How Sen. Obama can get beyond Rev. Wright

I hope someone from the Obama camp reads this.. Wonderful insight. I’m sure they’ve given thought to a lot of what you’ve said.

I watch you daily on CNN and saw you last night. I love the way you deliver your points, and I think you are very much ON THE MARK.

Bravo! Roland! I have really grown to respect your opinion and your respect for the truth in this election. Again, I must ask why isn’t the media covering Paul vs. Clinton?! Peter Paul has Clinton on tape with regard to the $1.2 million dollar campaign donation. Seriously…this a way bigger problem than Rev. Wright.

Roland,

I thoroughly enjoy your insights into the political issues surrounding the Presidential campaigns. CNN did well to enlist your services.

I agree with most of your comments regarding Senator Obama and a revised campaign strategy. The only comment that I disagree with is the inclusion of Rev. Wright as part of his “comeback” arguments. Unless Rev. Wright continues his denouncement of mainstream American values, I would think that Senator Obama would be better off to not invoke his name any further.

Overall, I hope Senator Obama takes most of your suggestions to heart. He must go on the offensive to cover ALL issues the voters feel are important (including those that less obvious to uninformed voters). And he needs to start exploiting HRC and JM’s weaknesses more and more. Be less of a “nice guy”. The media will pick up on this and he will look more as if he is the aggressor instead of being defensive.

Mr. Roland… Please find a way to ask for an audience with Obama. Your ideas for his campaign are spot on…. also I was listening today to Air America and Bill Press had on a guy that was a campaign manager or strategy guy for Webb and I think Edwards any ways his name was Muckman or mucky or Muchracker or something. Well he had alot of really good advice for how Obama could appeal to rural white folks. He talked about how Webb was able to get a majority of the vote even though he was a ” NY yankeee”, because he did not pander. he was honest about not knowing much about the gun and hunting rural cultural, but he wanted to learn so he reached out and met with folks and had muckman or what every his name was show him how to shoot and he was rewarded for it becuase he won and won over those folks. I am sure axelrod is very smart but We have got to win this thing….

Roland, the way for Sen. Obama to get beyond this inappropriate matter? Is to address why this conversation is outside of the scope of U.S Consititution. Article VI, Sec 3, “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust of the United Staes.” I just have to wonder as a retired U.S Army Iraq INVASION veteran, is there a U.S Constitution? You could not have played this story in the plutocratic controlled media 30 years ago, due to credible reporting of media. Roland, you have the power to squash this destraction from the real issues, i,e another illegal war in Iran. And how do you do it? get on the air and inform the nation, that this conversation on religion is UNCONSITITUTIONAL. I am just saying brotha, enough!

Mr Martin,

I will stand by what I have posted earlier on this forum. But, after watching and re-watching Rev. Wright on his last media performance before the press, he has let himself down. I believe that he speaks the truth in his answers but he, as a very learned pastor, has done himself an injustice. Should he have gone out there, or should he not???? That decision was his alone to make. I wish that he would have gone out there and appeared as he did at the NAACP and as he did on Mr Moyers program. Truthful, informative, and respectfull. But as most prophetic preachers do at times, he become emtionally involved. Some folks wont agree with Rev Wright, and some will never agree. I hope that in time he may regain what the media has stolen from him.
As far as this presidential rad thing,,, I am independent,,, and to this day I have heard nothing from Mr Obama, Mrs Clinton or Mr McCain on the poor. All I have heard is the middle class and the rich. In a census in 2005, over 750,000 americans were homeless.
We are still being put into classes, and groups. Its sad that we have never grown as humans.
As a writer in this forum said,,, “Its not about black and white,,, Its about right and wrong”.
Thank you for allowing me and others to post our thoughts here on this forum. I hope that we all learn and try to accept one and other as the children of YAHWEH.

Roland, where were you before Obama made the disasterous move to repudiate Reverend Wright. He could have and in my opinion should have done that before now, I believe its to late for him. The massive support he enjoyed from the African-American community that kept him winning primary after primary after caucus will slwly erode because he decided to cow tow to the media and white establishment that says do this or you won’t become that.

Everything you stated Roland is extremely dead on and something I would think Obama a Harvard educated attorney would have known to do from the outset. This does make me question and pause on whether this guy is all smoke and mirrors. This should have been the cornerstone of his campaign. If you were apart of Team Obama I am sure this would have been the course set from the beginning. I was a strong supporter of Obama up until he chose to be the newest uncle tom of black politicians and pander to a voting block that has already expressed their reluctance to vote for a African-American candidate, see OH and PA. So coming out yesterday and saying the things he said against Reverend Wright are dispicable acts I cannot muster energy to vote or support him further and wish he looses either the nomination or the general election.

You believe he needed to address Reverend Wright but that assessment is completely wrong and only goes to the same old washington politics Obama claims he isn’t about. Reverend Wright was a Pastor saying these things when Obama was still in diapers or at least still trying to grow facial hair. To disrespect him in such a way when the fight wasn’t between him and Obama but Wright and the media is deplorable by Obama. Wright had every right to come out to the media and defend himself, the church and his congregation. Obama should have left that fight to them and moved on to the very issues you pointed out in this blog. Black people are not going to just let him slide with what he did especially when Reverend Wright responds as he should to his attack. Reverend Wright should put his black a** on front street and set the record straight.

Reverend Wright owes Obama nothing and his support of his candidacy shouldn’t proclude him from defending his life’s work. Apparently Obama and Roland Martin think Wright should concern himself with Obama’s fight for the presidency when Wright represents GOD, his congregation and himself. This is so idiotic beyond the pale. This is like my barber and I, we are friendly, cordial, like each other but do not owe each other anything. If I ran for office and he supported me that doesn’t mean he cannot speak his mind about the ills of American society and when he does that shouldn’t adversely effect me.

The fact that this is an issue goes to a deeper issue of which I hope Roland addresses. The issue of how White America views Black America? White America in my opinion believe Black America is monolithic in its beliefs, cultures, attitudes etc. They think we all think alike, look alike, act alike,eat alike, speak alike, live alike, everything alike. That is why they were demanding Obama no# 1 explain his relationship with his pastor, no#2 denounce him in the way white america wanted and demanded he should. Philadelphia was supposed to end it for him but he allowed White America and the media to dictate to him what he should do and he followed suit. Embarassing as a black man I felt at his uncle tom speech. He could have placed the media and white america on its heels by stating that he would not explain the actions of peripheral supporters of his campaign and that they had independent thoughts and opinions of which they were accountable for and any suggesstion or indication from anyone that feels he should explain those peripheral players would be taken as an offensive question or remark. WHY, do you say that?, because black people are not monolithic, just because one person says something controversial and I happen to know them doesn’t mean I believe or think the same way. White America ascribes this mindset to Black America routinely.

Mr. Martin. I think you are doing a good job on your Obama’s/Wright analysis on CNN. I know sometimes they put you in a tight corner with difficult questions.

What I want to say here is that, I am happy how Obama distance himself from Rev. Wright. He should have done that a long time ago. I see no reason why Obama should continue to respect Rev. Wright if he (Wright) don’t respect Obama’s candidacy. If Wright is my pastor, this is what I will say: He is jealous, wicked, and should not be preaching because he is not looking out for his Shepard.

Wright’s wants fame and he is using this opportunity to get one while destroying Obama’s campaign. If he knows that something is wrong with America, why can’t he do that or contest to be in the congress and correct things. Why can’t he published a book to make his point on American international policy. Church is meant for to preach the gospel of Christ not nonsense liberation. TD Jakes and all good pastors in the black community don’t do that.

I think Rev. Wright should go to hell. We will vote for Obama not matter what.

roland this is bad why? because no matter what rev.wright said thats what he got to say and obama is his own person, where I live the blacks are calling obama a sell-out because its like white people love to see us fight(blackfolks) cause it keeps them out of the spot light, then they(whitefolks) will stick together to get rid of one of us whether they like each other or not, so it makes obama look like a sell-out just to please them(whitefolks), so now we look at it that way because if thats the case, then every white person should stand up and denouce there grandparents, including clinton and mcain, now we all know thats not going to happen, so why should he had to get rid of the person he was close with, its not right,and we are saying well the rev. should have not got up there and act that way, but he didnt lie about anything that I could see,its the (whitefolks)who dont want to here the truth, and I think obama should have never sold his soul to please WHITE PEOPLE if he is going to be president then it was meant for him to have roland.

Yes, I believe Rev. Wright has every righ and should have defended himself at some point. However his “performance” at the National Press Club on Monday was nothing short of despicable.With all of this airtime on Rev. Wright and alleging Sen. Obama is guilty by association, I cannot understand why no one is presenting as much airtime on McCain’s or Clinton’s controversial affiliations.

McCain sought afte Pastor Hagee’s endorsement, a very controversial evangelical. Paster Hagee and Rev. Wright are cut from the same theological cloth which preaches hatred, fear and loathing in spreading a preverted Gospel message. Hagee is an Evangelical leader (of a mega-church in Texas) who described the Catholic Church as the Great Whore. But the good pastor does not stop there. Mr. Hagee wrote in his book – Jerusalem Countdown – “Most readers will be shocked by the clear history linking Adolph Hitler and the Roman Catholic church in a comspiracy to exterminate the Jews.” However during an intervie on ABC’s “This Week”, John McCain says “I’m glad to have his endorsement.” He adds “I condemn remarks that are in anyway viewed as anti-anything, but you cannot make someone else guilty by what another person says.” Can’t have it both ways McCain.

Then there is HRC’s long time association with “The Family” and Douglas Coe. In HRC’s autobiography “Living History” Senatore Clinton describes Coe as “a genuinely loving spiritual mentor and guide to anyone regardless of their party or faith, who wants to deepen his/her relationship with God.” She writes “Doug became a source of strength and friendship” during her troubled White house years. In his preaching, Coe (not ordained) repeatedly urges a personal commitment to Jesus Crist. However it’s a commitment Coe compares to the blind devotion that Adolh Hitler demanded from his followers — a rhetorical technique that has drawn sharp criticism. Clinton attended Coe’s secret prayer meetings for years.

It is unfortunate that this election year has such a negative tone from the candidates and the media. But fair is fairm if you give tons of airtime on one candidate’s controversail associations, then give tons of airtime to them all. Although the tons of airtime should be on the issues we face as America.

I enjoyed reading your article today. I blog on a black web site my blog on that site titled “This election is about Obama and not about Rev. Wright” stated in part:

“Come on people you are the same people who Bush and Karl Rove tricked to win and/or steal two Presidential elections. Americans are smarter than this. So what if Obama has “black pride” and knows that as a nation we have a long way to go to heal racial inequality and racial problems both past and present in this country. How does that disqualify him for the Presidency?

The rest of the world has already deserted us in all our foreign affair efforts around the world. We don’t need to be attack by a terrorist group China can destroy our economy by calling in all the loans that we owe that country. Our military is not capable of even defending us without ending the world as we know it.

We currently have an administration that lied about weapons of mass destruction, the cost of the war in Iraq, and joked behind closed doors about pardoned Scooter Libby is hiding from the prosecutor. Cheney response to a reporters question that asked if the America people wants us to leave Iraq was “So what?”

Hillary and Bill appears to have entered into an unholy alliance with the very same people Limbaugh and company who hates their guts. This is all in an effort to destroy Obama and the Democratic chances to win in 2008.

Please people remember that Bush and Cheney have wiretapped innocent Jane and John Does with their unchecked in the name of National Security tactics. The Republicans impeached Bill for having sex with an intern. They also have already exposed and ruined Hillary’s Super delegate former Governor Spitzer personal and political life.

The above mentioned fact leads me to ponder and imagine what illegal financial or personal dealings (October surprises) the Bush Justice Department have already discovered on Bill and Hillary and the 109 million dollars that they made since he left office.

Please don’t fall for the smoke and mirrors of “bitterness” and “Rev. Wright.” Obama can and will win if we as a united Democratic Party work our collective butts off and go to the polls and vote in November. OH YES WE CAN!!! AND FOR HILLARY SUPPORTERS OH YES WE WILL !!!
Vera Richardson author of “A Case of Racial Discrimination and Retaliation Real or Imagined.”

Roland,

Great suggestions!!! I hope someone from Obama’s camp read this CNN article. I did e-mail Mrs. Obama (via http://www.barackobama.com) earlier today, suggesting you should be a part of the strategy team. You are an awesome commentator; please keep up the good work. Love you man.

Dave Burns

Mr. Martin, thanks for acting as the voice of reason on many CNN panels I’ve viewed during this primary season. Like Senator Obama, you rely on intellect to press your points rather than the shrill yapping of Senator Clinton’s attack dogs. I was horrified by Reverend Wright’s antics–those of either a lunatic or a political assassin–at the National Press Club and was gratified to see that Senator Obama responded in a more forceful manner than when Wrightgate first arose, when he pulled his punches out of loyalty to a respected mentor. I would add just one suggestion to your column. Senator Obama might state the facts about national health care–that we might already have it if then First Lady Mrs. Clinton had not been so secretive and rigid in developing her plan during her husband’s administration. Couldn’t we expect the same behavior from her this time around?

Rev. Wright is a brilliant man but erred in conducting this speaking tour and made a fool of himself. However, Barak has made some stunning remarks that have caused self inflected wounds. Namely, I quote “typical white people.” I am an African American and quite frankly, I was surprised he said that. What is a typical white person? The other self inflected wound was the small town PA statement. This was also stunning to me and I still can’t wrap my head around how he thought it was okay to say. The way he said what he said was offensive and harsh and to add insult to injury, he said it about these people while speaking to an audience in another state. Maybe he was tired and didn’t really realize what he was saying or how he was saying it but this was a costly mistake.

Barak is way too laid back which I think is also a mistake and results in a delay in responding to issue when appropriate. The delay in responding is damaging and gives the media time to spin him into the gutter. He needs to respond quickly before the media gets the chance to shape public perception and opinion. There are ways to fight and remain classy and strategic.

I still support Barak, but I do think the nomination may be slipping through his fingers and not just because of Rev. Wright.

According to dana west statment, it sounds like a lot a black folk is being tossed to and fro by the winds of white folks and their own ignorance. First they said he was not black enough and that white people would not support him. All of that turned out to be be untrue about Obama.
Obama did the right thing to kick Rev. Wright under the bus, we should not have to tolerate any pest black or white.
Blacks folks know that the white man is capable of doing alot of evil things on this planet. The HIV/AIDS thing may or may not bo true. He referred to a book about that matter. We all should know that just because it’s in a book it’s not always true. As much as I respect his intelligence, and his experience as a black man, I beleive Rev. went overboard, played to the cameras, and played into the hands of the white folks. Wright got what he deserved, kicked under the bus. Obama should brush that foolishness off and move on. When ever a good black man attempts to do anything good in this country, there will be our own people that is able to get close enough to harm us.

Lawrence
lawrence1957@bellsouth.net

Roland, I agree with you on the fight that Senator Obama has to continue. It is now the old-guard, IOU Negroes of the Clinton ERA that are re-surfacing. Let me put it blunt, the kitchen hands were sent out to find out what the field hands were up to next. Senator Obama, as you state, will continue on his message to unify the country, it has to start somewhere. What we see amongst the African American so-called leaders is a sure sign of fear. Take for instance Rep. Sheila Lee when she chastized U.S. Attorney Washington telling him he had a responsiblity to change the course of justice for the Gena 6. Question now becomes, what responsibility does she and others now have to really change the course of justice now for some by all in America. Rep. Rangel, an old-guard, ardent supporter of Clintons, clearly an IOU Negro who will do any and everything to get sideways up the rear of the Clintons, has failed his community on many occasions, even to the point of removing residents to appease Bill Clinton and his office move to Harlem. Let’s get back on point, Senator Obama is making an attempt to do it right and it must not be him alone, we all owe him the support to change the dirty politics of the past.

You must be a athiest if your only concern is being allowed to continue babies. You are actually a moron

Mr. Martin:

thank you for a very well balanced and thoughtful analysis on how Sen. Obama can and should move beyond the Rev. Wright episode. The people of this country really want change. They cling to the familiar but desire something new. Obama is new and has the solutions that can make a difference.

Thank you again for your comments.

Sen. Obama has so eloquently made it crystal clear to the American people that he does NOT share Rev. Wright’s views. Just because he went to Trinity and Rev. Wright was his pastor that doesn’t mean he agreed with every little thing. Every intelligent person should already know this basic.

His 20+ public service record shows where his heart is – he is truly about unity and effecting REAL change in Washington as our next president, so that ALL Americans can experience shared prosperity.

If Sen. Clinton , Sen. McCain, and the media feel the need to think and do differently than what Sen. Obama has already stated then he has to do what you have said Mr. Roland. He has to consistently be assertive and tell them that this matter has already been dealt with and it’s no longer on the table to be debated. His focus is on the American people and solving the many critical problems plaguing this country and them go right into speaking about his vision and plans to bring security to American in the 21st century.

Mr. Martin, I want to say that you are a stand up guy!!! You speak the truth to black and white!!! I think everything you have said about how Senator Obama needs to fight to get beyond Rev. Wright is totally correct!!! I am a 100% supporter of Senator Obama I think he has the ability to turn this country around and heal a lot of the wounds we have that are still open in the year 2008. I think he needs to get out there and challenge Senator Clinton and Senator McCain on the issues!!!! On the hard issues that matter just like you said about student loans, foreclosures, high gas prices etc. Battle with your mind, let the voters know that no matter what I am here for you and your family!! I hope someone from his camp reads your article and lets him know this guy knows what needs to be said and done for our country to have the first African American President!!!

Roland , Man you were right on with your advice for our beloved Obama. I wanted to bring something to your attention. “Operation Chaos” . I think Rush Limbaugh is a despicable Human being. He’s telling his followers to register as a democrat for this primaries and vote for Hillary because she is the weaker of the 2 democrates. That is how I thing she has really been wiining lately. Allbeit its time for Barack to listen to you Roland I hope you have contact with him because you are a friend. Brother I see the status quo trying to attack you because you show the bright side of Obama while the rest of the commentators have tried there best to cripple him. This is a battle with the fat Cats (rush limbaugh types) , the status quo and the fact that McCain would get blow out in the national election because he is weak as water not to mention too old for the rigors of the office. I love you Bro. and Yes WE CAN

It’s quite simple how we can get beyond Rev. Wright…stop talking about it. We as black people need to STOP and take a look at what is going on here. It is the same old trick, tactic that has been used against us since we were brought to in this country “DIVIDE AND CONQUER”.

It is really sad to see what the enemy is doing to Barack, Rev. Wright and we as a race. This whole thing was designed to do exactly what is happening. Since we as “black” people pride ourselves so much on spiritually, why can’t we see exactly what is going on here. The enemy is trying to do a two-for-one here with Barack and Rev. Wright. He is trying to destroy both of them at the same time and we as a people are allowing him (the enemy).

Have you noticed, I certainly have, everytime it’s a so-called black issue or a time to tear down I see more “black” news commentators, journalists, surrogates, elected officials, etc. than any other time in media. When this story broke yesterday WHO did the media have on TV all day “black” pastors, commentators, elected officials, etc. They (white media) backed off yesterday and let us tear down each other and quite successfully I might add. Is Barack any better off this morning from all of our opinions in front of the media yesterday regarding Rev. Wright “NO”!!! The media is now questioning Rev. Wright’s and Barack’s beliefs, sincerity, motives, etc. looks like “you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t” which we all know is the American way regarding black people as a whole.

Yes, we all know Rev. Wright could have conducted himself a little differently at the press conference, but the fact is we “ALL” know including the white people that what he said was “TRUE”!!! That’s exactly why not one thing was disputed or called into question regarding all the history that has been exposed by Rev. Wright in the last five days. Now we as a people are all caught up in the trap that was set for us ONCE AGAIN with “Rev. Wright shouldn’t have acted like that”…”He should have just shut-up”…”He’s trying to destroy Barack”, etc. HELLO Barack is not the only one in this whole equasion here…we have Barack, Rev. Wright and the race as a whole. Thank God that none of us are held accountable for the many, many times that we have acted in a way that we shouldn’t have or said something we shouldn’t have said, THANK GOD!!!!

How DARE all you “black” clery go on national TV and tear another brother down. Have you seen a mass of “white” priests on TV tearing down all the CHILD MOLESTERS in the “CATHOLIC” church or the catholic church body tearing down their church “HELL NO”. No one dare to bring up the “VILE” history of the “CATHOLIC” church. It’s OFF LIMITS and we need to learn the same thing. If we as a people have a problem with Rev. Wright let’s deal with him in the “HOUSE” and not put all of our business in the “streets”. We are truly exposing our “WEAKNESS” as a race and that is “DIVISION”. I see Rev. Eugene Rivers on his media tour also, now who does it look like wants “his 15 mins of fame”!!! Stop looking for the “white” man to validate us “he won’t”. WAKE UP PEOPLE AND STOP IT!!!

What does Hillary look like today…like she cares about the country and it’s people and is focused on the issues that matter to Americans…instead of the deceitful, manipulative liar that she is. FYI…it one one of her supporters that suggested and arranged the press conference with Rev. Wright. Do you think it was for Rev. Wright’s or Barack’s benefit? NO, it was set the stage for exactly was has happened. Yes, Rev. Wright may have fallen into the trap because of his passions and hurt in this situation, but that does not mean we all fall into the trap right behind him. In fact, we need to be pulling him out of the trap that was set for him. THINK ABOUT IT!!!

Roland,

While I applaud your efforts to bring issues to the forefront we must understand that the “old politics” just don’t want a funeral. The “old guard” is afraid of losing their status quo and their bread baskets. The time for corrupt politics has ran its course in this country and the sad part of all this is these are suppose to the elders who were suppose to chart the course for the younger generations. But because they are afraid of change they will seek to destroy what good can come. This issue with Rev. Wright should not have been an issue at all. The fact of the matter is that Wright is a preacher and Obama is running for a public office in which he has to deal with human beings in this country. He should not show favoritism to one group over another. This position requires him to be inclusive and not exclusive.

The tradegy of all this is that FOX(FAUX) News was the one who distorted this information from the onset and the rest of the MSM followed suit with little or not regard to investigative journalism. With that said the firestorm erupted with Obama having to defend Wrights comments. The MSM would not let it die and at that point Wright should have been the one who set the record straight from the very beginning and not run away. Now he is saying that he will not allow the media to continue to attack his family, well if he felt so strongly about it then , I ask, WHY did he wait until this escalate to this point?

Since when are we accountable for a grown person’s comments or actions? In this case Wright has the right to freedom of speech and he has the right to exercise it. But if we are going to assume guilt by association then let’s get to the guilty that have been following the Clintons, ie, Norman Hsu, Peter Paul, Whitewater, etc. The ability of the media to report fairly has eroded with the drive for ratings rather than substance. Why are you not reporting on Obama’s speeches on the economy, jobs, education? but no, you focus on an adult man who chose preaching as profession and then want to hold someone else accountable for his words. That is the most ridiculous piece of garbage reporting ever.

While we have Obama trying to help unite this country the “old guard” is busy still trying to tear it down. The so-called misleaders are cringing in their seats because if Obama wins they are afraid they will not be able to keep the blacks in poverty much longer. They are the reason for many of the aliments in the black communities , its not all the fault of the white people. And what I find so ironic is here you have Obama is running this course with little help from these so-called black leaders. Instead they turn against him, lets be clear they have the right to support whoever they chose but don’t play dirty politics. I did not hear the criticisms nor the scrutinizing of Bush when he ran the first nor the second time by these pundits or the media. Why was that? It goes to show America that the MSM is also complicit in keeping the “race card” alive.

All I can hope is that the people of this country will see through all this propoganda of MSM and the dirty politics of the Clinton Campaign and vote for Obama. Enough of Rev. Wright, he retired from preaching now retire him from the media circus.

Mr. Martin,
In this whole episode, I think, Rev. Wright has gotten the raw end of the deal. Rev. Wright is not running for office. He is an extremely qualified and has done extremely good work. He is not a radical; he uses the pulpit to better the lives of people who do not have anywhere else to go. And he has been doing this for over 30 years. Of-course he is controversial. But he is not a politician and can afford to be controversial if that will what get what it takes to lift the people he has been helping.

I think this is about Senator Obama and how he handles tough issues. He has shown bad judgement, not as the media claims by sitting in that church for 20 years, but by not dealing with his relationship with Rev. Wright proactively.

At the beginning of the campaign, when there was not as much focus on the Senator, he should have given a speech on his relationship with Rev. Wright, making it clear Rev. Wright was his pastor and not his political advisor, he should have made it clear he was part of Rev. Wright’s church because of the excellent social good that the Rev and the church have been doing, he should also have made it clear he doesn’t subscribe to Rev. Wright’s political view and the Rev.’s view of US or the race relations. He should have acknowledged the controversial nature of the Rev. and should have made it very clear as a Presidential candidate, while expressing deep appreciation of the social work that the Rev was doing, unequivocally distancing himself from the Rev. on politics, race relations and view of the USA. He should also have said, though it pains to break a 20 year relationship, he is leaving the Church, not because of anything else, not negating the significant benefits in faith he got from the Church, but to eliminate even a semblance of perception that he, Senator Obama held any of the political. anti-American or racial views that Rev. Wright preached or believed in. In that speech, he could have put Rev. Wright’s views and approach in context, much as he did in the Race Speech, but making it clear he totally rejects those views. He should have talked to Mrs. Obama and the Rev. before this speech and gotten them into his confidence as to why he has to do this- not only to ensure a successful candidacy but also to protect Rev. Wright from being reduced to a caricature. He shouldn’t have appointed Rev. Wright to anything to do with his campaign and not had him in basement before the big campaign event, shouldn’t have prayed with him.

Once that speech was given he should have totally rejected any questions on Rev. Wright or his being in that Church for 20 years or any thing related to Rev. Wright as “Silly Season” and he would like to focus on the people and their problems and his “Change” message.

What the Senator has done is being reactive. In his Race Speech in Philly, he embraced the Rev. even further. Now he is throwing the Rev. under the bus in response to the Rev, protecting his standing in society. It is clear the Rev. is saying or doing nothing different than what he has been doing for over 30 years. Of-course, he said Senator Obama is doing what a politician has to do he os doing what a former Pastor with a reputation and influence has to do. Is there anything wrong with that?

I think Senator Obama has shown extremely bad judgement and worse he has forever damaged the excellent work and the reputation of a defining scholar and theoligian our times.

Senator Obama is a brilliant man and very articulate. He has a very unique and refreshing message. Has he done himself a disservice by prematurely pushing so hard for the Presidency. Should this have been his “1956″ so that he could have a much stronger in “1960″ 4 or even 8 years later.

Has the mainstream media damaged an extremely good man, an extremely strong African American contender by propping him up and caricuturizing him and building him to be something he is not? Have they pushed him to self destruction? Have the media built Senator Obama’s campaign as anti-Clintons for their selfish interest of ratings and their hatred of the Clintons. Has Obama starting believing the media that he somehow is invincible. The “Bitter” statement in SF only comes from overconfidence and certain degree of arrogance? Senator doesn’t seem to be that person. But has the media made him that person. Is that good for Senator Obama or for history where America could have had an African American in the highest office of the Land.

Would the Democratic Party have been in a much better position with a Clinton-Obama ticket and have a historic 16 years with a woman President followed by an African-American President?

Can anyone question the Clintons commitment to the African American community?

Does anyone in their right frame of mind think the Republican party would let go the Rev. Wright issue, irrespective of what Senator Obama now says or does. Does anyone in their right frame of mind- looking at the results in Ohio, PA and most likely in IN (which could be a surprising double digit win for Senator Clinton) think Senator Obama can win in Nov against Senator Mc Cain. Senator Obama was breaking into the working class white men in Maryland, Wisconsin etc. All that has changed post Rev. Wright controversy and post “Bitter” comments.

Now is the time for African American opinion leaders such as yourself to take in the reality of the situation and do what is right for the Party and more importantly what is right and best for African Americans. If Senator Obama loses IN by 5 points or more and if he wins NC by less than double digits, then opinion leaders like you should step in and strongly suggest a Clinton-Obama ticket; not in the interest of Senator Clinton, but in the interest of Senator Obama, his long-term political viability and the African American community.

Consider this for a moment, if Senator Obama is the nominee and he loses in Nov. what happens to his political future, what happens to the “Dream” of “one day during our lifetime” we will see an African American President and the “Dream” for a more perfect Union. Should Dr. King have given up his life for nothing? Don’t all of us, most importantly African American opinion leaders such as yourself do whatever it takes to ensure the “Dream” comes through.

I think it’s interesting that you feel that especially WHITE women want to hear that we should vote for Obama because if McCain becomes president, we won’t be have the “right to choose”. That’s the best you could do for WHITE women? Amazing. Jeremiah Wright is a dangerous individual and the fact that Obama could sit in that church and listen to explosive racially charged sermons for 20 years says a lot about who he (Obama) is. If it were McCain sitting in a church listening to that type of garbage Sunday after Sunday, uplifting the white man, don’t think everyone wouldn’t be up in arms over that one. It’s so one sided! Obama blew it once the black and white issue came into play. The black man isn’t kept down and there are plenty of successful black people out there to prove that!

Jeremiah Wright IS a representation of who Obama is — who he really is. Now, I guess, according to the lady in the post above says, he sold out to white folks. Well this white chick aint buying any crap he may be selling. I don’t believe ANYTHING he says. It’s all damage control from here on out.

And I’m not voting for Hillary either… contrary to what you may think, white women don’t just vote for someone because she’s another white woman.

I have to say that I am saddened by the events that have taken shape this past week. I have had the priviledged of hear Rev. Wright speak on several occassions and I love his sermons. He is very frank and tells the truth as seen through the eyes of Black America. (Those that will truly admit that there are two Americas.) His interview on Bill Morers show and the NAACP speech were very dynamic. They gave insight to who he really is and that in our differences we are not deficient. However, the questioning that he attended at the National Press Club was more defensive than offensive. Growing up you always hear, “Its not what you said, but how you said it.” This statement would apply to him. I think that Rev. Wright is very articulate, but it did not show during the questioning. I do understand his reaction to the questions, but think it could have been worded better. While I understand that Wright is not running for president, his words will be used against Obama for all the wrong reasons.

You are right when you say that they were not going to let Wright just fade away into the sunset. The opponents need him in order to cast a shadow on Obama. They can not find anything else and therefore the attacks have to come from somewhere else. It amazes me how no one is talking about the religious affiliations of the other two candidates and their endorsements from the religious right or left. Bottom line, Obama is his own man. I grew up in a church and yes believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. However, I am not Him and therefore strive to be like Him daily. With that said, I am no way perfect and still have yet to do what any pastor has ever told me to do to the fullest. Have there been times when the pastor has said some things in the pulpit that I did not agree with? “yes”. This does not mean I should leave a church based on what one man thinks. This is what makes all of us unique. We can think things through and make up our own minds. Obama went to Wrights church, so what. He is ultimately to follow Christ, not man. Furthermore, I can honestly guarantee that Obama did not attend every Sunday with his schedule and Wright does not preach those types of sermons every Sunday.

We should not be concerned with the comments of Wright because he is not running for President. I understand what others are saying because this is supposed to be his spiritual leader. This is a man that led him to Christ. If you truly know Christ, then your spiritual leader is Christ. We should only look at man as being man. No one is perfect. In closing, Obama is the best man for the job. America should stop making poor excuses for someone who is more than qualified. People say he is not qualified enough. I dissagree. There is no training program that anyone could go into in order to prepare themselves for the Presidency. Since when did major qualifications matter. If that were the case, then Bush should have never been elected.

Remember, Yes We Can and We Will!!!!!!

Dana:

I am one white person who agrees with Rev. Wright up to the AIDS comment. I do believe that the US Gov. has been neglible when it comes to AIDS but I think it’s NUTS to say the Gov. invented it to kill black folks. When AIDS hit the US, it hit the gay population first. It was the gays that the government may have been all to happy see die off. By the way, none of my ancestors owned slaves or had anything to do with the KKK. Not all white folks are looking to put blacks down. I certainly wasn’t raised that way.

Roland, My Brother!

I am a bit turned off by some of what I am hearing from you about Reverend Wright. I am usually with you, but I believe you and some others are mis-characterizing him as regards to his Press Club lecture and Q & A session. Here is the bottom line – Anyone who really understands what Liberation Theology also knows there would be no Barak Obama rising up out of the south-side of Chicago if it had not been for the prophetic preaching of Reverend Wright. Pastors have done and will more for people than any president has done or ever will do! It was a HUGE mistake for Obama to burn the bridge that facilitated his ascension to even think of the very possibility of becoming the President of the United States of America. What he did is something you just do not do to the Elders! I am hurt, angered, enraged and now I question if I should vote for Obama. I am messed up over this circus in front of White folks who pulled the oldest trick in the book – “Divide and Conquer”! African Americans with power in the media should have resisted playing into this as well. Come on, help me out here.

Dear Roland Martin,

So, let’s examine the Senator Obama – Rev. Wright relationship. For twenty years, Senator Obama attended Rev. William’s church hearing such things such as the United States government created AIDS to kill black people, the United States deserved the 911 attacks, and my personal favorite, “G–damn America”.

Now that Rev Wright’s spoken opinions are public, Senator Obama says that he is outraged by such statements. The real question is, why was Senator Obama not outraged when he first heard such statements over the past twenty years?

I believe there are only two possible answers for the above question.

1) Over the past twenty years, Senator Obama agreed with Rev. Williams outrageous statements.
2) Over the past twenty years, Senator Obama lacked the conviction and wisdom to speak out against Rev. William’s outrageous statements (or at least walkout when he first heard such statements).

Senator Obama, for twenty years, neither spoke out nor walked out when he heard Rev. Williams make outrageous statements. So, people are supposed to believe that Senator Obama is now outraged? Sorry Senator Obama, your alleged outrage is twenty years too late and is perhaps the largest “flip-flop” of belief and opinion ever alleged by a political candidate.

I thank God for you Roland! It is very refreshing to have someone is a position to speak to the masses that is educated, informed, and unbiased. Rev. Wright of course had every right to defend himself, however, he clearly took it too far. For those that believe that Senator Obama is a “sell out”, get real. Senator Obama is running for the President of the United States of America and has to be the President for all Americans, not just Black Americans. Rev. Wright proved 2 things to me over the course of the past few days, 1) That he is Intelligent and has a life time of experiences to draw on; and 2) He does not give a flying hoot about Senator Obama. He continued to say things that he KNEW would be controversial and attempted to send the message that Senator Obama somewhow secretly feels that same as he does, but can’t say so because he is trying to get elected. Rev. Wright is obvioulsy not stupid and knew very well that he was pushing Senator Obama into a corner. Rev Wright could clearly care less about the fact that Senator Obama’s Campaign is already in a non-momentum period after the loss of Ohio, Supposedely Texas and Penn. Senator Obama does not have to defend or protect Rev Wright and it is silly for black people to even think for one half of a second that he is a “sell out”. Give me a break! This man is running for President of one of the most powerful countries on the planet, he does not have time for the nonesense of Rev. Wright. Those that think this “divorce” has come to late, as I have heard some commentators say, are also beyond silly – I won’t spend too much time commenting on that because those are folks that would have not voted for Senator Obama, Rev Wright or no Rev Wright.

Roland, your talking points focus too much on the assumption that Barack will get the Democratic Nomination. But in a recent Dean interview, Dean implied that the nomination is up for grabs by mentioning that the remaining superdelegates should make their decision based upon the “electability” factor. That was a definite signal that Barack is in deep trouble no matter what the pledged delegate total happens to be. And all of your points regarding why WCW should go Democratic in the fall also apply if Hillary is the Nominee. He and Hillary are just to much in agreement on the issues. The major way that Barack can distinguish himself is on PERSONALITY AND PERSPECTIVE.

BARACK MUST FOCUS ON STRENGTHENING HIS PERFORMANCE IN THE FINAL MATCH UPS.

HE NEEDS TO SHAKE IT OFF AND COME OUT FIRED UP, STRONG AND UPBEAT.

I saw a clip of he and Michelle in Indiana and he looked so sad that it brought me to tears.

He needs to throw a party for the good folks of NC and Indiana — and let them know that he is happy, happy, happy because his conscience is CLEAR and he is confident that this country is moving in a new direction!!!

This is the beginning of the New Millenium and the politics of the past–including the grievances of the past have to be laid to rest so that we all in this multicultural societh can MOVE FORWARD together in peace with our neighbors at home and around the world. It is not that difficult. It is all about attitude.

Barack is the only candidate on the stage who signifies a FRESH START. Hillary’s focus on her experience is fine, she can continue to use that experience in Congress or possibly in the cabinet. It’s time for a Fresh Start and a New Perspective–from everyone!! And anyone who isn’t willing to get behind that, who wants to stay stuck in the past is hurting themselves, their legacy and their country.

Barack needs to hone in on not just what he wants to do; but how he’s going to get it accomplished. He needs to focus more on how he will immediately mininmize our involvement in Iraq and bring those dollars home to boost our economy and create jobs right her in the US.

He needs to throw a BBQ or a pre-Mother’s day tea. Invite his sister and his grandma and let people see who Barack Obama is. The WCW of Indiana and NC have NOT read his books. They have heard his story, they have seen him speak, they have been exposed to the JW “authority challenging.” They really need to get more exposure to the man.

And all of this childish “sellout” nonsense just displays an absence of intellect, IMO. If the man is going to be the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, then he will be working on behalf of ALL OF THE PEOPLE and he will NEVER get there unless he gets the MAJORITY of the support and we black folk are not even the largest minority any longer. GET WITH IT, PEOPLE. It’s time to grow up!!!

If Barack wanted to be a vociferous, in your face, minimally effective voice focusing solely on black people, then he wouldn’t be running for the presidency and/or he would have been knocked out of the race long ago; because he wouldn’t have been able to generate the broadbased support that he has..

Some folks need to get their nose in some books and/or get out of the neighborhood and digest the facts of life.

Hi Roland,

You are spot on, on how Obama can come back standing taller than before. Please get in touch with his peeps and let them know this information.

Also, JW may not have “lied” about anything; but what he told was HIS view of the truth and since he is, in fact, NOT GOD, he is also FAR FROM PERFECT and he happened to be WRONG on a number of levels–most of them pointed out by Barack…

First, JW doesn’t speak for all black people; because he doesn’t speak for me. So Barack wasn’t being a “sell out” in pointing out that he doesn’t speak for him. I do not stop and “listen” to Louis Farakhan and his pseudo-theology. IMO, the black muslims perpetuate an atmosphere of negativity and hostility, having anyone who listens to them focusing on the PAST so much that they miss all of the opportunities available in the present and they fail to appreciate the FACT that many WHITE PEOPLE of goodwill have stood beside us, been locked up with us, died with us and loved us so that we can have the opportunities that we enjoy today — when we are with it enough to avail ourselves of them. There are many many totally nice white folks — pouring MILLIONS OF DOLLARS into Barack’s candidacy for the U.S. presidency and he has not only the right, but the RESPONSIBILITY to represent their interests just as well as those of blacks.

Speaking of negativity and a focus on the PAST. I also don’t believe that “the government” invented AIDS to inflict on the black community. The Tuskeegee scenario was half a century ago. People need to learn how to move on. That’s what Barack’s about and that doesn’t make him a sell out. It makes him a healer. JW said that he was about that healing. Well, you don’t heal anything with fingerpointing and paranoid accustaions. Barack’s not about that and neither am I.

And whatever the rules of reaping and sowing, only God knows when those dynamics are in force; because HE IS omniscient, omnipresent, JUDGE. Not us and not Jeremiah Wright. So I don’t think it’s constructive or “Truthful” to say that the U.S. brought on domestic terrorism itself. Such statements are very HURTFUL to the INNOCENT MULTICULTURAL VICTIMS — who do not set U.S. policy any more than you or I do. It is very unsympathetic and unpatriotic to make such statements.

And when you KNOW that your statements will reflect upon someone who is trying to be selected as the person to lead the country, your negative statements are downright STUPID–unless, of course, you’re TRYING to damage the person’s chances.

Also, JW was not defending the “AA church tradition.” Most AA churches are about salvation, redemption and sanctification. There is no political discussion in the church that my grandmother founded and I haven’t heard much of any in the many churches that I have attended over the years.
So Wright was wrong on that as well. He can’t speak for all black folks, he can’t speak for all black churches–most of them don’t need and wouldn’t want his brand of “defense.” And he can’t speak for Barack Obama and Barack made that clear. So he wasn’t selling out, he was standing up for what HE believes.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS — THAT IS WHAT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEED TO BE FOCUSING ON WITH OUR CHILDREN.

Alao, Barack is allowing Hillary to appear to be the WC hero with her gas tax holiday bone. Barack needs to understand that people want RELIEF. Barack has to stop being so academic. Hillary and John know how to play on people’s vulnerabilities. Barack needs to offer some real suggestions for RIGHT NOW too. Not elect me and we’ll get it together in January.

I agree. Obama has to be on message and let the public know that he is going to be running the country and not rev Wright.

Why has CNN’s ad nausea media coverage of the Jeremiah Wright story completely ignored the Clinton’s involvement with the controversial Pastor? Throughout this media mess nothing has been said about how Wright was summoned by the Clinton’s during the Lewinsky era for guidance– the focus has only been on Obama’s relationship with him. We all know that the media can make or break a campaign simply by the way stories are reported, in whole and in part. Tell them to be fair in reporting the news. Don’t just take a piece and run it into the ground. Examine both sides. It was the media’s continuous playing of the Wright sound bites without the benefit of the whole sermon for weeks that started this fury in the first place. The same should have been done with the Clintons and Wright. CNN should take the responsible neutral approach and tell both sides of this story–then let the people decide. Pass this along to your CNN constituents.

Jeremiah Wright has demoted himself from a respected minister to a total idiot. Sen. Obama should cut the cord and move on with his plans to change America. Sen. Obama has shown the strenght, courage and endurance one needs to lead our country. He’s the RIGHT man for the position of President of the United States. Obama 2008!

As a devoted Christian and a black woman, I thought Reverend Wright was out of line during the press breakfast or conference (I am not sure what it was). I cannot think why he went ahead with that press conference after all the positive image he had generated from his previous appearances, which showed a temperate man. I believe he is temperate except when excited which he became during the course of the press conference.

It is funny because when I was watching the press conference with the first question he asked the questioner, have you heard the full sermon? To which she replied No. I expected him to refuse to answer her questions because the person asking the questions was not qualified to if she had not even bothered to hear the full sermon (a sign of disrespect). There and then, I knew it was a trap. It proved ultimately to be because when challenged on the question about Aids being created by the government to infect “black” people he could not answer it as glibly as he had answered the other questions because that is one opinion but it is not based on provable facts. So he stumbled. He may have been upset with Mr Obama but the fundamental thing we should know, as Christians is that in everything we do Love should be our motivation anything else is playing with fire.

I love watching many preachers on TV, some of the ones I listen to have said things that has made me switch channels but I know that majority of the time their messages are on point. For those who say he should not have broken ties with Rev Wright consider this, Rev Wright insinuated that Mr Obama was not honest and was just playing politics at least that is how it sounded. It may not have been what he wanted to say but to make this claim about someone who is trying to convince people he is not just being the usual politician is to characterize him negatively and all his opponents have been trying to do this since he started winning. I do not care if he is black, white, hispanic, native American, Asian whatever race it is irrelevant. At a time when fear has reigned more than Hope God always raises someone who gets it and someone who can galvanize the people to fight for their lives, their children and their future. America has a chance to change things for the better the big question is……Will they take it?

Roland,

First you told us that Reverend Wright was represent of the Black church and that was just rhetoric to be taken in context with the whole sermon and the church experience. Now after he repeats the message at a speech in front of the NAACP and the press club he is no longer speaking for the black church and his same rhetoric is now divisive. Some people regardless of their ethnicity or religion just do not get it. I thought we had moved to judging people by the content of their character instead of the color of their skin. Unfortunately you have lost that lesson and now support a candidate because of the color of his skin despite the content of his character.

Hi Roland,

I am a canadian and have been watching the election and have become a political nut. My husband laughs at me cause I am more interested in the American election than my own.

I would like to give you my complete gratification for your fair and intelligent journalism. When the Reverend Wright thing broke I would not accept the soundbites so I went on the internet and heard the sermons in full any idiot could do that if they wanted to hear the truth. Some people would rather hear soundbites than the truth. I am disappointed with Reverend Wright after the National Press Conference. I felt he left a bitter taste in my mouth and I felt he did Obama an injustice and my heart goes out to the Obama’s. To be betrayed by their pastor is more than I can swallow.

I know that you have a relationship with the Obama’s and please could you give them my sympathy and that I do not believe anything the media has portrayed about them. There is a lot of Canadians that feel that he would make a wonderful President and that we pray for him everyday.

And Roland thank you for your support for Obama!

A big fan of yours,

Pam Bouwma

BLACKS HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT OBAMA IS RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES NOT BLACK AMERICA. REV WRIGHT HAD THE WRONG POSTURE, WORDS, AND THE OMEGA SIGN MADE ME SICK TO MY STOMACH. BLACKS HAVE TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE. REV. WRIGHT TOLD THE WORLD THAT OBAMA IS LYING LIKE A POLITICIAN AND THAT IS A PROBLEM.
REV. WRIGHT KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING? HE SHOULD HAVE REQUESTED THAT HE WASN’T GIVING INTERVIEWS UNTIL THE MEDIA AIR THE ENTIRE SERMON. BY THE WAY, THIS WAS ARRAIGNED BY A HILLARY SUPPORTER NOW DO THE MATH.

YES HE CAN AND HE WILL!!!!! OBAMA

You are an KNOWN quantity…can you or one of your surrogates send or get your article to Obama? I call the campaign daily suggesting things like this; I write emails and letters asking the same things. Never a reply! Someone with some “pull” needs to get this message to Obama and get it to him NOW – in time to affect the votes in Indiana and N.C. Can you do it?

Well, well, well, Michael Moore on Larry King offered a refreshing perspective – “As a 50 year old White man, I am not in a position to judge a Black man like Reverend Wright”. It is another way of saying, “do not judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes”.

What is truly amazing is that CNN has jumped on the tabloid frenzy and taking the lead from FAUX NEWS. Here is what I and many others have a problem with, Rev. Wright appeared on the Fox News show in March of 2007 and Hannity accused him of preaching “black separatism”. He knew from that point on that he would have been scrutinized and he basically invited the frenzy. Sean Hannity and Fox News decided to play snippets of sermons and totally assault his character, what does Wright do, he leaves Obama to field the questions. Now, if someone or people are trying to defame me or my church I think one with any sense of conviction would have dealt with this situation right away and not leave Obama to explain comments in which he may not have heard. But Wright instead chose to supposedly leave the country and then wait until he can get grandstanding attention and then comes out on Obama.

What Wright should have cleared up in the MSM was to define that his sermon was his words and that Obama had nothing to do with it. Obama tried to defuse this situation and had it quelled to some point but ironically, Wright takes and invitation from Wendell Anthony , CLINTON SUPPORTer, of the NAACP and BARBARA REYNOLD, CLINTON SUPPORTER, National PRess Club to reign assault on Obama. Now when Obama first came out he praised Wright and agreed to disagree with his comments. But Wright did not show him any love in the MSM, he took the opportunity to show just what CLINTON Black SUPPORTERS do and that is tear down another black man. Hillary used these fools to do her bidding and then she throws them under the bus.

Rev. Wright said he was not going to allow the media to keep talking about him or his church family and that it was an assault on the black church, well, if Mr. Wright was so passionate about that then why did he not name names, like Sean Hannity, Rupert Murdoch, James Carville, etc. Why did he specifically name Obama. See, Wright is a Clinton supporter and he owed them.

Now I notice that the MSM has been silent on the Norman Hsu, Peter Paul, WhiteWater, Mena etc involving the Clinton. They basically are getting a free pass all the while focusing on a grown man who chose preaching as his profession and chose the words in HIS sermon. I would like to know if Americans are that stupid into believing that Obama should be held accountable for a person who does not live in his home and who is a grown man who has the right to freedom of speech. What Wright says are Wrights WORDS not Obama’s. I and those who chose to shift from Obama based on Wright were never really committed to him in the first place so using Wright is just a lame excuse.

I have to ask, Roland, What has happened to sensible, intelligent, investigative journalism? It appears that the CARD READERS on these networks are just that. They lack all ability to think outside the box. When will reporting return to unbias? Wright is a non issue and basically irrelavent, so let it die.

It appears that the business of “old politics” just don’t want the funeral nor the coverage of dirt and those who are supporting Hillary are those of the ” old dirty politics” camp. They fear change and they fear losing their bread baskets. Obama has garnered a movement in which has not happen since MLK and they are afraid that the people will rise and demand open government and find out how they sold out this country to foreigners. Let’s see if this gets posted.

Your article is terrific. You should be hired by the Obama Campaign. Everything you said is right on. I am a 57 year old white woman from California. I strongly support Obama for President, as do many of my friends, some of who voted for Hillary and have since changed over to Obama. We are sick over this Wright stuff and it needs to end now. I hope the Obama Campaign takes a good hard look at everything you said. This country needs him. Thanks for all your help.

Hello Roland, I am very sadden by this experience, and I can just imagine how O & M feels. This whole experience has sadden me as well. Obama had to do what was right, and he is not a sell out. I was a fan of CNN, and always felt Anderson Cooper was not biased in presenting the news. My granddaughter told me this afternoon, she was sad because her candidate, Obama was not being treated fairly by the news and they did not want O to be President. I asked her why she said this, and she said “all the news in the last five days, news coverage was about Obama, and it appeared he was the only person with a problem (my granddaughter is 9 yrs.old) and not the other candidates.” She saw the unfairness of the media coverage. This coversation caused me to pause before I spoke. My advise to her was there are some fair newspersons, and I introduced her to you Roland. I know you are one of the analyst for CNN, please tell CNN’s management, many of my friends along with myself, are seriously considering boycotting CNN. How CNN handled their treatment of Obama and JW situation was an insult to all Americans! Their intentions may not have intented to come across as racist, but guess what, it is what many persons has voiced by their parting conversations and opinions, both W, A, L, etc. Many foreign persons looking at how the media responded and covered the whole event was done in a biased and racist manner. Now CNN has to prove itself to me and my friends that they are not racist before I watch CNN again, this is my promise to my granddaughter. I cannot support any premise that I consider biased and unfair. I will visit your blog to stay informed. Keep up your honest media coverage and thank you for allowing me an opportunity to voice my concerns (along with my granddaughter’s) and my heartfelt sadness.

Amen and Amen Reverend Charles Houston!

I am surprised at the opportunist negroes on this blog stating Reverend Wright was out of line. Where in the hell do they get off saying that. Reverend Wright has experienced and seen atrocities committed by the American Government before Obama was even born. The bigger picture as some of these Obama apologists is that at the end of the day and the primaries, black people supported bcecause he offered change, he didn’t cow tow to White America by selling out the black community until now and he garnered a large white election support.

For him to do this to Reverend Wright is deplorable. He had every I mean every opportunity to make his position clear as he did many times before that Reverend Wright doesn’t speak for me or my campaign and leave it at that. Despite the fact the media and some of White America wanted to keep the issue going he should have stayed the course of black people are not monolithic and I should not and will not answer for the remarks of people who support my candidacy. Put the media and white america on their heels and state in no uncertain terms this black man isn’t your puppet.

No matter what need person on this blog tries to say against Wright and his comments, they are DEAD WRONG!! The fight was Wright Vs The Media, Wright Vs White America that thinks racism is a myth and not Wright Vs Obama. Obama fell into the oldest trick and trap and showed either he is a dummy or a sellout either doesn’t make him look good. The bigger point is how White America views Black America. To those who say Obama would be president of not Black America but America, I also say you are DEAD WRONG and also STUPID! Why???? Because if he isn’t going to be President of Black America and America then we as a community could have overwhelmingly voted for Hillary Clinton and not him. We voted for him because deep down we believed he would be President of Black America.

BLACK PEOPLE WHO STILL THINK OBAMA DIDN”T DO ANYTHING WRONG, WAKE UP AND WAKE UP FAST. IF HE DID THIS TO WRIGHT NOW WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WILL DO AS PRESIDENT WHEN THE POWERS IN CONGRESS AND THE JUDICIARY TELL HIM IF HE DOESN’T FOLLOW WHAT THEY TELL THEM HE WILL EITHER BE INVESTIGATED FOR STUFF THAT HAPPENED DECADES AGO I.E. TONY REZKO, WILLIAM AYERS TO IMPEACH HIM OR THEY WILL MAKE AN ATTEMPT ON HIS LIFE.

Remember when the Black Community hits hard times economically, socially, politically we turn to the church to be uplifted and Reverend Wright is apart of that tradition and to disrespect him like that is a disrespect to the support system the black community has when times are hard.

Obama did us wrong and unless he comes out and apologizes for making a private disagreement with Wright public and explain that Wright had a fight with the media and some of white america and he should not have gotten in between that, I think we as black people should pull our support for him

This whole circus saddens me!!! Obama and Wright are both unacceptable to me.

I am one of those Christians who do not belive in mixing non-religious theology with Biblical teachings. It is difficult enough to keep the unadultrated Word of God clear from false, religious ideaologies. Whether it be Liberation truth for Black Americas or Gays & Lesbian, as espoused by the Unity Fellowship movement, I don’t care for my personal relationship with the Lod being reduced to wordly, social issues.

As for Mr Obama, whether we black folks want to own up to it or not, he is just another slick talking politician, seeking power. I resent the fact that he takes us for granted and appears to think no matter how he distances himself from us, Black folks will still support him; i.e where was he on 4 April 2008 when even John McCain was in Memphis. I too would love to live in a society where color is not a relevant measure of human character or one’s ability to succeed, but I don’t want to live in a society where I must turn my back on a culture that millions of Black folk developed through the most degreading slavery ever know to mankind, nor to elect a “Black President” who has “gone beyond” our black culture, just to gain power. I am reminded of the time when getting past race meant being able to pass for white or in more modern times, being able to no longer be classified as “Black” on a censenus report, but rather “bi-racial”.

I agree 100% with you Roland. Senator Obama needs to get back to what made him decide to run for President in the first place. Hopefully, the media will let this go and move on to the issues which should be more important to the people.

I have been so interested in this election and what is happening. What I don’t understand why at this moment did Rev. Wright feel it necessary to come-out. I don’t totally disagree with what Rev. Wright say in 2003 or now, but I do disagree with him coming out on.. He is a Man of God (which I believe He is) should have taken time to think what he was about to do… The word of God says You Should Watch as Well as Pray. Be a Good Shepard over your Flock. Look out for there well being.. Question is was Rev. Wright watching, looking or caring about Sen. Obama?? Sen. Obama is running for the highest office in this country, the Presidency.. not Rev. Wright. And we as Black Americans could remember that.. He’s not only running for us but for all people. Like Michelle Obama said for the 1st time I am proud to be an American, and she was right.. I am a 54 yrs old Black Woman and just like her I am proud at this very moment to say, that I too and Proud.. Not only because we have a 85% chance of winning, but because WE as Black Folks have taken a stand with Sen. Obama 90% or more of us have voted for him.. Please don’t let the News or the Reporters of White America try and divide us.. Let’s Stand Tall and Say Sen. Barak Obama is the man of choice.. He is the President. Please Lets Take a Stand.

It’s quite possible that Sen. Obama did not attend church very often. I truly believe this is the case and he may somehow feel it can be harmful to his campaign to state this fact. He could have only attended a few Sundays a month and/or holidays. As you know most Black churches (especially, Mega churches) hold service at least 3-5 times a week @ different times and on Sundays the sermons are preached @ several different hours (due to size of crowds). Therefore, it’s likely that Senator Obama heard few of Rev. Wright’s messages. I have attended his church and is not a member of it and haven’t heard those types of sermons. But when he used to broadcast on TV, on Mondays, I have heard him publicly state his opinions and preach, using terms that all may not agree with, but were not as offensive as some think these were. Judges, Drs. Lawyers, public officials, etc., attend(ed) Trinity UCC.

Obama is Obama and Wright is Wright and Obama did like politicians have to do and Wright defended himself and his African American religious traditions. Those who want to make something out of nothing are simpletons. What I find most hypocritical about the uncontroversity is how people were offended by a man speaking his mind and taking the “mute” button off of the African American population. We (African Americans) have been taught to be careful for what we say with regards to race relations in this country in order not to suffer the retribution of the ruling class. There was too much pressure on our race to suffer and be treated unequally in a country and be taught to stay quiet. As we shift to a new era in America, more and more African Americans ( because of Wrights outspokeness) will be empowered to speak truth to power. A social movement is happening and Obama can be given the credit for drawning attention to the need for a national dialogue on race in America. But it is Reverend Wright who will be credited for waking up people and putting our differences which are not deficiencies on FULL BLAST. I bet everyone in America is talking about race, slavery, bitterness, hope, social injustices and Obama’s race to the White house. Bad pub is just as good as good publicity. It is nice to see America bright eyed and bushey tails. YES WE CAN

I read Barack’s autobiography which was published in 1995. He defined who he is in his book in his own words. Barack was already molded when he went to Chicago. His mother and grandparents raised him in the white world. The only difference in them, and his neighbors, was his skin color which was darker and his thicker hair. But, to him, he was still one of them within his soul. At least until his very young schoolmates began to make him feel self concious about his darker color. He then began to feel the difference. Actually, the only discernible difference was the color of his skin.

That is the case today. He is a very intelligent human being, made in the image of God. We all know that America fosters a racist society. The great speech delivered by Barack soon after the Wright controversy is exactly 100% correct. He didn’t voluntarily go to the black ghetto community because he had to, he went there to see what he could do for the underprivileged and the uneducated by design. He offered himself. Barack was not the only politician who joined that church. WILL THE OTHER POLITICIANS WHO ATTENDED THAT CHURCH, PLEASE STAND UP. One of the msnbc news anchors, young black female, also went to that on church several times. She said she never heard such talk.

Barack is being treated the way he is being treated, because he is of a darker color because his father was a pure blooded African.

The Media will do anything to keep Barack out of that “white” house, no matter how qualified he is. If it had not been that church and the Wright controversy, it would have been something else. They know Wrights comments have not tainted Barack’s character and morals. Barack has truthfully identifed himself to us and to the world. The power that be simply rejects him. They would rather have a liar, theft, and killer in the “white” house than to have an Caucasian-African as president of the United States of America. If it is God’s will, Barack will prevail.

ROLAND,
HOW COME THE TELEVISION MADIA HAS CONTINUED TO IGNORE RUSH’S OPERARTION CHAOS? THIS IS THE REASON HRC IS COMPETATIVE IN THIS PRIMARIES. CNN AND MSNBC JUST MENTIONS IT AS THOUGH IT DOESN’T MATTER.PLEASE ROLAND U GUYS NEED TO TALK MORE ON THIS.HRC IS NOW THE DARLING OF CONSERVATIVES,REPUBLICANS ARE REGISTERING IN THOUSANDS AS A RESULT OF OPERATION CHAOS THEN VOTING FOR HILLARY.

How Sen. Obama can get beyond Rev. Wright…

The Clinton and McCain strategy here is to placate voters by pretending that a gas tax holiday will solve a problem when it won’t. They know this, and we know this. And McCain and Clinton are relying on the willingness of voters to be ……

Roland, why is there such a call for Barack to denounce Rev. Wright, when no one has asked Catholic parishioners to denounce or abandon the Catholic church in light of the rapes and molestations! There is a pronounced double standard in this country. And frankly, I am sick of that!!!

Hi Roland,
Thank you for your continous fair and balanced coverage. I think a very important piece is missing regarding this controversy. Senator Obama’s legislature record in the state senate of Illinois and as a US Senate is of public record. If anyone wants to know the truth about the man and where his values stands should view them. Because it would show that Senator Obama has never subcribed to any anti-america stance or conspiracy theories when it came to policy making. The media(not you or Rachel Maddow) has failed to look for this truth. Thats why for me, this is all about race and the infamous “Black Tax”. You know, we have to be better than and go out of our way to make the majority population feel comfortable and superior. If anything, Senator Obama forgot this. He has shown them that he is their equal and that and that alone has angered them the most. WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL” Can Senator Obama have a level playing field?

REV CHARLES HOUSTON,

I don’t know where you were ordained; but you must not be a CHRISTIAN pastor or you would not defend a “Pastor” who would laud Louis Farakhan as some great leader of the 20th and 21st century. Have you ever read the Autobiography of Malcom X? If so, then you know that the psuedo-theology of the Nation of Islam is nothing more than invidious POLITICAL rhetoric contrary to the teachings and the spirit of a christian walk.

The Nation of Islam doesn’t even practice real Islam. They are misguided and isolationist–blessed to have benefited from the sacrifice and the prayers of real believers…

I will be honest with you Roland, I used to think that CNN has the most balance coverage of the Wright story, but they have become just as bad as Fox. Just the constant talking about Rev. Wright and Oh, what will Obama do and so on and so on. This has gotten to the ridiculous stage. I mean, there is no reporting of the news anymore. I have not heard any of the media speak of the case of Paul vs Clinton. You have all of the experts come on and give their opinions and most of the time, that is just what it is, their opinion. David Gergen is about the only white man left on that show, that I can respect. You have Lou Dobbs come on and I think to myself, Oh my God. Lou Dobbs is racist and I am surprised that he is not on Fox news. Oh yeah, I love Jack too. Jack just tells it like it is. I can appreciate that. But this constant drumbeat about Obama is nauseating. It is all about the black guy. CNN should talk about all of the news, not just about the black guy.

Ron:

All that was meant for evil will work out for GOOD to “The POOR”.

The whole world will come to see how this wicked-world takes a mild and intelligent man like Obama and subjects him to unnecessary PRESSURE (wickedness) until he becomes one “ANGRY BLACK MAN”.

The “Jesus” who said turn the other cheek, was the same “Jesus” who had to WHIP THE MONEY CHANGERS out of His Father’s house.

TRUTH is TRUTH, regardless of how it comes. Whether it comes in a still small voice or in a thunder, The TRUTH is still The TRUTH. Whether it is coming from a clown or just “AN ANGRY BLACK MAN”, The TRUTH is still The TRUTH and we should be able to receive it as The TRUTH.

ROLAND YOU ARE CORRECT, OBAMA WILL LOSE THIS RACE UNLESS HE STARTS SHOWING HE IS TOUGH ENOUGH. AMERICANS LIKE A FIGHTER SOMEONE WHO IS COOL BUT WILL THROW A PUNCH. YOU CANT WIN AN ELECTION WITH THE ROPE A DOPE, LIKE ALI YOU OCCASSIONALLY HAVE TO TAKE A SHOT. HE DOES NOT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT HIS UPBRINGING. HE WAS NOT BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. HE WAS ONCE ON FOODSTAMPS. HE HAD TO BORROW MONEY FOR COLLEGE. TALK MORE ABOUT HIS MOM WHO DIED AT AN EARLY AGE. HIS GRANDPARENTS. OBAMA NEEDS TO CLEARLY LET VOTERS KNOW THAT HE WORSHIPS GOD, NOT REV. WRIGHT. HE NEEDS TO SAY THAT HIS FAITH IS BIGGER THAN REV. WRIGHT WHO IS JUST A MAN. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE A BLACK PRESIDENT. JUST THINK ABOUT IT? I THINK WE WERE PRETTY CLOSE UNTIL REV. WRIGHT MADE HIS MEDIA ROUNDS THE LAST FEW DAYS. WHAT HE HAS DONE IS REALLY HURT OBAMA’S CHANCES. WAS IT WORTH IT FOR HIM TO STROKE HIS EGO? HOW STUPID AND VERY IMMATURE. IF OBAMA LOSES THIS NOMINATION OR THE PRESIDENCY REV. WRIGHT WILL BE THE BLAME. HISTORY WAS HERE FOR THE MAKING AND REV. WRIGHT SELFISHNESS WILL RUIN IT FOR ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS. ROLAND IS CORRECT, IT IS TIME FOR OBAMA TO STEP UP HIS GAME, GET IN THE FIGHT. REV. WRIGHT HAS PUT OBAMA’S BACK AGAINST THE WALL, NOW IT’S TIME TO FIGHT. REV. WRIGHT IS NOT WITH US HE IS IN IT FOR HIMSELF. NOW IT’S TIME FOR US TO STORM THE POLLS. WHO ARE WE WITH, OBAMA OR REV. WRIGHT? WE ARE AT THIS CROSSROAD BLACK PEOPLE.

Rev. Wright told the truth about America and the government. Ali, Malcolm X, Dr. King also had all told the truth and the American media and government crucified them. Didn’t Israel sell weapons to and help support South African’s apartheid? Didn’t the U.S. sell weapons to both Iraq and Iran? How about the Iran Contra scandal? What about the CIA selling and providing cocaine on the west coast? Better yet, how about Black Wall street(The bombing of a wealthy black community by air in either Lawton or Tulsa, OK), the Tuskegee Experiment, and perhaps the most worst recent example is the slow response to hurricane Katrina in Aug. of 2005? If all of these thing have happened then why can’t AIDS have been a man-made disease? I do admit as of right now there isn’t any smoking gun proof yet. However, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Rev. Wright is right about AIDS. After all, stranger things have happened before. It is not anti-semitic to criticize Israel nor is it unpatriotic to criticize the US for their human rights abuses. I’m tired of people attacking the black community when we have leaders who have the courage to tell the truth.

Huggy Bear,,

Yeshua said we would always have the poor with us. It is one of the reasons that yeshua told the rich man to sell everything he had to henter the kindom. Where was his real heart?

I hope and pray that Mr Obama never lets that happen. It will give the uneducated people just one more thing to add to their unfortunate list of sillyness.

There has been and is such an effort to hide the “Real” truth. People today dont know and dont understand what the real truth is. As the Honorable Reverend Wright tried to instruct and inform,, as the Honorable Dr King jr tried to instruct and inform,, as the Honorable Minister Shabazz tried to inform and instruct, and the Honorable Minister Farrakhan has tried t instruct and inform. They all met the evil power that has blinded this nation and its people for hundreds of years.

One cant receive the TRUTH until they are willing to accept that TRUTH. Yeshua said it best,, Let those that have ears,, hear!!!!!!

Peace to you
in the Fathers service

Roland, I have to admit that I am very disturbed because CNN has had a picture of Rev. Wright posted on their website all weekend long. Do you know just how much money a corporation or business would be willing to pay for such exposure? I think Rev. Wright has become the anti-Obama symbol in this race, unfortunatley so. Nonetheless, to have him posted for millions of people to see, especially in the upcoming primary states, is reckless and biased. I have been a fan of CNN since this election year began, because I saw that they had at least made a valiant attempt to maintain some form of objectivity and balance, but now I am starting to think otherwise. Maybe I was disillusioned for a moment, I forgot that “green” trumbs “black,” and “clear” is not really a color!

God is more interested in how we treat our neighbor that includes EVERYONE we pass on our Christian journey comparative to what He has given each of us in financial resources.

When our children make a fool of themselves, as parents we have a right and responsibility to tell them the truth that hurts. You Rev. Senator James T. Meeks have been my Pastor for 9-years, and I have a relationship right to tell you that you are wrong today. You will hear a personal confirmation from God of just how wrong you are hopefully very soon.

If you continue to read my message please know that I feel like Senator Barack Obama must have felt about his Pastor Dr. Jeremiah Wright this past Monday. While I am still in tears, I tell you today that you have spoken a Sermon in opportunistic foolishness that was NOT from God. You are wrong and The House of Hope will reap what you have sown today that is the current economic season of slump and lack. Instead of hearing prophetically from God today as well as a few months ago, you encouraged God’s people to invest in a “black” owned bank and you encouraged Salem membership to help PAY-OUT the House of Hope mortgage. While many in your membership struggle to monthly pay there own mortgage, you did not hear this from God to pay-out The House of Hope mortgage. You were wrong then and you are wrong today while misusing the Bible to make your erroneous financial obligation threat to give to God through your church building. It has become obvious that you have had no godly economic insight to share with the people for a long time, and now you continue to insult our faith in God in spite of your lack thereof.

I will not and should not by the grace of God give what financial resources I have to you, Salem, or The House Of Hope (10,000 seat auditorium) that is not good ground since its construction. God has personally shown me His faithfulness in promises and blessings and not just helping a few select that you have chosen while many in your church are ignored by you and your leadership. In your neighborhood and in your membership people suffer in growing lack of food, housing, violent behavior, imprisonment, and premature death while you yours live in luxury living traveling all over the world. My husband worked himself to death at 57 and I have worked continuously since age 16 without one family vacation anywhere while giving my 10% Tithe. Church leadership all over America is going to hell to ask people like Lazarus for a dip of finger water drip. God is more interested in how we treat our neighbor that includes EVERYONE we pass on our Christian journey comparative to what He has given each of us in financial resources! We are THE BODY OF CHRIST and He dwells in each of us and not any church building or anything else built by man’s hand. God’s Temples of human beings lay in ruin right here in this great prosperous U.S.A while the church houses of Christian leadership do nothing but feed themselves a bunch of biblical bull. I pray that you bounce back to hear, see, and feel the world as God does for His Temples of The Holy Ghost.

The truth in found in the contextual study of the Prophets Haggai 1:1-15, Malachi 3-1-18, and Matthew 6:1-34. We need the contextual complete nourishing meal of God and not preached “sound bite” snacks to chew. I am too thankful to God for His provisions entrusted with me to be unwise and foolishly bury His investment in me. We must put God’s goods to work in other human beings.

We must be encouraged in these very difficult financial times by words and deeds in sound doctrine!

More at http://www.biblestudygroup888.info and I thank you for listening to my opinion on the matter. The members, parishioners, congregants, and people of God have been conformed into the spirit and mind of Christ. We can no longer be a part of any blind leading the blind!

I am very puzzled why my post from last week was deleted. I did not makeany antagonistsstatements, butI feel I must have told just a bit more of the truth than Roland wants his readers toknow. Peace & Blessings.

I was very disturbed after watching some of the national press conference with Jeremiah Wright. It was as though he turned from a rational, intelligent man as shown in his interview on Friday night to this out of control performer on Monday. Monday was a disaster! I was embarrassed and my heart ached for Obama. Even though there may have been truth in some of the things he said, it was how he delivered it. His tone was all negative and synical. He could not handle the “free media” questions. He was out of his lane! It was too much for him to handle. I truly believe it was a set-up. I do agree with your suggestions on how Obama can get beyond Rev. Wright. You need to join his campaign. I do like the fact that Obama responded immediately to the press conference. You could see hurt, pain, anger, and embarrassment as he delivered his response. All we can do is pray for this nation, and the candidates. You must never forget that God is in control! I’m fired up and ready to go! OBAMA 08!

Roland, I thank you for your boldness in speaking truth. You always seem to be balanced in your criticisms as well as your compliments on any issue. I enjoy listening to you on CNN and now on your radio show when I get the chance. Continue to keep it real and may God bless you!

Roland my brother!!!!

AT the end of the Day america is still gone be the same america They dont want a women in charge are a black men in charge of running they white house…. The more barrack gets closer to the nomination the closer the fears, racism, hatred of muslim gone come in to play….Republicans play the game well the drive Fear, religion, into every election an du can see it with every republican running obama adds against any democrat to strike fear in people.. WATCH WHAT I TELL U ROLAND ITS GONE GET UGLY U THINK THE 527 GONE CARE EVEN IF JOHN MCCAIN SAYS HE DONT WANT THAT KIN DOF POLITICS. u LISTEN SEAN HANNITY AND THE REST OF THEM .. tHATS ALL U HEAR. uN AMERICAN, TERRIOST, MUSLIM SECT, HIS MIDDLE NAME, HAMMAS FAVOR OBAMA, FLAG PINS AN DALL THIS STUFF AND THEY NOT GONE STOP B/C THEY CONTROL THE AIRWAYS WETHER ITS THE RADIO OR tV. sO JOHN MCCAIN WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT RATHER U LIKE IT OR NOT GET READY FOR ANOTHER wAR WITH IRAN ITS COMING and the Destruction of america i can vision it happening if we dont get this election right

This is about winning people, winning. Rev. Wright is a student of the game and he should understand the stakes here. Is he saying like Ralph Nader did, that there is no difference between Obama, Clinton and Mccain? If there is no difference, go ahead cause a rackus, but if there is, go to your corner and shut the hell up. There is a time and place to be bombastic, Roland is right Rev.Wright is not the cause of your foreclosure or high gas prices but we know a certain sector of the American public vote against their own economic interests all the time, I think the pundits call them, the did not go to college white working class.

Hi. Roland: You need to speek out forceably when you are on CNN hittting hard the Bosnia lies by Hillary and Governor Windell statement that the people of Penslyvania are very conservative and would not vote for a black man. Windell is part of her team. He is saying that the people are racist and has gotten away with that. the same way they are going after Barack about his Rev. comments for weaks and would not let it go away. I am speaking about Lou Dobbs and Wolf Blitzer you have an opportunity to say to them . Yes we can discuss Rev. Wright but we will also discuss Hillary’s lies about Bosnia and Governor Windell calling the people of his state white racist and Hillary has not done anything about it. These stories have been killed by the media. Bring it back alive. Barack don’t want to bring it up but you can and other fair minded people can. Now tonight Monday May 5 they are going to run the Rev. wright story again. This is to influance the election in the up coming States.Double Standard.Check Lou at times when he is talking about Barack. His face looks like a Pitbull going for the Kill. I have emailed him to this effect telling him about his double standard. Now taking it a step farther with that 3am call. She has already had her call with SS Cole in the Middle east when part of the belly was blowen out and about 17 sailors died. They did not do anytning about it. It emboldened the terroist hense 9/11The first two points are points that you and others can help take a double load off Barack’s back .
Regards
Andrew

Hi. Roland: You need to speek out forceably when you are on CNN hittting hard the Bosnia lies by Hillary and Governor Windell statement that the people of Penslyvania are very conservative and would not vote for a black man. Windell is part of her team. He is saying that the people are racist and he has gotten away with that. the same way they are going after Barack about his Rev. comments for weeks and would not let it go away. I am speaking about Lou Dobbs and Wolf Blitzer you have an opportunity to say to them . Yes we can discuss Rev. Wright but we will also discuss Hillary’s lies about Bosnia and Governor Windell calling the people of his state white racist and Hillary has not done anything about it. These stories have been killed by the media. Bring it back alive. Barack don’t want to bring it up but you can and other fair minded people can. Now tonight Monday May 5 they are going to run the Rev. wright story again. This is to influance the election in the up coming States.Double Standard.Check Lou at times when he is talking about Barack. His face looks like a Pitbull going for the Kill. I have emailed him to this effect telling him about his double standard. Now taking it a step farther with that 3 am call. She has already had her call with SS Cole in the Middle east when part of the ship’s belly was blowen out and about 17 sailors died. They did not do anything effective about it. It emboldened the terroist hense 9/11.The first two points are points that you and others can help take a double standard load off Barack’s back .
Regards
Andrew

Roland

After Rev Dr Jeremiah Wright’s appearance on Bill Moyers’ show I breathe a sigh of relief. The performance at the NAACP in Detroit was a bit to jive for my taste but at least it was a high-level intellectual exchange open to debate. Then came the Press Club and I was appalled, disappointed. But note, my commentaries are all about the Rev Wright.

I simply refuse to accept that somehow Senator Barack Obama is accountable for what Rev Wright has to say, no matter how long he has known him. Every media pundit, every spin-miester, Republican or Democrat, knows full well that it is wrong to infer guilt solely through association; they also know Senator Obama does not hold the views with which they are trying to smear him. I believe there is a profound double standard in the media, including unfortunately the cable channel on which you appear, Roland: they do not treat Senators John McCain or Senator Clinton in the same irresponsible way they address issues relating to Senator Obama. Why is this permissable in America? Because, unfortunately, the improbable union still needs perfecting.

When I hear pundit says, “the Wright effect on Senator Obama” or “this has not gone away” I think to myself this: IF Rev Wright remains an issue it is because the 4th estate makes it an issue with their push polling and their 7/24 repetition of clips. Again, the cable channel on which you appear has become so shockingly biased that I have stopped watching every time they produce Rev Wright stories. They fail to show Senator Obama’s appearances and efforts to get his message out and they give Senator Clinton triple time (Hillary, Bill and Chelsea). I ask: (1) Why are they doing this; and (2) Whose interests does this serve? Clearly they know it hurts Senator Obama so a reasonable person must conclude that this is their intent. In the Caribbean we call this a “down-bringing” (rather than an upbringing or an uplifting).

So why not the same kind of treatment of the two white candidates in the race? Yes, lets name it for what it is Roland; there is a black and white media standard. Case and point, despite all the nonsense about Senator Clinton having been vetted, what exactly have they vetted except Bosnia where she flat out lied? Why nothing on Bill Clinton making a killing — literally and figuratively — $800,000 of the Colombia free trade agreement, or $1.2 million of China agreement, or $15 million of unspecified dealings in Dubai? We’ll Bill Clinton is a surrogate for Clinton – and closer to her than Rev Wright is to Senator Obama. So why isn’t he under the media spotlight? You think the Republicans are not going to scrutinize both Hillary and Bill Clinton? Give me a break.

Lets talk John McCain – why not more discussion about Rev Hagee? Or John McCain’s ties to G. Gordon Liddy of Watergate infamy, who has donated to McCain’s campaigns for years and has held fundraisers for him (great story on Huffington Post, 5 May 2008)? Or any discussion of derogatory words Senator McCain reportedly has used to refer to women? Why the double-standards? Why the white-washing?

Note, I am not saying these issues should dominate the media. Rather I am saying if it is good for Senator Obama then it should be good for Senators Clinton and McCain. The double standard is shameful. I don’t blame you for this Roland, but if you have any influence with your workplace you can tell them the other channel is known as unfair and imbalance (or the Fix). Fairness is something to be cherished.

I am sick of the media coverage of Rev. Jerimiah Wright. What he has said or done over the last thirty years mean nothing to me, and is not related to my life. On the other hand, four dollar-a-gallon gas is. Moreover, it is not fair to link Sen. Obama with Rev. Wright’s statements and repeatedly ask why he never left the church. Has anyone asked catholic legislators why they stayed in their church after the shameful pedophile scandals were disclosed? Is it fair to assume that those who stayed condone pedophilia and the cover-up that followed? Of course not. So why is Sen. Obama being held to a different standard?

Roland

I am disapointed that you let a person on here that will transfer trojan viruses when they click his name. ATTENTION ALL BLOGERS,,,

DO NOT,,, DO NOT CLICK ON<<<<<<>>>>>>> WHEN YOU DO YOU ARE INFECTED WITH A TROJAN VIRUS.

I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROTECTION,,,, JUST FOR IDIOTS LIKE THIS.

ROLAND BAN THIS PERSON!!!!!!!!

DONT CLICK ON daniel if the name dosent come up it is the one right above mine in this blog. It didnt show in my last entry.

Excellent column! I’ve been practically begging, even yelling at the damn TV news media to get beyond the character issues and get back onto the national campaign.

In fact, the Obama campaign must start pulling back from Hillary-fighting and begin running a national campaign. Hillary (and esp. Bill) will not go away, and will continue dredging up every personality flaw they can. Obama must ignore those and ask “is this the most important issue facing America — both now and for its future?” Then answer that by tackling what is and will be.

McCain himself will only be able to win by making focus on character issues. If focus turns to the issues facing America and how best to address those, he (like all GOP folk) will lose. Thanks for getting things back to what they should be (and let’s hope media and pols alike follow!)

[When I refer to ‘the media’, I’m describing in general all who opposes Barrack Obama.]

I want to let you know that I am a registered democrat for the 2008 presidential election, but I am still considered undecided (I’ll explain later). As I have been following the news coverage of the election, I’ve noticed that the controversy of Rev. Wright has had a lingering affect on middle class white voters. Many people believe that the media has damaged Obama’s credentials from the controversy. My message to the Obama campaign is to not get discouraged, it is the media’s job to report anything that is considered news-worthy facts whether it is good or bad (in my opinion mostly negative). And I believe that Obama didn’t anything wrong as far as Rev. Wright being his pastor. I can understand if Obama himself spoke about ‘HIV/AIDS were invented for black people’ and yadda-yadda ‘Louis Farrakhan is one of the greatest leaders of our time’. But it came out of Rev. Wright’s mouth. Here’s an example that I want to portray. It is just like an adult son finding out that his dad is a homosexual or his dad finally admitting that he has a problem with other ethnic races. It came out of the dad’s mouth and not the son’s mouth. Now the son has moral issues that he disagrees with the dad. Should people with moral or biblical principles hold the dad accountable or the son? Should the son be prejudged by people or neighbors because of his dad’s belief? The answer should be ‘no’ to both questions. Many people argue about these typical moral issues alone. There are people that agree with Rev. Wright even though it is considered hate speech. The media can’t understand why Obama won’t cut his personal tides with Rev. Wright, but Rev. Wright was Obama’s pastor for about twenty years, and there are deep personal tides that Obama clearly explained to voters/viewers. Rev. Wright married Michelle and Obama and baptized his children. The media shouldn’t discredit Obama because of the ‘negative hate words’ from Rev. Wright. You cannot control a person’s personal perspective. The media wants to accuse Barrack of knowing the messages that Rev. Wright were preaching. Obama explained that he wasn’t fully aware of the severe dynamics of the sermons because there would be times that he wasn’t in church that Sunday. The media can’t back up the facts or witness that Obama heard any of this ‘hate’ sermons. There is not any filming of the Illinois senator being there in the church when the comments were made. The media also argues that Rev. Wright has the controversy books displayed in the bookstores. Were there any witnesses that saw Obama go into the bookstore and select one of Rev. Wright’s books, read and understood the full content of each book? What hurt Rev. Wright are his views against white Americans. He doesn’t have any facts to back up his theories; therefore he looks like a crazy loon with no credentials. People keep forgetting that the reverend is an older man that grew up in a generation of race oppression. It seems to me that the media wants to cast stones at Obama and people have forgotten about the ‘Bosnia blunder’ from Senator Clinton or Pope Benedict being accused of supporting the Nazis when he was a little boy, or McCain being accused of having an affair with a female lobbyist. And yet these topics are not in the airwaves anymore.
In spite of it all, I do believe that Obama is trying to bridge the gap between racial differences. The thing that helps Obama is he is bi-racial. Obama understands the perspectives of both white and black Americans. Therefore, I am thinking about voting for Obama but I’m not sure. I am a considered a conservative Christian and some of the laws I disagree with from the Democrats. But my opinion is that the Democrats would like to help the middle and lower class people or people who are struggling. I am gravitated to vote for Obama or Hillary (whoever is the Democrat nominee). I’m hoping for Obama. God bless.

I am tired of seeing/hearing the media talk about J. Wright, again and again, FOR WHAT? We heard, Obama distancing himself from Wright word/action. I personally don’t want to hear about him any more, because it’s not going to solve my problem or issues that I have. Talking about Wright doesn’t help me with the rising cost of food, gas, house payment, or such. The media should tell me, which candidate would be the best to solve my/this nation problem/issue. The media should tell me which candidate stand in what position when it comes to the economy, the war in Iraq, foreign policy, abortion, gun control, immigration, tax, same sex marriage, education, health care, energy and others. It looks like Obama and McCain will face debate for November election, and on those debates I would like to hear about substance not personal attack or he said/she said Washington game. After all thanks to independent are crucial for ’08 election for both parties. So I will suggest both candidate focuses on issues not personal attack.

Surafel Melaku
Independent

Wow! Martin, I thought you will post my comment, I guess you too, are siding with CNN and forget/ignore J. Wright main point. J. Wright have truth in his controversial speech. We should talk about the truth he carried out on his speech, hate, race, religion, and facts. We should be open-mind and see why, and what he meant and say, before getting into any judgement.

Roland,

I also wanted to make one more comment on this issue. As nauseating it is to me to keep hearing the reporters (especially Sean Hannity) bring up the Rev. Wright ordeal. I still don’t understand the fuss. People want to judge Obama on his character because of Rev. Wright’ speeches is plain stupid. So what there are a few sermons on Rev. Wright that has been so called ‘hate speech’. These reporters want to judge the man like they have sat in his church for twenty years and know ALL that Rev. Wright has spoken about or preached. In this modern day of expressing equality for ALL people Obama is being misunderstood or misrepresented from certain mainstream media. I think that people who call themselves ‘conservative republican reporters’ are afraid of the unknown future when it comes to Obama. If you’re a republican, you know what to expect from a republican presidential candidate. I’m still scratching my head over this ordeal because these reporters act like Obama is going to SUPRESS THE WHITE PEOPLE if he becomes the next president. Obama is going to put the white people in chains and turn them into slaves. Or Obama is going to give every black person a million dollars for the hardship and struggles from the ‘white’ man. I’m laughing because this issue is ridiculous. Obama can’t make racists laws or acts because there would be an outrage with Congress and he would loose ALOT of friends. There should be more maturity on ‘judging’ Obama if people are going to judge his character. For one thing, Barack is not going to cater to only black people if he becomes president. He is going to cater to ALL nationalities with issues to help the country and not tear down the country. Another thing, (if Obama turns this country around for the good) Obama wouldn’t want to jeopardize running for a second term by displaying racism.
This is all that I’m going to say about this issue. I’m finish venting! LOL!

I do watch you continually on the commentary panel.. I will say thank you for interjecting realism into the spectrum.. I’m amazed at the stances of some, and I’ve become where I don’t particularly care to even pay attention to the channel with Hannity, and Lou Dobbs seems to have a problem with people from south of the border, O’riley is just plain rude and arrogant…

I respect Anderson copper more, something I don’t like his drama search disposition, but he tries to be fair, Campbell is nice to look at and she tires to be probing, but at times, I think she does not truly like Obama on a personal note, but she has a job to do and she’s doing it..
but I appreciate the voice you’ve made for yourself, and I can see the other panelist seem to give you much more respect than initially… I’m not sure what happen to the black lady with the semi dread locks, of whom, I’m not sure what she stood for.. but .. maybe they have moved her brand of expression to a more suitable medium..

the one gentleman they defer to of the Hillary campaign, it appears that he is unable to see plain, logic,and no matter if he is given facts and figures , he still goes on a tirade about Hillary..

but the most astounding thing, which I agree with your address.. is..
Hillary was full aware that Michigan and Florida was not going to be seated, and she was in full agreement, now she wants to back pedal and claim otherwise… now mix that with the fictitious claims of bullets and a corkscrew landing, and this madness of a midnight call, when she claim fatigue made her lie, I guess it will make her lie at 3am as well.. She has no regard to listen to the party now, so it’s an indicator that she won’t once or if she is in office.. people forget how she did not consult them on the heath care bill, she wanted to be the lone wolf and gain the sole glory, and as a result the bill was defeated in congress..

she plays divisive politics, she wants to talk about women, and white voters, but if Obama mentioned ethnic and racial groups in the same manner.. they’d call him racist with a slant to be biased in his stand,… but she does it , playing on the gender and race edged.. thru desperation.. and it’s a wise thing if people note that.

Hillary is realizing that if she don’t stop the assualt she will ostericize herself in the congress.. so it’s not so much that she is supporting Obama at this point, she is preserving herself a place in the party.. but I’m sure she will come around to support him , as a no choice option when he is chosen as the pick..

McCain.. personally is an insult to the nation, in his stand to try to lead a country… we have moved on from the war hero days of his glory, and he is still stuck as if he has shell shock on being a military president.. what is truly what we don’t need.. he’s still trying to play the > fighter pilot tough guy role”… and it’s demeaning to the integrity of the america people.. because the people are a diplomatic people, but this aged man with a chip on his shoulder trying to relive his youth, is not what this nations needs… he truly should be in an Arizona back yard, sipping tea with his wife..and forget about any notion of trying to run what he don’t understand..

the man has not pumped gas in his own car for over 30 or 40 years, and he does not shop in a grocery store, he probably don’t even know what’s in his own kitchen cabinets nor does he realize the cost of things.

He’s so far out of touch with realism.. and the reality of the landscape along with the hardships of people, and truthfully.. he has no clue what people of color deal with nor endure as to hardships, nor what poor white Americans deal with..
but his personal acclaim pursuits is what drives him, it has very little to do with fixing this nation, it has more to do with he wants the title as president by his name… to satisfy his vanity of fighting off being an aged hero… and he’s trying to recapture a past glory ride..

his platform is filled with aged people, mostly the whites who all were born pre jim crow, and from their composure they fought to keep jim crow and segregation.. long past the time the courts outlawed such mindset driven actions.
that segment of society is a dying breed, and America has moved on to a new day, with a new vision.. and he has not figured it out..

but he is the last thing this nation needs, and we surely can’t survive another phase of cultural and social erosion that he would bring, and insulting this nations, as if it seeks to continue a path of aggressive war talk, as if it’s the bully of the world.. which already GB has made this nation have to endure the wrath of every nations.. OPEC is sending it’s message with the high fuel and the refusal to pump more, as their stand against Bush and anyone like him… these people don’t like it and don’t care for it… they used Bush as their puppet to remove Saddam for them, and now they no longer have a need for him, and he is too dense to get the message.. two time, they have told him to ” go home and don’t bother them, and unless he can pay for more oil, then he will not get anymore.. and he fails to get the message.. these people played him, and now they can fund the war without missing a penny, until they can find their way to carving up Iraq among themselves.. and he has no role in it as far as they are concerned.. Once played and utilized as a puppet, what need do they have of him further.. so the kick him to the curb, to show him, his arrogant tought guy, bully boy, games are no longer needed by them.. so since they don’t need it they wont’ tolerate listening to it.

When he’s out of office, they will then gather their powers and put an end to the war, but they’d never do it to give Bush any satisfaction to any degree…

the ignorance of the nation not to regard Cuba, when Cuba is making reforms as fast as it can to be ready to talk to a new president.. as long as it’s not McCain… Syria too has firmly stated, they have no hope to talk during the King Bush era, they will wait for the next candidate who will be willing to talk on non dictation terms, but on terms to share respect and reach accord.

the world can’t wait till this “mobster gang” is out of office.. they have proven to be the highest level of mobster the world has known, in every category Bush violated many things, and truthfully, he should be tried for war crimes, and conspiracy to enact organized crime no only upon the American people but upon the world as a whole..

time will bring out the truth, after the voices that are now forceability silenced, get the freedom to speak.

OMG… will you just get it over with. get on your knees and just blow Obama…like you know you want to. I cant get over the way pundits like yourself… “journalists” like those of CNN and MSNBC have bent over and let Barack give it to them up the a** and have enjoyed it. Don’t criticize a “black” man… but you can beat up a woman all you want. You guys are all so f*cking intimidated by this strong woman that it is apparent in all your comments….. give it up… we don’t owe you anything. To use race the way you have and your attempt to deny it is deplorable. All it does is strengthens the perceptions and frustrastions of others against the “angry black man” for making us feel like “we” had enslaved you. WE didn’t as much as you are a slave… its the past… get over it, and move on. He , Obama, should be scrutinized for his honesty, associations, real estate deals, lobbyists money (be they state or federal…its lobbyists money)…just as much as she should. So over you and your anger!

FLIP FLOPPER’S, .. Mc Caine chased down the minister, to get the nomination, not he runs claiming what he did not know about the minister, when it was public info , while he was chasing the endorsement..
He did not vote for a King Holiday, until now.. he wants to appear as if he respects the name sake of DR. MLK only for the sake of Political deception.
He was against Bush tax cuts, but now it’s the basis of his Economic Agenda, he only was against it to appear as a tough guy war veteran.

He want the men to fight but he does not want them GI bill Improved, next he wont want them to get health care beyond basic min.. when they come back damaged and broke,.. he only cares that he has them as pawns, so he can continue us War Glory march.. as a life long military man..
His campaign people got busted doing back door talks, to the same people he tried to accuse Obama of being Naive to care to engage talking to.

He and Hillary are running the same game.. say anything and do anything to desperate seek office for their personal glory… the bullets never flew and the cork screw landing was a sham.
she was talking that crap about attacking Nafta, while having her people go over to tell them, it’s was only for political image, and her guy got busted doing so.

people are not paying attention … these are two gamesters, who live 100 million dollar lives.. and they will do no more than Bush did, and that’s run shams on the American people.. Hillary has made race more a issue in the campaign with her singling out white blue collar voters and continuing to mention it..

and just as she now wants to change horses in the middle of the race, when she knew Michigan and Florida would not count, and when she thought she was an automatic shoe in.. she could have cared less if their votes and delegates counted.. but she’d insult the primary process, to get her desperate place as a candidate at any cost.. and that is the same “at any cost”. she will make a mess of the office, …. with that arrogant talk… about annihilation’s of Iran.. we don’t need any more annihilators mentality in the office to lead this nation…

people have forgot to pay attention… but as this draws on… it would be wise to pay attention to the facts…

Yes, Rev. Wright showed his @ss BUT it’s not like Obama didn’t turn out to be the politician in the very derogatory sense people mistakenly, IMO, took Wright’s comments to be about. And to hell with that Jackie Robinson, “you know the 1st Black has to” bs.

As one of Roland’s callers noted, Obama didn’t have to mention Farrakhan in his press conference and funny how, all-of-sudden, the actual CONTEXT and *CONTENT* of what was said is lost in all the drama. Yes, it appears Obama tried not to “disown” Rev. Wright initially but when we’re honest about it, Obama was content to dismiss Rev. Wright’s “view of America” to some jacked up notions about the “bitterness” and anger of the old “generation”, placing it on par with the racial ignorance and/or animosity/fear of his White grandmother, not to mention crazy azz Geraldine Ferraro.

Then Obama went as far as to FAKE like he didn’t know what Black Liberation Theology and the Afrocentric lens of Trinity, etc. were all about and denounced it as essentially seeing things the wrong way. This while making excuses for “white resentment” (aka white backlash) against things like affirmative action. The lack of symmetry is blatant.

Obama has some mini-me Cosby issues to go along with that Noble Negro syndrome. Sorry, I don’t accept racist double-standards from anyone. And after Obama was quick to characterize Wright as his crazy uncle… he should have said a damn thing about being personally offended/attacked. His half-azzed defense of Wright coupled with his tacit agreement with the media spin (especially after the NPC) contributed to the whole scenario.

The life style and life chances of every single Black person better improve 300% when Obama gets elected since people insisted on making Obama’s personal… PERSONAL mission (remember, he’s trying to be prez. of the US, not Black America) more important than any and every thing. Who really cared whether Rev. Wright’s reputation (with or without the NPC) was sacrificed?

Yeah, Obama pointed out some things that didn’t fit the media caricature but at the same time he agreed, loudy, that there was something wrong with Wright’s language. After all, he would have left the church (at White America’s suggestion) had he heard the YouTube sermons. At best that’s tacit agreement, even to the point of justifying the Sean Hannity’s of the world.

And so Sen. Obama played his role right along with Rev. Wright. White America demanded a Negro denounce Negro spectacle and Obama stepped to the plate and gave them 2 for 1 (Farrakhan and Wright) and has continued to talk about how Black folks, e.g., are essentially self-absorbed, in front of White people (as he just did in Florida) no less, and don’t consider what other people go through.

This is the same brother that talked about an EMPATHY DEFICIT (in much more kinder, indirect terms, of course) that exist in [White] America. It’s that mini-Cosby in him. Faults and shortcomings he feels Black people have are framed in terms of some kind of pathology. Whites, however, are “victims” (see the “bitter” comments re: the gun and Bible clingers) and people whom you appeal to their better selves; hence the Obama doctrine where Black “anger” is disparaged while White resentment must not be.

It’s Black “anger” and such that we can’t accept. Acknowledge it, he said, but don’t accept the things people say. On the other hand, every excuse and rationale imaginable should be on-hand to pardon the racist statements/acts whether intended or the product of not-so-benign neglect.

Mr. Martin,
Re: wearing a lapel pin. Excellent piece. Recommend that Congress pass a statute requiring a critic of anyone not wearing a lapel pin be summarily inducted into any one of the military services to serve a full four years. Let’s see how far their own pride goes by putting their hand up for induction. Only past inductees are excused.

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article How Sen. Obama can get beyond Rev. Wright, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.