MyDD :: Context Context Context....all the Context we could ever want.

Context Context Context....all the Context we could ever want.

by switching sides, Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:32:26 AM EST

Context Context Context

Well.

What a day it's been.

I spent all last night watching the Wright speech at the National Press Club. Over and over. What was I doing that for? Why the self-punishment?

I was looking for context.

You see, our friends the Obama supporters have been harping on 'context' these last few weeks, ever since the esteemed Reverend Wright hit the national stage with his cries of GD Amerikkka, etc etc.

Did we hear the whole sermon? They chanted happily....

No, I answered, I didnt také the time to listen to the entirety of each and every sermon which included a horrifying remark. I listened to the minute or so before and the minute or so after. That, I figured, was all the context I needed. I mean, the whole sermon? I can barely sit through my once a year service at Easter with my mother.

NO! I was shouted down. If I don't listen to the WHOLE SERMON than I am not fit to judge his comments! It's all about the CONTEXT I was told. CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT!

Sigh.

Well, yesterday we got our chance. Wright gave us his greatest hits yesterday, as well as adding a few new twists.

Yes, GD Amerikkka. He meant it. No backing down on that one. The context was undeniable. Yes, the US created AIDS to knock off the black folk. He meant it. No backing down on that one, either. The context was undeniable. Yes, 911 was our chickens coming home to roost. He meant it. Also no backing down on that one. The context was undeniable.

Wright also included a new tune or two, just to show, maybe, that he's still relevant.

Yes, Obama lied when he disavowed Wrights remarks, claimed Wright. That was my favorite. He just said what he had to say as a politician. It was all smoke and mirrors.

Sigh.

And before you say it...yes, I listened to the whole speech. I got the context. Oh boy, did I EVER get the context.

All this leads us to one little question: Does Obama agree with Wright on these things? Does Obama believe that the US gubmint created AIDS to target the AA community?

That's how the press will play this. That's how the thuggies in their hugggies will play this. And Obama will HAVE to answer this time. No more lofty remarks. No more obfuscations. No more 'out of context' remarks, or pleas for us to understand Wright and his rhetorical approach to the pulpit. No more 'important speeches on race', either.

Just the truth, Obama.

Are you even capable of telling us the truth?

Poll

Votes: 9
Results : Vote Link : Polls

Tags: obama wright context national press club (all tags)

Permalink :: 70 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Context Context Context....all the Context we (2.00 / 5)

Can you remember the exact moment you stopped believing in the separation between church and state?

by Mostly on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:37:57 AM EST

tip jar (1.66 / 3)

omgg go back to bed. leave this discussion to the grownups.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:46:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: tip jar (2.00 / 3)

Yeah - that's what's so tough about principles: you have to apply them even in cases where you don't want to. And in America we don't judge candidates by their religious affiliations or by their pastors. It's even in the Constitution.

by Mostly on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:57:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

voters' opinions and the constitution (2.00 / 2)

You'll have to link me to where the constitution states on what criteria a voter may make his decisions.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:00:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: voters' opinions and the constitution (none / 0)

Well, that brings me back to my first question.

by Mostly on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:02:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: voters' opinions and the constitution (2.00 / 1)

link please

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:02:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: voters' opinions and the constitution (2.00 / 1)

http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/quot es_liberty.html

enjoy. Maybe someday you'll man up and explain when you stopped believing in that stuff, or if you ever did.

by Mostly on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:13:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: voters' opinions and the constitution (2.00 / 2)

Thats not a link to a provision in the constitution, its a link to a bunch of folks opinions.

Come on, you made the claim that voters aren't allowed to use religious considerations in their decision making process as voters, according to the constitution.

Link please.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:17:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: voters' opinions and the constitution (2.00 / 0)

Oh there's no doubt about it - you, personally, can (and I suspect do) use all sorts of crazy reasons not to vote for someone.

Religious reasons are among the craziest.

by Mostly on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:59:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: voters' opinions and the constitution (2.00 / 1)

Link.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 11:40:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: tip jar (none / 0)

/in America we don't judge candidates by their religious affiliations/

We shouldn't, but we sure do. Or do you think a Jehoviah is going to be president next? How about a Scientologist?

Heck, I'd argue Romney would have been the nominee if he was not mormon.

JFK took a lot of heat for being Catholic.

So, sorry to inform you. We do judge. Like it or not.

by reggie44pride on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 05:14:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: tip jar (none / 0)

It'd be nice to see a Jewish president in my lifetime.

by Mostly on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 10:01:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

At least we know who supports Hillary (1.50 / 4)

It's the most conservative members of the Democratic party.... assuming they're Democrats at all. Not surprising, actually, seeing Hillary is, herself, a member in good standing with the Republican Trojan Horse.... AKA, the DLC.

What you people are REALLY scared of re. Jeremiah Wright is that his views are left-wing. Not every single thing he says is true, but much of it is.... and it TERRIFIES you. You're afraid that if enough people wake up to the truth, the rightwingers in this country will be pushed to the fringes where they belong.

But not to worry. It's not likely to happen anytime soon. And even though it's obvious Hillary isn't gonna get the nomination, at least you can always fall back on McCain come the general.

by ratmach on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:17:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Yep. Your're definately a Candicrat (2.00 / 1)

Unity Ticket: The best damn way to kick John McCain's Ass in November!

by aurelius on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 05:03:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: At least we know who supports Hillary (none / 0)

What you people are REALLY scared of re. Jeremiah Wright is that his views are left-wing. Not every single thing he says is true, but much of it is.... and it TERRIFIES you. You're afraid that if enough people wake up to the truth, the rightwingers in this country will be pushed to the fringes where they belong.

Right on. Rev. Wright's message isn't that different from what most Christian Americans hear at their own church every Sunday; but his vociferousness and willingness to take a public stand against injustice is a threat to those who perpetrate and enable that injustice.

The RNC, the DLC and the media don't like what he says, and they're going to continue to ignore the forest and show only the thorns.

Nos causidicus Obama , ergo nos non suadeo

by rb608 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:56:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Context Context Context....all the Context we (2.00 / 2)

Obama needs to be Hillary's VP or his career is over.

Hillary and Bill can cover all his scandals this cycle and in 8 years no one will care.

Obama isn't a bad politician deep down.

But this cycle with his scandals, with calling Bill a racist, with Florida with Michigan with Ayers Obama is toast.

It would be a shame for 2008 to be the political end of Obama but thats what happens if he doesn't win something and the only thing he can win at this stage is VP.

by DTaylor on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:42:48 AM EST

Re: Context Context Context....all the Context we (2.00 / 0)

Wow. You Clintonites are getting funnier --- and more desperate --- by the day!

by ratmach on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:18:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I smell desperation alright (2.00 / 1)

but is isn't coming from the Clinton camp. Just for grins I went to ObamaHeadquarters (AKA: the orange sandbox) and man oh man I could scarcely believe the fear over there. Desperately holding on to a sinking ship. Face it: the guy's going down. His only hope is going to be that HRC gives him the VP spot. He is unelectable for POTUS.

Unity Ticket: The best damn way to kick John McCain's Ass in November!

by aurelius on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 05:06:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Context Context Context....all the Context we (2.00 / 1)

It would be a grave mistake to put damaged goods like Obama on the ticket.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:19:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Unless we're dying to martyr ourselves on the (2.00 / 1)

alter of white guilt and black entitlement.

Unity Ticket: The best damn way to kick John McCain's Ass in November!

by aurelius on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 05:08:54 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unless we're dying to martyr ourselves on the (2.00 / 1)

I think it may be too late to avert that disaster.

But one can hope.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 05:14:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unless we're dying to martyr ourselves on the (2.00 / 2)

I think we need to put Obama there for the youth and AA vote. Many of them are on their first cycle and don't realize the cardinal rules that Team Obama broke.

Long term racism is a very important battle to win. If AAs believe we are not in it to win it vis a vie racism then the whole party could collapse.

Hillary and Bill are strong enough to carry Obama regarding this scandals as they have scandals just as interesting just older.

If team Obama realized that Team Hillary are serious about backing them next time we may get their full support.

If the Dems have the grassroots and the old hands we will beat the GOP ground game by 2:1 or so.

by DTaylor on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 05:24:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unless we're dying to martyr ourselves on the (none / 0)

you mean 2016 as 'next time'?

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 05:40:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Context Context Context.... (2.00 / 1)

Context refers to his sermons, which tend to be fairly inspiring. What we saw yesterday was either the political equivalent of Bob Dylan's Self-Portrait album or (much worse) an arrogant rooster strutting around after feeling like he successfully defended himself.

by vcalzone on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 06:53:59 AM EST

Re: Context Context Context.... (2.00 / 1)

nice try, but no dice.

CONTEXT has to do with his views, whether expressed behind the pulpit of his church or behind the pulpit of the NPC.

Keep moving those goalposts...

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:12:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Context Context Context.... (2.00 / 1)

No, I'm saying that those clips were being used to exclusively represent the man, just as the ones from yesterday weill be used to exclusively represent him from now on. He did three appearances over the weekend, why do I get the feeling yesterday's will be the only one used ever again?

About 90% of Wright's defenders do not agree with the statements he made yesterday. If you read EVERYTHING that I saw everyone write in response to your posts and all you took away from it was that we simply thought there was validity to those claims, that's pretty sorry.

by vcalzone on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:54:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Context Context Context.... (2.00 / 1)

aha i c

"""why do I get the feeling yesterday's will be the only one used ever again?"""

I would guess because yesterday was the time that he actually confirmed the 'smears' that have been used against him.

To put it in 2008 election terms, he threw his Obama apologists under the bus.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:59:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Context Context Context.... (none / 0)

Yes, he did. Purposefully and with great force.

by vcalzone on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:42:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I want more Wright, not less (none / 0)

Yeah, he can be controversial. Yeah, he says things people don't want to hear. And yeah, I don't agree with everything he says; but I sure hope he keeps talking; because if he does, and his message manages to find its way onto the airwaves, America might finally wake the fuck up to what's going on.

Wright, for the most part, is dead on right about the condition of not only African Americans, but of all Americans struggling to survive against the corporate and political machinery that continues to funnel most of the wealth and power in this country into the hands of the privileged few. He is dead on right that those same powerful interests will continue to keep him down, his congregation down, and the American people down unless werise up and take this country back.

If he needs to shout from the pulpit and say alarming things to get our attention, I say "preach on" Reverend!

The more he speaks out against injustice, the more Americans will hear that message, even if it's through the MSM audio processor. He may not be speaking for Obama, but with Obama at the top of the ticket, Wright's message can not be ignored.

Context! Hell yeah. In the context of what has been inflicted on the people of this nation of all colors, Wright is dead on with a lot of his message. Help each other, rise up against oppression, love thy neighbor, dissent and dissent loudly when patriotism requires it. Amen, brother!

Nos causidicus Obama , ergo nos non suadeo

by rb608 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:50:45 AM EST

Re: I want more Wright, not less (none / 0)

Surely he would have stood to have helped his cause far more by working to get his parishioner elected.

by vcalzone on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:56:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I want more Wright, not less (none / 0)

Which is to say, what he did yesterday accomplishes nothing. What does it matter if he gets attention if he makes his cause look insane?

by vcalzone on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 07:57:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I want more Wright, not less (none / 0)

I don't think that's necessarily so. Obama's candidacy has undoubtedly shone a brighter light on Wright's message; but toning it down or hiding isn't what Wright is about. I like that he's speaking out. I like most of what he's saying; and he's using his 15 minutes of fame to say things Obama can't say as a politician. He's doing his job as a preacher; I can't ask him to ignore the responsibility his conscience demands.

I've said it before and I'll repeat it here. Obama's candidacy has opened a new dialog about race and social class in this country that I enthusiastically welcome. It's what primarily distinguishes him from HRC in my opinion; and it's a movement that I'd like to see continue.

Regardless of what happens in Denver or the GE, this nation will be better off for Obama having run this race. I think the country will be far better off to have Obama run the race through to November, win or lose, than if this dialog is suppressed by HRC or the media.

Nos causidicus Obama , ergo nos non suadeo

by rb608 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:08:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I want more Wright, not less (2.00 / 2)

US created AIDS to kill of the black man?

Would you like some more of that?

FFS, people. Iosef Stalin had some good ideas, too. He loved women getting involved with politics and business. He saw thru the shell game of religion. He saw the dangers of Hitler's regime, and capitalism.

But we judged him, and fairly, on the fact that he was a mass murdering psychopath.

I couldnt give a frog's fat rear end if Wright has some 'good ideas'.

He's a whacko. Waaaay out there. It's time for you folks to quit apologizing for him.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:03:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I want more Wright, not less (2.00 / 2)

Nobody is apologizing for him, and no one is endorsing everything that he says. He's also not running for President, he's just a preacher; no crazier (and arguably less so) than Robertson, Falwell, Hagee, etc. Don't try to put him in the White House, that's not his role.

And face it, the US does have an unfortunate track record of using black men in studies of sexually transmitted diseases. It's not a stretch to be outraged by the possibility or ridiculous to ask the question.

He's a patriot, a man of God, and a man who has given his life to serving the less fortunate. It's time for you to quit demonizing him.

Nos causidicus Obama , ergo nos non suadeo

by rb608 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:15:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (2.00 / 3)

Look, I was offended by the original sound bites, I came around 180 degrees in the Moyers' interview, now I'm just scratching my head at this guy.

He is obviously smarter and more saavy than the idiot crap he put out there on Sunday and Monday. He understands fully the impact he potentially has on Obama's candidacy and much of his most incediary rhetoric IS worth repeating. But some of it -- "America invented AIDS" and brain hemisphere dominance is tied to race for only two examples -- is just plain lunatic. Then to tie all that up with a bow and suggest Obama is only distancing himself for political gain? Holy shit.

If I didn't know better I'd swear Rev. Wright is on the GOP payroll. How is it this man so transformative for and tied to Obama, so dedicated to racial justice seems so bent, bound and determined to throw the Obama campaign off the tracks? The only semi-plausible theory I have (besides a narcissistic personality disorder) is Rev. Wright can't imagine his own relevancy in a country that would elect a Barack Obama.

It felt like, even in the PBS interview, that once Wright stopped campaigning for Obama he started campaigning against him. With all this attention now being focused on Obama's ability to win over the white working class post-Pennsylvania...THIS was the time for Wright to "re-contextualize" and reaffirm his most damaging comments, rail for reparations, pose with Farrakhan and do bad accents of white Democratic working class icons?

Crazy uncle indeed. Emphasis on the crazy.

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:52:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (2.00 / 1)

He lives in a country that has done things like this forever and has read this. Paranoid? Yes. Completely unjustified. Not really.

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:55:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (2.00 / 1)

Paranoid? Maybe. Unjustified? Perhaps no. Sensationalist political assasination of the best thing that happened to the African American community in 50 years?
Um. yeah.

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:57:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (none / 0)

You mean Wright on Obama or the media on Wright?

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:58:42 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (2.00 / 1)

"""He lives in a country that has done things like this forever and has read this."""

They do those kinds of things in his gated community where he lives in a 1.6 million dollar mansion?

My my...what a rough life he leads.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:15:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (none / 0)

Yeah that's a pretty pathetic response.

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:21:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (2.00 / 0)

You really don't want to go around denigrating people who have money. By that same argument you imply that John Edwards doesn't give a damn about poor people, or that Hillary Clinton can't have concern for the working class.

It's an absurd argument, because it implies that the only people who have the right to scream for help are the people who currently have a foot on their throat.

John McCain wants to make abortion illegal

by Lost Thought on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:31:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (2.00 / 1)

heh

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:34:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Look (2.00 / 1)

Wright is neither stupid or naive. If Obama is elected he will (or would have) the largest megaphone a public figure could want to educate the rest of us on whatever he sees fit.
The MSM is a force of nature. Aside from organizing a mass movement to boycott them, carping about the media is like crabbing about the weather. It might make you feel good for a minute but you still need to carry an umbrella.
Oh wow, the media is full of shits and bullies, clutch the pearls. Does an intelligent adult FEED them shit to spin?
Wright is either out of his mind or determined to up-end Obama -- take your pick.

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:19:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Look (none / 0)

Oh. You mean Wright on Obama. Obama isn't the best thing to happen to my community in 50 years.

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:21:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (none / 0)

FWIW, the Baltimore sludge story is way overblown, and all appropriate scientific protocols were followed. And there was medical follow-up. The AP story contained significant factual errors.

As for damning somebody because you don't like the books he reads, that's just thought-police bullshit. Do you think people should not read differing viewpoints?.

Nos causidicus Obama , ergo nos non suadeo

by rb608 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 10:12:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's time for Wright to stop mocking himself (none / 0)

Who damned someone for a book they read?

I haven't seen any info saying that all protocols were followed. Have a link?

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 04:23:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I want more Wright, not less (2.00 / 0)

Wright is now Stalin? Really?

Because he says the white man is an oppressor?

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:51:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I want more Wright, not less (2.00 / 1)

lol

Nice try.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:18:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

He wasn't trying anything. (none / 0)

He as asking a question. Stalin, really?

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:19:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (2.00 / 1)

US created AIDS to kill of the black man?

Maybe this time around your reading comprehension skills will serve you better.

/////////

Would you like some more of that?

But we judged him, and fairly, on the fact that he was a mass murdering psychopath.

I couldnt give a frog's fat rear end if Wright has some 'good ideas'.

He's a whacko. Waaaay out there. It's time for you folks to quit apologizing for him.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:24:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (2.00 / 0)

Yeah so you're comparing him to Stalin. That's what I said.

You should read more. Wright's paranoia isn't baseless.

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:39:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (2.00 / 1)

Yeah yeah, you got me.

I was comparing a whackadoodle nobody with the greatest mass murderer in the history of the earth (yes, even worse than GWBUsh).

You're comprehension skills amaze me.

Wow.

Busted.

Stone cold busted.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:46:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (2.00 / 0)

Then you're a really bad writer. What you said reads like this "Stalin was a loon even if he had some good ideas" "Wright is a loon even if he has some good ideas" "We don't defend Stalin" "We shouldn't defend Wright".

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:47:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (2.00 / 1)

""" Then you're a really bad writer."""

Then lucky for me I had a high paying job.

I just wish I had the money that Wright has. Now THAT guy is loaded.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:53:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (none / 0)

Well if you had a high paying job then you're not that lucky anymore right?

Doug Coe has more money.

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 10:04:38 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (none / 0)

You know those guys who pass you by with barely a glance when you're out begging for some money to get another bottle?

That's me.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 11:44:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (none / 0)

I'm a lawyer who sues the federal government. Plenty of clients. No need to beg for money.

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:47:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I guess I'll repost my earlier post. (none / 0)

lol, a lawyer, the scum of the earth.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 10:28:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Wright's hilarious (2.00 / 1)

I want to see more. He talked about books the press club hadn't read and they didn't know shite about the topics. Sort of like people on the internets.

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:42:45 AM EST

Not to mention he appears to be the only (2.00 / 1)

one who has listed to OBL, who TOLD us why he attacked us.

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:46:39 AM EST

Example: (2.00 / 1)

When referencing the man-madeness of HIV he was talking about this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Viruses-N ature-Accident-Intentional/dp/0923550127

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 08:52:58 AM EST

You still don't get it. (2.00 / 1)

I'll admit, I was not happy with Wright yesterday. He had months to prepare his responses to the inevitable questions with regard to Obama's candidacy, and he decided to just wing it, as far as I can tell. He should have been more thoughtful. He's not being a good pastor for Barack.

What I will say, however, is that you're still missing the context of what he's saying.

"God damn America." What's the problem? He says that a nation, like a person, isn't blessed by God when it commits atrocities. When we force Native Americans onto reservations and sell them disease-ridden blankets and slaughter them for access to resources... when we annihilate civilian populations with nuclear weapons... the only nation to date which has done so... when we enslave Africans and bring them over in the worst conditions, only to work as slaves... these are all damning sins according to the word of the God that he speaks for.

The government created AIDS. Who knows how HIV/AIDS originated? I don't know personally. It started showing up in the '80s and there's not a lot understood about its origins except that it's probably African and may have jumped species as a simian virus.

http://www.avert.org/origins.htm

Personally, I don't believe that the government created AIDS, but it sure as hell was slow to fight it when it was just affecting blacks and gays. The greater context of Wright's words is that the American government has failed in protecting the health of black people. They even allowed stigma on getting checked for HIV/AIDS, violating people's privacy and making it hard for people with this disease to get jobs and, therefore, health insurance.

9/11 and the chickens coming home to roost. Your point? Did we deserve to get attacked? Not the people who were attacked. The American government, though? The same people who had been arming insurgents throughout the world in order to fight communism? The people who supported the Taliban? The people who propped up Saddam Hussein against Iran? The people who supported the CIA putting Manuel Noriega into power? Yeah, they did some scummy things and pissed off a lot of people. Our government ran roughshod over the world during the Cold War and made people angry... angry enough to plan our demise. Does it make the 9/11 bombers and planners less evil or responsible for their actions? No. But it is a good lesson about how we should go about foreign policy. Not destroying families by invading sovereign nations and overthrowing governments without honest provocation would be a good start.

Wright is telling the truth as he, a well educated but flawed man, knows it. He's putting Barack Obama in quite a bind... but the media is the true culprit; they're so intent on not reporting the war in favor of each new drama on the campaign trail that they'll reduce Wright to soundbytes again and again.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:09:35 AM EST

Re: You still don't get it. (2.00 / 2)

"""you're still missing the context of what he's saying."""

HIs words are coming through loud and clear.

"""The greater context of Wright's words is that the American government has failed in protecting the health of black people"""

Uh, no. The greater context was that the US government CREATED the AIDS virus to target the AA population.

"""Wright is telling the truth as he, a well educated but flawed man, knows it."""

Which is why he is rightly considered a whacko.

"""but the media is the true culprit"""

Uh huh.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 09:23:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You still don't get it. (none / 0)

You hear the words, but you don't understand.

Even if the government didn't cook up AIDS in a lab, they still created the epidemic by not cracking down on it sooner. Why didn't they crack down on it with education and medical research sooner? Because it affected poor blacks and gays: two groups that Reagan couldn't give a shit about.

Anyone who doesn't believe that the media is totally complicit in creating and exascerbating the Wright scandal isn't paying attention.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 11:00:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Wright said we created aids (none / 0)

Wright said the white man created AIDS. That's what we're talking about. Not your silly little idea of what he meant.

I got all the context I need, drama queen.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 11:46:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I bow down to your superior intellect (none / 0)

I'm so glad that I have people like you to tell me the one and true way to interpret everything.

And that's drama king to you.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 11:49:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I bow down to your superior intellect (none / 0)

You're interpreting.

I'm simply reading. The onus is on YOU to somehow prove that he didnt mean what he said.

He SAID THAT THE US GOVERNMENT CREATED AIDS.

lol

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:17:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I haven't read the book he's talking about (none / 0)

But it doesn't matter what he's saying specifically if there are real issues at hand. If he believes in this conspiracy theory (and lots of people believe all sorts of conspiracy theories), the question is, why is it so compelling?

The fact that he might be wrong on the specifics doesn't mean that the government shouldn't be under greater scrutiny for what it did do, which was systematically ignore the threat of HIV/AIDS until it started affecting straight white people.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:23:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

aha youre one of those (none / 0)

aha youre one of those who thinks that the honesty of the accuser should have no bearing on his claims.

A liar is as good as a truthteller, right?

That's why you follow Obama.

Until recently I was selling drugs, and now I'm selling Obama T-shirts.

by switching sides on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 10:30:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No. You still don't get it. (none / 0)

Perhaps every controversial word Rev. Wright has uttered was and is 100% true. And there is no denying he raises important issues and poses questions we all need to be asking. The point here is WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN OF PARAMOUNT GLOBAL IMPORTANCE.

This would NOT be the best time to push questions that shake the ground most voters walk on. Nor does anyone directly associated with Obama and interested in seeing him elected need to be educating the rest of us in their most controversial and potentially alienating positions.

Maybe Wright SHOULD be irrelevant to the Obama candidacy but the sad fact of life is he isn't. He knows it. Obama stated as much on FOX. Elections aren't determined on what's fair or logical. People vote as they do for some fairly irrational and screwed up reasons BUT THEIR VOTES STILL COUNT.

At some point or another, quite a few people involved in these internet debates need to wake the hell up to that reality. The electorate will not always respond well to be scolded or even reasoned with and Wright is damn old enough to know that. He's taking his fifteen minutes and running with it and too damn bad who or how many are hurt by that in the long run.

Obama does not deserve this.

Sexism is real.

by grassrootsorganizer on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:04:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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