Calm Down Everyone About Reverend Wright!

[slinkerwink]

I got a response from Shaun Casey, Obama's religious advisor:

I am confident that the Senator and his campaign are aware of the potential problems with some of Rev. Wright's comments. Sen. Obama will continue to respond to them as the election continues to unfold. He will have to address this question many times in coming days and I believe he will do so effectively.

[tekisui]

1. That's what I've been saying. This is no surprise to the campaign.

None whatsoever.

[underpants]

3. Obama's guys are really good

they are so good that I don't know any of their names.

Top notch from what I have seen.

[Tarc]

2. How do you "effectively" defend racism, tinfoil conspiracies, blaming America for 9/11

This should be quite interesting in the next week or so.

[tekisui]

4. Easy. Denounce the statements you disagree with.

[Zynx]

11. Let me give you an example of why that approach doesn't work.

Let's say my best friend and advisor was a member of the KKK(I am using this example as a case on the other side of racism). I'd say, "Oh, I don't agree with any of his racism or anti-semitism, but he's a good guy." People would still be pissed I associate with the guy. In the case of Reverend Wright, Obama associates with the man closely. Simply denouncing certain statements while associating with a nutjob is not a good idea.

[tekisui]

22. There is a world of difference between Wright

and the KKK. That is a straw man comparison. I hear what you're saying, but these are just a few comments out of a long history of preaching. What Obama supporters do you think this will be a deal-breaker for? That's all that matters.

[Zynx]

27. He is an extremist all the same.

This comes down to more than Obama's hardcore support. This matters with independents and moderates. Hearing Jesus being called a black man facing white oppression is going to rub a lot of people the wrong way.

[tekisui]

29. Oh well. Everything McSame himself says rubs me the wrong way.

[tekisui]

30. I don't see him as an extremist.

[dchill]

45. If you think that's a valid comparison...

then you might be a ....

[EmilyAnne]

5. Um, you don't. You do defend your right to having a significant relationship with someone who

holds such opinions as well as your ability to reject the opinions of a very dear friend.

[Zynx]

12. Politically it is not so easy.

[MethuenProgressive]

15. Chicago Tribune: "In Wright he had found both a spiritual mentor and a role model."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,271630.story

[Vinca]

6. Do you think America is blameless re 9/11? nt

[Tarc]

19. Do you think rape victims share some responsibility for their attacks?

Of course not. Whether our Middle Eastern relations track record suck (and I think it does) or not does not move the blame one inch off the shoulders of the perpetrators.

[Vinca]

26. Unrelated analogy. 9/11 was only a matter of time.

And it will only be a matter of time again because of our aggressive war mongering in the Middle East. If you can't see that, you're naive.

[Tarc]

31. It is a very related analogy

A crime was perpetrated upon almost 3,000 innocent people; you are tryingt o shift some of the blame for that to the victims. Our foreign policy does not excuse the actions of the terrorists, and anyone like you like that tries to excuse that is a disgusting, worthless excuse of a human being.

[kwassa]

38. No, it isn't.

"A crime was perpetrated upon almost 3,000 innocent people; you are tryingt o shift some of the blame for that to the victims. Our foreign policy does not excuse the actions of the terrorists, and anyone like you like that tries to excuse that is a disgusting, worthless excuse of a human being"

Wright makes no attempt to shift blame to the victims, but some to our foreign policy which does create anger against us throughout the world. To a degree, we are all responsible for the actions of our government.

Terrorism is a tactic, not a philosophy, many different groups throughout history have used it, including governments.

[Tarc]

39. You are a lost cause

[kwassa]

42. You have an argument you can't substantiate.

You only hurl insults.

[dchill]

You are NOT a lost cause, you've hit the nail on the head...

in your final paragraph. Exactly.

"Terrorism is a tactic, not a philosophy, many different groups throughout history have used it, including governments."

[kwassa]

60. thanks!

nice to know someone is listening around here.

[dchill]

61. No problem.

:thumbsup:

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

55. Whether America is to blame or not, it's a side issue that being used to distract from Obama's

positive message of hope. It's really the only cared Hillary has left to play.

[noel711]

8. It's not about defending Wright's style of preaching...

but his right to do so under the constitution.

Remember all the crazy right wing preachers
in their defense of Bush and his policies?

Same thing.
I might not agree with everything you say,
but I will fight for your right to say them.

[Zynx]

17. And people have the right to be criticized for saying crazy crap.

That's part of the beauty of freedom of speech. You make a political statement, I can criticize your political statement.

[Tarc]

23. And we have every right to slam Wright for being a hate-filled asshat

and to do the same to those associated with him. This was the plan of attack for Clinton re: Ferraro.

Turnabout is fair play, kid.

[kwassa]

32. but he is not a hate-filled asshat ....

You'd have to be quite inventive to carry it off.

[Tarc]

34. You're just as blind to reality as he and Obama are

This man's sermons are full of ignorant, race-baiting rhetoric.

[kwassa]

36. Quote the exact ignorant race-baiting passage for me.

I'd like to see that.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[kwassa]

43. So, you hurl personal insults when you can't support your own argument?

It is your assertion, the proof is up to you.

[leftynyc]

28. And do you remember how

our left wing went batshit crazy about those same preachers? Nobody is saying Rev Wright doesn't have the to say these things - that's a strawman. This is a real problem that needs to be addressed NOW.

[PVnRT]

14. And you assume Obama actually agrees with all of it?

How far down this road do you want to go? I'm sure we can drag up some stupid shit that Hillary's friends have said to.

[MethuenProgressive]

18. Chicago Tribune:"Wright helps keep his priorities straight and his moral compass calibrated."

Chicago Tribune:"Wright helps keep his priorities straight and his moral compass calibrated."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,271630.story

[PVnRT]

35. You're not answering the question

Do you believe Obama agrees with Wright's more inflammatory statements? Yes or no?

[elixir]

7. Now I feel better. Phew, that was a close one. I thought Obama was going to say

"yeah, this guys great and we stand behind everything he's been saying including "Hillary's never been called n*****.."'

That's not enough. If Obama wants to win the race, which I have some misgivings that he does, he needs to severe the ties to Rev. Wrong.

[islandmkl]

9. during 'drive time' this morning (when i get my daily RW blood pressure fix)...

every one of them was going off....as expected....

'preaching to a choir'...Rev. Wright & the Righties...what's the difference...

I thought it was 1970 or so...."Obama is a (you gotta love this) MILITANT BLACK RACIST!"

Damn, I hadn't heard the word 'militant' so often in 30 years....

Huey, H. Rap, Bobby....the white boys will resurrect your souls to scare up that fear of 'racial insurrection' once again...

Barack just needs to state his position on matters of national importance...all this Wright stuff is just bullshit fodder...

It's the WAR, the ECONOMY, the STATE OF OUR NATION...

[MethuenProgressive]

10. " the senator does check with his pastor before making any bold political moves."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,271630.story
Chicago Tribune: "In Wright he had found both a spiritual mentor and a role model."
"Wright helps keep his priorities straight and his moral compass calibrated."

[slinkerwink]

13. I'm sure that's as spiritual advisor, not as a political advisor

[MethuenProgressive]

20. He gives spiritual advice on Obama's "bold political moves"?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,271630.story

[SeaLyons]

16. Good luck to that

[lligrd]

21. "untested, insane war in Iraq, started by a C-student draft dodger"

Jeremiah Wright Jr

[butterfly77]

25. That hit it right on the nose...

[Arkansas Granny]

24. As a Hillary supporter, I hope he is right. In the event that Obama is our

nominee, I don't want him to have something like this looming over him for the RW slime machine to use against him for the GE. This is just the kind of thing that they can really get some mileage out of because it not only concerns his religion (i.e. he might be a Muslim), it casts more doubt on his patriotism (he doesn't wear a flag pin or place his hand over his heart for the National Anthem). For the record, I'm not voicing any doubts about his faith or his patriotism, but we've already seen these questions asked.

What I fear the most, however, is that this will be the topic of many sermons this Sunday in churches all over the nation. While I think that most of the RW has already made up their minds about not wanting any Democrat in the White House, there are a lot of Indies and undecided voters who attend church also and I don't know how this may affect them. Group think can be very powerful.

[Tarc]

33. They're already using it now, there's a 300 reply thread in FReeperland this morning

Everyone laughs and dismisses the "Obama hasn't been properly vetted" argument, but time and time again we see that it bears fruit. Obama's past associations, from Rezko to Wright to McClurkin, are a liability.

[From The Left]

37. You think regular Americans care about this?

Please. Not with job losses and $4 a gallon gasoline. But rest assured, after Obama gives yet another press conference denouncing Wright, the Hillbots will keep pushing it.

In fact, I expect Hillary herself to bring it up in the next debate. I'm sure Rove told her too.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

46. Hardlly, but Hillary will surely bring it up. It's all she's got left. She's desperate and it shows.

[From The Left]

49. Shillary is Now Controlled By Mark Penn. There's No Hillary Left

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

53. I used to wonder why Hillary kept Mark Penn on board. Now I'm beginning to understand it.

[From The Left]

56. You got it. Hillary and Penn are like Bread and Butter. Political Twins

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

41. If anyone can handle the situation, it's Obama.

[rainman99]

44. As soon as everyone calms down about Ferraro,

an ARDENT SUPPORTER OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

[From The Left]

50. She Just Hates Blacks.

[Rockholm]

47. POTENTIAL Problems? Wright is a RACIST.

[From The Left]

51. So is Ferraro. Hillary's Klan Seamstress

[redqueen]

48. Calmer than you are.

His response in the newspaper was perfect.

I expect no less from him & his campaign. It's been demonstrated repeatedly that they're more capable of defeating the GOP this fall.

[Scurrilous]

52. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Texas Hill Country]

54. Yeah, and his retirement was timely dont you think? LOL

[From The Left]

57. Just Like Geraldine's retirement. Don't cha' think?

[Texas Hill Country]

58. She left the campaign... He left his CHURCH and JOB. Pretty different.

[From The Left]

59. Hillary Lied About Gerry's Role in Her Campaign

Like so many things about the Clintons, they lie and lie and lie. Like Bush and Cheney.