Update: Don't expect Obama to repudiate these remarks. He still hasn't addressed his friendship with the terrorists of the Weather Underground.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright has been Obama's pastor for 20 years. Obama named his book, "Audacity of Hope" after a sermon of his, and he and his wife were married by the pastor. He is even a part of Obama's campaign.
Now video has surfaced of Rev. Wright preaching a very radical message where he accuses the government of creating drugs and giving them to the poor, creating AIDS to destroy blacks, and blaming America for 9/11.
“The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing ‘God Bless America.’ No, no, no, God damn America, that’s in the Bible for killing innocent people,” he said in a 2003 sermon. “God damn America for treating our citizens as less than human. God damn America for as long as she acts like she is God and she is supreme.”
In addition to damning America, he told his congregation on the Sunday after Sept. 11, 2001 that the United States had brought on al Qaeda’s attacks because of its own terrorism.
“We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye,” Rev. Wright said in a sermon on Sept. 16, 2001.“We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought right back to our own front yards. America’s chickens are coming home to roost,” he told his congregation.
So, Obama asks Hillary to repudiate Ferraro’s remarks about him only being where he is because he is black, and she quits. When will Obama repudiate the message of hate from his own minister, who is a part of his campaign?
There is also the question of his pastor running afoul of the IRS because of politics from the pulpit for Obama.
During a Christmas sermon, Wright tried to compare Obama’s upbringing to Jesus at the hands of the Romans.
“Barack knows what it means living in a country and a culture that is controlled by rich white people,” Wright said. “Hillary would never know that.
“Hillary ain’t never been called a nigger. Hillary has never had a people defined as a non-person.”
In his Jan. 13 sermon, Wright said:
“Hillary is married to Bill, and Bill has been good to us. No he ain’t! Bill did us, just like he did Monica Lewinsky. He was riding dirty.”
FOX News purchased the video recordings of Wright’s sermons from the church.
“It’s pretty clear an indirect endorsement of Barack Obama - that’s not something you’re supposed to do according to the tax code,” said Andrew Walsh, a professor at Trinity College who specializes in religion in politics.
The tax code bans churches from participating in or intervening in a political campaign. Violations can result in the loss of a church’s tax exempt status.
FOX has been reporting this like the damning story it is and ABC provided the video. However, as of right now the story is nowhere to be found on the front page of CNN, MSNBC, and CBS. The AP even defends Obama by stating the attacks are fearmongering. O'Reilly pointed out tonight that the left wing media and the mainstream media ignored the story today, but that they will not be able to ignore it tommorrow. We will see. Will this story get the legs it should have, or will the media try to sweep it under the rug?
They didn't ignore Geraldine Ferraro's remarks that Obama asked Hillary to repudiate over race related tones. Enough pressure was put on her that Ferraro quit. Will the same standard be held to Obama to repudiate the real racist rhetoric from his pastor?
My personal question: Does Barack actually bring his children to listen to this man preach such insanities?
—John Stephenson is editor of Stop The ACLU.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Will Media Hold Obama To Repudiate His Pastor's Hateful Remarks?
March 13, 2008 - 21:36 ET by allanfOf course not. Neither will McCain hold him to it. Obama gets a pass on this issue.
However if the candidate in question was a white Republican and the preacher was white and the words "white" and "black" where interchanged in the sermon, there would be a media frenzy like no other.
Indeed
March 13, 2008 - 21:37 ET by John StephensonYou are so right about how things would be if the words black and white were reversed. This is a third rail for Clinton or McCain. Blogs and media are the only ones that can demand a response, and the way news cycles work, this won't be news two days from now.
the Rev
March 13, 2008 - 23:07 ET by soosanif there is one thing Rev Wright is not, it's timid...
After listening to Hannity browbeat some 18 year girl on this subject while driving home and having made several attempts on an earlier thread to settle some of you folks down, I'm going try again.
The Rev Wright is riled up.
Have you been paying attention to what's been going on in our country - in his neigborhood? There are folks that believe that the CIA introduced drugs into the inner cities to destroy blacks; that the disparity in the crack cocaine sentences is racist; that three strikes and bigger prisons hurts one portion of the population more than another;
Lies that have been repeated so often that they are accepted as truth "live" in our inner cities - President Bush is a dummy (forget about the degrees and jet jockey license); the PLO is really the victim of Isreali aggression; our foreign policy helped cause the international mess we're in; White men get all the breaks; (Even the Hillary ists buy into that one). One of the unfortunate things about human nature is that we often place the blame elsewhere. Media and the schools contribute to the misperceptions.
I don't want to upset anyone but this kind of stuff has been simmering since I can remember and we aren't going to solve anything by demanding/forcing/threatening the leader of Obama's church. There are lots of points of view in this country that don't float my boat.
Do I think Rev Wright goes a bit over the top? sure. He makes me cringe. Wouldn't it be just a little bit interesting to have someone like Brit Hume sit down and have a chat with the Rev or is the debate over... Shouldn't somebody be talking about facing the Rev rather than silencing him?
What I think people are not hearing is the disenfranchisement and desperation from the non mainstream segments of our society - can Hillary catch a cab more quickly than a black dude? of course. Does a pro legal immigration stance make me a racist in Geraldo's eyes? yup. Rev Wright believes that he has serious grievances with the society in which he lives - that his flock is getting the short end of the stick. He also believes in a God that punishes the knowingly wicked and yes - gasp - that would mean that He damns the whole lot of old white guys who run things (I can confirm this because I was raised lutheran).
When we silence a pulitzer prize winner for using the word monster, or Ferraro for expressing an unpopular opinion, or force the Jr. Senator from Illinois to distance himself from his controversial preacher we shut down the dialogue. I don't want that to happen anymore than I want the fairness doctrine to return.
I'm an advocate for better listening (you notice they don't call it "listen" radio). I can even find merit to the "let him who is without sin cast the first stone" school of thought.
Will the media hold Obama to repudiate his pastor's hateful remarks? Isn't that question a wee bit loaded?
Nobody's seeking to silence
March 13, 2008 - 23:43 ET by JerryNobody's seeking to silence the reverend, but freedom of speech does NOT include freedom from criticism of your speech.
It is absolutely critical to know whether or not the man who would be president shares the same beliefs with this extremist pastor. Unfortunately, even if he distances himself from the dear reverend now, it is more likely due to political expediency rather than a true disagreement over ideology. We are almost forced to assume that after 20 years of pastoring and mentoring, they share the same world view.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Disenfranchised
March 14, 2008 - 08:05 ET by allanfNo doubt there are people who feel disenfranchised and not part of the American dream. Most Americans don't feel that way. Yet there are many who do. A good portion of the disenfranchised feel that their predictament is not due to a personal failing, but to the evils of government and society.
For me, and for many voters, it is crucial to know whether a Presidential candidate holds the view that "disenfranchisment" is caused by the evils of government and society.
Wright is Wrong
March 14, 2008 - 09:32 ET by mattmWhat dialogue? It's a monologue Wright is into, and he should be lambasted for perpetuating the misperceptions you say you lament.
"...can Hillary catch a cab more quickly than a black dude? of course." - That is a misleading statement which contributes to the insanity.
Even Jesse Jackson admitted he'd rather meet a group of 20 year old white boys wearing ties and sweaters in an alley at night than a group of blacks dressed like rappers.
A black person, well dressed, looking like someone who isn't going to pull out his nine and bust a cap, will get picked up just as readily as anyone else.
If you're against the racist misperceptions perpetuated by the race-mongers of this society, then you'd better watch out that you don't contribute to the problem.
Judgement
March 14, 2008 - 12:08 ET by StencewO'Bama thinks judgement is important.....why then, would he fund this church and it's ranting/hating pastor?
George W. Bush was
March 13, 2008 - 21:50 ET by motherbeltGeorge W. Bush was chastized for giving a speech at Bob Jones University, for crying out loud! And he didn't have any real ties to that institution. Not like he was on the endowment committee, or anything. Obama was married by this pastor, and has been a member of his church for 20 years!
And judging from Pastor Wright's words, and his church's mission statement that
We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically
Christian....... We are an African people, and
remain "true to our native land," the mother continent,
the cradle of civilization.....
has anyone asked him what he thinks of blacks and whites dating? Might be interesting to know.
But Obama won't be pressured to do anything.
And when this pastor is talking about, and mentioning Hillary Clinton by name, in comparison to Obama, he has clearly crossed the line into campaigning from the pulpit.
Will anything happen to him or his church over that?
Finally, hope for the country
March 14, 2008 - 11:08 ET by ThisnThatThis agitator's comments might explain why Michelle really believes there was no hope for the country until Obama became a candidate. Her "Hope" is that Obama, with black support like this, can convert our country to look like Africa. And how will this be done? How about a little socialism, sprinkled with Muslim laws, and advocates like this so-called pastor, Rangle, Sharpton, and the like? When Obama talks about "talking with our enemies, with no pre-conditions" I now believe he really means "talking with people who think like him, on how to invade our country via trojen-horse methods".
This is a significant window into Obama's life and support group. And the picture isn't pretty, at all.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Can't repudiate
March 13, 2008 - 21:49 ET by The SquigglerI do not see how Obama can separate himself no matter how often he says
he repudiates the remarks. Jeremiah Wright is a man Obama has described
as his “mentor and spiritual adviser.” Mentor implies he had great
respect for Rev. Wright and considered him a teacher and adviser and a
role model over a 20 year period. Someone to emulate. Someone he held
in great esteem. There is no way anyone could listen to Wright’s
rhetoric for years and years and not come away with some effect, even
if subconscious. And the thought that he exposes his children to
Wright’s hate, bigoty and antisemitism borders on child abuse. It is
certainly obvious by Michelle Obama’s various remarks that she has been
affected by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Obama's Pastor
March 13, 2008 - 22:01 ET by MountainmamaSaw part of Glenn Beck tonight. He was talking about how Mitt Romney was crucified for his religion. The press made a HUGE deal about his Mormanism and would not leave it alone. And not a peep do you hear from the MSM about Obama's radical, hate filled religion.
When is anyone going to make a big deal about Obama's vote in the Illiniois legislature to legalize the murder of newborn babies that are unwanted.
John,
March 13, 2008 - 22:02 ET by R D HelmDoes Barack actually bring his children to listen to this man preach such insanities?
On his show today, Rush mentioned that Obama's children were, in fact, Baptized in that church.
As for their attendance record, well, who knows?
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
I'm okay with this
March 13, 2008 - 22:11 ET by FranksamI think it's good to know this about BHO's religious underpinnings. Hardly a Christian message coming from the hatemonger pastor,
Besides, if a lot of womyn are voting for Hill because she's one of them, and a lot of blacks are voting for the Big O because he's one of them, it totally justifies my vote for the third candidate, because he's one of my own kind.
What's so great about peace, love, and understanding? -Elvis Costello
I just was flipping around
March 13, 2008 - 22:26 ET by bigtimerI just was flipping around the channels and saw part of a segment about this on AC360 on CNN...
We shall see what happens, Roland Martin was blaming this on Hannity...too funny...I say good for Hannity, this info has been out there for a long time, the msm wants to ignore it, can't this just pretty please go away...
Obama has some explaining to do, but who is going to insist on this...eh?...Won't be McCain, he already said so in a Hannity special with him tonight.
Got to run, catch up more on this later...
TO LIBERALS WINNING IS EVERYTHING
March 13, 2008 - 22:33 ET by RMRMy personal question: Does Barack actually bring his children to listen to this man preach such insanities?
Answer: Yes!
Will this story get the legs it should have, or will the media try to sweep it under the rug?
Answer: Yes! They will try and sweep it under the rug.The media will try and sweep it under the rug by labeling people like you "racist' for bringing it up in the first place.
They didn't ignore Geraldine Ferraro's remarks that Obama asked Hillary to repudiate over race related tones. Enough pressure was put on her that Ferraro quit. Will the same standard be held to Obama to repudiate the real racist rhetoric from his pastor?
Answer: No! Because if they do, it might cause the so-called superdelegates to panic and throw their support behind Hilary, causing black voters to revolt and either stay at home, or vote for McCain in the general.
They are liberals. It's all about winning. Notice the universal mourning over the demise of their "rising star", that repulsive creature Eliot Spitzer?
TO LIBERALS WINNING IS
March 13, 2008 - 22:44 ET by balboaTO LIBERALS WINNING IS EVERYTHING
Whereas for Republicans, just trying your best has always been good enough, right?
I hope you are being
March 13, 2008 - 23:26 ET by RMRI hope you are being sarcastic. If not, you have totally misinterpreted my post.
Ya' got me. 'Twas
March 13, 2008 - 23:32 ET by balboaYa' got me. 'Twas sarcasm.
But I don't for a second think Republicans are any less invested in winning political elections.
Sometimes, too much so.
March 14, 2008 - 09:38 ET by mattmSometimes, too much so.
And speaking of bad investments...
March 14, 2008 - 09:43 ET by sarcasmoHave a look at this little gem...It's NOT good if apparently just one badguy could do this.
JMR
A corruption-story the TV media will-not cover.
I watched the video:
March 13, 2008 - 22:41 ET by mostlymoderateI watched the video:
First, Obama was never "as poor as a nigga" (his words). He was born to a family with money, sent to an elite prep school, sent to elite colleges and he probably is "whiter" than Bill Clinton
As for the question presented: NO, Obama will not have to answer to this and no one in the MSM will question him about it because to do so is to be a "RACIST".
Why in the world...
March 13, 2008 - 22:44 ET by m4ster chief...would any Conservative, who wants a Conservative to win the presidency, even want Obama to repudiate this racist preacher's remarks?
Let these comments hang out there, to be seen and heard by millions of people countless times between now and November. Then, all through the month of October they run an ad that begins with the words, "Let's listen to what Senator Obama says in response to his pastor's comments about America, white people, (etc., etc.) And people do listen...to the sound of silence, crickets chirping, the lonesome cry of a loon (oh wait, that's Hillary)...
Nope, don't repudiate them, Obama. Make them your rallying cry!
Jon Stewart just brought
March 13, 2008 - 23:05 ET by balboaJon Stewart just brought this up. Very funny.
TUCC's website
March 14, 2008 - 01:36 ET by JudithI have Erik Rush's article titled Obamanation in which the original 12 tenets of the church were listed on the website. www.tucc.org before it was sanitized. A lot different. Afro centrist church. Obuma is a con man and he has a ripe audience, blacks and tweenies. Sad, of course, now some blacks are finally catching on that the GOP will help them the most and they won't be slaves on the Democratic Party plantation.
Judith, is the page your
March 14, 2008 - 08:52 ET by motherbeltJudith, is the page your link goes to the old page or the new one? I brought up the tucc.org page on my own, and it looks the same as the one you link to. Do you have a link to the Rush article regarding the old website?
I don't give a rats red
March 14, 2008 - 02:26 ET by ConservativeRexI don't give a rats red butt what this "rev" says about anything. He's shown us his bonifides. If Barry wants to stick with him, let him. But I want him hammered with it every single day he's on the stump. And I don't buy this "well, he's like this crazy uncle" crap. Save that for someone gullible enough to believe it, like the MSM.
Well, the problem, CR, is
March 14, 2008 - 06:58 ET by motherbeltWell, the problem, CR, is that he won't be hammered with it every day. Whener the subject is brought up, the Obama will say that we should be be talking about health care, and the media will say "Yeah, OK, Sure." And if he gets to be the nominee, the entire Demcratic machine will be out there proclaiming that the country has much more important issues to face than this.
"Now video has surfaced of
March 14, 2008 - 06:19 ET by terryfrank"Now video has surfaced of Rev. Wright preaching a very radical message where he accuses the government of creating drugs and giving them to the poor, creating AIDS to destroy blacks, andblaming America for 9/11. "
Are we talking about Rev. Wright or Minister Farrakhan? It seems they're both preaching the same message.
Same Same
March 14, 2008 - 08:33 ET by OldSailor88Rev. Wright awarded Farrakhan with a lifetime achievement award.
Stultus est sicut stultus facit
Nobody
March 14, 2008 - 11:22 ET by cvgbuckeyeNOBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!wants to hear this, including me but at the risk of appalling everyone, here goes: The preachings of Pastor Wright are NOT that uncommon in black segregated churches.
What I have said absolutely stinks and sometimes the more that you stir a bucket of dung, the worse that it stinks. BUT it is the truth and all Christians, at a minimum, and America, in time, need to face this ugly fact.
I am aware of this, and so are a lot of other people, though they won't admit it, through personal experience and it is shameful. This kind of thing must make our God weep through all of time.
I am white and a leader in a mega-church that is very integrated. The atmosphere there is wonderful and uplifting and transcends all superficial divisions of God's people, as it certainly should. Am I niave enough to think that race never crosses anyone's mind AT ALL in the church? No I am not but we have come miles from where the churches were 50 years ago and even 5 years ago.
No one would dare utter anything unseemly about anyone's origins but if they did, they would be CORRECTED from every side. You see, thats where all these types of human frailties must be fixed, not in government or the media or any other secular endeavors. Race IS NOT to big an issue for MY GOD to address.
Sorry to have brought this up but I will listen to all of the talk shows today and not even my favorite Conservative talk show hosts will address the fact that this type of preaching is not uncommon in predominantly black churches.