Critics fault Obama's pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright

I listened to this TWICE, and he is right...the only people that are threatened by this clip are white (and stupid black) people who don't want to disturd the status quo by electing a black man to office.

Jeremiah Wright sounds like any bigot ... What a hateful soul.

I just LOVE this. Let the bull**** begin. First they tried to paint him out to be a Muslim –photo circulated with the Kenyan regalia on. Once that lie died on the vine, then Hillary, when asked, states that he is not Muslim "as far as she knows". Then they tried to link him to Farrakhan and Sharpton, to start the rumor that he is Anti-Semitic... that died on the vine Now they are attacking his pastor for a sermon five years ago. Make up your mind haters... Is he Muslim? Is he Christian? Is he an Anti-Semite? Is he Anti-black? Anti-white? You see how ridiculous this gets the more it goes on… I just hope he continues to have class and expose these rumors for what they are... lies. WHEN CAN WE GET BACK TO COVERING THE CAMPAIGN? Iraq? Afghanistan? Energy policy? Foreign policy? Things that actually matter other than who sleeping with who, whose pastor gave this sermon… tit for tat. I just hope that we can come together and strike while the iron is hot… when we have control over the Senate… while we can still get things done. Please… can we set aside our differences and re-focus on the campaign???

Rev. Wright's statements are over the damn top. He says "Don't say God Bless America"..say: God damn America ! Of all the churches and pastors Obama could pick, he chooses this racist fanatic who's in bed with The Honorable Farakhan as his pastor and mentor? What is the matter with Obama's judgment here? He can keep the church he chose but he can't be associated with that hotbed of radicalism and expect to be the President of the United States. We haven't heard the end of this and McCain won't have to say a word.

Of course FOX news and McCain and Clinton supporters are milking this for whatever it is worth. The Republicans fear Obama and dragging the nomination fight out is a big help to them. But look at the facts. If members of a congregation had to agree with and believe in every word their pastor utters over a 20-year period or walk out, our churches would be empty or filled with mindless cattle. And I recall some of the right-wing Republican "reverends" - Pat Robertson & Falwell - also blaming America's woes as the results of America's "sins". So, by your logic should everyone in their congregations or regular viewers of their TV evangelist spin-offs also be equally condemned? If I recall, these same “reverends” endorsements were accepted by Bush, Giuliani and McCain. So, why should anyone vote, or have voted, for them? It is unfair to single out Wright. Ministers often give voice to feelings that congregation members cannot publically voice – some legitimate, some over the top. That’s not Obama’s problem – it’s the nature of organized religion in America. Accept it –all, or condemn it –all. But don’t cherry pick and condemn the ones who support candidates you happen to dislike. Thant is the essence of hypocrisy. African Americans have every right in the world to be less than enthralled over some aspects of what America was, and (by the response of many to Wright’s comments) still is to some degree. It is not at all unpatriotic to condemn immoral actions committed by your own country. “Love it or leave it “is a great fascist slogan.

Obama "disagrees with some of the statements" from Wright??? Give me a break! To sit and listen to ANY of that crap for 20 years makes Obama just as dirty as Scumbag Wright (don't call him Rev. again; he ain't no man of God!). For Obama or anyone else to sit in that cult "church" and listen to that evil B.S., just lends a false credibility to such an imposter. Now we see where Obama's wife feeds her hatred from too. I don't care how many "good" things a person has to say. When their "evil" finally shows through, it's time to stay away permanently. Obama displays TERRIBLE JUDGEMENT!!!!!! He should NEVER be allowed to make decisions for this country!!! Hey Obama, try explaining what parts of Wright's message you DO agree with!

I just saw Keith Boykin on MSNBC. His point, which I voiced in an email to David Plouffe, Obama's campaign manager, is that Rev. Wright is speaking exactly what the MAINSTREAM of Black America is thinking and feeling in whole or part. While I happen to agree with most of what Rev. Wright said, it disgusts me that he would say that Israel is waging "state sponsored terrorism" on the Palestinians. That remark is just plain wrong. Obama married into an old-line Chicago family, and undoubtedly this is THEIR church and representative of the old-line mainstream black families in Chicago and elsewhere. There are some things that are so intellectually and emotionally disgusting and offensive that a simple "repudiation" is not enough. If Obama is serious, he will quit that "mainstream" church and go someplace to worship which is more in line with his own true values. Anything else is political garbage.

While they are at it, make sure they bring on out of the closet John Hagee and his vile comments about Jews and others while supporting McCain, and, also the rabid homophobic minister Rod Parsley. Since, I don't think Hillary goes to church or is a person of faith, I'll leave her out of this mix. This guy is far from the only alleged man of faith, Christian, Jewish, or Muslim who spews nonsense to people in power, Bush got into power on the backs of the ilk of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, two of the most hate filled mongers in the country, so, keep it real. This is why there needs to be a total seperation of church and state, I don't need to know ones "faith" I need to know what they cn do about people without health insurance, folks losing thier homes, and, this silly occuaption of Iraq. But, with a public as dense as this one, all it means is HRC and her smear machine has assured John McCain his new gig.

As a former Obama supporter, I simply cannot understand how Barak was not vetted earlier. Why did Barak not himself bring this to public attention? Did he think none of this would come out? He could have dealt with this a year ago if he had been forthright. Why did his campaign handlers not see this? Did they not know? Did they so underestimate the American public that they thought we wouldn't care? I am absolutely SHOCKED at the stupidity of the Obama camp. This Democrat is voting for Hillary in four weeks and McCain in November.

There are more poor people in this country registered to vote than rich people and we will never reach them by November if we continue to focus on what supporters of candidates have to say that have nothing to do with the issues of the campaign. We can make just as much of Rev. Wrights influence on Obama that got him committed to "feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and looking out for the least of God's people."

Okay, what did he say wrong???? The truth hurts ouch....

When is this nightmare primary season over???? This day in and day out putdowns, racial slurs and religious fights are as old and boring as all out. If, Hillary can snatch this thing out of his hands, she is going to have one long uphill fight to get a black vote, since, her dirty tricks and tactics are well known now, and, that lame she has always fought for civil rights will fall on deaf ears, not that she ever really has, except of curse to get a vote. if, any of these candidates were of faith, they would leave it at the door, since they are supposed to represent all Americans without bias to faith or lack of faith, and, guess what, not all Americans believe in Christianity or Judaism, and, tire of the religious right shoving it down our throats to get a vote for the bigots who believe in fairytales. Why can't they stick to the issues, like FIVE DOLLAR A GALLON GAS??? Oh, that's right, not one of the 3 of them has a solution for that, or home forclosures or a sinking dollar. I for one don't care what faith any of them have, since none of them seem to be living the life of a so called Christian or who they sit and listen to, but, stop the bickering and get onto issues that affect real people.

Thank you Matt! I am glad some of us can see threw the fog. I guess they'll learn when we have to pay $4 per LITER for gas like Europe does...then the REAL issues with be back on the front burner. But then again, America loves disfunction... so they/we will continue to instigate it. When we stop feeding the beast, it will go away.

What exactly about Wright's comments do critics fault? I've heard a lot of "he shouldn't have made those statements," but not much of "his statements are erroneous because..." I think Wright offers a sound interpretation of the text and of political climate at the time of the sermon.

It is just amazing to me how some folks are actually now wanting Senator Obama to not only denounce his pastor right to say what he feels but they also want Senator Obama to leave the Church in Chicago. I just wonder where all these so called television News Personalities when John Kerry (Catholic) and Rudy (Catholic) were running for office. I don’t remember any of them asking them to leave the Catholic Church. I wonder, what would have happened if the county would ask a Catholic Candidate for office to leave the Catholic Church because of what the POPE says especially when the POPE has made a decree to excommunicate any Catholic American Politian who endorses a women’s right to choose. (As if any Man has the ability to ex-communicate any human being) Just a thought from a Proud United Church of Christ Family member.

And, they were ready to embrace Mitt the flip flopper and his faith, which said blacks weren't even human until 1978, and, just how was he going to lead a whole country with 13% of the people black, after being raised with that racist drivel?? But, some black (albeit kinda kooky) guy who tells it like it is in the real world on many levels, and all heck breaks loose, this country is a non-stop joke for the rest of the civilized world, with politicians who can't and won't stick to issues.

VCF is on point. What was wrong with it? I heard nothing racist in those statements. They are fact to many people. It is what it is.

that man spoke the truth. hillary never will be called a nigger. and why any of his statements would affect obama's candidacy is beyond me. this is exactly the kind of diversionary politics that have thrown elections to "c" students, bobble heads and jack-asses. come on america. the rest of the world is watching. let's rise to the occasion and finally get it right.

Not everyone can say they support any (political) thing their Pastor says so why would ANYONE hold Obama to a different standard WRIGHT or wrong? http://OsiSpeaks.com

I'm surprised someone didn't try to link this to Hillary. I wonder how this is going to play in Kalamazoo. Obama may have gone from being not black enough to being too damn black.

NOBODY IS GETTING THE PICTURE AS TO WHAT THE MEDIA IS DOING DIVIDE AND CONQUER. AND I AM REALLY UPSET WITH ANDERSON COOPER (CNN) AND THE SEGMENT THEY DID FRIDAY NIGHT ABOUT OBAMA. THEY SPENT 48 MINUTES ON OBAMA AND HIS PASTOR AND ONLY SPENT 4 ON MCCAIN AND THE HAGEE, PARSLEY MADNESS TELL ME THIS IS NOT A DISTURBANCE TO MAKE WHITE AMERICA GO AND DESERT HIM OVER IDIOTIC NONSENSE. BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES TO BE OFFENDED BY IT...IF THAT'S THE CASE. TO HIS WHITE SUPPORTERS THAT MAY READ THIS BLOG DON'T BUY IT! CONTINUE TO SPUPPORT FOR CHANGE! OBAMANATION RULES!

Well to all who are offended, Hillary could simply answer the questions. 1. Has Hillary ever been pulled over in her car as a black man driving?(http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=UPN+driving+while+black&btnG=Google+Search) 2. Has she ever been called a nigger? 3. Has she ever lived as a little black boy in a single parent household? 4. Did white folks ever accuse her of not being "white enough?" HRC does not undersand the big picture in this country. Barack does. White folks(majority) do not understand the dynamics of the black church and its role in african-american society. They get scared when a black man starts shouting & whooping like pastors in many (not all, our churchs. Would it have been better if he simply asked those same questions in a normal speaking voice?

John McCain never sat in Rev. Hagee's church for 20 years. Obama's ties to Wright are tight as hell..married him, baptized his kids, was part of his campaign etc. Hagee has no ties to McCain the way Wright has to Obama. Hagee is merely one of millions of McCain supporters whom McCain has repudiated. Obama says he never heard Wright's crap in all those years. Someone will eventually show Obama sitting in the pews when Wright was spewing out his garbage and when that happens, Obama will be labeled a liar and a closet radical...and once labeled a liar and a radical...Hillary walks into the nomination. Get real...No man or woman can ever be nominated for the Presidency with deep radical links. We want change..but we don't want Black racism and nationalism as a substitute for White racism and nationalism. That's not change..that's more of the same in a different color.

So will there be the same reaction when folks break out the video of maya angelou hugging Farakhan and speaking at the Million Man March

Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity I was just waiting for this Jeremiah Wright issue to come up. As part of My usual viewing, I watched Bill O'Reilly and Hannity & Colmes (gotta know what the enemy is up to). Now for the record, O'Reilly seems to genuinely like and respect Obama, but still disagrees with his views, but what he pulled the other night was ridiculous. I was simultaneously amused and angered. I listened to O'Reilly warn his viewers about the "shocking" and "horrific" video clips he was about to show, even warning the audience that there was "rough language" ahead. I laughed to Myself because I'm thinking how rough can the language be, it's in church for God's sake. I listened intently and found nothing wrong with Wright's assessments (although I'm not sure about his view on AIDS, but whatever). Of course O'Reilly took a different spin on things, especially when Wright accused the government of bringing illegal drugs into the U.S. He thought that was nonsense. That's when My anger kicked in because light has been shed on this fact already, so how can anyone dispute it? His own station mate Oliver North was smack dab in the middle of the Iran-Contra Affair. It's amazing how they conveniently forget these things. Regarding Sean Hannity... He's got his head so far up his ass, he's able to re-eat his last meal. I watched him stammer and ignore questions asked by his guests, after they were polite enough to answer his. Hannity flat out avoided any questions about McCain's pals the extremely anti-Christian John Hagee and Rod Parsley, a homophobic evangelical minister who urged a Christian war to destroy the "false religion" of Islam. (Republicans have mastered the art of avoidance.) To answer a previous statement about McCain not being in Hagee's church for over 20 years, that's neither here nor there. What people are concentrating on is the affiliation itself. Obama may have gone to church sparsely as many do, and people would still be talking about the affiliation itself. So that goes for McCain as well. Don't try to shift things. I just wish that although most White people may not understand, they would at the very least accept the fact that the Black American experience is far different from the white American experience. They assume that just because they haven't witnessed or experienced it firsthand, then the feelings/thoughts of Black Americans must be invalid. Because they are privy to all sorts of things, then America is peachy keen and the greatest country in all the land. If Blacks disagree with any of their pie-in-the-sky thinking, W/we're labeled as anti-American. That's poppycock right there. Normally, I would blame someone in Clinton's camp of leaking these videos because this is the type of tacky BS they would pull, but this time it wouldn't make sense to do so. Here's why: Clinton has to know that if she wins the Dem nomination, she can't win the general election without Obama on her ticket. I know she knows this. It's no secret that there are a lot of people that absolutely will not vote for her (Me being one). Now if she has Obama as a running mate, I'd consider it, as others might. So to leak something like this would not behoove her in any way. If her camp did, then that simply proves she believes in employing idiots. With McCain not being watched as closely since it's such a tight race between Clinton and Obama, that would be the perfect opportunity for his camp to smear Obama. BTW... Oh yeah, why does everyone keep saying that Clinton is the first woman to run for the presidency? Shirley Chisholm ran in 1972. That burns Me up every time I hear it.

Matt said, "if, any of these candidates were of faith, they would leave it at the door, since they are supposed to represent all Americans without bias to faith or lack of faith..." You are so right. The truest thing I've ever read, but unfortunately the majority of U.S. citizens will think that if a candidate doesn't tout some sort of religious faith, the candidate is not as trustworthy. They think that if you don't align yourself with one religious faith or another, by making the statement of what little box you fit into, you're evil or have no moral compass. I know it's stupid, but most Americans are.

Of course Senator Clinton could respond to fictional questions about being black as Lola asks, though she isn't black. The same can be said about Senator Obama. Should he then answer questions about women's suffering and sexism? I doubt he has been pulled over, told "women shouldn't be allowed to drive without a man present" and then felt up, aka sexually assaulted. Though watching the news last night, it happened.
Come on People! Lets think about the enacted policies that will impact our children and grandchildren.....it's not a popularity contest - this is business.

It is disheartening to me that the Democratic race has become what I most despise about elections. It is turning into nothing but hate-filled rhetoric. Although I see most of it coming from the Clinton side, I suspect there are a number of Obama supporters doing the same thing. I personally think the comments that have come out about Obama and his pastor, along with those from Geraldine Ferraro, are part of Clinton's strategy...to raise fears about Black Men among white America. Instead of raising those fears herself, she seems to be relying on others to do her dirty work for her. What makes me angry about white media is that they portray Rev. Wright's comments as some sort of reverse racism. As such, it has become clear to me that they have never bothered to become familiar enough with current (and past) forms of racism that have existed in our society since its inception. They haven't had to. Of course, they will never fully understand what it is like to be Black, Brown, or any other shade (besides tanned) and live in America. Yet they seem to have made no attempt at understanding the issue. I would love to see some media members investigate the claims made by Rev. Wright. Rich white men running the country? TRUE. Senator Clinton never being pulled over for driving while Black? TRUE. America should be damned for its pursuit of the almighty dollar while ignoring the needs of so many people of color? TRUE. I could go on and on, but I won't. I just hope the voting public (Black, Brown, white, rich, poor, etc.) will rise up and take back the power we were promised long ago and stop putting up with this foolishness.

Whether or not you agree with Reverend Wright’s statements is not even an issue to me. The issue is that Barack Obama should not be criticized for what his pastor says. Mr. Wright’s views were political; Mr. Obama has said that Rev. Wright is his spiritual advisor. Maybe Americans are so used to blindly believing everything that is told to them that they feel Obama will blindly believe everything that Mr. Wright says. I know personally I don’t agree with everything said or done in my church, but I am still loyal to my church and my faith. Obama is running for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I am pretty sure that he can make up his own mind and form his own opinions. Let’s give him credit for that and leave it at that. P.S. What Reverend Wright said was not racist it was factual…… Look around America and see what’s right in front of you. Prejudice is still and everyday part of life for many Americans. If you don't like it... then do something about it!

Why would this "reverend" make such inflammatory comments, whether he believes what he said to be true or not, knowing FULL WELL the press would get hold of them and use them against Obama? Why not wait until Obama's presidency was secured? Why now when EVERYTHING is at stake? You would think that this "reverend" didn't want Obama to succeed.

S.O.B... These are old comments now being exposed.

Through out history most religion has not war instead of peace and intolorance instead of acceptance. Most religion is primitive.

Through out history most religion has taught war instead of peace and intolorance instead of acceptance. Most religion is primitive.

Through out history most religion has taught war instead of peace and intolorance instead of acceptance. Most religion is primitive.

To Edith et al, Who keeps asking why this wasn't picked up by the Obama campaign, considering the astute team that Obama has put together? In fact Edith when Jeremiah Wright did the invocation a year ago for Barack Obama. Obama met with Rev Wright and asked him to please calm down on the “emotional” sermons because they knew it would hurt the campaign. This being quoted by Roland Martin the night of the “horrific” Anderson Cooper interview with Barack Obama. But we can’t explain Sean Hannity (FOX) and Brian Ross (ABC) in the way it was put out by their respected networks. The bottom line is that this was a clear message from the WHITE ran networks to warn whites and Alicia Banks about him before they cast their vote….YES, Alicia I said you. Because if you look the only ones in a RAGE now is WHITES and it’s very strange that we are “guilty by association” with our pastors. But the white folk just say SORRY and move forward. GO FIGURE AMERIKA Speaking of white clergy. Speaking of RAGE check out below 1. The Right Rev Billy Graham labeled as “America’s Preacher” says at that time with PRES NIXON comments about Jews He said Jews revealed a special kind of contempt. ''A lot of the Jews are great friends of mine,'' he said. ''They swarm around me and are friendly to me because they know that I'm friendly with Israel. But they don't know how I really feel about what they are doing to this country.'' WHERE IS YOUR RAGE? 2. The Pope Speaking in Germany, the Pope quoted a 14th Century Christian emperor who said the Prophet Muhammad had brought the world only "evil and inhuman" things WHERE IS YOUR RAGE? 3. The Rev Hagee called the Catholic Church 'The Great Whore,' an 'apostate church,' the 'anti-Christ,' and a 'false cult system.'" WHERE IS YOUR RAGE? 4. The Rev Rod Parsley says Islam is an “anti-Christ religion” based on “deception.” In a recent book, he also wrote that the prophet Mohammad “received revelations from demons and not from the true God,” adding that “Allah was a demon spirit.” And John McCain says knowing about to Pastor Parsley “I am much honored today to have one of the truly great leaders in America, a moral compass, a spiritual guide…thank you for your leadership and your guidance. I am very grateful you are here.” OH REALLY? WHERE IS YOUR RAGE? 5. The Rev Pat Robertson says "Sharon was personally a very likable person, and I am sad to see him in this condition, but I think we need to look at the Bible and the Book of Joel. The prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has enmity against those who 'divide my land,' " Robertson said. Sharon "was dividing God's land, and I would say: Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course" the 75-year-old said REALLY? WHERE IS YOUR RAGE? 6. The talk about 911 The Rev Jerry Falwell said; when I talked about God lifting the curtain of protection on our nation, I should have made it very clear that no one on this earth knows whether or not that occurred or did not occur. After the rage went on about what he said and he was forgiven and we moved on. WHERE IS YOUR RAGE? Now you want to talk about “guilt by association” I can go on and on. But I would like to ask the NON-Blacks that visit this site a question. Everyone is saying he should leave the church and disassociate himself with him. Let me ask this. What about you that were born in a household where your Mom and Dad referred to Blacks as NIGGERS and you didn’t feel the same and if got out amongst your friends. Would you separate from your Parents? Denounce them maybe? But separate HELL NO! So why should he to appease WHITE voters and the WHITE media separate. He denounced it. Why we can’t let this go? It’s over and he made an illustrious speech that should have never been made at all. Meanwhile over at Philadelphia City Hall Hillary Clinton still sneaking in jabs at Obama. But she really doesn’t understand if she gets the nomination and hopefully she won’t. Without Black support she’s TOAST and that's what exactly is going to happen if all of us are not careful and where will that lead us?????

We could learn alot from little children. Have you ever watched a group of 2yr.olds ..one black , one white, one asian, one native american playing together..... Laughing and hugging each other. So how is it these little ones end up hating each other...could it be what those around them, such as adults, show and speak and model for them....THINK ON THAT ADULTS of all the races!! I wonder what JESUS thinks of that!!!!