Rev. Wright Fights Back

Obama's Ex-Pastor Defends Controversial Statements, Says Criticism Over Sermons Is Attack On Black Church

(CBS/AP)  In a defiant appearance before the Washington media, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright said Monday that criticism surrounding his fiery sermons is an attack on the black church and rejected those who have labeled him unpatriotic.

"I served six years in the military," Barack Obama's longtime pastor said. "Does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?"

Wright spoke at the National Press Club before the Washington media and a supportive audience of black church leaders beginning a two-day symposium.

He said the black church tradition is not bombastic or controversial, but different and misunderstood by the "dominant culture" in the United States.

He said his Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago has a long history of liberating the oppressed by feeding the hungry, supporting recovery for the addicted and helping senior citizens in need. He said congregants have fought in the military, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"My goddaughter's unit just arrived in Iraq this week while those who call me unpatriotic have used their positions of privilege to avoid military service while sending over 4,000 American boys and girls to die over a lie," he said.

Wright said he hopes the controversy will have a positive outcome and spark an honest dialogue about race in America. Wright says black church traditions are still "invisible" to many Americans, as they have been throughout the country's history.

He said he hopes "the most recent attack on the black church - it is not an attack on Jeremiah Wright - it's an attack on the black church," he said to applause, "just might mean that the reality of the African-American church will no longer be invisible."

"Rev. Wright is calling for a continued conversation about race and religion, one which Obama himself began in a much-heralded speech last month," said CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs. "But it's quite a different discussion when led by a preacher and not a presidential candidate and one that can’t be helpful to Obama's campaign." (Read more from Ververs on Wright.)

Videos clips of Wright's sermons, circulated widely on television and the Internet, knocked Obama's presidential campaign off-stride. The Illinois Democrat distanced himself from the comments of Wright, whom he has known for 20 years.

In a sermon days after the Sept. 11 attacks, Wright said "America's chickens are coming home to roost" after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Japan and "supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans."

Asked about some of the comments after the terrorist attacks, Wright challenged the reporter questioning him.

"Have you heard the whole sermon? No? The whole sermon?" he responded. When the reporter shook her head, he said, "That nullifies that question."

He said criticism comes from people who only have heard sound bites playing repeatedly on television and have never listened to his entire sermons.

Wright said he's told Obama that if he is elected in November and is inaugurated in January, "I'm coming after you." He said that's because his differences are not with the American people, but U.S. policies.

"Whether he gets elected or not, I'm still going to have to be answerable to God on November 5 and January 21," Wright said.

Obama was asked yesterday if he believes Wright's recent appearances will hurt his chances of winning upcoming primaries, reports CBS News reporter Maria Gavrilovic. Obama dodged the question, telling reporters, "I’ll let you prognosticate." (Read more about the Obama campaign response.)

In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Obama said he did not discourage Wright from making appearances and understands why his desire to speak.
"Look, he is a former pastor of mine. He is somebody who has obviously been the subject of, you know, some pretty sharp attacks over the last. And it's understandable that somebody after an entire career of service would want to defend themselves."

Last night, Wright told a 10,000-strong audience in Detroit that his critics get it wrong when they call him divisive and polarizing.

"I describe the conditions in this country," Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., the former pastor of Obama, said during the NAACP's 53rd annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner.

"I'm not here for political reasons. I'm not a politician. I know that fact will surprise many of you because many in the corporate-owned media made it seem like I am running for the Oval Office," Wright said. "I am not running for the Oval Office. I've been running for Jesus a long, long time and I'm not tired yet."

[briannorwood]

I''ve invented a new game. It''s called "Sean Zonk". Here''s how it works...

Watch the "Hannity and Colmbes" show on TV. Every time Sean says "Jeremiah Wright", you have to drink. Every time he says "Ailes", you have to do a bong.

I guarantee you, if you play every night, you WILL flunk out of college!

[xlib]

briannnorwood-so wright and AYERS aren''t news?? So if it were a Republican candidate for POTUS you wouldn''t care, right????????
In the words of wright (and remember per obama "words matter") his hate speech wasn''t hate speech. Why no, it was just "different". It''s ok to spew the racist talk, it''s ok if you''re black. No problem. Sit there and take it.
As for FOX covering this stuff, try watching it sometime. I think most thinking libs (hope there are a few) would be surprised. Shame FOX does have a mathews with a bulging vessel on his forehead.

[jockh]

WHY CAN''T HILLARY CLOSE THE DEAL?

PA was Clinton''s to lose.

Hillary enjoyed a 16 year name advantage, family roots, to her own credit 35 yrs of experience, decades of political favors and friends to call on.

Why is Hillary losing more states than Obama
Why is Hillary behind in pledged delegates?
Why is Hillary only 24 superdelegates ahead?
Why is the Clinton machine/Hillary millions in debt?
Why didn''t Hillary knock Obama out on Super Tuesday?
Why didn''t Hillary win her birth state of Illinois?

WHY CAN''T HILLARY CLOSE THE DEAL W/ 35 YRS OF EXPERIENCE, A MACHINE, POLITICAL CONNECTIONS, AND A PRESIDENT BEHIND HER?
WHY CANT SHE BEAT AN INEXPERIENCED, AMERICA HATING NO GOOD NEWCOMER ??

Because Obama is the best candidate, who is running the best campaign, who is running on the issues, who is breaking finance records, who is bringing the young and new voters to the democratic party?

[dewardbowles]

Xenophobia, homophobia and religious intolerance are apparently what the plank that some candidates are now running on.

McCain needs to explain comments by Hagee and Parsley regarding "the Catholic church as a cult" and "Islam is a false religion that needs to be exterminated".

Clinton needs to explain why she has not "walked out" of her own church after her paster said she was wrong about Wright.
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/17066161.html

[demslie]

TELL-LIE-VISION WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOU HATING SOMEONE SHORT, TALL, FAST, SLOW, BLACK WHITE BROWN YELLOW, CATHOLIC, MULSIM, JEW, YOU NAME IT AND THE MEDIA WILL TEACH YOU TO HATE IT, DISTRUST IT, AND DISTRUST AMERICANS.

Posted by blackspirit3

When Rev Wright preached Anger and Hate, African Democrats loved him. When the Pope preached peace and love, African Democrats Denounced Him. African Democrats like all Democrats know only Hate and Anger and will only listen to a God who preached Hate and Anger like Obama.

[kenbomc]

The media are looking more like idiots with every passing day.

[kenbomc]

demslie at 10:09 AM : Apr 28, 2008;

You haven''t the slightest idea what you are talking about.

[jetlizhan]

did any of you receive an email late last week with a picture of the ''mansion'' this pastor is supposedly building in a white affluent neighborhood? does anyone know if this is true???

[talkingham]

I''m white, very white and don''t claim to have much of a clue on Black issues. I do think the press did a hatchet job on Wright. He was quite charming and correct in most everything he pointed out in today''s Press Club speech. The media used Wright to Bash Obama and Wright has the right to defend his words- though I''m sure his speech today will be cherry picked for anything possibly offensive to use on the evening news followed by the kick-phrase Obama''s pastor.

One thing I think that most whites just don''t have a clue about is that blacks in the US believe in celebrating their freedom. Not taking it for granted like most whites I know. Lest you forget, only 150 years ago blacks were slaves in this country, bought and sold like horse and buggies. Their lives and cultures were trnasplanted against their will to this country. They now celebrate their freedom and they celebrate their race and I don''t blame them for partying however they see fit as long as they don''t go out and invade countries like Iraq claiming its so the the oil of the Iraqi nation is for the Iraqi people. Now that''s blasphemy! Something the Bush White House does every day to the US constitution.

[antonn2]

Obama, Michelle, Bill Ayers and Farrakhan are all believers of Black Liberation Theology preach by Wright.
Obama''s life of social activism, coupled with an emphasis in his speeches on government social action to eradicate unjust suffering, aligns with Cone''s words, albeit in a context that extends beyond the black community to the nation, and then to the world. Cone wrote:

"Therefore, whoever fights for the poor, fights for God; whoever risks his life for the helpless and unwanted, risks his life for God. God is active now in the lives of those men who feel an absolute identification with all who suffer because there is no justice in the land." (p. 47, Black Theology & Black Power)


Michelle Obama''s recent statement about pride-in-country is thoroughly consistent with both the Afrocentric theology of Trinity UCC and with the black theology of their spiritual mentor''s (Wright''s) mentor (Cone). Her efforts to explain what she meant by her statement have, so far, been vague. The less she says, the better it will be for her husband''s campaign. The more she elaborates on what she meant, t

[talkingham]

Rev Wright aside I think the Dems just have a death wish or something. I don''t think they could have chosen any two weaker candidates for the general election than Hill-dog and Obama. The Repubs, smartly went for somewhat middle-independent ground with McCain, though at his age I''m not sure he''d make it through one term without severe health problems.

Just look at the lousy leaders the Dems chose to run the Senate and House, abusrdly bad choices are Pelosi and the insufferable wimp out of Nevada (can''t even remember the wimp''s name! he is so lame!)

So while the Dems argue and sulk (fed by a steady stream of biased reporting from the corporate press)the Repubs will probably be able to steal the Presidency for another 4 years and completely wreck the economy. They don''t want a recession they want a depression so the big banks and rich can redistribute what little wealth the middle class has toiled for over the last 70 years. They already have a permanent hand in you wallet at the gas pump with Bush and his Saudi buddies running things.

[antonn2]

The Trinity UCC website was updated early this year. Before that, Cone''s book was singled out as required reading for Trinity parishioners who wished to more thoroughly understand the church''s theology and mission. That highlighting was removed. Jason Byassee, of The Christian Century Magazine, wrote this about Cone and Trinity in May, 2007:

[notblue]

For the republicans, this guy is the gift that just keeps on giving, if Obama loses the nomination not only could this be directly blamed but his message mimics alot of the messages here at leftwing, hopefully the screaming child left in thid country kjeeps their mouths going too.

[janiet3]

Try as you might, Wright does not = Obama, and Obama does not = Wright. They are not one in the same. Got it? It''s called transference, and "guilt by association" and it is not working, unfortunately Hillary/Bill (or maybe it''s truly actually fortunate).

OTOH, Bill and Hillary tho'' not one in the same are totally joined at the hip - only he has delusions of grandeur and would never let her be President if he is not. His ego is way too grandiose for that.

[antonn2]

There is no denying, however, that a strand of radical black political theology influences Trinity [UCC]. James Cone, the pioneer of black liberation theology, is a much-admired figure at Trinity. Cone told me that when he''s asked where his theology is institutionally embodied, he always mentions Trinity. Cone''s groundbreaking 1969 book Black Theology and Black Power announced: "The time has come for white America to be silent and listen to black people. . . . All white men are responsible for white oppression. . . . Theologically, Malcolm X was not far wrong when he called the white man ''the devil.''. . . Any advice from whites to blacks on how to deal with white oppression is automatically under suspicion as a clever device to further enslavement." Contending that the structures of a still-racist society need to be dismantled, Cone is impatient with claims that the race situation in America has improved. In a 2004 essay he wrote, "Black suffering is getting worse, not better. . . . White supremacy is so clever and evasive that we can hardly name it. It claims not to exist, even though black people are dying daily from its poison" (in Living Stones in the Household of God)."

[antonn2]

Barack Obama has a thing for Marxists. He befriends them, listens to their counsel, and he even hires them to work in his campaign. And they seem to feel the warmth. President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, who led a revolution there in 1979, says Obama''s presidential bid is a "revolutionary" phenomenon, and Americans are "laying the foundations for a revolutionary change." A captured computer revealed that an unknown person chatted with Marxist FARC guerrillas on Obama''s behalf (they believed), stating he would be the next President and US policy towards Columbia would change. Frank Marshall Davis, a dear Obama friend and mentor was as a member of the Communist Party USA. Obama just seems to attract Marxists.

[smiley676]

I have some serious issues with Rev. Wright. He claims that whites don''t understands blacks. Which in a way is true. But it is also true that we are all just human. We all came from the same ancestors and inside we aren''t that different.

He claims that whites "pick" on black children who "don''t speak good english," but no one picked on JFK for his english. This is just totally false. Everyone "picks" on the people from Boston and their terrible accent.

His statement that the color of your skin changes the way you are judged about your speech is divisive and inaccurate.

He claims he is a Christian. He should be preaching peace, love and charity. Instead of this message of hate and condemnation.

[antonn2]

Stop Obama''s TROJAN HORSE..inside you will find Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers and Farrakhan..

[tomtomasters]

God Bless Rev. Wright. Telling the truth is not hard to do. Rev. Wright does a fine job of it. We need to point out the troubles in order to put the good sermons to use. There is no hiding Obama, Hillary or McCain. Stop the lies and support God, who is nonmilitaristic.

[mudrose-2009]

I''m having a real problem after listening to Mr. Descriptive as opposed to Mr. Divisive. Yes, he sure was descriptive and now I''m truly at a loss as to how I am, going forward, going to be able to relate to the Black Brotherhood.

According to this loon, you left brain, logic specific, objective learning, cantata loving, garlic noses who don''t know that Arabic is not a religion but a language -- hint hint, like the alphabet - (two variants of the Phoenician alphabet would have major impacts on the history of writing: the Aramaic alphabet which, excuse me, is rooted in Arabic and the Greek alphabet) - wink, wink Wright who can''''t make any logical connections because ... blacks are right brained, art specific, subjective learning, common meter loving, non religious speaking people.

And now I''m relegated to speaking only to left brain, logic specific, objective learning, cantata loving, garlic noses as blacks are simply relegated to speaking only to right brained, art specific, subjective learning, common meter loving, non religious speaking people.

I''m not trying to be divisive, I''m just trying to be descriptive, therefore I can no longer talk to my black brothers as they can no longer relate to us. See, now that''s where the problem has been all along and I want to thank Rev. Wright for pointing out to us that our problems stem from the fact that we all only use half our heads. Thanks. I really appreciate it.

[aldon61]

Obama is NOT reverand Wright. Senator Obama chose not to throw his pastor under the wheels when he made his speech on racism, which spoke very well for Obama. Now, knowing full well that he is tied to senator Obama, Wright has chosen to throw Obama under his wheels. What an ego! He has the right of free speech like we all do, but I question his timing.....he has to know he is hurting Obama, why can''t he refrain from his comments until the nominating process is over. This has to be a true blessing for the GOP.

[questionnews]

Rev. Wright is to Obama what Billy Carter was to Jimmy Carter or what Roger Clinton was to Bill Clinton. Someone too close to distance themselves from but can''t get them to shut up or stop doing stupid stuff that reflects on them. I''m sure the Obama would gladly pay for a 6 month vacation in Fiji for Rev. Wright starting now.

[hoopakai]

after listening to Rev. Wright''s interview on PBS, I actually found that I agreed with more or less every thing he had to say. The media is hungry for scandal and controversy.

[mudrose-2009]

I need to heal racially. Perhaps I should go to an Obama rally. Now that he is pretending to be a man of the people, he might condescend to have a beer with me and cheese fries. Or better yet, garlic balls.

[three-o-six]

If that is an example of what the black church is (promoting bigotry) then it need to be attacked. You cannot justify cloaking bigotry in religious clothing. Obama expects whites to disown the KKK then he needs to disown the likes of Mr. Wright (I don%u2019t think he deserves the title of reverend).

[demslie]

The point most people miss is the fact that Hate and Anger are preached in the Black Church every Sunday. The theme of every Black Church is "Kill the Oppresors" as Rev. Louis Farrakhan always preaches. And Rev. Louis Farrakhan has stated that if "The White Vermin" do not elect Obama then, "Rivers of White Blood" will flow in the streets of America. This sounds hateful and insane because Whites do not hear this often. But it is standard preaching every Sunday in the Black Church all over America. And it fits perfectly with the Hate, Anger, Rage and Evil Political Agenda of Democrats.

[mike71067]

"Says Criticism Over Sermons Is Attack On Black Church
"

No, you idiot, it''s an attack on THAT black church.

[mcharlton]

Obama is caught in his own hypocracy. He wants to look like he''s conservative, but he still wants to appeal to the far left.

This is a real score for McCain. All he has to do is wave an American flag and say that I love soldiers.

[old300d]

I saw his interview on PBS.

It looks like the chickens are coming home to roost at T.U.C.C.

Lots of black people claim the cops are in charge of drug dealing.

They hear that junk at church ?

No wonder that won''t tell the police who did it when someone is killed.

[blackyowe]

Rev. Wright is wrong to put the spotlight on himself he further distroys Obama''s crediblity but people like this can''t help themselves they attention seekers. Preachers of this type are not serving God they are showman just like any other actor or snake oil salesman.

[mike71067]

"God Bless Rev. Wright. Telling the truth is not hard to do. Rev. Wright does a fine job of it."
-Posted by tomtomasters at 10:40 AM : Apr 28, 2008

The hardest thing Rev. Wright has EVER had to do is hate the country that has made him so very rich. He now lives in a gated community surrounded by the White Devils he so detests.

[andylowry1]

This rev should be sent to Iraq he is traitor to our country, he should be disbanded from the church.

[mike71067]

"after listening to Rev. Wright''s interview on PBS, I actually found that I agreed with more or less every thing he had to say."Posted by hoopakai at 10:44 A
-Apr 28, 2008

That''s because he wasn''t saying "God Damm America", "The U.S. of KKK A", etc. in the PBS interview. Look, this bigot realizes he screwed up Obama''s campaign, and he''s in damage control mode right now. He IS a politician, and he knows how he has to play this now.

[reedtaz73]

demslie, white america will not be made a fool of...your comment is full of lies and fear...People, do not listen to his evil person, hate is the last thing being taught in black american churches. Do not share your fears and racist views to the thinking public demslie...Your as transparent as your soul.

[reedtaz73]

You idiots need to learn american history...Rather, tell the british to come back home and forfiet your lands and property to them... Most of the knuckle draggers on this comment board are un-patriotic.

[mike71067]

"I served six years in the military," Barack Obama''s longtime pastor said. "Does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President ***) Cheney serve?"

No, serving doesn NOT make you patriotic. So the Cheney comparison is moot. Timothy McVeigh served in the Army, and he was filled with the same hateful rage against the USA as Rev. Wright.

Obama is unelectable. He has become the candidate of not only race, but of racial bigotry. Thank you Hillary for allowing us all to see who Obama really is.

[mudrose-2009]

THIS BUM SHOULD BE SILENCED! THE MEDIA SHOULD JUST TURN OFF THEIR MIKES AND LET HIM STAND THERE LIKE A MIME.

[prinzowhales]

Wright talks all around the main issue...His support for the theology of Cohn which sees religion as worthless UNLESS it furthers the goal of destroying "the white enemy".

A fellow clever enough to speak five languages, preach a theology that puts the word of God at naught if it does not support black liberation theology, should have been able to get to the issue and resolve it. From what I have heard, he has not distanced himself from Cohn and the deceitful fellow coyly says..."I''m not a politician"...as if that excuses his racism...or that of the Church Elder, Obama.

Wright comes out of the same intellectual and moral gutter as Haggee and his ilk...enemies of Christianity...one places blacks above the Word, the other places Israel above it...And, not surprisingly, this theology has the support of the Ford Foundation which also supports the racism of the Reconquistas and La Raza...

The capitalists are trying, as they collapse the economy, to create racial and religious discord, to get people to invest emotionally in this faux-fight.
They are fighting a class war...and the naive, the complacent, along with the stupid and the treacherous, are lining up behind them. Wright is so right on so many points...its a shame he refuses to stand with the people...all of the people.

[minnick8-2009]

Poor Reverend Wright. I can certainly see how he is a misunderstood victim. It must be so awful for him to have his fiery sermons exposed. There must be someplace on this planet where he can retreat to, to lick his wounds. How about Africa?

[hdinsight]

Wright is a politician pretending to be a pastor.

[minnick8-2009]

Prinzowhales, Now I''ve heard it all. Wright was a set up by the capitalists? Yea, and I bet it is all Bush''s fault.

[pghlady3]

isn''t that the pot calling the kettle black.
If you say it, it''s you being descriptive, it i say it, it''s me being a raciest. Keep on talking, you are definately going to ensure a McCain win. God will most definately judge you and your raciest remarks because God doesnt see color, but he does hear your voice.

[mudrose-2009]

Prinzowhales, Now I''''ve heard it all. Wright was a set up by the capitalists? Yea, and I bet it is all Bush''''s fault.
Posted by minnick8

Yeah, it probably is BUSH''s Fault. Pimping poverty and victimization is so lucrative. Speaking engagements, media attention, 10,000 square foot house in a "white" gated community with a credit line of $10 million bucks. Yeah, it''s Bush''s Fault.

[hdinsight]

Hillary''s baggage is much lighter. Even when polls say they don''t trust her, they still vote for her in record numbers because they KNOW she can win the race & do a good job for the middle class. An Obama nomination will end all "hope" of a Democratic victory.

[mudrose-2009]

I''m having a real problem after listening to Mr. Descriptive as opposed to Mr. Divisive. Yes, he sure was descriptive and now I''m truly at a loss as to how I am, going forward, going to be able to relate to the Black Brotherhood.

According to this loon, you left brain, logic specific, objective learning, cantata loving, garlic noses who don''t know that Arabic is not a religion but a language -- hint hint, like the alphabet - (two variants of the Phoenician alphabet would have major impacts on the history of writing: the Aramaic alphabet which, excuse me, is rooted in Arabic and the Greek alphabet) - wink, wink Wright who can''t make any connections because ... blacks are right brained, art specific, subjective learning, common meter loving, non religious speaking people.

And now I''m relegated to speaking only to left brain, logic specific, objective learning, cantata loving, garlic noses as blacks are simply relegated to speaking only to right brained, art specific, subjective learning, common meter loving, non religious speaking people.

I''m not trying to be divisive, I''m just trying to be descriptive, therefore I can no longer talk to my black brothers as they can no longer relate to us. See, now that''s where the problem has been all along and I want to thank Rev. Wright for pointing out to us that our problems stem from the fact that we all only use half our heads. Thanks. I really appreciate it.

[mbburch06]

By all means, let this idiot keep talking. It''s important for everyone to know what these racial extremists actually think.

I also find it interesting that Obama has distanced himself from Rev. Wright only after he became a political liability. If Obama really had serious objections to this man''s racist, anti-American remarks, he would have found another pastor a long time ago.

[erichsh]

This says it all:
"I served six years in the military," Barack Obama''''s longtime pastor said. "Does that make me patriotic? How many years did Cheney serve?"

Posted by jh6379

Perhaps it "says it all", but against the wrong person. Cheney''s NOT RUNNING in 2008. Who IS running is a war hero with impeccable military credentials and a POW for several years. Since Wright made it an issue, let''s compare his military record with McCain''s, shall we?

[ms_nichols]

Check the Bible and see if you can find the term "black church" and get back to me. Thanks.

[smiley676]

I don''t understand how a man who claims to be a Christian would preach this type of stuff.

Even taking into account that some of his statements were taken out of context, Jesus didn''t d*mn the Romans nailing him to the cross. So, no "Christian" should d*mn anything, ever.

I''m not saying other so called "Christians" haven''t done the same thing. But they get "attacked" too.

He should be preaching peace between the races. Not pointing out differences, that don''t actually exist.

It appears he is trying to be divisive.

[mudrose-2009]

mudrose - According to you and the other moron Bush have been President from the begining of time. You two were made for each other. One more stupid than the other.

Posted by guyfrompa45

I need to heal racially. Perhaps I should go to an Obama rally. Now that he is pretending to be a man of the people, he might condescend to have a beer with me and cheese fries. Or better yet, garlic balls.