Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Acanthus — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:44:00 -0000

"The CNNs and MS-NBCs of the world, per usual, are low-keying this as much as possible".

Low-keying it? You're kidding, right? And, what did he say that was bigoted?

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Ms.Martin — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:29:00 -0000

Anon 8:12

Who's the real bigot?

Searpant's rarely look you in the eye (or in this case state their names) before biting you.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:12:00 -0000

Obama is getting absolutely SLAMMED all over the blogosphere - deservedly so - for his 2 DECADE-long, close, personal relationship with this Wright bigot. The CNNs and MS-NBCs of the world, per usual, are low-keying this as much as possible.

Peace out

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

justice58 — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:45:00 -0000

anon 10:39,

Yup a Tornado did hit. Hmmm--I'm just saying!

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:39:00 -0000

Is is just me or is there something unseemly about the white media putting Obama on the defensive about his minister? At first he was a Muslim, when they couldn't make that stick they go and start picking on his minister. Anderson Cooper was treating Obama like he his child. Poor Obama, he's darned if he does and darned if he doesn't. The media needs to come and hear my Pastor talk about the illegal, immoral war. I believe some of this is payback for Ferraro.
Didn't a Tornado hit the CNN Center tonight in Atlanta?

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

jelana — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:56:00 -0000

I feel like I'm in the MATRIX and I have jumped down the rabbit hole!

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:53:00 -0000

America has already seen HIM (Obama).
If they don't get it by now, they simply don't want to get it. They

will more than likely feel that the church service is being STAGED for

America's benefit. I guess the America that I see is not as progressive or intelligent as the America Obama sees. I TRULY hope that I am wrong. I keep telling

myself that it is NOT OVER Yet!

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Jonathan — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:38:00 -0000

b-serious said:

"I'm telling you. The way to take the sting out of all of this is to open the doors of the church.

As long as the media gets to portray the church as some amorphous mob of black militants, Obama will continue to get dogged by the questions.

You open the doors of the church. And you do the very thing that best undercuts those fears of the unknown: You give it a face. You give it a name. You give it a culture; life and context. You take away the mystery. Why? Because ignorance feeds off of that mystery."

<<

This is still the truest answer yet given in this thread, and it is the one that will be the most effective.

Wright and his contemporaries sometimes spoke and speak from a place of pain because that pain is real, and it has been and still is caused by structural impediments to justice. And America -the majority of it- is ready to see reality.

Obama's statement that he strongly condemns Wright's comments - but will not repudiate the man himself and the totality of his life's work - is the honorable path. It is also the path that, as is usual with Obama, takes the risk of actually trusting the American people instead of trying to corral them into believing some particular thing. Let the people see the church, and see the truth. America is ready, to quote the frontrunner.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Ms.Martin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 22:05:00 -0000

The following is an excerpt from a story I found on Yahoo rearding Obama renounces the statements of Wright:

Also Friday, the United Church of Christ issued a 1,400-word statement defending Wright and his "flagship" congregation. John H. Thomas, United Church of Christ's president, lauded Wright's church for its community service and work to nurture youth. Other church leaders praised Wright for speaking out against homophobia and sexism in the black community.

"It's time for all of us to say no to these attacks and to declare that we will not allow anyone to undermine or destroy the ministries of any of our congregations in order to serve their own narrow political or ideological ends," Thomas said in the statement.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

jelana — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:52:00 -0000

The bottom line is this was put out
there to give people an excuse for not votimg for Obama. This makes them feel comfortable not voting for a Black man. This makes them believe "they" are not racist. No matter what Obama says or does on this matter will make a differnce. People

either understand him or they don't!

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:18:00 -0000

"McCain is in the center"

McCain is in the center only if you buy into the right-wing reframing of the political scale. Those of us with a long enough memory to know better know he's a rightist.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:09:00 -0000

"Rev. Wright is right, but Rev’s got to go".

Isn't he already gone (retired)?

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:07:00 -0000

"Hagee hasn't suggested-at least not in anything I've seen-that God has not blessed, but damned America".

When he said that Katrina was a punishment from God for homosexuality, he certainly did suggest that God damned at least part of America.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:04:00 -0000

If Hillary Clinton had gone to a church where there was a Pastor who spoke this way, most of the Obama supporters would be railing her. But now that the tables are turned, people want to separate Obama from his Church.

I was an Obama supporter and still am, but I just think Americans need to stop being so two-faced.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:02:00 -0000

"He's not on their campaign! Why is that so hard for people to understand".

Because it serves their purposes not to understand.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Nita — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:42:00 -0000

@ Anonymous, Besides, how many times have we've heard Bill Maher or other whites say the same thing about 9/11 as Wright? And what is wrong with saying that Hillary has never been called a "nigger", or is accepted because of her white, priviledged background? IT'S TRUE!

Now, it's time for Democrats to stand up to these Republicans

I have to stop you there, because it's not Republicans who are solitarily behind all this mess.

It's the Clintons as well. I wonder if there is a tag team going down right now. I can't say I know, more like I have a feeling.....

When one's house is not in order, it won't get in order by blaming one's equally slobbish neighbor.

But you're right about Maher and the rest. Thank you. It goes back to what I said earlier, and have always said, about the power of black speech versus the power of white speech.

Unfortunately, now people who have never heard what Wright really said, and ain't gonna give a fuck to hear what he really said, are going to parrot the line that Wright is a racist who hates Jews and that makes Obama a racist anti-Semite, too,..... just like they parrot the bullshit about how Obama was losing when he was actually winning. Or parrot the bullshit about his 'present' votes for Planned Parenthood with Planned Parenthood's permission and endorsement.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

BigAssBelle — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:32:00 -0000

"People need to not buy into what the media is telling you and go read...find out for yourself.

That is patently true. However, if the general public were willing to do that, we wouldn't have been lied into a disastrous war in Iraq, Bush wouldn't be able to pass of telecom/Bush crony immunity as being in the interest of security and on and on and on.

Soundbytes make or break a campaign. It happened to Kerry. It happened to Gore. By the time both of those men were at the point of the vote, they'd been trivialized and demonized in the media to the point that folks STILL believe Gore said he singlehandedly invented the internet and folks STILL believe Kerry's medals were bogus and based on lies.

This is one horrendous soundbyte because it is 180 degrees from Obama's beliefs. I'm going to say it's 180 degrees from his beliefs but I am deathly afraid that an enormous number of folks are going to assume that it's 180 from his professed beliefs and that is a distinct and devastating difference.

And here I'll tell you something else, from the white point of view, from the point of view of someone who has fought long and hard for equality for all people for more than 30 years:

When I hear that coming from Wright's mouth I hear it and I understand it and then there's a big piece of me that rises up and says it is hopeless, I, we, my people, cannot ever win, we cannot ever undo**, we cannot make it better, there is no hope.

Fast on the heels of no hope comes fuck it, why try.

**my people not here until 1893. just for the record.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

NMP — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:22:00 -0000

brownsuga,

You nailed it! I've seen a number of the 'Obama is a sellout' crew on MSNBC and Fox calling for Senator Obama to explain and denounce Reb. Wright, including Professor Lamont Hill who has previously called the Senator everything short of an Uncle Tom. Fake ass negroes!

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Rhonda — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:50:00 -0000

For some of you anonymous people, identify yourselves. If Obama throws right under the bus and then backs up and runs over him again, then he will be doing that to some of his support. People need to not buy into what the media is telling you and go read...find out for yourself. There are many who have said that it wont be that big of an issue, some say it will be something he has to deal with quickly but all I know is that my phone is blowing up with people of all races, ages, genders and classes who want to come and campaign in Philly this weekend. I will go ahead and bring it up at our meeting this evening with Women for Obama and see what I hear. Hopefully I can eradicated any falsehoods like white people can't go to TUCC.

What will make some of you happy? What do you suggest his method to be for throwing this respected black minister under the bus. On Obama's website there are facts on the church. They are there for you to read...go read. If you ever supported the guy then you would have known that.

B.Serious, made a wonderful suggestion and I think that that is the best way to handle it. Obama believes in transparency...there you go. I believe that if people were able to see those who go there, they would not see it as a "threat".

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

BrownSugaQT86 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:34:00 -0000

Anon 1:06, Betrayal? Did you read what Rikyrah wrote about his church. Celebrating your culture, cultivating a sense of community anf pride in one's self, family values and empowerment is not betrayal. You were obviously looking for a savior for the race problem in this country. Obama knows about the realities of this country however he believes that if we unite and understand one another,we can begin to make progress. An Ivy league degree is a sign of personal progress not racial equality. Lets talk about the institutions in this country are still oppressive. Dropping the truth about the realities in this country is not unity, its a false utopia that will come crashing down when more nooses are hung on trees in schooly yards and black men are shot 41 and 54 times by the police not to mention the other inequalities that happen on a regular basis in all facets of life. Some people have to be joking. Go support another candidate if you are smart enough to fall for media hype and feel betrayed because someone is empowering themself, their family and their community. Rev. Wright is speaking the truth about this country. The only way you can make a CHANGE is if you know the truth. If you dont like truth then support Hillary Rodham Clinton, she will be just right for you.

P.S. I get offended when people start up with Rev. Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, they have done a lot for the black community. I know that many like to live in a bubble but they are speaking the truth and reminding our nation that their is inequalities in pur country and that we must address them in order to live up to our own American doctrine...ok.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:08:00 -0000

The Wright time bomb appears to be detonating, now that the horse race narrative has stalled and the media needs new material. The inadequacy of Obama's response is deeply discouraging. I was very excited about Obama, but I suddenly think Wright is going to deal a death blow to him on the "electibility" front. Michelle Obama's comments and now the man who lead him to Jesus is saying "God Damn America", and all BO can say is "I disagree"? He has to thow him under the bus and then back up over him again, but it does not appear that he will. Not clear it would even help that much, given the depth and length of their relationship. Sad to say, but it's best this happen now rather than in October. As distasteful as her tactics have been, I suddenly think we may be better off in November with Hillary. Wright is cancer.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:06:00 -0000

I feel a growing sense of betrayal among some of the Obama supporters I know. Sen. Obama promised to transcend race; millions of sincere people of both parties took him at his word and invested psychologically and materially in his candidacy. Part of his message was that collectively America had made great progress, and their Ivy League and subsequent careers, in addition to his rhetoric of inclusiveness and tolerance, bore witness to that progress in racial equality. Now we learn, that for much of his career, he was not only attending hate-filled sermons against “rich white people” and the “g-d d——d America” (in hopes of solidifying his racial fides in regional Chicago politics?), but subsidized that ministry of intolerance. So while he promised an evolution beyond the race-identity politics of Jesse Jackson or the Rev. Sharpton, his own minister trumped anything that either one of those preachers might have sermonized. All in all—a betrayal.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:53:00 -0000

I agree with B Serious that Trinity should open its doors to the masses to let people see for themselves. It's very obvious that those who are criticizing don't know anything about the church, basing their opinion on a 2 second sound byte.

BUT, would it make sense to invite Sean Hannity? He cannot be trusted. I could see him editing any interview footage of Wright and TUCC to make them look heinous.

I was listening to The Lionel Show on Air America this morning, and he was talking about Wright. Lionel and the callers (most of whom where white) AGREED with Wright's comments and/or found nothing wrong with them. Besides, how many times have we've heard Bill Maher or other whites say the same thing about 9/11 as Wright? And what is wrong with saying that Hillary has never been called a "nigger", or is accepted because of her white, priviledged background? IT'S TRUE!

Now, it's time for Democrats to stand up to these Republicans and say, "Clean up your own backyard!" pointing out their love affair with Farwell, Robertson, Haggee, Parsely...etc.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

B-Serious — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:30:00 -0000

brownsugaqt86,

I hear what you're saying. This will be an issue that pops up from time to time.

But there is such a thing as overreaching in politics. The only people really beating the drums on this thing are Fox News and conservative pundits. Obama was never gonna get that vote anyways.

Have you seen the Fox News coverage? They're basically trying to paint Obama as some type of closet Huey Newton. That's an overreach. If you're going to attack someone, you gotta make it seem realistic. It's hard to characterize someone when there's no corresponding reputation.

Right now, most of the people I've heard have been able to distinguish between Obama and his pastor. Once again, it's still early. But this story has been fighting for air time with Spitzer and the MI/FL issue.

Obama's good reputation has given him a little more slack than I think we're willing to recognize. Plus, I maintain, I think Obama's tougher than we're willing to give him credit for.

Fox news and the like will try to re-define Obama as some type of black nationalist. That's a hard sell to make - especially in a news media with a short attention span. . . especially after you've spent the past year telling the public he wasn't black enough.

I'm not saying it's impossible. It's just hard.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Ms.Martin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:26:00 -0000

nita:

I know all to well that he needs the mixed company, I've had to mix since I was a child. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I was not making an argument for or against-just an observation of what I heard-not a position.

I don't know enough about Wright or Trinity to offer an argument or take a position. I was just thinking out loud.

I will say though, I'm tired of not ever being able to as an African American speak openly about what is undeniably true about what occurs in America and not be called out for it.

I know all to well the place Michelle Obama was speaking from.

She should be allowed to speak those feelings. She was in fact complimenting America.

If the people you want in your company will only accompany a version of you that speaks to their truths and their truths only, what have you really achieved? Once in their company, won't you only be able to be what you presented yourself as to bring them along?

Let's discuss that.