Wright!Four US soldiers have been killed along with scores of militants following two days of fighting in the Baghdad slum of Sadr City and rocket fire elsewhere in the capital.
The latest casualties, announced yesterday, make April the deadliest month in Iraq for the US military since last September, with at least 44 soldiers dying, according to a toll by the Associated Press.
U.S. Marines exchanged gunfire with militants Tuesday after pouring into a Taliban-held town in southern Afghanistan in the first major American operation in the region in years.
WRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIGHHHHHTTTTTTT!!!!!!
The U.S. economy is in recession, or soon to be in one, according to USA TODAY’s quarterly survey of leading economists.
Two-thirds of the 52 economists polled said the U.S. economy is in recession. Add those who believe the economy will be in recession soon, and 79% believe that the economy will contract at some point in 2008.
That’s it. I’ve had it.
Rev. Wright will not get my vote in November.
Related posts:
- 65% of Americans Blame Bush for Great Recession
- Peggy Noonan: 9/11 Wasn’t Bush’s Fault, But the Great Recession is All Obama’s
- Report Confirms Poor Electrical Work by KBR Endangers US Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
- FDL Book Salon Welcomes Robert Wright: The Evolution of God
- Right-Wingers: “Political Correctness” to Blame for Ft. Hood Shootings
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“So?”
So?
Swift Boat Liars weren’t running either.
You owe me a cokel.
Well yeah- but the Pentagon points out that we won 35 -4 and move on to the playoffs.
Thank you. Perfect.
I watched some MSM shit yesterday, it seemed like it was “All Wright, All The Time.” Really getting tiresome.
BS! Since this country has founded to the present day there has never been an issue as important as race in this country.
When the Pentagon goes back to releasing body counts of kills- you know that they’re in big fuckin trouble.
Not gonna fall for it.
Gonna grab the nearest “news” rag/e-address/phone and C.O.M.P.L.A.I.N.
REAL news! NOW! dammit!
The biggest issue facing the nation is “What race is Obama”? No one knows!
It was getting to point of how badly can you beat a dead horse.
The answer is clear: drill in ANWR and build new refineries, and oh yeah, make the tax cuts for the rich permanent.
Pretty badly- tha horse don care!
back downstairs – i think we agree way more than we disagree.
thanks for making me think. ;->
It won’t end until November 10th win McCain is declared the winner. The media has spoken.
Yes, but had we been around during the 2004 campaign, we would have mocked their lying idiocy mercilessly, now wouldn’t we? It’s not 2004 any longer, wurlitzer crewe…
Yeah, unless we’re talking affirmative action. Then they should just get over it.
Sure- you too.
When this bullshit is all over- the odds are that we are going to watch the inaugaration of President Obama.
That said, Rev. Wright needs to STFU now, go home, and be quiet for a while. I’ll bet the Obama campaign staffers are pulling their hair out in Indiana right now — a media blitz by him was the absolute last thing they needed…
Well, he won’t get my vote either.
Thank you, BT. I guess you heard me yelling at my radio yesterday:
Wright isn’t running for office!!!
When will Barack Obama hold Rev. Wright accountable for his contributions to global warming and the subprime mortgage crisis in this country?
Slight correction that I just KNOW is true in my heart of hearts.
We WERE around then, and in 2000. We just weren’t connected enough to know we had company.
Thank you for all that you do. ;->
well blue texan – you’ve nailed it!! its rev wright’s fault and like you i’ll not vote for him in november either!! this is all just a sideshow to take our minds away from bushco failures….. economy, job losses, iraq quagmire – its too laugh but its not funny
Yes, yes, yes. Yes.
Rev. Wright? STFU. Thanks.
Afterall it’s dead.
Hey Firepups please get behind this campaign to send a letter to you local newspaper to further our Veterans.
I know this is off the TOPIC here but our veterans need our support and EP’ed from below:
OTOH, for those of us who have brains and like to use it, doesn’t it help to show that there is indeed some distance and independence between Obama and Wright?
Obama is positioned to speak for all Americans.
Wright speaks for his specific community.
Just a thought, not a certainty, to float out there…
This is just a drive-by, but I really liked Jane’s words yesterday in the video about how Democrats will come together once we have a nominee.
How about starting an online drive for people to pledge now that they will support the Democratic nominee? The MSM has been all Democratic split all the time lately and we need push back on that.
Guilty as charged: I’m leaning as hard as I can in that direction.
Yep- they’d gladly pay for Wright to take a long cruise of a neighboring galaxy.
Oh, no doubt, and they’d have deserved it. I guess I’m saying that, to ignore the damage Wright has done to Obama is to do so at the peril of Democrats in November. I think much of the electorate is not as enlightened as FDL and will take this very seriously. To mock it is risky, I think.
If I were an Obama supporter, I’d get after Wright with both barrels, not try to dismiss it. But I think the damage is done. The GOP is going to use this mercilessly, and I think it would benefit Democrats to see the current trend and not do themselves in, as they are all too often wont to do.
that’s funny, bt ;). I guess Wright won’t get my vote either — i’m convinced!
I don’t think anything re: Wright at all helps anything. It’s one big f’ing distraction.
And they’ll keep giving him a mic and putting him on the teevee as long as he feels like it, because he’s a walking trainwreck/soundbite.
I do not understand what you are trying to say.
My point is that Reverend Wright and all the racial issues surrounding this story are important for us as a nation to discuss. This is precisely what Obama encouraged us to do in his speech in Philadelphia.
Someone who knows Wright needs to put a firm hand on his shoulder and guide him off the stage. Today.
Convenient timing indeed–for Clinton. So maybe there is something to that orchestration rumonr. Truly, tho, you’re exactly right, Christy.
Rev. Wrong hasn’t helped either Obama or himself or the black church he professes to be concerned about.
Juno, left you a couple replies on the last thread down in epu territory.
Fire either burnishes steel and makes it stronger…or it breaks. Obama will emerge from this stronger. He has the mettle.
I agree he’s a distraction for sure.
Now about that thing in Iraq…
Yes, but every time the Obama camp shows some distance, there is yet another new spate of Wright quots from which they have to distance themselves. It’s a viscious circle right now, being fed by media appearances that are helpful for Rev. Wright’s profile, but not for Obama’s campaign.
I’d like to see a Democrat take the WH in November. So, IMHO, Rev. Wright can put off his reputation rehab until after McCain gets his ass kicked, thank you very much. I’d say maybe it’s just me, but it appears Gene Robinson is on the same page today…
And having Hillary Clinton have to constantly deal with the marginal spill-over from this isn’t helpful, either. Obama supporters accuse her of being racist because she has to respond to racially toned questions (that somehow never really get much air time themselves), and surrogates are dispatched to try and find some useful campaign angle on this because it’s what they have to work with in terms of media play right now. The whole thing is a mess, and it needs to stop…sooner rather than later.
While I agree with your premise, I don’t agree with your solution. You don’t respond to the potential that the GOP will use this [of course they will] by giving up and falling on your back in surrender. Leastways, I don’t.
Hell no, I buckle down and get more determined. Democrats better, as well.
there there now, why don’t we just go have a liedown till we feel better.
ooohh. yer a sneaky lil’ thing! heh
There is always a tendancy to suspect that if a politician benefits from a certain flap- that they invented it….It’s a logical fallacy related to “post hoc ergo propter hoc”
The fact is that most things that benefit politicians come from their opponents kindly shooting themselves in the foot- which they are generous enough to do frequently.
how ’bout one a them stage-hooks?
The GOP has already been using it. Hannity has been working this angle nonstop on his radio show for months. They’ve ginned this issue up — and taken very personal potshots at Wright until he was primed to fight back against their tactics. They could not have timed this mess better than right now — because all eyes are on the Dem horserace.
“Yes, but every time the Obama camp shows some distance, there is yet another new spate of Wright quots from which they have to distance themselves. It’s a viscious circle right now, being fed by media appearances that are helpful for Rev. Wright’s profile, but not for Obama’s campaign…”
__________
Ding, ding, ding.
It’s a “viscous” circle as well, one in which the MSM keep slipping.
;)
Wright, like so many, “ministers,” is an ego-tripping blowhard.
Looking forward to November, McBush CANNOT win unless he’s in a position to say that the surge is working and that the killing is winding down..
The casualties this month are already the highest in seven months. A six month trend like this- and the election is over.
I think that’s exactly right. Way too many attribute to cunning and ability what is better explained by sheer stupidity and blind luck. *g*
It is time for Obama to throw Wright’s ‘different’ ideas under the bus.
A racist statement is one which attributes differences to race. This isn’t racism, which I believe requires a social group to enforce the attitude. Reverse racism simply doesn’t exist, but that doesn’t matter.
Wright has made a number of clearly racist statements, his world view is that Blacks are different than Whites, simply because of race. Be it learning style, musical style, right brain or left brain thinking. This is hugely bad, bad, bad.
Obama needs to specifically address each of these statements and denounce them, and denounce the thinking. He should swear to denounce these everywhere.
and there is that *g*
zzzz
[Edited by mod] The “damage” has been done to Wright-false and slanderous racist attacks. These attacks began by KKKarl Rove and his neo-con puppets.
In fact, the “Pastor Problem”, is nothing because they have nothing else. The real problem is “Racist Lying Corporate Propaganda Problem”.
[Mod: a friendly reminder to refrain from insulting fellow commenters]
It ain’t clear that Wright is in possession of all his marbles- the “whites invented AIDS to kill of people of color” is- well- a little loose in the logic department…He has said some things that can and should be defended perhaps- but NOT NOW.
Yeah, notice how “the Surge™ is working!” has quietly disappeared from the various spokesliars’ lexicon? Fortunately, gas prices have shot up, so they can substitute lying about how this never would have happened if those evil Democrats hadn’t blocked their expanded oil exploration.
I have no problem with Rev. Wright speaking his mind. It is the mindless media who smear him to smear Obama I find offensive. As I said in the last thread, on the network news we have the vapid Katie Couric, the “Give me my capital gains tax cut” Charlie Gibson, and the “Peggy Noonan loving, Elizabeth Edwards hating” Brian Williams to choose among and I have decided to not choose none of the above. This is not Obama’s fault. It isn’t Rev. Wright’s either. It a mudslinging Republican machine that is doing this because with their record of lies, failed wars, and failing economy, they got nothing else. It is also about an insane, inane media carrying water for the Republicans. In this Obama and Clinton face a similar challenge. They are not just running against each other, but John McCain and the media.
all massive distraction. Media interest in keeping the horse race going … Next Tue can’t come soon enough …
Yep.
“There is no scientific basis for the notion of ‘race’.”
- Craig Ventner, Celera Genomics
Where are all the mics and photo ops for the good rev. Hagee?
I think it’ll come down to the economy. The Republics are poised to blame all on the Democrats since they (barely) control Congress. So far, feckless leadership by Pelosi and Reid makes that look like a winning strategy for the Republics.
axelrod speaking – ooops obama speaking….
IOKIYAR
coming….
Same place the kept the ones for Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and Ralph Reed and…
rev wright’s being kicked to the curb….
Breaking:
Dunno if this is true yet.
Yeah- well if Wright keeps “speakin his mind”- Obama may as well pack it in and go home.
Wright should do his experiment in free expression AFTER the election.
Exactly.
Already getting a big push by Imus, this book may be what you’re lookin’ for, yellowsnapdragon
Indeed.
I do not underestimate the sleaze prowess of the GOP and its mouthpieces. But I also think Wright is ultimately responsible here and handed Obama a loss.
I do not see how Obama can overcome this, and I think the superdelegates should be considering all of this very, very carefully (and Clinton’s surge against McCain).
Hope they do THAT—they’ll get their asses handed to em.
Why are you so concerned for a candidate whom you don’t support?
Interesting. He may be keeping this alive for several more news cycles.
Bull!
I find it thoroughly disgusting and revolting how some Democratic voters internalize right-wing bull**** repeat the garbage as true.
I think certain folks hide their true motivations.
i’m relieved to know that i’m not alone in this hell that reverend wright has created for many of us. the last 36 hours have been pure hell. first, i burned my microwave popcorn which left a debilitating stench throughout the house all evening. brewster, my pekingese, continues to have the runs despite a diet that hasnt changed at all. i lost a guitar pick. its raining. the mint milanos have gone stale. to top it all off. im unable to attend the radiohead show in west palm on cinco de mayo.
if anyone had any lingering doubts about this man’s ability to negatively impact the lives of ordinary americans, this laundry list of bad karma should lay them to rest.
i will never vote for this man. ever.
I’d have thought Dems would have learned from the Swift Boat fiasco. Kerry was vilified for not responding fiercely enough. Now we’re back to wanting to chuckle smugly at the attacks and ignore them?
My focus is on the November election and getting the Democrat in the Oval Office, and I see this as a HUGE risk to that because I’ve not forgotten what works on the American electorate, and what I WANT isn’t always what WORKS.
And not every criticism or truthtelling about anything having to do with Sen. Obama is racism or race baiting! That is getting old.
Yeah, because that would make it disappear. If only he would reject, er, denounce, er, what is it he hasn’t done yet? Oh, yeah, he has to denounce the man, not just the statements and opinions he disagrees with, because that’s what normal people do with friends who make outrageous statements, right?
And then they can get on to talking about why he spent all those years not rejecting or denouncing him.
Face it, nothing is going to make this go away. Obama giving in and doing the unreasonable things demanded of him by the gasbags when he said he wouldn’t just makes him look weak, and lets them know that they can push him around.
Don’t get disgusted just cause I don’t agree with you –LOTS of people don’t agree with you- including Obama apparently.
A sage young man who used to work for me, wise beyond his years, once pointed out that the English language is in serious need of a word, a single word, that means “Shut the fuck up, and sit down!”
I’m concerned about November.
I’ve always felt that Obama’s candidacy was built on a house of cards and that it wouldn’t hold up, but I can genuinely tell you that I am sorry to see that it is his own pastor holding the sledge hammer. That is not a fair way to lose, I don’t think. But I’ve not seen a lot of “fair losing” or winning, over the last few years!
Bull. The corporate media have been talking about it every day since the first incident. Nothing will stop it.
And there is nothing wrong with anything Wright said recently. That’s a complete corporate media fabrication.
I can’t help but wonder if those here who are now so vehemently demonizing the Rev Dr Wright might well have been among those who demonized Dr King after his “Beyond Viet Nam” speech. How many of those here have actually listened to what the man has to say with the ability to filter out the rhetoric and extract the calls for peace, equality and social and economic justice?
I’m done.
In Italian, “basta!” would probably suffice. In English, what about “enough!” which is the translation.
Or an abbreviation of your proposal, stfuasd.
So sad, isn’t it, that magazines like Rolling Stone have the real journalists?
Why is it sad?
I’m sorry, but thus far, I’ve only seen one person come close to “vehemently demonizing” anything about Rev. Wright’s speech in the comment thread. Am I missing something where discussing the political advantages and disadvantages in a politically charged environment on a political website is somehow morphed now into a vehement personal denunciation?
There are two issues here:
1) Did Wright say true and important things
2) Is it good for the Obama campaign for him ta keep sayin em…
One can argue about 1). Some of what he has said may BE true and important- some of it (like the conspiracy theory on AIDS-) not so much.
But it seems pretty clear that it ain’t helpin Obama for Wright ta keep flappin his jaws.
‘Sheer’?
Stupidity;
Maybe it’s congenital but, some, surely, have to work at it, it takes practice and regular application … diligence, apparently, is rewarded.
Of course it helps if your ‘audience’ is …
Stupidity, I have it on good authority, reaches great heights, even, it has been suggested, to the very pinnacle …
Others suggest that, without stupidity, many would have nothing to look foward to, at all …
But the most compelling aspect of stupidity, is that one never need fear being alone, … there’s always company.
I wish, for the sake of national pride, that I could claim stupidity as a purely American attribute, but, alas, we are not exceptional in that regard.
But it may fairly be said that we appreciate it more.
Especially in our politicians.
But then, of course, they do represent our nation and its peoples well …
Someone, no doubt, will remark that the preceding is stupid.
(However, when in Rome …)
Are you seeing the conference on CNN?
Like now?
And your fantastic idea is to replace him with the candidate with the highest negatives. Negatives that have been sky high for a long time.
Brilliant!
Obama says his relationship with Wright has changed, because of this issue.
Then why the need for Obama to distance himself completely from Wright?
I think you’re onto something.
No.
With the only other Dem candidate in the race who is way ahead of McCain, is getting the Indie vote, and who has the momentum on her side.
I wasn’t sure until this fiasco, but I do see this as a mortal wound to Obama and therefore the Dem chances in November if he’s the nominee.
Btw, my ACTUAL brilliant idea would be for the Superdelegates, at the National Convention, to stand up and say, “We don’t like either of you. We nominate Al Gore.”
How’s that?
FYI, here is what Obama said about Wright in his FOX interview:
This is not comparable to the Swift Boaters because no libelous allegations are being made against Obama. In fact, no allegations of any quality are really being made about him, just about Wright. The press, of course, are dutifully placing the two next to each other, reminding viewers regularly of an association, and asking them to draw on their prejudices (I use that word in its most neutral sense) to make an unflattering conclusion about Obama. How does one “fight back” or rebut this? By defending Wright? By caving to pressure and further “denouncing” and “rejecting” him? I’m not convinced that Obama’s meekness and nuanced reasonableness isn’t as good a course as any other.
I think you are over reacting..
This isn’t good for Obma- but it’s happening early and he can probably survive it.
Most politicians survive MOST attacks- especially seven months before the election.
I wanted a question mark (?) at the end of this sentence: “…’denouncing’ and ‘rejecting’ him?”
As I have pointed out, KKKArl Rove began this attack last September, if not earlier. Many of the attacks against Obama have been racist. Certainly, the “Demonizing The Black Pastor Problem” is racist. Why do you let crappy New World Order journalists tell you what to believe. They are the enemy.
Obama was screwed either way on this, now he’s doing what HE thinks he should do. Too bad he didn’t appear here and ask us all what he should do.
Now Obama is taking out a baseball bat and thumpin Wright with it.
Pretty strong stuff.
On a lighter note, I can positively state that hell has frozen over. George Bush has lost my parents–both of them. They were absolutely part of his 20-25% base and they’re completely gone. That’s the only great news of the last 3 days. They also intensely dislike McCain (but didn’t like any of the other Rethugs) and intensely dislike Hilary. My market research tidbit for the day.
Certain people here are repeating the demonizing comments of the press as being true.
In order to
1) further the candidacy of DLCer Clinton
or
2) Another reason
“Mortal wound”, please. That’s utter bull and nonsense.
HRC talking point. . .oh sorry, McCain talking point.
A voice of calm reason.
Thumbs-up, Raven!
You keep saying that Clinton has the Indie vote but what data do you have for this. As I remember the only time you linked to a poll about it, selise pointed out that it contained only responses of registered Democrats. So where do you get this stuff? And how does it square with Clinton’s high negatives which I would think would be made up of a lot of those same independents you say support her?
I thought I would post this nugget for those concerned about the SuperDelegates as it relates to the Wright controversy:
Even since the Wright story exploded on “GMA” March 13, he’s picked up 45 superdelegates to her 11.
I don’t think he’s handling it badly. He did a GREAT job the first time around in my opinion. Too bad that Wright forced round two- but Obama is a pretty shrewd campaigner.
Talk of wounds would be better received if one’s own knives were not so clearly visible.
Juno likes Clinton more than Obama. It’s been obvious to some of us.
Applause!
I would not underestimate Obama or any of the candidates. They need to continue to campaign.
It is very pessimistic to already call O’s campaign dead in the water because of Wright.
Enough. You have made your point repeatedly.
That’s hardly a crime.
If you watched Cornyn and Kyl yesterday on C-span, you will recognize that this is EXACTLY what is needed to ‘fix our problems.’ While we’re at it, let’s kill off the polar bears too.
No offense, but I think the fact that you’ve always seen his candidacy as a house of cards kind of predisposes you to see any negative factor as a disaster (and a single poll as a “surge.”) I’m not meaning to imply any misrepresentation, just that we all buy into a campaign’s worldview when we get involved in it, and you may want to step back a moment before declaring that an event proves your preconceived concern.
One of the biggest lessons from 2004 was that trying to choose a candidate they can’t attack is an exercise in futility. When you’re up against a party that has no concern for the truth, only for what works, that may be the worst basis for choosing a candidate.
There isn’t much solid evidence that Wright has actually harmed Obama’s chances (it tends to come as theoretical propositions like “seems to have slowed his momentum in PA” — attributing them to a particular factor is about as accurate as assessments of why the stock market moved in a particular direction.)
I think we’ll get a racist campaign if Obama is nominated and a sexist campaign if Hillary is nominated. Personally, I think a campaign of a massive army of volunteers and small donors can respond better to either of those than a campaign of party officials, maxed-out donors, and “big blue states.” Furthermore, I think it will prepare us better for the battles beyond — the Clinton strategy, even if it’s more likely to win the presidency (which I don’t concede) is less likely to build the congressional and grassroots support that will be necessary to overcome the dishonest Republican tactics that will continue to plague us.
Excellent points, I would like to see us spend more time and energy on Senate and House races. Blue Am is good but only once a week.
i still maintain obama wont be the nominee….. imo rev wright is being used as a weapon to weaken him and give folk cover to not support obama…. in my view obama is supposed to be judged on what he says and do not what others say…. but i am sick of all of this sturm and drang or wwhatever this is…. enough already
obama will never apologize sufficiently in many quarters
You forgot.
Rev Wright is responsible for Global Warming. If he would only shut his mouth, the world would be cooler. …
Rev Wright is responsible for gasoline prices. If he would only stop going around the country, there would be more gasoline for the rest of us.
Etc …
PS: Wright’s comments and demeanor will, imo, weigh heavily on Obama. They do not play well with large portions of the voting public. And, on Fox, Obama gently says ‘it is a legitimate question’? What a way to shut it down!
At least all this talk about Obama’s pastor will “prove” he’s a christian./s
No, he’s still a muslim according to callers on CSPAN’s Washington Journal.
Well, in many quarters, the thing Obama can never sufficiently apologize for is being black.
Sure, right after they make the Farrakhan connection.
i’m also curious about this. iirc, the 50 state polling data that paul lukasiak presented here a couple of weeks showed that on average (by state) obama polled better than clinton did against mccain among independents.
As a nation we have spent well over two centuries ignoring or selectively patching over matters of race. The sorry-assed results are an indelible stain on our history and promises to soil our future.
I had hoped, and to some degree still do, that the election of Obama as President might move this nation at long last to cleanse away its original sin.
I fear now that I was wrong. Electing Obama won’t do it. In fact, such an election will not happen, until we once and for all deal with race in an honest, sober and thorough manner. For me, that is what this Wright story is all about. Just another sad chapter in a tragic tale of missed opportunities.
Gosh, I go out to run a few errands and come back to…
yet another This?
Wow.
Another great afternoon at the lake? I was thinking that last night it got kinda quiet.
My opinion about how the Wright Stuff would affect the Obama Campaign changed greatly or at least suffiently by the end of yesterday.
I really liked what Southern Dragon said this morning, that our problems are not going to be sufficiently changed by the next election.
It’s boooshit.
I haven’t read all the comments. Here goes anyhow. I think the Rev. Wright thing should be put to rest (I dream). Juno, I think you are missing some important feature of Rev. Wright’s psyche. From Bill Moyers’ show Friday, my impression is that Rev. Wright was advocating a “Cultural Identity” for his church-goers, as well as teaching Christian dogma.
I’ve visited towns where ethnic/cultural identity is strong. Irish people go to their church while Lithuanians go to their church, and so on, even though it means going to the same denomination’s church outside their own neighborhoods. These are white communities and it’s considered SO normal.
I think because Rev.Wright represents the Black Church, it’s being blown out of proportion to promote racism, and to feed the racist fears in some. Rev. Wright is a person who has the right to tell it as he sees it. I did not get the impression that he encourages the racial divide.
I was impressed that he encouraged his Church community to assume their cultural identity because that is the thread that his people were deprived of during their time in slavery, their sense of history and ancestry, and culture.
You may think otherwise.
Richard Wolf says Obama has a case of the ass like a Russian Bear!
Heavily OT and sorry.
Anyone watching the Heparin hearing by the Energy and Commerce Subcomm?
Stunning.
(psst– the FDA under Bushco is killing American people as well as dogs and cats.)
I presume it’s a reference to this one poll. Pretty weak tea.
WHAT? Translation? I can’t get my pea-brain around that!!!
christy – don’t think i’ve every disagreed more with you.
I’d be curious to see how much space has been used here and in the “the media” in general about Rev. Wright compared to Hillary’s complete fabrication about sniper fire in Bosnia, which insults those who really do live in fear of sniper fire everyday.
Sure, Hillary’s lies were in the media a bunch for what, a few days, but nowhere near the same amount as Rev. Wright.
I suppose some will respond with, “But Wright is making the rounds and putting himself back into the debate…” So Wright should just STFU because BigMedia and the Clintons decided to take his words outta context in order to smear Obama through guilt by association? Obama is supposed to muzzle a very outspoken elder of his that has no role now in his campaign? I saw some of the Moyers interview and thought Wright said some great things and probably opened a lot of people’s eyes. The fact that whatever he says now will be taken out of context to fit the pre-approved Conglomerate Media narrative isn’t Wright or Obama’s fault, and it seems strange for a bunch of Liberals to argue for someone to “keep their mouth shut.”
So, Hillary and Bill seem to have a problem telling the truth. Not exaggerating…complete lies. The candidate herself has been caught in several documented lies now, with no good explanations from her. BigMedia and much of the Liberal blogs take a collective “move along, nothing to see here” attitude about this except for a week or so.
What’s a more important issue – What Obama’s pastor says, or whether or not a candidate is a serial liar?
Judging by comments across the blogs and BigMedia, Obama’s pastor is more important than Clinton’s lies. I disagree completely.
I would have to agree with you selise.
:( Christy.
poor obama – he just cant please the lamestream media!! the talking heads vicious circle continues – they actually want rev wright to remain in the public eye! amazing!!
Per the Wikipedia, in colloquial contexts:
Every sentient American has at one time or another become extremely annoyed at the U.S. government and the actions it has taken in our name and has expressed that anger/frustrations via some colloquialism. What’s so wrong about Wright’s choice of colloquialisms for expressing his condemnation of American slavery, etc.? It seems perfectly reasonable to me.
I agreed with both of you until I saw the press club clips. They were very unhelpful. I think Christy and others may be right on this one.
That’s how it looks to me-
As far as I am concerned- Redd is right on in her thinking about this- there’s no way that Obama can be helped by further Wright comments.
Wright is the red herring, the distractor, that the media are using to focus on anything but the real issues facing this nation, and to get this election decided on media-created personnas rather than real people and real issues.
Will the “news” report on this? Hmmm, there are all those pharma ads during Nightlys to preserve, doncha know. A good test to keep an eye on this.
Expand on that.
I’m going to “third” that and this is a first since I have never disagreed with you in all the years you have posted.
When I see Pat Robertson, Joe Scarborough and Mike Huckabee (of all people) make the point that this business is “bad for Obama” my BS detector goes off right away. You’ve said it before, never, ever adopt the GOP talking points and I think a lot of people are accepting the GOP playbook here. This smells like Turdblossom to me!
The caveat here is “sentient”.
Well stated and most accurate.
Yes, and if he didn’t exist they would invent him. I agree that if he had any sense he’d STFU until after the election. But even if that happened the Right would simply come up with the next absurd distraction. We need a positive strategy to address any of these distractions as they emerge.
I agree that it would be best for Obama if Wright would fade away until after the Nov. election. That is not to say Wright is wrong. I don’t think he is on most issues he has spoken out about.
Obama does not have the ability to “muzzle” Wright, as I believe was suggested above. Obama, instead of denouncing Wright repetedly, needs to go on the offense. Against whom, it does not matter, but my preference would be McCain. He is in danger of getting into a situation like Kerry and the Swift-Boaters, where he lets the story fester. If he can change the subject, he will be much better off.
Pat Buchanan – not Pat Robertson although I can be forgiven as they’re both pretty loathsome :)
The media is the problem.
Wow. Simply by speaking, Rev. Wright can create his own media platform to dominate the National Newz. It’s all Rev. Wright’s fault.
Too bad John Edwards and Chris Dodd don’t have this power that Rev. Wright has.
Ask yourself why this is.
I like your Shennanigans strategy.
They’re a problem all right- but they are also a “given”- a candidate has to deal with em- so the issue becomes what’s Obama’s best play right now. I’d say that he’s handling it well- distancing himself from Wright and hopefully changing the subject.
Pat Buchanan fought as hard as anyone to stop this war from happening. By way of comparison, Hillary Clinton and several former candidates voted for it.
americans are gullible and easily persuaded – its a shame we cant see through this fake smokescreen…. bushco 3 is definitely in the making i’m afraid
Bingo! The HRC/BHO pie fight is good for business — not to mention that it’s good for the GOP, their slimy overlords.
ok.
but first read the the letter from eight white clergymen to martin luther king.
and then read his response, the letter from birmingham jail.
and then read paul rosenberg’s post at openleft, “Martin Luther King and The Moral Imperative For Polarization“
and then let’s talk.
Bingo.
And we still have so far to go in getting more of the general public to realize this. We all need to get more people reading the New Media and making it financially viable for the long term.
New Gallup national polling results just released…..
McCain leads Obama by two points- Hillary leads McCain by two points. Margin of error is two points.
Glenzilla regarding the media focus on Rev Wright:
Exactly. Everything is fine in the “Village,” (Iraq?, Recession?) and this business is a reflection of this.
Maybe if Reverend Wright goes out boating and gets attacked by a shark we’ll have a perfect story….
The christian, Wright is far,far less offense than the ‘Christian Right’.
The first one wants him some ‘justice’ while the second want them some ‘rapture’. The first one’s a ‘problem’ but the second talk with Jesus every night. Easy to discern who’s really dangerous, doucha know?
Obama has a real problem.
‘His’ people, half of them, are pleased to have an ‘excuse’ not to vote for him. They are all the same, afterall this is THEIR place.
‘His’ other people, the other ‘half’ of him, are also all the same, and like the good Reverend, need to know their where their ‘place’ is.
Out of sight, out of mind (it is helpful to put many of them, young men, especially, in prison, as well, for peace of mind, natch).
Maybe if Obama just quietly goes away, after Wright has slunk off, this great nation could get back to setting the world straight and spreading liberty generally, you know, like they do with fertilizer …
What must we look like to the rest of the world, oh! that’s ‘right’, I forgot, let’s just “nuke ‘em all …”
Note: The preceding is snark except where it ain’t …
oh hell no, they won’t.
I have never seen so many people openly sobbing in a hearing …
it is unforgiveable.
I agree. I’m also tired of the media saying the media should focus on the issues and this is a distraction. It’s like saying, hey, I’m so distracted!
What has our party learned from Swiftboat? You can’t ignore the issue completely. You can simply call it a distraction, like Obama has. But I think one needs to ID why it is such a potent distraction and face it head on before redirecting us back to the matters at hand.
Why is America so preoccupied with what one black pastor says? He’s not the Pope, he’s not the Dalai Lama, he’s not the Head of the Black Church. He speaks for one community out of hundreds, if not thousands.
I agree he would help if he STFU immediately. But I think America/media should be called out on its fear and distractedness. I’m more afraid of a old kook who wants to continue the war for 100 years.
I thought he handled round 1 superbly. I wasn’t nearly as impressed with his news conference just now.
Rev Wright and flag lapel pins are bait and switch. Lost your job? No health care and you’re sick? You think we’re going to win the war in Iraq? Don’t bother with these issues. Obama doesn’t wear a lapel pin. That’s what matters. The Reverend Wright exemplifies the angry black man and for whites it’s not a pretty picture. Too bad the Reverend doesn’t recognize the importance of PR. You know what-PR sucks. It’s way past time we got away from spin. I don’t know what will come of Obama, but we as a nation must grow up and the sooner the better. As long as the media and the Repubs can spin us away from issues with what is essentially BS, we’re not going to make it. The problem isn’t shutting the Reverend up, it’s our growing up. It’s by no means certain we will do it by November.
Interesting on MSNBC right now, Tamarind Hall [sp?] who lived in Chicago and attended Trinity a handful of times reiterated Obama’s statement that the man she saw then was not the same as yesterday’s Press Club “performance.” Saying she’s getting lots of emails from Chicagoans who share the dismay and upset about Wright’s current, what she called “arrogance.”
BINGO!!!
let’s all make note this evening’s news cycle what if any coverage this gets.
OK.
Jeremiah Wright is the new MLK? I find his self-aggrandizing, narcissistic “victim” schtick a bit banal and tiresome — aside from its pro vs con campaign ramifications.
I missed the press conference. What did he say?
Dave Neiwart will tell you that Pat Buchanan’s opposition to the war had more to do with nativist and isolationist issues, i.e. “why are we helping those brown people?” I will not and cannot give that man any credence whatsoever; he was also against Iraq 1 as well as Kosovo for the same reason.
I agree with you except I do so enjoy listening to PB bitchslap one of his own.
guilty pleasure.
They’re trying to make Rev. Wright the “gay marriage” of this election.
Those who continue talking about over and over again are helping them do that.
noww – when will mcinsane get grilled over the pastors he has lovingly embraced?? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm methinks never!!
Good Afternoon Blue Texan and Firedogs -
why in bloody hell didn’t Rev Wright warn DoD planners about fighting insurgents in an effing sandstorm ?!?!? you know, the ones that come every year at this time, taking away your air recon. & response, screw with all manner of sensors in weaponry and aircraft
why Rev Wright why ?!?!?!?
good grief did Feith get a new job in ’special planning’ ???
Part of Obama’s comments on Wright:
On Tuesday, Obama sought to distance himself further from Wright.
“I gave him the benefit of the doubt in my speech in Philadelphia explaining that he’s done enormous good. … But when he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS. … There are no excuses. They offended me. They rightly offend all Americans and they should be denounced
Democrats in general would be much better served by doing what we often do here in the Liberal blogs. We organize and act on certain issues en masse. We lead. We start campaigns to hold Conglomerate Media accountable, and have made them change their tunes on several occasions.
I wonder why on the Rev. Wright issue so many have become followers all of a sudden….
McCain was asked about Hagee by Stephanopolous I think. But the best thing is to run the loops of Hagee like they do of Wright.
BTW I saw the most offensive youtube yesterday (I was looking for Howard Dean!) and it was basically revisiting race riots in LA etc with the premise of What if Obama Won? I won’t link to it. Of course, it was just so incredibly caveman. Of course, the music was Lennon’s Imagine. Cavemen love to malign a song of peace.
I don’t need David Neiwart to tell me that. I’ll take the nativist isolationist opposed to the war over a high-minded muscular liberal interventionist, thanks. And in light of the past two decades you might want to rethink the merits of Gulf War I.
You can’t give any credence to a person whose default position is to oppose war?
Just in case anyone thinks this is too OT, let it be a friendly reminder of the difference between the two candidates that matters.
My vote was all ready cast in absentia due to dementia. Soon the reverend will be the anti-crap, and all laxative with stool softener will be banned as a pleasure unit. The poop will dynofellate him at the vaticanzerei in the mountains around Munich.
woe, it is time to heed the hoary thunderer and get the fuck out of the way of the cosmic hammer. Where ever it might be in the universe at this time. (hiding under a dog’s tail is my uneducated guess)
Basically, he said what the media wanted him to say, that Rev. Wright doesn’t speak for Obama and that some of what he said was appalling.
Rev. Wright, call the WAAAAAmulance.
hey you ol firedog – how ya doin’ ???
one of my talking points is that Vioxx was nine count ‘em nine 9/11’s
Thanks- I found a story about it up at MSNBC.
In Yoga/Meditation, there is such a word although I think you guys misunderstand its meaning … “Namaste” … *g*
Ding Ding Ding. That was the point Elizabeth Edwards made in her OP ED in the NYT last weekend. Glennzilla slices and dices Brian Williams criticism of the add. More focus on Bowling and bitter and swigging whiskey versus the issues like the War, Healthcare, Economy, etc…
woofin’ as usual– thanks for the shout out and hope you are doing well!
and yeppers on yer second thought.
by all means, let’s tell a thoughtful passionate black man who tells the uncomfortable truth as best he knows it to STFU? especially when he is speaking for so many in our country – people who traditionally have little or no voice?
not me. and mlk explains why not.
The next media move is to go find Wright and to ask him to respond to Obama’s rejection—then back to Obama- as long as the reporters can keep the thing alive.
Trouble is- the two candidates agree on all the issues you mention- except for that little healthcare thingee- so how can a poor reporter generate a story about THAT if they are covering one or both campaigns?
It’s a job for Stringer Bell. Imagine what HE could do to Gasbag Wright.
Exactly!
As was stated in the introduction of Rev. Wright in Detroit “They didn’t like King in ‘67, Malcolm in ‘68 or Fannie Lou (Hamer)in ‘72.”
Of course this is an inopportune time — for Sen. Obama — that Rev. Wright has chosen to reply to his critics, but he didn’t pick this fight, nor did he respond in a knee jerk fashion.
Our country talks a good game re: ‘discussing race’, but when it gets thrown in our lap we react like it’s a stink bomb and condemn the person who dares say our country, as emperor, sometimes has on no clothes.
i’ve never seen the lamestream media so gleeful
thanks for the link.
if i actually knew anything about polling (i don’t), i’d say that the situation seems quite volatile.
Yes you have. Two words: blue dress.
BTW this is the transcript of the speech and following questions from the National Press Club appearance of Rev. Wright.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04…..1209528000
Ding !
This is the crux of the issue.
Reporters love stories and by lines. They hate BORING stories and gettin buried behind the towel sales.
Sure they love the Wright story- hell WE’RE talkin about it 24/7.
CW(S)B
Campaigning While (sorta) Black.
Rev Wright is going to come back and haunt everyone who used him to trash Obama. The media pit bulls think that in Wright, they have somehow found their Obama version of the Iowa Dean Scream, and they are chewing on it mercilessly.
Except that OBAMA WON IOWA, and a lot of other states, and he is leading in the total count with little hope for Hillary to catch up.
So this time, the public isn’t falling for it.
Although the media doesn’t know that, or isn’t that obvious to everyone else?
The media is playing this like common chess move, while the public looks on in disgust at making a game of something so precious as our democracy. And the real radicals in our midst have taken this opportunity to reveal themselves, so maybe it will all work for the best in the end.
Everyone in the media, blogs or mainstream versions, who jumps onto the Wright dogpile may as well wear a scarlet letter to work next week, because they will have sealed the demise of their own peer respect.
It’s one thing to be discussing things about race. It’s another thing to make a public comment about the political candidate for whom you have been a long-time pastor doing things publicly because they are politically expedient, even though you’ve had private conversations with that candidate in which you and he have discussed how he feels about these public statements.
That’s selfish and wrong, and it’s designed to make one man look smaller while the other man feels better. It is not helpful, it is politically harmful, and he still needs to STFU. It has nothing to do with his color. It has everything to do with his ego…and he’s hurting Obama with it.
Just because Rev. Wright is black, that doesn’t mean his mouth problem relates to his color — nor does it mean criticisms of him have to do with it either. And you’ve been around me long enough to know that isn’t a place from whence my thought process eminates.
I agree with you and Southern Dragon @ 84.
Except for this: this may be the exactly right and opportune time for Obama and Americans to deal with this– how long do those that have been disenfranchised, treated as second class citizens have to wait in the “world’s superpower” anyway???
Dems and Progressives need finally to expose their collective spine or we further lose the Nation.
jmo.
I personally am not against war by default, but I respect your position here. I feel that Iraq 1 was justified and was done right – the consequences of doing nothing were dire and most of the rest of the World agreed with us there.
But when you state: [Buchanan’s]”default position is to oppose war,” I’m going to have to ask you for evidence of some kind there – I don’t think that is accurate.
To get back on topic, I am sure there are lot more credible anti-war people out there besides Pat Buchanan. Why is Pat Buchanan almost the only person on my TV who has held that person from moment 1, a man who my humble personal opinion, is as racist as they come. Now I see Pat Buchanan discussing Reverend Wright and giving Obama advice?
Wow. Thanks for that. I have never read that. It really sums it all up, doesn’t it.
Honestly, I’ve felt this way about many commenters I’ve seen around here and other places…Those That Know Better.
Impeachment is off the table…we can’t just pull out of Iraq…and so on. You need to think about the upcoming elections and how Pox Newz is gonna run with this or that….60 votes…wow, that’s it.
Barack will win precisely because he saw this months ago and laid out the strategy he did … chin up, Juslin …
Exactly.
“position” not “person” What happened to the edit function?
Stupid work distracting me from commenting…. :)
Gosh, when I said some of what he said was appalling, I was accused of being racist and told that what Wright says is true.
Where does that put Obama then, and if Wright is so righteous and truthful, why is Obama distancing himself fast and furiously?
christy – i never said or implied any such thing. and it’s a distraction from what i did say.
You must have missed their orgy after Clinton’s “weepy moment” in New Hampshire.
amen angie.
thank you.
My apologies. It’s a pet peeve with me, and off topic. You are correct there in paragraph #3.
How about a split-screen compilation of alternating Wright and Hagee speeches?
I would guess that Hagee will offend a lot more religious denominations than Wright.
…everyone except the flag worshipers.
Somehow, Hagee has managed to keep that particular idol off the anathema charts. And if there was ever a better example of blind nationalized idolatry, I have yet to see it.
Two problems here.
First, isn’t the viewing of ‘clips’ vs. the full context of a speech what got this bruhaha going in the first place? If you saw the whole thing your opinion might be different.
Secondly, I respectfully suggest there isn’t any ‘right’ vs. ‘wrong’ in this instance. Just opinions.
…and we all know what opinions are like.
Luckily for you my Raptors got bounced or they’d have swept your Cavs and won the Championship ! (/snark)
I was not impressed with what Obama said in his news conference. See my comments above.
Obama is distancing himself because the media demands that he does. It is part of the swiftboat dance. The pundits will now say, “Were Obama’s statements enough to quiet the Wright controversy?”
None of the dance even relates to the substance of what Wright says or thinks.
Talk about yer ‘great minds’!
I was just about to go there as well, in fact had already brought it up in a new tab to cut and paste from.
Wow!
Not to get into an enormous semantics battle, but yes, you did imply that here:
Which is why I even bothered to come back into the thread an make another comment. I hadn’t intended my STFU earlier to be read as a color commentary — because it wasn’t intended as such. And I wanted to be certain that was understood because, with your comment in 192, I thought that’s what you were implying.
It’s difficult to know sometimes because typed conversation is so limited exactly how someone’s inflection or tone or intent is meant, because all we have are words on a page without any accompanying emotion or facial expression. And I didn’t want there to be a misunderstanding.
You and I are talking past each other because you are hitting one angle — whether Wright’s statements have meaning above and beyond what the media has been giving them (the answer is yes, btw) and I’m talking about their political impact and the bad idea that is continuing them ad nauseum as long as he wants to make a bread and circuses media tour out of them (the answer in my mind is no, if he still supports Obama).
Obama’s statement today made clear he had spoken with Wright about all of this. And that he was very unhappy with the public statements Wright has made saying Obama is ony talking about the issue out of political expediency — when, as Obama himself said today, they had spoken on the phone about all of this previously and Wright knew exactly where Obama stood on it. My problem with Wright hinges on that: you don’t publicly call into question Obama’s character like that — especially not as the man’s pastor — and not expect there to be political damage done.
i was out and missed it. do you know if it is (or will be) available anywhere to watch/listen to/read??
We’re just going to have to agree to disagree here
Bob Somerby makes the point here that the Wright issue was always bound to come to the fore at some point.
Jane was quite correct in her observation on that PBS show that it is 7 months until the election.
Somerby makes the additional point that it is good that all of these issues get addressed in the primary, especially as Dukakis, for example, skated in to the election without being attacked at any real level, despite the fact that he arguably had a weakness in regard to the prison furlough issue (whether that was legitimate or not is an entirely different issue of course).
Right now only the only people paying real attention to any of this stuff are people who are extremely politically active. I think that Wright needs to be heard – he has some good things to say, but if he has totally gone off the reservation then the Obama folks will have enough to work with to map out their own position. Hate him or hate him ;), but George Bush (or KKKarl) did a great job with Bush’s “youthful indiscretions,” which just showed what a major league asshole George W. Bush was and is.
Obama can do the same here as well with the difference that Obama’s character is a tad purer.
And THAT is Obama’s problem.
He’s running on NOT being politics as usual, NOT doing the politically expedient thing.
Either Obama is lying when he says he’s appalled by Wright’s comments, or he’s truthfully appalled and therefore I’d appreciate an explanation from his supporters here who’ve insisted Wright hasn’t said anything wrong and anyone who claims he has has a screw loose. Where’s the bashing of Obama for saying Wright’s comments are appalling?
This is going to be a real problem for Obama. And if he capitulates to the press so easily IN ORDER TO WIN, where are the accusations that he’ll do whatever he has to to win, including throwing his pastor under the bus? And if he capitulates that easily, is he fit to be president?
Dems need to look at this in terms of the November election.
then i’m sorry i didn’t express myself better – my comments on race were to explain why it is so important, imo, that we (especially whites) don’t call for wright to STFU. they were not meant as a commentary on why i thought you wrote what you did.
Thank you, that’s very gracious!
btw, if wright, in any way, betrayed a confidence…. i’ll be right there with you in condemning that.
What’s also interesting is that, after the first video of Wright surfaced, the infamous sermon, Wright said in an interview that he had spoken with Obama years before and told him that he’d probably have to disassociate himself with him if he wanted to run for president, and Obama agreed.
It seems they both knew very early on that Wright would pose a problem for Obama, so you’re right: why is he exacerbating it? (I also have a problem with Obama running the campaign he’s run, though, but early on agreeing he’d have to abandon his pastor for political expediency).
She’s full of doodie.
I saw her say the same thing earlier this morning, and it comes across to me like she’s playing both ends against the middle — “Yeah, I was there (this makes me part of a big story), but I didn’t hear nothing.(I’m on the rise here at MSNBC and I’m not gonna jeopardize that!)
Will the media control an Obama presidency too? Doesn’t that concern you?
are you serious or is that snark?
i don’t think it’s only that we are talking about different things (wright’s message vs it’s impact on obama’s campaign) – i think there is an implicit judgement about which of these is more important when you say wright should STFU (that obama’s campaign is more important than wright’s message).
what i’m trying to say is that the judgement about the relative importance of these two things is something that neither you nor i should try to make for wright or the people he may be speaking for. that is their judgement to make since the topic (racism) is one that affects them (and not me) most directly.
Frankly, it was probably my misunderstanding. Blogging while on cold drugs is never, ever the clearest of ways of thinking. *g* And between the tissues and the antihistamines today, I really ought to leave the thought process to everyone else…
It is a problem for Obama because the media has made sure that it is a problem for Obama. That’s the swiftboat dance.
In round 1, Obama gave a thoughtful, honest speech about race and faith, etc. It was smart and stimulating and relatable.
The press conference he just gave was not. I think Obama was being disingenuous. Calculating. Old school.
1) Wright is an interesting character and it would probably do americans good to hear him out- even the weird shit like the AIDS conspiracy.
2) Having him speak out right now hurts Obama.
3) Wright has a right to say whatever he likes- whether it hurts Obama or not- it’s his decision..If he exercises that right- he should not be surprised if Obama and his supporters come after him harshly…
This all seems simple to me- but maybe I’m missin something
It’s sorta like when an alligator latches onto its prey and does that violent roll over and over to disorient then kill its victim as it dives back into the swamp.
I can’t watch it. And I usually watch lots of CNN and MSNBC over the course of the day.
(((Christy)))
you ought to be curled up in bed with a good book, while various people bring you hot tea and things to make you feel better.
hope you are feeling better soon.
yes i find it rather ugly and difficult to watch – i look to see what direction the chat takes but ohhh my god!!
Hello my good man!
Regrets on the Raptors unceremonious exit from the playoffs; I sure as heck didn’t want to see them.
Mr. Bosh will grow from this, the great ones always do.
I saw his first speech as being calculating as well, appealing to everyone in order to neutralize.
And don’t get me wrong. He should have done that. I have no problem with it. Obama, like any other candidate, has to do whatever he must to hang onto this candidacy and win. But THAT is the problem I have. Obama is in fact as politically expedient and scheming as anyone. Unfortunately, he’s now coming up against things that challenge the very basis of his campaign.
Did you read yellowsnapdragon’s post at 221, which compelled me to make this post?
It’s not a snark. It’s a legitimate question sine yellosnapdragon said it.
Well, the media did affect the Clinton presidency some, no?
I agree. And as important as this race is — even to an avid Obama supporter — the topics covered by Rev. Wright will always be more important.
STFU should never be used on those who STTP (speak truth to power), no matter how inconvenient the timing of the message.
Not the point. Obama is supposed NOT be about doing whatever is politically expedient, I thought. And when the media WAS being vicious to Sen. Clinton, Obama supporters wre mocking the claims as being ridiculous.
If people are genuinely interested in ending racial divisions in America, they will not condone Wright’s divisive comments.
Please clarify.
And please use something from the last week, if possible.
i’m guessing you didn’t read paul rosenbery’s post on “the moral imperative for polarization”?
Just in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not an Obama supporter. I certainly can’t speak to what he is supposed to be.
I am, however, confident that Obama is being swiftboated on this. Wright is not particularly offensive. Not nearly as offensive as Hagee.
In due course, we will, undoubtedly, be informed as to whose divisive comments we should condone. Please be patient …
If they’re not divisive, what is Obama upset about? I keep asking this and the only answer I’ve gotten seems to be that he’s faking outrage for politically expediency.
Obama isn’t being swift boated here. No one is lying about anything Obama has done or said.
Obama himself said he can’t divorce himself from Wright. He therefore has a problem if he wants to win a presidential election. That is just the harsh reality. And Hagee and Wright are not mutually exclusive.
No, but I’d be happy to do so. Where is it? I my degree is in philosophy with an emphasis on ethics, so I’d be interested in reading it.
I agree with Obama that his accusation about the US gov’t. creating AIDS to kill blacks is ridiculous, and very offensive.
I think his mocking how white people clap, JFK, and LBJ was offensive and unbecoming a man of his stature and position and influence.
I think is implication that white people are his enemy, to this day, by stating that Farrakhan is not his enemy because he didn’t put him in chains is offensive and not at all helpful in ending racial division.
I think Christy has a good point when she says he is deliberately harming Obama, and to deliberately try to harm another’s aspirations is offensive.
It makes no sense to me that a man so concerned with racism would mock one president who was instrumental in getting civil rights legislation passed, sabotage the first black person to come so close to being elected president, and defend Louis Farrakhan except to conclude that he does not wish to close the racial divide. That is offensive.
my comment @160
Swiftboating is the vilification of a candidate with lies or false insinuations. There are plenty of false insinuations in this case.
And judging from your posts here, you fully accept, without reservations, the media’s standards for covering the elections. I do not.
I see the media, the status quo, as the problem not Barack Obama.
that and the reluctance, nay refusal, to see the forest for the trees by way too many citizens…..
I started out defending Obama on the Wright stuff. I’ve stated time and time again here that in fact the media spin on this, being what Wright has said, is wrong and irrelevant. I’ve also said time and time again that Obama is not responsible for anything Wright says.
I see this from two perspectives:
1) The platform on which Obama has based his candidacy, and this situation challenges it;
2) the REALITY of it in terms of how it’ll effect the General Election.
Okay?
Selise,
There is no comparison to MLK, Jr., and Wright here. MLK, Jr., responded in a civil way in his letter by stating facts about current-day issues facing the black community at that time. (As that goes, I have never objected to Wright’s advocacy on behalf of the African American community or noting truisms about it).
MLK, Jr., never made outlandish accusations like the US gov’t. creating a disease to kill black people. He advocated for black people, not against white people. That is a big difference here. MLK, Jr., would not have defended Louis Farrakhan since Farrakhan is antithetical to all King preached, namely non violence. Farrakhan advocates violence and even the eradication of an entire people. That is repugnant to King’s message and what he was about, and for Wright to defend such a person is troubling.
I think MLK, Jr., would have seen Wright’s words as perpetuating racial divisions and therefore counterproductive (as Obama has basically stated).
But as I’ve said, where Obama is concerned, my concern is not with the substance of anything Wright has said since they are his words and thoughts and not Obama’s. It is wrong for the media to be going at this from that angle, but it’s typical of the media, which has been abhorrent in their responsibility for over a decade now.
1. i did not compare mlk to wright – i said that mlk’s letter explains why it is wrong for white americans to tell wright “to STFU now, go home, and be quiet for a while”
2. nothing in what i’ve heard from wright is advocating “against white people” – if you are going to make that claim, please back it up.
3. your comment, re “outlandish accusations like the US gov’t. creating a disease to kill black people” is wrong on several counts.
first, it is not outlandish to think that elements in within the us gov. might be motivated to do something like this. wright uses the example of the tuskegee experiments. which is on point.
the reason to reject the notion that hiv was created in a lab is the phylogenetic analyses of gene sequences. that wright may not be aware of this, however, is not outlandish.
4. i don’t know anything about farrakhan – but if you are going make such serious accusations, i’d like links (and not to sound bites) to back them up. in any event, the issue is not farrakhan – it is wright. your comments re mlk i don’t think are an accurate, but that is a topic for another day.
and i don’t know how to count. hope you can read through my typos.
LOL for that and thank you for your 261 in its entirety.