Flipping the channels I am seeing the media fawning in awe over Obama's speech on race. Chris Matthews even compared his speech to Abraham Lincoln.
It seems that, once again, the media have fallen for an elegant farce. They lavish over his oratory skills and pretty phrases, and ignore the meat of it. If you haven't heard the speech yet, make sure to watch the video with a blog reaction roundup.
Once again the media fail to comb through the rhetoric and ask the questions that need that remain unanswered. For example, if Obama was so troubled by Wright’s words… why keep bringing his daughters?
The goalposts have definitely been moved. The least they could do is to call him out on his lie:
Contrary to his earlier suggestion, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) acknowledged in his speech Tuesday that he had heard “controversial” remarks by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
“Did I know him to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy?” Obama said. “Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely — just as I’m sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.”
Obama did not specify which statements.
In his first detailed response to the firestorm over Wright’s remarks charging that the United States is a racist country, Obama said in a posting on The Huffington Post:
“The statements that Rev. Wright made that are the cause of this controversy were not statements I personally heard him preach while I sat in the pews of Trinity or heard him utter in private conversation. When these statements first came to my attention, it was at the beginning of my presidential campaign.”
Once again the blogs do the job the media are supposed to do, while the media play games. Well, at least one liberal talking head talks a little sense.
—John Stephenson is editor of Stop The ACLU.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
How about the lie? Will
March 18, 2008 - 18:43 ET by motherbeltHow about the lie? Will the media call him out on that? Less than a week ago he said he had not heard Wright make the kind of "controversial" comments that are in that video. Now he admits that he had.
You brought up Trent Lott, Mr. Stephenson. Lott's attitude was just as much a part of his upbringing as Wright's rage. But whatever attitudes he grew up around, Trent Lott made a career in politics working with white people and black. He made a stupid, thoughtless comment one time, trying to compliment an old man. And his name became "Mud." Rev. Wright has a habit of the kind of invective that started this whole thing.
I read the Allahpundit piece and was completely struck by this:
to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races. -Barack Obama (emphasis added)
And there you have it... the blame has been shifted. Guess who it's up to, to bridge the chasm? He says to White America: if you condemn it, don't forgive and forget, you will just widen the chasm of misunderstanding.
And where is the admonishment to Rev. Wright and his compatriots, to "understand" why a lot of us feel anger and resentment when someone trashes this country that we love? When someone ignores everything good and noble this country has ever done (including ending slavery, Rev. Wright!) and heaps scorn upon it, without a shred of proof for some of the accusations?
In the end, I believe Obama has stoked the fire of racism more than quenching, because he has put the onus all on one side, to "understand" the other. And if that side can't, that's what causes the discord.
Nice bit of fancy footwork, that.
Excellent Point
March 18, 2008 - 19:17 ET by Fly-over CountryExcellent Point, MB...!!
Also, if Obama is such a great leader and has such great charisma, is the great uniter, why hasn't he been able to bring the Rev Wright to a point where he can be less divisive???? Seems like he has failed in this small arena...
mother - you
March 18, 2008 - 21:38 ET by Cape Conservativespeak so well, I'll just say Thanks! I couldn't have put it better!
No way is he going to flip this anti-American ranting onto my shoulders!
And, just for clarity's sake, NO minister of mine has EVER gone "there" in my entire lifetime of attending church in various parts of our country. So I took great offense, as should the thousands of men and women in the pulpit who do NOT preach hatred in their churches, when Obama stated that others have said or people have heard what he and his congregation were subjected to by this hate-filled "man of the cloth" - nope, I'm not buying it for one minute!
motherbelt...I believe you
March 18, 2008 - 22:04 ET by Jermotherbelt...I believe you have mischaracterized Obama's remarks and his explanation regarding Reverend Wright. I understood Obama to say that although he was aware of some controversial oratory by Wright, and, in fact, had been in attendance at the church when such comments were made, he had not heard the specific incendiary statements which were the subject of the current uproar. I don't see any evidence of a lie.
He likewise put the onus on the black community to better understand the source of white resentment. I think he made it clear that it was a two-way street.
Finally, it is difficult to imagine a more emphatic and unambiguous repudiation of the words of Reverend Wright than the one made by Obama.
Jer
I too,was flipping through
March 18, 2008 - 18:31 ET by the strugglerI too,was flipping through the channels seeing the media fawning in awe.It's kinda like looking at the sun.You can only look for so long before it burns the eyes out of your skull.
Obama an empty promise of nothing.
March 18, 2008 - 18:33 ET by CTObama speaks and answers nothing, he serves air sandwiches on a platter of platitudes. Liberation Theology is Marxism; Black Liberation Theology is Marxism with self proclaimed black victimization by white overlords. Trade white for Jew and we've all heard this before. Obama embraced this church with this philosophy for over twenty years, on what else should he be judged? So now if we do not embrace his philosophy are we all bigots?
Flippity Floppity Flubbity
March 18, 2008 - 18:38 ET by BarkerI'm calling it the "I Was For Jeremiah Wright Before I Was Against Him" speech.
The "media"
March 18, 2008 - 19:14 ET by iveseenitallWe've come to a point in American "journalism" where we expect nothing less than cowardice,dishonesty and corruption. Over the past few years we've witnessed the death of our basic rights: freedom of speech and freedom of the press. There will be no "discussion", no exchange of ideas in the MSM. Obama failed in his professed mission today, yet the story will not be told except by a brave few. A man running for President of the United States is not dismissed for his racism, but encouraged and praised for his divisiveness and bigotry. Are we to compare his words with those of Lincoln or, if we are honest, with the ravings of Malcolm X or David Duke? A man who would not dare to condemn the hatred of Rev.Wright but rather explain him away, deserves nothing but scorn from all Americans. Yet to our "press", he is a hero. This is a sad day.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Excuses
March 19, 2008 - 08:17 ET by docbEvidence is in...the bigots get to come out from under their rocks and pull all manner of snippets from Obama's oratory. Yes- the press has been biased for/against b&hclinton, for and against Obama, for/against Romney, McCain, Guilinai, by turns.
Was this division not the point of the speech? To shine light on the angst of our nation and begin again the process of reconciliation. With that we will see an elevation of the rhetroic of the angry, uninformed people. Otherwise they could continue to hide under their respective rocks or hoods -if you will. You can condemn the words but the bible says not to condemn the man.
I hear a great deal of hatred in many posts and rants on both sides..Maybe this is the healing taking place...nothing heals in the dark.
NEVER NEVER TRUST A BIGOT....
Will He Survive??
March 18, 2008 - 19:12 ET by HeikiWith the media's help, will he weather this and be nominated as the Dem's candidate? I saw someone else here post that this issue makes sense of Michelle Obama's remarks to the effect that OB's campaign is cause for her to feel proud of her country for the first time. I agree. And as to racist attitudes, these days blacks are waaay more racist than whites. Don't take my word for it; ask Larry Elder, who wrote about it in his book Ten Things You Can't Say in America.
Context
March 18, 2008 - 19:39 ET by iveseenitallThe Wright apologizers talk of "context". They claim that words like "God Damn America" have to be seen within a certain "context". Well, as an older American, I certainly do see the context: the context of listening to this garbage since Vietnam; the context of having watched these haters on their "pulpits" in our universities for over 40 years; the context of suffering the deterioation of basic decency, even in public; the context of seeing America bend over backwards to help minorities and then having it be unappreciated ( like today, with Obama's speech). I, for one, am sick of their "context" being used as a cover for their hatred of America.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Iveseenitall, you make a
March 18, 2008 - 21:36 ET by CJK51Iveseenitall, you make a fantastic point about the fancy footwork the media and people like Obama use when it comes to context. I consider myself a reasonably intelligent person, I read a lot, have a strong background in communication and yet, for the life of me, I cannot see a good context in which one can take Rev. Happypants' statements. And for this clown, who actually believes he is qualified to be the leader of the free world, to say that in TWO DECADES, he never once caught wind of the hate-filled bile his pastor and mentor has been spewing is astounding. And, he does it all with a straight face!
I'm guessing Chris Matthews had warm trickles running down his leg again? Or was it trickles up his leg? Who can keep track anymore?
Any wagers on how many
March 18, 2008 - 19:32 ET by GregEAny wagers on how many times Matthews peed in his pants over the speech?
And Chrissy says....it was a speech that "went from 'I have a dream' to 'I have lived the dream but have also lived in this country'....."
BUT? I have lived the dream BUT lived in America? Ok clown.
Watch, this story will
March 18, 2008 - 19:33 ET by gopsteveWatch, this story will disappear, anybody remember Spitzer (NY Gov, party unknown) He was in hot water last week, now it's old news...not even news...
Miss someone?
March 18, 2008 - 20:04 ET by stonecutterAbsolutely — just as I’m sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.”
Isn't there a religion missing from this group that should be at the top of any possible president's list of radical religons?
»→ Maybe stonecutter
March 18, 2008 - 20:10 ET by Cool ArrowI'm trying, but I can't remember a priest or preacher defacating from his mouth before.
♣ a seal
Stonecutter
March 18, 2008 - 20:19 ET by BarkerVery astute observation. And very telling. I think Obama also sought to impugn the integrity of every American's "pastor, priest, or rabbi" to prop up his own so-called pastor. Obama's planting of suspicion is a despicable act, and he should be called on it.
Well put. As much as I've
March 18, 2008 - 21:40 ET by CJK51Well put. As much as I've disagreed with a great deal coming from the mouths of priests I've heard preach in my lifetime, I cannot recall any one of them ever promoting hatred for others and hatred for their own country. You're quite right, Barker, Obama trying to deflect the issue of him being mentored by a hatemonger and blame every other preacher, speaks volumes about his weak character.
Obama
March 18, 2008 - 20:15 ET by iveseenitallObama proved one thing to me today--what a small, narrow-minded, pathetic child he is. President of the United Satates? God forbid.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Yet if a conservative
March 18, 2008 - 20:12 ET by steveba4Yet if a conservative presidential candidate's father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate had said that "hip hop" sucked, said candidate would be called a racist hate monger and the MSM would continue to beat that notion into the public's heads until election day.
Where's the leadership
March 18, 2008 - 20:14 ET by pbthinkerSenator Obama is in a race to become the leader of the free world and the President of all the people of the United States. He had an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership the first time he heard Rev. Wright say something he disagreed with. Instead, he's waited until a media, scratching and screaming to avoid pointing out the Reverend, was forced to (probably by the Clinton machine but that's another topic). If he can't display leadership here, how can we expect him to display leadership on the world stage, which is much less forgiving than his fawning media.
The Senator is young enough to overcome this, but not this election, IMHO.
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Bingo!
March 19, 2008 - 12:16 ET by Fly-over CountryBingo! You are right on.
Ya Gotta Love It
March 18, 2008 - 20:14 ET by rammingspeedYou have to love it when primo doofus Chris Matthews waxes goofy, comparing Obama to Lincoln. I'm happy to see that Matthews said it, and that all other liberal pundits say and believe similar things. They expose themselves more and more, and when we get snippets of activists saying what they really mean (Rev. Wright's hate speech) they fall of their own silly weight.
The First Amendment is the greatest part of this country's foundation, and watching idiots hang themselves with it is fun.
Obama is circling the drain and the MSM cannot save him.
March 18, 2008 - 21:11 ET by CTLiberal (Leftist) MSM spin will do nothing but accelerate Obama's turns around the drain. The last time the black/white divide exploded on America was when the OJ Jury's verdict was read out loud. The extreme hate and racism of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's words were jarring enough to most Americans, but the defending cries from the "Black Church" community are stupefying.
The American people will not suffer being called racists if they do not accept Barack Obama’s premise. The American people will reject Obama and the MSM will not save him, look to the endless polls to come in the next few weeks. Remember how Willie Horton supposedly sunk Dukakis? What do you think Jeremiah Wright and Black Liberation Theology will do to a presidential candidate?
All conservatives are the same TOO
March 18, 2008 - 21:22 ET by upcountrywaterThe following is from a link at the top National Review; h/t VDH
4) Indeed, Wright does nothing that much different from radio-talk show
hosts and those of the Reagan Coalition who thrive on racial
resentments. But whereas Wright has cause as a victim, his counterparts
are opportunists who play on white fears.
So that's it in a nut shell, we're the KOOKS,
I just wanted to clear that up .
<ringing hands> Recycle, windmills, SAVE THE EARTH!
HOWEVER: Iranian Uranium, ICBM's <sleep>
upcountry... Is this a
March 18, 2008 - 21:28 ET by Clear thinkerupcountry...
Is this a National Review link? Or just an ad link?
"Abstain from McCain"
Yes Ct, an NR link to
March 18, 2008 - 21:37 ET by upcountrywaterVDH, GREAT as always
<ringing hands> Recycle, windmills, SAVE THE EARTH!
HOWEVER: Iranian Uranium, ICBM's <sleep>
You took the VDH piece out of context upcountrywater.
March 18, 2008 - 23:00 ET by CTSee the lead in to Obama's sermon of moral equivalence (emphasis added):
"...Obama chose not to review what Wright, now deemed the “occasionally fierce critic.” said in detail, condemn it unequivocally, apologize, and then resign from such a Sunday venue of intolerance — the now accustomed American remedy to racism in the public realm that we saw in the Imus and other recent controversies.
Instead, to Obama, the postmodernist, context is everything. We all have eccentric and flamboyant pastors like Wright with whom we disagree. And words, in his case, don’t quite mean what we think; unspoken intent and angst, not voiced hatred, are what matters more.
Rather than account for his relationship with a hate-monger, Obama will enlighten you, as your teacher, why you are either confused or too ill-intended to ask him to disassociate himself from Wright.
The Obama apologia was a “conversation” about moral equivalence. So the Wright hatred must be contextualized and understood in several ways that only the unusually gifted Obama can instruct us about: ... "
You have to see that this was a condemnation of a vacuous speech as VDH closed:
"...Obama is right about one thing: We are losing yet another opportunity to talk honestly about race, to hold all Americans to the same standards of public ethics and morality, and to emphasize that no one gets a pass peddling vulgar racism, or enabling it by failing to disassociate himself from its source — not Rev. Wright, not even the eloquent, but now vapid, Barack Obama."
Link to NRO here: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YWVkMThjN2RjNDU2N2EzODE1YWRmZmQwMTE0YWFkMzg=&w=MA==
Apparently, Oprah was a
March 18, 2008 - 21:35 ET by ckc1227Apparently, Oprah was a member of this church, until she left 2 years ago. Why did she leave? Because of Reverand Wright and his hate speech, at least that's the word going around now.
Oprah left before that
March 19, 2008 - 07:19 ET by Seabeach4348At least that's what I heard (if memory is correct) on the Michael Medved program.
Oprah joined the Trinity United Church of Christ in 1984 but left several years later because she couldn't abide with this maniac at the pulpit. Apparently Rev. Jeremiah Wrong has been foaming at the mouth over 20 years ago......and Oprah heard it and didn't like it!
I'm not a fan of hers but I give her credit for distancing herself from this.
I just heard another clip
March 18, 2008 - 22:44 ET by watchful eyesI just heard another clip from the Rev. Wright on Gretta Van Sustern's program. He throughly demeaned Judge Thomas (naturally), the Supreme Court, several presidents and is worried about The Right over-turning Roe VS. Wade.
This guy is a total fraud as a pastor. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a Christian pastor be trying to stop the killing of innocent children not encourage it. And, during this Easter week, I'm floored by his total failure to offer any type of forgiveness. How can a Christian so fully miss the point of the Resurection? And, what kind of "Jesus" did Wright lead Obama to? Not one I recognize!
watchful eyes, I totally
March 19, 2008 - 07:58 ET by msh1973watchful eyes,
I totally agree with you...indeed "what kind of "Jesus" did Wright lead Obama to"? This must be an extremely liberal church, pro-abortion, hatred toward entire groups of people (Jews and Whites). I am more worried about all those folks in the pews that were clapping and cheering to these awful statements. I am very worried as to what is happening in America.
I just don't understand all
March 19, 2008 - 00:14 ET by marvlI just don't understand all this apparent worship of Obama by the media and Democrats in general. These people are truly like children. I'm reminded of young girls at Beatles' concerts back in the 1960s.
The man is just another politician. All this talk of "hope" and "new visions" is one of the oldest cliches in politics. Surely all these fawning idiots realize this? I do believe Ann Coulter had them all pegged when she penned "If Democrats had any brains they'd all be Republicans."
As for comparing Obama to Lincoln, well, that's just the latest travesty of the media in this country. I believe Lincoln at least wrote his own speeches and had his own ideas. Obama gets his thoughts from an ocean of speech writers and advisors. His campaign would not look much different if you substituted Larry the Cable Guy for the Black Messiah from Illinois.
Enough. I am sick of the man and everything about him.
Marvl
March 19, 2008 - 00:31 ET by BarkerRecent polls suggest that at least 40% of Obama's followers have already returned to their first love: Hannah Montana.
Developing..................
and yet Jer
March 19, 2008 - 06:26 ET by theduck6He continued to attend these ersatz black KKK rallies and expose his children to this invective and hate only to distance himself when it became politically expedient. Up until very recently the pastor was giving testimonials on Obama's official website. If you think this absolves decades of association and indoctrination, you already had your mind made up and you are desperately trying to justify your original opinions.
The refusal to place his hand over his heart when honoring our country and the silly lapel pin flap might not be so silly after all. I wonder if any MSM org will have the cajones to look into his musings from before he decided to enter the political arena. Probably not.
theduck6...If you think "my
March 19, 2008 - 07:32 ET by Jertheduck6...If you think "my mind was already made up", and I was "desperately trying to justify my original opinions", then you obviously are not familiar with the opinions I have expressed in previous posts. For the record, I have been extremely critical of Reverend Wright and Obama's association with him.
Jer
Rules For Thee, Not For Me
March 19, 2008 - 13:26 ET by greenfairieOne of the things I loathe the most about the Democratic party and liberalism in general is how it changes the rules and moves the goalposts whenever it is convenient. The electoral college has to be changed if it keeps the Dems from winning, but it's just hunky dory if it helps them. Bill Clinton's perjury became "only sex" and all of a sudden, character didn't matter. Barack Obama can justify his association with an anti-Semitic, white-hating nutter who celebrated the deaths of 3000 Americans on 9/11/01 and get called "brilliant." Elliot Spitzer's whoremongering is a "private matter." Jim McGreevey's adultery, cruising, and putting his boy toy in a taxpayer-funded job is a "private pain." Liberal celebrities caught driving drunk or taking drugs have a "disease" and deserve compassion.
Republicans, conservatives, and mere mortals though don't get to move the goalposts.