Does it matter… March 18, 2008
Posted by Paul Edwards in Barack Obama, Jeremiah Wright, Racism.trackback
…that Obama concluded his speech addressing issues of anti-American statements by his pastor, Jeremiah Wright, by NOT saying, as EVERY politician does when he concludes a speech, “God Bless America”??
America is not perfect in it’s dealings with others and god forbid a guy like wright speak his mind our society. Reminds me so much of what I read about 1930 germany. None dare speak their minds. I am not saying everything Wright said is correct but the underlying sentement is the same.
Iggy,
Connecting Obama and Wright to 1930s Germany is exacly the point!
I hoist my left fist in salute (Paul is one of the few that knows what that means). I think you need a chocolate chip cookie today, Paulie!
Does it matter that we have a Christian candidate who doesn’t feel it’s necessary to pander to the religious right? Yes. It’s a good thing.
Paul,
The idea that speaking out against your country, even if it is true, is akin to a treasonous act.
This blog is now turned into the attack Obama blog, just like with Ronmey back in Nov, I am sure this will be the theme until Obama gets the white house in Jan. What the right doesn’t understand is we have a new generations of folks that no longer drink the koolaid that God = republican. We actually would rather have a guy honestly say I am not for changing Roe v Wade because he knows it will never change but they will do everything they can to reduce abortions. over someone who says I am against abortion as a wedge issue to get votes. The Falwell, Robertson era of politics is over and the tactics have been revealed. We are looking for truth, the right no longer holds claim to that (as if they ever did).
oh and one more thing, we look more like 1930 Germany now than ever. Patriot Act = Enabling Act, Preemptive War, survailance of all americans, Real ID Act = Papers please. Many, many more, which was my point the attack on Wright is the atmosphere that this administration has fostered to create a society that is closing up fast. REF: Naomi Wolf : Letter to a Young Patriot.
It amazes me, Iggy, that with all of your rhetoric about how many “rights” we have lost under the Bush Adminisration that you would accuse me of merely “attacking” Obama.” You would shut down my speech, with which you disagree, in the same way you believe Bush is stealing your rights. Free speech is still in the top ten of the rights enumerated in the constitution and endowed to us by our Creator.
You can always start your own blog.
This guy just contextualizes everything and makes false equivalence between nutty conspiracy theories and America-hating racism versus ordinary and forgivable fears of black criminals and unfair, racist affirmative action programs.
His message is simple: vote for me and you’re doing your duty to end racism. Pretty ego-centric, to say the least.
“You would shut down my speech, with which you disagree, in the same way you believe Bush is stealing your rights.”
Huh, where are you getting that from? It was the bush administration that started free speech zones, which takes away free speech. I always support your right to free speech even when I disagree. I have a blog, I like yours better.
It doesn’t matter, the right is making a mountain out of a molehole because Obama is a threat.
I agree with iggy, I have a blog but I like to bring balance to this blog.
Paul,
I attend your church every Sunday and I disagree fundamentally with almost everything you believe in politically, except abortion and gay marriage of course. I believe George W. Bush has destroyed my country, the country I love, both economically and politically. I believe the War in Iraq was unjustified and is immoral. I believe that Bush has trampled on the basic freedoms this country was founded upon while at the same time trying to spread those freedoms around the world. I am disgusted by the Bush administration’s lack of concern for the environment and for the disenfranchised. I am disgusted by the Bush administration’s blatant use of fear for political gain. I am disgusted by the way the Right in this country demonizes everyone and everything that stands in their way. HOWEVER, I continue to attend Calvary Baptist church because your political views are of no relevance to me. You are my spiritual leader, not my political leader. I am often upset when you bring in politics into the pulpit. I do not, however, care about your politics because you are biblically sound, and are a great leader of your congregation. I have grown spiritually at Calvary in ways that have brought me closer to Christ. In the same way, I believe, Reverend Wright is Obama’s spiritual leader NOT his political leader. Just as I, a Christian who disagrees in almost every respect with you politically, may respect and admire what you have to say on Christ and the Bible.
Thank you and God Bless,
George,
Have we met? I don’t recall anyone named George attending my church and I certainly would hope of you have been attending for any length of time we would have met by now.
George,
Kudos to you for not being a christian who simply follows the leaders. What you say is exactly spot on, Pastors all over America simply sign on the right wing agenda as if it is God’s agenda. They some how justify the right wing’s abuse of the environment, the uncaring for the poor, the unjustified warmongering, and the removal of our freedoms though the Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act and others. I appreciate your ability to see this stuff and not get bitter about it. I just finished Greg Boyd’s book “The myth of a christian nation” I recommend it to anyone who calls themselves an evagelical right wing christian. It is a real eye opener to what the kingdom of God is as opposed to a “christianize” Kingdom of the World.
I want to know of those who critisize and question Obama’s patriotism, how many have actually picked up one of his books? I read “About my fathers dreams”. Obama LOVES his country, and I think he would make 10x a better president than our current mess in the white house. Of course, that bar is awefully low.
Iggy,
You never cease to amaze me. If someone is following a conservative leader, in your view he must be blind. Yet you encourage blind obedience to liberals like Greg Boyd - who doesn’t even believe the Bible is God’s inspired word. His view of the kingdom of God is nothing more than the rehashed social gospel that killed mainline churches in the early part of the 20th Century. “Meet the New Boss. Same as the Old Boss.”
In your world anything conservative is bad and anything liberal is good. Your generalization that “pastors all over America simply sign on the right wing agenda as if it is God’s agenda” is based on what exactly? I happen to be a pastor who interacts with pastors “all over America” and I can assure you, pastors aren’t merely drinking the Kool-Aid of the Republican Party. They merely believe the word of God when it says the human soul is a priority over the human body and therefore the gospel of Jesus Christ is a priority over government funded social programs.
I never, ever encourage blind obediance, I recommend people read and make conclusions. I highly recommend people read, and read stuff that is out of their box. Maybe it will encourage growth and a new thinking on things.
BTW, since you are putting words in my mouth, I don’t think that all conservative is bad and all liberal is good. Like George I see value in both, and would never blindly follow either.
You wouldn’t know that by your posts here, Iggy. You have a nearly 100% record of liberal perspective when you respond. You may right that off as “balancing the blog,” but it would seem you could agree at least maybe 10% of the time with something you read here??
Paul,
I am very upset at conservatives right now, just like George D I think they are WAY off on a lot of issues. My issue maybe that I get mad with what I see and act more liberal than I do conservative. I think I would label myself as left of center. I encourage all to read opposing views, understand the issues, never drink the koolaid, don’t relate God to a political or social stance, question a lot, care for all humanity, even muslims and think for themselves. Those would encompass my core views. If that make me a liberal then I guess I am one…….I do think that Obama is by for the best candidate for America right now, he has the power to bring people of different views together for the good of the country.
Pixelmaster,
I read that book, I like him a whole more since. I was able to get it on audio book from the library. I am going to get McCain’s book as well as I like to hear all sides of a person that I will be voting for.