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I am a registered independent, and very middle of the road when it comes to politics. I am repulsed by extremists on either side. Lately I find it very disturbing when I hear some people claiming that the Rev Wright controversy shouldn't be an issue, or is just a distraction from the "real issues". The fact that a major candidate for president is so obviously comfortable with racism is a very real issue. It would be different if Obama went to Wright's church once or twice, was turned off by what he heard and never went back, but that's not what happened. Now he asks us to believe that in 20 years he never heard Wright say anything looney or racist. Then we're also supposed to believe that he willingly listened to Wright's rants, had him perform his wedding ceremony and baptize his children, but doesn't share any of Wright's views. I think Wright's National Press Club speech showed us that the little sound bytes that have been all over the cable news networks really do some up his thinking, so I don't think the old "out of context" argument holds water anymore. There are countless other churches Obama could have gone to instead if he was in any way offended by Wright's obvious racism and hate, but he didn't leave until he decided to run for president. He stayed and listened for 20 long years. If Hillary went to David Duke rallies for the past 20 years but asked us to believe that she harbored no racist feelings herself, would that fly? I can see the eyebrows raising when I make the comparison to Duke, but really, what's the difference? To say that the Wright issue doesn't matter is to say that some kinds of racism are ok. I have a big problem with that idea. Racism breeds more racism, so we'll never be rid of it until we condemn all forms of it equally.

Reader Comments
  
Re: Oh Lord
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:19 am EDT
Time to wake up from that yawn.
Re: Oh Lord
By VTDem May 16th 2008 at 11:29 am EDT
What about Hagee, where's the outrage there?
  
.
By annie b (mcliberal) May 16th 2008 at 11:20 am EDT
i heartily agree. it is a MAJOR issue for me.
Re: .
By Michelle K. May 16th 2008 at 11:24 am EDT
I agree, too.
  
As an Obama supporter
By Karstar May 16th 2008 at 11:28 am EDT
I don't want to turn a deaf ear - because obviously its a problem for a lot of people.

Rev. Wright is not your everyday - I wake up and hate hate hate White people person. His agenda is outdated for this time. As a Black person I know where it came from and its something we should talk about openly.

My first statement is that its wrong and we need to get past it.

My second satement is that as a Black man I assumed that Whites heard similar statements. Maybe not in Church but certainly in every day life. I guess the - we are clean and you are dirty thing really bothers me.

I'm dirty - but I assumed you were too. If not - then why do we still have data that shows high levels of discrimination in society?

My third statement is this - if we are both dirty - and both honest - we can move past it. If you ask me - and Black America to admit our faults but you do not - we are no better and certainly worse.

Thanks.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:33 am EDT
Thanks Kar--our hands are not clean. For some people to think otherwise is just despicable.

Even though I am a third-gen American and my family is in know way connected to either the Klan or the cotton fields of yesteryear, I am a white man in America. It is these white men and woman who claim to be so pure that pisses me off. I cant even comment properly right now as my head is friggin' spinning from the thought of these white women trashing Obama because they think they are so much better than your everyday American. Ill PM you later Karstar.


Thanks you again.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Karstar May 16th 2008 at 12:04 pm EDT
Thank you -
Re: As an Obama supporter
By VTDem May 16th 2008 at 11:33 am EDT
It's funny how this bothers people but Jerry Falwell and Rev Hagee get a pass and they said much worse things!

Link
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:37 am EDT
Thats exactly what pisses me off. 50 bucks says behind closed doors the few ass clowns who refuse to drop the Reverend crap are racist. Im sure they think to themselves--"I just cant vote for a black person"

GRRRRR.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:39 am EDT
No, I just can't vote for a closet racist, no matter what color they are. So you're saying that having a problem with black racism automatically makes you racist? Wow.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:40 am EDT
Who said he is a closet racist besides you?! Where is your proof?
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:42 am EDT
The proof is Wright's press club speech, which showed the world who he really is, and the fact that Obama willingly sat and listened to his hate for 20 years.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:46 am EDT
You honestly think that Reverend Wright gave sermons like the 3 we get looped in our faces every Sunday?!

Come on man--get a clue! You werent there and neither was I. Ill put the 50 bucks that I won from the closet racist white people bet and double down on the fact that Reverend Wright gave 10 times as many uplifting, God-inspiring sermons than the hateful ones you refuse to set aside.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:49 am EDT
Did you even see the press club speech? The out of context thing just doesn't hold up anymore.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:53 am EDT
I did. First you say that Obama is the closet racist and them its the Rev.


Your like a purposely confusing spam-bot from the RNC.

Could you make a clear statement already so I know what I am debating?
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 12:00 pm EDT
Who would sit and listen to 20 years of ANYTHING, if they really disagreed with it so strongly? Clear enough?
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 12:05 pm EDT
Like I said---because he wasnt spewing that garbage 24/7. Even after I found out my money was going to lawyers to protect pedophile priest--I didnt stop going to the church. I didnt stop believing. I didnt stop thinking that MY church was ok.

Its called faith. I have it. Obama has it. We both had some fucked up pastors. (yes--mine from GB was one of the many who was prosecuted for touching little boys in a manner that is more than inappropriate)

We still believe in the fundamentals of our respective churches. I have heard my pastor say some shit about gay people that made me want to punch him in his face. But I didnt. I came back next week only to hear a sermon that made my faith a little bit stronger. Gave me a little more hope.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:37 am EDT
Falwell and Hagee are Jackasses too, but that doen't in any way excuse Wright and Obama. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:40 am EDT
No it doesnt. Aside from actually slapping Wright in the face--what more do you want from Barack.


Jeez Louise--everything Obama does is a catch-22 for you guys. Damned if does--damned if doesn't...
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:35 am EDT
I'm not saying it's not out there on oth sides. I'm just saying I don't want it anywhere near the oval office.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:38 am EDT
He as already said "maybe I will call him. but not for a long time."


The Reverend will NOT be any where near 1600. I guarantee you that.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:40 am EDT
True, but the hate and racism that Obama willingly absorbed for 20 years would be.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:43 am EDT
I have absorbed 20 years of Catholic non-sense.


Im still an avid pro-choice supporter. I am still and avid gay-rights supporter. I am still not a damn Republican.


One can listen to the Gospel preached and decide for themselves which parts to apply to their lives and which parts to oppose. To think that Obama would have added the hateful things you speak of to his mind-set is just plain wrong.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:48 am EDT
Ok, then try this analogy: Would you have any trouble believing that an avid, 20 year follower of Jerry Falwell didn't harbor any ill will towards gay people? I would. You are seeing exactly what you want to see and ignoring the things you don't.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:54 am EDT
And thats probably what Obama did. Ignored the bullshit sermons and took in the uplifting ones.
  
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:50 am EDT
I never heard of that.
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Kryptonite May 16th 2008 at 11:56 am EDT
Because you see what you want to see and none of what you dont.


Link
Re: As an Obama supporter
By Democrat in New Orleans, LA May 16th 2008 at 11:58 am EDT
Back at you.
  
Before this election
By Karstar May 16th 2008 at 12:14 pm EDT
Rev Wright was universally praised. That's why the Clinton's invited him to the White House.

Anyway -

We all have choices to make - many aren't easy. As a Black man with 2 daughters and wealth Obama's African American circles are few. He choose to go to an all Black Church for a lot of reasons.
I don't know - how to say this - without it sounding naive -
If you have daughters that can go anywhere that money can take them but want them to be exposed to their culture also - how do you do this without exposing them to Black racism.
I'm three years older than Obama - I have never been to a Black Church that didn't make similar statements from time to time.
I am willing to admit -because its the truth. But if you think that's the Black church you are wrong its not. It's a very very small part that we need to get out.

It is important that the Obama girls get to see people who look - talk - and act like them in positions of power. It's important that their ideal of beauty has balance. It's important that they see nothing wrong with Black people loving each other - and nothing wrong with Black people loving others. That church has a variety of members - it's not all Black - and certainly not all hatred.

Obama made the choice to stay there for many reasons. He should have denouced those aspects of racism in the church long ago - but you'd be amazed at the amount of power a pastor has.

Anyway - this has been more honesty by me to help the problem.
Please don't push it away - and please be willing to open up and say what we know is the truth. Whites still have racism too.