Political Punch

THE RACISM RED HERRING ...
If Obama can get Americans to base the election on racism, then it will take their attention off the fact that he has no experience, no credentials, and no issues.

So now Wright's, Oprah's and Obama's true colors are finally coming to light. Regarding Wright ... what a hypocrite ... what a deceitful manipulative womanizer ... what a cheat ... what a disgusting example of repeated exploitation of the vulnerable. Regarding Obama ... who not only chose this man as his mentor, advisor, pastor and friend ... FOR TWENTY YEARS ... what a gross lack of judgement, or is this a case of hypocrisy and just looking the other way? Keep America strong and safe, elect McCain/Palin in November ... No Wright, no Farrakahn, no Ayers, no Rezko, no mean Michelle, NOBAMA

What happened to the good old Dems like Joe Lieberman? I can honestly say, he is the most honest of them all and the Democratic Party threw him to the dogs.
If we had someone like him running, at least we would have a choice. Frankly, Obama scared me from the start, and now the news media is finally delving into his past , and his association with Islam beliefs. Yes, I believe he was groomed for the presidency race. America, wake up.

People should pay attention to what Farrakhan said when he offered his thoughts regarding Obama, "Barack Obama has been very careful not to position himself as Reverend Jesse Jackson or Reverend Al Sharpton as a promoter of "The Black Cause." *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."

Think about it "groomed wisely"

How ashamed I am of this country to allow the news media do a caricure assasinaion of anyone with 15 to 30 second sound bite the stand smugly to demoralise another with their dirt. Then turn around and beleive that this diatribe goes on every sunday.
Shame on those who found a small ray of hope in Obamas words only to give it up due to some news media dirt mongering. Maybe they should dig up the dirt on Hillary Clintons tutalige under a communist proponet and see how these people with little sense like that! I'm an Independent and have not decide who to vote for but have enough sense to know when the news media picks side its obviouse and its time to turn the channel instead of being lead astray of my beliefs.
Mr Obama stood by his beliefs and I'm satisfied with his his convictions.

Wright and his replacement call themselves PROPHETS. They are not prophets in the mold of the ones in the Bible. The real prophets in the Bible ( Jonah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Amos, Hosea) railed against sin and idolatry of those in their audience. They didn't preach about someone else's sin and try to make their audience feel better about themselves. An evidence that someone is a false teacher is when they call good evil and evil good. It's sad that the Holy Trinity Church of Christ feels such anger and resentment that they have fallen for entertainment instead of Christ.

I am a Christian that was originally brought up in the Jewish faith, and my first wife was Jewish.

One day we went with our neighbors who were of different denominations-one Catholic, the other Jewish, to Jewish services for an important Jewish holiday. In the middle of the sermon, the rabbi starts in with how intermarriage is destroying judaism and the jews in the USA. I simply walked out in the middle and would never set foot in such a congregation again. I am not the most religious person, but I like to go to Mass once a month or so, Catholic, Episcopal, no difference to me. It is the ideas that come from the pulpit, and the kind of people in that church that make it what it is.

I really like(d) Obama and contributed to his campaign long before he was popular. But I really have to wonder know-unfortunately, this is causing me very real anguish because the Obama 'before' was great-now, I don't know, honestly, I wish I did.

DON'T RUSH TO JUDGMENT!

As difficult as it may seem for some white and black Americans alike to digest the comments of Rev. Jeremiah Wright; We should consider the fact that he not only comes from a different generation than many of us but also from the civil rights and black nationalism eras.

His view of the U.S. Government possibly being responsible for the aids virus however, is not uncommon among non-mainstream progressive thinkers and is one of the several theories presented by some Professors, Scientist and at least one Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Edward Hooper, a former BBC correspondent, has advanced the so-called "contaminated polio vaccine" theory for the origins of HIV and AIDS, In his exhaustively researched book, The River.

In an interview by Time magazine with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and environmental activist Wangari Maathai, it was alleged that Maathai had said that "AIDS is a biological weapon manufactured by the developing world to wipe out the black race".

Jakob Segal, a biology professor at Humboldt University, proposes that HIV was engineered at a U.S. military laboratory at Fort Detrick, by splicing together two other viruses, Visna and HTLV-1. According to his theory, the new virus, created between 1977 and 1978, was tested on prison inmates who had volunteered for the experiment in exchange for early release. He further suggests that it was through these prisoners that the virus was spread to the population at large.

Dr. Alan Cantwell, author of AIDS and the Doctors of Death: An Inquiry into the Origin of the AIDS Epidemic and Queer Blood: The Secret AIDS Genocide Plot, says that HIV is a genetically modified organism developed by U.S. Government scientists, and that it was introduced into the population through Hepatitis B experiments performed on gay and bisexual men between 1978-1981 in major U.S. cities. Cantwell claims that these experiments were directed by Dr. Wolf Szmuness, and that there was an ongoing government cover-up of the origins of the AIDS epidemic. Similar theories have been advanced by Dr. Robert B. Strecker, Matilde Krim and by Milton William Cooper, author of Behold A Pale Horse.

Harvard-degreed independent investigator, Dr. Leonard G. Horowitz, author of Emerging Viruses: AIDS & Ebola. Nature, Accident or Intentional? and Death in the Air: Globalism, Terrorism and Toxic Warfare, has advanced the theory that the AIDS virus was engineered by such U.S. Government defense contractors as Litton Bionetics for the purposes of bio-warfare and "population control."

There are several theories as to the man-made origin of the aids virus including the 'Hunter' Theory, the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) theory, the Contaminated Needle Theory, the Colonialism Theory and the Conspiracy Theory. Dr. Wright just happens to buy into the Conspiracy Theory and thinks that the U.S. Government may be up to their old tricks like when they used black men as human laboratory animals during "The Tuskegee (syphilis) Experiment.

For forty years between 1932 and 1972, the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) conducted an experiment on 399 black men in the late stages of syphilis. These men, for the most part illiterate sharecroppers from one of the poorest counties in Alabama, were never told what disease they were suffering from or of its seriousness. Informed that they were being treated for “bad blood,”1 their doctors had no intention of curing them of syphilis at all. The data for the experiment was to be collected from autopsies of the men, and they were thus deliberately left to degenerate under the ravages of tertiary syphilis—which can include tumors, heart disease, paralysis, blindness, insanity, and death. “As I see it,” one of the doctors involved explained, “we have no further interest in these patients until they die.”

The United States government did something that was wrong—deeply, profoundly, morally wrong. It was an outrage to our commitment to integrity and equality for all our citizens. . . . clearly racist.
—President Clinton's apology for the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment to the eight remaining survivors, May 16, 1997.

Again I say don't be so quick to judgment, least we judge ourselves.

I hear no voice in the media as yet trying to bring about an understanding of the abyss between the citizenry of this 'United' states. Every understanding voice is shushed as in the past. It appears that there will be the need for this social gospel for decades to come.

We need to compare what Sen. Obama has said in the past with what he said today. There are several points that do not match. Obama's statement today did not satisfactorily address his relationship to Wright. Whatever his grandmother might have said, I doubt it could rise to the level of "God damn America" or "We asked for 9/11" as shouted from the pulpit by Rev. Wright. Nor can Grand-Ma's racist statements to a few people compare to the hundreds, possibly thousands of people over the years in Wright's congregation who were subjected to his racist/hateful sermons. In the background of those recordings were the loud "amens" of his congregation; apparently in support of Wright's ideology. While a member of that congregation Obama must have stood-up and cheered "Amen!" along with the rest of the congregation every week. It is a statistical marvel that over 20 years Obama has managed to never be present when any hateful/racist statements were made by Wright. Would Wright, with his strong unabashed "public" statements, not mention nor discuss any of them with Obama at the "personal" level, one-on-one? Obama likened Wright to be as close as a "family member." He can't have it both ways: Either he was "close" and so, had to have known of Wright's ideology, or their friendship was so "distant" that he could not have recognized Wright's ideology? It's difficult to fathom how he could have made Wright the "religious compass" of his campaign without knowing of Wright's statements. Most people change churches when the Pastor preaches the opposite of what they believe. Obama had to at some level agreed with the Pastor's vile ideology, AND accepted it--otherwise, such a hateful/racist person as Wright would have repulsed any true "non-racist" person. We need a more complete understanding of Obama's "real" core beliefs before we make him our President.

Rev. Wright aside for a moment, I think senator Obama delivered a great speech today. There were some great points made today where America *should* engage in dialogue on the issue of race rather than keep it pent up like it's taboo to discuss.

With that being said, going into this speech, Senator Obama needed to address a few things to overcome the credibility and judgment issues I have with him as a candidate.

He has based his campaign largely on a claim that he has superior judgment. He failed to justify why he had Rev. Wright be a part of his political campaign on the African American Religious Leadership Committee when he now admits:

"Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely"

Senator Obama knew early on that Rev. Wright would be a potential political liability and probably appropriately rescinded his invite to give the invocation at his presidential campaign announcement. I never heard in the speech why he felt that giving him a role, honorable or active, in his campaign was a good decision. To me, this relects poorly on his judgment and the way he has dealt with this specific issue does not bode well for his credibility.

Again, it was a good speech, but failed to answer some important questions for me. I still believe had he delivered this speech at the onset of his campaign, he could have arguably clinched this nomination. Delivering it now makes it appear more like a response to an flare up in his campaign (damage control) rather than Thought Leadership.

“The ministries developed under Dr. Wright’s ministerial tutelage for social justice: assisted living facilities for senior citizens, day care for children, pastoral care and counseling, health care, ministries for persons living with HIV/AIDS, hospice training, prison ministry, scholarships for thousands of students to attend historically black colleges, youth ministries, tutorial and computer programs, a church library, domestic violence programs and scholarships and fellowships for women and men attending seminary.”

Similar to Hamas, the virtuous Reverend Wright’s ministries and social causes are portrayed as human-loving groups whose goal is to help the meek, downtrodden and oppressed. In reality, it appears Wright and Hamas social programs have multiple agenda’s. Reality is what it is, but you draw your own conclusions.

What bothers me most about this is Obama's statement that in 20 years he never heard his pastor use such inflamitory language. Assuming he attended regularly, as he says, it doesn't ring true. This man married the Obama's & babtised their children. He is a close friend, as is Rezko -- which makes me question Obama's judgement for future cabinet appointments. I think Michelle is an excellent speaker & a very intelligent woman, but she has obviously been privi to some of these vitriolic sermons.
Obama was absent on controversial Senate votes -- like gun control, immigration, etc. -- votes that would give insight into his position on important issues.
He is a great orator, a very ambitionus politician, very intillegent & a charasmatic man, but -- as someone else mentioned -- the world had a similar man in 1933.
We now have a president whose lack of qualifications for the job put our country into a mess it will take years to get out of. America cannot stand another such mistake.
I am grateful for the close race which allows us Democrats time to gain insight into the character & qualifications of the candidate we will put before the public -- regardless of race or sex. The present controversy is a picnic compared to what our candidate will face against the Republicans.
The new media has an obligation to inform us in all matters -- good & bad -- pertaining to both candidates. We don't learn from listening only to those who agree with us -- no matter how smart they are. We learn from listening to opposing opinions. This is how we make intelligent choices. I think the media is doing an excellent job.

Christianity by definition is the desire and personal covenant to be a student, follower, and example (by choice of action) proponent of Jesus Christ's teachings. These include the 10 commandments; one of which states:" Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." This man is certainly human. Repentance is available to each who sin. Rev. Wrights' remarks are anything but Christian, and illuminate a sad moment in his personal walk with God and the Savior Jesus Christ.
For Obama to state after 20 years membership in this pastors' church that he does not condone or agree with his pastor's views is like Hillary stating that she didn't condone and had no knowledge of her husband Bill's infidelity.

If everything is all good with the Trinity United Church of Christ and as the church says "it is the fault of the press" then why has Obama scrapped Wright from his website and why has he distanced himself from him? If all is good shouldn't he be defending him? I read about the church on their site and I was beginning to defend them on these blogsites but now I'm beginning to wonder.....I am really questioning Obama's judgment because of this situation and if he is the democratic nominee I probably am not going to vote for him because for such an intelligent individual he had to have had some inkling that his pastor felt this way. Even if those comments were taken out of context I still find them extremely offensive to Americans.

Read on singleblackfemale has a lot of powerful words to say. She is insightful and speaks what most people know to be true and need to say and hear. It is not who Mr. Obama sleeps with or who pastors him. It is what does he stand for. He speaks of change and change is what we need. We need someone who will stand up for the rights of the American people who will not seek lobbyist to supplier our needs who can make a change in our our healthcare and who can reform our tax system. Who gives a damn who preaches him. Preaches are men before they are men of God. They are human just like you and I and they make mistakes like you and I. Not that I am condoning what he has said but not everything that is told to humankind is believed and if you are that nieve to believe that Mr. Obama believes every word that comes out of Dr. Wright's mouth, then you all deserve another 4 years with a republican who will kill your children at war and another democrate who will believes that this was all a dream for Mr. Obama in the first place. Don't get me wrong I think Hiliary too is a good candidate but give Barak a chance he can and will make a change.

Obamas "minister" is trash.

Trinity UCC's chickens...are coming home...to roost!

Let us not forget, that a constitutional democracy was abolished in 1933, by a charasmatic, orator with a hate filled agenda. Whom was freely and popularly elected! The agenda of the hate-monger is always peppered with truths!

I cannot believe the american people, black or white could vote for Obama. The american people are not stupid. Obama can say that he doesn't agree with what his pastor says but, if he is being truthful about being a devout christian and has been a member of this church for 20 years there is NO WAY he does not believe in the white racism that this church clearly represents. You do NOT go to a church and be a supporter for 20 years and say you don't agree with it's beliefs. I am really tired of hearing how it is okay for blacks to say these things in public becuse they are so oppressed...PLEASE!! We have National Negro College fund...but no White National College Fund, No Miss WHITE AMerica, and so on... If a white minister preached the same sermon and just changed the races it would become a national event and there would be yet another black holiday! Our country definately is ready for a change but NOT the kind of change Obama represents!!!