Posted by
Mhu Cao on Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:04:21 PM
Recently, more videos of Wright's recent preaching have been publicized. In one video, dated Christmas Day 2007, Wright is seen, in the pulpit, denouncing the Clintons, going as far as saying "Hillary has never been called a n!gger!," as if her race somehow disqualifies her from leading blacks.
He also makes hateful remarks against rich whites - from the pulpit!
"God damn America!"
(UPDATE: Here's a link to a great post from Sharon Hughes on this point:
Really now! Who has been slyly injecting race into the Democratic primary election cycle?
Obama, through his surrogates, Wright and Farrakhan.
Time after time, we see reverse racism injected into the election. Non-blacks (e.g., Geraldine Ferraro) are set ablaze for uttering any word thought to be a racist "code word," or for making some remark that is an indirect and not totally inaccurate characterization of race in the election. Oh, cracker! How dare you use race!
How can Wright not be excoriated for making such blatant racist comments? Will he be allowed to hide behind his collar and the First Amendment? Wright's statements do not fall within the protections afforded by the First Amendment deference to religion, do they?
Wright is not just a homeless lunatic ranting at a trash dumpster, he is the leader of what's been described as a "megachurch," with a huge following of those faithful who are influenced by, and adhere to the preachings of, Wright.
Wright openly preaches a gospel of black separatism, and is not just showing a passing disdain with an opposing candidate.
Wright is foolishly risking the tax-exempt status of his church by making political statements from the pulpit. He knows the rules. Either he knows that he can face down the government on the matter of the separation of state from his church, or he really doesn't care what the law may be. Let's see how quickly Wright attempts to characterize the IRS scrutiny as "racist," or an attempt by Bush or the Clintons, or the "rich white men" to discredit him
Obama cannot refute that Wright has influenced him.
Wright is the man who inspired Obama to become Christian. Wright has been Obama's spiritual mentor for 20 years. This is more than mere association.
It is reasonable to infer that Obama has adopted at least some of Wright's beliefs in order to be converted to Christianity. It is reasonable to infer that Obama has embraced Wright's beliefs on black separatism and slavery reparations. Had Obama not embraced Wright's teachings on black separatism and slavery reparations, he could have attended a different church, where the pastor did not advance such views.
We all have a "crazy uncle" in the family. We all have some persons we admire that we may not fully embrace. To use these rationalizations is a disingenuous ruse intended to deflect any scrutiny into Obama's beliefs on the political and social philosophies that are taught by Wright, and their influence on Obama.
In some ways, Wright's preachings may now be politically painful for Obama. Obama is forced to distance himself from those words of Wright, even if he still embraces Wright. However, Obama's current political pain is meaningless because Wright has preached a convenient form racism for decades, and he is still at it.
Had Wright's sermons exhorted the faithful to do good deeds, avoid evil, and be kind to others, hisinfluence on Obama would not cry out for scrutiny.
But Wright practiced a particularly noxious form of ministry - one that separates under the guise of unification, one that spews hate in the name of Love.
It is not enough for Obama to distance himself from Wright's current, embarrassing words.
Obama must explain his views of race, unity, and reparations, on the record, and must categorically denounce the Gospel of Wright.
John F. Kennedy was pro-active and held an extensive news conference, where he faced a no-holds-barred grilling from those concerned about the influence of the Church on Kennedy's ability to govern as President. I remember that news conference, it wasn't a subdued chat with Russert.
See:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkhoustonministerialQ&A.htm
Obama must confront this issue head-on, in a pro-active way, using an open, no-holds-barred press conference, in the Kennedy model. Wright's theology is far more explosive and divisive than the theology of Catholic could ever be, so Obama owes it to every American to step up and explain his positions on race, separatism, black liberation theology, Wright's anti-white statements, Wright's flouting of the law, and, of course, the influence of Wright's ongoing demands for slavery reparations.
If he doesn't, then he is unworthy of governing this country.