Wright crosses the line, Obama cuts him loose.

[Darth Wong]

I think it's pretty damned sad that in the 21st century, a presidential candidate needs to have a "spiritual advisory committee" at all. But I'm sure all three candidates have something to that effect.

And what's really sad is that Wright has been made a pariah for one reason: he is theatric. Really, you can probably find people among the religious associates of all three candidates who routinely say things just as inflammatory as what Wright said, but they say it in standard white politico-speak, whereas Wright says it in black preacher-speak, ie- bombastic as hell. So they say "American society is corrupt" or "New Orleans was the judgment of God upon a sinful nation" and nobody bats an eyelash, but Wright slams his fist on a podium and says "God DAMN America!" and people freak out. Same EXACT sentiment but totally different reaction.

[ArmorPierce]

Bill Maher said it best on his show last week. "Reverend Wright. You're a DICK!"
This guy couldn't have worse timing to pull this bull shit. Good for Obama.

No shit he's a dick. He probably took the opportunity he has under the spot light because of his association with Obama to do this regardless of the cost that it may be to Obama.

[gizmojumpjet]

And what's really sad is that Wright has been made a pariah for one reason: he is theatric. Really, you can probably find people among the religious associates of all three candidates who routinely say things just as inflammatory as what Wright said, but they say it in standard white politico-speak, whereas Wright says it in black preacher-speak, ie- bombastic as hell. So they say "American society is corrupt" or "New Orleans was the judgment of God upon a sinful nation" and nobody bats an eyelash, but Wright slams his fist on a podium and says "God DAMN America!" and people freak out. Same EXACT sentiment but totally different reaction.

You really think Wright's theatrics are the only reason he's being cast as a pariah? Do you honestly think it doesn't have anything to do at all with the fact that he's a hateful, racist conspiracy theorist?

[Master of Ossus]

I think it's pretty damned sad that in the 21st century, a presidential candidate needs to have a "spiritual advisory committee" at all. But I'm sure all three candidates have something to that effect.

And what's really sad is that Wright has been made a pariah for one reason: he is theatric. Really, you can probably find people among the religious associates of all three candidates who routinely say things just as inflammatory as what Wright said, but they say it in standard white politico-speak, whereas Wright says it in black preacher-speak, ie- bombastic as hell. So they say "American society is corrupt" or "New Orleans was the judgment of God upon a sinful nation" and nobody bats an eyelash, but Wright slams his fist on a podium and says "God DAMN America!" and people freak out. Same EXACT sentiment but totally different reaction.

A white person associated with another campaign said that they thougth the US invented the HIV virus to kill people of color? Really?

[SirNitram]

Does it matter if the target in the conspiracy theory is 'people of color' or gays?

[Master of Ossus]

Does it matter if the target in the conspiracy theory is 'people of color' or gays?

I suppose not, but who said that?

[Illuminatus Primus]

They've certainly said that because of gays and pro-choice, terrorists allowed by God to attack America.

[Big Phil]

I think it's pretty damned sad that in the 21st century, a presidential candidate needs to have a "spiritual advisory committee" at all. But I'm sure all three candidates have something to that effect.

And what's really sad is that Wright has been made a pariah for one reason: he is theatric. Really, you can probably find people among the religious associates of all three candidates who routinely say things just as inflammatory as what Wright said, but they say it in standard white politico-speak, whereas Wright says it in black preacher-speak, ie- bombastic as hell. So they say "American society is corrupt" or "New Orleans was the judgment of God upon a sinful nation" and nobody bats an eyelash, but Wright slams his fist on a podium and says "God DAMN America!" and people freak out. Same EXACT sentiment but totally different reaction.

A white person associated with another campaign said that they thougth the US invented the HIV virus to kill people of color? Really?

Pat Robertson, the white Christian conservative who backs John McCain, has call for the assassination of Hugo Chavez, blamed the 9/11 attacks on America's tolerance of abortion and homosexuality and declared the Supreme Court a greater threat to the United States than Al Qaeda. Jerry Falwell said many of the same idiotic sorts of things. Why isn't the press lambasting John McCain for his relationships with Falwell, Robertson, and similar racist, bigoted assholes?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050919/blumenthal

[Master of Ossus]

Pat Robertson, the white Christian conservative who backs John McCain, has call for the assassination of Hugo Chavez, blamed the 9/11 attacks on America's tolerance of abortion and homosexuality and declared the Supreme Court a greater threat to the United States than Al Qaeda. Jerry Falwell said many of the same idiotic sorts of things. Why isn't the press lambasting John McCain for his relationships with Falwell, Robertson, and similar racist, bigoted assholes?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050919/blumenthal

Pat Robertson was an official member of John McCain's presidential campaign?

They've certainly said that because of gays and pro-choice, terrorists allowed by God to attack America.

That does sound like something that some inflammatory idiot would say, but who did that who's associated with another major campaign?

[gizmojumpjet]

They've certainly said that because of gays and pro-choice, terrorists allowed by God to attack America.

Which one of 'them' has ministered to a presidential candiate for decades, performed his marriage ceremony, and baptized his children? Which one of 'them' did a current presidential candidate quote for the title of a best-selling book? Which one of 'them' is or was actually offically associated with the campaign of a current candidate for the POTUS?

[starfury]

That does sound like something that some inflammatory idiot would say, but who did that who's associated with another major campaign?

Pat Robertson I think as stated before.

[Master of Ossus]

That does sound like something that some inflammatory idiot would say, but who did that who's associated with another major campaign?

Pat Robertson I think as stated before.

And, again, since when is Pat Robertson affiliated with a major campaign?

[Big Phil]

Pat Robertson was an official member of John McCain's presidential campaign?

What's your point? Are you seriously arguing that no member of John McCain's presidential campaign is a bigoted, racist asshole? Or are you seriously suggesting that this sort of petty shit is more important than what the candidates have planned for Iraq, the economy, healthcare, the Supreme Court, climate change, etc.? If you really need evidence of McCain's own racist affiliations, look up Richard Quinn, his campaign spokesman in South Carolina.

If you really think this kind of trivial bullshit is important, then you (I'm using the generic you, not accusing MoO of anything) get what you deserve when you make decisions based on who Obama/Clinton/McCain are friends with rather than their policy positions.

This is nothing more than dirty politics, the kind of garbage that the press absolutely loves because people lap it up, and its always sad that it's so effective. People should be making decisions who to vote for based on policy; instead they vote for or against a candidate because he's (pick one) black/female/old/white/friends with racist assholes/friends with bigoted assholes.

[gizmojumpjet]

That does sound like something that some inflammatory idiot would say, but who did that who's associated with another major campaign?

Pat Robertson I think as stated before.

Think harder. Robertson actually endorsed Giuliani.

[Anguirus]

A white person associated with another campaign said that they thougth the US invented the HIV virus to kill people of color? Really?

The "study" in which a federally-funded institution deliberately infected black men with syphilis and left them untreated to see how long it would take them to die is still within living memory.

Make no mistake, Wright is a fucking idiot, and his speaking out now in this fashion seems to be a deliberate stab in Obama's back for distancing himself from his views. No wonder Obama is pissed. But it does kill me whenever (presumably) white people have such a virulent backlash to a black "racist." Don't act like his bullshit is any worse than stupid moms not vaccinating their kids, stupid Bush-haters thinking 9/11 was a conspiracy, stupid fundies hating gays, stupid Americans in general thinking Iraq sponsored terrorism on U.S. soil, and don't act like it compares to the deliberate and frankly, evil decisions of the Bush Administration that we are largely numb to.

Lots of black people resent white people. It might have something to do with all the institutionalized racism. People on this board say worse than "God Damn America" every fucking day and I don't see you guys jumping up their asses.

[Master of Ossus]

What's your point? Are you seriously arguing that no member of John McCain's presidential campaign is a bigoted, racist asshole? Or are you seriously suggesting that this sort of petty shit is more important than what the candidates have planned for Iraq, the economy, healthcare, the Supreme Court, climate change, etc.? If you really need evidence of McCain's own racist affiliations, look up Richard Quinn, his campaign spokesman in South Carolina.

I'm saying that there's a REASON why Wright's comments are being broadcast beyond the fact that he's theatrical.

If you really think this kind of trivial bullshit is important, then you (I'm using the generic you, not accusing MoO of anything) get what you deserve when you make decisions based on who Obama/Clinton/McCain are friends with rather than their policy positions.

I'm obviously not going to choose a candidate based solely on who they associate with, but if another candidate gave a member of the KKK or Pat Robertson an official position within their campaign, I think that's something that's relevant to evaluating them, don't you?

This is nothing more than dirty politics, the kind of garbage that the press absolutely loves because people lap it up, and its always sad that it's so effective. People should be making decisions who to vote for based on policy; instead they vote for or against a candidate because he's (pick one) black/female/old/white/friends with racist assholes/friends with bigoted assholes.

I think there's more to it than policy (like actually being able to do things that further good and appropriate policy). Who someone chooses to associate with is an important consideration for an executive office, because in reality a lot of those people end up getting jobs with the administration. Do you not agree?

[Patrick Degan]

Pat Robertson, the white Christian conservative who backs John McCain, has call for the assassination of Hugo Chavez, blamed the 9/11 attacks on America's tolerance of abortion and homosexuality and declared the Supreme Court a greater threat to the United States than Al Qaeda. Jerry Falwell said many of the same idiotic sorts of things. Why isn't the press lambasting John McCain for his relationships with Falwell, Robertson, and similar racist, bigoted assholes?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050919/blumenthal

Pat Robertson was an official member of John McCain's presidential campaign?

They've certainly said that because of gays and pro-choice, terrorists allowed by God to attack America.

That does sound like something that some inflammatory idiot would say, but who did that who's associated with another major campaign?

Does John Hagee ring a bell?

There is also Richard Quinn, a long-time McCain adviser who was part of his 2000 campaign and is still a consultant, who is also a Neo-Confederate apologist and on the editorial board of Southern Partisan Quarterly Review.

[starfury]

I think there's more to it than policy (like actually being able to do things that further good and appropriate policy). Who someone chooses to associate with is an important consideration for an executive office, because in reality a lot of those people end up getting jobs with the administration. Do you not agree?

True, but the virulance of your anger against Wright pretty much gives the impression that having said right friends can pretty much seem to be the only thing to be considering while ignoring the long list of actual policy decisions eh. After all the actual polices of said candidates then don't by comparsion, just as long as they associate with the right people.

[Anguirus]

I'm obviously not going to choose a candidate based solely on who they associate with, but if another candidate gave a member of the KKK or Pat Robertson an official position within their campaign, I think that's something that's relevant to evaluating them, don't you?

Right, cause Wright burns crosses on white people's lawns to terrorize them. Plus he is associated with an organization known for murdering white people. Oh, and he advocates sending white people to abusive shithole camps to make them un-white.

[starfury]

I'm saying that there's a REASON why Wright's comments are being broadcast beyond the fact that he's theatrical.

There are. but the same can said of the other candidate's advisors, why only focus on him, since the actual sentiment was the same.

[Anguirus]

Oh for god's sake, I doubt Obama is speaking to Wrght now, much less going to give him a job. How far backwards do you require him to bend before you accept that he does not hold Wright's views?

Do you consider it possible that Wright has grown more radical in recent years? That he did not keep Obama appraised, in detail, or all of his developing opinions? Do you think that Obama should have immediately ended his friendship with the man the first time he said something unpatriotic or whack-a-loony?

Here's a good question, would you trust John McCain if he told Quinn and Hagee to fuck off and publicly announced that he does not share their opinions?

[Master of Ossus]

Does John Hagee ring a bell?

So far as I can tell, McCain sought Hagee's endorsement, and the man has come under fire for anti-Catholic remarks--something I find far less disturbing than racism (especially since Hagee's rhetoric that I've seen has been directed at his characterization of their beliefs). Incidentally, from that clip they have, he's pretty theatrical, too.

There is also Richard Quinn, a long-time McCain adviser who was part of his 2000 campaign and is still a consultant, who is also a Neo-Confederate apologist and on the editorial board of Southern Partisan Quarterly Review.

This is much closer, but the worst that seems to be said about him is that articles published in a newspaper he claims to exercise little control over (although he does own the thing, so it's pretty dubious) are alleged to be racist. I'll give you that one, although I still don't think it rises to the same level as Wright.

[Master of Ossus]

Oh for god's sake, I doubt Obama is speaking to Wrght now, much less going to give him a job. How far backwards do you require him to bend before you accept that he does not hold Wright's views?

He already GAVE HIM a job. Are you saying that Wright wasn't a nutcase when Obama hired him?

Do you consider it possible that Wright has grown more radical in recent years? That he did not keep Obama appraised, in detail, or all of his developing opinions? Do you think that Obama should have immediately ended his friendship with the man the first time he said something unpatriotic or whack-a-loony?

Yes, and I certainly think he should've ended his PROFESSIONAL relationship with the guy as soon as he went nuts--not months afterwards when his sermons were played back.

Here's a good question, would you trust John McCain if he told Quinn and Hagee to fuck off and publicly announced that he does not share their opinions?

Frankly, no, although he seems to have already done that.

[Master of Ossus]

I'm saying that there's a REASON why Wright's comments are being broadcast beyond the fact that he's theatrical.

There are. but the same can said of the other candidate's advisors, why only focus on him, since the actual sentiment was the same.

And, again, the actual sentiment of other candidates' advisors was that the US invented the AIDS virus to kill people of color?

[Anguirus]

He already GAVE HIM a job. Are you saying that Wright wasn't a nutcase when Obama hired him?

A job that, not coincidentally, he doesn't hold anymore. And considering the long association between Obama and Wright, I doubt he gave him a litmus test before appointing him.

And for heaven's sake, look at the job title. Head of the "African American Leadership Committee." Yeah, this is a guy who's in line for a high-level government post, where he can waste our tax dollars investigating the AIDS conspiracy!

Yes, and I certainly think he should've ended his PROFESSIONAL relationship with the guy as soon as he went nuts--not months afterwards when his sermons were played back.

Maybe in a perfect world, he would have. But like the average person, Obama probably thinks the best of his friends.

What would Obama have to do in your eyes to atone for his association for this friendship, that he has not already done? Your answer to this question should prove illuminating.

Frankly, no, although he seems to have already done that.

I look forward to seeing the evidence for this. McCain is actively courting this sort of voter.

And, again, the actual sentiment of other candidates' advisors was that the US invented the AIDS virus to kill people of color?

Why are you harping on this like it's actually offensive? It is more biologically than morally implausible. The US has been in the war crimes business for years and vigorously defends its right to torture (non-white) foreigners. Do you dispute the factual accuracy of the US government's deliberate murder of dozens of black people with the syphilis bacterium?