Even Elizabeth on the View has figured out what B Hussein Obama can't that his pastor and mentor is a an anti-white rascist.
Obama has been like Rip Van Winkle asleep in the pew for 20 years.
He has shown bad judgment in other ways with friendships with indicted Tony Rezko, Weatherman Underground terrorist William Ayres, and Ahmed Auchi, the Mahajans and his close association with the Daley corrupt political machine.
A machine politican is not a uniter he is a divider and his pastor gave a lifetime achievemnet award to anti-semite Louis Farrakhan.
Jerry White, Springfield, IL

Give me break....Pastor Wright is a Black Racist! Everyone has an opinion, but to go up on the pulpit and preach this BS? Funny how he condems the white man but he sure took a page out of the white mans play-book by having the church aquire 2 lot in Tinley Park for over a million and also being reported is 8 mil in a trust for him! hmmmmm!!!

When does he ever talk about the role he plays in politics of actually getting something done? And I don't consider endorsing Daley and Stroger - who both raised our taxes this year - getting something done.

Obama claimed that Wright apologized if people were offended.

Obama lied. Wright has never apologized for his claims that the US created AIDS to kill Blacks or that the US government sold illegal drugs to Blacks.

And Obama must be totally blind and deaf to have missed Wright's embracing of Ghadaffi and Farrakhan and Hamas.

You are covering up for Obama by not including his lies and pointing them out.

Typical journalism at the Tribune.

Barry the Socialist- "Part of what my role in my politics is to get people who don't normally listen to each other, to talk to each other...and to maybe help them understand each other."

He's not going to "get" me to listen to this guy or understand this guy. I suppose we should listen and understand the terrorists who are trying to kill us or the gangs like MS-13 who are trying to kill us. "Lets just hold hands and, and, and, understand eachother."

Sure, Obama goes on a show that will shower him with love. The hosts won't dare ask him any tough questions about why he didn't leave the church years ago when Wright made hateful statements at the Sunday morning pulpit. This will be softball like never before. Look for SNL to parody this when they come back.

Obama is a liar. He knew, he heard, and he agreed with him. Otherwise, he would have left the Church.

Obama only left the Church when he decided to run for President. He knew it would hurt him.

Wright is a racist, white hating, UnAmerican. He is the worst of the black community. And he was Obamas mentor and spiritual adviser.

Obama should quit the race. He has no chance of winning.

God Bless the USA.

I am an Obama supporter and a member of Trinity. I don't agree with how Obama has handled this matter with Rev. Wright. In his attempt to neturalize the issue with the public he denounced the statements but not the man. Obama should have taken a play from Hillary's book. Tell the public what you feel and then tell them to get over it. Seems to work for her.
What Obama should have said in his address is; yes Pastor Wright has said things that I do not agree with, and if I were making a judgment about my membership based on the sound bytes you have heard I would have not been a member for 20 years. However, my judgement about the man is based on a 20 year relationship that lets me know more about him and the church than the general public will ever know. It is unfair to judge my actions or his beliefs when you have only heard one side of the story. If you are interested in the whole story then research the church and the man. Now get over it and move on.

I think it is time for America to move on past this non-issue. Oblviously you do not give up friends or family just because their views are different. That is what America is all about. If I were only to associate with people just like me I would be alone somewhere in a cave. Come on people...wake up. We have one mission here, get a democrat in the White House.

Yep ladies and gentlemen the Republicans' goal is to turn American into a more Talibanesque place. That's outrageous you say? Well what would you call a country that tries to destroy women's reproductive rights, forces particular brand of religion down your throats by rewriting the Consitution, and a nation where you can get turned down for a job just because of something your pastor has said. Yes folks I'm not describing Afghanistan under the Taliban, this will be America if the Republican Party has their way.

Why not report that Obama wouldn't be in the church is the Rev was still pastor. Watch "the view" and see him say this

But last week, Obama had "no idea" of these hateful sermons.

Obama, you are either lying about what you witnessed in the church (kill whitey), or you're lying about disowning the pastor. Which is it?

I cannot excuse or even defend "Pastor" Wright. He said what he said...I don't care if he is able to part and walk across Lake Michigan - his paranoid, racist rants against the US and now Italians (!) have cost him any credibility he has. Hillary is right: you CAN choose your pastors. Obama's choice to stick with this vile, hateful man says a lot about his own judgement and beliefs.

Well, we know enough about Obama's religion and practice. We also know about some other dropped candidates, especially Republicans.
Now, is Hillary Clinton a worshipper? What is her religion? Does she practice, where and when?
Where was she married and her daughter baptized?

For those people who want more than just a youtube snippet of Rev. Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ should simply go to their Web site (www.tucc.org) and learn about their ministries -- which are vast, positive and world changing. If you go, you should spend a couple extra moments listening to the President of the UCC talk about Rev. Wright and his ministry.

I'm a former pastor from another denomination. I am glad I was never vilified by people who had never really heard me speak based on a snippet of the most negative words I had ever spoken.

America is not perfect. I served proudly in the military, because I believed it my duty to give back to her, but even then I knew we were not perfect. I served in the pulpit because I believe in the potential of people to rise above their pettiness and become people of God. We need people who are willing to challenge us, to help us to see our own shortcomings. To look at ourselves in the mirror and see what really is, instead of what our rhetoric tells us to believe.

Thirty years doing three sermons a Sunday is a lot.

I can not phamtom the job of sitting hour after hour after hour listening to sermon after sermon of that Pastor rant and rave to come up with those sound bites. I would of committed suicide.

Now if only the media would of done the same thing 'SOME RESEARCH' when the Clinton campaign mis stated 4 times being under fire during her Bosnia trip insted of having a B rated comedian call her out on it and have her dismiss his as, well, just a comedian.

Sorry -- but I am not "getting over it" and I am not "moving on". This is a serious and sobering look at BO's past and religious beliefs. He is guilty by a rather lengthy association. This is not a guy he met two years ago and was still finding out about. This is a 20 year relationship with a spiritual leader who makes no secret of friendships with others who are also racial bigots.

" never apologized for his claims that the US created AIDS to kill Blacks"

This is absolutely true and part of the whole Iran/Contra dealing of the 1980s.

http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/special/9712/ch01p1.htm

The only way we can move toward peace in the world is to relate to people the way Sen. Obama does. What goes around comes around. Sen. Obama responds with intelligence and compassion to negativity and hostility. I think he's the very best candidate to represent us in the White House and the very best role model for the young and all of us. Yes, I do want him to address the terrorists the way he addresses Rev. Wright. Otherwise, war continues on all fronts. War and bloodshed and other ugly, deadly things.

Yes Lynda, let's get a democrat into the whitehouse. How about we first find one that deserves it. Some people will always accept seconds.

Obama really lowered himself by going on THE VIEW. To be part of a church for 20 years where its Pastor gave hateful and racist sermons and say he never remembered hearing them is just unbelievable. Obama still has not addressed the issue of the Reverend Jeremiah "God Damn America" Wright satisfactory. We are all not dumb or naive out here as some Obama supporters think we are.

Please, White America knows that the Reverend was absolutely correct in his comments. White America doesn't want to admit its racism, past or present. The Reverend was telling the truth and you know this. For Senator Obama to take responsibility for his comments is just wrong. White America needs to wake-up and smell the coffee.

Its amazing to hear Barack say that he has distanced himself from this church. Here's my question...when you watch those clips, you see Wright's entire congregation jumping, clapping, hooting and hollering during his inciteful message. Does Barack want me to believe that he and his wife did not jump up and down and accept the words of his pastor? Does he want us to believe that he is not a racist and cannot truly be a "uniter" when he joins one of the most divisive churches in Chicago? Does he want us to believe that truly does not have these thoughts in his heart and mind, when he grew up with was a racist grandmother? Does he want us to believe that he does not embrace his Islamic heritage by renaming himself "Barack" after going through most of college as "Barry"? Barack Obama is a phony and he is finally being called out on it. By the way, I can't stand Hillary either.

Please, White America knows that the Reverend was absolutely correct in his comments. White America doesn't want to admit its racism, past or present. The Reverend was telling the truth and you know this. For Senator Obama to take responsibility for his comments is just wrong. White America needs to wake-up and smell the coffee.

So Rush Limpbags and Sean Insannity got all their Dead Head cult followers to repeat the mantra of Rev. Wright. Great. Now how about we worry about real issues that affect everyone in the country? Like, I don't know - The never ending multi Billion Dollar Iraq War based on lies. How about the Recession we are spiralling in? If you want to talk about hate mongering from the pulpit, how about Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson who stated that the United States brought 9-11 on it's own? Swiftboating my Friends. That is all this is and do not let that get in the way of what is important to the voters. The ignorant right would like everyone to focus on that instead of on what a horrible job this current President has done for two terms.

gjs - actually Obama did say exactly that in his speech in Philadelphia last week. It would help if people actually listened to his words instead of to the endless media spin

you have only heard one side of the story.
Posted by: gjs | March 28, 2008 9:51 AM

gjs: That one side of the story was very powerful, and very telling. most white people do not need to hear the other side.

I think it is time for America to move on past this non-issue.
Posted by: Lynda | March 28, 2008 9:52

Lynda :Your either very dumb, or insane if you think this is a non-issue. This is what you call a deal breaker with most white people .

I am so sick of this guy's bs. He sat in this church for 20 years and called his racist preacher his spiritual advisor. He tries to play it off like it was just a few soundbytes, yet notice that no one in that church gasped or seemed shocked when he spewed his hate of this country and whites. I did hear a lot of agreement and applause, put two and two together. This wasn't the first time this has happened.

I find it real funny that he is all about getting past this and not judging people by a few soundbytes as he puts it. But yet he was so quick to call for Don Imus' head after that was blown out of proportion. Imus does a comedic radio show, Wright is a spiritual advisor to a huge congregation and a guy who wants to be president. Big difference.

The only hate I see is coming from some of the comments here. Why are you SO determined to put Dr Wright in the worst possible light?

Oh wait, this is about Obama, isn't it? You don't want him to be President, and your only 'religion' and 'faith' is that "all's fair in love, war and politics", isn't it?

Get a clue: Whatever you're selling, we're not buying. Not any more. You've been spreading lies like these for years and from now on you can just talk to yourself. The Atwater-Rove school of politics is DEAD and you're not going to resurrect it.

How old if Rev Wright? Old enough to have encountered first-hand a lot of hatred and racism. We live in a free society and there is nothing wrong with voicing your opinions about our government, which has not always been on the right-side of racial issues. Patriotism does not mean blinding saluting the flag and pretending we don't have problems... Let the man speak!

He is just too late on this. He should have done this long before this came to be. This is about his judgement. He doesn't have enough experience, so his judgement is important.

Special note about judgement. It usually becomes better after real experience.

NEW!!!! On cnn today obama says if his pastor hadn't retired he would have left the church. "More back peddling on his part." What a joke. The interview is to air today. He said that he would not have felt comfortable staying there. Now doesn't that sound exactly what Hillary said when asked what she would do? And of course the news media is lambasting her for commenting on it. It's a good thing she commented or obama would not have known what to say.

Does Hillary even have a pastor? If she did, I'm sure he/she was vetted, since that woman does nothing that isn't a political calculation.

Well, I guess if they don't have anything substantive to go after Obama for, they might as well attack his pastor. Makes perfect sense right? After all, we can all name the pastors of the last twenty presidents. Right after we name the last twenty vice presidents.

Why aren't we attacking people who still belong to the Catholic Church???? After all the Catholic Church protects pedophile priests by reassigning them instead of reporting them to authorities and locking them up in prison. HMM Lets see, a church leader is angry at a country that allowed policement to spray black people with firehoses and a government that would try anything in their power to keep black people from voting or a church leader who likes to poke his finger into little boys anuses. Call me crazy but I'd rather be a member of the church with a fiery priest. You people are racists.

There is a lot of anger and ignorance in America today, thanks to a chaotic and frequently unjust past. Obama tries to reach out to both sides, and for this he takes heat from those who would rather not work these problems out. We have a clear opportunity to address some deep American wounds, as well as be governed by an extremely intelligent and compassionate man, by electing Obama President. I'd stand by this guy, and against those who would try to destroy him, even if he'd sat and listened to a hundred Wrights.

Obama not answer for our nation:

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/news/opinions/commonsense/863333,4_4_JO27_COMMON_S1.article

Have any of you calling Obama or Rev. Wright racist, a liar, etc., ever been to an African American church?
His message and style is not unique to Trinity, it is a style and message that is part of most African American churches. Perhaps if you actually went to one of these churches and listened to the message (instead of relying on the media to inform your thoughts/beliefs), you would understand the reasoning behind this approach. It is necessary in our very inequitable and racist country. Also, just because the messages of "eternal damnation" and hate towards non-christians is acceptable in so called "white churches" doesn't make it right either!

I'm wondering if the Chicago Tribune will cover the fact that Rev. Wright is building a $1.6 million home in a gated community in a Chicago suburb?
Will we see any Tribune investigation about that? Any coverage at all?

Have any of you calling Obama or Rev. Wright racist, a liar, etc., ever been to an African American church?
His message and style is not unique to Trinity, it is a style and message that is part of most African American churches. Perhaps if you actually went to one of these churches and listened to the message (instead of relying on the media to inform your thoughts/beliefs), you would understand the reasoning behind this approach. It is necessary in our very inequitable and racist country. Also, just because the messages of "eternal damnation" and hate towards non-christians is acceptable in so called "white churches" doesn't make it right either!

This is dreadful -- I haven't seen the footage but he really said that he didn't 'vet' or 'pull the transcripts' on what his mentor and pastor has preached at that church over 20 years? Well Obama was sitting in the pews! And he STILL pretends to be deaf and blind to this?

He is still sticking by his original excuse, (pre-his last week's 'race speech,') that he never heard or knew of such things?

That's really insulting to the voters' intelligence. Even 'typical white people' who watch 'The View,' will be able to see through that.

"I never heard it..." Then, "Yes, of course I heard Wright say such incendiary things." Now he's back to "I never heard it."

Sheesh!

The Republicans will devour him with this if he ever gets to the general election.

And his line about how part of his role in politics is to surround himself with people 'who say crazy things' is frankly, just crazy, on so many levels. So, will his want such crazy people in the cabinet, to further that rich, diverse debate needed in good government?

Well, as another daytime diva says: "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining!"

Obama will do anything and say anything to get nominated, but he will never be elected, president. He lacks good judgement and he is not trust worthy. I read that you can purchase copies of Rev. Wright speeches from the pulpit on line from his church! I for one do not want to see this preacher of hate in the White house and he will be there because he is still Obama's spiritual advisor and mentor.

People actually think it matters if a democrat is in the white house. Republicrats and demopublicans are one and the same. The only people they care about are how to get the rest of us line their pockets and re-elect them. That's all they care about. They shake hands and hug one another behind closed doors laughing at the rest of us. There is absolutely no difference as to who gets in as president, they're puppets and until people wake up and allow other parties in (something the repubs and demos do NOT want), we'll continue to have the same tax and spend policies and spending money on islamofascists and other countries who hate America.

OBAMA'S "CHRISTIANITY" IS RACIST AND DIVISIVE. HE CANNOT DENY THAT HE ASSOCIATED WITH A RACIST AND DIVISIVE CHURCH WHICH CONTINUES TO PROMOTE ANTI-AMERICAN IDEOLOGY. IT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN SOMEONE ELSE CLAIMING THAT ALTHOUGH HE BELONGED TO THE KLAN, HE SUPPORTS EQUQLITY. READ THE LATEST ANALYSIS ON OBAMA'S HOME CHURCH BY ANOTHER THEOLOGIAN:

Black Liberation Is Marxist Liberation
By Anthony B. Bradley

One of the pillars of Obama's home church, Trinity United Church of Christ, is "economic parity." On the website, Trinity claims that God is not pleased with "America's economic mal-distribution." Among all of controversial comments by Jeremiah Wright the idea of massive wealth redistribution is the most alarming. The code language "economic parity" and references to "mal-distribution" is nothing more than channeling the twisted economic views of Karl Marx. Black liberation theologians have explicitly stated a preference for Marxism as an ethical framework for the black church because Marxist thought is predicated on a system of oppressor class (whites) versus victim class (blacks).

Black Liberation theologians James Cone and Cornel West have worked diligently to embed Marxist thought into the black church since the 1970s. For Cone, Marxism best addressed remedies to the condition of Blacks as victims of White oppression. In For My People, Cone explains that "the Christian faith does not possess in its nature the means for analyzing the structure of capitalism. Marxism as a tool of social analysis can disclose the gap between appearance and reality, and thereby help Christians to see how things really are."

In God of the Oppressed, Cone said that Marx's chief contribution is "his disclosure of the ideological character of bourgeois thought, indicating the connections between the 'ruling material force of society' and the 'ruling intellectual' force." Marx's thought is useful and attractive to Cone because it allows Black theologians to critique racism in America on the basis of power and revolution.

For Cone, integrating Marx into Black theology helps theologians see just how much social perceptions determine theological questions and conclusions. Moreover, these questions and answers are "largely a reflection of the material condition of a given society."

In 1979, Cornel West offered a critical integration of Marxism and Black theology in his essay, "Black Theology and Marxist Thought" because of the shared human experience of oppressed peoples as victims. West sees a strong correlation between Black theology and Marxist thought because "both focus on the plight of the exploited, oppressed and degraded peoples of the world, their relative powerlessness and possible empowerment." This common focus prompts West to call for "a serious dialogue between Black theologians and Marxist thinkers"--a dialogue that centers on the possibility of "mutually arrived-at political action."

In his book Prophesy Deliverance, West believes that by working together, Marxists and Black theologians can spearhead much-needed social change for those who are victims of oppression. He appreciates Marxism for its "notions of class struggle, social contradictions, historical specificity, and dialectical developments in history" that explain the role of power and wealth in bourgeois capitalist societies. A common perspective among Marxist thinkers is that bourgeois capitalism creates and perpetuates ruling-class domination--which, for Black theologians in America, means the domination and victimization of Blacks by Whites. American has been over run by "White racism within mainstream establishment churches and religious agencies," writes West.

Perhaps it is the Marxism imbedded in Obama's attending Trinity Church that should raise red flags. "Economic parity" and "distribution" language implies things like government-coerced wealth redistribution, perpetual minimum wage increases, government subsidized health care for all, and the like. One of the priorities listed on Obama's campaign website reads, "Obama will protect tax cuts for poor and middle class families, but he will reverse most of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest taxpayers."

Black Liberation Theology, originally intended to help the black community, may have actually hurt many blacks by promoting racial tension, victimology, and Marxism which ultimately leads to more oppression. As the failed "War on Poverty" has exposed, the best way to keep the blacks perpetually enslaved to government as "daddy" is to preach victimology, Marxism, and seduce blacks into thinking that upward mobility is someone else's responsibility in a free society.

Anthony B. Bradley is a research fellow at the Acton Institute, and assistant professor of theology at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. His PhD dissertation is titled, "Victimology in Black Liberation Theology."

Hey everyone check out CNN.com today for the latest in the Wright/obama saga. He now says he would have left the church if Wright had not retired. To quote Hillary, he said he would not have felt comfortable staying in the church. Hillary is getting holy H**** for having made the very same comment when asked the question by a reporter. But now obama has used her same comment. His speach is to air today. CHECK IT OUT.

As a white person, it saddens me to read so many intolerant and hateful responses to this issue. I love my country, but I can also acknowledge that we have done horrific things, particularly to people of color. We need to stop being so defensive when people who have been hurt by racism call us out on our flaws. They have a right to be angry. Barack addressed this complex issue in a thoughtful, intelligent way. I just wish more of us would assess complex situations like this with intelligence and thoughtfulness, and not just offer knee-jerk reactions based on a few sound bites taken out of context.

This is getting better and better. First he threw his grandma under the bus now he is throwing the 8000 black members of the church.
Who is next? oh oh I just heard he is questioning the undisputable 7 years of economic prosperity under Bill.
Man he is in row guys!!! Go saviour go!!!

America forgets, 400 years of Slavery, Reconstructioin didnt work, Segregation was Legal , Lynchings were commonplace, The Tuskegee Experiment, Blacks Soldiiers/Marines not being paid the same as whites or being segregated from white troops, Separate but Equal, The Dred Scott decision, Emmit Till, Medgar Evers, even the interment of Japanese-American citizens during WWII. Yeah White America, your soooo not-guilty of institutionalized and legalized racism

On behalf of all supporters of Barack Obama let me say that I appreciate the fact that you didn't report on Senator Obama's blatent fabrication of the story that Rev. Wright issued an apology for his sermons. We don't want to be forced to read such negativity, whether true or not.

Excuse me, but could we get back to real issues like the economy, the war in Iraq and health care. Given the inanity of the commentary, we will surely get the leadership and president we deserve, and that unfortunately won't likely be a man of integrity, Sen. Baraack Obama.

Dan C says "Typical journalism at the Tribune."

No, Dan, typical journalism at every single mainstream newspaper. McCain, Obama, Clinton. I want to hear who the Greens and Libertarians are running!

Double standards as usual. If this were Clinton, no one would tollerate her fraternizing with a racist....but Its ok for Obama...

Will someone please tell what was so racist about Rev. Wright's comment. Stupid yes. Racist? I don't see it. I never heard him say whites are inferior, or a criminal race. Nor did I hear him call for whites to be hung from trees. Please show me the racism.

You can fool all the people once right Obama. But the junior Senator is carrying this way to far. It is an insult for him to try and distance himself now after 20 years, He should just admit that he shares the Pastor's views and move on.

Yes, Rev Wright is right!

Down with the blue eyed devil!

The sad thing is that as long as the poor and un educated listen to and believe this stuff (and many do, including some well educated white libs)
the more likely they will be in the same living situation for the rest of their lives and possibly their kids.

These kinds of lies and conspiracy theories only help people like Rev. Wright gain and keep influence and financial rewards.

Too bad no one, not even a well educated B. Obama will stand up to this.

....and the ghetto cycle continues, while JJ jr's kids go to private schools.

At least Bill Cosby will confront this. No one else will in fear of breaking up the gravey train.

Spike Lee prehaps? Nope...too many movies still to make exploiting black anger and white guilt.

Please, White America knows that the Reverend was absolutely correct in his comments. White America doesn't want to admit its racism, past or present. The Reverend was telling the truth and you know this. For Senator Obama to take responsibility for his comments is just wrong. White America needs to wake-up and smell the coffee.

Posted by: Duke Hardin | March 28, 2008 10:24 AM

We Have Duke

Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American.

No people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the '60s on welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants, student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into the mainstream.

Governments, businesses and colleges have engaged in discrimination against white folks -- with affirmative action, contract set-asides and quotas -- to advance black applicants over white applicants.

Churches, foundations, civic groups, schools and individuals all over America have donated time and money to support soup kitchens, adult education, day care, retirement and nursing homes for blacks.

We hear the grievances. Where is the gratitude?

Barack talks about new "ladders of opportunity" for blacks.

Let him go to Altoona and Johnstown, and ask the white kids in Catholic schools how many were visited lately by Ivy League recruiters handing out scholarships for "deserving" white kids.

Is white America really responsible for the fact that the crime and incarceration rates for African-Americans are seven times those of white America? Is it really white America's fault that illegitimacy in the African-American community has hit 70 percent and the black dropout rate from high schools in some cities has reached 50 percent?

Is that the fault of white America or, first and foremost, a failure of the black community itself?

As for racism, its ugliest manifestation is in interracial crime, and especially interracial crimes of violence. Is Barack Obama aware that while white criminals choose black victims 3 percent of the time, black criminals choose white victims 45 percent of the time?

Is Barack aware that black-on-white rapes are 100 times more common than the reverse, that black-on-white robberies were 139 times as common in the first three years of this decade as the reverse?

We have all heard ad nauseam from the Rev. Al about Tawana Brawley, the Duke rape case and Jena. And all turned out to be hoaxes. But about the epidemic of black assaults on whites that are real, we hear nothing.

Sorry, Barack, some of us have heard it all before, about 40 years and 40 trillion tax dollars ago.

I am also a member of Trinity. Sen. Obama is saying that we should not indict Pastor Wright for his unfortunate comments. Is Dr. Wright a racist? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Is our church racist or separatist? ABSOLUTELY NOT. He has just made some mistakes in the selection of his words to make his point within a few sermons. This man has preached at least three sermons a week (not including his guest appearances at churches and seminars around this country) for 36 years!! That is at least 6,000 sermons preached in his ministry. Any man of GOD who preaches that many sermons is bound to say something that may be deemed controversial. That why you have to look at the full sermons, not a sound byte. The particular sermon that started this media frenzy, if you saw the whole sermon you would see that Rev. Wright was criticizing US policies but in no way diminishing the tragedy this country felt on 9/11. I was at the Church on Sept 16, 2001 and I remember distinctly Rev Wright asking us, the congregation, to pray for those who lost their lives and their families. Is the media reporting that? No. Is Rev. Wright perfect? No. We all make mistakes and I’m sure that Rev. Wright in hindsight would now say he should have said something like “Shame on America” within the context of that sermon. Rev Wright is a man of GOD and the LORD will see him thru this storm. Although I can relate to some things that Rev. Wright has said, I as an African- American male from the heart of the ghetto and now a successful manager in Corporate America and one who has experienced racism throughout my career, I do not hate white people. I have been mad, cursed, screamed and stomped at times but its people such as Rev. Wright who brought me full circle to the LORD and allowed me to realize to never let a few knuckleheads define who I am or who’s I am. Life is about relationships and your good ones come in all colors. To the people who are criticizing Rev Wright it looks like these people are without sin and are casting stones instead of standing still and looking up.

Lynda - it would be very nice to move past this non-issue but the Obama haters foam at the mouth at any chance to smear him.

It absolutely was no surprise to see Jerry White post the first comment - do you get paid to spout off on here?

Everyone says this is a non-issue about Wright, but were are in the process of electing the next President of the United States and the character of that person is very important in how they will deal with all the problems that face this country. So this is an issue, a very big issue. And the repubs are "licking their chops" waiting for obama at the end of the primary trail should he win the nomination.

Obama already lost the general election. This guy dug himself such a deep hole. If I would have known what I know now, I would never have voted for Obama.

I have a friend that is a Boston Celtic fan. I am a Chicago Bull fan. He believe's That American's should worry about American business only and leave the other country's to there own. I believe it is America's responsibility as the riches Country in the world to help other's that need help. My friend is White. I am Black. He is my best friend, and I could never abandon our friend ship because of his political views; maybe for his belief that 'Bird was better than Jordan,(not) Point is; that I believe America is not ready for a Black Person for President, or a White person for President. What America needs is a AMERICAN!, for President. This is a melting pot of people in this Country and it should be reflected that way realizing that we have a right to be different and that we should respect each other's differences.

I feel that everyone is focusing to much on the man and their are to many people in the US who are scared of anyone being different. To say that someone is racist because of what life has thrown at them is to say that you are not making that judgement because you are being racist yourself. It is funny how people single out race when it comes to Americans being killed (White people mostly) to post a comment that MS13 gangs, terriosim and violence is killing americans is really meant taht Hispanic, People of middle eastern decent and Blacks are killing white people. I feel that Obama should not be judged by anyone until they have sat back and judge themselves. No one can honestly say they have not mad bad judgements or comments about a certain ethinc background and if you say you have not then you are only lying to yourself. Everyone man is entitled to their own opinion that is what makes us like no other country. I also think no one needs to be judged by what they choose who they choose as a Pastor there is too much focus on his choice for a Pastor but yet we forget his Pastor is just a man not GOD he is allowed to make mistakes too and that should be no reflection on Obama. What everyone must remember is there is only one GOD and not enough people focus on that and that is why America is loosing its Blessing, We have gone away from religion to make sure no ones feelings are hurt but maybe the only ones we are hurting is ourselves and GOD who is the whole reason that America was founded or did everyone forget that.

Is it relevant to think that the type of racial profiling and hate speech done in Obama's church accounts for the fact that blacks choose white victims for crime 45 % of the time where as whites choose blacks 3% of the time...? I think what people listen to affects their attitudes and choices.

Obama is the Trojan horse for hate in America. Nobama. No way.

Leave Barack alone.
Democrats are not going to win in November if they keep attacking each other... Look who McCain is becoming buddies with these days while the democrats bicker--John Hagee, a Christian misister who is anti-semite and anti-catholic:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=uViQ0hVV57Q

No one in the nationwide media is reporting on this. They are too busy picnicking at McCain's multi-millon dollar ranch: http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/03/mccain.bbq/index.html

Hillary has even said in recent days that she doesn't believe that the delegates to the convention have to vote in ways that support the elected majority. Yuck. Just what we need is corruption at the convention to inspire a McCain victory in November.

After reading many of the comments on this issue today and before it is sad that the once great Democratic Party has become a political organization that will tolerate and condone racists, division and hatred. Instead of uniting America Obama and his arrogant followers have divided it.

The big questions remain unanswered that cut to the core of Obama's credibility, character and judgment:

Mr. Obama, if you truly believe in a united America and are "post racial," why for the last 25 years have you aligned yourself and your family with the hateful, anti-America, anti-white, anti-semitic rhetoric of Jeremiah Wright and the Black Nationalist movement?

Mr. Obama, if you are truly the great uniter, why have you donated tens of thousands of dollars, including $22,500 last year alone, to Jeremiah Wright to further his message of hate and diviseness?

Mr. Obama, why did it take the media and plummeting poll numbers to jolt you out of what can only be described as a racist stupor to begin addressing your association with racism and hate?

Poor Rev. Wright... The guy now has to retire to his new $1.6M home that was built on the backs of the his 'poor, black and proud' (and obviously broke now) congregation..

This blurb on CNN leaves off another part of the interview which Yahoo reported on. According to that, Obama also said that if Wright had not resigned, he would have resigned from the church. I think that's the sound of little Obama's nose growing! He had 20 years and suddenly he's now willing to resign? And the Obamanites don't understand he flip flops more than Romney?

I am a longtime United Church of Christ member, I am a lifelong Democrat, and I voted for Obama in the Wisconsin primary. I think his biggest problem aside from not having a good answer to his lack of experience, is the way he handles ANYthing Chicago. From Rezko to Jeremiah, why is it so tough for Obama to acknowledge that his image of staying above the fray is seriously damaged by these goofballs? For starters, I'd like to let GJS in on a little secret...WE HAVE RESEARCHED TRINITY! And your fast growth and mission looks more like a cult than a congregation. UCCer's are by design pretty progressive folks, but if you do your own research on the facts GJS et al, you'd realize the masssive disconnect between Trinity and UCC For starters, we are NOT SEGREGATIONISTS, and it sure feels like an "unashamedly Black and true to Africa" is more akin to the black nationalism/Islam, than it is integrationist liberalism of the UCC. Then there is this odd Marxist twist about not being "middle class" (yeah right) and at same time paying "no attention to socio economic or educational backgrounds"? Huh? Did someone really type that with a straight face, honest heart and clear mind? There is no such thing, in America, as a disavowal of education and class status. Its who we are, as Obama reminds us, ...we are not built by the blood of radical politics, or the bloodline of whose family you got stuck being borne into. No, we are different, we are CITIZENS in a free society, where...hello? EDUCATION is the cornerstone of being middle class, and reaching that goal, is what distinguished our culture from a huge working class of relatively poor folks, and an elite ruling/monied class who get to live like Kings, well, like some black rulers in Africa frankly. Being Middle Class might not sit well with Socialists, but it sure fits well with the Chicago immigrant experience that has built generations of Democrats throughout the Nation and World. Which is how I end this missive, and that is, as we all ponder economic and colorblind slavery with Wall Street melting down, housing market�s roof torn off, and the gas prices that are helping to fund terrorism all while crippling commerce and communities across America, we should all be asking ourselves and the next President, what are you going to do to bring some healing to these wounds? That�s where I strongly believe, Obama is not only the best candidate but who I TRUST the most. Let Trinity be what it wants to be, that is indeed the foundation of freedom. Get back to basics Barack! White folks are not voting for you because we feel guilty about slavery and I could care less if your father was from Kenya or if you live in Kenwood hood. We got work to do in this nation and in the world and America works best when we work on problems rather than talk and talk and talk about them. That is your response Mr. President, we can talk all day or walk the walk, roll up sleeves and get to work! In many ways, Trinity trumps if not trumpets many church pews around the world and that is why people on all sides of the "issue" should get this out of their system and get a grip! Anyone want to bet Rev. Wright writes a book about all this and has the last laugh? Peace and love. Si se puede, Yes WE Can!

Hail the conquering hero!He goes on the view and instead of being asked pertinent questions it becomes a love fest.Give ma a break!!!Barbara made a big deal of Hillary's disappointment over "Chelsea's pimping"remark,yet,she is literally salivating over Obama.Now he says he would have left the Church,a Church he sat in for 20 years,and we are supposed to believe him?He is handing everyone a load of merde and they are lapping it up.Obama is trying to muddle the issue and the media i sllowing him.

I think Wright is PARANOID at best!

Things he said... all Americans are suspicious of.

And when you tell your chidlren, "Damn you!" You actually mean to say, "Corrrect your way!"

Only idiots would think Wright made a racist remark.

What these blog responses seem to imply is that white America still hates black people and wishes blacks would just go away (or just be white people). Chicago today seems a very sad place indeed.

Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength THEN love your neighbor as yourself...every Christian preacher should be practicing and preaching FORGIVENESS. It's what Jesus Christ IS all about! We need to get our priorities straight people!

Well, it looks like the media's got scandals on both sides of the Democratic nomination campaign. I'm starting to notice an interesting trend, though.

Senator Obama keeps getting criticized for knowing people who do or say bad things. The pastor at his church had some outrageous views. And he knew Rezko, who was a pretty shady character.

But when there's a Clinton scandal, it is often about what she herself has done. Investigators concluded that she had lied under oath during the TravelGate scandal. Much more recently, she invented ludicrous stories about how snipers tried to kill her in Bosnia (and why would she let her 16-year-old daughter out of the armored C-17 if she really thought someone might shoot at them?!?).

Unless you're a hermit of some sort, you end up meeting a lot of people during the course of your life. This must be all the more true for politicians. I'm much less concerned about vague guilt by association (i.e., "Obama knew a bad man!") than I am by guilt by... well, guilt by doing bad things (i.e., lying under oath, manipulating voters with silly sniper stories).

For the record, though, you probably shouldn't give my opinion any credit -- a childhood friend of mine did time for a DUI, a college acquaintance was fined for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and a history teacher at my junior high school was convicted of forgery. Never mind that I didn't take part in any of these crimes and didn't know about them until after they came to light. I still must be a bad, bad person for having associated with the criminals.

This is what you call a deal breaker with most (dumb, brainwashed) white people (who can't spell the word you're).

Fortunately the majority of white Americans have more sense than you.

Just some clarity. Black people can not be racist. Racisim is the hatred of anoter race simply because of their race. In general, black people hate white people FOR what they did to them. White people hate black people JUST because they are black. So calling Pastor Wright a racist is wrong!!!

Nope, sorry angry white folks. Not buying it. Here's one average white guy who STILL wholeheartedly and passionately supports Barack Obama for President of the United States.

And not just in spite of his pastor, but because the man took what should have been a career-destroying controversy and he shed his characteristic refreshingly innovative, unifying light onto the whole situation.

I couldn't care less what church he goes to. But for the record, any American who points a finger at an angry, slightly paranoid urban Black preacher who occasionally says controversial things and cries "Racist!!" is lying, and all of you know it.

To be a racist necessarily means to believe one race is superior to another. In the context of American history, I'm hard pressed to believe that Rev. Wright's rants are based on his belief that people of African heritage are innately superior to the rest of us. He may be a bit crazy, certainly paranoid, absolutely angry, but the man is not a racist.

So, moving on: Obama is brilliant, charismatic, diplomatic, tough, and absolutely a true patriot.

He is Obi-Wan Kenobi. He is our only hope.

When I hear the expression "white people need to get over it" I'm reminded of the fact that 'African Americans' make up 12% of the US population. That is one in nine. To win election, Sen. Obama needs the vote of four or five times as many non-African Americans as he needs of African Americans. In the numbers game, minorities need to remember the fact that being a minority means having less numbers. Antagonizing the majority might get you 100% of the minority vote, but will not get you elected. The majority is not the one that "needs to get over it." Sen. Obama is very smart and knows that. Some of his supporters do not.

Comments here illustrate Wright's point when he preaches against American racism. He is squarely in the biblical tradition of denouncing injustices.
Which is worse -- some angry words or centuries of treating an entire race of people as a lesser species? Think about it, people. Which hurts America more?
Obama listens to all views with understanding -- a good approach for a leader who wants to unify a nation.

In some ways I'm glad this debate has begun. In other ways it points out how far we still have to go as a country to be the best we can be. I'd love to read a post from someone who supported Obama, or was on the fence, and this issue turned them against Barack. All I sense is that people who didn't like him for one reason or another are using this as an excuse to justify their position. Meanwhile John McCain runs around soliciting the endorsements of preachers who call Catholicism the "Great Whore" religion. Any catholics up in arms about that? Or the other preacher who said America was founded in order to "destroy Islam?" Anyone believe America was founded to destroy religions and kill people, rather than escape religious pursecution in England? Rev. Wright's comments were made after 9/11, but I assume you've all forgotten that folks like Pat Robertson said it was America's tolerance of homosexuality that caused it and Hurricane Katrina to happen. Do you believe that as well? Not only did McCain embrace these people, he called a press conference to stand with them! What about the people who grew up in the south in the 40s, 50s and 60s, attending segretated churches, ate in whites only restaurants, and turned a blind eye to social injustice? Barack said his former pastor is sadly stuck in a timewarp based on his personal experiences. Does anyone sincerely think that Obama, who's own mother and grandmother who raised him ARE WHITE, is racist?

I'm white, I'm catholic, I'm sick and tired of hearing about Rev. Wright's comments. THEY MEAN NOTHING!! THEY DO NOT REFLECT ANYTHING ABOUT OBAMA!!!
This is just a small spark to fuel the fire for racist whites in America in condemning Obama. Give it up, get over yourselves and get on with healing this country....

It's good to know that Republicans still have room temperature IQ's and they constantly show it. I can spot this after reading the first two words. I would rather have a President who was exposed to hate speech and recognizes its consequences, than a President who pretends to be a god loving American and irresponsibly sends our children to die. I just watched on TV how George Bush feels really bad about the 4000 soldiers who died in Iraq. It's the price we have to pay for oil. By the way, oil prices did not go down. Why don't we just make them all heroes, the government is saying. Everyone will forget that we really screwed up with this war. I mean look at how many soldiers died in Vietnam. These numbers are peanuts compare to what happened there.This war has been calculated by McCain.
Because there are 150,000 soldiers fighting there, it really only affects the lives of approximately 2 million people including relatives. I mean.... what are the chances of someone close to you being killed in Iraq ?

Elizabeth is pathetic. When will the View stop her ignorant domination of the show?

In some ways I'm glad this debate has begun. In other ways it points out how far we still have to go as a country to be the best we can be. I'd love to read a post from someone who supported Obama, or was on the fence, and this issue turned them against Barack. All I sense is that people who didn't like him for one reason or another are using this as an excuse to justify their position. Meanwhile John McCain runs around soliciting the endorsements of preachers who call Catholicism the "Great Whore" religion. Any catholics up in arms about that? Or the other preacher who said America was founded in order to "destroy Islam?" Anyone believe America was founded to destroy religions and kill people, rather than escape religious pursecution in England? Rev. Wright's comments were made after 9/11, but I assume you've all forgotten that folks like Pat Robertson said it was America's tolerance of homosexuality that caused it and Hurricane Katrina to happen. Do you believe that as well? Not only did McCain embrace these people, he called a press conference to stand with them! What about the people who grew up in the south in the 40s, 50s and 60s, attending segretated churches, ate in whites only restaurants, and turned a blind eye to social injustice? Barack said his former pastor is sadly stuck in a timewarp based on his personal experiences. Does anyone sincerely think that Obama, who's own mother and grandmother who raised him ARE WHITE, is racist?

The uproar is pushed by the right wing. These are the same evil thugs who have no compunction about taking a few words out of context and stating them as fact. Rovian political tactics for sure, but it takes a closed mind to continue to spout the misstatements and untruths. Remember just a few short weeks ago when the same ugly political hacks were convinced that the Senator is a muslim? Gosh, I haven't heard a word about that recently. It simply comes down to what is "hot-button" pandering to the uneducated proletariat who need rabble rousing to feel important. Obama probably knew that he was in for this type of hatred, but what is inspiring about the man is that he can rise above. If he can, we can. Yes, we can. We have never experienced this kind of committed social consciousness since Dr. King was forced to leave the planet. Senator Obama, you have my vote. Rise above!

It is not too far fetched to think that the government would inflict AIDS on blacks, they gave syphillis to blacks as an experiment and didn't tell them. Come on people our government is no saint. Do I believe that? No, I choose not to But I cannot be 100% certain. Yes Wright is a bit of an extremist, but so are many other people who are white. I am white but have been around the black community at great lengths. I think that white america would be shocked at the feelings that blacks have about whites. They do not trust them. There is history to prove that maybe they shouldn't be trusted. White America still does not treat blacks as equals. They think they do, they think affirmative action took care of all the problems. The difference in the two races is that whites don't speak out in public about racism. This issue with Barack and Wright is positive, maybe now we can actually have a serious dialogue about race in America. Let's also not forget that Barack is half white too. He has never hid that fact. As he has never hid the fact that society only views him as a black man. He is trying to embrace both sides, but he can see more clear than most because of his bi-racial heritage. I do believe that black americans have to have little more faith and start bridging the gap, not all whites are racist. Not all white americans sit around and think of ways to opress the black community. There is much work to be done on both sides. I hope Obama can begin this work.

"I misspoke about Bosnia. I'm sorry. Sleep deprivation. I guess I said it several times. Whatever. But you know, I've always said that my candidacy is about something that happened not too long ago in Roswell." - Hillary

Actions Speak Better than Words

Before the negative press regarding Mr. Wright, Mr Obama had on numerous occasions declared Mr. Wright as his mentor and spiritual teacher for the past 20 years and even went so far as to include Mr. Wright in his election staff, these are the actions of Mr. Obama. When the press found out about the Hitleresque personality of Mr. Wright, Mr. Obama’s staff writers immediately created a rebuttal of hyperbole that amazingly some people actually believed.
It is interesting to note, as soon the public became aware of the Obama/Wright connection, following a phone call to Mr. Wright from Mr. Obama, Mr. Wright was instantly silenced and retired. Is there something more we are not supposed to hear?

But regardless what Mr. Obama and his staff replied, and that Mr. Wright has been silenced, for now, Mr. Obama cannot retract his clear public proclamation that Mr. Wright has been Mr. Obama’s mentor and spiritual teacher for over 20 YEARS. And that up to recent negative press, Mr. Wright was on Mr. Obama’s Spiritual Advisor Committee campaign team. Mr. Obama cannot make excuses regarding this or deny it. And to downplay the violent rhetoric of Mr. Wright is like trying to make excuses for Hitler. Hitler and Mr. Wright both convey hateful and paranoid messages that should send shivers through the average American. Never would I expect to see in my lifetime a man of such evil taking the pulpit on National Television and professing extreme hate and implied violence that has direct implications for almost every white, Jew, non-Christian, Christians of other faiths, government officials, peoples from other countries and so on. Didn’t Hitler do this too?

If you make the choice to listen and learn from a so called spiritual mentor every week over 20 years, do you expect me or any other rational being to believe that you wouldn’t be or want to be influenced by their ideas? And what does that say of your personal integrity if you chose American hating Mr. Wright as your mentor in life?

Action is the real measure of a person, not their words. We know who Mr. Obama is by his life and choices, not the words he spins. And we can only imagine the amount of hatred Mr. Obama will unleash once he achieves ultimate power.

And also consider recent announcement that the chief of the firm involved in the State Department’s passport breach is one of Obama’s adviser. (And why is this not being discussed?) And that Obama has been caught lying about Rezko, regarding the amount of money Rezko gave him, and that Obama still hasn’t come clean about his Rezko land deal. Or further, how Michelle Obama makes a phenomenal $317.000 a month at a hospital in Chicago that is famous for turning away the poor, especially the black poor. And Michelle Obama’s separatist-racist connection to Farrakhan and Chicago's Trinity United Church trumpeting Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama as the second coming of the messiah. And Michelle Obama’s statement she “has never been proud to be an AMERICAN in her adult life".

And today, the criminal indictment of Mr. Obama’s super delegate the governor of Puerto Rico.

And for those who don’t know that Obama campaign was originally funded by the Food for Oil Program in Iraq, I suggest you read the following article: