was very moving, directed at me but addressed all our fears. He points to a new America, the America I fell in love with in the books and magazines I read in the dusty village of Mano Dasse in Africa over thirty years ago.
The promise land where race is not the barometer of a person but character.
He bared his bosom to show his scares in order to give us the confidence to come with him and confront the demons that are keeping this country from becoming that "shinning city on the hill"

Obama does not embrace the Black Liberation Theology. End of discussion.

The next President of the United States?

Who will swear him in? Wright?

That should be interesting.

Vote for Obama??? Look at Obama's dealings with Wright and Rezko, and his non-action as chair of the Iran committee and all his "present" voting record. Are you telling me that out of 300 million plus people in the whole United States, we don't have a better person to be our president???!!!

Wake up folks! The key issue is not Rev. Wright, but the Black Liberation Theology he espouses. If Sen. Obama embraces this dubious "theology" and way of thinking, he is far too racist to even be considered for President of the United States.

Please do not stain Lincoln's name by associating him with OBama.
Beautiful speech, just words, yes. In reality, it's just more lie. Did Obama walk this talk or did he embrace his pastor's?

Stop dreaming and vote responsibly.

The key issue of concern is being side-stepped, buried, ignored. The key issue is not Rev. Wright: it is Black Libertion Theology (BLT). If Obama embraces this way of thinking and dubious theology...what he has heard in church for the last 20-years...he does not belong being President of the United States.

Although I do not agree with the way Barack's pastor delivered his message, after reading these articles below (and perhaps following up on others) it will be easier to see his point of view. A designer drug, Crack, delivered to the inner city, cheap, and the cops will look the other way for a few years.

Through the turn of events, as people started to expose what was going on they were silenced. (Maybe that's why the news didn't chase the story down to the bitter end).There were a lot of dead people, and at one point Regan admitted (if only briefly) that there had been cocaine sales in the US to fund the Contras. It happened. As a matter of fact I've been to one of Oliver Norths bases in Costa Rica, Potero Grande, better known as Olle's Point. There are run down facilities still standing today. I've landed my plane at Ilipongo in El Salvador. Of course Panama played an important part, but when we were done working with Noriega, Bush sr. fired him, literally (1989). It is not a stretch to say the US started the war on drugs, indeed we built "their" army. How many lives were destroyed by what started as an attempt to control a little country in Central America. I could go on and on.

The effects of what was started then continues today with the drug cartels murders and attacks in Mexico border towns. That violence it no small part why few gringos go to TJ, Rosarito and Ensenada lately. Yes, it's because of drug gangs, but they got a huge boost from the CIA to start.

On a more personal level the Mexi's closed most of the small airstrips in Baja and Mexico. The say it's to stop the drug traffic problem. We all know that is just window dressing for what continues to go on. In essence a cover up. Let me tell you, I know how easy it is to land on a road or beach.

Anyyyywayyy, read this stuff and decide for yourself. If the US government runs all our world affairs like this we're pissing a lot of people off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran-Contra_Affair
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIA_and_Contra%27s_cocaine_trafficking_in_the_US
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Panam