ABC News: Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11

Wow, and to think this is the man Obama looks up to, attends his church and Rev. Wright married him and his wife!! (BTW, this pastor 'retired' last month). Wonder if Obama's camp had anything to do with that?

I'm sure the Clinton camp is enjoying all this 'publicity'!

I think it is so odd that so many religious leaders blamed the 9/11 and Katrina tragedies on the "sins" of citizens or the government. Rev Wright has joined Revs Robertson, Falwell, Hagee, etc, as another religious leader with some strange views of our country and the world.

Obama denounces pastor's 9/11 comments

Obama denounces pastor's 9/11 comments - Yahoo! News

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"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

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Will Obama denounce more people that are his friends, supporters or ones that he has supported in the past? He seems to only denounce or distance himself when pushed to do so.

Are We Ready for Slave Reperations?

Dallas - News - Obama and Me

Actually, Rev. Wright isn't blaming 9/11 on our sins. Rather, he's blaming our foreign policy. I happen to agree with that to some degree. He's on the same page with Ward Churchill. Obama's church is a pretty big one. They have more that pastor.

That African Americans have a different perspective and some feel entitled to reparations, doesn't surprise me at all.

"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye." That doesnt sound like he is blaming foreign policy to me??????? You cannot tell me a man is a member of a church for 20 YEARS and has never heard his pastor make comments like this??? Give me a break, Does he really think Americans are that stupid????

It seems quite odd to me he says he has never heard these kind of comments but yet he quotes some of them in his book "Dreams from my Father" he talks about the first sermon he heard Wright give and I quote" The title of Reverend Wright’s sermon that morning was “The Audacity of Hope.” He began with a passage from the Book of Samuel—the story of Hannah, who, barren and taunted by her rivals, had wept and shaken in prayer before her God. The story reminded him, he said, of a sermon a fellow pastor had preached at a conference some years before, in which the pastor described going to a museum and being confronted by a painting title Hope.

“The painting depicts a harpist,” Reverend Wright explained, “a woman who at first glance appears to be sitting atop a great mountain. Until you take a closer look and see that the woman is bruised and bloodied, dressed in tattered rags, the harp reduced to a single frayed string. Your eye is then drawn down to the scene below, down to the valley below, where everywhere are the ravages of famine, the drumbeat of war, a world groaning under strife and deprivation.


“It is this world, a world where cruise ships throw away more food in a day than most residents of Port-au-Prince see in a year, where white folks’ greed runs a world in need, apartheid in one hemisphere, apathy in another hemisphere…That’s the world! On which hope sits!”


And so it went, a meditation on a fallen world. While the boys next to me doodled on their church bulletin, Reverend Wright spoke of Sharpsville and Hiroshima, the callousness of policy makers in the White House and in the State House. As the sermon unfolded, though, the stories of strife became more prosaic, the pain more immediate. The reverend spoke of the hardship that the congregation would face tomorrow, the pain of those far from the mountaintop, worrying about paying the light bill…

He knew exactly how that Pastor (if thats what you call him) felt and he has heard him speak that way..he supports him so much...he gave over 22,000 in 05 or 06...dont remember the exact year....

Its like a quote from another site "“It’d be like a man buying White Sox season tickets for 20 years, attending the games, and saying he’s not a fan.”

Obama is lying and he is getting caught up in it....go to his church website and just look around....he denounces Farakahn but on one of their magazines is Farakahns whole face and it says" The honorable Louis Farakahn???? Its Trinity United Church of Christ

Sherri

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"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

Much of what you have quoted Rev. Wright as saying is historical fact. I'm troubled by many things I have read about him but I don't disagree with the quotes you have pulled from his writings and sermons.

There are many, even in our own country, who have questioned our decision to drop the bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Almost all of the casualties were civilian. Oppenheimer, who headed the Manhattan Project, was horrified but what the boms did.

American history is replete with injustice. Whether attempting to exterminate the Native Americans or holding human beings in slaverly, we have much in our history that does not make us proud. I sometimes wonder how different my life might be and how I would have been affected had I been born in a different skin.

At any rate, I believe that Farrakhan has actually done some good. The only radical event in his life was his "vision" where he traveled to Libya to warn Qaddafi of an imminenent strike against his country. Some of his comments are certainly controversial when taken out of context. But, overall, he think that his influence has been positive within the black community.

I do agree with Reverend Wright that our foreign policy is what led to 9/11. At any rate, saying God Damned America, is the gist of what Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson said.

I find the statements of John Hagee, whose endorsement was coveted by John McCain, to be far more controversial and hate filled than anything that has come out of Farrakhan or Wright's mouth.

In order to get a more accurate view of Obama's church, it would be worthwhile to read factcheck.org's summary of the rumours, FactCheck.org: Sliming Obama.

You should also read what Obama has to say on the subject: Barack Obama: On My Faith and My Church - Politics on The Huffington Post.

ITA. Falwell and Robertson, frankly, have said far worse, IMO. I have no doubt that Falwell is currently getting exactly what he deserves.

I think the difference here is that Reverend Wright is Obama's preacher and Mentor, trusted advisor.
John Hagee endorsed McCain.
I agree with another poster Obama seems to only denounce or distance himself when pushed to do so.
I am not impressed with Obama's judgement.

I disagree and besides his denouncement of Rev Farankan, I would like another specific instance of him distancing himself to that extent from someone who supports his campaign. They all have supporters who I'm sure they wish would shut the heck up or who have said and done things in their lifetimes which the candidate doesn't agree with or condone.

As far as Rev. Wright, this is some of what the Senator has had to say in the last few days about the situation:

"... As I have written about in my books, I first joined Trinity United Church of Christ nearly twenty years ago. I knew Rev. Wright as someone who served this nation with honor as a United States Marine, as a respected biblical scholar, and as someone who taught or lectured at seminaries across the country, from Union Theological Seminary to the University of Chicago. He also led a diverse congregation that was and still is a pillar of the South Side and the entire city of Chicago. It's a congregation that does not merely preach social justice but acts it out each day, through ministries ranging from housing the homeless to reaching out to those with HIV/AIDS.

Most importantly, Rev. Wright preached the gospel of Jesus, a gospel on which I base my life. In other words, he has never been my political advisor; he's been my pastor. And the sermons I heard him preach always related to our obligation to love God and one another, to work on behalf of the poor, and to seek justice at every turn. ..."

Barack Obama: On My Faith and My Church - Politics on The Huffington Post

As an aside, I hate the inclusion of religion into politics to the extent that it has occurred in the last few presidential elections. Why should we give a flying flip about who the Revs Hagee or Robertson endorse for the presidency. As I recollect Rev Graham was a religious "mentor and advisor" to a number of presidents. How many of them knew of his anti-semitic views?

Preacher, yes. Former preacher, now. Mentor? Did Obama say that somewhere I missed it?

Hagee didn't just endorse McCain-McCain sought him out.

Frankly, I don't give a rip who endorses anyone. "The Lord Saved Me" has been the most ruthless and hateful president we've ever had, so I'm not overly impressed by religious endorsements.

Obama's presidency DOA

Let me see if I've got this right.

First, Obama isn't black enough.

Second, Obama is a radical Muslim.

Third, Obama is not white enough.

Now, Obama is a radical black Christian.

C'mon people, we have to be smarter than this. (I hope)

You can say this after seeing Bush elected twice?

I guess hope does indeed spring eternal. 8-)

Google "Obama mentor" there are plenty of references to it and I've never heard him issue a denial of it.
It's just a matter of time that some video comes out to prove Obama's not telling the truth when he says he's never heard his mentor preach this hatred....please!!!!!!!!!!

What is hateful about preaching the belief that our foreign policy led to 9/11? Or, perhaps you object to his statement that we didn't think twice about dropping those atomic bombs on Nagasaki or Hiroshima. What exactly is your objection? These are Wright's words, not Obama's.

Honestly, I don't even find Farrakhan to be very controversial. He's done some outstanding work within the black community and was recognized for it by Obama's church. There's no controversy here.

Newsmax.com - Obama Attended Hate America Sermon

"Contrary to Senator Barack Obama’s claim that he never heard his pastor Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. preach hatred of America, Obama was in the pews last July 22 when the minister blamed the “white arrogance” of America’s Caucasian majority for the world’s suffering, especially the oppression of blacks."

I guess it would be easy enough to prove one way or the other probably Secret Service has records. I would think they keep information has to where and who is on duty.
"Mr. Davis said Secret Service were also present in the church during Senator Obama's attendance."


Blaming things on "white arrogance" is very different than blaming it on US foreign policy.

I think its only fair to quote the clarification above the paragraph quoted for those who might not go to the referenced site.

"Clarification: The Obama campaign has told members of the press that Senator Obama was not in church on the day cited, July 22, because he had a speech he gave in Miami at 1:30 PM. Our writer, Jim Davis, says he attended several services at Senator Obama's church during the month of July, including July 22. The church holds services three times every Sunday at 7:30 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central time. While both the early morning and evening service allowed Sen. Obama to attend the service and still give a speech in Miami, Mr. Davis stands by his story that during one of the services he attended during the month of July, Senator Obama was present and sat through the sermon given by Rev. Wright as described in the story. Mr. Davis said Secret Service were also present in the church during Senator Obama's attendance. Mr. Davis' story was first published on Newsmax on August 9, 2007. Shortly before publication, Mr. Davis contacted the press office of Sen. Obama several times for comment about the Senator's attendance and Rev. Wright's comments during his sermon. The Senator's office declined to comment."

As an aside, I find it fascinating that Newsmax had a reporter attending services at the Senator's church during at least the month of July last summer. I wish President TLSM had been as thoroughly investigated.

I have never heard Falwell or Robertson say the US infected black people with AIDS!!!If you have heard them say worse...I would LOVE to hear it.....confused: Give me a break......This man is a radical racist and Obama knew it!!! You dont have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out..... Sherri

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"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

I assume that the reporters follow him everywhere. I was surprised this election to find that some of the candidates provide a plane or a bus for press paid with campaign funds.

Propagating the racial divide in this country is not hateful?

The Revs Falwell and Robertson said God did it.

Rev. Falwell: “AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals”

Their God is much different then mine.

Don't mean to be argumentative but, according to the clarification. their reporter, "Mr. Davis stands by his story that during one of the services he attended during the month of July, Senator Obama was present and sat through the sermon given by Rev. Wright as described in the story. ..." In other words he attended the church whether the Senator was in attendance or not.

I am sure that those in alot of "walks of life" attend that church. It has thousands of members. Why not a reporter attending..Oprah even attended for a while.

Edit to add: Of course the reporter could have been a "plant" does it really matter. Like I said if Secret Service was indeed there maybe there is a way to prove one way or the other.

I guess not.

Let me understand this: if it's on the internet and he hasn't denied it, it must be true? Wait, that's not right: if it's on the internet and YOU haven't heard him deny it, it must be true? Is that right?

So all those who are so outraged that Obama knows someone who said this - where you going to vote for him before knowing this? I highly doubt it. So what then are you so "outraged" about? Or are you just deliriously happy to finally have SOMETHING to throw out about Obama? Seriously, this is the best you've got? That he knows someone who said something stupid? Well in that case, I know a whole bunch of people who voted for Bush. Should we castigate me for knowing them? Sheesh

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

No, it doesn't matter except without the clarification, the first paragraph of the article reads as though it is a fact that the reporter was there and Senator Obama was there on July 22. More careful reading and with the clarification, it becomes apparent that the reporter can't attest for sure that the Senator was in attendance on that particular Sunday.

Why aren't we discussing the government bailout of Bears and Stern to the tune of $30 Billion

I am "outraged" (your words) because it seems like it is just fine for blacks to hear this type of hate for years and if a "white" church leader said it would be h*** to pay.

There is no room in American for blaming each other for what has happen in the past. You have to move on.
Sometimes I do have to wonder why it "seems" like SOME black people want to cling to the oh me, oh my I am black and I deserve everything. I can not go back in history and change the treatment of ANY group of people..we have to move forward.
Poor white and other folks have had it rough also.

Hearing preachers like this and others also sprew their "hate" of one group or another of people is wrong. Directed to blacks, gays, whites and now muslims is just wrong.

I didn't think many people on here was interested in the "pending collapse" of the market.
Thousands of people have just lost part of their retirement funds that was invested with Bears and Stern.

I saw it last night watching the Asian markets and gold and sliver were surging higher and higher.
The President and his Working group (Plunge Protection Teams) are doing alot today in trying to keep the market propped up.

Lots of other investment/bank are not doing well. Talk of a Domino effect.
It really does not look good.

To some degree, we whites aree rather arrogant. I suppose a lot of that can be attributed to our empire building British forefathers. They had such trouble shouldering their self described "white man's burden."
I see arrogance in ou referring to ourselves as the "leader of the free world." I see great arrogance in all the meddling we have done in the Middle East.

By the way, Bill Kristol, everyone's favorite neocon, repeated Newsmax's allegation in the New York Times. Check out the top of his column today:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/op...in&oref=slogin

It seems that Obama was in Miami when Wright's sermon was given. Newsmax is not a reliable source.

It's so very complicated but I know enough to know that as you said it doesn't look good. The thing is that "we" are putting bandaids on a problem that we're going to have to face very soon and whoever is elected this fall will have a horrendous job ahead. Just got the letter today explaining the "Economic Stimulus Payment". How many millions were spent to send out this notice. Sheer madness IMO but nobody asked me!

Wright is not the first to advance the theory that the government created and deliberately infected blacks with AIDs: THE NATION; For Some Blacks, Social Ills Seem to Follow White Plans - New York Times

You may not be aware that from 1932 to 1974 the CIA infected 400 black men with syphilis in order to observe the effects of the disease. Of course they were interested in creating an awesome biological weapon. None of these men were told they had this disease and none received treatment.

Not really much of a stretch.

A lot of municipalities invested in these securities too. What I think is saddest is the fact that Bear Stearns encouraged their employees to take compensation in the form of company shares. 1/3rd. of the company was owned by its employees. 7000 more people will lose their jobs.

The future looks bleak.

The google search brings up many links to legitimate newspapers/news organizations about this. Where do you get your information from? Unless you have a direct line to Obama himself I have a feeling it's much the same place as most Americans.

You'll have to accept the fact the black Americans have a different perspective on our history than white Americans.

When we attacked Iraq, two thirds of this country believed there were Iraqis on those planes. Surely you've run into a 9/11 "truther."

Don't try to read something into nothing.

And some of us with Native American Indian/white view history in a different perspective. But talking about being proud is different than talking with racist hate.

Not sure how this is any way addresses my response. I'm trying to understand your logic which appears to be "if I haven't heard a denial, it must be true."

comrade trouble are you still posting from USA or have you finally left the country you have so much hatred for? my bambino spits out his meatballs in disgust when i tell him about your postings. seems your golden boy obama doesn't know what he wants to be. one day he's african american, one day he's muslim. whatever gets him the most votes i guess....

AMEN!!!!!!! Sherri

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"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

Are you trying to say that Obama hates whites? I don't think that even Wright hates whites.

At any rate, Obama could not have had much influence from his father. He was raised be his white mother and white grandparents. Do you really think that he hates his own white half, his mother, his grandparents? Are you afraid that he has a secret black agenda? When has ever claimed Wright's words as his own.

This is such a non issue.

No more of a non issue than the newsletter story about Ron Paul. (which he denied that he wrote them)

I do not think Obama hates whites..but I do question his judgement. He tries to at first claim that he did not see these type of hate teachings from his preacher.

Then he says that we have to understand that this is what the "black generation from the 60's" feel. But yet there is ZERO understanding for the "white generation from the 60's" views. One is no more right than the other.

Obama has not claimed Wrights words..but his action of staying in a church where a preacher is teaching a form of racial hate is leaving questions in some people minds. In the very least the preacher is keeping the idea going that there is a black/white divide in the US.

My decision to not vote for Obama has nothing to do with his preacher issue.
I disagree with his stance on alot of issues. More socialist views than I agree with. I also do not like his intervention ideas about other countries. I do not think he is truly anti-war.

I just hope that people that are voting for him are doing it ONLY based of his policy views and not just because he is "black". But as surveys are pointing out most are just voting for him because of being black.

" I don't think that even Wright hates whites" You have got to be kidding me?????????? He is as Racist as they come.....What else does the man have to say???? I guess you think Louis Farakahn loves the white race or the Native Americans too???? My sister works in a prison chapel and she hears all the Nation of Islam rants and raves..believe me they HATE any american who isnt black...There is also a group who preaches very close to the way Wright preaches ( I would never call him Pastor or Reverand) she wasnt surprised at all...she said she hears this Anti American, Anti white garbage everyday.....Oh and the Muslims....same way.....if your not Muslim you are an infidel and they HATE you.....Now before I get blasted I am not saying all Muslims or blacks are this way, because obviously they arent...it is the radical ones....and if you think Wright isnt a Radical, or Farakahn (who their church honors) isnt a Radical...I've got some swamp land in Florida I will sell you......unreal...Sherri

__________________
"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

why are the liberals defending these racists?

You can certainly try to deny the injustice done to blacks and their resentment of it but I find it perfectly understandable. I find resentment, not hatred, in Wright's words.

Ron Paul's newsletters were written in his name. They were his beliefs if not his actual words. Most were written by Lew Rockwell.

I am beginning to realize that Republicans see everything through a prism of fear; fear of change, fear of people who look different, fear of people who dress differently and, most certainly people who hold different beliefs.

No, I do not think that Farrakhann and Wright hate white people. If desiring parity is radical, then I guess they qualify.

Sitting in a church service time and time again hearing a peacher teach "hate" is wrong.
Ron Paul did not write those letters. Obama may say he doesn't agree with what is church stands for but his name is on the church membership. Yes, his preacher is "now" going to retire..but the church will stay the same.

Fear of change..no some of us want change for the better. Not change beause of socialist ways. Yes, socialist ways are to be feared! Losing our freedom and liberty is something to be afraid of.
What about the injustice done to my people..many Native American Indians? I do not deny the injustice done to any group of people..but people have to move forward!

I certainly am not afraid of change or people that dress different, etc.. I believe in EQUAL RIGHTS FOR EVEYONE. Not just blacks, women, gays..but everyone!

No, Ron Paul didn't write most of those letters but they did express his beliefs. Since you believe in equal rights for gays, I'm surprised you feel welcomed in the Republican party.

Obama Race Speech: Read The Full Text - Politics on The Huffington Post

Obama's speech

What is wrong with believing in civil right and liberties for everyone and still being a fiscal conversative?
Ron Paul and his supporters are not welcome in the "current" Republican party.
Actions do speak louder than words. The actions of Ron Paul the last 30 years in Congress speaks clearly what he stands for. I do not think those are his beliefs that are in the newsletters nor do I think Obama has the same beliefs as his preacher.

A voter should vote based on your person's policy views. Not if he/she is black, gay or a woman. If that is your "MAIN" reason for voting for someone, you might want to explore why you still feel that way.

Ron Paul's name was on the newsletter that contained the racial hate articles whether he wrote them or not. He is guilty of poor judgement just as Senator Obama may be for not distancing himself further from Rev Wright. I'll wait to hear what the Senator has to say today before I condemn him.

I worked for many years with tribal members here in the Northwest. Believe me there is much racial hatred among some tribal members toward "whites" and I must say there is reason for some of it both historically and for what is happening today. It is my hope that someday there won't be such feelings but honestly I think it will always be so.

What saddens me most about what is happening in our political process today is that as a country we seem to be willing to turn a blind eye to the damage done to our country for the past 7 years because "we" are afraid and are under the mistaken belief that we are being protected and kept safe.

We're perfectly willing to believe that Ron Paul is a racist or Senator Obama hates our country but won't acknowledge the terrible damage being done both to our country and others by people who wear flags on their lapels and think war is romantic. We appear to be headed toward electing more of the same.

Ron Paul name is on so many things....for years and years it has been like that. As it became known to him apparently he took care of the problem privately. There has never been any other issue like the newletter. Just look at all the articles, youtube/ google videos that he does not endose but has his name of them. Some things twist his views/words others are more truthful. Does he have the time to look at everything..no he is very active in Congress.
Not excusing his oversight of the newsletters but at least having understanding. You do not base your whole opinion on something because of one thing.

Civil Rights/liberties for all: "Surely it is people who fight for the rights and the freedom of people different from themselves who deserve the greatest respect and the highest accolades rather than the people who ONLY fight for the rights of groups of which they too are a member."
Yes, people like Martin Luther King, Gandhi believed and understood this principle.

Is it racial hatred or just anger? I think it's the latter.

Ron Paul knew what was in those letters.

Closing thread - over 50 posts - you may open up a new thread if you want to cont. the discussion.

On a personal note - This has been a great discussion, I really appreciate it when we can discuss an issue with none of the cat-fighting we've seen in other threads.

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Mary