Why are people so concerned with what Reverend Wright is saying when it isn't he who is running for office. I don't agree with all of my friends or family so why do we assume that Rev. Wright's stand is in agreement with his?

Seriously?

You did hear the comments from the Rev. didn't you?

Can you imagine sitting in this guys church for 20 years, having him marry you and your spouse, having him baptize your children, calling him your spiritual advisor, claiming that you run ideas past him for his opinions, and NOT believing the things he preaches?

I can't.

When I recall Mrs. Obama's now famous statement "for the first time in my adult life, I can say that I am proud of my Country", it makes perfect sense in relation to what their preacher has been telling them for 20 years.

To believe that he shares NONE of his pastors beliefs, is nieve to say the least.

Why do some folks get so upset when a presidential candidate speaks at Bob Jones University? Why did the press and Dems obsess over Reagan speaking at a cemetery at Bitburg? Ronald Reagan - Democratic Underground
Let me put it this way: no one knows Obama, a candidate for President of the U.S. Inquiring minds ask about his family, church, service organizations, as well as his public statements. He claims to be a racial 'healer', but he worships in a church led by a minister that spews hate and divisiveness. So now, in the heat of the campaign, Obama jettisons his preacher, after sitting in this church for twenty years. How does that strike you?

Personally I think Rev Wrights latest rant may not be as bad for Obama as people think. It allowed the public to see the man in a suit and tie. This time he didn't deliver his rave from the pulpit but at a press club as someone much akin to a politician himself. The people got to see him for the first time not as a "racist" pastor but just like an old school black politician who says things that people are uncomfortable with. But now he looks luck a politician that is in stark contrast to Obama who handles himself with grace and politeness. Obama has divorced himself from Right now and I think this press club rant will just become old news very quickly.

I understand. Just wondering if my concern is well-placed or simply being close-minded. Thanks

Of course his rant is very serious calling the US a terrorist nation, disrespect to our flag and more. And it is much more than Obama just being a member, he was close with the pastor.

But then one of the radio talk shows was mentioning that you don't just go and talk to the press club, and it was at least implied that a news group with ties to Clinton invited him to speak.

Chuck, you have said before you live amongst and associate friendly with gay people. Does this mean you approve of them and the choices they have made? Does it mean you condone the gay lifestyle?

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Originally Posted by Skell

Chuck, you have said before you live amongst and associate friendly with gay people. Does this mean you approve of them and the choices they have made? Does it mean you condone the gay lifestyle?

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Sort of like saying, because I walk through a market next to cucumbers that I should enjoy them; no, Obama made this more than his church home and the voters have a right to know about Obama's associates, groups, friends, and allies. Obama chose a church whose pastor teaches hate and envy; it was his choice, and a poor one. Does it disqualify Obama? No. Is it a reflection upon his character? Yes.

PW

I was and am trying to get a sense of who Obama is . He burst onto the scene as an unknown . He based so much of his personal biography on his relationship with the REV. Rev Wright is prominent in both of his books and his 2nd book he titled after Rev Wright's speeches.

The theology that is preached at his church is radical even by "black Church" standards . Since Obama made such a big deal about the Rev being an advisor and mentor to him ;and the fact that for a period the rev was on Obama's campaign advisory boad ;it is legitimate to explore what the rev says.
This episode has taught me much about Obama. The mythology of the man has been exposed to be just that ;a mythology . Push comes to shove he is just another politician from the left.

Thanks all. I find it a bit overwhelming that someone who curses America and drags up a long past history, inflaming racial hatred and self-pity among black Americans, would be the mentor for our Presidential candidate. Surely a mentor is able to sway his student to his own way of viewing.

Ah so that was your intention in posting this "question". We should have known.

? Should have known what?

purplewings - you should know, if you don't already, there is some orthodoxy involved in posting on AMHD. There is a poster - skygem - I think, who upsets some of the regular writers and they get bent-out-of-shape when opinions are not similar to their own.

Thanks George. I guess I'll be prepared then.

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Surely a mentor is able to sway his student to his own way of viewing.

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Yes that is the big concern . Obama says that he was not influenced by the Revs rants but how can we know for sure ? It would be one thing if it was just his faith and spirituality ,But it is obvious that much of the phiolsophy taught at the church was also politically radical .

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Originally Posted by Skell

Chuck, you have said before you live amongst and associate friendly with gay people. Does this mean you approve of them and the choices they have made? Does it mean you condone the gay lifestyle?

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Point taken, since most know my view point there, but then I am vocal on what I do believe on those issues, in these cases Obama has not been vocal saying he rejects these teachings, but went to say he was not present when they were said, It is hard to believe someone with such radical views on anti american beleifs could have keep them all to hisself all of these years.

Whether I agree or disagree with your basic premise about the relevance of one's pastor's view is somewhat irrelevant. What IS important is determining what Sen. Obama stands for and if it's "Change", then, "Change to what?" I have listened and I've heard nothing of substance at all. It is well documented that he has the most left-wing, liberal voting record of sitting senators and that's a clue. Of course, if you favor liberalism then you will applaud him for it. Personally, I think this country was built on a bottom-up, local control, local vote, local charity and individual rights, and respect for others and their rights, and not a top-down, beaucratic, central control philosophy that essentially says we don't care enough, don't give enough, and aren't responsible enough.

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Originally Posted by adamosity

Whether I agree or disagree with your basic premise about the relevance of one's pastor's view is somewhat irrelevant. What IS important is determining what Sen. Obama stands for and if it's "Change", then, "Change to what?" I have listened and I've heard nothing of substance at all. It is well documented that he has the most left-wing, liberal voting record of sitting senators and that's a clue. Of course, if you favor liberalism then you will applaud him for it. Personally, I think this country was built on a bottom-up, local control, local vote, local charity and individual rights, and respect for others and their rights, and not a top-down, beaucratic, central control philosophy that essentially says we don't care enough, don't give enough, and aren't responsible enough.

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Welcome to AMHD; and very, well stated, adam. This election is very much like the one in 1976: Gerald Ford was a non-elected President and certainly not popular with the press, much like McCain, today. His opponent was none other than a completely unknown buffoon from Georgia, Jimmy Carter. But Carter's resume was much longer that Obama. Part of the liberal strategy this year is keep unpopular Bush in the headlines and make McCain more tepid than he already is; keep the conservative base-voters unenthusiastic and they will stay home rather than vote.

It's mostly a Republican smear tactic because they are leading with their weak chinned candidate, "John McCain." But hey! The Pubs have my I promise that I will not be voting for Jeremiah Wright. Oh! And BTW, he's not on the ballot. If the DNC don't cause major civil unrest in America and disenfranchise voters, wait until the nomination and watch the Pubs get confronted in the general election debates on real issues such as this ongoing war, inflation, and the economy. I'm breaking for shabbos now. :)

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Originally Posted by George_1950

purplewings - you should know, if you don't already, there is some orthodoxy involved in posting on AMHD. There is a poster - skygem - I think, who upsets some of the regular writers and they get bent-out-of-shape when opinions are not similar to their own.

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Hi, George and purplewings. Yes, you certainly are right, George, in what you say. Some of the regulars do get upset when opinions are not like their own. That much is true. When stories break that place their candidate in less than luminous light, it burns them unmercifully it seems! The stories, however, are from the media and not something I make up. But since they don't want to or can't argue with the media and its writers, I'm a good second it appears. But they can simply take it up with the media if they get so bent out of shape on the current issues that adversely affect their candidate, Obama. As I have always said, a frontrunner, should be grilled and grilled and grilled especially when running for the nation's highest office! They should expect no less from those who need to know where they stand on the issues. But by the same token, the candidates should be able to explain themselves and not just offer fancy speeches tailored to easy listening ears as a substitute. They should contain real substance instead of attempting to disown someone after 20 years loyalty, putting on a pin after the fact, trying to talk his way out of the "bitterness" matter with more excuses and rhetoric. The Wright controversy, national anthem, bitterness, weather underground, etc. are all valid issues that Obama has to answer if he intends to continue in the race as the Republicans are sure going to drill him on those things, big time, should he get the nomination!

But aside from those issues, the issues that matter very much also are domestic ones facing this nation. Obama is known to "flip-flop" when faced with these issues of importance and apparently has a problem answering. Here's a good example. It's good to read what the American public continues to think and say about him in these columns as they are the ones who will be voting for him or not! Again, frontrunners should not be angry or afraid of the public speaking out on issues and matters of importance to them if they are truly serious candidates.

Obama's stance on issues? - Yahoo! Answers