Obama is not somebody I would ever vote for now
Posted by angela on 03/20/08 in Domestic Ramblings
Barack Obama attended Jeremiah Wright’s church for more than twenty years, was baptized by him, married by him and had his children baptized by him. For a long time, a person who damns America was an important part of the Obamas’ lives, and was not repudiated until it became politically necessary. - Hat Tip!
Let’s see what the rest of the world wide web is saying about this situation. Yes, it is a situation. You don’t associate yourself with racist people that condemn our nation. Obama stating that Jeremiah Wright is his “former” pastor doesn’t help matters either. It’s not like he has said that the reason why Jeremiah Wright is no longer his pastor is because he is not in line with his views. Of course not. Jeremiah Wright’s church and people that attend that church have probably helped to line his political campaign. Ya think?
Long before the sermons of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright became instant hits on YouTube and talk-show fodder for the cable news channels, Barack Obama knew he had a preacher problem. On the eve of launching his campaign for the White House in February 2007, Obama abruptly withdrew an invitation to Wright to deliver the invocation at his announcement speech in Springfield, Ill. Wright had been Obama’s pastor for nearly 20 years. He had brought Obama into the church, helped him find his faith in God, officiated at Obama’s wedding and baptized both his children. But Wright had also said a lot of incendiary things from his pulpit about America over the years, things that would be awkward to explain away for a politician hoping to unite the country and become the first African-American President of the United States.
For a year, Obama didn’t have to explain his relationship with Wright; he didn’t even have to deliver a speech outlining his views on race relations. After all, one of the animating forces behind Obama’s campaign was the notion that he, and we, had somehow transcended the old racial divisions in America, that he wasn’t “the black candidate” for President but a presidential candidate whose race was only part of his much broader appeal. Then on March 13, video clips emerged of Wright in earlier sermons, shouting “God damn America!” and calling 9/11 a case of “America’s chickens … coming home to roost.” It became a story that threatened to capsize Obama’s front-running campaign with the speed of a Wall Street bankruptcy. Obama issued a statement denouncing Wright’s comments but soon realized he had to do more. - Hat Tip!
I don’t know about you but I don’t believe my pastor would ever speak that way in church. I don’t believe my pastor would speak that way outside of church either. If I had been sitting in that sermon I would have immediately grabbed my purse, my husband, and my kids and left never to return. How about you?
Reverend Wright clearly preaches from a particular cast of mind, one with which Obama was surely familiar. If Obama isn’t willing to voice his concerns and objections with Wright and stand up for his country as it is being slandered by his pastor, what can we expect from Obama when he is asked to stand up against some of the world’s worst dictators? - Hat Tip!
You’ll definitely want to check that one out! There are some excellent points made in that particular post on that blog that I give out the hat tip for. I would not want to associate myself if the church as a whole didn’t come together and denounce what was stated and have him replaced. It sort of makes it seem as though the church he went to is not a bible based church at all. That leaves people wondering about his faith and just how much of a role his faith will play if he should win the democratic appointment.
“Brite does not endorse all of the statements or views of any of the church leaders recognized by the Divinity School,” its Web site said. “Brite is recognizing Dr. Wright for his forty-year ministry linking divine justice and social justice.”
Though the divinity school is at TCU, Brite is a separate corporation with its own leadership. The award is presented by Brite.
In 2006, Dr. Wright was taped, saying “we believe in white supremacy and black inferiority, and believe it more than we believe in God.”
Mr. Obama has condemned the statements, calling them “inflammatory and appalling.” - Hat Tip!
Why didn’t Obama condemn the statements when they were happening? Am I supposed to believe that the entire congregation allowed this pastor to continue preaching even after he had made those statements? What excuses could have been mustered to totally ignore any of it?
“I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it’s on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Reverend Wright that are at issue.”
“I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.”
Obama claims that this is all news to him and that he never heard any inflammatory statements from Wright in his 20 year association with the church and his 17 years as an attending member of the church.
“While Rev. Wright’s statements have pained and angered me, I believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.”
Bulls**t! How can Obama deny that he was oblivious to the views and beliefs of his own declared “spiritual advisor,” pastor, family friend, and campaign advisor? These are also the same views shared by his own wife, Michelle, as exposed by her recent statement “For the first time in my life, I am really proud of my country,” and her recent statement that “Americans are mean people.” Obama spent the 2007 Christmas holidays at home in Chicago. Didn’t the Obamas attend Christmas services when Wright delivered one of his most controversial sermons? Any contention by Obama that he did not know about, and does not share the views of this man are simply not credible. - Hat Tip!
I don’t know about you guys but there is absolutely NO WAY I would ever vote for this man and believe me.. I had often considered him before. I also felt like his wife was pretty smart listening to her speeches from C-Span. However, too much has gone on and come to light for me to just ignore the little things that make up a person that is running for office. Hillary Clinton is definitely going to win the Democratic Primary and I can honestly say that it isn’t such a bad thing after all.
tag this
PSympson | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
Oh get over yourself, were you ever really going to vote for him? Perhaps he should feel honoured that you supposedly considered it ? Give yourself a big pat on the back for being so liberal and unbiased that you even considered it. You use the term “our nation”, does that “our” include Rev Wright ? and was he always a part of that nation when he faced segregation or could not vote or lived in a country where the very laws enshrined his second class status? So you are not going to tolerate racists - the next time you hear a White person make a racist comment will you challenge them ? For all the high ideals of the declaration of independence the economic power of America was built to a large extent on racist idealogy. For countless people of African descent and also for Native Americans, they were not part of the nation on whose behalf you are so offended. Make no mistake, racism is an evil irrespective of who practices it and if you dont want to vote for Obama that is fine and your choice, freely made. But to come up with some psuedo patriotic BS is ridiculous. And get this, I’m not even American, does that make you mad that I have the cheek to comment on an American election. ? If so then you might just begin to understand what it must have been like to not participate in “your nation” and start to understand the frustrations that have shaped the lives of someone like Rev Wright. You might then seek to engage in a sensible discussion about race in your country and be honestly critical of both black and white positions in an effort to resolve the issues
angela | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
I call it how I see it and it doesn’t matter what color you are OR where you come from.
I suppose you think you know me too. Imagine that one! Ha! I laugh in your face.
(Manchester England United Kingdom - I know that you are not American!)
Tracy | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
Obama is a liar, a charlaton, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Period.
There is NO WAY that he could attend Wright’s sermons over a period of 20 years and not know how racist and “anti-America” he is. The point is, Obama didn’t CARE how racist or Anti-America Wright is, he may have even agreed.
It’s one thing to have a friend or acquaintance that you have completely differing views from. I have friends/acquaintences that I completely disagree with on certain issues.
It’s another thing ENTIRELY to call someone who has such differing views and general outlook as your “spiritual advisor and mentor”.
I wouldn’t want someone who has such racist views, such anti-American views officating in my wedding ceremony, much less blessing or baptizing my children. Frankly, I wouldn’t trust that God has given such a person any power to “bless” anyone, period.
That would be like me asking David Duke to bless my kids. I wouldn’t want David Duke anywhere NEAR my kids. I wouldn’t let my kids hear any of his hateful, racist rhetoric.
Nor should Obama have done such with the “so-called, Reverend” Wright.
I’ve had a very bad feeling about Obama from the very beginning. “Wolf in sheep’s clothing” has been my underlining thoughts about him, from day one of his campaign. And all this with his pastor has only solidified my initial concerns.
Becki | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
The problem is that in this country you can’t have a sensible conversation about race if you are white. Every time someone tries they automatically get the label of racist smacked on them.
Courtenay Barnett | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
RACIST AMERICA AND ITS DOUBLE STANDARDS MAKING WRIGHT WRONG!
Obama’s preacher has said that America brought 9/11 on itself, but first consider:-
1. In 1979 did the then Soviet Union invade Afghanistan?
2. Did the C.I.A give monetary and military assistance to resistance fighters that fought the Soviets under a banner of Islam?
3. Did the same fighters funded in what some have called “Charlie Wilson’s war” not morph from Mujahadin into the Taliban?
4. Since the Mujahadin and Taliban were trained with US help then is it illogical for Wright to focus on the original monetary source of the funding, with bin Laden being a beneficiary, himself accused of being behind the 9/11 attack, to conclude in by reference to those interrelationships that – in a certain sense America did bring the 9/11 attack upon itself? Having fanned the flames of militant Islam with the C.I.A’s money, then the militancy was unleashed on America – is Reverend Wright so wrong about that?
With America having marched into Iraq for its oil, it is now the Iraqis to be blamed for resisting the illegal invasion and US occupation – not Bush and his misguided foreign policy.
With true double standards so many are up in arms about what Reverend Wright has to say about America, but just consider from 19th March,2008, ABC’s Good Morning America just how much VP Cheney cares:-
CHENEY: On the security front, I think there’s a general consensus that we’ve made major progress, that the surge has worked. That’s been a major success.
RADDATZ: Two-third of Americans say it’s not worth fighting.
CHENEY: So?
RADDATZ So? You don’t care what the American people think?
CHENEY: No. I think you cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations in the public opinion polls.
But, back to Reverend Wright, just look below at how in actuality he squares with and decide whether there aren’t double standards and racism. But also link to http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20041221155307646 to consider the top 40 reasons to doubt the official version on September 11 –2001 - huh?
The White Preacher Double Standard: How Hagee, Parsley and the Rest Get Away with Everything
Posted by Cenk Uygur, Huffington Post at 12:03 PM on March 19, 2008.
Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam.
Rudy Giuliani’s priest has been accused in grand jury proceedings of molesting several children and covering up the molestation of others. Giuliani would not disavow him on the campaign trail and still works with him.
Mitt Romney was part of a church that did not view black Americans as equals and actively discriminated against them. He stayed with that church all the way into his early thirties, until they were finally forced to change their policies to come into compliance with civil rights legislation. Romney never disavowed his church back then or now. He said he was proud of the faith of his fathers.
Jerry Falwell said America had 9/11 coming because we tolerated gays, feminists and liberals. It was our fault. Our chickens had come home to roost, if you will. John McCain proudly received his support and even spoke at his university’s commencement.
Reverend John Hagee has called the Catholic Church the “Great Whore.” He has said that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the European Union (of course, the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish). He has said all Muslims are trained to kill and will be part of the devil’s army when Armageddon comes (which he hopes is soon). John McCain continues to say he is proud of Reverend Hagee’s endorsement.
Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam. Since this is such an outlandish claim, I have to add for the record, that he is not kidding. Reverend Parsley says Islam is an “anti-Christ religion” brought down from a “demon spirit.” Of course, we are in a war against all Muslims, including presumably Muslim-Americans. Buts since Parsley believes this is a Christian nation and that it should be run as a theocracy, he is not very concerned what Muslim-Americans think.
John McCain says Reverend Rod Parsley is his “spiritual guide.”
What separates all of these outrageous preachers from Barack Obama’s? You guessed it. They’re white and Reverend Jeremiah Wright is not. If it’s not racism that’s causing the disparity in media treatment of these preachers, then what is it?
I’m willing to listen to other possible explanations. And I am inclined to believe that the people these preachers go after are more important than the race of the preacher. It’s one thing to go after gays, liberals and Muslims - that seems to be perfectly acceptable in America - it’s another to accuse white folks of not living up to their ideals.
I think there is another factor at play as well. The media is deathly afraid of calling out preachers of any stripe for insane propaganda from the pulpits for fear that they will be labeled as anti-Christian. But criticism of Rev. Wright falls into their comfort zone. It’s easy to blame him for being anti-American because he criticizes American foreign and domestic policy.
If Rev. Wright had preached about discriminating against gay Americans or Muslims, there probably would not have been any outcry at all. That falls into the category of “respect their hateful opinions because they cloak themselves in the church.”
But one thing is indisputable - the enormous disparity in how the media has covered these white preachers as opposed to Rev. Wright. Have you ever even heard of Rod Parsley? As you can see from what I listed above, all of these white preachers have said and done the most outlandish and offensive things you can imagine - and hardly a peep.
If the disparity in coverage isn’t racist, then what is it?
Reverend John Hagee has called the Catholic Church the “Great Whore.” He has said that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the European Union (of course, the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish). He has said all Muslims are trained to kill and will be part of the devil’s army when Armageddon comes (which he hopes is soon). John McCain continues to say he is proud of Reverend Hagee’s endorsement.
Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam. Since this is such an outlandish claim, I have to add for the record, that he is not kidding. Reverend Parsley says Islam is an “anti-Christ religion” brought down from a “demon spirit.” Of course, we are in a war against all Muslims, including presumably Muslim-Americans. Buts since Parsley believes this is a Christian nation and that it should be run as a theocracy, he is not very concerned what Muslim-Americans think.
John McCain says Reverend Rod Parsley is his “spiritual guide.”
What separates all of these outrageous preachers from Barack Obama’s? You guessed it. They’re white and Reverend Jeremiah Wright is not. If it’s not racism that’s causing the disparity in media treatment of these preachers, then what is it?
I’m willing to listen to other possible explanations. And I am inclined to believe that the people these preachers go after are more important than the race of the preacher. It’s one thing to go after gays, liberals and Muslims - that seems to be perfectly acceptable in America - it’s another to accuse white folks of not living up to their ideals.
I think there is another factor at play as well. The media is deathly afraid of calling out preachers of any stripe for insane propaganda from the pulpits for fear that they will be labeled as anti-Christian. But criticism of Rev. Wright falls into their comfort zone. It’s easy to blame him for being anti-American because he criticizes American foreign and domestic policy.
If Rev. Wright had preached about discriminating against gay Americans or Muslims, there probably would not have been any outcry at all. That falls into the category of “respect their hateful opinions because they cloak themselves in the church.”
But one thing is indisputable - the enormous disparity in how the media has covered these white preachers as opposed to Rev. Wright. Have you ever even heard of Rod Parsley? As you can see from what I listed above, all of these white preachers have said and done the most outlandish and offensive things you can imagine - and hardly a peep.
If the disparity in coverage isn’t racist, then what is it?
Cenk Uygur is co-host of The Young Turks, the first liberal radio show to air nationwide.
PSympson | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
I dont know if you are a religious person but I suggest you read the Audacity of Hope - not the book by Obama, the sermon given by Wright
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/03/for-the-record.html
My view (for what its worth) is that this is a beautiful sermon and I can fully understand that on hearing it, that Obama opened his life to Christ. In the evangelical tradition of Black churches there is a tremendous amount of emotion involved when making this step, lots of tears, lots of shouting etc. and for someone like Obama - in search of an identity, it must have been even more intense. Couple that with the need for a black father figure in his life - please dont see that as disparaging his white grandparents but there is a whole load of crap associated with absent black fathers, I fully understand why Wright became very very important to Obama. However it started out, like all children Obama outgrew his father figure and I have no doubt that there were frank discussions but again like all children, in the core of your being you know that you love this man, so I am not surprised that he stayed for 20 years. Think of it this way, if you were in Obama’s position and your father was Rev Wright. How easy would it have been to walk away. I have read on some blogs that your pastor is not family, but frankly if you know anything of evangelical churches it does not get more ‘family’ than that. What I see in this whole affair is that Obama could not have been thinking purely of political expedience or he would have left the church and made some great show of it much earlier. I see a young man of mixed racial heritage trying to navigate complex social and racial problems - the society in which he lived regarded him as black, irrespective of his white half and he no doubt suffered at the hands of black racists for not being black enough. He found somewhere where he was accepted, a community in which he could feel welcomed. If you know anything of the problems of children of mixed heritage then cut the man some slack. Dont vote for him if thats your choice but understand that things may not be as straightforward or as simplistic as any of our initial views.
PSympson | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
Unfortunately there is a lot of truth in what you say. Very much as was laid out quite clearly by Obama, the genuine concerns on both sides of the fence are too easily dimissed by politicians for political ends. I am the only black person in my department at work ( in the UK) and I would love to discuss the whole election with my colleagues but the moment race comes up, the y shy away and are most certainly very very uncomfortable with the subject. I am absolutely fascinated by it - the challenges that Obamas candidacy poses not just to entrenched whites but to blacks also Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson et al haven’t got a clue what to do because they have been sidestepped and should Obama win the nomination then their influence diminishes. Also what of blacks who excuse their behaviour with the excuse that their is no point trying because a black man cannot get anywhere because of racism. For these reasons alone I admit I would love to see an Obama nomination at the very lease.
ellen | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
If only the citizens of the country could understand the wisdom on voting Obama as our President.
I say that as a middle aged, middle class, White American female.
Our country could not do better.
David | Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
“And oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse.”
William Shakespeare
keepintime | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
There’s no mystery here. If you liked Obama to begin with, you understand his reasons for not forsaking his pastor and his church, and accept that as the true measure of his sincerity. If you didn’t like him to begin with, you’re simply grabbing at the first hint of an excuse to trash him, while declaring your own newfound superior patriotism. Big surprise. If you fall into the latter category and insist on voting for McCain, I hope your kids and grandkids won’t mind paying for your baseless, immoral war for years and years to come. And oh, by the way, they just MIGHT have to participate in it someday too. Someone has to, because Lord knows Bush and company don’t have the gonads to do it themselves. Good luck to you all. You’re gonna need it.
PSympson | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
To all those who feel offended by Rev Wright’s statements according to the video on the main stream news, please check this out. This is the video as given by Wright, you could say that you dont care that you heard enough already but if you are certain that your view is correct, what are you afraid of ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ
DarrenKeith | Mar 21, 2008 | Reply
Although I totally disagree with you, you have a right to your opinion. For me being an African-American I hope he wins because from my experience with my 42 years on this planet I tell my grandsons to watch their step when it comes to dealing with my White brothers and sisters because many times we only have one time to screw up and that’s it.
First and foremost many of my White counterparts act as if Rev. Jeremiah Wright speaks for every Black church. Second, many[not all] Whites think that we do not have a right to be angry at times at this nation. Let’s not forget it was only about 10 years ago that Robert Byrd Jr. was dragged behind a pick up truck by three white males and the majority of the Black community though condemned the act we still forgave the three men which leads me to the final part that many in our community no matter what harsh act that has been bestowed on us we still find room to forgive. joe scarborough said it best last night, our country doesn’t really want to address the issue of Race in this country.
and also…if we as Blacks are so angry why do politicians come to our churches every 2 to 4 years to get our votes?
But like someone said earlier…whoever was going to vote for him they are and whoever was not going to vote for him, they were not.
We love this country, but I know how Jeremiah feels from time to time and that is something that White America will never understand and can’t understand.
Thanks for a thought-provoking post
Be Blessed
~DarrenKeith
angela | Mar 23, 2008 | Reply
Seems to me that too many People are caught up with red, yellow, black and white People.
It’s sad how most want to focus on the terrible deeds that were done by others so many years ago.
Nothing compares to Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection.
Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Patrick | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Of course people still focus on terrible deeds done so many years ago. I don’t know how you see America, but racism still exists today as it did long ago. While I am white, I have black relatives. My young cousins (in grade school) have been called racial epithets and probably will be called so many times more in their life. They will be discriminated against. It will happen. It is not just in the past. While black people in America are not enslaved like they were at during the first half of the 19th century and all of American history before that, they are still disadvantaged in many aspects of their life. People are caught up in it because racism STILL HAPPENS. It’s a terrible thing but it doesn’t seem like you still see it as a problem.
I don’t know about you but I think it would be difficult to forget the Holocaust, which happened long ago but is still in living memory. Personally, I think that whole murderous history of WWII compares with Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Or maybe the 20+ million people that the Germans murdered, the 20+ million Chinese that the Japanese murdered, or the 20-30 million of their own citizens that the USSR killed (before and during WWII) don’t matter compared to Jesus. I think that is more powerful to me than one man.
angela | May 2, 2008 | Reply
When you look at the whole story of Jesus and his death on the cross there is no comparison.
I’m tired of black people living a life of victimization when it doesn’t have to be that way.
Racism is happening all over the world and not just to black people.
To me, it doesn’t seem as if some black people want to move on and stop living the life of a victim.
Patrick | May 2, 2008 | Reply
I know the story of Jesus. In my opinion there is a huge comparison. He went knowingly to his death by torture. If the bible is to be believed, he sacrificed himself. Fine. Plenty of other people (not only just in WWII but every day, look at Africa) have gone to similar or worse deaths knowing what would happen. Many, many people have sacrificed themselves for far less. Is that not similar?
Some black people do live a life of victimization. That is obviously not a good thing. But your second statement of that comment was a HUGE generalization that I am offended by. It seems like your true side is showing. Many, many black people have overcome and ignored racism to succeed. Not everyone exploits being a victim.
Of course racism is a world travesty. Of course other people, not just black people, are discriminated against. I was just making a statement I could relate to. However, I can understand some people not being able to get past racism. Some people have been hurt so badly it dominates their lives. Are all those people who play the victim card discriminated against? No. Them playing the victim is bad. But for a vast majority of people who have been discriminated against (not just black people) why cannot they cry out?
Sometimes it’s impossible to ignore the past.
angela | May 2, 2008 | Reply
You make Jesus sound as if He were less than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You make Him sound as if He can be compared to you and me. You can’t compare Jesus with ordinary people. So no, it’s not similar at all.
Yes that’s true, not everybody that has been a victim exploits being a victim. In fact, many people have climbed hurdles in their life and have taken their experiences good and bad to try and make a difference in their communities and in the lives of others. This goes beyond racism for those that want to continue to be hung up by race only.
For those that can’t seem to get past the bad things that have happened to them in their life then perhaps it’s time to schedule an appointment to see a counselor so that they can break the cycle.
It’s ok to cry out, to be upset, and even angry about what has happened BUT if you want to dwell on it for the rest of your life then that’s a problem that definitely needs all kinds of therapy.
angela | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Obama was for Wright before he was against him
Patrick | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Some Omahans don’t believe that Jesus is part of the trinity or is god. So for them, yeah, it can be a comparison. We’ll just have to disagree with that. We won’t convince each other what is right on that argument.
We seem to be somewhat on the same page with the victimization problem. I am just saying that not all people who play that card are faking it. It’s true that at some point they should try to get past it. Though therapy probably isn’t the answer for some people. It’s also really hard for either of us to make that decision for people. Sometimes hatred or racism or a feeling of being oppressed is too ingrained in someone. I have a hard time judging that.
angela | May 2, 2008 | Reply
Well for the benefit of those that don’t know me, I do believe that Jesus is part of the Trinity and also that Jesus is God Himself! Other people not believing this way is another debate for another post. You can’t compare Christ’s death on the cross to the death of a regular human being like you and me. It’s pretty clear that you know what I am saying and what I’m getting at so trying to make that point with me is useless.
Anybody that wants to live their life and play the race card, victim card or whatever you want to call it gets know props from me and I don’t feel sorry for you. It’s ok to take something bad that has happened to you and use it for good but to continue to use it to take advantage of situations is wrong and I will never be supportive of these tactics. These issues are too ingrained in some because it’s how they choose to live.