Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright
Rev. Wright has been around the political scene for many decades. He is equally as respected as Jesse Jackson.
I don't doubt he is regretting many of the statements that are causing so much controversy now, but, at the same time, freedom of speech and a right to revolt against oppression is a 'right' he should always express.
The greatest sin of this particular type of bigotry/oppression the nation of the USA is now experiencing over words spoken by Rev. Wright is particularly venomous. The 'Swift Boating' of Barak Obama started a year ago with Sean Hannity (the link is at the title to this entry).
I don't have to say much to defend either of these men, they are more than honorable Americans. Reverand Dr. Wright has attended White House Prayer Breakfasts, but, never when George Walker Bush was present. I doubt sincerely he was ever invited.
He is one of those folks that have moved through the ranks of the American experience including service in the military. He, no different that any other voice in 'discord' with that of the Republican Infrastructure, is ridiculed for his words. Yet, he is an American and allowed to state what he cares to and address the issues of the day in the way he sees fit.
Neither of these men are racists or bigots and I dare anyone to state that the USA doesn't have an issue with race and bigotry. I dare you. Because that is the issue that Rev. Dr. Wright is obligated to address from his 'Bully Pulpet' in whatever manner he sees to address it and UNLESS you are acting in the same capacity to empower every Black American in this country, then you have no room to talk.
In 2004, there was an estimated 71,796,719 Catholics in the USA. Of that there is a percentage that doesn't attend mass on Sunday, there is a percentage that eat meat on Friday and even Good Friday, there is a percentage that use birth control and there is a percentage that don't pray the rosary. The Pope preaches, especially the latest one, preaches very strict standards for every Catholic to abide within to 'get to heaven.' Do they all they listen? Heck, no.
One, if not, THE most radical Popes of all times was that of Pope Constantine (click here). Pope Constantine was a Syrian. I don't know if that made him more of a revolutionary than any of the others, but, he certainly added spice to the Catholic faith. For those that are 'boned' up on this, they already know where I am going with it, but, it's my experince MOST if not ALL Catholics state, "Pope who?"
The Catholic Doctrine at the time was fairly bland and the good Pope was finding it difficult to get Pagans to convert. There just wasn't any 'jazz' to the Catholic faith. Wasn't fun. Wasn't sexy. So Pope Constantine took a look around and decided he was going to try and figure out a way to recruit Pagans to 'the faith.'
This is a true story.
So, he realized that the 'HOLY DAYS' of Jesus Christ occurred about the same time of the Pagan rituals. We just experienced the Spring Equinox and that in many venues is a HOLY DAY. In Pagan ritual 'spring,' realizing the majority of human experience occurs in the Northern Hemisphere, is affiliated with fertility. So, Pope Constantine decided to incorporate the Pagan rituals into the Catholic faith, at least ceremoniously, hence, the expression of The Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs.
We in society today see them as commercial venues and a way for children to incorporate Jesus' Resurrection into their lives in a way that is emotionally competent. It is 'fun' to decorate Easter Eggs. It's fun to wait in anticipation of being a good boy or girl waiting for the Easter Bunny. Well, little do Catholics realize that the 'tradition' of the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs was adopted by Pope Constantine to bring in new recuits to the faith, hence, raising the 'tithing' or as I think of it "religious levy/tax."
Every faith on Earth has experienced controversy and revolution. In most circles it called a schism. Recently, the Anglican faith has been fighting the potential of a schism over homosexuality in its ministry.
Rev. Dr. Wright is an inflammatory speaker. He shakes his congregation awake from their slumbering reality of racism and bigotry in the USA in words most can't really relate to in a way that is productive. But, someone like Sean Hannity can come along and completely disregard Rev. Wright's acceptance and work and use it for exploitive maneuvers to attempt to derail a Democratic candidate from a deserved run for the Presidency. Sean figures he got 'on top of the Hillary potential' with his rantings and ravings so now the USA Neocons, of which Mr. Hannity belongs, needed to have a strategy to instill (And here is their favorite word.) fear in the public and 'push' the electorate just slightly to the majority of votes in favor of a Neocon in McCann.
That is all this is. There isn't any 'underhanded,' 'underground,' or 'treasonist' agenda by Barack Obama. Couldn't be further from the truth about that. He has a multi-racial background, I do believe his mother is caucasian, right? I mean I'm not wrong about that, so to believe that Barak Obama is a bigot or has leanings of the same is completely hideous. In attempting to portray Barak Obama as some kind of subversive is simply 'bad politics' and far less patriotic or American than I care to state here.
Sean Hannity is a racist. That is completely evident. It is evident because he has gone through a great deal of trouble to 'attempt' to make a huge issue out of something that will COMPLETELY distract from the issues and sway voters to 'run to McCann' out of 'fear' based in religous 'undertones' relating to a Black minister in his outreach to HIS Black congregation.
The racism involved in the maligning of Barak Obama steals away the dignity of this man and his ability to lead.
Rev. Dr. Wright didn't 'make' Barak Obama. He didn't write his speeches or approve of his campaign. He isn't standing behind a curtain like the Wizard of Oz waiting to descend on White America as soon as the majority of votes are cast.
Rev. Dr. Wright is no different than the inflammatory directives of Pope Constantine in his day, or Martin Luther in his day. There are 'creative ways' to reach people unable to find a path in a society with 'ingrained' bigotry and racism. Rather than pointing a finger at Rev. Dr. Wright, we ought to be congratulating him because 'in spite' of some very inflammatory words, he managed to stimulate productive thought of a brilliant man and Harvard lawyer. If Barak Obama is elected to this country's highest office, than it will be more than 'a feather in the cap' of Rev. Dr. Wright. I congratulate both men in seeking a way to connect while coming to some of the most fascinating dynamics that has lead to one of the greatest men of our time.
I wish them both well and a great deal of luck in their ambitions. Barak needs to make his point in his qualities in the positions and policies he advocates. He needs to reflect on the realities that lie ahead and seek what is best for the people of this country. In stating that, it's also true that Hillary Clinton must do the same. We have a country in serious disrepair due to Republican corruption and unnecessary war. We need 'the best of the best' and they need to prove to the Ameican electorate which of the two that is. They need to point to their best qualities and leadership, and NOT allow choices be influenced by the likes of Sean Hannity or his 'clones.'
