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 3 of 5)
31. According to Cenk then it is ok to belong to a racist organization. So what if someone belongs to the KKK? White people are just angry, and they have a right to be angry with all the blacks who committ crimes, join gangs, make babies that the white tax payers have to pay for, etc. etc. etc. So if a white joins a racist organization and denounces blacks then that is ok with Cenk. The truth is the church that Obama is a member of is no different than the KKK.
krr at 11:06AM on Apr 30th 2008
32. They hold on to it because they have nothing else they can use that is irrefutable.
Strados at 11:17AM on Apr 30th 2008
33. I happen to completely agree with you. I see an awful lot of posts here blasting you, but it disappoints me to see that so many Americans can't see a good thing when it comes along. I am a 53 year old white woman and I can't begin to speak to what the black community feels and how their beliefs are shaped. I don't dare to try. But I do think that anyone who can't see the good in Obama, the cool-headedness and reasoning person that he is, who genuinely appears to want to make positive changes, and will cast him aside based on Reverend Wright, then I really feel they are just looking for an excuse to not vote for "the black man." I'm sorry, but I thought this country had come further than that. I am so disillusioned with how easily people soak up the negatives thrown at them, that I am quickly losing all interest in this election. I was excited, motivated, and for the first time in my life, I thought someome had come along that could really do great things. I don't think we'll get another chance like this again. So yeah, let's throw it all away because of an over-the-top reverend, who in spite of what we're seeing now, seems to have done good things for his church and his community. Go ahead, America, show your true colors. You can't put a black man in the presidency, can you? That's really what it comes down to when all is said and done. You'll get what you deserve. More of what we've had for the past eight years. We foolishly -- well, not me, but the country as a whole -- voted in George Bush, and look what it's gotten us. If Obama loses this nomination over this, then I may never vote for anyone at all ever again. This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen, all over something that has no bearing whatever on the economy, the war in Iraq, healthcare, etc. Instead, we're beating our chests over a church leader. It's embarrassing. The rest of the world is laughting at us.
Terri at 11:56AM on Apr 30th 2008
34. Cenk, you rock. you are a REASONABLE thinking man. I wish most of america could wake-up to the desperate and hateful Hillary and the old and flip-flop McCain or Mcnasty as he was called in high school. The average american has no idea how our government works. They vote based on personality. How do you ever think Bush is a 2 time president. The man can't even speak correctly. Our economy sucks, and internationally we are hated. We need Obama more than he needs us
donna charleston at 12:17PM on Apr 30th 2008
35. Tampa Tony
Which post, or both, puts me in the Bozo class.
1-What I said about Rev Wright-Well Obama had come out on 2 occasions to condem what Rev Wright has said. If I am a Bozo for what I said about Rev Wright, then I guess in your opinion Obama is a Bozo
2-Or am I a Bozo in your opinion for me pointing out Obama's voting record as a State Senator. CBS News 4/22/08 story on TV shows the gang related killings of school children and Obama's voting record as a State Senator shows he voted against stricter penalities for gang related killings and crimes.
Which is it????? Or is it both. Back up your opinion with some facts before you make a statement of what you think or another person.
Tampa Bay-I guess if you live there you could be considered Red Neck Trailer Trash
robert okane at 12:31PM on Apr 30th 2008
36. Wright has accomplished three noble aims: 1)He has destroyed the presidential campaign of a man he knows to be a hypocritical and false megalomaniac; 2) he has told white America how many minority citizens feel about them; 3) he has held up a mirror to ignorant African-Americans, to allow them to see how foolish they appear to mainstream eyes.
Bob at 12:52PM on Apr 30th 2008
37. I agree with the writer 110%
taan at 1:07PM on Apr 30th 2008
38. He is racist, Can you imagine an America with a racist president? In THIS day and age.What was.....was,and you can't change it. However there are very few (if any) slaves left on this earth. The people who LIVED it, most of them are gone. Why keep beating a dead horse? It's already dead, there is nothing more to be done about it,it's OVER. The people living TODAY are NOT slave owners. Why do we have to answer for something that happened before our time? It makes NO SENSE. The african americans alive today,deserve no more than what they earn, just like the rest of us.
Karen at 1:56PM on Apr 30th 2008
39. WHITE people alive TODAY, are NOT responsible for what happened before our time, There are few (if any) slaves alive today, So sit down, shut up, Get a Job and CONTRIBUTE to making America BETTER, NOT WORSE as is being done today. Maybe, Maybe they had a point, way back then. Maybe they saw that many black people do not know how to act in civilized society. 1 question, Why is it when a "white" person commits a crime against a black person, it's a HATE crime. NO ONE said a word when 4-6 BLACK teens beat a white man to death and all he was doing was trying to go home after work. No AL SHARPTON?
Karen at 1:57PM on Apr 30th 2008
40. I think that Rev. Wright is desperate for some media attention that he will do anything to get it. Yes, many bad thing had happen to African American in this country but i dont think it is fair to blame it all on "white america", come on...
Even if there are some blame to be placed; he is a pastor so he should know better. Doesn't God teach us to forgive?
I personally think that this rev. is a joke, he is desperately craving for attention; he should stick to his day job instead and shut up.
liile7 at 1:12PM on Apr 30th 2008
41. Chuck,
WELL SAID!
Karen at 1:57PM on Apr 30th 2008
42. The pillar of his community has chosen to do interviews on himself, rather than going into South-side Chicago last weekend and denounce the violence seething through his community. 9 dead, 40 shootings and the police having to arm themselves with automatic weapons just to patrol through the war zone. Yes, the Reverend has done miracles. The MSM also fails to add his new 1.5 million dollar home in the white suburbs he hates so much, and the $10 million bank account access.
Talk about a hypocrite...
OpenYourBlindEye08 at 1:37PM on Apr 30th 2008
43. This is only an issue for those who are looking for something. Those who want to beleive that he sat for 20 years listening to a man talk about hate, then demand him to "separate" himself,(and he did), are still hollering it is not enough. Instead of being honest with the fact that there is nothing he could do that would be acceptable in their opinion. It'smore important to play the "aha, I knew it" card on everything! Hillary is Methodist, they do not beleive in gays in the church, and her followers are gay......does she denounce that teaching? Did anyone ask Rommney to denouce the teachings of the Morman faith, that has not changed its teachings well over 20yrs? No, so get over it with Obama and his faith.
sym at 1:42PM on Apr 30th 2008
44. Numbers 33 and 34 say it very well.
Robert Okane should post a disclaimer with every Obama related post, explaining why he voted for Obama.
Robert, you've become a simpleton and a blowhard. Your cut and paste on Obama and violence in Chicago proves it. The idea that adding another law is the solution to crime is preposterous. The idea that Obama is solely responsible for increased violence in Chicago is as ludicrous. The idea that a vote in a state legislature, several years ago, is responsible for increased crime in Chicago makes you a buffoon.
But to answer your own question, Robert, BOTH of your posts make you a, "Bozo."
I think the most amusing anti-Obama posters are the ones who mention Obama's "betrayal" of family members, like the posters are so concerned about Obama's grandmother.
Captain Negative at 1:47PM on Apr 30th 2008
45. wright the flash in the pan media sweetheart is milking this for all it's worth and wouuld not be surpired if some hollywood genuis gives him his own talk show. for now wright is a mill stone around abama neck and if he loses the presidental bid. obama can thank wright for no small part in the defeat.
jerry richardson at 1:57PM on Apr 30th 2008