They are, after all, gullible enough to fall for Obama in the first place. Obama responded to the uproar about his racist pastor and mentor Jeremiah Wright this afternoon in a short essay: My first ever (and hopefully the only one I ever have to make) link to the Huffington Post. Based on my respect for the wisdom and judgment of the majority of Americans, I predict that Obama’s presidential aspirations are unofficially over as of yesterday. He may keep the followers he has currently, but that will not be anywhere near enough to overcome a suddenly fired-up Republican base (even if he somehow manages to hold on to beat Hillary).
The pastor of my church, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who recently preached his last sermon and is in the process of retiring, has touched off a firestorm over the last few days. He’s drawn attention as the result of some inflammatory and appalling remarks he made about our country, our politics, and my political opponents.
Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it’s on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.
I would rather hear which of Wright’s statements he agrees with. It isn’t exactly saying much to say you reject any statements that are “at issue.” Are you rejecting every controversial statement your pastor has ever made? I’m assuming he stumbles on a truth accidentally now and again. Oh, and I notice you still referred to Wright as “Rev.” (which, for any libs reading this, stands for Reverend, or “revered-one.”)
Were you not aware that your pastor went to meet with Qaddafi in Libya with Louis Farrakhan? Did you miss the lifetime achievement award your church gave to the same vile man? If indeed you didn’t know of these views, what made you (in exercising that superb “judgment” that you’re always talking about) capable of being duped for 20 years by the man who performed your marriage, baptized your children, and who you referred to as your “spiritual advisor” and “mentor?” If you “categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country,” do you denounce your wife’s statement that your campaign is the first time she’s been proud of America in her entire adult life? Should we not question why you are clearly not nearly as perceptive as your wife is, since obviously she understood your mentor’s message regarding America loud and clear? Do you really expect anyone to buy this load of crap you’re trying to sell? How stupid do you think the American people are?
Because these particular statements by Rev. Wright are so contrary to my own life and beliefs, a number of people have legitimately raised questions about the nature of my relationship with Rev. Wright and my membership in the church. Let me therefore provide some context.
As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It’s a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.
I love the last sentence. The left will never turn on you as long as you care for the homeless and reach out to those with AIDS. That’s very important, since as your mentor said, the United States invented AIDS to keep poor blacks down. I also appreciate you admitting that these are legitimate concerns. In fact, they end any legitimate chance you have of ever being President of the United States.
Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he’s been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.
I’ve heard Wright teach that gospel. That’s where rich white men killed Jesus, right? Mainly Italians, I believe he said.
The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign. I made it clear at the time that I strongly condemned his comments. But because Rev. Wright was on the verge of retirement, and because of my strong links to the Trinity faith community, where I married my wife and where my daughters were baptized, I did not think it appropriate to leave the church.
You didn’t think it was appropriate to leave the church? There’s that darn judgment thing again. Since this statement was put up, additional tapes and DVDs of Wright saying similar things have come out. Apparently he spewed this garbage regularly. Sorry, you are beginning to come off as a liar.
Let me repeat what I’ve said earlier. All of the statements that have been the subject of controversy are ones that I vehemently condemn. They in no way reflect my attitudes and directly contradict my profound love for this country.
With Rev. Wright’s retirement and the ascension of my new pastor, Rev. Otis Moss, III, Michelle and I look forward to continuing a relationship with a church that has done so much good. And while Rev. Wright’s statements have pained and angered me, I believe that Americans will judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.
You have next to no record. The only way America can know your values is to look to those who have had a profound influence on you. Your judment has been shown to be horrendous. In fact, if you are not lying you are approaching the Eliot Spitzer standard of poor judgment. From what I can tell, you are a two-faced, lying, thief of taxpayer dollars who has no experience or plan. I trust that most Americans will see it the same way.
