Oh my gosh! Obama's message was NOT that America is still racist! Read the speech. He said that there are unresolved emotions from the history of our nation--and there are! Anyone who denies that is not facing reality. America is a great nation--in my opinion, the greatest--but we have ugly and divisive incidents in our past which still affect us today. As Obama also said, there are different ways of communicating, depending with whom you are communicating. I speak differently with people I am very close to than those who are acquaintances or strangers. And that goes to the subjects of intimacy and trust. We can try to fool ourselves and talk about how evolved and color blind and culturally connected we all are and dismiss the problems we still have, or we can be honest--as Obama was--and acknowledge the progress that has been made AND the gaps we still need to fill in the reaching out to one another we still need to do. This is not just a Black/White thing, either. Look at the anger and opposition about immigration happening. Think about the history we have of prejudice and rejection--how about "No Irish Need Apply"? We have been the shining light to the world for generations,and welcomed people from many lands past the Statue of Liberty, but we are not perfect. As Obama said, we are in the process of being perfected (my take on his words), which should be our goal. I think his speech was something that needed to be said. Many people won't like it because it does convict us of what we don't want to acknowledge or deal with. It's time that we open our eyes and see what is really there in our whole nation, not just our own isolated neighborhoods. And as for what Obama's pastor said, Obama is not responsible for what comes out of his pastor's mouth. All of us have people in our lives who say things with which we disagree--sometimes even vehemently disagree--but we don't cut them out of our lives. I have friends and family who have different values and political leanings and ways of looking at the world, but there are many good qualities they have also, or they wouldn't be in my life. I think the same is true of Obama's pastor. And, as Obama said, he is from a different time when there were very deep and hurtful divisions between Blacks and Whites. People don't get over those experiences easily. Talk with someone from another generation for any length of time about any substantive issue and the differences of viewpoints often become quickly and starkly apparent. Obama has repeatedly and clearly and strongly denounced the hateful and inflammatory words of his pastor. That won't be enough for some people, but for those people nothing would be enough. They probably made up their mind about him a long time ago, and they will not even try to understand. This was a great speech from Obama, and showed us that he is candid about his thoughts and loyal to his friends. I like those qualities. And, as Jim Wallis said, this was Obama's test. I think he handled it well. Wallis also said Obama's speech is a test for our nation, and I hope we do at least as well as Obama did.

Lynn, you say Obama's message was not that America is racist. I submit to you it was.. and you seem to agree later in your post when you say "many people won't like it because it does convict us..."
Exactly. That's my point.

As for Obama's pastor.... yes, Obama's not responsible for what he says. But Obama is responsible for sitting through these sermons. Obama is responsible for not condeming them, until it became politically dangerous not to do so. And to suggest "All of us have people in our lives who say things with which we disagree"... that may be true. But anyone who made these kind of hurtful statements wouldn't be my mentor, or even a close friend.

I think you are also falling into the same trap, assuming everything Wright talks about has to do with race. It doesn't. Watch the video clips. It's more than just race.
The excuse that he came from another generation, is not an excuse at all.

Yes, I get it. The intent of this SOC message is very clear.

No, I meant that there are parts of our country's history we would rather not look at--which convict us of wrongdoing--but, also, hopefully, inspire us to do better.

We don't know exactly what Obama heard, but I can tell you that I know people who say things I disagree with, but I do let some things slide because to challenge them on every point would be the entire content of every conversation, and be very damaging to an otherwise good relationship. I don't think that's a unique situation. It's short sighted and narrow minded to take these comments--as awful as they are--and decide that they make up the totality of the man. What Wright said is shocking and also prejudicial--exactly what he is accusing some Whites of being, so in that he is being hypocritical--but we don't know what incited these emotions in him. We also don't know what he has experienced in his life, but even a rudimentary understanding of the civil rights movement and why it happened should afford some measure of understanding, even if you disagree with what he said.

And to say that the comparison of Hagee and Parsley is silly because they are not McCain's clergy is so wrong. What they are saying is every bit as hateful and hurtful as what Wright has said. I think it's very unfair and biased to state that what is said against Whites and America is grounds for Obama not being president, but give a pass to McCain for what Hagee and Parsley say against Catholics and Muslims, among other statements they have made. I don't understand how that can be justified.

I'm not falling into a trap of any kind. I don't give Wright, Hagee, Parsley--or anyone else--a pass for what they say. We are responsible for all our own words, and will someday be accountable in front of God for every word we have uttered. I don't understand how a pastor--including any of the three above--can spew such vitriol and yet say they represent Christ Jesus who was no stranger to confrontation Himself, but also showed compassion and understanding for those who were lost. And I think Wright, Hagee, and Parsley can be counted among the lost as far as spreading His gospel of love.

So, instead of indicting a person for the company he keeps, such as Obama and McCain, how about if we look at what the scriptures tell us--we will know them by their fruits. What have they said and done? What are their positions and policies? Both are good men who have done good things. They are the ones running for president, not their pastors or the ones endorsing them.

I didn't say coming from another generation is an excuse, but it is a reason. And that is just one of the many things that cause division among our citizens. I think this speech is a call to look at our differences and have civil discussions about them and how to heal hurts. Our country will never be as strong as it could be without that conversation, and the action that must follow.

Lynn, I see some of your points. However, Senator Obama seems to be conflicted in who can say what. Look at what he said when Don Imus made the disgusting comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. (I have posted it above, at the end of the original post)

"He would not be working for me"? So Imus couldn't work for Senator Obama, but Rev. Wright could?

As far as the comparison you're making with Hagee and Parsley- it's a completely different argument. Anyone in this country can endorse anyone else. The Black Panther Club has endorsed Barack Obama. So has Al Sharpton. Should we really get into endorsements here?

This isn't about who's endorsing who... it's about a man who Sen. Obama has had a 20-year relationship with. It's about a man he's calling a mentor, an advisor and a friend, spewing hateful, anti-American and bigoted things from his church pulpit. It's about a man who served on Senator Obama's campaign staff.

Lets just say for the sake of argument that we take Obama's word that he was 'not aware' of all of the hateful things Rev. Wright was saying. Why then, did Senator Obama's campaign decide to pull Wright from speaking at Obama's presidential campaign announcement? And why wont Sen. Obama's campaign give ABC news the dates the Senator was at the church, so we can really see if he was there when this kind of nonsense was being thrown out from the pulpit?

You seem to be confused. Wright was not just working for Obama. Employees can be fired and forgotten; friends--especially long time friends-are in our hearts and sometimes have to be given leeway. Most people are a mix of various proportions of "good" and "bad", so Obama and the church and community must have seen more good in Wright.

Obama couldn't be more clear that he absolutely condemns the unpatriotic and unAmerican statements made by Wright. You don't think Obama has what it takes to be president, anyway, so it wouldn't matter what he said--it would never be enough.

Fine. Let's do get into endorsements. Obama has repudiated and rejected Farrakhan. He has repeatedly rejected what Wright said. When will McCain reject what Hagee, Parsley, and Roberts have said? All have made very outrageous statements, so why isn't the media hounding McCain the way they are Obama? Probably for the same reason McCain got a pass for the statements about Iran and al Qaeda, when he has had to be corrected by Leiberman. While Clinton and Obama are fighting it out, McCain flies under the radar and can get away with what any other candidate would be castigated for doing.

Yeah, right. It isn't about who's endorsing who because that would make your case weaker. Well, how long have those who have endorsed McCain been saying those hateful things? Is it really possible McCain has *never* heard or been aware of any of them?

And, since you work at a station, and commercials help pay for the bills there, would KXLY accept selling commercial time to any business? I'm pretty sure KXLY has standards and there are some businesses that would be turned away because it could hurt the reputation of KXLY. It's about association. Same thing with endorsements. If McCain disagrees with what Hagee, Parsley, and Roberts have said, he should say so publicly and often, as Obama has been compelled to do.

Wright was probably pulled because they knew they couldn't control him. I don't blame them. He is elderly and set in his ways--good luck telling someone like that what not to say! In fact, Obama made that very point: Wright is mistaken in thinking that things are the same way now that they were when Wright was younger and discrimination against Blacks was in full swing. He has a static view of how things used to be and is not giving recognition to all of the changes that have occurred.

Some of the dates Obama attended church *have* been released. In fact, Kristol had to print a retraction (although a very ungracious one) after accusing Obama of being present at a meeting when he wasn't. And how is Obama supposed to know when he was in church for the last 20 years? I go to church every week, unless something unusual happens to prevent it, and I can't tell you exactly which weeks I've attended or the message that was given each time. Could you provide that information if someone was checking up on you? That's an unreasonable expectation placed on Obama.

And you've chosen to ignore my previous point, which is that those things Wright said--which are *deeply* wrong--cannot be all of who he is. He has been recognized and commended for doing good works in the community. And, NO, that does not excuse what he said, but there must be more to him than those awful sermons that have been played over and over again. I don't know what percentage of true Gospel preaching as it is usually done to the percentage of spewing would be acceptable, but I think before anyone gets too comfortable criticizing Wright, they should do some checking to find out if the good things Obama is saying about him are true and weigh those things with the others.

Chris;
Lynn would vote for Adolph Hitler if the letter (D) was next to the name. She'd be writing how he was "misunderstood". She is a prime example of the knee-jerk liberal. And saddest of all: She is a political indoctrination co-ordinator at the state institue for proper thinking. That is what so called teachers are now.

Read her "arguments" comparing McCain to Obama. What a load of drivel and typical liberal rant! Hey Lynn! I'll use small words so you can understand. McCain did not sit in Hagees church for 20 years. Hagee gave his endorsement which McCain quickly said he didn't want or need.

Obama attends a church that is nothing more than a black version of the Aryans.

I voted for Obama in the primary. I have no use for any of the candidates including McCain. Does Gus Hall still run for president?

Obama is toast. He won't lose the black vote but will lose we independents and center-left voters. We see his group for what it is. A hate group.

Hello, Anonymous. Wow. Considering you're so concerned about the anger and hatred Obama's former pastor articulated, it's strange that you've decided to post in the same tenor quite vociferously yourself. I'm choosing not to respond in kind.

Yes, I'm a teacher. And, no, I don't discuss my political leanings with my students. Even if I were so inclined--which I am not--they are far more interested in talking about Hannah Montana and their X Box games.

Mike Huckabee (who is the first Republican I had been considering voting for in a very long time) announced in an article today exactly what I've been saying. It's important to look at someone's life experiences and perspectives in order to better understand their words and actions. He is right.

I think it's peculiar how, when someone disagrees with a conservative, that person is automatically labeled a liberal (knee-jerk or otherwise). It's something that has bewildered me, but I've come to accept it as one of those odd things in life that probably can't be explained. Actually, I'm a moderate Democrat.

One thing does cause me unease about this situation, however. Wright knows the controversy he has created, and yet we hear nothing from him. On Larry King tonight, Obama said Wright is on a sabbatical. I am *fiercely* loyal to my family and friends, so this is something I don't understand. If I had caused anyone I care about this much trouble, I would be at their side as fast as I could get there. I'm starting to question just how close Obama and Wright are.

I like Chris Cargill's blog and almost always enjoy debating with him, but I was also hoping some other people would join the conversation. I don't understand why you've expressed yourself the way you have, but it's your right to do it. Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My My My. I have listened to the speeches of Pastor Jeremiah Wright, some twice. They remind me of the letters I used to receive from the Aryan Nation and other Neo-Nazis. A quote almost word for word, with the exception of the word "Black" being substituted for the word "White". Basically the same paranoid spewing of hatred with little basis in fact but a lot of basis in self serving fiction. Another Neo-Nazi in sheeps clothing.
Are we prejudiced, am I prejudiced? Yes! I doubt any person born on this earth is totally without predjudice. I am sure even Mother Teresa at some point thought ill of someone based on their ethnicity, social position, gender or creed and I am as sure she quickly asked forgiveness. Some people are more prejudiced than other and let that prejudice control their judgment and dealings with other people. I do believe most people in the US are basically good and do not let their predjudcies interfere with their interaction with other people.
I doubt there has ever been a single race or creed who has not been enslaved or conquered or who has not been the ennslaver or conquerer. Even the Jews of the old testament had involuntary servants and enslaved the people whose lands they deposed. We all have grudges, remember the Romans also conquered the British Isles and killed a lot of them. And I understand the Moors were not the most gentle masters in southern Italy or Spain.
I am tired of the blame game. I am not responsible for the actions of people 150 years ago who might or might not be related. And if those ancestors are guilty and should be hung in effigy then our Black friends should hang their ancestors in effigy as well, for much of the slave trade was done by one African tribe enslaving another and selling them. A modern African-American is no more responsible for his ancestors then I am for mine.
I have attended many churches, and I have left some of them because of the teachings and preaching of the minister. One in particular stands out where the Reverend preached that all Catholics were going to hell because they were disciples of the Devil, ie the Pope. He condemned any person who was friendly with or dealt with a Catholic. I did not agree and left that church.
Knowledge and understanding of the past and history is important. Without it we will repeat the same mistakes over and over again. But we must not live in that past or history, for then we will never move forward but will only become mired in the failures of our ancestors. We must move forward into the future not wallow in the past.
I have listened to the Honorable Senator Obama's speech and I was not duly impressed. It did not convey a sense of unity, the catch word of his campaign. It dwelt on the divisions and prejudices of the past and pointed fingers excusing hatred for some condemning others.
All aspects of a presidential candiates life are important. Their character, veracity and associations do matter. Every move they do and every judgment they make should be open to review. How they handle various situations and adversity, who they support and who their mentors are, is vitally important as it sheds light on their true character, their strengths, and their weaknesses. A wise person should gather all the facts they can about a candidate, weigh them carefully, determine their worth and truth, then make an intelligent decision. Listen and hear the opinions and views of others, but make your own decision in the end. Do not be swayed by charismatic words or flowery speeches, look at a person's actions and record. A leopard can rarely change his spots.
I fear this incident has put "race" in the fore front when it should have been left far behind in the dust of the past. Pastor Wright has not done his "friend" any favors.
For those who have written and voiced their opinion, no matter what, I say "Bully", for at least your are involved.

Maybe people *should* be able to put the past behind them, Gregg, but how often does that happen? Just today I saw on the news that a Native American group has rejected an offer of billions of dollars for reparation, stating it was not enough for what was done against their ancestors. Look at Northern Ireland--all the many years that hate has raged and blood been spilled over long ago dissent and oppression. *Finally* there is the Peace Process, and it looks like it's holding, thank God, but it's also very new. It took many years, meetings, conversations, and letting go of the past to get to that point. We sometimes have to have separate parent-teacher conferences for parents who are divorced because they don't want to be in the same room with each other. There are a lot of angry people in the world, as individuals, groups, and nations. Wright and others may be angry about things that happened centuries ago, but also things personally experienced. People have long memories. If we could follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ and forgive and do unto others, we would all be fine with one another. Obviously, we have not gotten there yet. Since he's a pastor, Wright should know that and have spent more time preaching about healing and reconciliation instead of what is on the video clips. Still, I'm not going to decide what kind of person Obama is based on his pastor. No one is perfect, or the perfect politician. I'm looking at what *Obama* has said and done. I don't agree with all of it, but I like most of it.

This may not be the right place to post this comment, but it would be nice if the people of spokane were made aware of the fact that due to higher gas prices there is going to be a rash of gasoline thiefs shortly. I recommend getting a locking gas cap (if you park your car where it is accessible), or park you car behind gates or in the garage. Thank you... this has been a community service announcement. It would be nice if the news team makes a similar announcement.

These horrible videos were not secretly taken, they were on DVDs available for purchase, they were proud of these sermons. After 20 years, Obama had to have known what his church was all about. His wife obviously does, besides not being proud of her country untill now, she thinks "America is downright mean" and we are a country of "sloths and cynics".
I wasn't going to vote for Obama, his experience is thin, he supports partial birth abortion, his voting records borders on socialism, and the "hope and change" rheteric seems empty now that we know where he gets his inspiration. He seems to have surrounded himself with radicals.(There was a link to the new black panther party from his campaign website, there is a Che Guevera flag hanging on the wall at a Obama supporters campaign office in Texas, amoung others) The worst one being his mentor and spiritual advisor, Wright. The Pastor is not family, Obama chose to stick with him for 20 years, I can question his judgement.
During Obama's speech he chose to lecture and speak of moral equivalence in defending Wright instead of answer to his poor judgement. Instead of telling us why he stayed with Wright for 20 years, we are given comparisons to his Grandma and we are told everyone has sat and listened to things they don't agree with. I certainly wouldn't stay at a church with a pastor who does sexual gestures while talking about Bill Clinton during a sermon. Gross. (I wander if there were any kids in the pews for that one.) Instead of trying to guilt me into voting for him, he should have said "I was wrong".

I think Lesa is right... we're getting off-topic here. The question is, did Sen. Obama exercise good judgment by continuing to attend this church and be good friends with this pastor? Did he exercise good judgment in letting this pastor marry him and his wife, and baptize his daughters? Is he exercising good judgment today in continuing to take his daughters to this church?

Although America is truly the land of opportunity for many, it can seem "mean" to those who have fewer opportunities and don't know how to create their own. And our country can seem cynical and lazy--we have lost the ability to trust in our government and too many people want things handed to them instead of working.

The Che Guevera flag was a scary decision on the part of the campaigners, and we don't know if Obama condoned that, but I would want to know if he did--I couldn't find anything definitive about it. The New Black Panthers link was reportedly put on the site by them and taken down by Obama's campaign when it was discovered.

It's fair to question Obama's judgment if we know all the facts. We don't. It's easy to focus on a limited selection of videos and make a snap judgment. I've been doing research about Wright's books and articles, and his words are steeped in the so-called Black Liberation philosophy. Obama had to have known about it and heard or read what Wright preached, even if he wasn't in the congregation at the time of those particular sermons. And I'll concede your point, Chris, that they knew Wright could say something offensive at the campaign announcement. It makes sense that they must have heard him say things previously that they didn't want said at the event. Although I don't think Obama subscribes to the same kind of thinking--it would have been evident before now--I don't think he was honest about saying he didn't know about Wright's words, and that troubles me. But I also wonder how Obama attained the political positions he did without this being an issue before.

I also don't like Obama's position on partial birth abortion or the CCPA. The SCOTUS upheld the PBA ban, but that could change. I would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned altogether, but let's not fool ourselves. We say children are important, but our national policies and practices don't bear that out. If we really lived that, campaigns such as "our kids, our business" would not be necessary.

I'm not sure that judgment is the crux of this issue as much as honesty is. After what we've been through with the last two, I want honesty in my next president. Well, really, I want honesty *and* good judgment; that would be a welcome change. If Obama has been dishonest about this, what else could he have been dishonest about? People who are dishonest don't usually lie in only one area. Dishonesty means I can't trust someone, and I want to be able to trust my president.

At this point, I wish Biden could have stayed in, or Hagel had decided to run. Until I can be peaceful and confident about supporting Obama, I guess I'm a woman without a candidate. I hate that!

Still, that doesn't, in my opinion, mean there was nothing to Obama's speech. Our country does have work to do about that. If Wright's sermons are mostly like those in the videos, I wonder why the congregation grew so much over the years. Are there really that many people *that* angry? I hope not.