Let’s put the Obama/Wright flap in context

[TheDoorbellRang]

I must preface this by saying that I was not one who was outraged by the snippets from Rev. Wright's sermons. As someone else so aptly put it: Which is worse? A black minister condemning America for its hate, or a white minister condemning America for not hating enough?

But for those who were deeply offended, here's something else to remember:

Let’s put the Obama/Wright flap in context

By Bill Allen | Monday, March 24, 2008, 03:51 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution


Let’s talk about Barack Obama. He’s been in the news a lot lately, concerning comments made by his minister, Jeremiah Wright.

A few caveats. I am not an Obama apologist. Nor is my intention here to make Obama your candidate, or to say why he shouldn’t be your candidate.

<snip>

Soundbites from You Tube about Reverend Wright’s comments has been the center of media attention lately. What’s lost in the comments is the context under which they were made. Talk show hosts won’t talk about that. It cuts into their “moneymaking” time. They are, after all, entertainers. Much in the same way that professional wrestlers are entertainers.

In wrestling, a little physical activity and a lot of manipulating the audience’s emotions make for a successful multimillion dollar enterprise.

Same with talk shows. A little political fact, and a lot of manipulating the audience’s emotions make for a multibillion-dollar enterprise.

My point is that if you’re going to base your opinion about the viability of the candidate because you accept as gospel, what a reasonably intelligent entertainer says, be he a talk show host or a charismatic preacher, then shame on you.

more...


http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/duluthtalk/entries/2008/03/24/lets_put_the_ob.html

This is for those who would like a little more context with their snippets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ "American chickens..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvMbeVQj6Lw "God Damn America"

[Karenina]

1. Marking...

:popcorn:

[screembloodymurder]

2. MSM is conducting a public lynching of Obama.

It's a travesty.

[TheDoorbellRang]

3. I have two reasons to feel hopeful about this

1) There really are some striking similarities between Obama and Lincoln's runs for the presidency:

The fear smear was used against Lincoln, too. The fledgling Republican party of the time was called sneeringly the Black Republican party (scary black people!11!1). Opponents tried to tie Lincoln in with John Brown at Harper's Ferry (scary terrorists!11!!1). Lincoln diffused all of this with reason, logic, and ... ahem ... lots n lots of speeches (Lincoln-Douglas debates; Cooper Union speech). The new technology of the time -- telegraphs -- helped Lincoln's words spread from coast to coast. Obama has taken great advantage of our new technology -- the internet.

2) I read recently that 54% of Americans now get most of their news from the internet -- they don't trust the M$M to give them all the facts.

[bhikkhu]

5. I have one more reason to be hopeful, today

My boss is a dyed in the wool Repub, hates the Clintons, Kerry, Gore, ("phonys and liars") listens to Rush and watches Fox, supported Bush up until the last year of bad war and economy news. His original position on Obama was that he seemed like a nice guy, but after the Wright thing broke I asked him again and he was livid, didn't even want to talk about it.

I have talked with him about the context of Wright's sermons a bit since, and today talking about Wright's marine record and his service and picture with LBJ my boss finally agreed that it was terrible that things could be twisted so much out of context and a pastor so used by the media.

He's a guaranteed McCain voter, but he is giving Obama another chance as far as earning his trust, which is a very good thing.

[Zodiak]

4. Two critical arguments settle the matter for me.

1. No man should be held accountable for something his preacher said. His preacher is not running for office.

2. The statements were taken completely out of context for the purpose of manipulating the emotions of the audience.

The rest is just so much crap to me.

I am glad that Obama had a chance to give a memorable speech over the issue, though. At least something good came out of this shameless, race-baiting spectacle.

[GeorgeGist]

6. 2 points ...

1. Obama uses Christianity to advance his candidacy.
2. His guilt by association with Christianity is fair game.

[XemaSab]

7. Thanks for posting these videos-- Hadn't seen the "America's Chickens" one

The more I see of Pastor Wright the more I love Pastor Wright and I LOVE Obama for standing by him and faithfully attending his church for 20 years.

[Chisox08]

8. If people listened to what Rev. Wright was saying.

Faux News wouldn't have anything to smear Obama with. Also Rev. Wright was saying God damn America he was saying God Damn America if it keeps going down the path it is going. He was saying God Damn America if we continue killing innocent people, mistreating fellow Americans. Rev Wright said what he said because he loves America and wants it to change it ways.