Political Punch

Barack Obama is the presidential candidate, not Wright. That is an important distinction to make.

Poster thinks a church that blames whites for HIV has a problem. Did you ever hear of a church (Catholic) that taught its member for hundreds of years that
JEWS CAUSED THE PLAGUE by poisoning the wells.
Obama has the potential to be great.
Lets not blow this election.

I don't understand why so many people want to use Obama's association with Rev. Wright as an excuse to denigrate his candidacy, yet support McCain, who has aligned himself with (after once distancing himself from) white Christian conservatives like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, who blamed 9-11 on feminists, homosexuals and liberals. I don't like what Rev. Wright said any more than I like Robertson, Falwell and their ilk; but I'm even more concerned that so many people can blithely condemn the former and embrace the latter (and, by extension, their political associates) without seeing the double standard.

I thought Obama's speech was amazing, disproving those who call him all rhetoric, no substance. The rhetoric of this speech was off-kilter, in fact -- his delivery was sometimes tepid, the cadences were not as rhythmic as we're used to from him, the applause points were off the mark, and the whole thing was a little bit awkward. As it should be! Have you ever had a discussion about race (in mixed company) that WASN'T awkward, uncomfortable, and a little confused? Race is a tangled issue. My (white) father gives his time, money and respect to the local black church yet doesn't hesitate to use the "n-word" and make racially charged jokes and comments. Do I applaud or condemn him? Both and neither. Race in America is difficult, complicated, messy, and sometimes contradictory. Obama knows that. He also knows that it must be talked about, not with overly simplified binary rhetoric, but with intelligence, empathy and knowledge of all the factors involved.

This is more than politics.

Of all the people to ask for reactions, you ask SHELBY STEELE?!?! Please.

In reading these comments, much like Trinity Church has as it's members the best and worst of society. These remarks truly show just how completely ignorant some people are and just how brilliant others show themselves to be. And to be truthful, some of the brilliant remarks come from people with whom I don't agree with in the least, but at least there's intelligence in their response.

You cannot have a good opinion on things listening to 30-second soundbites of anything, and this doesn't even take into consideration the media spin on which 30-seconds you see!

30-secs do not give you context. Summaries do not always reveal intent or implication. And when I see the Obama writes many of his own speeches and Hilary will pretty much let whatever will help her win spill from her mouth... the contradiction and hypocrisy is really disturbing ... I think I'll be4 more apt to have a greater respect for the man (or woman) who has proven themselves true.

Look, I'd love to see a woman president one day. But NOT THIS TIME. NOT THIS WOMAN.

aj... go to the Trinity United site and buy yourself 5 tapes and listen to them if you want to see if they are really racist, any church that states whites concocted HIV and introduced it into the black comunity for purposes of genicide has a problem.

So I note you put the ultra conservative up first. The one that believes that racism and predjudice does not exist and that the issues facign the black community are the government's fault.

Where is Condoleeza Rice?

It's about Obama, his choices, his contradictions, his race baiting, his false messages, his ripped off speeches, his holier than thou behavior that he and a lot of his supporters share.

What you see is what you get. Okay, I see a lying fake.

to beachnan:

Responding to: "Let's not talk about why I sat in a church for over 20 years, that promoted racisim and hatred."

If you truly believe that any modern, sanctioned church of many believers "only promotes racism and hatred" you are much more ignorant than I thought people could be. Or, you are willfully ignorant, in the hopes that your PERSONAL hate can bring down the rest of us. I have NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER that the majority of the members of that church, and the sermons given by Mr Wright, were good and moral and Christian based. That you think 30 seconds of controversial comments define an entire congregation of God shows how truly sad and hateful you are. Were we all to be judged in such a manner, we should all go to hell.

I am sick and tired of people saying who is Barack Obama......Who do you think he is??....Who does he look like? Soung like?.....I get that all time from white people...telling me they don't know who I am.......My response....what you see is what you get.....what more can I say...the real question is if you know yourself....it is easier to know someone else.....I see that most people are totally lost and confused today.....

It was one of the best speeches I have heard in a very long time! -- Obama spoke to us as if we were adults (to borrow a phrase from both Gergen and Stewart) -- I wondered why I felt a part of it until I heard that phrase. Being a 64 year old white woman, growing up during the JFK, RFK & MLK years, I too, heard racial slurs from within my own family and cringed when I heard them -- in understanding himself; he has had to understand and love that which is of the white community as well as that which is of the black community If Obama had repudiated the man rather than the words, then he would have been the slimey politician he says he is not. If he had done what some pundits say it should have he would have been disloyal to himself. I am glad he took the high road, let the Clintons stay in the gutter!

Okay Obama, it was history's fault, no wait, it was grandma's fault, no wait it was the ministers fault but then again that's history's fault. Oh wait, it is the white people's fault too because they don't get it, so they are defensive about being hated because of their ancestors. Again, history's fault. So let's look at history....Could it possibly be your fault Obama, by choosing minister Wright and his church at the beginning of your political career twenty years ago? Where in the speech did Obama take responsibility for himself? No where. He excused himself and provided rationalizations for the short comings of everyone else around him who was not as enlightened as he. Apparently you can only understand such issues in depth if you are of mixed race. Well, I am mixed race and I understand perfectly that Obama used race and created the renewed racial tensions for the twenty first Century. I know that Wright spoke the way people speak when they vent. A lot of times when we vent about others, the last thing we want is for the other person to hear us, we just want to let off steam. Thanks to Obama's high profile in his quest, the minister has been dragged down and Obama did NOTHING to stop it. He made a speech loaded with excuses in his own defense. He spoke to people as though the issue was a needed history lesson. The the pundits came on saying; "Well, he spoke to us like we are adults." What the hell? He spoke to us about history and excuses in a very impressive way; but he spoke to us like we're idiots. The reason he needed to give the speech was to explain his choice of message to listen to vs. his false campaign message. He is the problem not the solution.

I see that many understand Senator Obama’s position, but there are many that still don’t get it… and really are not trying to understand. Of those who have passed negative judgment on Rev. Wright due to the slant of the media, how many have heard one of his sermons in its entirety? Probably very few. Please seek full understanding of the whole man that Obama describes before you judge him. When you seek this, you will find frustration and anger… not hatred and racism. This man isn’t some angry preacher that has been sitting in a church on the south side of Chicago. He is well respected amongst Christian ministers WORLDWIDE. His ministry has reached all parts of the globe learning of social struggles in places you have never heard of much less been to. These Christians are of all colors. He not only learns their cultures, he speaks their languages, studies their histories, and bridges a connection with us here. Be fair to yourself, him, and Barack Obama. Listen to a whole sermon before you pass judgment.

I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ for many years before Obama’s candidacy brought it to the forefront. I can honestly say, like Barack, Rev. Wright married my wife and me and he baptized my child also. As a Black American who has worked hard as a professional to build a career and support my family, I have experienced much racism that has been nagging obstacles. I have not used racism as a crutch or gone out here looking for racism … racism has knocked on my door and threatened my American Dream that I have worked VERY hard for. Many White Americans couldn’t imagine what I have experienced. Most experiences are common for many Black Americans. It can be subtle micro-insults by Whites daily or larger occurrences such as a realtor attempting to steer you from a community where services and quality of life are the best because they don’t personally want you there. Even with all of this, we continue to pursue the American Dream with a Christian mindset and without hate. If you listen to Rev. Wrights sermons, you will find sometimes that he rants, like the news has shown over and over, but he offers a Christian solution for us coming together and working together. That is the part they conveniently left out. Many of us Black American men seen others leave the home leaving Black American women to raise our children alone. Not to say that it doesn’t happen in other homes, but it is like the plague in the Black community. One of Rev. Wright’s sermons that stays in my head and keeps me strong is describing the role of the father in the home. Many say he is the ‘head’ of the house like a ruler that everyone in the home should serve. Rev. Wright analyzes the Bible on this subject showing how God says that role is more like the ‘point man’ in an army… the one who goes into battle for the family. The one who is willing to face dangers to protect his family. I have shared this concept with many Black men and I can say it helps galvanize the Black family when so many external forces are working to tear it apart. This is one of the MANY teachings of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. This is what Obama speaks of… Different from the critics, I know FIRST HAND.

Lastly, the background on the United Church of Christ Christian denomination; it is primarily White. Trinity is one of the few Black churches within this denomination, and THE largest due to Rev. Wright’s ministries. I have seen many groups of White visitors to this church over the years. Not only White Christians from American churches, but from all over the world! Rev. Wright has traveled the world sharing his respected theology and openly learning the culture of others. If his teachings were as bad as the sound bites indicate, do you think he would have this much support by Whites? When considering Obama’s relationship with Rev. Wright, Americans, this time can we be smarter than the news media and use our intelligence for this important point in this nation’s history? I fully support Obama and his message that we can move beyond race relations that has been our albatross. Let’s move on to other discussions that are more productive and can help us ALL keep food on our tables.

Like Mr. Obama or loath him what i want to know is: Are any of you ready to discuss the issue that has been raised? Whether you owned slaves or not whether "race" is real or not, it exists in today's america and needs to be dealt with and extinguished. We've had a liar in office for the past 8 years and it hasn't seemed to bother anyone, we're in a recession, men and women are dying so that oil companies have made their biggest profits ever, working people cannot afford health insurance, no one can afford to go to college, katrina victims, jena six victims-i can go on and on. There are real issues here, and for the first time in this election one has been raised by a candidate. I would like to see a debate on what the 3 candidates believe can be done to end discriminitation/racism and indicate with proof what they have done in the past. I don't care about what the people in their camps say or do; those people are not running for president.

His speeches sure are pretty. Unfortunately, this country needs substance, not speeches. His speech was about diversion. Let's talk about race. Let's not talk about why I sat in a church for over 20 years, that promoted racisim and hatred. I am getting so tired of the double standard-call other people racist, but don't address the racism in your own pastor. It shows (as well as other things have shown) a real lack of judgement. He really should step down, for the good of the party... the supposed uniter, has really divided this party.

Mara, what are you talking about? You are correct, I don't know you, which is why I did not make a personal attack.

spock: The GD America speech you refer to happened 3+yrs ago. Obama didn't get Secret Service protection until LAST YEAR!!! Please be factual when you post things to try to make a point. He wouldn't have needed SS protection at the time Wright made the comments he made because he wasn't running for POTUS as a black man at that time.

I will refuse to be taunted.
I will refuse to lose a vision of a nation that believes in the Constitution.
I will refuse to listen to your sexist, racist and white supremist skinhead comments.
I've never read such stilted crap in my life as I've read on these forums at this website - you've accomplished one thing as far as I'm concerned - you can have this public forum all to yourselves from now on.
Oh yeah, you can even say "he refused to listen to the truth" - there won't be anyone here to read it. Morons.