Political Punch

Every Catholic needs to email the Archdiocese about Pfleger. I just did, he needs defrocked and excommunicated. The Church's silence is deafening and they wonder why we don't attend Mass anymore. The abuse of children and now this.

The likes of Pfleger have no place in the Catholic religion I grew up knowing.
He needs to be ousted.

I am a life-long Chicagoan, a 50 year old cradle Catholic and father of 5 children. During the last 5 or more years I have been focusing on evangelization and apologetics. I consider myself to be a devout and Orthodox Catholic.

Of all the newspaper articles, web and TV and radio commentaries that I have seen, heard and read, no one has focused on the central issue of Catholic Theology, specifically, the fact that Catholicism teaches that abortion is one of the five non negotiable issues for Catholic voters. Abortion is an intrinsically evil action.

Now the fact that Fr Pfleger, a Catholic priest, endorses a pro-abortion (including partial-birth abortion) candidate is concern in itself. (Also, wasn't Pfleger a prominent member of "Catholics for Obama"?) By endorsing a pro-abortion candidate Pfleger is de facto endorsing the intrinsically evil act of abortion, and any other evil in which Obama may believe.

In my opinion, Pfleger is not in communion with the Catholic Church!

Why has the Church hierarchy allowed this renegade priest to remain in his role as a priest in the Catholic faith? What has happened to the standards of the Church? What is God thinking about His Church and the leadership here in the Chicago area? Why is the Church allowing this "Cafeteria Catholic Priest" to influence and confuse the flock??? Why hasnt the Church hierarchy denounced and renounced Pfleger's anti-Catholic beliefs? It is not relevant to argue that Pfleger is allowed to stay in his position as pastor simply because his parishoners like him. What does matter is Fleger's willingness to conform to the teachings of the Catholic faith, some of which may not be popular in secular society but nonetheless are true. Fr Pfleger's parishoners are being deceived and misled away from the true teachings of the Catholic faith by the mere fact that Pfleger is actively endorsing a Pro-Abortion candidate. How can he or ANY Catholic vote for Clinton OR Obama? Why is the Church NOT standing up for the truth by stating that NO Catholic is allowed to support any candidate for any political office who endorses abortion??

Is it any mystery why so many Catholics are tepid, cafeteria Catholics? Is it any wonder why so many are leaving the Catholic Church???

The actions and comments made my Rev. Pfleger in the past weeks are dispictable. I have grown up Catholic and while the church has not reacted to some wrong doings by the clergy I and still Catholic and feel that this Rev. should no longer be a member of the Catholic church. His comment's and just his general way of "preaching" do not and will never fit in the ways of the Catholic church. He should be fired and never speak as a Catholic priest ever again.

New Pfleger quote from last Sunday: "America is the greatest sin to God."
!!!
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Black liberation theology: All white people are the oppressors and need to be defeated by any means necessary; America is evil, US govt is evil, capitalism is evil, and the middle class are the enemy. Any God that loves white people should be killed. Israel is to be hated because Jews are really not the "chosen people"--blacks are. The USA is the greatest evil and terrorist state of all. Israel must be gone. Palestine must win. The UK only means imperialism and so does the USA.

--The USA should be "destroyed"--Malcolm X.
--"America needs to be burned down."--Farrakhan
--"GD America. US of KKK of A"--Pastor Wright
--"America is the greatest sin against God"-Pfleger
--"America is downright mean."--Michelle Obama

There is obviously a PATTERN of HATE for the USA and Barack Obama should not be anywhere CLOSE to the White House!!!

You throw in Bill Ayers who declared war on America via bombings and terror....

WHY is this being allowed to happen?

____
BTW, Rashid Khalidi / Obama connection was on Hannity's America last night. Khalidi hates Israel and worked for the terrorist organization the Palestinian Liberation Organization and worked for the Palestinian press agency, and he and his wife were spokespeople for Arafat.

To answer the writer's last question ("heard a cleric engage in such disdainful mockery from a pulpit"):

EMPHATICALLY YES!!

Now....the question is, is what he said TRUE????!!!!

Be careful who you wish for..... your wish list is getting VERY VERY s m a l l
and the D N C isn't even democratic!

I will never vote for a man who cannot win even O N E election honestly!!

paul | May 31, 2008 10:13:33 PM:

Good, thoughtful post!

Thank you.

Ok I have read all these comments. Most are exactly what I hoped for. I have been reading so many comments from other sections political punch..those have scared me. As most of you I agree. RED FLAGS are a flyin over Obama. Since most of you said the same thing about being around and involved for 20 years and must have the same beliefs.
SO I will move on to this. THere was a nation once, that was stricken with hard times. THe people wanted a change and wanted to believe in something better. As this man spoke he captivated his audiance. The promise of a new life. A new more powerful nation. One that would give hope and make all proud once again. People put faith in this speaker. They wanted to believe in his words of hope. They wanted to feel good about not only themselves but their country. He inspired so many. In time he was their leader. The changes came, people found themselves feeling proud, believing in honor and living with a new sense of pride. With each passing year the changes came. Soon people became not only ignorant, but became arrogant, and the feeling of superior to others overwhelmed them. Lets not forget what this lead to. The death of millions. A nation so evil and brutal to their fellow man that it is unforgivable what took place in their promis of change. It took a world war to end this mans promis of change and hope for a new stronger country. Lets not be blind as the people of this country was. LEts not let our tuff economy, our struggling lives mis lead us into believing a capaign sloggin about change, about hope. Lets really open our eyes and see him for what he really is. A wolf in sheeps clothing.
As far as the priest....I am sorry that the catholic stance was so little. Im ashamed that they allow him to wear uniform of a man of god. God does not judge people by color. Nor does or did he ever teach about hate. I hope that the church will re think its stance on him and removed this man. FOr surly he is a man of god,only a man of racist beliefs. God warned us of pretenders of the cloth.
I hope that more and more people will look at Obama's friends. Lets look at his raising and his 20 years of faithful service in a church that preaches seperation and hate. Lets remember those who served to protect this country 65 years ago. Lets not allow this country to be ashamed of our future and have to live with regret. We have the power to correct this error in judgement prior to knowing who Obama really is now. Lets send his church and his followers a message that we will not be a bunch of puppets to be lead with fancy speaches.

The Catholic Church is used to give a "slap in the wrist" to priests who deviate. It is time for Cardinal George to 'act' instead of just accepting "a promise not to do it again."
As I browsed all the above comments, it is sad to read how much division this priest has promoted and reinforced. Jesus's disciples are supposed to bring unity, peace and harmony.

Obama has now resigned from his church. Sadly, it appears that it's views and feelings were acceptable for so many years, but is tossed aside when it may stand in the way of his rise to power.

There is much truth in what Father Pfleger says; too bad he seems not troubled by Obama's support of abortion.

It is the job of the Cardinal to keep his ducks in line. One has to wonder how a priest who has been arrested "dozens of times" and who speaks so disgracefully from the pulpit can be allowed to continue. Cardinal Francis George needs a kick in the seat of the pants from the Vatican if necessary to make him do his job and send this guy to his room. Right now I'd have to say that Pfleger is not just an embarassment, but a real turnoff to Christ loving Catholics.

What does the Pope have to say about this?

Obama pretend to be a sweet, nice and clean guy. This guy is tricky, he used his supporters to say bad things about his opponents, McCain or Clinton.

The company someone chooses to keep is a measure of the person. It has been reported by Lynn Sweet of the Chicago SunTimes that Senator Obama has known the priest for years and was considered a friend by Obama. In addition, he was affiliated with Obama's campaign as an advisor until a few weeks ago.

This calls into question at least 3 important issues: Senator Obama's judgment; whether Senator Obama agrees with the views of those he has chosen to include in his campaign; and whether this further calls into question Senator Obama's electability.

Since Obama cannot say negative things about Hillary, bho uses his supporters to do it, like rev.wright and father pfleger. And then pretend denounced them......This guy is tricky.

My big question is this: How many who voted for Obama prior to the proliferation of the Rev. Wright video wish for their vote back? How many would've voted for Hillary instead? What if Obama finds that Penn, WV and KY weren't a fluke - the hard way?

Fed up in Washington,

I asked a simple question I havent insulted you, your nation or your leaders.

"Obama is promising change and failing mightily, just as your newest leader has done."

Our PM Kevin Rudd is doing a great job he has an aproval raiting of 72% so I fail to see how he is failing ?

I guess what I will take from you is that you dont have an answer for the question. Because I have already seen In the newspapers here that he is not a staff member he is a long time friend and was part of Obama's spirtual outreach group.

I understand that how and what he said wasnt the best but Hillary did the same thing to Obama with that speech mocking Barack "Celestial Choirs" will sing and so on.. he will wave a magic wound and so on. There is no way Obama would aprove of what this man said besides being wrong it isnt helpful to Obama.

Or do you think Obama put him up to it ?

If you did for what gain?

Dear Aussie:

This priest is an unpaid staff member on Obama's campaign. THAT's what's wrong with it. Andit is unmitigated racism, sexism, ageism, and arrogance. Those of us who have been on the front lines advancing minority causes all our lives don't appreciate being treated with such disdain. I recognize that Obama can win without us, and I'm sure he can. The fact that it is so calculated makes it even worse.

Besides, Obama is promising change and failing mightily, just as your newest leader has done. The phoniness and discrimination are the issues here.

Ridiculing anyone at all, for whatever reason, is cruel. Why should anyone be ridiculed? I find the laughter in the audience extremely disturbing. Is that what we can expect in an Obama presidency?

I was raised Catholic and seen priests come and go through out the years, NOT once did I ever hear a sermon so disgraceful or dark politic rhetoric. No wonder women cannot be priests, no wonder a few phedophiles sneak through the religion cracks, abortions, priests cannot marry...Priests too busy butting into primary election campaigns. Pfleger reeks with disappointment; he should be tarred and feathered and flogged. Obama, BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER!

To Greg in Seattle:

To answer your question, yes - these things drip, drip, drippig out are causing me to examine my choices carefully. As someone who has pulled the lever for a democrat in every single election since 1980, I initially supported John Edwards and then switched to Hillary when he dropped out. I have resigned myself to Obama being the democratic candidate and thought I could vote for him, but now I'm not so sure.

I have been reading everything I can on Obama's background, starting with his first run for the Illinois Senate. Truthfully, what I am seeing is not something I like. He was able to run unopposed in his first primary by challanging the qualifying petitions of his competitors by employing an army of lawyers and volunteers to question each signature on the petition. If that didn't work, they questioned who had circulated the petitions. Hardball politics, to say the very least.

Looking at his background in Chicago, he also certainly has a number of friends, acquaintences and supporters with somewhat unsavory histories - Rezko, Ayres, Dorhn, Pfleger, etc. Much of the legislation he was credited with pushing through the Illinois Senate was given to him by the leader of that chamber, a close personal friend of Rev. Wright, much to the chagrin and anger of his collegues in the Senate.

I am also very uncomfortable with his membership in Trinity. After reading as much as possible about that particular church and its teachings, I do not consider it a "mainstream" church. The church is "unrepentedly" Afro-centric and follows Black Liberation theology, which says whites are oppressors and are essentially the Anti-Christ. He can disavow and distance himself as much as wants, but twenty years of membership seems to indicate something about his true feelings and mind set. When you don't agree with the tenor of your church, you leave. It's as simple as that. I left my church when I disagreed with what I thought was a political stance it had taken concerning gay marriage during the 2004 election. It wasn't easy, but it was the principle and it was the right thing to do. I haven't been back since then.

I now find myself in a quandry. I just do not think I can vote for Obama, nor do I think I can bring myself to vote for John McCain. I will be left with only two choices - stay home in November or write in Hillary Clinton's name. My choices are disappointing, to say the least.

It is true that the company you keep says something about you. It is even worse, as someone noted here, that the UCC congregation cheered the priest.

And this idea that anyone who does not support Obama is automatically a racist is absolute nonsense. I'm tired of hearing that from Obama supporters.

It should also be noted that if Catholics followed the church's doctrines, there would be a heck of a lot more of them - so even though priests might have supported Kennedy, I wouldn't give that much credence.

As a former UCC member, I'm sorry to say I'm not surprised by anything happening in Trinity UCC. I left because not only were they self-righteous, they were arrogant about it, my favorite example being a minister who announced at communion that "unlike other churches, we welcome anyone who calls himself a Christian."

The new Trinity minister is every bit as bad as the Rev. Wright.

Is there anyone who is not black that the members of that church will not attack and cheer? If that is not racism, sexism, and ageism, I don't know what is.

I guess the time has come, or will come after he has had about 5 days to think about it, for Obama to make another big tele-prompter speech. He can again tell us how it is all white America's fault.

And how we need a national dialogue on why we ever question anything about his life, or his associations. It is all our fault because we are just not sophisticated enough to understand.

Then he can assure us again that he didn't know Wright, Pfleger, or even wonderful ol' Louis F, hated white people, . That they never in 20 years discussed race or politics.

Point out again that the only racist person in his life that he has ever been aware of was his white grandmother.

That he didn't know Ayers liked to blow stuff up.

Or that Tony liked to own people using terrorist money.

Nor the fact that Michelle had never in her life been proud or happy as an American.

Etc., Etc., Etc.

HeHeHe, we are witnessing the greatest implosion of the Democratic Party sine 69. The battles between the left wing loons and the moderates in the party are just ripping it apart.

I just love the fact that BO supporters claim voting for McCain will be 4 more years of Bush because of their similar political association, but claim we should just ignore BO’s association with race baiters and America haters. Now that’s what I call talking out of 2 sides of your mouth, what a joke. If half of your friends are drug addicts or pedophiles, I would say it’s a safe bet you’re of the same class or at least condone such behavior.

It’s the moderates and independents that are going to determine the GE, and if BO gets the nod it’s going to be a blood bath in the GOP favor. I for one hope that is the outcome, I’m sick of paying higher taxes for a larger bureaucratic federal government.

This man cannot be a Catholic priest. No true Catholic would even consider supporting Obama. Obama's record is in consistent and deep contrast to the ideals, dogma, and mandates of the Catholic church. If Obama were Catholic, he would be excommunicated, as should this nutjob of a priest. The real Catholic's choice (only choice): McCain.

We all have our opinions but the truth is you ARE judged by the company you keep. And the pattern that is emerging is that the company that Senator Obama keeps is extremely unsavory. I'm sure the Democratic Party would like all of these characters to go away and for all of us to forget what we've seen and heard. I'm also sure the Republican Party, after the nomination is set in stone, will use this to their full advantage. And so they should. These associations are not only distasteful but extremely dangerous for this country.

In 1976 when I was an insignificant graduate student at the University of Illinois, the most charged and prolific word of my two and one half years spent there was -- CHANGE! Even then, before Jimmy Carter, before Ronald Reagan, before George Bush or Bill Clinton, the goal was CHANGE! How significant is it that movement from one ideology to ANY other is more important than the resultant effect achieved by any ideology propounded by a national political movement? Isn't it more about change than any concrete plan, program or policy? Leftists, many in our Church, can't see the forest for the trees! We suffer useful idiots like Michael Pfleger! Those welcoming and accepting national benefits applaud his antics, while practical, pragmatic Catholics turn their backs on his insufferable dogma because it offends our historic sensibilities and our heritage of reasonable, community humanistics. Self-sufficiency, idealistic pragmatism and independence will win the day every time. Pfleger shall not deter our faith or offset our magnanimous intent without our protest. If the Archdiocese cannot or will not curtail Pfleger's words or deeds, then they, too should suffer the wrath of the congregation. How ignorant they are!

Thank you, america for all. I didn't know that information about Annie Oakley.

Like you, I've also spent my adult life trying to level the playing field. I didn't expect thanks, but I did expect respect. But apparently that doesn't matter any more, so long as Obama gets what he wants.

Too little, too late, Your Eminence! Pfleger has chased thousands of otherwise faithful from the Church over the recent years. He is a wanton and reckless catalyst. It is long past time he was truly and severely censured and chastised by your office! It is a shame that this episode occurred before I sent you my most honest and reserved considerations concerning Michael Pfleger. He is recognized far and wide as a self-promoting, egregious sycophant, not an advocate for anyone. Reign him in or suffer the consequences! The Church suffers every time he shows his face!

"As someone of faith" - real journalistic integrity, Tapper. What an annoying disclosure.

Father Pfleger, was given a slap on the wrist. He should have had discipline proceedings brought against him.

At least the Catholic Church Addressed it far better than Obama did.

His Friend and his religious family applauding and cheering that on, in his own church. He brushed it off, shows he is accustom to that as a routine matter there.

I can't hold this to Obama's charge.

I hope others don't as well.

TUCC the Santa Clause to the GOP Christmas tree.

I think i could have gone the rest of my life and not heard any of the sermons from tucc.
If there is anything i hold against obama for this is his being on the national scene, has brought these character on the national scene.
he should have taken care of this before he decided to run for president.
unless he really didn't find anything wrong with what is being preached there.

I thought churches could lost tax exemption if they did things such as what we have seen out of tucc.

just a question,

is there anyone else out there like me
thinking, if obama heard nothing but sermons about the love of god and peace, love for fellowman, etc,
where are thoses sermons?
if this is a church where obama says he
"found christ"- when do they ever talk of him?

i wonder if obama has been back to church?

i am glad the church reprimanded the father.

Please...it is so important that you think! It was the reaction of the congregation that is disturbing and they have been in Barrack's camp for some time. To clap for these religious leaders is to support racism. I am both disgusted and scared.

Still after 24hours the only portion of the tape that appears on NBC and ABC is just the mocking Hillary part, which a lot of people will agree with, laugh and move on. Rewind the tape to the beginning (watch the whole 3:45 minutes on you tube as now 260,000 have done) and you will see the rant isn't just about Hillary. To paraphrase the priest: ALL you white people need to give up your entitlements (earned money, 401 plans, even the good jobs you were handed for no reason other than being white) if you ever expect to wash the sin of your ancestors from yourself. You are guilty by association for no other reason than your color.

That is the real message here, and the one that should cause pause.

Obama should be shunned.
And his racist, criminal friends.

What I found distasteful about Rv. Pfleger remarks.
That if a woman is white she is entitled and only black people are oppressed. It all about skin color and not at all about sex.

If that was true there would have been a woman president already.

Qualfied women have run Gerraldine Ferraro was a VP and I remember that in a cold war age it was supposed she couldn't pull the trigger for a nuke because she was a woman or she would pull the trigger for a nuclear bomb because she had her period. That was 20 years ago.

I agree there has been oppression but skin color is not only oppression that has happened.

I was taught “birds of a feather flock together” and “one bad apple makes the whole barrel bad”. We are all judged by who we have as friends. People that do drugs hang together, drinkers hang together, racists hang together, conservatives hang together. It is human nature to seek out those who think and behave as you do. Barry Hussain Obama is a racist and thinks the church he attends.

Barack Obama is a guy formed in the crucible of the hate that is Trinity and, just like Wright, suggests that he wants to end the divisiveness.

I’m not buying it.

Does Obama know a single person from Chicago who isn't a racist nutter or criminal? If he does, now is the time to dig him up.

You cannot spend 20 yrs in this type of environment and not feel the same way. Any sensible decent person would have literally sprinted away from this church the first time they heard anything like this. Barack, no doubt, heard this type of thing on a regular basis for 2 full decades. Why deny his inner hate-filled racism?

I’d go as far as to say anyone who attends this church is not only a racist at heart, but more importantly- dangerous. If this man is elected leader of the free world, we are all screwed, and I don’t believe that to be hyperbole.

When you read all the posts you can see a HUGE RACIAL DIVIDE beginning in our nation. Obama is the wrong "black" man for this job. Please will another black man step up as there are thousands of you more qualified with less repulsive baggage. I would vote for any person, black, white, red, even green if I felt he or she would do an excellent job for our country. OBAMA is so heavily flawed but a "must" be candidate or there will be a revolution is just crazy and insane for the greatest nation in the world.

Fr. Pfleger didn't know what he was saying is what the Democrats are saying. He apologized so let it go! The Priest should not be participating in sermons if he doesn't know what he is saying. When I viewed the sermon you can see this was not a confused man, he was direct and obnoxious to all white Americans and he really didn't care. Obama said "he was disappointed" nothing more. Obama keeps company with all of these misfits and they are all coming to the White House with him.

I see remarks that are blaming Obama for these outlandish and offensive remarks. I also hear a great deal of hate in your remarks. Bigotry accelerated anonymously. J. Wright's comments were not political in the same sense as FATHER Pfleger's. And they were understandable from the view of black history. However, I beg to differ with the Cardinal. The Catholic church has electioneered forever. They did for JFK in a huge way and they did in 2004 when the Pope even pronounced against Kerry. I would have felt better if at the end of his remarks this esteemed Cardinal would have APOLOGIZED to Trinity for the offensive remarks, then to HRC, then to Obama and then to the UCC. Take his maverick and put him ON a bus. Pfleger was a guest in that church and he had the audacity to make a worse situation out of an already hurting one. But it surely is working for the bigots, racists and the right wingnuts, isnt' it? So he was not campaigning for Obama folks, he was campaigning against him. The UCC knows the difference between church and state and they know the rules. And they do have a new pastor. Otis Moss...It is a sad day in Chicago.

Phil, I don't have friends and mentors who make inappropriate remarks. People who do so aren't on my same wavelength, and I avoid them like the plague.

But nice try with a page from Obama's book. Remember how he got caught with the racist Rev. Wright and then turned around and gave the rest of us a lecture on race? In other words, "we're all guilty". No we're not and we'll send that message loud and clear to Obama and his flock in November.

TUCC pushes racial hatred because it shakes the money tree; just read how the congregation grew from hundreds to 8,000 under Rev. Wright. That church is a disgusting feeding frenzy of hatred. Obama not only went there for 20 years, he took his children too. No one who disagreed with the sermons would have exposed their children to them.

So-called activists like Wright and Pfleger used to be referred to as FIFTH COLLUMN or an AGENT in PLACE.With associates like these, how can Obama continue to insult our intelligence with assurances that their views are their own and not shared ?

I have the greatest respect for Pope Benedict - and I am not a Catholic. Men like Pfleger reduce the Catholic church to a pub where any and all discourse is acceptable and there are no spiritual, moral or religious limits. Men like Pfleger do not deserve a position in the priesthood and he should be removed.

Right on Operation Chaos..... This is the MOST fun I've ever had in an election cycle.....
Go RUSH!

I really wish the church would just ex-communicate pastors like him. There is no place for race hustlers like him nor fear mongering in the church. He has no business endorsing any candidate.

Rev. Pfleger is a disgrace to his church. He is also an example of the type of people who support Obama and attempt to vilify Hillary Clinton. Rev.Pfleger is one of the reasons Hillary must not quit the Presidential primary.

Obama, Wright, & Pfleger are all racists.

I will not vote for Obama if he is the last democrat on earth.

Hillary or McCain for me in November.

(Hillary can re-run in 2012 if Obama loses the general election)

Chicago Catholics have long known that Pfleger is more about the politics than he is about the faith.

I don't care one way or the other who he is for in the election, but if my parish priest ever acted like that I'd find a new parish pdq.

WHO Obama has associated with in the past and in the present is VERY important information for the General Electorate and the Super Delegates to weigh when considering their final choice. As Obama's VP, Cabinet, and future nominations may indeed come from this circle of associates, it provides possible insight into what kind of a team he will create to lead our nation.

I ask you, does it look like a team of "Uniters", fighting for the common good of ALL Americans and citizens of the world? Are his associates reflective of "change" that brings peace, prosperity, security, and tolerance to the world?

Defrock Pfleger. He's a nut and he's an embarrassment. His acts go directly contrary to what Christ is all about. He diminishes the Catholic Church. If he wants to be a self ordained minister, then that's about all he is good for. But he is a stain on Catholicism.

I don't know about anybody else, but when I watched the Pfleger video it scared me. What scared me was the thought that an Obama presidency would give entre into the White House to these sorts of "burn baby burn" radicals.

Obama seems to have associated with a lot of people who are so far out of the mainstream that they have no vested interest in the status quo. These are the kinds of far far left radicals that would be willing to destroy the fabric of American culture, because they are not part of American culture.

These are revolutionaries.

I do not think that America is at the point where we need a cultural revolution to solve our problems; but maybe Obama and his comrades believe we do.

I keep reading on the internet how the Obama campaign is trying to move beyond this issue by dismissing it with words, usually from staffers telling us the story has been addressed and is now behind us. Why is it that some folks, left and right (and I am very, very far to the left), feel that they can dictate when an issue is closed and "we" are "ready for the next question"? The nice thing about living in a country with free speech is you can show your true colors and say what you want, as much as you want. It is not up to the Obama campaign, or anyone else, to decide when it is time for "us" to move on from this issue. I think it is a significant one, so I will think and talk about it whenever and wherever I want. And if I can get a comment posted online, even better. I am always uncomfortable (even in my own leftist circles, especially after a bottle of wine) when someone tries to end a discussion with something brilliantly spoken and then concludes that anyone who dares disagree is either Satan (if you are right wing and the pompous intellect is a right-wing friend), or a clan member (visa versa - left-wing). I was never crazy about the lack of information about Obama, and now I keep seeing associations that make me uncomfortable. I think having an opinion about someone based on the company they keep is valid - especially with politicians who try so hard to cover themselves. You can disagree, of course, but thank goodness I can still choose to take or leave what others have to say based on my own common sense...and oh, yeah...I still get to vote in the end. I could have been for Obama in the end, but this latest "friend" question is the last straw for me, and that WILL be the last question for me if the Obama staffers even care to know (they seem to be acting out a script from a TV show I and a lot of other people are not cast in, so, ummm, have fun ,with that you guys -- the rest of us are over here when you get tired of talking). And while I can't bring myself to vote Republican, I can still vote for Mickey Mouse, at least until a video surfaces with Donald Duck performing a black mass and waving a Confederate flag. Then, I might go ahead and consider the Libertarians.

If he wasn't running for President I wouldn't care a fig where he goes to church or what kind of radicals he lays down with....JUST KEEP HIM THE HELL AWAY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE!

Well I guess this Pfleger will have to be locked in the closet with Wright, Farrakhan, Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, angry Michelle too. They've all been tied up until after November....but too little too late. We "whiteys" know hatred and support of that hatred at Trinity, and WE WILL NEVER VOTE OBAMA!!!!! Some kinda "change" and "unity"....WHERE WAS HIS JUDGEMENT 20 YEARS AGO WHEN CHOOSING A CHURCH? DIDN'T HE KNOW HE WANTED TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT THEN AND THIS WOULD NEVER FLY WITH AMERICANS?

Our media is promoting fear and making a mockery of our First Amendment. When the media creates an atmosphere where politicians must be afraid to listen and pastors must be afraid to speak and everyone fears being persecuted because of what others they know might have said, it's beyond tragic. We should ALL be afraid of what our society is becoming. Who DOESN'T have friends and mentors who have made inappropriate or offensive comments? Not McCain, not Obama and certainly not the Clintons. There's political correctness, and there's madness. Herein, my friends, lies the path to madness.

What do they put in the kool aid at Obama's weirdo church anyway?

Says a lot about Obama that he is a member there. They are worse than Falwell ever was.

Food & Mack, everything is relative. You are attacking Obama as if his pluses and minuses are all that matter. Why is that? Do you really not know any negatives for Clinton or McCain? Or is it that you don't care about their negatives?

It doesn't have anything to do with Hillary. Just Obama and his poor judgment.

So are the mayor (an honorable mayor) the Conroys and the Rogers bad people too. This tell you, or should, that many of the powerful people in Chicago support this. Why are you attacking Obama. Tell me why you prefer HRC, the most devisive and reviled person in the senate who has not passed into law any major bill with her name on it.

If I was a candidate running for President, then yes I would be afraid of being seen in or linked to a church that preaches hate. I'm sure there are plenty of good churches in Chicago.

Rev Wright and Guilt by association controversy or not...I cannot think of a single good reason to vote for obama.

For those of you who forgot, or do not know the First Amendment of the US Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The New McCarthyism today is creating an atmosphere where politicians will never set foot in ANY church, and average citizens should be afraid to congregate and religious leaders will fear speaking out on any worldly issues that matter. Congress need not pass a law abridging our freedoms because the cowardly Mass Media is abridging it for us. These are dark times, my friends...

I am only surprised that Senator Obama, who was a Professor of Constitutional Law, has not reminded us not just of our higher selves.

Geevill--I don't know, couldn't find any info on that, but you are correct, it was scrubbed. I'll keep digging.

By the way, the St Sabina site is back up.

If you google this: st sabina raise the roof, pick the first item on the list to see the letter with Axelrod's name on it. Scrolls down a little bit to this: Raising the Roof for Saint Sabina Letter, and you can view the letter online.

aqua, from what I understand Wright covered a variety of topics in his sermons, often having nothing to do with race. Is it your view that if a minister preaches a controversial sermon that everyone who doesn't agree with it is obligated to quit going?

Remember Jerry Falwell just 2 years ago on TV leading his flock to pray for the death of two supreme court justices so Bush could appoint conservative judges and change the court. Why is this idiot getting a tax break?

"But it was HILLARY'S own words. SHE said it!

These are not Obama's word. They belong to someone else. There is a difference.

Quit trying to impose everything anyone says as Obama's point of view."

Janet...Obama has no track record at all...he has been a senator for 3 years and 2 of those years have been campaigning. he heads the committee for the afghanistan war and has never had a hearing. He keeps spouting hope and change but that hope and change is a larger government which will not work. He asks us to judge him based on his judgment...but his judgment has been to stay at a hate filled church for the past 20 years and everytime his wife opens her mouth it shows hate and intolerance. I for one am sick of him and he would not make a good president let alone a good senator.

He didn't make the comments although he continues to donate and support TUCC, which in turn provides a platform for these hate sermons. If you don't give them money, they dry up and go away.

This isn't the first time Pfleger has acted inappropriately. He should be fired immediately! And how is it that the IRS hasn't yet revoked the tax exempt status of Trinity Church when time and time again they have expressly endorsed one candidate over another (which is illegal for those of you that don't know).

Peter S. It is just not black churches. What about Reverend Hagee? How about hundreds of southern conservative "churches" that are actively engaged in politics?