By Charles Coulter, Kansas City Star Editorial Board
Bill O'Reilly was kind enough to invite me on "The O'Reilly Factor" to discuss my post from Monday that generated so much heat.
His basic question for me was why should Barack Obama, a sitting U.S. senator, empower the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his controversial comments by attending Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago?
And at the end of the segment, he asked me did I understand why so many white Americans were angry at Wright for his remarks critical of this country? They are, according to O'Reilly, particularly incensed by Wright's references to al-Qaida and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
I recognize and understand that sensitivity, but I will ask a question in return:
Why are so many people empowering Wright by paying attention to the rantings of an old, black preacher in Chicago?
Does Wright have a political power base or effective organization outside of his church? Does he represent a legitimate threat to the future of the United States?
Wright was/is a mentor of Sen. Obama. But Obama has rejected Wright's world view. What more is there to say?
Let's move on to something more productive.
Charles Coulter is Opinion Page Editor of the Kansas City Star.
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that enough
I think once again Obama has said how he feels about his pastors statement now if anyone talks about it that tell you where they are coming from.
Why has nothing been said about Hillarys person being reponseable for Rev Wrights coming to the press club.
American Will belive anything
Does the truth mean anything in american.
After Bush you would think so But now Hillary.
What ever happens to us we ask for it
Obama told the truth in the wrong way' but hillary told many lie,s.
I dont want to hear anything from anyone that cant tell the truth.
Its a shame that the new's thinks so little of the truth.
Full Story
The trip Wright was referring to was twenty-three years prior, when he traveled to Libya and Syria on a peace mission along with an ecumenical body of ministers. Chaired by Rev. M. William Howard and led on the ground by Rev. Jesse Jackson who brought about a dozen other ministers including Minister Louis Farrakhan, the trip resulted in the freeing of United States Navy pilot Lt. Robert Goodman, who was captured after his fighter jet had been shot down over Lebanon.[30] At the White House on January 4, 1984, hours after the group arrived back in the U.S., U.S. President Ronald Reagan welcomed Lt. Goodman and said that the "mission of mercy" in which Wright had participated had "earned our gratitude and our admiration." Wright has stated that his trip implied no endorsement of either Louis Farrakhan’s views or Gaddafi’s.
You look dumb for not tell the hole story.
Childern
I have been a fighter for The rights of our people all my 67 years.
But after hearing that news trying to explain Hillary statement as a misstatement when it was a lie, I looked at my grand son watching the news with me and dropped my head.
I can assure you that Ill die better than I have lived.
Like I said
Stick a fork in your man Coulter, he is done.
Why we should pay attention to Wright
"Why are so many people empowering Wright by paying attention to the rantings of an old, black preacher in Chicago?"
Because until last week, Obama claimed this "old, black preacher from Chicago" as his "mentor" "moral compass" and "sounding board", and wrote about his huge influence in both of his autobiographical books. That's why.
I bet your paper endorsed Obama. You need to read more.
Examining ad nauseum Obama's every blink.
What IS this frenzy?! The Death By a Thousand Pecks treatment of Obama is getting outrageous. Hillary's sniveling accusation of the press going easy on Obama worked better than in her wildest dreams. The Clinton machine is going to drag this good man down, no matter what it takes, and no matter how low they have to sink in their tactics. THEY started the "racial card" issue, and they're milking it for all it's worth. I'd be embarrassed to vote for Bill & Hillary, and you WOULD be voting for both, don't kid yourself.
Come out and say it since you know..
What exactly IS the answer Mr. Rhodes?
Can't be Both Ways
Wait just a minute! In your posting the other day you said this about what Jeremiah Wright said;
“Rev. Wright has not said anything that has not been said or is not being said in bars, poolrooms, barber shops, hair salons or anywhere more than three black people gather.
And don't fool yourself. It's not just the black urban poor, those without jobs, education or hope, who express these comments. Many members of the black middle class have the same sense of history; the same sense of anger.”
Now you say;
“Why are so many people empowering Wright by paying attention to the rantings of an old, black preacher in Chicago?”
“Does Wright have a political power base or effective organization outside of his church? Does he represent a legitimate threat to the future of the United States?”
How DID you get your job?
In one place you are saying that Wright's comments are echoed throughout black America. Then in another you say no big deal!
You can't have it both ways! People like you are part of the problem not the solution. Be glad I'm not your boss!
And what's this about a black middle class? Why I thought all African Americans were mired hopelessly in poverty as a result of slavery and discrimination. If there is a black middle class then maybe, just maybe there is opportunity for all African Americans. Wouldn't that be something?
Ross Balano Midwest Voices 2008
Let us not forget
Obama was the first candidate to Insist Don Imus be fired for his remarks, how does that square with his speech today? It doesn't that speech today was just a hollow attempt. Had the recent events this past week not played out, I think it's safe to assume Reverend Wright would still be a member of Obama's campaign and more than likely if elected, Wright would probably get appointed to some position by Obama.