How about a link where Obama repudiates "Reverend" Wright's

[Rex_Goodheart]

racist anti-American bullshit? Somebody help.

[here_is_to_hope]

1. I think Elad did, look up and to the right...n/t

[wndycty]

2. Here is your link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5056606&mesg_id=5056827

[Rex_Goodheart]

3. THAT's it?

Gee, that's really forceful, ain't it?

Unbelievable that a major presidential candidate wouldn't slap that jackass clearly and publicly.

[MNDemNY]

4. He espoused his "affection" did not denounce.

Sorry doesn't fly. Obama, by his silence is endorsing the racist and anti-American views of this bigoted asshole.

[roguevalley]

60. for two weeks Hillary let Ferraro spew. God.

[Nitrogenica]

5. Reverend Wright works for the Obama campaign?

[MNDemNY]

6. No, but the CLOSE links to Obama raise questions.

By close links, I mean he preformed the Obama marriage, baptized his children, and BO continues to express admiration for him. gobama!

[uponit7771]

11. So people Obama "knows" can't have a controversial opinion?!?!?! This seems to be streching

[MNDemNY]

54. Not streching when Obama expresses"admiration" for this racist creep posing as a christian.

[Rex_Goodheart]

7. That's a ruse

It doesn't matter if Wright works for the Obama campaign. What matters is that Obama was affiliated with that jackass and hasn't particularly denounced his views. If Obama can't see the importance of doing so then how are we to trust him, say, in matters of diplomacy? And worst, how are we to trust him that he doesn't SHARE some of those views? Obama needs to be more detailed and forceful in his statement.

[uponit7771]

14. He's also "affiliated" with the pizza boy he gave money to 23 years ago. If my brother said Bush was

...a great person I'd just say I don't agree with his statements

[Rex_Goodheart]

18. That's lame and you know it

Unlike buying pizzas, people attend particular churches because of philosophical agreements and loyalties.

[Mags]

39. I agree with you. You can leave a church that you don't agree with.

He has been affiliated with this Minister and Church for 20 years. If he didn't agree with the views there he would
have found another Church. How do we know what he really believes now? He is running on changing his supporters and the Country to these views?

[leftynyc]

26. Hagee isn't even McCain's pastor

and it would be nice to be able to bash him over the head with the guy in the general. Now that will be harder to do.

[sniffa]

8. Not good enough for you (not that you care) but

In this morning's Washington Post, columnist Richard Cohen took Obama's church, Trinity United Church of Christ, on Chicago's South Side, to task for giving an award last year to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. The church, through its magazine, bestowed on Farrakhan its Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award -- named for its pastor -- saying Farrakhan "truly epitomized greatness."

"Maybe for Wright and some others, Farrakhan 'epitomized greatness,' Cohen wrote. "For most Americans, though, Farrakhan epitomizes racism, particularly in the form of anti-Semitism."

The column caught the attention of the Anti-Defamation League, which was preparing to publicly press Obama to distance himself from the award and from Farrakhan. But Obama's campaign, before the ADL could act, put out a statement doing just that.

"I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan," Obama said in a statement released by his aides. "I assume that Trumpet Magazine made its own decision to honor Farrakhan based on his efforts to rehabilitate ex-offenders, but it is not a decision with which I agree."

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL's national director, welcomed Obama's words.

"Issues of racism and anti-Semitism must be beyond the bounds of politics," Foxman said in a statement. "When someone close to a political figure shows sympathy and support for an individual who makes his name espousing bigotry, that political figure needs to distance himself from that decision. Senator Obama has done just that."

This isn't the first time Obama's church, and his minister, have created a hiccup for his campaign. In February, Obama disinvited Wright from giving the invocation at his campaign kickoff in Springfield, Ill., apparently fearing controversy from Wright's Afrocentric teachings.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/01/obama_distances.html

[sniffa]

9. THAT'S IT?

Figured I'd save you the trouble.

[Rex_Goodheart]

16. Where does Obama decry Wright's statements?

[sniffa]

25. THAT'S IT? THAT'S ALL YOU GOT?

[Irishonly]

38. The IRS May Be Investigating

Read the IRS letter to the UCC. http://www.ucc.org/news/pdf/lettrirs.pdf

Watch Obama's June 23, 2007, address to General Synod. http://www.ucc.org/synod/video-archive.html

Read the text of Obama's speech.

http://www.ucc.org/news/significant-speeches/a-politics...

http://www.wfn.org/2008/02/msg00183.html

Article about Obama's church

http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB1205114576...

During the past eith years churches have become more politically involved and have tried to erase the line between church and state. IMHO during the Bush administration liberal churches have been targeted more that conservative ones. I am sure people remember the story of a Baptist church was thrown out because the pastor found out he voted for Kerry.

That being said I am all for a church or religious organization losing their tax exempt status. I belong to a liberal church and my pastor is very careful not to cross the line. We are also friends and were both Edwards supporters.

I don't bring this up to make anyone mad. The republicans will more than likely paint Obama's church as something it isn't. Much will be made of the fact it is a black church without mentioning there are white churches. I will not be surprised if the Obama's church goes under the microscope because of the sermon the pastor gave at Christmas. It was political stumping and a postor can't do it. Going after UCC is ridiculous because I don't think the line was crossed during Obama's speech. I hope it doesn't become a political issue although I feel I may win the lottery ten times before that happens.

[uponit7771]

10. What did he say that wasn't true? Talking about racial issues isn't being racist

[ellacott]

13. I don't think many people understand the meaning of he word racist

They scream that word and shut down any discussion.

[uponit7771]

17. Right, I think because he said the n word in a sermon people automatically call it racist....

...I also don't think he preacher helped him though...Obama needed to take racial issues OUT of the press not keep them in it.

[SoonerPride]

12. This has a much legs as Hagee's endorsement of McCain

Few people care what lunatic preachers say. The candidates "denounce and reject" their crazy talk and the news cycle moves on.

Find another horse, cause this one ain't taking you very far, bub.

[Rex_Goodheart]

19. The situations are not analogous

Obama actually attended Wright's church. McCain has no such relationship with Hagee.

[uponit7771]

21. Yes he does, he "knows" Hagee...it seems like that is enough for McCain to have to speak on Hagee

...in relation to Obama speaking for Wright.

[Rex_Goodheart]

29. Lame

People attend churches wherein the congregation is bound philosophically and doctrinally to one another. Until Obama specifically repudiates the doctrines of the very pastor of that church then his actual attendance speaks for him.

[SoonerPride]

22. And Wright ain;t the "pastor" no more.

It's a non-issue.

[SeaLyons]

15. This issue of Obama's church affiliation

has long been a problem to me. The pastor idolizes Farrakhan for God's sake. Sorry, but if Clinton attended a church for 20 years that held KKK leaders in esteem, it wouldn't fly. Why is it ok for Obama? I see no difference. It's just another piece of the insanity of this race.

[SoonerPride]

20. All churches are vile. There. I said it.

But yet we (rahter most of you) still seek candidates brainwashed by patriarchical lies and deceit, so that's nothing new.

I'd be OK with a purge of "god" from our country. It's simply crap.

I prefer persuasive conversion to rational thought.

[uponit7771]

23. So EVERYTHING a persons church pastors say has to be commented on by a candidate?

...Come on...

Also, what did Wright say that wasn't true?

Thank you in advance

[Rex_Goodheart]

32. THIS is not true

Wright's words: "The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people."

[Spider Jerusalem]

36. So...

are you totally ignorant of the role the CIA played in the cocaine trade? In introducing crack cocaine to American inner cities? Or of the fact that over half of all people in prison are there for non-violent drug offences, and that a majority of those people are black? Or of the fact that federal sentencing guidelines for drug offences treat one gram of crack cocaine as being equivalent to one HUNDRED grams of powder cocaine? And that this disparity weighs heavily against black drug offenders, who are, for social and economic reasons, much more likely to be arrested for possession and/or distribution of crack than powder cocaine?

There are certain unpleasant facts about the 'War on Drugs' and the American criminal justice system that make it easy to understand where Wright is coming from when he says those things.

[tishaLA]

46. So you don't think God damns people in the Bible for

killing innocents?

[SeaLyons]

42. No, not everything...

but we are not talking here about a typical church affiliation. We are talking about an extreme affiliation.

[uponit7771]

61. How is Obama "extremely" affiliated with his former retired pastor!?!?!?!?!

[Rex_Goodheart]

24. It's quite disturbing

but nothing Obama couldn't fix with a bit more forceful language.

[superduperfarleft]

27. Your analogy is completely off.

How many white people has Reverend Wright (or Louis Farrakhan) strung up for whistling at a black woman? How many whites has Rev. Wright beaten and/or killed for attempting to vote?

Secondly, while Farrakhan is never someone I'd defend, there is absolutely nothing wrong or inaccurate with what Rev. Wright said. It's just white people getting scared of the big scary black man calling them on their shit (aka Malcolm X). I don't see you or your ilk screaming for DU to get rid of the Malcolm X avatars...

[scheming daemons]

30. John Kerry's pastor is pro-life... John Kerry is pro-choice.... get it?

Belonging to a church does not mean one agrees with every position of the pastor.

[SeaLyons]

43. There is no comparison

to pro-choice and Farrakhan.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

55. 'Cuz Kerry 's pastor is white

Whereas Obama, Wright, and Farrakhan are scary black men, whipping their followers into a riotous frenzy.

I mean, duh. :eyes:

[SeaLyons]

57. the only thing scarey

is your comment. Don't know where the hell you're coming from. Bigotry is evil coming from a black man or a white man.

[superduperfarleft]

28. Rev. Wright has nothing to apologize for.

Obama would actually esteem himself in my eyes if he (a) said nothing or (b) came out in support of Rev. Wright.

[Rex_Goodheart]

31. Then I consider you, too, a stain on the Democratic Party

except you're not nearly as important.

Wright's words: "The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.' No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people."

That's the sentiment of a stupid racist jackass making excuses. Our government does not give blacks drugs to destroy themselves, and we have a social responsibility to imprison criminals. I was born and raised dirt poor and managed quite well to avoid drugs and prisons.

[superduperfarleft]

33. "Our government does not give blacks drugs to destroy themselves"

I'd laugh at your naievete if it wasn't so dangerous.

Never mind the Contras (supported by the US) flooding South-Central with cheap cocaine and guns, the social systems that have been imposed on people of color in this country since the beginning are only excacerbating the problem.

Typical privileged white liberal...

So when are you going to scream for DU to get rid of the Malcolm X avatars?

[Rex_Goodheart]

34. Privileged white liberal, eh?

I repeat... I was poorer than most black people in this country. Never did I succumb to your cheap excuses.

[superduperfarleft]

35. Way to cherry-pick my post.

And "white privilege" does not entirely refer to economic status. Trust me, you're obviously in way over your head.

You might read some Tim Wise sometime. He says basically the same thing as Rev. Wright, but he's a white guy and not a big scary black man, so maybe you can get through it without pissing yourself.

[Rex_Goodheart]

37. If it's not about economics then what's a black person's

excuse for buying drugs? Whitey MADE him do it?

Try to Keep your rationalizations straight, but I doubt that you can because they're just incoherent racist excuse-making bullshit.

[superduperfarleft]

40. I can't believe I'm going to dignify your kneejerk, reactionary ass with an answer

But I'm a glutton for punishment, what can I say?

No antiracism activist in the history of the world has said, "Whitey made me do it." That's a oversimplification of the idea behind white privilege made by RWers and racist apologists who don't have the brainpower to understand the concept.

Do you agree or disagree that a lack of economic opportunity can lead someone to criminal behavior, or are you one of those "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" kind of people?

Do you agree or disagree that an institution which kept black people from voting, attending adequate schools, or achieving any sort of economic independence for entire generations could have possibly lead to a cycle of poverty that can make drugs and/or crime a likelihood today?

Do you agree or disagree that, far too often, authority figures such as the police victimize people of color (and considering the context of this victimization, that people of color may have more reason to be distrustful of these authority figures)? Likewise, do you agree or disagree that sentencing disparities between whites and blacks or between crack and powder cocaine will lead to a disproportionate number of black men in prison, and the feelings among people of color that these disaparities are not just a coincidence?

Do you agree or disagree that it can be incredibly hurtful for a person of color who has a job of some distinction (doctor, lawyer, etc.) to be told that they only got there because of "affirmative action?"

And I ask again: when are you going to call for DU to remove the Malcolm X avatars, since you're so offended by someone making a few observations about his experiences as a black man in America?

[sniffa]

44. Thank you for joining the barn dance.

Next week, join us in moving the goal posts.

[Rex_Goodheart]

45. No, I don't agree with most of your b.s. excuse-making

No, I don't agree that blacks in this country have had a "lack of economic opportunity" that would cause them to seek out drugs as a solution, and no, I don't agree with "Reverend" Wright's contention that the government gives them those drugs, nor with his insinuation that it does so for the purpose of imprisoning them. No, I don't agree with the "Reverend" Wright's assertion that such people are innocent.

Lesser economic opportunity? Certainly. Lack? Bullshit. There's enough economic opportunity in this country for all races to escape poverty. And there's certainly enough to find enough joy in life that drugs don't have to be an answer.

No, I don't agree that blacks of this generation are seriously impaired from voting. Yes, I do agree that authority figures are more likely to victimize people of color, but, no, I don't agree that that's an excuse to engage in self-destructive criminal behavior. You're grasping at straws. The time has come for accountability instead of excuses.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

50. Wrong.

There is a multi-billion dollar private prison complex dedicated to profitting from the "War on Drugs" and imprisoning people of color.

[superduperfarleft]

51. Facts, schmacts.

The OP has his own personal experience, and that obviously applies to every single other person in the world. /sarcasm

[mrreowwr_kittty]

52. Yeah I know. He was poor once so he don't wanna hear about no racism. nt

[Rex_Goodheart]

56. It's true I don't want racism

and that's why Obama should repudiate that racist jackass... pronto.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

58. Here

The Myth Of Reverse Racism


http://www.raceandhistory.com/selfnews/viewnews.cgi?newsid1024893033,80611,.shtml


Pay particular attention to his comments about poor whites.

[superduperfarleft]

59. Why do you keep ignoring all of the people who are rationally responding to you?

They've repeatedly called you out on your complete and utter ignorance in this particular area. People have posted historical fact and statistics, and you've responded with your own sliver of personal experience like that is somehow universal to everyone. And Rev. Wright isn't racist just because you say he is. Are you just content to stick your hands in your ears and sing "lalalala" or are you actually interested in learning something?

[Spider Jerusalem]

53. You're pretty obviously ignorant, then.

Schools are, in most states, funded by property taxes. This ensures that those schools in inner city areas, where there is a disproportionate concentration of African-Americans living in poverty, are much less well-funded; there is, in these schools, a much higher ratio of students to teachers, which means that it's much harder for teachers to spend any time in giving those students who may need it individual attention; this leads to disparity of educational results, serves to perpetuate a cycle of poverty...and for those in poverty, with few to no real economic alternatives, organised crime and drugs can be an attractive option (the correlation between urban poverty and drug use and organised criminal behaviour is one that can't be ignored, and there are definite social and economic reasons for it, even if you'd prefer to ignore those reasons). As to the rest, see my earlier response, post 36 in this thread.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

49. Tim Wise is great, isn't he?

I send his essay "The Myth of Reverse Racism" to the clueless on a regular basis.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

48. I bet Wright doesn't wear a flag lapel pin either.

Take your jingoistic McCarthyism somewhere else.

God damn America. There, I said it.

[Umbram]

41. He's anti-Merkin. Les go getem! Hoorah. Can't trust 'em! (nt)

[Political Heretic]

47. racist? How so. Anti-American? Sorta like Noam Chomsky is "anti american" for telling the truth?

Just checking in...

I'm not ready to say there aren't comments from this guy out there that I wouldn't approve of, I haven't seen everything. But so far, I think the "outrage" here at DU is pretty fake, given that its nothing that isn't said here by DUers (correctly) on a regular basis.