Five quick notes on the Rev. Wright "controversy."

1.) What is it about this story that merits more broadcast air time than any other political story this year? There have been very serious disputes, blunders, misstatements, and embarassments among all the campaigns -- but this racially-tinged story about a great urban reformer with a case of "foot-in-mouth disease" is non-stop.

2. Although Obama's speech of last Tuesday received great reviews (except among the most racially insensitive commentators) -- why have the media ignored its lesson-- of understanding WHY an imperfect man of Wright's age who had been treated as subhuman as a young man through hatred and segregation, is bound to have anger that boils to the top in inappropriate ways. Why have I heard zero attempt by the media to urge a bit of understanding for black anger, especially among this age group, and an appreciation for the younger blacks like Obama who respect their elders while forging a brand new way of thinking and relating to society?

3. Why is Obama linked to the remarks as though he shares them? Anyone following his career knows he represents the very antithesis of this attitude and that he believes in a new generation of healing and forgiveness. I know what Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity are up to and this doesn't worry me. But what's up with CNN, MSNBC, and the rest of the mainstream media, who I rely on for NEWS, with this unending re-prosecuting of this story. It is explained; the public knows all about it; nothing new is emerging; and voters can judge for themselves without the news outlets selling the story as if it were Watergate.

4. Why is it only the African-American commentators on television who even seem to contemplate that Wright might be a very fine man even though he said some very stupid things. I have seen some of Wright's more typical sermons on YouTube and they are very impressive indeed. As a caucasian who has never attended black churches, I can nevertheless "get" why I wouldn't quit a church over a crazy rant or two when the basic principles of the church are good and important to me. Why can't commentators understand this?

5. Finally, we love to brag about all of our racial progress over the decades. Yes, the worst is past, but the ignorance is right beneath the surface as proven by the media's sensationalized treatment of this story.

So in short, anybody who is troubled or offended by Rev. Wright's "God damn America" bile is a rascist?

Hilarious.

'WHY an imperfect man of Wright's age who had been treated as subhuman as a young man through hatred and segregation, is bound to have anger that boils to the top in inappropriate ways.'

yep. it's OK for the rev to hate whitey for something that some of them did 20, 50 or 200 years ago, but any white man who hates blacks for something that some of them did last week is a racist.

we get it already.

No wolf, anyone who is troubled or offended by the candidacy of Barack Obama because of Rev Wright's bile is "racist." Nor racist in the traditional sense of course (I don't like you cuz your black), but racist in the sense that you apply stereotypes about black people onto him as an individual.

Obama's explanation made perfect sense to me. All this "unanswered questions" stuff is just coming from media pundits who want to keep the story alive - this is the lifeblood of the media. Wright is obviously a paranoid leader, who has said hateful things. But anyone who actually knows the church (or him) who got their voice into the media mix unequivocally stated that 99% of what he says is nothing like what is getting played in the media. Sure he has crazy beliefs, but Obama was very straightfoward in stating that the good things that he (and more importantly, the church itself) did and preached far outweighed the detestable moments.

No mature person would suggest that Obama shares the crazy views of Wright. But the "unanswered questions" meme keeps the association of Obama-Wright in people's minds. More specifically, HATEFUL Wright - CANDIDATE Obama. This association is what conservatives are pushing, but anyone who is willing to examine the can see that this is an irrational interpretation.

Thus, saying that you dislike Obama because of his association with Wright (and angry black people) is a way for them to feel like they are witholding their vote from the angry-black movement. Of course, in his speech, Obama came out firmly against the hysterics of the black community and openly called them what they are: self defeating. But no no no, some people can't get beyond the fact that, well, he was ASSOCIATED with angry black people - OMG! His candidacy is tainted by angry blackness!

Its an illogical connection. And to consider it otherwise is to indulge in a form of racial politicking.

apologizing for wright is good practice for obama who is contemplating a groveling tour before the world’s despots.

"anyone who is troubled or offended by the candidacy of Barack Obama because of Rev Wright's bile is "racist.""

Ah, yes-- of course.

How silly of me.

irvingchang:

'WHY an imperfect man of Wright's age who had been treated as subhuman as a young man through hatred and segregation, is bound to have anger that boils to the top in inappropriate ways.'

yep. it's OK for the rev to hate whitey for something that some of them did 20, 50 or 200 years ago, but any white man who hates blacks for something that some of them did last week is a racist.

we get it already.

it's not ok, but that's life. People have buried angers and resentments and when they they to express it its "them, all of them" that have done the wrongs. Rev. Wright is not unusual, I have been forced to listen to far worse. Just tell them BS, and start correcting them and telling the truth as you see it, when the try to harangue you. At least then you both get the relief of venting..

I point out its all the upper classes fault........

YES, wolf. No need for sarcasm.

The Obama campaign has what to do with Reverend Wright? What?

To reason your taking offense at this situation, you need to believe that Obama is lying when he says he disagrees with the crazy shit Wright says. Since there is no evidence of this, you have to make that decision illogically, by mentally connecting the concept of Obama and Wright's craziness. You have to want to believe that Obama is "tainted" by wright for it to be true, because all signs (his platform, speech, actions) more or less support Obama's case that he knows the man, but can take him with a grain of salt.

Racist is far too strong a word for that kind of cognitive slippery-slope. Its more like "generalizing on the subject of radicalism that happens to be race-based," but thats a bit of a mouthful.

Try explaining to me why Wright should matter. I'm not sure you can do it without including some form of "unanswered question" dilemma, like "how much radicalism is obama willing to tolerate?" Questions like that are purely rhetorical, and any and all evidence put forth for their answer supports the idea that Obama is most certainly not in the camp of Wright, when it comes to his hatreds.

Wright has nothing to do with the campaign. As far as anyone can tell, (And Obama has explained) Obama the politician has nothing to do with Wright the radical. You can raise all the "questions" you want, but then you're only ignoring the obvious answers already provided for you. Instead, by doing so, you are projecting a narrative that ties Obama to angry black people, and we are supposed to read guilt by association.

disagrees with your perspective on ANY of this is a racist. End of discussion. No need for continued discussion.

Ever hear the term reverse racism? This is where White liberals can only prove to themselves that they have no least trace of racism about themselves by hating other Whites with a passion. Congratulations, you get it!

for twenty years, periodically listening to such tirades and NOT publicly confronting Wright on the issue OR moving his family to a genuinely loving and Christian Church makes Obama either a racist or a cynical con man using racism to get ahead or an ethical coward. Your choice.

You guilt ridden white hating liberals are a real riot when it comes to logic, because cause and effect simply whizzes right over your head when confronted by desire. You DESIRE to believe Obama is the great white and black and brown and red and pink, purple, and green hope. But, sucks for you because wishing don't make it so and people that don't buy Obama's bullshit are not automatic racists.

wright proved there’s no way to embarrass a democrat. if it were, obama would be the first red-faced black man.

last I checked gatewood, I'm engaging in a perfectly civil discussion, whereas everyone else is throwing out epithets at me, like how I must feel so guilty and hate white people as a Liberal. Sure.

Just read a single non-editorial article on the issue, and you'll realize that there weren't 20 years of tirades to listen to. The youtube clips capture wright at his craziest. Obama's story - that the trinity church is a very loving place that accepts white people - has been backed up by numerous accounts. No one has discredited his defense of the fact that wright's outbursts are not representative of his overall ministry, or especially the church community.

The evidence ain't on your side with that one.

I'm missing cause and effect? How about you explain that instead of insulting me. The way I see it, Obama's church wasn't a bad place, and is more representative of mainstream black america than you would like to believe. I don't LIKE that, but its a fact. Obama has stated that he can't disown that community, but he understands its shortcomings. You think he's lying, ok. I'm just not seeing any evidence of that.

If you look at the facts beyond youtube, you can form a legitimate opinion of the situation, otherwise, stop telling me that I'm the one who doesn't have the facts.

cherry picker like you? "Obama's story - that the trinity church is a very loving place that accepts white people - has been backed up by numerous accounts."

Obama's 'story' has also been refuted by first hand accounts. Black Liberation Theology is rage and contempt based and Obama was a knowing and joyful member of a church that BELIEVES in such doctrine.

Obamacrats can try, can struggle mightily to alter reality to jive with their fantasy world, but thinking people are not buying the results.

Obama got caught. Live with it.

Nice summary.

Some venues like CNN are now giving the "context" for Wright's statements. For example, they showed more of his infamous sermon, where he's talking about many _governments_ and undeniable wrongs they have committed. He gets to the U.S. last, talking about some obvious wrongs like how the Indians were screwed, Tuskegee, how the Japanese U.S. citizens were interned during WW2, and some obvious others. The "damning" of America seems a lot less heretical. They also point out that he didn't damn America, he said God damn America IF they kill their own people or something like that.

Another observation: don't equate the story hype with impact on the election. The majority of people apparently see beyond and through this distraction. The polls have moved a bit, a few percentages here and there, but not that much really, and not as much as they will fluctuate between now and November.

In fact, Wright could turn out for the better for Obama. If the Republicans and their 527 bedmates rely too much on this story they'll give Obama a chance to dominate on the issues that decide votes.

When it comes to linking Obama to Wright, most of the arguments now center on "Obama went there for 20 years, how could he?". A counter is difficult because you really need to look into the facts, and most people don't want to do that (especially when they go by "gatewood"). Who wants to go out and interview congregants, read through old sermons, read Wright's books, etc. Over time, an upside of the continued play of this story is that in the neverending quest for a new angle, the media might flesh out Wright and the text of his comments.

Will Wright make himself available to the press? Would it do more harm than good for Obama?

When Barack Obama is elected president he won't be the first president that Rev. Jeremiah Wright knows. Rev. Wright has been in the White House.

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Obama 08!