Barack's minister and Gov. Spitzer's whore
Two comments on my blog about public apologies. I love all comments on what I write, even negative ones. They mean the reader cares enough to take the time to answer.
So the first responder was very kind, and asked what I think of Barack Obama's former preacher in light of my take of public apologies. I'll respond to that in a minute.
The other comment was a rant against former NY Gov. and whoremaster, Eliot Spitzer. It makes me sad when public misbehavior like this, or greed for money by a government official, causes people to smear all public servants, and government itself.
You have to be 60 like me to remember when John Kennedy presented politics and public service as noble callings, and government as an institution that tells the truth and works in our interest. Lyndon Johnson lied when he ran as a peace candidate in 1964 while he was planning secretly to escalate the Vietnam War. And then Nixon drove a truck through our belief in government itself.
"We get the government we deserve," NY Mayor Jimmy Walker said on his way to federal prison. When you expect nothing, you're never disappointed. When you expect conspiracies, dirty dealing and immorality, you'll always find it.
My feelings about Obama and his minister are complicated. People, who know nothing about Rev. Wright (including me) except those racist clips that have been repeated endlessly, have found him guilty of race hatred, or treason.
How responsible is a person for the outrageous comments of his friend? Black rage is real and based on experiences that really happened. They usually keep it hidden from white people. In his speech, Obama tried to explain it in historical context while disowning the hateful comments of his friend. I admire him for that. That's difficult for anyone to explain, and extremely risky for a black presidential candidate. I also admire him for telling us more about Rev. Wright than the sound bites in explaining why they became friends.
White rage is OK. Tune in one day to Rush Limbaugh and hear the racist things he says about Obama on a regular basis to 20 million listeners. But white people are afraid of black anger and angry black men. That's what Obama was addressing seriously, and urging us to continue that discussion without fear or blame or defensiveness or guilt.
A guy who would speak so honestly and eloquently about such a basic rip in our social fabric deserves to be president.
Good Point But....
I could probably never agree with your assessment of racism in America or the implication of the black "experience" but I can tell you this, if people play the victim, they will always be the victim.
I met an Iraqi man recently on my travels who had just become a citizen. His joy was overwhelming and his words were: "I can be anything or anyone I want to be here, I can strive for a better life and live free. I will be successful". I believe that he will because we are still the land of opportunity. The issue is that you have to seize the moment and take that opportunity.
Reverend Wright and people like him who preach...yes...hatred do little for the people in their flock. Instead they open wounds of the past, either real or perceived and stir the pot. That is a waste of the little precious time that we have on Earth. The racism of the past does not exist today. Progress on race relations have improved exponentially over the last four decades. We should be well beyond the kind of poison rhetoric that Wright speaks.
The fact is that Reverend Wright made those comments is just that, a fact. The fact that Obama stated on Saturday that he was never there and never heard the comments and then on Tuesday stated that he was there and heard those comments is just that, a fact.
I listen to all sides of the debate and attempt to keep an open mind; dismissing preconceived notions of what I am about to hear...no matter that individual. However, I am not sure that we listened to the same speech, Ken.
Black rage should not be excused by experiences that really happened. Should rage against women by men or vice versa be excused by experiences that really happened. Of should rage by whites against blacks be excused because someone was mugged or taunted in a black neighborhood or called a "cracker" in a restaurant. I think not.
If one uses the excuse of history, then that is just as insidious and dangerous if that history causes racial strife and a divide between Americans.
Ken, I had a very bad speech impediment as a child and teen. I was taunted by peers and it held me back earlier in life. It was very painful but today I do not harbor resentment for those who taunted me or passed me over for a promotion or laughed as I struggled to get words out. I have no hatred towards anyone involved in my difficulty. I hold no rage by that experience that really happened.
Obama mentioned that Reverend Wright does such good and has been charitable and helps his flock at the church, etc. All of that is admirable but the bottom line is that what Wright said and the fact that Obama did not effectively address those comments and distance himself from his mentor leaves one wondering if Wrights view is Obamas view.
Obama is very eloquent and whether or not he is sincere or honest is still a question. More important, what Obama will do and his policy stances should supercede race and eloquence.
He handled himself well during that speech but left many unanswered questions including, 'who is Obama?"
I do appreciate being called kind in my question on your previous blog and it was meant as a kind question. BTW-Your Spitzer analysis was right on the mark!!!
Your Points
A couple of points Justin. Those snippets total over 17 hours when they are all analyzed. Those sermons and others are available for purchase (or were available) from the church.
I will say that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. What I mean is that the news outlets take snippets from many Republicans and they are taken as gospel without "researching and investigating."
You see a lack of research by the media everywhere. Take global warming; most media sources never report the other side. The media is agenda driven but I am not sure that you can blame this one on the media.
Wright said those things and there is no denying that. If he made comments about GLBT agenda, your opinion might be different.
Think about this for a minute, Justin, imagine who has the most to gain by this. It is not the media and it is not Republicans...it is Hillary Clinton. We should check there for the source of the information.
Good points
Hi Ken,
Great points, and I agree regarding the Wright controversy. I've been pretty disappointed with the national media in the sense that they've really only reported on the snippets of Wright's comments found in YouTube videos. I haven't seen any major news outlets actually researching and investigating the other 30 or so years of Wright's sermons, to see if this was a pattern or simply a few heated moments over the course of a long career as a pastor. I thought that the media was actually supposed to investigate stories... I guess not.
I think under the circumstances that Obama handled the situation well. We'll have to wait and see what kind of effect this has on the election in the long run, though.
~Justin