Obama's Speech

[Fitswimmer]

It only has to be said ONCE why can't you understand that? The first time a pastor/priest/rabbi/whomever said it I would have (and have) walked out.

Wow, you must be in that perfect church I always hear about-the one with the Perfect Pastor! He never says anything that might offend anyone! He never comments on political or social issues!

You'd better get ready for an influx of worshippers-everyone is going to have to belong to that Church now.

 

[mickman1962]

I so agree, and thanks, you said it so well.

I just don't get the harping on 20 years with this pastor. I have only seen 3 sermons highlighted, it isn't as if he preached this each and every week. I can understand belonging to a church for a lot of different reasons. I can also understand the anger that some blacks still have. I think if I had been treated that way I would be angry too. I'm angry that blacks are still treated as second class citizens in many ways.

I am not blind, and I do not drink the kool-aid but I have had an opportunity to see what life is like for blacks in the south. I can not even begin to understand the many things they have dealt with, but I am trying. We could all use a little more tolerance and a lot less vitriol.

He only has to preach it ONCE.

 

[lilyv]

It's sad that Barack has lost your support based off of 45 years of service given to Rev Wright's community, 15 years of which have been taped via audio or video and less than 1 minute worth of sound bites have changed your mind. All those years and 1 minute changed your mind. That's sad. I wonder if you were really a supporter from the jump? Did you know that whites attend that church? Where Wright's statements RACIST or politically incorrect? Since whites are members and attended regularly - calling that Church racist is simply not true. But when you hear it on Fox News enough, you start to believe it. And who is drinking kool aid?

Making an educated vote for or against someone takes hearing the whole sermon in context, have you? Are you so emotional that the first sign of trouble you just ship? Listen to the Audacity of Hope Sermon, then make an educated decision about Barack. See if Wright is racist. That sermon is available on you tube. It will not cost you a dime. Make up your own mind then, don’t allow news media with Sound bites make up your mind. Make an educated decision.

Your post says it all. We can choose to consider the totality, or we can decide we know it all based on a few sound bites.

 

[LoraJ]

Thanks for your very thoughtful post. I think that those who truly want to understand, will.

That's the problem, they don't want to understand.

 

[luvmy3]

Wow, you must be in that perfect church I always hear about-the one with the Perfect Pastor! He never says anything that might offend anyone! He never comments on political or social issues!

You'd better get ready for an influx of worshippers-everyone is going to have to belong to that Church now.

Believe it or not there are actually churches where priests, rabbis, pastors, keep politics out of their sermons and their churches.

 

[JoanneNC]

I am the poster that said it. I do think it's a bribe. Like a parent who gives their child candy so they won't notice the doctor about to administer a shot. "Here's some shiny money America! Don't pay any attention to what is going on behind you!"

And you can keep me out of your thoughts and prayers thank you very much. Thoughts and prayers don't really do a whole lot in the face of IEDs.

As a military wife of 19 years and many deployments under "our" belts - all I can just say is that I am glad that I am not as miserable as you. I support our military and their mission and I have LOST close friends to IED's and while I honestly realize that "thoughts" and "prayers" won't physically save a soldier from an IED - it's ungrateful and almost hateful for you to return such an unappreciative comment back.

While many can't argue that this war was a mistake - it's our bed and we are now forced to lie in it - but don't belittle the support that our troops are getting.....They need to know that Americans are thinking of them and praying for them, as this keeps them going

 

[kribit]

I am the poster that said it. I do think it's a bribe. Like a parent who gives their child candy so they won't notice the doctor about to administer a shot. "Here's some shiny money America! Don't pay any attention to what is going on behind you!"

And you can keep me out of your thoughts and prayers thank you very much. Thoughts and prayers don't really do a whole lot in the face of IEDs.

Ok - I disagree that is the reason for the stimulus package but I won't argue with you. I'm very sorry for what you are going through with your husband being away.

 

[va32h]

As a military wife of 19 years and many deployments under "our" belts - all I can just say is that I am glad that I am not as miserable as you. I support our military and their mission and I have LOST close friends to IED's and while I honestly realize that "thoughts" and "prayers" won't physically save a soldier from an IED - it's ungrateful and almost hateful for you to return such an unappreciative comment back.

While many can't argue that this war was a mistake - it's our bed and we are now forced to lie in it - but don't belittle the support that our troops are getting.....They need to know that Americans are thinking of them and praying for them, as this keeps them going

Thoughts and prayers are lip service. I am supporting our troops by advocating for a government that will not send them off, ill-equipped, to die in a pointless war.

 

[lilyv]

That's the problem, they don't want to understand.

It's painful to watch, but I admit it's educational. There is an undercurrent of fear, and that fear is based not on fact, but on conjecture. Some of these folks don't want to listen, because they've found finally found their issue-a few sound bites. Phew!! Now they can stand tall and strong and demand that a minority not be considered to be our President.

 

[mickman1962]

I'm 40 years old. I've heard numbers 1-7 and 9 &10 my whole life.
Why is it wrong for people to recognize that there are major issues in their community that needs to be addressed? Why is wrong for them to work toward solving the problems that exist?

People complain about the lazy welfare moms having baby after baby.
People complain about the number of black males in prison.
People complain about single parent homes.
People complain about the drop out rate.
People complain about teen pregnancy.
People complain if you look toward the government to solve these problems.

Now you have the nerve to complain because someone is saying solve the problem yourself.

How are these things any different from what Bill Cosby, Connell West, Michael Dyson, Travis Smiley... are all saying?

Why is it ok for Bill Cosby to say, but not someone else?

I don't agree with numbers 8, 11 or 12.

I also agree that the tapes of Wright’s speeches are awful.

If you read my previous post, I gave Bill Cosby credit. He is telling blacks to stop blaming everyone and make a better life for yourselves. Nobody is going to hand you anything, but make the best of what is given. My white son will be going to college this fall (I am paying full tuition) while according to college records the average "African American" will be paying 25% of what I will pay for my son. Stop whining about opportunity and educate yourselves while you get a virtual free ride.

 

[transparant]

As a military wife of 19 years and many deployments under "our" belts - all I can just say is that I am glad that I am not as miserable as you. I support our military and their mission and I have LOST close friends to IED's and while I honestly realize that "thoughts" and "prayers" won't physically save a soldier from an IED - it's ungrateful and almost hateful for you to return such an unappreciative comment back.

While many can't argue that this war was a mistake - it's our bed and we are now forced to lie in it - but don't belittle the support that our troops are getting.....They need to know that Americans are thinking of them and praying for them, as this keeps them going

I agree, that is a sad thing to say when people sincerely offer prayers. I know I for one don't care if thoughts or prayers aren't wanted - it won't stop me from constantly keeping every single member of our military in my thoughts and prayers. I know my own nephew who is deployed(USMC)always ends his emails to us "As always, thank you for your thoughts and prayes - we are grateful"

 

[chobie]

It's painful to watch, but I admit it's educational. There is an undercurrent of fear, and that fear is based not on fact, but on conjecture. Some of these folks don't want to listen, because they've found finally found their issue-a few sound bites. Phew!! Now they can stand tall and strong and demand that a minority not be considered to be our President.

These few minutes are a deal-breaker for some would-be Obama voters. That is quite the eye-opener for me about what are the things that people find absolotely unforgivable. While I deplore the comments, I can think of many worse things that can come out of voting for McCain

 

[JoanneNC]

If you read my previous post, I gave Bill Cosby credit. He is telling blacks to stop blaming everyone and make a better life for yourselves. Nobody is going to hand you anything, but make the best of what is given. My white son will be going to college this fall (I am paying full tuition) while according to college records the average "African American" will be paying 25% of what I will pay for my son. Stop whining about opportunity and educate yourselves while you get a virtual free ride.

What justification is given for the "discount"

 

[Fitswimmer]

Believe it or not there are actually churches where priests, rabbis, pastors, keep politics out of their sermons and their churches.

I believe in the possibility, but I've never known anyone who has attended one before. I've never had a Priest endorse a candidate, but I've certainly heard Priests address church teaching on social issues like abortion, stem cell research, gay marriage, divorce and the war. Doesn't mean I agree with all of them, but I've heard them. I've never heard outright hatred in my church, but I have seen and heard many preachers teach hate for Muslims, gays, feminists and pretty much anyone who doesn't believe the same way they do. Those ministers hold revivals and rallies that draw thousands of people-are all those people supporters of every word those preachers say?

I just don't buy that. I think that adult worshippers are fully capable of understanding when a minister crosses the line, explaining to their children that the minister crossed the line and FORGIVING that minister for crossing the line. I believe adult worshippers can separate the teachings of the Church and when the Preacher is talking about the Christian life from social commentary-and they can explain that to their children.

 

[LohKee]

Well, how many Sundays did he say it? And what was he saying other days?

No offense, but what are you learning in church? I ask because I have read your anti gay sentiments on the board many threads regarding homosexuality. I have seen you defend your hateful stance on the subject so vehemently that I actually had to step back, look at my views on gay people and ask God to forgive me because i saw the monster I was in your post.

Again, I'm not trying to offend you at all Joe, but I must ask are your views that you hold so strongly also the views of your Pastor? Did your family disassociate themselves from you because of your harsh views on homosexuality?

 

[DawnCt1]

As a military wife of 19 years and many deployments under "our" belts - all I can just say is that I am glad that I am not as miserable as you. I support our military and their mission and I have LOST close friends to IED's and while I honestly realize that "thoughts" and "prayers" won't physically save a soldier from an IED - it's ungrateful and almost hateful for you to return such an unappreciative comment back.

While many can't argue that this war was a mistake - it's our bed and we are now forced to lie in it - but don't belittle the support that our troops are getting.....They need to know that Americans are thinking of them and praying for them, as this keeps them going

Well said, DH has 28 years with deployments, my brother has 27 years and is on his second Afghanistan deployment. We too support our military and the mission.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Thoughts and prayers are lip service. I am supporting our troops by advocating for a government that will not send them off, ill-equipped, to die in a pointless war.

It's why I left the Republican party, it's why I have donated time and $ to Democratic candidates. I was a participant in getting GW into office and allowing him to start this war-something that haunts me daily. I will NOT be a participant in it's continuation.

 

[djm99]

Some of you are such hypercritics, for every person that wants to hold Obama so desperately to Wright words have Friends and Family with racist and prejudice views. Sometimes you laugh; most times when you disagree you MIGHT say something. But that doesn't stop you from being your neighbors friends, having play dates, breaking bread with that same Friend or family member at Thanksgiving or Christmas. MOST of the time, you ignore it. Should you be held to the same standard as Barack? Are you a racist? Are you prejudice? Are you really the company you periodically keep? I state periodically, because I've had the same Paster for 13 years. He married my husband and I and baptized my daughter, and will baptize the baby I'm carrying. Does that make me the thoughts of my minister? A black Republican. A man who talks periodically about politics. Politics that I adamantly disagree with. I'm I my minister thoughts? Thoughts I disagree with? Should I have left when I disagreed with him?

Some of you are being unreasonable and LOOKING for a reason NOT to vote for Obama. Since you couldn't find something directly on Obama, a associate was the next best thing. Be honest, Obama wasn't getting your vote anyway, before you had no excuse, now ya got one.

 

[DawnCt1]

I apologize if this has been said before, but I heard a quote from Obama's book regarding his grandmother. Apparently she didn't express fear of "all black men", but one in particular who threatened to mug her while he was panhandling if she didn't give him money. I am sure she would have felt threatened under those circumstances regardless of race or ethnicity. Knowing that, I do feel that Obama through Grandma under the bus.

 

[wvjules]

It's painful to watch, but I admit it's educational. There is an undercurrent of fear, and that fear is based not on fact, but on conjecture. Some of these folks don't want to listen, because they've found finally found their issue-a few sound bites. Phew!! Now they can stand tall and strong and demand that a minority not be considered to be our President.

Wow, so you're saying that anyone that doesn't vote for Obama isn't doing so because he's a black man? That's extremely insultiing. Race nor Gender enter into who I plan to vote for as President.

BTW, thanks for your support on the other thread.