Obama’s news conference concerning Rev. Wright

[Ex-SD]

By Glenn Beck
CNN (today, 5-5-08)

NEW YORK (CNN) — Sen. Barack Obama is moving away from the Rev. Jeremiah Wright so fast he may claim to be an atheist by next weekend. The ongoing sprint from such a polarizing figure is far from a surprise, it’s just the timing of it that is so odd.

A New York Times editorial described the recent developments like this:

“In the last few days, in a series of shocking appearances, he [Wright] embraced the Rev. Louis Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism. He said the government manufactured the AIDS virus to kill blacks. He suggested that America was guilty of “terrorism” and so had brought the 9/11 attacks on itself.”

Shocking? Every one of these opinions of Wright has been part of the public record for months. It’s no more shocking than Angelina Jolie coming out in favor of adoption.

Even in the schizophrenic world of politics, it’s unclear how to accomplish the mental gymnastics required to make sense of all of this. The media’s love affair with Obama makes them ask us to believe that Obama was courageous for defending Wright in his Philadelphia speech on race and also courageous for throwing him under the bus six weeks later for the exact same opinions.

The only plausible realities are that either the speech was naïve and the press conference realistic, or the speech was pandering and the press conference politically expedient. Neither paints a pretty picture of a politician who is supposed to change Washington.

When the tapes surfaced Obama informed us that much of the controversy had been caused not by Wright’s views, but by our lack of understanding about the differences in culture. “Trinity’s services are full of raucous laughter and sometimes bawdy humor. They are full of dancing, clapping, screaming and shouting that may seem jarring to the untrained ear.”

It wasn’t Wright’s overbearing volume, hilarious comedy, hand movements, or dance quality that made me think he was a dangerous peddler of conspiracy theories. It was his words that did that. I don’t want someone like him with access to the president for twenty minutes, let alone twenty years.

Those who were outraged by Wright’s divisive and destructive comments that preyed on hate have been called racists by many. But, when Obama said he was “outraged” by the “divisive and destructive” comments that gave “comfort to those who prey on hate,” he’s called brave.

For anyone believing this is about race for Wright’s critics, think of disgraced professor Ward Churchill. He was fired for research misconduct from University of Colorado at Boulder and made famous for saying many of the same things as Wright.

If any presidential candidate from either side — white or black — had been using Churchill as a “sounding board” for the last twenty years, we would rightly dismiss them.

Obama’s political excommunication of Wright is not only a sudden and stark departure from his vaunted Philadelphia speech on race — it also appears to be retroactive. In his press conference he said about Wright: “I know that one thing that he said was true, that he was never my “spiritual adviser.” He was never my spiritual mentor. He was my pastor. And to some extent how the press characterized in the past that relationship, I think, was inaccurate.”

Indeed, the press had characterized Wright in that role quite often. For example, the Chicago Sun Times described him as “a close confidant” in an article about people Obama “seeks out for spiritual counsel,” and the New York Times described Wright as his “spiritual mentor.”

Another source even called Wright the man “who helped introduce” Obama to his “Christian faith,” who “counsels” him, is “like family,” “a friend,” “a great leader” and a “sounding board,” who was a member of Obama’s spiritual advisory committee and who officiated his wedding and baptized his children.

That source? Barack Obama. I wonder where “the press” got all those crazy ideas.

Do I think for a second that Obama believes the government created the AIDS virus to kill African-Americans? No. But at this point it’s rational to wonder whether he is either lying or has an awful sense of judgment. He either knew Wright’s views and didn’t tell the truth about them, or he somehow missed the core beliefs of the man who was spending his Sunday mornings teaching core beliefs.

I’m glad Obama has come to the same conclusion that Wright’s critics came to long ago. I just wonder why it took me two minutes and him two decades.

[Anonymous]

Ex-SD, these are exactly the kind of attacks by the media pointed out by arraya. Certain members of the press are now coming out of their bags. Now that Wright has finally closed his mouth, the media has taken the overblown association between Obama and Wright and run with it. This is unfortunate. If the article Ex-SD posted is to be believed, Wright is now a possible future threat to national security.

“Access to the White House”?! Give me a break! Wright’s not in bed with Obama. He’s the pastor of the church he attends.

[Anonymous]

Ex-SD, these are exactly the kind of attacks by the media pointed out by arraya. Certain members of the press are now coming out of their bags. Now that Wright has finally closed his mouth, the media has taken the overblown association between Obama and Wright and run with it. This is unfortunate. If the article Ex-SD posted is to be believed, Wright is now a possible future threat to national security.

“Access to the White House”?! Give me a break! Wright’s not in bed with Obama. He’s the pastor of the church he attends.

[Anonymous]

Ex-SD, these are exactly the kind of attacks by the media pointed out by arraya. Certain members of the press are now coming out of their bags. Now that Wright has finally closed his mouth, the media has taken the overblown association between Obama and Wright and run with it. This is unfortunate. If the article Ex-SD posted is to be believed, Wright is now a possible future threat to national security.

“Access to the White House”?! Give me a break! Wright’s not in bed with Obama. He’s the pastor of the church he attends.

[Anonymous]

Ex-SD, these are exactly the kind of attacks by the media pointed out by arraya. Certain members of the press are now coming out of their bags. Now that Wright has finally closed his mouth, the media has taken the overblown association between Obama and Wright and run with it. This is unfortunate. If the article Ex-SD posted is to be believed, Wright is now a possible future threat to national security.

“Access to the White House”?! Give me a break! Wright’s not in bed with Obama. He’s the pastor of the church he attends.

[Anonymous]

Ex-SD, these are exactly the kind of attacks by the media pointed out by arraya. Certain members of the press are now coming out of their bags. Now that Wright has finally closed his mouth, the media has taken the overblown association between Obama and Wright and run with it. This is unfortunate. If the article Ex-SD posted is to be believed, Wright is now a possible future threat to national security.

“Access to the White House”?! Give me a break! Wright’s not in bed with Obama. He’s the pastor of the church he attends.

[Ex-SD]

Marion: When anyone is a close, long term friend of a Presidential candidate and they say outrageous things that offend millions of people, it is the duty of the press to report it.

Wright has said some pretty outrageous things and he’s attacked races other than his own and most recently endorsed even more outrageous remarks that were made by Louis Farakhan;
(From the CNN article)
“In the last few days, in a series of shocking appearances, he [Wright] embraced the Rev. Louis Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism”

He’s also attacked the Italian’s in another rant and demonized white people in other tirades. Surely, you don’t think this is acceptable behavior by anyone who is close to a person who may wind up being elected President?

And NO…..Obama was not just a member of the church that Wright officiated over. You simply don’t want to accept the truth that millions….that’s right, millions of Americans have been offended by Wright and Obama, by his close association and failure to condemn Wright earlier has brought this on himself. He also lost any chance that I would possibly vote for him because he told the big lie to America that he didn’t know that Wright was spewing this crap for the 20+ years that he’s been associated with him.

You & Arraya have attempted to vilify the media concerning this issue but the media simply exposed the facts to America & the world and that’s the way a large number of people see it. You don’t have to agree with me……I just want you to open your eyes. Whether you do or don’t……….peace!

[Ex-SD]

Marion: When anyone is a close, long term friend of a Presidential candidate and they say outrageous things that offend millions of people, it is the duty of the press to report it.

Wright has said some pretty outrageous things and he’s attacked races other than his own and most recently endorsed even more outrageous remarks that were made by Louis Farakhan;
(From the CNN article)
“In the last few days, in a series of shocking appearances, he [Wright] embraced the Rev. Louis Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism”

He’s also attacked the Italian’s in another rant and demonized white people in other tirades. Surely, you don’t think this is acceptable behavior by anyone who is close to a person who may wind up being elected President?

And NO…..Obama was not just a member of the church that Wright officiated over. You simply don’t want to accept the truth that millions….that’s right, millions of Americans have been offended by Wright and Obama, by his close association and failure to condemn Wright earlier has brought this on himself. He also lost any chance that I would possibly vote for him because he told the big lie to America that he didn’t know that Wright was spewing this crap for the 20+ years that he’s been associated with him.

You & Arraya have attempted to vilify the media concerning this issue but the media simply exposed the facts to America & the world and that’s the way a large number of people see it. You don’t have to agree with me……I just want you to open your eyes. Whether you do or don’t……….peace!

[Ex-SD]

Marion: When anyone is a close, long term friend of a Presidential candidate and they say outrageous things that offend millions of people, it is the duty of the press to report it.

Wright has said some pretty outrageous things and he’s attacked races other than his own and most recently endorsed even more outrageous remarks that were made by Louis Farakhan;
(From the CNN article)
“In the last few days, in a series of shocking appearances, he [Wright] embraced the Rev. Louis Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism”

He’s also attacked the Italian’s in another rant and demonized white people in other tirades. Surely, you don’t think this is acceptable behavior by anyone who is close to a person who may wind up being elected President?

And NO…..Obama was not just a member of the church that Wright officiated over. You simply don’t want to accept the truth that millions….that’s right, millions of Americans have been offended by Wright and Obama, by his close association and failure to condemn Wright earlier has brought this on himself. He also lost any chance that I would possibly vote for him because he told the big lie to America that he didn’t know that Wright was spewing this crap for the 20+ years that he’s been associated with him.

You & Arraya have attempted to vilify the media concerning this issue but the media simply exposed the facts to America & the world and that’s the way a large number of people see it. You don’t have to agree with me……I just want you to open your eyes. Whether you do or don’t……….peace!

[Ex-SD]

Marion: When anyone is a close, long term friend of a Presidential candidate and they say outrageous things that offend millions of people, it is the duty of the press to report it.

Wright has said some pretty outrageous things and he’s attacked races other than his own and most recently endorsed even more outrageous remarks that were made by Louis Farakhan;
(From the CNN article)
“In the last few days, in a series of shocking appearances, he [Wright] embraced the Rev. Louis Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism”

He’s also attacked the Italian’s in another rant and demonized white people in other tirades. Surely, you don’t think this is acceptable behavior by anyone who is close to a person who may wind up being elected President?

And NO…..Obama was not just a member of the church that Wright officiated over. You simply don’t want to accept the truth that millions….that’s right, millions of Americans have been offended by Wright and Obama, by his close association and failure to condemn Wright earlier has brought this on himself. He also lost any chance that I would possibly vote for him because he told the big lie to America that he didn’t know that Wright was spewing this crap for the 20+ years that he’s been associated with him.

You & Arraya have attempted to vilify the media concerning this issue but the media simply exposed the facts to America & the world and that’s the way a large number of people see it. You don’t have to agree with me……I just want you to open your eyes. Whether you do or don’t……….peace!

[Ex-SD]

Marion: When anyone is a close, long term friend of a Presidential candidate and they say outrageous things that offend millions of people, it is the duty of the press to report it.

Wright has said some pretty outrageous things and he’s attacked races other than his own and most recently endorsed even more outrageous remarks that were made by Louis Farakhan;
(From the CNN article)
“In the last few days, in a series of shocking appearances, he [Wright] embraced the Rev. Louis Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism”

He’s also attacked the Italian’s in another rant and demonized white people in other tirades. Surely, you don’t think this is acceptable behavior by anyone who is close to a person who may wind up being elected President?

And NO…..Obama was not just a member of the church that Wright officiated over. You simply don’t want to accept the truth that millions….that’s right, millions of Americans have been offended by Wright and Obama, by his close association and failure to condemn Wright earlier has brought this on himself. He also lost any chance that I would possibly vote for him because he told the big lie to America that he didn’t know that Wright was spewing this crap for the 20+ years that he’s been associated with him.

You & Arraya have attempted to vilify the media concerning this issue but the media simply exposed the facts to America & the world and that’s the way a large number of people see it. You don’t have to agree with me……I just want you to open your eyes. Whether you do or don’t……….peace!

[Anonymous]

Most Americans, including myself, had no idea who Obama was until last year, and even now they don’t really know much about him beyond his campaign slogans and message of hope. Wright is a reverend that he called uncle and kept as a close and personal advisor and mentor until this story broke – for 20 years! He named his book after his sermon, the guy baptised his children, and he was at his innaguration in Springfield when he took office, just to name a few facts that establish his very close relationship with this guy. Were this issue to have never surfaced and were Obama to get elected, Wright would have clearly had access to the White House.

Overblown association – no way. Not only has Obama’s response to this entire spectacle been horrible, but because of his lack of history with most Americans and lack of previous accomplishments this episode has cast some serious doubt about who Obama really is at his core and what he truly believes. Contrast this with Mccain who in every poll that I have seen maintains a high level of respect from almost all Americans because of his long history of service to this country, military service etc. We know who he is, and even if we disagree with him politically most Americans are fairly certain he is a man of character and integrity and they have had 40+ years to make up their minds about him.

I am starting to believe that at his core, Obama is a very confused man when it comes to his identity. While his mixed race is clearly an asset and has been used masterfully to showcase his ability to overcome the racial divide, it has also caused him great confusion throughout his life. Raised in a white household, he eventually found his identity as an African American during his college years. Now we discover that he was drawn, and spent 20 years with, a charasmatic pastor who preaches hatred towards whites and jews, black liberation philosophy and denounces America at every turn. And he refused to denouce him until he really, really had to!

Like I said, most Americans are still ‘getting to know’ Obama, and they are well within their rights, and not racist, to judge him based on the company he keeps- and kept for 20 years in the case of Wright.

[Anonymous]

Most Americans, including myself, had no idea who Obama was until last year, and even now they don’t really know much about him beyond his campaign slogans and message of hope. Wright is a reverend that he called uncle and kept as a close and personal advisor and mentor until this story broke – for 20 years! He named his book after his sermon, the guy baptised his children, and he was at his innaguration in Springfield when he took office, just to name a few facts that establish his very close relationship with this guy. Were this issue to have never surfaced and were Obama to get elected, Wright would have clearly had access to the White House.

Overblown association – no way. Not only has Obama’s response to this entire spectacle been horrible, but because of his lack of history with most Americans and lack of previous accomplishments this episode has cast some serious doubt about who Obama really is at his core and what he truly believes. Contrast this with Mccain who in every poll that I have seen maintains a high level of respect from almost all Americans because of his long history of service to this country, military service etc. We know who he is, and even if we disagree with him politically most Americans are fairly certain he is a man of character and integrity and they have had 40+ years to make up their minds about him.

I am starting to believe that at his core, Obama is a very confused man when it comes to his identity. While his mixed race is clearly an asset and has been used masterfully to showcase his ability to overcome the racial divide, it has also caused him great confusion throughout his life. Raised in a white household, he eventually found his identity as an African American during his college years. Now we discover that he was drawn, and spent 20 years with, a charasmatic pastor who preaches hatred towards whites and jews, black liberation philosophy and denounces America at every turn. And he refused to denouce him until he really, really had to!

Like I said, most Americans are still ‘getting to know’ Obama, and they are well within their rights, and not racist, to judge him based on the company he keeps- and kept for 20 years in the case of Wright.

[Anonymous]

Most Americans, including myself, had no idea who Obama was until last year, and even now they don’t really know much about him beyond his campaign slogans and message of hope. Wright is a reverend that he called uncle and kept as a close and personal advisor and mentor until this story broke – for 20 years! He named his book after his sermon, the guy baptised his children, and he was at his innaguration in Springfield when he took office, just to name a few facts that establish his very close relationship with this guy. Were this issue to have never surfaced and were Obama to get elected, Wright would have clearly had access to the White House.

Overblown association – no way. Not only has Obama’s response to this entire spectacle been horrible, but because of his lack of history with most Americans and lack of previous accomplishments this episode has cast some serious doubt about who Obama really is at his core and what he truly believes. Contrast this with Mccain who in every poll that I have seen maintains a high level of respect from almost all Americans because of his long history of service to this country, military service etc. We know who he is, and even if we disagree with him politically most Americans are fairly certain he is a man of character and integrity and they have had 40+ years to make up their minds about him.

I am starting to believe that at his core, Obama is a very confused man when it comes to his identity. While his mixed race is clearly an asset and has been used masterfully to showcase his ability to overcome the racial divide, it has also caused him great confusion throughout his life. Raised in a white household, he eventually found his identity as an African American during his college years. Now we discover that he was drawn, and spent 20 years with, a charasmatic pastor who preaches hatred towards whites and jews, black liberation philosophy and denounces America at every turn. And he refused to denouce him until he really, really had to!

Like I said, most Americans are still ‘getting to know’ Obama, and they are well within their rights, and not racist, to judge him based on the company he keeps- and kept for 20 years in the case of Wright.

[Anonymous]

Most Americans, including myself, had no idea who Obama was until last year, and even now they don’t really know much about him beyond his campaign slogans and message of hope. Wright is a reverend that he called uncle and kept as a close and personal advisor and mentor until this story broke – for 20 years! He named his book after his sermon, the guy baptised his children, and he was at his innaguration in Springfield when he took office, just to name a few facts that establish his very close relationship with this guy. Were this issue to have never surfaced and were Obama to get elected, Wright would have clearly had access to the White House.

Overblown association – no way. Not only has Obama’s response to this entire spectacle been horrible, but because of his lack of history with most Americans and lack of previous accomplishments this episode has cast some serious doubt about who Obama really is at his core and what he truly believes. Contrast this with Mccain who in every poll that I have seen maintains a high level of respect from almost all Americans because of his long history of service to this country, military service etc. We know who he is, and even if we disagree with him politically most Americans are fairly certain he is a man of character and integrity and they have had 40+ years to make up their minds about him.

I am starting to believe that at his core, Obama is a very confused man when it comes to his identity. While his mixed race is clearly an asset and has been used masterfully to showcase his ability to overcome the racial divide, it has also caused him great confusion throughout his life. Raised in a white household, he eventually found his identity as an African American during his college years. Now we discover that he was drawn, and spent 20 years with, a charasmatic pastor who preaches hatred towards whites and jews, black liberation philosophy and denounces America at every turn. And he refused to denouce him until he really, really had to!

Like I said, most Americans are still ‘getting to know’ Obama, and they are well within their rights, and not racist, to judge him based on the company he keeps- and kept for 20 years in the case of Wright.

[Author]

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