So, I saw this on MSNBC this morning
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23659238#23659238 follow the link, for some reason this video won't embed.
I have to say, it really bothers me. This reverend Wright isn't just some guy who Obama knows, or someone who happens to be a part of the campaign in some fringe position. This is a man who has been Obama's pastor for some 20 years. He is someone Obama said he was proud to know. He is considered a mentor.
This man has spouted racist, and anti-semitic vitriol. He has called the U.S.A. the U.S. KKK A. etc. He is a hater, and a divisive influence. I don't believe for half a second that Obama never heard any of this kind of thing. I don't believe for half a second that Obama didn't know the reverend's stance on these issues.
Sen. Bradley says we should move on, that Obama has condemned the remarks and that should be clear enough. How expedient. This man was Obama's pastor for 20 years, and the campaign's spiritual advisor, then when there is a backlash in the media about his anti-semitic, racially charged, hate the U.S. filled rhetoric, he is dropped from the campaign. This should bother people.
A friend of mine tried to argue that Michelle Obama's vehement rhetoric regarding how horrible the U.S. is was maybe just someone who is negative, and has a different personality from Barack. But there seems to be kind of a pattern. His wife, and his pastor/spiritual advisor have shown a distinctly negative attitude towards the U.S. and towards 'the man' that keeps minorities down. It makes me seriously wonder how charismatically calculated is Obama's 'hope' campaign. Because it seems like those that he surrounds himself with, by choice, are anything but hopeful for the future of this country, and they are anything but interested in the coming together of different peoples.
3 comments:
Well, you know that I plan to "Barak the vote," so of course I will respond.
I am surrounded by loved ones with opinions so vastly varied and on such opposites sides of the spectrum that I don't believe your argument is innately valid.
Although I disagree, at times vehemently, with certain people, I love and respect racists, socialists, cold hearted neo-cons, and bleeding heart liberals. (I don't think I could have possibly fit any more commas in this paragraph!)
You, yourself have belonged to congregations lead by some of these ridiculous people.
Just as I don't blame Hillary (gag) for what Bill says and does,
I think it is only fair to judge Obama on his sins rather than his Pastor's transgressions.
There are a few logical flaws with your argumentation.
First. Even if I love a racist, I do not respect them. Nor could I. They are not someone to be followed.
Second. I am not sure specifically which leader to which you refer, however, if I ever had a bishop, elder's quorum pres. etc. who spouted the vile rhetoric that this reverend preached, I would do my very best to have them removed and disciplined.
Third. There is a vast difference between the personal opinions of an individual that takes part in a lay clergy, and a paid minister that answers to no one, but perhaps the deacons of the church, and is responsible to no one for doctrine or opinions. He is free to preach what he will. That, makes a big difference.
Fourth. When we are talking about someone who wishes to be president, the rules change.
If Barack were my neighbor, I wouldn't give two licks what his pastor says. However, Barack wants to be in a position where your ability to choose those you surround yourself with is perhaps the most important qualification. We don't have a big corpus of work to look on and get an idea of what kind of person Barack is. We don't have a long list of things that we can point to and assess his position on various topics. All we have is what he says about himself.
That's fine, I am not one of those that thinks 'experience' is the be all and end all to the debate. But, when you want to be the President, those who you not only willingly associate with, but praise and model yourself after, are fair game. And, they should be.
It is, at the least, disingenuous for Barack to claim he has never heard any of these comments. I think its a flat out lie myself. There is little to no chance that Barack has known this man for 20 years, considers him a mentor, has him as a spiritual aide on his campaign, and has no idea how he stands on stuff.
A president, or contender for it, has to be responsible for the character of the people that he willingly surrounds himself with. Otherwise, how could we demand accountability for an administration.
This reverend gave Farrakhan a freaking award. Obama can't claim he didn't know about that. If David Duke was an advisor on McCain's campaign, I would freak out. If McCain had the head of the Minute Men on his staff, you would freak out too.
This is about accountability for the people you choose to surround yourself with. If he was Barack, the corner handyman, I wouldn't care. But he wants to be the President. This bothers me, because I think it shows a distinct lack in either the ability to judge character, or the willingness to stand up and call a friend and associate an idiot.
Either way, I think it should trouble even the most staunch Barack supporter.
I couldn't agree more Dan. You've hit it right on the head. I'm not blaming Obama for that garbage, but 20 years? seriously? Especially when the moron has a big mouth like he does? How do you never hear that? If that is the kind of crap that Obama chooses to surround himself with then what can we hope for when it comes to his cabinet? his supreme court nominations?
For Obama to say that wright is like "an old uncle" who sometimes spouts off stuff that nobody agrees with doesn't cut it for me.
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