Website says Obama attended anti-white Wright sermon; campaign says no

In a posting this evening, Newsmax.com reports that its correspondent witnessed Sen. Barack Obama attending one of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's anti-white sermons on July 22 and nodding his head in agreement with the black congregation.

The report on the conservative website directly contradicts the Democratic presidential candidate's recent statements that while he denounced the pastor's controversial anti-American and anti-white rhetoric, he had never heard such declarations himself in church or in private.

Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, immediately denied the Newsmax report, saying Obama was in Miami that day.  He referred to an item hastily posted on the Obama Fact Check website saying simply: "Fact: Obama did not attend services on July 22."

The lengthy Newsmax report by Ronald Kessler said its correspondent, Jim Davis, attended services on July 22, 2007, at the Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago's South Side and saw Obama in attendance.  Kessler's story states:

"In his sermon that day, Wright tore into America, referring to the 'United States of White America' and lacing his sermon with expletives as Obama listened.  Hearing Wright’s attacks on his own country, Obama had the opportunity to walk out, but Davis said the senator sat in his pew and nodded in agreement."

(UPDATE: On Monday the Newsmax site issued a statement with the Kessler story that it stands by the account, despite campaign denials that Obama was in church that day. It points out that he could have attended some services and still traveled to Miami that day and that its correspondent attended several July services and saw the senator and his Secret Service detail witness the service as described in the article. It says Obama spokesmen declined several opportunities to comment before publication of its initial report on the sermon.)

The Sunday night Kessler story links to Davis' original account of the ...

July 22 service, which was posted on the Newsmax website on Aug. 9, 2007, and headlined: "Obama's Church: Cauldron of Division." In it, Davis describes being initially blocked from entering the church, how few whites (except for Obama's Secret Service detail) were among the 2,500 people in attendance and how skilled an orator the Rev. Wright was.

He describes the now-familiar anti-white rhetoric, the excitement of the congregation, Obama's two decades of close ties to Wright and how another congregation member and a prominent Obama supporter, Oprah Winfrey, had joined the church in 1984 but withdrew her membership some years ago allegedly over Wright's preachings.

It's an extremely touchy issue for the Illinois senator's campaign.  The minister coached and counseled Obama during his early community organizing days, and one of his sermon titles led to the title of Obama's best-selling book, "The Audacity of Hope."  Wright married Barack and Michelle Obama and baptized both of their daughters.

In a Sunday conference call, Obama campaign manager David Axelrod admitted that the campaign recognized Wright as a potential problem more than a year ago and had disinvited the pastor from giving the invocation at the announcement of Obama's presidential candidacy on Feb. 10, 2007, in Springfield, Ill.

On Friday, as the issue and videos of Wright's statements flamed across the Internet and his campaign realized the scope of the controversy, Obama posted a statement on HuffingtonPost.com denouncing Wright's "inflammatory and appalling remarks."

The senator added: "I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy. I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it's on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue."

Later in his statement Obama added: "The sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn.

"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."

Kessler's story tonight, headlined "Obama Attended Hate America Sermon," also said: "If Obama’s claims are true that he was completely unaware that Wright’s trademark preaching style at the Trinity United Church of Christ has targeted 'white' America and Israel, he would have been one of the few people in Chicago to be so uninformed. Wright’s reputation for spewing hate is well known."

Newsmax.com, which also publishes the magazine Newsmax, was founded in 1998 by Christopher Ruddy, a former journalist who describes the Florida operation as "the leading independent online news site with a conservative perspective."  Its early investors reportedly included the family of the late CIA Director William Casey and Richard Mellon Scaife, a well-known conservative publisher in Pittsburgh.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[smokey]

whew......

Glad we haven't send Hillary packing yet!!

[Christy]

Whether he was there that day or not, it is unbelievable to me that obama claims to have not been in the pews but everyone in that church knows what gets preached their and certainly obama's association with him for over two decades is proof enough for me. I pray we can get hillary elected. I would have liked to vote for obama but he doesn't have a chance now. The supreme court appointments and 100 year wars by a republican president is pretty scary stuff too.

[Anna]

Um. All I did was a simple Google search and I came up with a video of Obama speaking at the La Raza Convention in Miami on July 22. This is dumb. You guys should do a little actual journalism.

(Or you should read the item right in front of your eyes which says the campaign says he was in Miami.)

[janet]

I'm sure Obama is lying about not having heard Wright at that or any other anti-American vitrioilic rant -- this was July, the Sermon was posted on You Tube in August, and the speech being circulated around took place in November -- so there were many such rants that should shock anyone,

BUT for sake of argument, if Obama really didn't know about them despite all these occurrences, and the fact they were well known to many, he is too ignorant to be President. What kind of Presidential material would attend a church like that for 20 years, be close with Wright for 20 years, and not knowwhat the man was doing? That would make for a scarily stupid President --
"Gee, I didn't know Iran was going to do anything bad, I wasn't there when they said they'd do it," would be his likely response?

Claiming "absent" like he's done at so many controversial votes is no excuse, either. Avoidance and denial, combined with the pompous rhetoric he learned from Wright = Obama.

[Carol Steinberg]

Simply IMPOSIBLE for Senator Obama not been aware of Wright's philosphy. Not repudiating these comments two years ago was a mistake, not repudiating them a year ago was stupid, not repudiating them six months ago when the first report came out was stupid. Repudiating them now is not stupid, but too late. Once again: it is IMPOSIBLE for Senator Obama not been aware of Wright's philosphy.

[maritza]

Sorry folks, the Newsmax story is FALSE.

Obama was in Miami on July 22nd for a NCLR Annual conference. He was the key note speaker at that conference and he attended the luncheon.

(Why are you sorry?)

[The Steadmanns]

Er ... Newsmax? Is this really a reliable source?

This is a news organization so right wing, it would make Joseph Goebbels blush. Along with news, it hawks products such as special radios for use in the event of a devastating terrorist attack. Fear seems to be the name of the game with this organization.

We just wish Newsmax would stop sending us its daily briefings. No idea where they got our e-mail address, and their unsubscribe procedure doesn't seem to be working.

The Steadmanns

[kevin]

We're voting for Obama... not his pastor. This is a non-issure.

[charles]

it seems to me you are obliged to point this out early on in your posting, rather than as the last paragraph:

Newsmax.com, which also publishes the magazine Newsmax, was founded in 1998 by Christopher Ruddy, a former journalist who describes the Florida operation as "the leading independent online news site with a conservative perspective." Its early investors reportedly included the family of the late CIA Director William Casey and Richard Mellon Scaife, a well-known conservative publisher in Pittsburgh.

(Re-read the second paragraph.)

[Anthony Shin]

Was it hate when Obama was criticized for not being black enough? Was it hate when Obama was criticized for being too black? Was it hate when people were taunting Obama about having a Semitic name? Was it hate when Sen. Clinton equivocated about Sen. Obama's religion?

"If you're going to hate, then really hate. Don't even stop to eat sleep or drink, just hate, hate and hate. Then see how long your hatred lasts." - Enlightenment Guaranteed

[Jeff Fecke]

Newsmax, eh? What did the National Enquirer have to say?

[not-a-lemming]

The Newsmax story is probably correct. There is an hour's time difference between Chicago and Miami. Perhaps you people have already forgotten that both Obama and Hillary Clinton would make campaign appearances in both Ohio and Texas on the same day. They call it air travel, developed by the Wright Brothers (no relation to the reverend) in 1903.

[Pearl]

It is really sad how we stoop so low to try and bring someone down. It is lies like this that divides us and If I was Obama for every slander remark that has been said. I would SUE........ Further more how in the world can anyone even buy this trash when He is have WHITE and was raised by WHITE grandparents.

[Nora]

What kind of hit piece is this? Because it's a blog do you think you do not have to adhere to journalistic standards?

[manny]

My friends, remember it's Mr. Obama spiritual advisor who gave the speeches, I agree it's bad but our Barak Obama supporters are not afraid of change, and of hope. As the bible says he who's without sin cast the first stone. And by the way ask yourself why is the other side trying their best to have us so afraid of this man, is it because deep down inside they know is is the one who can help this country move towards the future .

[hopeful08]

A simple quiz - Which of following shows Obama's racist or anti-american values?

a. The 800 bills that Obama wrote or sponsored in IL
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/07/29/us/politics/20070730_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html

b. His US senate bills on WW threat reduction, government ethics, and immigration reform that he co-sponsored with Senator Lugar, Coburn and and Hagel.
http://thomas.loc.gov

c. The expanded health care he passed for 150,000 children?

It is incredibily arrogant and ignorant to presume to know what one man can learn from his church or pastor and then to make the reason for how they vote for the president of a secular nation.

[Nobama 08]

La Raza's website states that he was scheduled to speak in Miami at their conference on the afternoon of July 22, 2007 (1:30 to 3p).

Nothing to say he couldn't have gone to church in Chicago that morning and flown down to Miami for the conference that afternoon.

[maritza]

not-a-lemming

The flight from Chicago to Miami is 3 hours.

Obama was in Miami which he can PROVE.

This story is FALSE.

[carlos]

you guys got fooled. vote for mcain fools

[dsclinton]

Obama, come in give it up. You denial that you never knew of Wright's sermons doesn't pass the smell test. Your candidacy has too many problems. Even before the Sermons stuff ... there was nagging doubt about your patriotism as well as your accomplishments. You had nothing to stand on , so you took up the change mantra. Even I am for change .. so elect me president. Rediculous , how people are sooo naive to belive you. Ever heard of the Emperor's new robe? Only a child can spot you. THe adults are too occupied with what is cool . supporting a black man for president is sooo cool.
Yes, perhaps it could be . but only the right Black man. It is not you .. atleast not now.

[maritza]

Nope time constraints make this story FALSE.

There are 3 services on Sundays at that church: 7:30am CST, 11:00am CST, 6:00pm CST.

Since Obama's speech was at 1:30pm in Miami, that RULES OUT Obama attending the 11:00am and 6:00pm services since the flight from Chicago to Miami is 3 hours.

That leaves the 7:30am CST service which is 8:30am Eastern time. African-American church services are typically 2 hours. Thus that service would have ended at 10:30am. Obama would have had to leave church, get to the airport, get through airport security, flight would have left in time, 3 hour flight, get from airport to conference, all in time for a 1:30pm keynote address.

HIGHLY UNLIKELY. That means that everything would have been perfectly timed and Obama would have gotten to the conference JUST BEFORE his speech.

I am sure that there were MANY PEOPLE there that saw Obama at the conference BEFORE 1:30pm. Also, there are FLIGHT RECORDS that Obama has that show exactly what time he flew from Chicago to Miami.

Obama can EASILY dispute this story.

This is too funny. The right wing smear machine has hit a HUGE snag!!!!!

[Stick a Fork in Him]

I am wondering if Obama was in the pews during the Christmas sermon which disgustingly talked about Bill Clinton screwing the Black community (riding dirty). http://youtube.com/watch?v=enMWfQl_Qeg

Is it really possible he never saw how disgusting and divisive his pastor was? Maybe he never went to church. If so, he doesn't sound like much of a Christian.

[Jordan Clinton]

Trinity services start at 7:30am. If Obama stayed an hour (normal service) and left at 8:30 am.. 1/2 hour to Midway Airport and in the air by 9:15 Arrive in Miami by 12 noon ( allowing 2 hour and 45 minutes flight and landing, would be 1 pm Eastern time & half hour to drive to the event.
I think it is a very real possibility he attended the service and spoke in Miami.

[Taliese]

And the fact that Obama has a white mother and that he was raised by white grandparents doesn't cause anyone to doubt the veracity of Obama nodding his head when hearing anti-white statements?

Do these people think we're all stupid?

[Gaz]

The Clintons cant change anything. We need change and that change will come from all of us and Obama as our leader.

Go you people full of dirty campaign and lies

Obama is going to win

Obama is for all white, Blacks, Hispanic and all the other

[SGV]

By the way, is anything that the pastor said about rampant, historical racism in the U.S. not true?

[Maritza]

Jordan Clinton,

Please check your times. The first service is at 7:30am CST which means 8:30am Eastern time. I am Black and I attend an African-American church. Service is typically 2 hours. That means that Chuch ended at 10:30am.

Again the time constraints make this story FALSE folks. Also, Obama can EASILY dispute this story with witnesses who were at the La Raza conference including Hillary Clinton who was there as well as flight records.

FALSE story!!!

[David kauffman]

Here the proof that Obama is lying when he said he knew nothing of Wright's anti-American postures. Mr. Donahue (Pres. Catholic Leauge) sent a letter to Obama warning him of such declarations. Check: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977285439

The letter said: "Wright has a record of giving racially inflammatory sermons and has even said that Zionism has an element of 'white racism.' He also blamed the attacks of 9/11 on American foreign policy."

If the blind Obamanites want to get technica, this letter is undeniable proof that Obama knew of this.

[FRedStates]

There are great Jeremiah Wright bumperstickers now available at FRedStates.com.

If Obama knew this minister for 2 decades but didn't know about the hate he spews... I'm not sure I want somebody that clueless in the White House. That''s about as bad as Hillary saying she was unaware Bill was having an affair. Do you want people this out of touch running the country?

[Olivia]

Whether obama was there that day or not is not as much important as his lousy excuse.

Obama is trying to minimize his relationship and political influence on him: he has already repeated many times that Wright is an "old uncle" who is now "retired." However, he acknowledged Wright as his spiritual advisor and Wright's sermon is not a senil lapsus linguis. It is not an accident. What it is is aged and rationalized bigotry. It is hard to believe he never heard him say such things in 20 years of close relationship.

What says tons for his lack of judgment is having allowed his family and himself to be exposed for 20 years to Wright's bigotry. Moreover, Obama seems to have funnel that hate-sheding pulpit with generous contributions.

Farrakhan and Wright are the two sides of the same coin. There is no place for these people in an authentic Christian churh nor in any progressive discourse.

[Daniel Yakoubian]

I wish I could vote for Rev. Wright, a man who is willing to speak his mind, speak the truth, regardless of what is politically correct. He hates America because he won't stand for the what truly is horrible about our government and our country? This is the "tough love" that our our own "evil empire" needs. Pardon me, but doesn't the press read the press? Didn't we invade Iraq and destroy the country based on lies? Aren't we the world's largest arms supplier? Didn't we kill 3 million Viet Namese? Didn't we drop napalm on Viet Nam? Didn't we decimate our own natives and break so many treaties we made with them? Wasn't this country built on slavery? Don't our corporations steal, lie, pollute, and buy government favors? Why don't we have affordable health care? Why haven't the descendents of slaves received reparations? Why is this country plagued by legal and illegal drugs? Why are we killing each other in schools and the workplace? Why are we destroying the environment and people's health in the name of obscene profits? Don't we need to own up to this stuff?

If you are going to condemn Rev. Wright, we need to demonize Martin Luther King Jr. as well. Please read his speech "Beyond Vietnam" and tell me it is not more "America Hating" than Rev. Wright's sermons. The major difference being that virtually everything that MLK had to say about the pitiful state of this nation has only gotten much, much worse since his time.

We don't need apologists - we need reality, and Rev. Wright certainly has more of a grip on it that than those that are attacking him.

[Dr. Dave]

For ALL the Obama & Wright apologists....

Nobody put words in Wright's mouth. Nobody did a fake voice-over. Wright’s white America didn't conspire and drug him and hypnotize him before his sermons.

Honestly, when I heard his words I felt nauseous and wanted to vomit. This guy is keeping his folks down with sick, conspiracy; hate filled theories just like Farrakhan. Furthermore, only by going to HIS church and paying attention to HIS sick "charismatic" rantings can "believers” find out the TRUTH. This ABSOLUTELY reflects on the sort of person Obama IS. It's no wonder Barak wants to create "unity". Look at the world view of his divisive pastor who preaches DIS-unity. Wright's a real life black Archie Bunker and a throwback to ancient times. No wonder Obama wants "change!".

Suggestion: Obama, You want "unity & change? Start at home and end the racism endemic in your provincial community before venturing out into America and preaching to us about "hope” based on false & empty promises. You've turned out to be just another hack black "leader"; The kind that constantly evoke the name of MLK and try to ride his coat tails. But MLK, a true American hero & PATRIOT would collapse in despair if he had to listen through a divisive, racist, hate filled sermon by the likes of Wright.

Personally...I'm nauseous. The last thing I would want to hear on a Sunday morning is some sick clown dancing on a stage and “charismatically” telling me why we deserved 9/11. But the first thing Obama & his co-worshippers wanted to do on a Sunday was go see THIS guy.

[Jerry Martinez]

Whether this NewsMax story is true or not, by Obama own admission he attended the church for 20 years, and refuses to this day leave the congregation of hate and division. We know that for sure. I tend to believe this story in this age of airplanes

Obama election would be a big step backwards for race relation. The black supremacist have Obama ear and heart, and I as a Latino know that race relations will go backwards and separate us into are own camp. Seem like a lot of super liberal whites know this subconsciously because when we are all separated into our own communities there is a bit of safety in the system of segregation. Of course it was the Democrats who were the segregationist in the old south.

[Secret Service]

Obama's good to go. He is his own man and WE ALL KNOW what he's about. He's not a racist, he has a white mother and his WHOLE CAMPAIGN has been bringing people together and talking about doin the same.

He's not a BLACK president or a closet muslim or any of these other obscure identities Clinton and the republicans are trying to box him into. He's the better presidential candidate. NOTHING'S CHANGED THERE!

anyone thinking it has needs to really consider what it is they are actually voting for and on.

Obama is a STAUNCH UNIFER for a reason - he knows angry divisive approaches neither work nor have a place within a progressive movement.

[star child]

Ok, this is kind of ridiculous... what is the point? Are we saying that Obama is a racist? Or maybe just that he supports racists? One small problem with that theory... he's biracial.... you know mom is white, dad is black. So unless he has some really horrible psychological problems, that's pretty unlikely.
I'd happily vote for either Obama or Hillary, and after all this garbage, I'm leaning towards Obama.

[Windfall]

Now that a few of the Reverend Wright’s sermons have been made public, Barack Obama says that over the course of 20 years of attending church services and other functions together, he never once noticed that the man he calls his spiritual advisor was an America-hating racist.

There are only two possible explanations:

1. Obama is too naïve to be the leader of the free world.

2. Obama is a liar and an America-hating racist as well.

[Susanne Freeborn]

Good grief: Here is the agenda of National Council of La Raza for that day: http://www.nclr.org/content/news/detail/47386/

Sunday, July 22 11:00 a.m. LATINAS BRUNCH, Una Charla Con Hillary – Hall B
Welcome: Governor Charlie Crist (R-FL)
Speakers:

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
Interview led by Monica Lozano, Publisher and CEO, La Opinión

1:30 p.m. SPECIAL FORUM: Foro Del Pueblo Con Sen. Obama – Room D128-129
Featured Speaker: Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)
3:30 p.m. Town Hall: Innovative Public-Private Partnerships To Reduce Obesity Among Latinos, presented by the Office of Minority Health – Room B214-218
Moderator: Jackie Guerra, Comedienne/Actress/Author
Panelists:
Dr. Garth N. Graham M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, Office of Minority Health, Department of Health and Human Services
Dra. Isabel Gomez-Bassols, Univision Radio
John Govea, JD, MPA, Senior Program Officer, Childhood Obesity Team, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

8:00 p.m. Noche de Concierto – Knight Concert Hall, Carnival Center for the Performing Arts
Featuring:

Luis Fonsi
Fanny Lu
Mariachi Campanas de America

............................................................................................

You ought to be EMBARRASSED to publish this on your website. How can we trust you if this is how you fact check?

(The item says the campaign says he was in Miami. The question would seem to be where else was he maybe that day? That's a fact too.)

[Kathryn]

I find it very funny that Obama first tried to distance himself from his Muslim heritage by saying he's part of this Trinity Church, and is now trying to distance himself from this church and the values it teaches. Hatred of white people and America are very evident in everything about his church, why doesn't Obama just admit it, clearly his supporters don't care.

[Jonathan]

It's embarassing that the LATimes lets you publish false accusations put out by biased hit-websites. The newsmax correspondent is clearly making an outright lie, yet some readers will come away believing that Obama is lying. I at least hope they make you publish a prominent retraction.

[Barzia]

TOO BAD. Obama was in Miami on July 22nd and did not attend the church. He spoke at the annual nclr convention. See his full speech here. Also the schedule of the convention on July 22nd. Also remember that there is 1 Hour difference between Miami and Chicago. So he could not even fly back and forth to attend both the church and the convention.
TOO BAD. THERE IS A VIDEO. SO PEOPLE CANNOT JUST LIE.

[Joan]

What's the problem with Obama being friends with Wright. Do we think that Obama is a racist, that he hates white people? That seems extremely unlikely, given his upbringing by his white mother and grandparents. If the question is not about Obama's opinions than what is the point?

[hellokitty]

Present.

This seems to be a word that will dog Obama. He used present more than 100 times as a way to carefully navigate not having to take a bold stance on a bill that might later haunt his political career and carefully groomed image, even if it was being groomed by uncle Rev.

Present. Because that is exactly what many Americans believe he was over the course of 20 years listening to his hate-mongering Pastor that he so idolizes.

[James]

Hello, Who cares if Obama was there or not. Don't you think black folk have every right to hate "rich white" people. Hello it was rich white people who enslaved black people. What have rich white people done for the common man, white or black? They just make themselve richer off the backs of poor labor folks. Why do you think rich white people want to let the illegal mexicans have immunity? So they can have a new set of slaves. Same game ,new skin color.

[Chris]

Very irresponsible "journalism."

[Josh]

I'm an Independent that normally votes Republican but was supporting Obama.

Obama has now lost my vote. (and my wifes vote)

Whether this story about him being at the sermon on July 22 is true or not…there is NO way he could not have known about the racist comments by pastor Wright.

My wife and I are upset right now. We thought we had found someone different...now we realize hes just another typical politician.

Repubs & Dems both suck. We are not voting this year....good luck to the rest of you.

:-/

[Cythia]

It's a shame the way the media is portraying his church based on edited 30 sec. sound clips. The media does not mention that it's an integrated church with a membership of 8000 Many of the attendees are some of the most influential people in Chicago. You can view the full context of the sermons here -

http://www.tucc.org/home.htm.

The sermons are beautiful and uplifting.

The media has obviously decided to conduct a high-tech lynching of Obama. They're scared sh****less of the fact that we're THIS CLOSE to having our first African American President. We CERTAINLY can't have THAT happen (sarcasm). The establishment has no choice now but to rub salt in his game.

BTW - What was the point of posting this blog entry if it was proven (according to your entry) to be FALSE.

GOBAMA..... Keep moving forward. We got your back.

[Jennifer H]

Unbelievable! I can't believe people have the nerve to say "the preacher" is right, or dismiss his rants and not think his tirade is racist?

This preacher is a hateful, ignorant racist. This "black trash", (oh, sorry, only "white trash" is acceptable today) bigot performed the marriage of Barak, and Michelle, "I'm finally proud of our country" Obama.

Obama is trying to distance himself from this guy because, to prove he's not a Muslim, he said he goes to this Christian church. Obama has been in his church for 20 years, this man is Obama's "spiritual advisor" Do you think this is the FIRST time this idiot, black racist has spewed his filthy racism? Obama stayed in his church because he likes this message or he would have left for a message more in line with his own.

Obama is his lackey, or is he Oprah's lackey, or is he Farrakhan’s lackey. Where did he get the money to outspend Hillary 5 to 1?

It's time to end this double standard of black racism and political correctness. This preacher is a hate-monger, and Obama is part of his ilk.

We brought 9/11 upon ourselves? What crimes did the people I saw jumping from the WTC commit? They simply showed up for work to support their loved ones.

God Damn America!!!???? Is anyone stupid enough to want his "spiritual student" as President?

My grandmother said, "The Devil often comes dressed as a gentleman".
Yes, and he's running for the White House, with racism and anti-Semitism, under his silk suit. Obama's veneer is starting to wear off.

In Iowa he was quoted "When America gets a cold, Black America gets pneumonia". He didn't say "poor" and include other races.

Any "white man oppressor" "European oppressors" or Anglo-American, or anyone with an ounce of goodness, won't support this black KKK, of which Obama is a long-standing member.

Anyone who votes for Obama is inviting disaster for themselves, their children and our country.

Once, there was a very charismatic man, who came out of nowhere, but who stirred the people for "change" and the promise of a new united, country, and of "what could be"; his name was Hitler.

[Bookwert]

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

But we seem to be putting the candidates through our own home-grown American version. It's a little unfair, since we haven't yet drawn up a formal creed that we demand they adhere to. Let's do that now, so we can move forward to political issues, like health care and the war.

What's the most American of religions? I would have said Mormonism, but the Romney campaign pretty much disposed of that. Catholicism's out. Baptists sometimes plunge off the deep end, so to speak. No fundamentalists, free-thinkers, Quakers, Shakers or holy-rollers, please. How about a good, Godly New England white-church Congregationalism, or some innocuous form of Midwestern Protestantism, something with covered-dish suppers and not too much emphasis on God or the supernatural. A social -- but not, God forbid, not a socialist -- church. We would require, or course, that the candidate's minister never preach anything that might strike us as odd or disagreeable or offensive. And that the candidate be eager to slip out of his or her religion like an old raincoat the minute it becomes an election liability.

Isn't that the American way?

NOW is the time for a constitutional amendment, instituting a religious test for office holders.

[Tom]

Wright did not give a morning service as claimed by Newsmax

One the 22nd of July 2007
Anthony Burnette, Jr. gave the 7:30 am service
Otis B. Moss III gave the 11:00am service
Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. gave the 6:00pm service

http://www.tucc.org/store/index.cfm?action=catbrowse&catid=40

[Dave]

What's so depressing is that Obama has bent over backward to have an inclusive, non-racially polarizing campagn. It's probably a reality that some rhetoric like this will occur at inner-city churches, given the social realities, and, more importantly, the deeply felt history of those communities.

However, the fiery rhetoric aside, this is not a reprehensible church. I suggest all those tearing down Wright do some research and find out what actually goes on at Trinity church. Sure the guy may have said some dumb things. But he also has done some beautiful things.

But of course, that will be swift boated and all will have is the smear. Sometimes the MSM lurches up (and, a la fox news) just vomits a torrent of trivialities that we're engulfed in nonsense.

BTW, didn't anyone notice our financial system was melting down? Maybe we should be talking about that instead of a preacher from Chicago.

[Gecasano]

Obama’s mother was white.
Obama was raised by a white family
Obama never ever will hate whites.
I am white republican, I think people just looking for anything to hurt anyone

[whtboy]

if he was there or not, and heard all the things wright said that does not mean they are also his values or beliefs right?

would it be untrue to say racism, discrimination, injustice, against blacks in America and around the world exists? Althought Wrights comments may seem to generalize white people. it is probally clear to him that only a very small minorty of whites really have hatred against blacks. and he and others who speak out are in my opinion sort of keeping the balance. without people like wright or jessie jackson, al sharp farrkahn he fight against rasism and equality would have died in the civil rights era with dr. king.

you write as if you are against rasism, but have you also written in blogs anything to stop rasism from whites? it seems as if you are for the continuation of the present system, and not for improvment for everyone?
can you imagine that someone hold you accountable for the things others say and believe, you would find that unfair right? or would you abandon someone you known for years because they expressed a different belief?
my wife has different beliefs and thoughts, wow should I get a divorce based on that, because it may come back to haunt me someday.

this reminds me of the film from Michael Moore. when he showed how after the slaves were freed, and all the white people were scared bought tons of guns, moved to different areas, and other crazy things based on fear.
and we see the same fear now. seems like many whites are in fear of what the black man will do when in power, get your guns ready, move to a new country just live in fear, when most blacks just want to live in peace just like anyone else does. and it seems that the only ones who have had anything to say about race seems to be his opponents. i did not hear obama ever bring up race have you?

Stop hiding behind your fear, writing all this crap about obama simply can't admit you don't want a black president, and or you hate Blacks. I can even respect a racist for being honest. but not a snake for being tricky. if god himself would appear to everyone and endorsed Obama as the best person for the job, you still would not vote for him because he is black.

So it's not about him, but about you. saying that it's obvious that many don't want this kind of change.

it's time to learn to see ourselves in others, not in just those that look like us.

[floridaman]

About Barack Obama pastor being anti American:

Is it Anti American to:
Turn the waterhoses on Americans and the pressure so hard that it knocks them to the ground?
Is it anti America for police officers to turn dogs loose on American citizens?
Is it anti American to beat and drag American citizens through the streets for excercising their constitutional rights?
Is it anti American to deny African American children the right to learn in schools and then lock the schools to keep them from attending?
Is it anti American to deny African Americans the right to reside in any locale they can afford.
Is it anti American to hang nooses on the trees in schools as well as public stores?
Is it anti American to consider blacks second and third class citizens
Is it anti American to deny black equal pay at jobs?
Is affirmative action American? I have never seen any black man nor woman who has received a job because of their race.
Is was America that judge Adolf Hitler and the Neo Nazi party stating how horrible his acts of crimes were against the Jews, but Adolf learned everything from America. You might remember KKK, how soon you forget? You might remember skin heads? Hmm... all American organizations. You may remember black votes not counting for much, right? So before you began to say that Barack Obamas pastor made anti
American statements, check your history and see the facts, he is allowed freedom of speech or will you take that also, you are not upset with comments made from Hilary, because you love lies, which is exactly what Hilary does. Baracks pastor told the truth, although brutal, it was the American History truth. If you want a liar then vote for Hilary, she is your girl. I am proud to be an American say it loud. I am Black!!!!!!! and Proud!!!!! Barack is not arrogant, he is a self assured qualified black man who will not allow anyone to give him an identity.

[dave]

'...a prince should always seem to be religious.'
- machiavelli

[Aengil]

Listening to something doesn't mean agreeing with it. Heck, I've just read the article and the comments here - that doesn't mean I agree with them. Nor does my not leaving this site and never reading anything here again mean I agree with this article.

Attending a church doesn't mean I agree with everything the Pastor says on every subject. Particularly when that Pastor is a man born in 1941, who grew up when America was still institutionally racist, and appears to be having trouble letting that go in his old age. I'm sure when he's not touching that particular nerve he's a good Pastor (check the sermons yourself - ALL the sermon, not just the bits you want to use as evidence against his character - and you'll see the same).

The idea that Obama is a racist is absurd. Nothing that Obama has said or done indicates that - in fact, quite the opposite. You want to know what Obama thinks about these comments? He's told you, and there's not one thing in his entire background to suggest he might be lying - again, the opposite if anything. If you think Obama might be a racist then, well, you're just not thinking.

[rosalynneus]

Open your ears and open your eyes american because Obama is doing anything to fool you. Wheter he atended or not his church is not relevant. This guy is his pastor, his counselor, his advisor. His Phylosophy of hate for anyone that is snot black is transparent. Wake up before is toooooo late!

[floridaman]

Is it anti american to:

enslave
abuse your power
lie
steal
not hire blacks that are qualified
not give blacks equal opportunities
say what's good for goose is not good for the ghander. in other words, say that Hitler was wrong, but America was correct in their slave trade.
pretend that affirmative action was good for blacks, but not realize that no black ever received jobs because of their race, in fact quite the contray
the pastor told the truth, and you know it. you hate the truth and that's why Hilary is your girl. Or Mccain is your man. I'm black and proud!!!!

[dave]

'the believing mind is externally impervious to evidence. the most that can be accomplished with it is to induce it to substitute one delusion for another. it rejects all overt evidence as wicked...'
- h. l. mencken

'...a prince should always seem to be religious.'
- machiavelli

(since i can't find the item pertaining to my following entry, and don't know if it was lost or retracted for some reason before my post could appear, i'll just leave my post here, and people to guess what it might be about:

'where's the picture showing mccain as saint mary
with the baby, and more importantly, with the supersized halo/ego? who would dispute it's just fine when people find someone to care for and be happy with?
but why destroy all merit by being pathetic, and trying
to instrumentalize feelings for power and profit?
if it's not possible to buy love, why try to sell yours?
how much oil and how much money, for your beloved little daughter from bangladesh? how many million
babies not mashed to bloody pulp, if you don't bomb-bomb-iran, and how many million more not deformed and suffering, in thousands of years to come, if you don't dump depleted uranium all over their place?')

[Jim Davis]

I'm the author of the Newsmax article. Yes, it is possible to attend a one-hour church service in Chicago at 7:30 AM that's laden with racially divisive and anti-American rhetoric and nod your head in agreement, get a police escort to zip through traffic to your waiting private jet that has the engines warmed up and ready to go, fly to Miami, get another police escort to zip through traffic, and give a speech to the National Council of La Raza at 1:30 PM.

I notice that NLRC didn't indicate whether Senator Obama started his speech right on schedule. But the weather was perfect for a fast flight.

[calumet]

It's with a heavy heart that I say...the Democrats blew it!

The campaigns of the century are the disasters of the century!

[amasi]

Newsmax.com reports that its correspondent witnessed Sen. Barack Obama attending one of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's anti-white sermons on July 22, 2007…THAT’S “A BIG LIE” AND IMPOSSIBLE…Because Barack Obama was In Miami On July 22, 2007…Why?...To Give a Speech at the National Council of La Raza, in Miami Beach…When ?...Between 1:30-3:00 p.m…WHY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE?...IT TAKES AT LEASE 4 HOURS TO FLY FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS TO MIAMI, FLORIDA…SO WHAT? IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ATTEND ANY OF THE TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST SUNDAY SERVICES AND DELIVER A SPEECH AND ANSWER QUESTIONS IN MIAMI FROM 1:30-3:00 P.M...NEWSMAX.COM MUST APOLOGIZE AND FIRE THEIR CORRESPONDENT

[Kukki]

Wake up America!!

For the first time All of us see America divided on race and creed.
For the first time we see an American wife of a man running for the president, Proud of her country just the day the wannabe wins!! where did she make her millions??
For the first time the Spiritual Guru of Mr. Obama damns the Americans and for 20 years Mr. Obama was not listening!!
Wake up before it is too late!!

[mike]

if he was there or not, and heard all the things wright said that does not mean they are also his values or beliefs right?

would it be untrue to say racism, discrimination, injustice, against blacks in America and around the world exists? Althought Wrights comments may seem to generalize white people. it is probally clear to him that only a very small minorty of whites really have hatred against blacks. and he and others who speak out are in my opinion sort of keeping the balance. without people like wright or jessie jackson, al sharp farrkahn he fight against rasism and equality would have died in the civil rights era with dr. king.

you write as if you are against rasism, but have you also written in blogs anything to stop rasism from whites? it seems as if you are for the continuation of the present system, and not for improvment for everyone?
can you imagine that someone hold you accountable for the things others say and believe, you would find that unfair right? or would you abandon someone you known for years because they expressed a different belief?
my wife has different beliefs and thoughts, wow should I get a divorce based on that, because it may come back to haunt me someday.

this reminds me of the film from Michael Moore. when he showed how after the slaves were freed, and all the white people were scared bought tons of guns, moved to different areas, and other crazy things based on fear.
and we see the same fear now. seems like many whites are in fear of what the black man will do when in power, get your guns ready, move to a new country just live in fear, when most blacks just want to live in peace just like anyone else does. and it seems that the only ones who have had anything to say about race seems to be his opponents. i did not hear obama ever bring up race have you?

Stop hiding behind your fear, writing all this crap about obama simply can't admit you don't want a black president, and or you hate Blacks. I can even respect a racist for being honest. but not a snake for being tricky. if god himself would appear to everyone and endorsed Obama as the best person for the job, you still would not vote for him because he is black.

So it's not about him, but about you. saying that it's obvious that many don't want this kind of change.

it's time to learn to see ourselves in others, not in just those that look like us.

[OriginalT]

The headline is deceptive. There was nothing anti-white in Wright's sermon. No one has pointed out anything inaccurate in his text. This is a country run by rich white men so far. All Presidents have been rich white men-that has been the previous profile-those are the facts. As a Black man who interacts with or manages whites in business daily, I see nothing wrong at all with Wright's spot on remarks. Additionally, Obama should not be held accountable for something Wright said in any case. Obama's legislative record of cross-party collaboration and achievements speak for themselves. This is only a typical divide-and-conquer smear which wont work.

[Simpson]

Even if Obama was in that church at the time of the sermon, does that make him guilty?

How many of us keep company that is criminal. If we shall ascribe to "Criminality by association" then we need to change our laws, to allow anybody whose parent, whose mother, whose mother, whose friend, whose acquaintance, whose teacher, slave owner, .... ever uttered a sentence bordering on racial hatred should be considered guilty.

In that case i profer a curse to all our population because we are all guilty by association.

Let us import a clean president from Russia!

This pastor presided over Obama's wedding, he has been a pastor in his local church for twenty years, which means Obama started attending t

[Gregorovitch]

For you "Left Wing Hate Mongers", the original story was released, not by "right wingers" but by Brian Ross of ABC. It is said he is a big Hillary supporter.
Yes he was scheduled to speak at 1:30 pm, however, he didn't arrive until 1:50 pm.

http://www.hispanicmpr.com/2007/07/31/clinton-obama-appearances-highlight-of-2007-nclr-conference/

Secondly, if there is a video of him in Church on July 22 and the video of him in Miami on July 22, then the time difference and flight are immaterial. Opinions are opinions...Video is real.

[C Watson]

"Obama was in Miami on July 22nd for a NCLR Annual conference. He was the key note speaker at that conference and he attended the luncheon."

That checks out:
NCLR Agenda for July 22:
http://www.nclr.org/content/news/detail/47386/

It's also in the papers
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/22/AR2007072200742_pf.html

and the July 22 NCLR speech that was delivered is posted on Obama's site.
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/07/22/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_21.php

Davis said “On this particular July Sabbath morning” (the 11am service was CST time or 12pm Miami time). Let me finish it for him, “Obama couldn’t be in two places at the same time.”

[Techwreck]

Let's hear from Obama. Why did he stay in a hate church for 20 years, and why did he want his kids to hear the stuff that Rev. Wright was preaching?

I am not condemning Obama, but I need to hear more than "I didn't know ..." in order to support him.

[Wow]

How can the LA Times post lies of this nature? Do you even factcheck?

[Lisa Pease]

This is hilarious for its naivete. Newsmax is little more than a mouthpiece for the conservative right and its corresponding CIA elements. These are the two groups most terrified by the notion of an Obama presidency, so it makes perfect sense that a lie like this would grace their pages.

Ronald Kessler has been praising the CIA for years. Several public CIA figures are supporting Clinton's campaign. Some have suggested, and not without some evidence, that Kessler is little more than an agency shill. Casey, of course, was CIA director under Reagan.

Christopher Ruddy? He's the guy who kept saying Vince Foster was murdered and trying to pin it on the Clintons. Richard Mellon Scaife was the guy who funded the State Troopers and tried to get them to pin a set of murders on the Clintons as well. Yes, there really was a vast right-wing conspiracy out to bring down the Clintons.

But this story is so provably flase it's embarrassing to see an LA Times blog helping with the tabloidization of a formerly respectable paper.

[John B Sheffield]

The Clinton Campaign continues to trade on lies and smears and are lapping up this current attack on Barack Obama, I have a strong Faith but I know I can't be held responsible for everything my Pastor may or not say, especially if I am not present.

Now we get claims on websites that Barack Obama was present for one of the so called sermons! only problem Barack was in Miami for a Conference that day!

With all the lies and smear that Penn & Wolfson peddle for Hilary, and Hilary's claim again Saturday that she did play an important part in the Irish Peace Treaty (Pity the Politicians of Eire, Northern Ireland and the UK agree with her) Voters are really starting to ask what is Truth from the Clinton Campaign Team, can she be trusted?

[frank mccord]

Regardless of whether Obama attended or not, this clinton orchestrated character assassination will be the beginning of the end for the democratic party. No black vote = no white house for 20 yrs. I for my part, a democrat, will not vote for Clinton if she is the nominee.

[susie]

There are 2 different articles.
The first article was written over a year ago why was it not corrected at the time it was written.
The Secret Service can answer this question easily.

[ronald]

How can you trust BARACK OBAMA?
He always change his stance whenever he is on hot seat.
He is a star fruit... so many faces... and can not be trusted...

[mike]

If Rev Wright was his only anti American association, it could be overlooked. Obama's connections are scary
Obama, Rev Wright, Farakhan, Rezko, Mahdi Auchi, AlSamarae, Wm Ayers, Rashid Khalidi, Raila Odinga, Abongo Obama and it goes on and on !!!
These associations are not good for AMERICA>

[KT]

It doesn't matter if he attended. He has been close to this man for 20 years and close to this church. A president must be preceived, right or wrong, as able to govern all of America without coming into it angry at a certain segment or angry at America itself. By associating with Wright so closely for so long, we now can't know what Obama believes and he can't be trusted to be our president. If we democrats are dumb enough to make him our nomineee, he will never win. His judgment here was appalling.

[JHardy]

Kevin--this is not a non-issue..and the rest of America doesn't agree with you who are blindly following Obama. It's a very real issue and one that has done damage that can't be repaired. It speaks to judgement. It speaks to the ability to heal. He has lost both. He knew Wright was controversial when he asked him to not show up last year when he announced his run for the presidency. The heartland of America will not accept him now. He made a bad choice and he hasn't handled it well because all he can do now and say things that don't matter. He can denounce as long as he wants..he accepted this man and supported him for years. You can't denounce that.

[Joan]

I've often sat in church and listened to my pastor say things I don't necessarily believe. My friends sometimes have opinions I don't share. Obama is a wonderful man, and he wants to get past the racial thing and uplift America and its people. He truly is the great hope. For Heaven's sake, his mom was white and he said the best things about him came from her. Please don't drag him down like this. You're dragging yourself down when you do. Barack Obama will make a wonderful leader! He will bring his light to the whole world. I'm a 73 year old white woman and I've been around long enough to know a good man when I see and hear one.
I wish you a fair wind at your back, Mr. Obama.

[Leslie]

Obama was in Iowa the day before...so perhaps he went home to Chicago for the night on Saturday.

The first Sunday Service at Trinity is at 7:30 AM. (Central)

Obama appeared in Miami at 1:50PM (he started 20 mins late). (Eastern)

If he left church by 8:45 AM and flew from Midway by 9:10 Central, or 10:10 Eastern, could he have arrived in Miami for his 1:50 talk?

The flight time according to online flight time calculator is 2:07 at 550 MPH.

So even if he took off at 10:30 AM Eastern, he would have landed by 12:37 PM in Miami.

It may be tight but perhaps that's how he got there.

[Leslie]

There was time for Obama to go to church in Chicago and make it to Miami for his talk.

Obama was in Iowa the day before...so perhaps he went home to Chicago for the night on Saturday.

The first Sunday Service at Trinity is at 7:30 AM. (Central)

Obama appeared in Miami at 1:50PM (he started 20 mins late). (Eastern)

If he left church by 8:45 AM and flew from Midway by 9:10 Central, or 10:10 Eastern, could he have arrived in Miami for his 1:50 talk?

The flight time according to online flight time calculator is 2:07 at 550 MPH.

So even if he took off at 10:30 AM Eastern, he would have landed by 12:37 PM in Miami. That's more than one hour before he spoke.

It may be tight but perhaps that's how he got there.

[Leslie]

Regarding Obama being in church in Chicago in the morning on July 22 and appearing that afternoon in Miami

There was time for Obama to go to church in Chicago and make it to Miami for his talk.

Obama was in Iowa the day before...so perhaps he went home to Chicago for the night on Saturday.

The first Sunday Service at Trinity is at 7:30 AM. (Central)

Obama appeared in Miami at 1:50PM (he started 20 mins late). (Eastern) http://www.hispanicmpr.com/2007/07/31/clinton-obama-appearances-highlight-of-2007-nclr-conference/

If he left church by 8:45 AM and flew from Midway by 9:10 Central, or 10:10 Eastern, could he have arrived in Miami for his 1:50 talk?

The flight time according to online flight time calculator is 2:07 at 550 MPH. Includes 15 minutes for "bias"...so actual flight time could have been less, depending on winds.
http://www.airrouting.com/scripts/tdcalc.asp

So even if he took off at 10:30 AM Eastern, he would have landed by 12:37 PM in Miami. That's more than one hour before he spoke.

It may be tight but perhaps that's how he got there.

[Pete]

Of course it's possible to be in Miami the same day, especially if he was using a private jet. How could a journalist reporting on it last year and publishing the article last year get this wrong? Why didn't Obama correct the article last year? This is more nonsense coming out from the Obama campaign to cover his missteps.

[tommy]

Bottom line is that a person is not guilty by association. Please people let us think a little. who cares what his church sermon said. the fact is that he does not have the same beliefs. you would understand that if you read both his books.

[SoCalRefugee]

Trinity's services are typically 2 hours long. I'm not sure how many people would leave in the middle of a service rather than just avoiding it altogether

[Pat]

I have a dream. That one day people will realize that racism is a two way street (or six lane highway.). Then we will truely be created equal.

[RIch]

I believe that it's entirely possible that Barack Obama's prescient timing prevented him from ever sitting through any anti-white tirades. I am POSITIVE that every sermon he ever attended or nodded his head in agreement with was about uncharacteristically innocuous and non-controversial topics, like Baby Jesus or The Sermon on the Mount. He's just that fortunate!

[SusanL]

I find it inconceivable that Barrack Obama was not aware of Wright's views.

In thinking about this, how is Wright's behavior any different from what the Islamic extremists, like the Taliban, have said about America? Both are spewing hate and anger at the U.S., both are blaming America for the ills of their group, both are stirring up their followers. How is it different? It isn't, yet how is it that we the public are not more outraged by Wright's comments? Is it guilt? Can you just imagine if Wright was a Muslim? People would be calling for his head, not to mention the head of the presidential candidate he was the spiritual advisor to, mentor to.

Obama and Wright both depend on words to promote their agenda and move their followers, Obama just uses a different tone.

[Jimmy Ruffin]

I never hear of anything being anti-white. Can you give some other examples? I don't want to take a leap of logic.

[Ms J]

Obama thinks we are so stupid to believe he hever knew Wright's hateful speeches. Is he in la-la land? Have all of you Obama supporters gone nuts?
Whether he was THERE or not for that specific hate speech is NOT the point. I would bet ANYTHING that he has known about this for years. The tapes were sold in the Church, for G-d's sake! Even Oprah had the decency to stay away from this den of evil called the Trinity United Chuch of Christ.
And now we are hearing that this goes on in many Black Churches? How are we supposed to get united when this vile despicable speech is cheered by the crowds. And a possible president knows about this and never takes a stand. This Church sounds like they are too WEAK to stop these hateful anti American, anti white, anti-semetic rantings and end up as guilty by doing nothing, not to mention cheering . Let's call it like it is and stop making excuses!

[Ann]

You guys lie to easily.. Its so sad. Our economy is going to hell and we are worried about ministers.. To heck with you people.

[alicia]

Hillary has her own crazy Rev. problems too. This guy is a paid supporter in Harlem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtIqeV-6mk

[Leslie]

There was time for Obama to go to church in Chicago and make it to Miami for his talk.

Obama was in Iowa the day before...so perhaps he went home to Chicago for the night on Saturday.

The first Sunday Service at Trinity is at 7:30 AM. (Central)

Obama appeared in Miami at 1:50PM (he started 20 mins late). (Eastern)

If he left church by 8:45 AM and flew from Midway by 9:10 Central, or 10:10 Eastern, could he have arrived in Miami for his 1:50 talk?

The flight time according to online flight time calculator is 2:07 at 550 MPH.

So even if he took off at 10:30 AM Eastern, he would have landed by 12:37 PM in Miami. That's more than one hour before he spoke.

It may be tight but perhaps that's how he got there.

[lance sjogren]

While the Wright stuff is disturbing (contrary to the sentiments of the Kool-Aid drinking Obamaniacs), the fact is we have three really crappy candidates for President.

Personally, I still think Obama is not as bad a candidate as McCain.

And I'm a Republican.

[ty]

I would have thought that when one donates tens of thousands of dollars to the church, that one would get the 'Best Of' dvds as a premium or thank you. That way the sermons can be enjoyed in the privacy of one's home again and again.

[Justamom]

How any real journalist would give Newsmax the time of day is beyond belief?

Because of BO our country is being afforded the opportunity to look into our past, to examine our own personal views of faith and faith based institutions, and discover various theologies surrounding them. Because of BO our country is being allowed an opportunity to dream, create, and actualize, a yet to be written future. Will we turn the page? Will we write a new chapter or will we continue to repeat the patterns of the past that have us strapped to predictability. It is evident that this blog has chosen the latter.

Obama is not he; is Obama Pastor Wright? No.
Has Obama intelligently, mindfully and through faith in his creator been able to become his own person? The answer, to me, is “Yes.”
Taking bits and pieces of our history, good and bad, our heritage, our upbringing, influences of media and culture, haven’t we all been allowed to become our own persons. Am I bound by my parent’s words? Am I bound by the words of another? Was it out of line? Sure, but who drew or draws the line. As a ready and fully capable leader Obama has drawn that line. No one else has. He has spoken it in his interviews and statements. Has anyone listened? HRC could have done something similar and proactive with Ferraro’s comments. Something as serious as Ferraro’s comments should have been addressed mindfully instead she poo-poo'd them and GF. Allowed GF to make her rounds in the MSM... HRC threw her under the bus; is this the type of action we want to see in a POTUS? Or was it a calculated and strategical move/tactic?


Much of Rev. Wright’s statements are theological and philosophical arguments. I think some were sarcasm leading to humor to retain the attention of his congregation.

“Euro centrist,” is a true and real concept. It is no secret. Historically speaking the treatment of blacks is no different than that of the treatment of Jews by Hitler. Do we hide it? Racial prejudices are real but is the fight to be fought the fight of the past.

I see a great emphasis on, “false-pride,” in our country. I saw it in one of Rev. Wright’s statements and have to keep myself from allowing false pride to fester.

Rev. Wright’s, “GD America.” I would have been more comfortable with a statement closer to lifting up America or a plea for prayer for our country rather than against it. Obama has been speaking of lifting up or a hand up. These are Obama’s words. I have heard similar words in my family and so have many others. Geez! ...a retired WWII vet, who later worked for companies with defense contracts. This same man had told us all to not bring any more children into this world while explaining in front of his own two children that they were accidents. He was an Uncle. Barack has said that there should be no tolerance for statements such as these. Rev. Wright may have crossed a few lines yes but Obama addressed these specifically and with dignity and class. The other question is did he lie. I do not believe he did. He said he was aware of specific statements at the beginning of his campaign. The overall tone of the church is not defined in these cherry picked statements. Did his staff dig deep enough through every sermon? Hmmmmm...30 years of sermons or should they have gone through 20 years of sermons? My goodness how long would that take…

Look in the mirror folks. YouTube: atlas talking about toxic. Hagee; talking about toxic, What about Francis Schaeffer -- denouncing America and calling for the violent overthrow of the US government, and he was invited to lunch with presidents Ford, Reagan and Bush, Sr.

I can’t help but think that these few heated words of Rev. Wright and the dialogue and controversy they are creating are a gift. I embrace the dialogue and hope to see something good come out of it. Exactly when who knows... Obviously not now.

Obama continues to prove himself a strong and capable leader throughout this campaign. Is vetting is good? Why is it not happening to all other candidates and while they are at it why not vet all the major American religious institutions. The Pope today, “Enough of the violence in Iraq.” Let's get it all out folks.

Another attempt to brand the man a, "Liar." First Nafta-gate and now Church-gate.

The Nafta spin before the March 4 primaries allowed by all MSM equates to complete failure. So eager to be the first with the, "breaking," news or as Faux news puts it up, "Alert, Alert, Alert." Be on "Alert" people! (see factcheck.org Nafta-gate) Obama admitted a mistake on his part. The only mistake was the timing of the communication. It was pure timing but they got their sound-byte and that was all that mattered. I like how Obama slows things down a bit. He is mindful in his responses and dialogue. We could all think before we think a little more.
Oh ya, is he still a muslim-terrorist out to destroy the world? and How's Pinky and the Brain doin' Anyone? Haven't been keepin up on that one.

Newsmax is nothing but a 527 in disguise. This is the last time I will acknowledge or even allow myself to be part of the desperate attention seeking behavior of Newsmax.

[jdf]

Are we to believe the Reverend Wright only ever said offensive things when Obama was absent the church. Just how frequently did Obama attend services? The question has broader implications as to Obama's character, use of the church to promote his political career, political expediency and political positions, including opposition to the Iraq war. From what basis was his "opposition" to the war derived. To what extent will liberation theology guide him as president. All legitimate questions since the resume is so thin and we know so little else about the candidate.

[KO]

Could he not of been in the two places in one day. "WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY"!!!!!! Services in the morning to get your racist, America hating blood flowing, then off to Miami? Something to think about!

[Sampson S. Kamit]

I have been a democrat all my life. i can't believe that all you democrats can have the wool pulled over you eyes by a slick talking motivational speaker with no political experience like Barack Obama. Well the chickens are coming home to roost. All you bleeding heart Obama Liberals, now can support a candidate who is part of a ministry that openly states "God Damn America" and calls us murderers. Rev. Wright and those of his supporters who agree with slamming the US and their fellow citizens, should pack up thirr bags and ggo to a country they don'. Are you latte sipping Obama liberals so dumb as to believe that Obama never sat in on any these sermons. If you do, you better ask your colleges for a refund. Better switch to Hillary, because if you don't, you'll be singing hail to the chief to John McCain.

[KO]

Who cares if he as there on July 22?????? He's been there for the last 20 years!!!! Whenever someone insuates that he may have islamic views, he is very quick to defend himself by bein an active member of this church for the last 25 years!! He's had a relationship with the reverend for the last 25 years! What....he didn't know his pastor is racist and anit-american??? Come on, grow up!

[cosmosis]

Ronald Kessler is a proven liar. He is lying again. Obama was campaigning and not in attendance. Correct your story containing Kessler's lie.

[Sampson S. Kamit]

I have been a democrat all my life. i can't believe that all you democrats can have the wool pulled over your eyes by a slick talking motivational speaker with no political experience like Barack Obama. Well the chickens are coming home to roost. All you bleeding heart Obama Liberals, now can support a candidate who is part of a ministry that openly states "God Damn America" and calls us murderers. Rev. Wright and those of his supporters who agree with slamming the US and their fellow citizens, should pack up their bags and go to a country they don't damn.. Are you latte sipping Obama liberals so dumb as to believe that Obama never sat in on any these sermons. If you do, you better ask your colleges for a refund. Better switch to Hillary; because if you don't, you'll be singing hail to the chief to John McCain.

[nazcalito]

So all they have is Davis' word that Obama attended the July 22, 2007 sermon? Didn't Davis keep any notes, documentation, calls to people, etc? And why does the story not come out until now? And why does Davis say he attended several of Wright's sermons in the Sundays before that one, but has to explain to the big black man at the door why he is there on July 22? Where is the group of Secret Service agents around Obama in the video of the sermon? Seems like a bunch of Secret Service agents would be conspicuous. But most of all -- Fox must have bought all the videos of Wright's sermons by now, so if Wright is continually cussing out society, why is it that they have only come up with about three sermons or so where Wright is saying anything worth mentioning on TV?

[InkSlayer]

Barack was in both Chicago and Miami on July 22, 2007:

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/tracker/dates/2007/jul/22/

--------------------------

From the website of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, services are scheduled:

Sunday 7:30 a.m. CST, 11:00 a.m. CST and 6:00 p.m. CST

--------------------------

Barack was in Miami to give a speech at 1:30 PM but he didn't show up till 1:50 P.M.

http://www.hispanicmpr.com/2007/07/31/clinton-obama-appearances-highlight-of-2007-nclr-conference/

"Many attendees walked from Hall B across the large Miami Beach Convention Center, to stand in line in Hall D where Obama was scheduled to speak at 1:30 pm. The audience waited impatiently until 1:50 when Janet Murguía, president and CEO, NCLR and Maria Pesqueira of Mujeres Latinas en Accion, an NCLR affiliate, welcomed Obama enthusiastically."

--------------------------

Even if he was at the 11:00 A.M. service, ducked out early, he’d have about two hours to show up to give his speech at 1:50 P.M.

You have to ask - why would a reporter write that he say him at a service a year ago before any of this mattered much?

(Actually, the original Newsmax account of the service described was published last August and is linked to here. According to Newsmax, Obama spokesmen declined several opportunities to comment at the time. The service description takes on new relevance only in light of more recent statements by the senator that he never witnessed such racial or anti-American statements in church or private.)

[Ann]

Please report the fact that both Newsmax and Bill Kristol from the NYT acknowledged their errors. Their articles were wrong.

(Talking about Newsmax only, since that's what we referenced, their statement actually does not acknowledge errors but specifically says it stands by its account of the service and the senator's presence, which we have also noted. Thanks for keeping us on our toes.)

[George S.]

To be sure, Rev Jeremiah Wright mercifully and most felicitously freed many white of their reserve and discomfort in expressing their racial feelings openly, and their opposition to Mr. Obama as just another political representative of black interest, since now that the Reverend has convincingly shown the entire world that black can be as racist as white. Those white now feel completely justified, almost vindictively, to vote against the "racist" Obama.

Mr. Obama, of course, unwisely waited till it was too late to dissociate himself from the Reverend, thus unwittingly giving those bigoted white the "formal" evidence of his undeniable association with racist black. Mr. Obama's supporters certainly could argue that those white would have voted against him anyway, but it is not quite the same thing, since now those white can go to any pubic place (or forums such as this) and talk comfortably about their racial opposition to Mr. Obama because of his "racism," which will undoubtedly swing some moderate white into the anti-Obama camp on the suspicion of his "hidden racial agenda."

I am not concerned about Mr. Obama's so-called "race" (he has none). He is bi-racial; his "blackness" is the result of his conscious attempt to find a racial identity with a race. Whether that attempt had come about as a result of genuine personal need to belong to a community or political calculation to further his personal ambition remains to be seen (or to be debated by future historians).

Unlike most "mono-racial" people who are tossed into a racial basket from the day one, bi-racial people have to consciously decide (or not decide) on their racial identity, yet never being completely comfortable about their decisions. Mr. Obama is no different (in fact some black accuse him of his "fake blackness," which undoubtedly angers him, but deep down in his heart he knows his identity will always be an attempt). Thus, people who talk about Mr. Obama being black or people who see his bi-racial background as a symbol of racial unity are both wrong. Mr. Obama, in spite of his political posturing and formal identity with black community, is really his own man, his own "race," wherein lies the hope and danger of Barack Obama.

The hope, of course, is that he genuinely believes (his association with Rev Wright notwithstanding) that he can help bring about greater racial harmony and unity to this country (the altruistic vision quest thing); the danger is that he is using all this racial wishful thinking to further his own personal ambition that has more to do with his search for fulfilling his self needs (the ego trip thing, with Rev Wright and his congregation being just a means to his ambition, although now having outlived their usefulness a bit too long).

My concern is Mr. Obama the man, not his race, and on this account, as I watch him closely, particularly his body language and manner of speech (which actually reveal more about a person's psychological makeup than what one says in public), unfortunately I am more convinced than ever that he is on the trip rather than on the quest. Undoubtedly he is a man of great intelligence, full of moral indignation and idealistic utterances, not unlike the now disgraced Eliot Spitzer, but also of great cunning with compulsive need for personal power. He belongs to a rare breed of men who can look into your eyes with not a slightest flutter of his eyelids while telling you lies quoting the Holy Scriptures (no, there is no point in talking about his being a Moslem, Christian, etc; he is his own religion)

Barack Obama publicly confessed last Friday night. He confessed in front of a TV audience that he had never seen his spiritual mentor, Rev Jeremiah Wright, going into his rabid anti-American tirade in 20 years of his association with the Reverend until, that is, he saw him on TV the night before. There are reports that a man resembling Barack Obama had been seen at some of those raving anti-American sermons of Rev Wright.

Last Friday night Obama confessed: He is a liar. As he spoke to millions of Americans, his eyes were looking straight into the camera, with not a flutter on his eyelids. This man is not a visionary, not a uniter as he claims, but another ambitious public man in search of personal power at people’s expense, undoubtedly more intelligent, more convincing; thus, more dangerous.

Hopefully what Abraham Lincoln once said will become the parting epitaph for Obama's attempt at his ego-fulfillment as pubic service before it is too late for America:

"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time."

[Denise]

He is going to have to deal with this and if he keeps trying to "explain it away" that will only leave a bad taste (if it hasn't already). Can you imagine if EITHER of the other candidates were deeply immeshed with a person or organization that was saying this about another group? (Doesn't even have to be blacks. Jews, women, Hispanics, Chinese, etc. ANY OTHER group and that person would be DONE)

[beebop]

Some of you excusists sound like Chemical Ali .... I know that you want to believe. I know that it is difficult to face up to the fact that he is an empty suit pol and that he uses people and casts them aside to get to where he wants to go, but take each sermon. Every time you hear the word "black," substitute it with the word "white." Every time you hear the word "white," substitute the word "black." People marched and died in the 60's so that Jeremiah Wright could say what he says and Barack Obama can believe what he does. And if that's what floats their boats -- more power to them. But. By his own history, he is not the right man -- black, white or brown -- to live in the People's House and do the People's Business.

[nazcalito]

Leslie -- maybe Obama could have attended a 7:30 am sermon in Chicago and made a 1:50 pm appearance in Miami but if you had a 1:30 pm speaking engagement in Miami, would you attend the sermon when, if it was that important to you, you could just order the tape? A campaign appearance, maybe, but not a sermon. I'd be surprised if Obama's attended more than a handful of sermons since his campaign started.

[nazcalito]

Leslie -- maybe Obama could have attended a 7:30 am sermon in Chicago and made a 1:50 pm appearance in Miami but if you had a 1:30 pm speaking engagement in Miami, would you attend the sermon when, if it was that important to you, you could just order the tape? A campaign appearance, maybe, but not a sermon. I'd be surprised if Obama's attended more than a handful of sermons since his campaign started.

[Paul]

Sorry folks, but the truth of this story is irrelevant. Any preacher that spews hate like that doesn't do it once, twice, or even 100 times in 20 years. The fact is that Obama used this type of mentality to get where he was in predominately black, liberal Chicago. Now that he is on the national stage, he must recreate himself. Is he truly racist? I don't know, but I can tell you that he won't be president in November. If a white candidate were in this situation with a 'white power' reverend, I as a white person wouldn't vote for him because of it. Racism divides and it's too serious to elect someone when his true beliefs are unknown. There goes "hope" out the window.

[Radio Head]

Hey, just because it didn't happen doesn't mean it didn't happen! Rovians have always claimed the right to create their own facts. Why should this election be any different than the last two? Newsmax like rools, dudes.

Has anyone been around a presidential candidate?
I used to live in NH, and they're not hard to spot with the secret service detail.

Check out the author's response above. (3:45am)

Of course Obama could have gone to church in Chicago and been in Miami the same day with his private jet and police escort!

He was in Iowa the day before!

And though Newsmax has a right-wing slant, it doesn't make everything it reports a lie. We need all the truthful reporting we can get from both sides of the discussion.