It's been 3 whole weeks since the Steeners' last post. I've been busy with finals. Robyn is more interested in reading other people's blogs. The Steeners take a brief hiatus from their normal light hearted fare to stir the political pot a little.
I was watching the news yesterday and heard Reverend Wright's remarks at a recent D.C. Press Club gathering and NAACP meeting in Detroit. The damage his remarks inflict reach far beyond Barrack Obama's campaign. Wright is a national embarrassment and a fraud. First of all, Wright spews his anti-American views and divisive, racist gospel under the guise of it being religion. Then this week in Detroit, he deflected any responsibility for his actions, saying that all of the fallout over his comments were really an assault on the "Black Church." He also had the gall to try and justify his belief that America had 9/11 coming to it by accusing the U.S. of committing terrorism overseas and saying that we are reaping what we sow, referring to scripture in an attempt to legitimize his twisted opinions.
It's really sad what passes for religion these days. People have a right to seek whatever fulfillment they want, but I think it's unfortunate that a man can stand up at a pulpit and instead of teaching the Gospel that Jesus taught concerning loving our neighbor, forgiving, etc., Wright uses his position to promote his own political views and sow dissension, paranoia, and hate. I can only imagine how fulfilling it is to go to church on Sunday and leave feeling your country is the worst aggressor in the world and people who aren't of your race can't be trusted. But that's what Wright does. Among the uplifting "sermons" Wright has preached are those accusing the U.S. of manufacturing AIDS to kill off African Americans, and our repeated acts of "terrorism" in the Middle East.
Through it all, Wright has insulated himself from any reproach. He hasn't taken a word back. And anyone who criticizes him is really attacking the Black Church, and by implication is a racist.
I'm not a racist, far from it. And I for one think Wright is a fraud and a snake oil salesman. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, and despite what his apologists have said before, you don't have to be a member of the Black Church to have a special insight to what he's saying. Being an African American doesn't excuse his unsubstantiated and reckless claim that AIDS is a device for killing people. I fully understand, though am obviously unable to empathize with the plight of African Americans throughout our country's history. But whatever Wright's motives in spreading his message, it certainly isn't therapeutic.
He clearly has no desire to help or soothe racial tensions. He wants to exacerbate them, all under the authority of a fraudulent mandate from God.
16 comments:
The only thing I can feel that might be good about Rev. Wright's vocal views is that it might mean the end of Obama's hope for election. What a mess our country will be in if Obama backs the views of this man! Does Obama really endorse this man and his comments?
It is a sad commentary of African Americans. Some people over here say that Blacks in America do not deserve the dignity of being called AFRICAN Americans. The Africans here are gentle people who love "Obrunies" and are warm and loving to everyone. They look to us to learn wisdom. We at times look to them with awe for the wisdom THEY have. I have not felt for a moment a bit of prejudice towards whites in Africa. These people are respectful and hard working. We have so much to learn from them. They are God-fearing people. They look to God in faith that they will find food for their families each day, that they will be healed from their illnesses, that they will be led in their lives. They never complain about their circumstances. Instead they work hard and count their daily blessings. The so called African Americans need to come to Africa to observe their brothers and learn from them!
Matt Matt Matt,
Ugh..Reverend Wright doesn't deserve the attention. News outlets especially Fox "news" are a bigger problem than he is. All of the coverage gives the impression that all blacks secretly have the same extreme paranoid feelings. Nbc did a poll of it's black viewers and over 80% disagree with the things Wright has said. We have heard Obama come out and say he has been offended by Wrights comments. So, I dont know why this is a "sad commentary on African Americans". Do they all think the same way? Do the same things? If the cameras are simply not around for Wright, he will stop performing for them. He simply likes to hear himself talk. I dont know why Obama should keep answering for his former Pastor.Remember when Pat Robertson said days after 9/11 that we were not protected from it because God is angry about abortion? Robertson endorsed Bush and was many times his personal spiritual advisor. I dont remember anyone getting on President Bush. Robertson was personally held accountable by the public for that, not Bush. Thats the way it should be. Love, your sista
It really should be said that the vast majority of African Americans see Reverend Wright for what he is and almost universally condemn his comments. People who agree with Reverend Wright, white, black, or other, are a very small, delusional minority.
Obama should have to keep answering for his relationship with Wright because he is running for president. It makes sense for voters to consider his values and judgment in their decision, especially since Obama's campaign is based more on his personal characteristics than his policies.
You can't compare Wright to Robertson. Although they both claim we (sort of) brought 9/11 upon ourselves, Wright has also accused the federal government of genocide, affiliated himself with fellow nutter Louis Farrakhan, etc.
Mike,
Yes, I certainly can compare Wright to Robertson. I have been granted freedom of speech.I will say what I want. They are both extreme and hateful. I think there are a ton of similarities between them, if you put down your rifle long enough you could research that.
Jackie,
Forgive my ambiguity. By "you can't compare Wright to Robinson" I meant "the comparison between them is not valid" not "the constitution forbids you from comparing them."
Yes, you have been granted freedom of speech and you have every right to make inane ad hominem arguments like yours above.
As for Robinson, you're right, I'm no expert. I guess I haven't watched as much 700 Club as you. So tell me, has he said something you feel is as clearly false and venomous as Wright's accusation that the government is guilty of mass murdering blacks?
Mike,
who is Robinson? I was addressing Pat Robertson. I think his remark about us having 9/11 coming to us becuase of abortion is outrageous, at best.I think that easily compares to Reverend Wright. I told Matt I think there are way bigger concerns with Obama than his preacher. I think the press makes it into a much bigger deal than it should be. Frankly, I think the Reverend enjoys it. He's being invited to different speaking engagements. If the focus were on more of Obama's experience, his rhetoric, his lack of substance, I think that would be a better argument.Arguing about which pastor is more off the wall is subjective.
Robertson on Islam -
"[Muhammad was] an absolute wild-eyed fanatic … a robber and a brigand."
"Islam is by the gun, by the fire, by the bayonet, by the torch."
"Islam, at its core, teaches violence."
"These people are crazed fanatics, and I want to say it now: I believe it's motivated by demonic power. It is Satanic and it's time we recognize what we're dealing with...by the way, Islam is not a religion of peace."
Robertson on other Christian denominations -
"You say you're supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists and this, that, and the other thing. Nonsense. I don't have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist."
Robertson on Dover after they ousted the school board members for inserting intelligent design into the curriculum-
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city"
"And don't wonder why he hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because He might not be there."
"God is tolerant and loving, but we can't keep sticking our finger in His eye forever. If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin. Maybe he can help them."
Venomous and false? Yeah, I'd say it wasn't a bad comparison.
Regardless, until there is any evidence that Obama has advocated the radical, divisive comments of Wright, he has no accountability for his former pastor's views.
This discussion makes me glad that today I donated to his campaign for the third time.:-)
Okay, Wright and RobERTson are both mental, and they have said outrageous, hateful things.
Gabe, Robertson's quotations you cited are indeed venomous and false. But I still think Wright's AIDS theory is in a different class. Robertson's Islam remarks come closest but they're just too broad. Put "radical jihadist" in front of "Islam" in quotations 2-4 and they're true.
Jackie, I agree that there are more troubling issues to raise regarding Obama. But what's a cable news network to do? They always favor the sensational over the substantive because the former sells. These don't make great headlines:
"BREAKING NEWS: Obama has no experience"
"Obama in Cleveland: he didn't really say anything, again"
"Surprise: Obama's a leftist! We think - we can't really tell"
I think Wright has resurfaced intentionally to help Obama. He laid low for a month after the Philly speech but the controversy didn't go away, perhaps because Obama wasn't convincing enough in his disavowal of Wright. And Obama is still having trouble among older and white middle class voters (because of Wright? Maybe.) So Wright made some more speeches so that Obama could denounce them more strongly and put Wright behind him for good, increasing his chances to become president.
hmm. interesting, yet disturbing. i don't think i've seen you make a post so serious before x3 but don't get me wrong, that's not why i'm disturbed.
Mike,
"BREAKING NEWS: Obama has no experience"
"Obama in Cleveland: he didn't really say anything, again"
"Surprise: Obama's a leftist! We think - we can't really tell"
First of all, these are great headlines. If any article started out with any of them, I would read with great interest. I have always thought that older and white middle class voters usually go Republican anyway.I'm glad you can finally see the similarities between Wright and Robinson and Robertson. Its a pre-req. for televangelist types to be crazy.
Im glad someone besides me is going crazy with this whole Rev. Wright thing.
I would love to vote for an African American who believes in the American dream, and who has a positive vibe on the future of our country, and who has conservative values
But, I do not want to vote for any man, black or white, who has had someone so influencial in his life, who is full of hatred toward our government, and full of racist comments (racism isnt just white against black after all), and outright lies.
Matt- (and Bobs)
I totally agree. I think they should open up the polls and start letting other people volunteer to run as President. Or they could just call it a draw and start from scratch...
I know that this will probably never be seen b/c it is so old a post. Anyway Wright is off kilter and republicans have their share of these guys too like Pat Buchanan and John Hagy. That being said, the reason for linking a candidate to his pastor is if he says nothing and continues his association with that leader one can only assume he agrees with the views of that leader. Obama has been attending Wright's "sermons" for 20 years and in his first book he even says that the first time he heard Wright speak he was saying the same type of rhetoric. Lets face it they are all politicians they want to know "what have you done for me lately". Obama only distanced himself from Wright when public pressure forced him to do so, there was no epiphany. McCain hadn't spent much time with Hagy, but he welcomed his endorsement, until public pressure forced him to disavow Hagy. Obama and Clinton are against racial comments, but they both received money from "Timbaland" a rapper who uses plenty. They are all full of crap. Don't get your hopes too high with any of them.
j
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