Nightline's Daily Line

And that's why it hurts to see the ABC blogs crowded by racist rednecks who are given all the opportunity here to spew their angry bigotry, their hate and their plain dirt.

I am probably more concerned about the statements made in this interview than the speech itself, or, perhaps even the broadcast statements of Reverend Wright. Yes, race (as a conflicting force) is a significant fact in the fabric of the American culture, politics and economic system. But as Obama has acknowledged, its also a genetic reality in his physical being. But if one has not noticed, this is also empirically true in the biology of an overwhelming number of "African Americans, " including Reverend Jesse Jackson (who also ran respectable campaigns for the presidency) and Reverend Wright. This fact, like Obama's is occasioned by the circumstances of that history to which he refers. Moreover, these "other" African Americans, too, have been socially and economically nurtured by a white western culture and its institutions. Would Obama proffer that all such persons are not American first, but rather "primarily black." Do they lack the genetic or nurtured capacity to have lived in both worlds that would enable them to understand America's racial divide, with the aspiration of eliminating or modulating its flaws? Is the emotion of anger a disqualifying trait that is seemingly only being ascribed to "the black man's condition?" I think one must be cautious in ascribing to oneself an elevated capacity relative others because of a biological and environmental circumstance, particularly when neither the biology nor the circumstance is unique. I think Obama is a well trained and capable human being who has benefited enormously from the very able and diverse resources of America. His commitment to a life of public service at this level is, indeed, a formidable challenge and must be commended. Whether he will or should be the President of this country is a decision that yet resides in that public that he seeks to serve. However, we must be a circumspect of any assertion of that a certain biological and environmental nurturance qualifies one to lead.

I am probably more concerned about the statements made in this interview than the speech itself, or, perhaps even the broadcast statements of Reverend Wright. Yes, race (as a conflicting force) is a significant fact in the fabric of the American culture, politics and economic system. But as Obama has acknowledged, its also a genetic reality in his physical being. But if one has not noticed, this is also empirically true in the biology of an overwhelming number of "African Americans, " including Reverend Jesse Jackson (who also ran respectable campaigns for the presidency) and Reverend Wright. This fact, like Obama's is occasioned by the circumstances of that history to which he refers. Moreover, these "other" African Americans, too, have been socially and economically nurtured by a white western culture and its institutions. Would Obama proffer that all such persons are not American first, but rather "primarily black." Do they lack the genetic or nurtured capacity to have lived in both worlds that would enable them to understand America's racial divide, with the aspiration of eliminating or modulating its flaws? Is the emotion of anger a disqualifying trait that is seemingly only being ascribed to "the black man's condition?" I think one must be cautious in ascribing to oneself an elevated capacity relative others because of a biological and environmental circumstance, particularly when neither the biology nor the circumstance is unique. I think Obama is a well trained and capable human being who has benefited enormously from the very able and diverse resources of America. His commitment to a life of public service at this level is, indeed, a formidable challenge and must be commended. Whether he will or should be the President of this country is a decision that yet resides in that public that he seeks to serve. However, we must be a circumspect of any assertion of that a certain biological and environmental nurturance qualifies one to lead.

I agree with Harriet. ABC has allowed racists and bigots to take over the comment section. Very very very ugly and repulsive. I thought the KKK was dead, but apparently they are alive and well on ABC's website.

"Don't let anybody make you think God chose America as his divine messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world. God has a way of standing before the nations with justice and it seems I can hear God saying to America "you are too arrogant, and if you don't change your ways, I will rise up and break the backbone of your power, and I will place it in the hands of a nation that doesn't even know my name. Be still and know that I'm God. Men will beat their swords into plowshafts and their spears into pruning hooks, and nations shall not rise up against nations, neither shall they study war anymore." I don't know about you, I ain't going to study war anymore."

Martin Luther King Jr.
Address to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1967-08-16)

Obama called MSNBC to fire IMUS for his racial comment. What did Obama do when wright was giving hatred speach. He took his wife and young 2 daughters. I can ask my writes to write a speach and read through teleprompter too. wake up america.

I thought it was a courageous, honest and very moving speech.

It made me proud to be an American.

And I have tremendous respect for Obama.

In a difficult bind, he chose to do the right thing, not the politically convenient thing. He chose the honorable path.

We will see whetehr the voters reward his honro and honesty as they should. Often vogters reward cowards and cheats and fearmongers, which is why we have Bush.

I for one think that the Obama passed the Commander in Chief test, he has proven his character and mettle. He is good enough to be president of our country.

The big question now is: Is America good enough, courageous enough, wise enough to seize this opportunity? That is Amerca's test.

And the polls seem to say "yes". Enough Americans are tired of Bush's reign of fear and corruption. The want an optimistic hopeful America, not the grim and fearful McCarthyist regime of Bush and Cheney.

Mike Huckabee defedned Obama:

HUCKABEE: [Obama] made the point, and I think it's a valid one, that you can't hold the candidate responsible for everything that people around him may say or do. You just can't. Whether it's me, whether it's Obama...anybody else. But he did distance himself from the very vitriolic statements.

Now, the second story. It's interesting to me that there are some people on the left who are having to be very uncomfortable with what Louis Wright said, when they all were all over a Jerry Falwell, or anyone on the right who said things that they found very awkward and uncomfortable years ago. Many times those were statements lifted out of the context of a larger sermon. Sermons, after all, are rarely written word for word by pastors like Reverend Wright, who are delivering them extemporaneously, and caught up in the emotion of the moment. There are things that sometimes get said, that if you put them on paper and looked at them in print, you'd say "Well, I didn't mean to say it quite like that."

JOE SCARBOROUGH: But, but, you never came close to saying five days after September 11th, that America deserved what it got. Or that the American government invented AIDS...

HUCKABEE: Not defending his statements.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: Oh, I know you're not. I know you're not. I'm just wondering though, for a lot of people...Would you not guess that there are a lot of Independent voters in Arkansas that vote for Democrats sometimes, and vote for Republicans sometimes, that are sitting here wondering how Barack Obama's spiritual mentor would call the United States the USKKK?

HUCKABEE: I mean, those were outrageous statements, and nobody can defend the content of them.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: But what's the impact on voters in Arkansas? Swing voters.

HUCKABEE: I don't think we know. If this were October, I think it would have a dramatic impact. But it's not October. It's March. And I don't believe that by the time we get to October, this is gonna be the defining issue of the campaign, and the reason that people vote.

And one other thing I think we've gotta remember. As easy as it is for those of us who are white, to look back and say "That's a terrible statement!"...I grew up in a very segregated south. And I think that you have to cut some slack -- and I'm gonna be probably the only Conservative in America who's gonna say something like this, but I'm just tellin' you -- we've gotta cut some slack to people who grew up being called names, being told "you have to sit in the balcony when you go to the movie. You have to go to the back door to go into the restaurant. And you can't sit out there with everyone else. There's a separate waiting room in the doctor's office. Here's where you sit on the bus..." And you know what? Sometimes people do have a chip on their shoulder and resentment. And you have to just say, I probably would too. I probably would too. In fact, I may have had more of a chip on my shoulder had it been me.

MIKA: I agree with that. I really do.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: It's the Atticus Finch line about walking a mile in somebody else's shoes. I remember when Ronald Reagan got shot in 1981. There were some black students in my school that started applauding and said they hoped that he died. And you just sat there and of course you were angry at first, and then you walked out and started scratching your head going "boy, there is some deep resentment there."

I think we have a "two audience" problem. FoxNews is mostly white and their commentators are well-insulated from the feelings and concerns of black America. I am willing to bet if they ever got around to inviting some black preachers on to discuss Wright, they would have a different take than the assortment of glib, white bread rednecks they usually talk to. I think in this case, the MSM really must talk to black commentators, otherwise there is a very skewed and racially insensitive perspective.

The mostly black audience Wright is speaking to sees his preaching as both venting frustrations and also encouragment to persevere through adversity. Blacks are more likely to be poor, have broken homes, broken communities, broken families. It's a tragedy that the media largely ignores. Wright is venting about the racism and hypocrisy of America. As a former Marine, it is arguable that he is right about much of what he says. I don't think it is anti-American or "racist" but more like bitterness about America's failings.

Harriet:

Obama calls this hatemonger, racist, anti-american jerk his old uncle, and suddenly the bloggers in this blog becomes racist rednecks.

Isn't it ironic?

“Barack Obama has been very careful not to position himself as Rev. Jesse Jackson or Rev. Al Sharpton as a promoter of ‘The Black Cause,’” Farrakhan said in the interview with FinalCall.com. “He has been groomed, wisely so, to be seen more as a unifier, rather than one who speaks only for the hurt of black people.”

Obama makes us all proud to be Americans!

I am tired of people saying America is racist. I am tired of being represented by sleazy Bush and Co.

Obama is our generations JFK.

Truly a decent and honorable man.

Thank you Sen. Obama!!!

It was not fully honest. The African American preach Hate America. Maybe not in those exact words by in context they do. They also preach that black people are held back. That all their problems stem from the Government and the rich white man. Obama knows this, probaly why he was not shocked and didn't notice he has been brainwashed by this for years. For many years all are equal, all have the same opportunities and all get the same. They refuse to see that or beleive it. They hold everyone responsible for everything in their lives, from poverty, a hang nail or flunking the bar exam, they will rationalize it to be the Government acting against them or the white man.
They have so much hate built up, I guess they would if it was drilled into your brain every sunday. If a Black man gets far, they say you beat the man, not great job all your hard work paid off. It is time for them to Grow up and live in today and for today and tomorrow. To shed the hate they harbor,They are holding themselves back. Until they can accept personal responsibilty for themselves and their own lives, then they can move on. Thier pastors have enslaved their minds for to long.

OBAMA has pulled a fast one, indeed, if people think that this candy-apple speech shows us who OBAMA is on matters of race. The fact is that OBAMA failed to meet the standards that he laid out for himself in his own speech. He failed to reject the remarks of WRIGHT early on, as much as those remarks may have been an anathema to OBAMA. Instead, OBAMA sanctioned those remarks, early on, by appointing WRIGHT to a position on OBAMA's campaign, a failure in judgement on the part of OBAMA. The gushing press is now completely failing to do its duty. How much money has flowed to WRIGHT over the course of this campaign? OBAMA has now trumped the press, the press can't ask this question or they are being racially divisive, by dwelling on the politics of 'race'. The press now only has access to post-speech issues, the slate is wiped clean. You have to give it to OBAMA for outsmarting the media.

"Obama calls this hatemonger, racist, anti-american jerk his old uncle, and suddenly the bloggers in this blog becomes racist rednecks."

Some troll rednecks call a bitter old victim of white racism a "racist" and "hatemonger" and someone calls these bigots the rednecks they certainly are.

Not ironic, but apt.

All of the "white pride" folks getting yoru panties in a bunch on this blog are funny.

"OMG, how dare a black man call America racist! Let's lynch him. "

This is called oppression and suppression in my book.

Very honest. The truth hurts but he speaks the truth.

makes me wonder if farrakhan,is just another old uncle.
“Barack Obama has been very careful not to position himself as Rev. Jesse Jackson or Rev. Al Sharpton as a promoter of ‘The Black Cause,’” Farrakhan said in the interview with FinalCall.com. “He has been groomed, wisely so, to be seen more as a unifier, rather than one who speaks only for the hurt of black people.”

makes me wonder if farrakhan,is just another old uncle.
“Barack Obama has been very careful not to position himself as Rev. Jesse Jackson or Rev. Al Sharpton as a promoter of ‘The Black Cause,’” Farrakhan said in the interview with FinalCall.com. “He has been groomed, wisely so, to be seen more as a unifier, rather than one who speaks only for the hurt of black people.”

There is no way in the world that real Americans, patriotic Americans, especially those in the military, could ever vote for Obama as President and Commander-in-chief after his pastor's ugly and offensive words ---"God Damn America."

DAVE,
You must be one of those UPSCALE DEMOCRATS about which Chris Matthews chortles. My friend, I am a DOWNSCALE DEMOCRAT, and although I may not be a man of high means, I am relatively educated and I know hate-speak when I see it. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck..., and so on. We don't need the UPSCALE apologists bombarding us with distortions too, we get enough of that crap from the RIGHT. Go place your guilt needs on some other party.

Wow - there sure is a lot of hatemongers here. I wonder if they are the right wing nutjobs or some subset of HRC supporters - probably both.

By the way I think Jake Tapper is doing everyone at ABC News a clear disservice by repeating the Politico article (as is former ABC News employee Mark Halperin on his blog on Time) - the article quotes the opinions of three of the worst and most venomous ads of the last couple of decades: the Jesse Helms black hand ad which tapped into the kind of white anger that is no doubt real and that Obama mentioned yesterday; the Max Cleland morphed into Bin Laden ad; and the Swift Vote Vets ad: I mean these people really are the true scum of America - Jake(or Politico) should not be quoting them.

U2,
Nice try, label political discourse with which you disagree with it and craftfully demonize with an incendiary term like "hatemongers". Are you actually Reverend Wright? Isn't it easy when you can package up a public discourse so nicely, and tuck it away in some little label like that. Can you clarify further, are you referring to , Mr. Obama himself or to those that objected to the "God Damn America" statement. Indeed.

So Sen. Obama's people called and not only requested that you interview him, but also indicated on what programs they wanted the interview aired. You complied. I may be naive, but I thought network news people were a little more independent and objective. Somehow, I am not surprised. This is actually as troubling to me as the whole Rev. Wright controversy.

Obama gave a good speech. I listened to portions of it, and it was well thought out and delivered with honesty and openess. I don't think that most voters will be swayed by this reverends comments, however the fact that Obama went after the press to cover this speech does show that he was trying to garner some attention for himself to promote his campaign. I still hope he wins the democratic nomination. Time for a candidate who doesn't have the Bush or Clinton surname.

That he didn't throw his pastor under the bus, while still convincingly repudiating his words, showed class and a maturity not often displayed in recent American politics. It was a well-executed high wire act. It is something that has to be a part of the new politics-- we simply have to break out of this pattern of playing gotcha with the other side, of Bork-anizing each other. As a nation, as a media, as a bodypolitic, we have to ...grow up.

I think Obama's speech was a clarion call for maturity.

My problem?

I follow him until I hear his solutions to America's problems, and then he loses me. Because although I'm "only" 49, I am old enough to know that the liberal plans he is pushing are doomed to fail because of two undeniable facts: they go against human nature and they always have.

OBAMA is a magician not a politician. He can spin anything, convince anybody, deceive everyone, write pretty words, get people all emotional and teary, he can walk the tightrope without a net and even juggle his grandmother and his old racist uncle preacher pastor and people still shouting hallelujah. Young people see him as a departure from the past and one writer at post praises OBAMA for preparing the way to the future and reject tthe old generation. COME ON PEOPLE. The only thing OBAMA has prepared you for is more Kool-Aid and more trips to the space ship. I watched Obama on that ABC interview last night without a prepared statement and his eyes were shifty and sneaky and he stuttered and stammered as Moran offered him another pillow. I've never seen anything like it. Are people so blind and trusting that they actually buy this guy as some sort of political messiah even after he's proven he associates with racist thugs and radicals from the equivalent of Chicago's Religious skid row. can anyone say REZKO and WRIGHT, that's Obama's plight.

No, don't go defending the person who has had EVERY opportunity to be honest with the public, after all, he is running for the office of the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - not president of the Senior Prom. Give us a break here and don't defend this speech because it is a racist speech and ultimately he blames his white grandmother for his suffering for being a black man. Obama has made himself a victim here and if you people, so blinded by the shrill he speaks, see it otherwise, you are really cult followers.
Obama is not a true American. A True American would never have an acquaintance or relative, friend say something like G.D. America without challenging that statement. However, the every present media who anoint this man as the saviour of our country and the messiah of this century are wrong.
Don't defend him. Obama is showing what a person he really is. He is a weak coward, saying what you want to hear, doing what you want to see - the very same characteristics as a cult leader.
Step down obama - Let the True Americans have their election. You take your preacher and those that think like you and move to where your words and beliefs are more welcome.

You'd have thought the guy was already president the way the media covered this speech. I'm surprised they didn't interrupt Wheel of Furtune for it. The problem with the speech is, why is he just now giving it? If he had been this "black" from the get-go, I might have supported him. But he didn't. he tried to be all white and everything to the ehite people and then turn into a little Malcolm X to the black people. Throw in a little Si se puede and all the bases are covered. It just shows, like Cuomo said, you can't shuck and jive your way to the White House. And one other thing. Obama's campaign (with the media's help) painted Hilary as the candidate you felt "entitled" to the nomination. So is Obama entitled because he's black? Hilary is blasted for "crying" everytime she get's in a pinch. What does Obama do? He screams it's because he's black. For somebody who cryed foul everytime the so-called race card was mentioned, he's sure black now. And the whole thing about he thinks OJ is guilty, who was THAT for? The blacks who think OJ got railroaded or the whites who loathe him? Two-faced Obama.

Over the 41 years of my life I have, like Senator Obama, had members of my family say racially explicit remarks that I have found offensive.
Do I still care for my family members? Of course I still love them. They do understand that I profoundly disagree with their comments. On the other hand I do not condemn one person and forgive another person for the same act.
Senator Obama called for the termination of Imus after his remarks almost immediately.
Imus had done many good deeds in his life. These deeds may not be as many or as dramatic as Rev. Wright but they still exist.
Where is Senator Obama's forgiveness for Imus?
It does not exist.
In Senator Obama's speech he admitted to being in the pew when Rev. Wright exposed his hatred for America.
Did he call for Rev. Wright to be terminated? NO!
Senator Obama knew of Rev. Wright blaming America for 9/11.
Did he call for Rev. Wright to be terminated? NO!
Senator Obama seems to have segregated his feelings since he stated that they were against the wrong group.
Someone needs to confront Senator Obama and ask him if he cares so much about his daughters as he should does he care about the daughters of the people who were killed on 9/11?
Does Senator Obama care for the daughters of the white victims of Aids?
Senator Obama finds it easy to defend his pastor over remarks that some "May" find offensive?
If it does not utterly disgust Senator Obama over Rev. Wright's statements then maybe he is not qualified to be President of these United States of America.
If he does not feel that a pastor has more influence over a flock than any television of radio commentator has then what has he been doing the last 20 years at Trinity?
Commentators may reach more people but Pastors can change lives with their words.
As a member of Trinity Senator Obama should have demanded his resignation.
I have disagreed with pastors from time to time.
I have never heard such blatant disregard for the truth and for God's word as I heard from the words of Rev. Wright.
He should be sued for Pastoral Malpractice!
Now I will go and pray for Rev. Wright because I know I should be praying for him instead of writing this letter but I could not let everyone praise Senator Obama's speech without questioning his actions.

I agree Obama is playing people and the only reason he has made it this far is because the media has pampered and
catered to him. They have treated Hillary terrible. CNN and MSNBC are the worst. Obama totally agrees with Wright and he is not safe or fit to be president.

I agree Obama is playing people and the only reason he has made it this far is because the media has pampered and
catered to him. They have treated Hillary terrible. CNN and MSNBC are the worst. Obama totally agrees with Wright and he is not safe or fit to be president.

Nothing Obama says can erase twenty years of embracing that hateful man and his hateful church. Blacks don't want to be hated for their race. Well, get a clue, neither do whites. I am deeply offended by Obama's actions, and more importantly, his inaction in the face of this racism and anti-American bile. I am also deeply offended that he thinks he can fix all this with yet one more pretty packet of words. So what if he makes a good speech? How does that change anything? Everyone who wants Obama out needs to inform the Democratic Party in no uncertain terms. E-mail them, call them, write to them. Let them know that if Obama is their candidate, we are voting for McCain.

If yesterday's lifeless, self-serving speech is equitable to candor, one would hate to see deceit.

This speech, delivered in a dead pan drone, bordering on desperate self-pity and conceited self-agrandizing, was little more than a history lesson that we must be too stupid to understand, and a dressing down for forcing Obama to finally face the truth.

His books, once fact-checked off of BarackObama.com read like fiction, they are slathered in dishonest, deliberate inventions of dates, facts, times, and events.

He credits Presidents with shifting his parent to the US when said President wasn't elected yet.

He credits civil rights marches for allowing his family to unite and conceive him, when in fact the sited March happened 4 long years AFTER his birth.

He gives himself titles he never held, such as Professor Of Law and Constitutional Lawyer, which he has never been and still is not.

He claims he wrote bills he didn't as much as proof read, while bragging about other bills meant to regulate that pandered to his own campaign donor and were dismissed as incompetence.

He has lied about Rezko, and then when facts are sought further, has to come back and explain that the lies went even deeper, and he is now even MORE indebted to the criminal than before.

We we only learned the name Tony Rezko because the media uncovered it. And Rev. Wright was also a long known disaster, held away from public knowledge, only to be acknowledged when caught in a trap.

This open ended, heart-felt politician somehow decided to forget these interactions.

He has distorted his campaign's involvelment in situations it had no business entering into, such as the 1984 ads and the NAFTA farce. He assured us that he was involved in neither, but a rudimentary analysis, at a 6th grade level, exposed that he indeed was deeply involved in both.

"I never heard such words while in the pews." - -

"And did I hear controversial things while sitting in that church - Yes, I did."

So all of this blathering about the brilliance and the historicity of that speech is just that: blathering.

He could no more stand on a stage with MLK, JFK, FDR, and Lincoln then a cockroach could stay on the dinner plate of the King.

His greatness is due to a lowering of the bar. His words are everyone elses but his. His thoughts existed in the recent past, only to be borrowed or stolen, and covered over and put forth as unique. He is like saccharin. Fake, bitter, and unhealthy for America.

It has nothing to do with race and it never did.

It has EVERYTHING to do with his complete incompetence, lack of qualifications, and a total absence of results.

Obama: you are a creep who do not want the people of MI and FL to have a voice. You are afraid to loose electoral votes!

Shame on you Obama! You are unfit to be President.

Given that you were asleep during the lunetic manic racist Rev. Wright's sermons, you should refresh your memory on some of your past activities:

http://votersusa.blogspot.com/

Lansing MI - Firefighter Union

Are we sick of old politics? Obama is not only a racist, he associates himself with criminals. Take this survery and get your voices heard:

http://www.zapsurvey.com/Survey.aspx?id=e4bba97c-5647-47c2-9094-7fd208b5144e

I am grateful for Senator OBama to bring this issue, once and for all, out in the open. It is an issue only an African-American can address without being perceived as a racist.

I am part of the same generation that Pastor Wright is a part of. By the end of my high school year, I was afraid to walk in the halls or stairwells of the school because of anti-white sentiments. My little sister, part of the integration movement in our northern, well-to-do suburb, was a victim of anti-white sentiment. My other sister was robbed by a black man who had a knife. Did I feel hatred against African-Americans at the time? No. In fact, I moved to Gary, IN and worked towards social justice with many people, black and white. Oddly, the most dangerous and least talked about part of Gary was the section where poor whites lived.

When I went to college, I ended up working two, three, sometimes more, jobs to afford to live and go to school. There were not any grants or loans for poor white women. I turned my attention to the women's movement at the time. This movement was torn apart my the many political views of different women. The favorite dismisal of women who chose to marry and be part of the Women's Movement was that they were "white, male-identified." Was I particulary angry about black power or lesbian power at the time? No, not really.

I have spent many years outside the mainstream. It is in the last couple of years, I have tried to become "respectable" by finally going back to school to learn how to teach,or at least earn credentials that say I have gone to school to learn how to make lesson plans.

It is my years as a substitute in this same community where I went to high school when I began to understand the depth of anti-white sentiments. As a substitute teacher I was shocked that during the discussion about Martin Luther King, the only comment the second grade could make about Dr. King was that a white man killed him. I attended a service on Martin Luther King Day and was make to feel very uncomfortable. I began to become suspicious about what was going on in the many black churches in this community.

Curious about the problems between African-Americans and whites where I lived, I did a study of the demographics of this community. What I found was that the only good predictor of poverty was being a single mother.

I was very impressed with Obama's 2004 speech and felt hopeful that a new vision of American race relations could be realized. It is where I had been thirty years ago, but am not anymore. I have been too badly victimized, in high school, on the streets, in college, and finally in the job market.

I am tired of Jesse Jackson, Farrakhan, and Al Sharpton's ability to cause distractions while my family and I cannot afford a place to live? Is it any wonder that those who live without power or running water, in the forgotten backwaters of rural America, vote "red"? Is there any attention paid to the "digital divide"?

One thing you did get wrong, Senator Obama. It is not just resentment. It is fear and anger.

Yes, I believe Wright, Sharpton, Jackson, and Farrakhan have kept this wound from healing. It is like the passive-aggressive bully who teases someone until they strike out in anger. Then the bully goes to the teacher and says, "Johnnie hit me." I see this in children all the time.

I do hope Senator Obama can help to heal this destructive division. Bill Cosby was blasted a few years ago for his comments.

I am not surprised about the comments made in Wright's church. I have been suspicious that the black churches have passed on this legacy of hatred. It is this hatred that often keeps children from learning in school, because they might be "white-identified."

It has taken me over thirty years to understand the shift that happened in 1968-69 in black politics. However, as Senator Obama has pointed out, American society is not static. It is time to end this institutional hatred. It is time to sit down and reason together.

Senator Obama made some good points in his speech. I keeping coming back though to his not following up his disavowal of statements from Rev. Wright with action. In 20 years of knowing Rev. Wright and attending the church Senator Obama did not affect change. This is crucial. He runs on a platform of change. It's true that actions speak louder than words.

This morning on Fox News Morning, also on Jerry Agar and Rush Limbaugh, there was a sound bite they played pertaining to last year when Imus In the Morning was fired for saying inapropriate remarks about the black girls at a school. Al Sharpton was instrumental in getting Imus fired for his remarks pertaining to the girls "hair"!

The sound bite all over the radio today and on fox in the Morning this morning; has Commentator Mr. Gregory of MSNBC News asking Mr. Obama what he thought of Imus remark? Mr Obama stated that he was very insulted by the remarks and wouldn't want his two daughters whom are quite tall and would hope that would get some atheletic scholarships to play sports, to have to listen to those kind of racist remarks by Mr. Imus. Then Mr. Gregory asked him if mr. Imus should be fired from his job, and Mr. Obama's remark was " I'm no going to tell MSNBC to do with Mr. Imus and his job, but someone like that would be instantly fired from my campaign"!

Your real true colors Mr. Obama is coming through> Fire Mr. Imus for one comment, but less leave Mr. Jeremiah Wright as my spiritual guide as part of my campaign traveling with me and also lets keep him as the pastor of my church and my confidant!!!

And remember, Rearend Wright was only fired from Obaminable's campaign because he was caught on video, rather like Rezko, and rather like NAFTA, and rather like Selma, and rather like JFK & Daddy, and rather like FARC, and rather like . . .

I could go on for half an hour. And we know ALREADY Wendy, and Vanessa and Jim B, we already know the Clintons are Satan and they wh0red around, and they stole and they lied and they did this and they did that in the 90s.

Stop throwing up every other name you can think of NOT to answer what your man is guilty of. Stop saying Well, THEY DID IT TOO.

Based on your reasoning, someone can run you over with a Mack Truck because somewhere, someone else has done it B4?

Can we put your kids or pets on the highway then? Because after all, if someone else has done it, by all means, it should be allowed to be done by everyone.

Your arguments are juvinile and insulting. Daily rants about Bill getting laid and you NOT getting laid. Daily rants about Hillary not cutting his pointer off, and you desperately wanting to cut off his pointer.

None of it at all has to do with why your Messiah has lied through his teeth like Nixon on the gallows. I mean it is no excuse, and you and I know it.

It seems from reading the anti Obama entries, many Americans who claim to love America really don’t seem to be interested in resolving any racial divides; why should they be if the status quo benefits their interests?

Loving only those neighbors that walk, talk, look, and speak like they do, is the only way to sustain the "real America" they have painstakingly maintained over 200 years and envision for their children. They'd be stupid to really be interested in giving up the power and are clearly threatened by Obama! Hence, they can continue to inject their poison in an effort to completely destroy whatever morality and ethics and thereby, whatever humanity that is left in America. Justice, truth, and even faith for them exist only in the parts that serve their political, ideological, and/or financial goals. That is how they understand what is "America."

Of course, History is replete with example of how "Truth" is the first casualty in such a society. Just like parts of the scriptures they recite, they dismiss history too, whenever it is inconvenient to their agenda. This is how they measure their love for their version of America!

The fact that Obama's racial identity and his faith -- two fundamental bases upon which personhood is defined -- have been the target of relentless attacks and have been posed as the basis of all arguments against his candidacy, is proof that KKK is operative, regardless of membership. In a world of political correctness, it thrives unseen, continuing to recruit through blog sites like these and cultivate fellow haters by poisoning America’s children, like those in Jena. All for the love of "America".... right?

To those who are dismayed by the ignorance that is exposed through the overt and the nuanced hateful entries against Obama herein, I congratulate you for your critical reasoning abilities and your courage and willingness to voice it. It is heartening to see that there are many Americans who have made an ascent out of that cave of beliefs in scary shadows and echoes that Power carefully cultivates to control the intellectually childlike Americans by breeding ignorance with brazen arrogance.

The only way to truly be American is by having insight into the "divide and rule" forces and being willing to invest and prove our love and patriotism for this great country by taking on the challenges of exercising our citizenship that Obama has called out to, above and beyond his candidacy.

And on the subject of Obama's speech, it seems that it did go over the heads of many people on this site... or they were just too blinded and deafened by prejudices to even try to understand it... That is unfortunate for them.

The integrity, courage, humanity and pragmatic sense of his position towards his pastor's views vs. the man are commendable. We need a leader who will tell the truth; who can own up to it; who is compassionate, not condemning fellow humans who have a grievance; who will engage with reality instead of shunning it, no matter how politically inconvenient it may be.

We need someone who is willing to engage the true "evil" which is in the human heart -- hatred for fellow Americans, fellow humans, whether they come in Black or White or Brown hues.

"It is only the fruitful tree that is shaken or stoned for of its fruit."

I think the ironic thing here is that those who claim to be most "offended" by Rev. Wright and Obama's remarks are obviously the same people who parade a cabal of televangelists into the Republican Party each election season. It is as if they've suddenly discovered patriotism, and yet turned the other cheek when Pat Robertson called for the State Department to be nuked.
Of course, none of these same people complain that this cabal of right wing evangelists had so many connections with our President and government that they could commandeer our Congress, bring our President back from vacation, and assault the judicial system and the sanctity of marriage over Terri Schiavo.
The amazing thing here is that this network took an issue that the Right was trying to shop around for months and turned it into "news". . .all the while ignoring the other candidates and their "religious" affilations. We have yet to see any sermon snippets from McCain's pals Hagee and Parsley, even though they are both inflammatory and are "anti-American." And don't we get a chance to look at Hillary's church?

This story has been milked way past its natural life. . .and only because "conservatives" suddenly discovered they were offended. I'm assuming this signals a sea change in how the mainstream media covers presidential candidates and campaigns - with more emphasis on their ministers than on the issues of the day. I can't wait to see McCain's minister talk about adultery.

By the way - nice follow-up tonight. What better way to follow a story about what conservatives consider "religiously incorrect" speech than with still another story cheering conservative evangelicals. I think we get the message: evangelicals = good; any other American religious belief = bad. No religious belief? = irrelevant.

Tell me, ABC - isn't there some 20-30 million atheists out there? Rather than ask Republicans what they think about all of this religion being FORCED into our politics, why not ask people who might be offended by having your network, and our political campaigns, always shoving in their faces?

It makes sense to keep discussions focused on candidate's positions on policies. For example, what has Senator Obama done to encourage his supporter Governor Patrick to quickly end the high stakes tests used by Massachusetts. The test has been used as exhibit 1 to prove that even states like Massachusetts systemically discriminate against minorities.

It is true that that on CNN's Anderson Cooper, Fox News, etc. Senator Obama stated that he was not in attendance during the more fiery sermons of Rev. Wright. David Berger stated to take the admission at face value, but as journalists one is permitted to search for the truth. Senator Obama made certain that this would NOT happen by quickly retracting his admission through his well-crafted speech. Senator Obama's speech was to, first, retract statements which he KNEW would come up later regarding not being present while the terse comments were being preached, provide his diverse background and story (for the "upteenth" time), mention his views regarding race, cite his published works regarding this, provide subtle jabs targeting the "divisive campaigns that do not promote unity", and most essentially, to promote his campaign of 'change', 'hope', and reconciliation of America to essentially follow him to the path of nomination and of the presidency. He is becoming the master of structuring speeches and providing subtle 'jabs' at his opponents while 'pitching' his own campaign. This shows both his reluctant openness when required (remember the NAFTA 'denial then admission' concerns?) as well as his arrogance.

The speech was quite good and will continue the fervor over him becoming the candidate for the Democratic nomination and for the US Presidency. However Senator Obama is the only individual who could have addressed the topic of race. Hillary would be be seen as one taking full advantage of the terse situation, and others would view McCain mentioning it as a hypocrisy. So the networks have, once again, provided their choice as president with 40 minutes of network access to address the issues regarding race, his pastor, and ever so subtlely - promoting his campaign as the 'voice of unity'. Senator Obama's reward for being able to do this speech? Being the media's darling and plenty of front pages for the next few days.

I'll commend him for FINALLY mentioning Native Americans, however I feel this was to ensure his message of 'inclusion' would be complete. As an African American with Cherokee and Coushatta ancestry, little has been said regarding this ignored and discriminated populace from all the campaigns (so far). I will say that Senator Clinton shows more initiative than Senator Obama; she has helped as many children as possible by ensuring that they will receive adequate healthcare, and she has petitioned to denounce individuals (Rev. Wright) and countries (China's treatment of Tibet) well before Senator Obama finally decided to follow suit. Speeches are remarkable to change opinions, however actions will aid in both making progress and moving forward. If Senator Obama had more actions than just words, I would wholeheartedly support his march towards the presidency. However, there are professional concerns I have had with the senator. One in particular:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-galesburg_obama_webfeb01,0,7138122,print.story

Another creditable article with many different sources can be reviewed here:

http://www.thecityedition.com/Pages/Archive/Winter08/PDFfiles/2008Election.pdf

Lastly, in Obama's speech he stated that he cannot 'disown' his pastor for the comments as he cannot disown his grandmother for making comments as well; I don't essentially agree. Obama's grandmother represents his ancestral family, and his former pastor represents his spiritual family. Obama's grandmother helped to provide the fundamentals of life and relationships, and Rev. Wright had the opportunity to do this as well; aiding in the development of Senator Obama's walk with Christ. There is a phrase that says, as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he-- and after 20 years of personally knowing and sharing in the fellowship with his pastor, Senator Obama could have left prior to his marriage, etc. Oprah chose not to remain with the pastor and congregation (she realized that his message was a bit too controversial). Reverend Wright knew what to express or say when the cameras are during in certain events, and he knew what to say when he is at 'home', in his pulpit. Rev. Wright stated that he might have to leave the campaign months ago. He knew that his controversial preaching background could possibly begin to harm the campaign in the future. However prior to the reverend retiring from his pulpit and from Obama's campaign, the pastor's message and the masses that followed him throughout the country aided in promoting Senator Obama. Thus essentially, Reverend Wright fulfilled his objective, and Senator Obama, through the 'race controversy', now shines as the candidate willing to address the issues and unite the nation in the process....

Indeed.