that was his whole crime. And he will pay for it, politically.

I'm white. But I get it because asking jesus into my heart opened my eyes, so now I see past political bullshit. This man is our Senator. (I live in Illinois) He impresses me personally, but not the same way Ron Paul impressed me, we need a president like Ron Paul, we need to stand up to the Wall Street money monopoly while there is still a nation left to do that with. Of the three losers that are left in this race, Obama is the best choice going forward. But he won't bring the kind of change Ron Paul would have given us... the serious money changes that could still save this nation from the pit we are falling into.

If we have to fall into the pit, we might as well go there with a charismatic leader. Can you imagine a nation suffering from depression (over 50% of Americans suffer from depression) being guided by John McCain? Suicide rate would go crazy.

I just love it when white folk pretend that, since hundreds of years of slavery and racism are now over, racism against black Americans is too and that those who were the victims need to just shut up about it.

Racism is alive and well, and African-Americans resent it. If you think that makes their resentment the equivalent of the white racism that caused it in the first place, you're full of it.

If you want to say that Wright's wrong about some things, maybe very wrong, fine. But let's not pretend that he's a racist equivalent to a Klanner, or that that makes Obama a racist, too.

Horus...this is indeed what it boils down to. At the end of the day, I've come to the conclusion that blacks and whites in America simply view the world through a different lens. As an example, we as blacks are literally beside ourselves when we hear white people say things like "that was years ago"; or "I didn't enslave anyone"; or imply that 40 years or so of affirmative action levels the playing field that was 400 years in the making. We don't get how someone could actually say those words or think those thoughts. But white people (in my estimation) often do think those thoughts. And they don't get why blacks don't "get it". How can you even begin to have an honest dialogue when the two sides are working from such different points of view of the same history! I think it's going to take divine intervention. Maybe the time is now...maybe not! Only time will tell.

Horus..

Obama's speech was a milestone for the American consciousness and the best one given and written (by Obama) for at least the last 40 years. He has given a challenge to the knee jerk response mentality that alas, we see in response to issues of race, religion and economic differences..It is always dangerous and refreshing to wake up the status quo and many are now trying to make him pay a price for it..with, predictable distortions and cherry picking his words out of the contexts in which they were written.

There is a great fear of intelligence in this country..fed by all the stereotyping that passes for thinking and what has been fed as education..lower and higher. We see this come out in force by seeing how people think..in action and reaction to the history past and present of race in this country.

Obama spoke of 'race' on a thinking level that of course..would 'shock' the non thinking..reactive public mentality. He broke a taboo..He spoke to the American people, inviting them to listen on a level rarely offered to them by politicians or government as we have had it for decades.

That speech can't be taken away from him, the American people or every place of religious worship where dialogues on race will be taking place and have been planned. No doubt this speech has angered many..For some, because they only see Obama as a threat to Hillary and not as the great asset he is for the Democrats as a whole..and this could cost the Democrats the election.

But, no one can take his speech away from him and the far reaching impact it will have on America. He broke a great taboo..the one against active, broad intelligence that can think and see beyond the profit to be made by dividing to conquer by keeping prejudice alive. All too common in how we are fed our daily bread..of divisive politics, stereotypes and fear that giving more will diminish our own little bailiwicks of security..self image and recognition of others as equal and deserving of inclusion.. on all levels wherever the 'us' is.
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Artemesia -

It's great you gave an easy access link to Obama's already historic speech in its entirety, for exactly the reasons you gave in your intro.

It's been interesting reading how the people with a preference for Hillary Clinton or John McCain interpret pieces out of context. It makes me wonder if they read it all or heard him deliver it. Or are they just reacting on auto pilot?

It's mind-blowing reading how some people don't realize what he said. This was an extraordinary speech regardless of whether one is voting democrat or republican. What he said went beyond politics and has value for everyone.

Thanks MP..Amazing how his speech is being cherry picked
as the closet racists try to make Obama a villain because he didn't tar and feather Pastor Wright..But good news roday. Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico is endorsing Senator Obama for President. ..Another delegate in his corner and..this is a big plus for hispanic voters to come to his side.
This play goes on. This is only act one, scene three.
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MP..

The cherry picking goes on in hopes that Obama's speech will bury his chances for nomination. I was happy to read today, 3/24, that he is now higher in the polls than Hillary..that indeed, his speech has been more of a force for good than the hate made out of it by many in the Hillary faction and the 'Roving' factions of the Right Wing. That speech in its entirety, transended Party politics and I think it broke through enough of the hate gauntlet to broach a new direction in this campaign for Obama.
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