"The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a 3 strikes law and then wants us to sing God Bless America... No, no, no! Not God Bless America, God Damn America! That's in the Bible." - Barack Obama's former Pastor and long-time spiritual advisor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright on white oppression in America.
There's an old saying: "If you lie down with dogs, you're gonna get fleas."
And presidential hopeful Barack Obama is evidently beginning to scratch. The mainstream media is finally beginning to do their job, subjecting his background to a minimum level of scrutiny. What was uncovered last week was ugly. It raises serious questions about Obama's beliefs, his judgment, his background and his ability to unite a polarized country to bring about the change he so vigorously champions.
Late last week, a Fox News investigation uncovered footage of a series of previously recorded sermons containing racist, hate-filled diatribes delivered over the years by Barack Obama's former pastor and long-time spiritual advisor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright to his congregation at Trinity United Church of Christ. The clips were originally released as part of a "Best of..." DVD box set.
Some of the more outlandish assertions by the Reverend Wright:
The US government was responsible for the crack cocaine epidemic
The US government was responsible for the the AIDS epidemic
The US government was responsible for 9/11
There is no difference between the US government and al Qaeda
The USA is really the US of KKKA.
After listening to various statements by the Reverend, I submit to you that it is he who sounds more like the terrorist. When I heard him condemn my country, the only difference between him and a Muslim Imam preaching for our destruction was that there were no actual calls to violence. But the tone of his condemnation of the United States was virtually the same. And, as the reverend was delivering his sermons of hate and disparaging this country with cuckoo conspiracies, members of his congregation could be seen and heard in every clip laughing, cheering and clapping.
On Friday, Obama originally stopped short of denouncing Wright; minimizing the remarks and simply saying he didn't agree with them. When that failed to assuage his critics, he was forced to issue a firm denunciation of Wright's comments to try and blunt the criticism ahead of the Sunday talk show circuit. He also stated that Wright was no longer an advisor to his campaign. Obama's response simply doesn't pass the smell test. What he told America simply isn't logical.
Obama has been a member of the church at the center of the controversy for 20 years. He was married by Wright, who also baptized his daughters. They are long-time friends. Obama claims that he never heard that particular sermon and never heard Wright say anything inflammatory. But the fact is, Wright's comments were made public last year and Obama was aware of Wright's views, because Obama dis-invited Wright from speaking at his February 2007 presidential announcement based on the very same kind of incendiary remarks.
In the past, Obama has also appeared before Jewish voters where he was asked about Wright, whom he likened to an old uncle he sometimes disagrees with. But Obama is not telling the whole story. Besides "borrowing" significant portions of a speech from his friend Deval Patrick, he also "borrowed" the title of his book. "The Audacity of Hope" from a Wright sermon. In January of 2007, Obama was quoted in the Washington Post as saying about Wright: "He's much more of a sounding board for me to make sure that I am speaking as truthfully about what I believe as possible."
To accept Barack Obama's explanation that he never heard anything inflammatory in Wright's preachings, despite 20 years as a member of his church, would require --as Hillary Clinton once noted-- the willing suspension of disbelief. It is quite obvious that Wright has had a tremendous influence on Obama over the years.
Over and over Obama claims that he is different; that he has the sound judgment and character to --not just unite-- but also to lead the free world. His judgment is the centerpiece of his campaign. But he is no different than any other politician. When caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Obama reacts exactly the same way all politicians do. Shrewdly. He goes into damage control mode, responding only to the immediate accusations.
The pressing problem for Obama is that the end of this chapter has yet to be written. When you look at his previous decision to remove his flag lapel pin, his refusal to respect the flag during the rendering of the National Anthem and his long association with Wright, you begin to see the big picture of a presidential candidate who has some explaining to do about his views of this country.
Obama's Kool-Aid drinkers (or rather disciples) claim that their candidate denounced the Reverend, so we should all just move on. But the issue is not whether Barack Obama agrees or disagrees with Wright's comments. It is about what he believes... Who he has indicated were the major influences in his life... It is about his character, honesty and relationship with Wright. The associations we make as human beings are based on commonalities in our lives and beliefs. As a general rule, we foster friendships based on shared belief systems and do not associate with those whose views we find offensive. Which makes one wonder exactly what does Barack Obama believe?
Stand by for more about Rev. Wright. I have a sneaky suspicion that we haven't heard the last of his hateful sermons or about his relationship with Barack Obama.
Listen to the Rev. Wright on Wht Barack Obama is a better choice than Hillary Clinton
Listen to the Rev. Wright on the role of the US in causing the terrorism against it.
Listen to the Rev. Wright on the connection between the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and 9/11
Listen to the Rev. Wright on white oppression in America.
* Audio courtesy of Fox News Corp. Windows Media Player required for playback.
Copyright © 2006-2008 Jayme Evans - All Rights Reserved - http://warofwits.org
