Let me ask a controversial question here about Rev. Wright: So what?
He is angry about how black people have been treated in this country. So what? That's mainly true that they have gotten the short end of the stick here. It doesn't mean America is a bad country over all (I happen to think it's the greatest country ever formed), but it did do these heinous things. Why is it so terrible to admit that and talk about that -- and get this, maybe even take pride in how we have evolved beyond that?
Why is the "average American" so touchy about the things he said? What he said about America doesn't diminish my view of America one bit. I hope your faith in this country is not so fragile. The fact that he holds these controversial opinions doesn't bother me in the slightest. Overall, I don't agree with him and I move on with my life.
If he was in a position of power it might be different. If he was an elected official or a major media figure that influenced other people, then it might be very relevant. But he is a private citizen, so I don't see the relevance.
Finally, people say it is relevant becuase he was Barack Obama's pastor. Really? Why? Does that mean he influenced Obama into secretly hating America and that once Obama becomes president he is going to hand the country over to France or Iran or Congo? Of course that's absurd, so if we agree that Obama does not share Rev. Wright's views (as he has made abundantly clear), what is the point of bringing this guy up over and over again? What is the relevance?
Look, don't get me wrong, I get why the media is doing it. It's highly entertaining. This Rev. Wright guy is a character. But in the end they should put things in context and explain that this is not a real issue in anyone's real life in America. You will not get better health care or cheaper gas based on what Rev. Wright said or did not say.
As the country is in a frenzy over this complete non-issue, my reaction is -- so what?
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Rev. Wright -- So What?
Posted Apr 30th 2008 1:26AM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Young Turks, Barack Obama
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 5)
1. Cenk
Once again you prove hhow stupid you are.
You try to cover for Obama's 20 years of sitting and listening to Rev Wrights anti america, anti white, anti Jew and por Muslim rants, and it does not work.
Now Obama has proven you wrong by denouncing Rev Wright.
Ont important you big bag of hot air, Obama thought it was so important, that he has denounced Rev Wrignts ranting, but you do not.
Just shows what a Bozo you are and why you and MoveOn will blow this Nov election to the Republicans.
robert okane at 2:01AM on Apr 30th 2008
2. LOL! If this was about McCain you would be all over him, but when it's about Obama "it's okay". If Wright had said that all white people should be killed in the streets, you'd defend it as casual discourse and a way of broaching a political topic.
Oh well, Obama has no shot at the Presidency and neither does Clinton. Looks like another 8 years of Republican rule. I think the Democrats are really afraid of winning anything. When they do, they do everything in the power to screw it up so they won't win again for years to come. At least it will give you more things to bitch and moan about.
Troy at 2:59AM on Apr 30th 2008
3. Obama soft on crime and school childrens safety
Chicago Schools are a killing zone for Gang violence. Last school year 34 students were killed and a total of 58 deaths over a 17 month period.
Innocent children are being killed by gang members and Obama did not care about stopping it. Chicago is a city where handguns are banned.
Obama had a chance to curb the rise in Gang related crime violence and killing in 2001 when he was a State Senator. What did Obama do, he turned his back on innocent children. Obama voted NO on increased penalities against violence committed by gangs. Obama voted No for stronger penalities and now 34 students a school year are getting murdered by gangs. These are innocent children and Obama could care less.
That is one part of Obama's record, and more school children die in Chicago because of Gang Violence that Obama saw no need to curb.
robert okane at 4:45AM on Apr 30th 2008
4. Barack Obama joined Rev. Wright's church as an adult. What was it about Wright's preaching that induced him to do so? What was it that induced Obama to have his children baptized by Rev. Wright? What induced him to donate $26,000 to Rev. Wright's church last year? These are questions that Barack Obama has yet to answer. Why?
emelpe at 4:59AM on Apr 30th 2008
5. What's the big deal? Gee, I don't know, but your guy sure felt it was important enough to disassociate himself completely today. Why, because the damage he has caused to his campaign has helped it stall. People are questioning his JUDGMENT for not seeing the wrong thinking this guy has about this country, white people and our government. DUH!
Mocking white people, calling them slave owners and insinuating that the "dominant culture" is still responsible for all the ills of the black community and the world tends to make people (white people - you know the ones he needs to have a prayer of sniffing the White House) wonder how Barack really feels. He is damaged goods.
OpenYourBlindEye08 at 5:02AM on Apr 30th 2008
6. The addage, "truth hurts" readily applies to what Jeremiah Wright said in his address to the National Press Club. Was it offensive? Perhaps to those with thin skin, those who are quick to point fingers to blame blacks or other persons of color for the ills of this country. Yet it is the blacks and persons of color who are among the first to fight in our wars, answering the call to service. Since WWII black men and women have served their country proud, but have they been acknowledged for it as their white counterparts? Rev. Wright is angry, and he probably has a right to be angry. It's just too bad that the media is making more of his comments than need be. If he hadn't been Barack Obama's pastor no one would have ever heard of Jeremiah Wright. The only reason he's remained in the news so long is the fact that Obama didn't distance himself in the beginning of the fray a month ago. Whether he was being kind, loyal or plain stupid has now bit him on his ass. To some it may have been the right thing to do at last, however, to some it is going to be that he's selling out a friend and mentor. I've really got to do some soul searching now about how I feel about Obama. I thought I liked him enough to vote for him, now I'm not so sure.
Arjay Rabar at 5:22AM on Apr 30th 2008
7. Aptly put Citizen Unger. I felt the same way when they said Air America crashed and burned. SO WHAT?????? There'll always be another bunch of kooks ready to take their place.
CAPTAIN AMERICA at 5:57AM on Apr 30th 2008
8. Cenk-
Time for apology to Rev Jesse Lee Paterson in your story "Sean Hannity's Hatefyl Pastor".
You said Rev Paterson was more hateful than Rev Wright and gave Paterson'statements about "Katrina" as your evidence. Well Rev Wright has not shut his hateful mouth. Rev Wright's hate rants now have Obama giving a 2nd speech to put more distance between himself and Rev Wright. Meanwhile, Bill Cosby has come out very strongly in support of Rev Paterson's comments about Katrina. Cenk, again you look like a big hot air fool, and you should apologize to Rev Paterson.
Arjay Rabar post#6 Rev Wright is not going away soon, his latest outburst of hate is to boost future sales of his NEW BOOK due out end of 2008. There are many people who speak about injustices in this and other countries, and they may be right, but being racist and hateful as Rev Wright is, is wrong.
robert okane at 7:13AM on Apr 30th 2008
9. There's a big difference between anger about the way black people have been treated in the United States and making claims that the US Government started HIV as a secret projects to wipe out blacks.
There's nothing wrong with having strong opinions on the status of civil rights. But he doesn't simply fall into this category.
For example: Jesse Jackson is obviously peeved by the way some blacks are treated, but he is a reasonable guy in the end.
Al Sharpton can be bitter at times, but he isn't making outrageous claims (or hasn't as of late).
Reverend Wright is different though.
Tony Messinger at 7:15AM on Apr 30th 2008
10. Rev. Wright wouldn't know the truth if it came up and tweaked his nose. The idea of the United States as a terrorist nation getting what it deserved in the 911 attack is onerous to most Americans and is a demonstrably false notion.
America has freed and/or fed more of the world's people than any nation that has ever been. And if we're so evil, why do so many still want to come here? Wright sounds like an al Queda recruiter.
And when it comes to slavery, we had it for a few hundred years and then rejected it. There are nations that have practiced slavery for thousands of years and still haven't gotten rid of it.
Dave at 7:25AM on Apr 30th 2008
11. Putting aside the nature of the Wright's comments momentarily, this episode demonstrates Obama's inability to get on top of a situation before it spins out of control.
Given that he has the backing of most of the conventional media and a Republican challenger who for the most part is reluctant to take advantage of such situations when they occur, this should have been a piece of cake for him.
It's not going to stay that way. If he can't handle it now under these circumstances, he's toast if he makes it to the general election.
bob at 7:51AM on Apr 30th 2008
12. How many can say they have been going to church for 20 years? He mentioned missing his children and wife while on the trail as the hardest part of running. He mentioned his children first. Mr. Obama is a good man and the white media is doing it'd best to bring him down. America is missing out on a man we truly need in this time in history. Enjoy at least 4 more years of war folks
Bill at 7:57AM on Apr 30th 2008
13. How can Cenk live in his fantasy world day after day?
Cenk, it's not Rev. Wright's beliefs. It's Barack Obama possibly, ok probably, ok definitely, holding the same beliefs but trying to stealth his way into the presidency.
Davidg at 8:35AM on Apr 30th 2008
14. I watched both of Rev Wright press circuses . I found him a hoot. He could convert me to being Chirstren again.He is a man of faith. goo for him. By the way I am white.
john lord at 8:37AM on Apr 30th 2008
15. Blaming Obama for the insane beliefs of his pastor is like blaming every church goer whose preist or pastor turned out to be a child molestor for his disgusting actions. Are you responsable for the actions of your leaders? Furthermore, does anyone really believe Obama holds these beliefs? Really? Seriously? Or is it a great scape goat for getting him out of the presidential race (pun intended)?
Laura at 9:06AM on Apr 30th 2008