Race relations set back

I’m not sure what offends me most: a preacher standing in the pulpit, bashing white people and cursing America, or now listening to Sen. Barack Obama and others in the black community making excuses for it. They’re saying we need to understand this is how black churches are in this country.
What an eye-opener for me! If true, I can see race relations in this country haven’t a chance of getting better. Pure venom spews from the Rev. Wright’s mouth, and he’s doing his congregation a great disservice. I can only imagine how heartsick God gets every time he takes the pulpit.
If Obama attended Wright’s church and listened to garbage like that, he’s no better than the one who delivered it, and this would show him to be a complete contradiction of whom he presents himself to be.
Yes, at times we all might disagree with our preacher, but this is totally different. Offer up excuses, but your actions or inactions always speak louder than words.
Joyce Howard
Lee’s Summit

The pace and willingness of the racial majority to improve its behavior in matters of race becomes impaired, then slows, stops or even reverses when it witnesses the now topical behavior of people like Sen. Barack Obama’s minister.
No matter how well intended, and no matter how parochial the intended audience, commentary such as the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s is divisive, destructive and unhelpful. He should be both shamed and ashamed, as should all who have accepted and promoted the lie that there is even some good in such behavior.
Those who want to improve this country’s future racial situation should work in the present, and only with truth. There is neither improvement nor future in falsehood, just as there is none in being imprisoned by either our individual or collective pasts.
Kenneth R. Keele
Kansas City

Comments

[GCYL]

“If longstanding affilitation with someone, or allowing someone to have influence over your decisions and beliefs is enough to disqualify you from public office, then everyone is in trouble, aren't they?” – Jim

Neat, more moral equivalency. Glad you took the time to point out the obvious about politics. Thanks to moral equivalency Obama is not offering us anything different or new. Currently he just has a better advertising agency.

[GCYL]

“The "fact" that GCYL disagrees with something does not make it wrong.” – solomon

The fact that solomon disagrees with nothing does not make it right.

“In your case, however, I have never been able to ascertain your basic motivation. It is unclear whether you simply enjoy rattling cages or if you actually have some plan or solution in mind.” - Engineer

Agree. He posts a link stating he knows that it will “upset” people. Yet he does not disagree with those that respond. It’s as if he really doesn’t have an opinion about this "upsetting" link. Now we’re being entertained with solomon’s efforts at assigning statements that were never made by others. He really needs to start using actual quotes to support his efforts at labeling people.

[Engineer]

Jim
I have never said anything was a "scandal". In my opinion the relationship is an exercise in very questionable judgment. So far as I am aware I have been consistent in my reaction to this matter. I have never thought him qualified and have always said so. If he ever makes any concrete proposals as to how he will do things he talks about I'll be glad to read and comment on those proposals. So far it's just been rhetoric. I have never made any comments as to his relationship with the Daly machine but I have never heard of him taking steps in opposition to it either. As to the Tony R. situation, it does seem to be another example of poor judgment. As to your "your guy does it too" remarks, a twenty year association is one thing, an endorsement is another.

[Jim]

And me thinks the Neandercon Iggy has no defense for her ridiculous assertions and smears, so she resorts to name calling. Pathetic, really.

[Chris40]

Methinks the Iggy doth protest too much.

[Jim]

Eng,

I'm trying to keep up with your shifting reasons for this to be a "scandal."

If longstanding affilitation with someone, or allowing someone to have influence over your decisions and beliefs is enough to disqualify you from public office, then everyone is in trouble, aren't they?

I mean, the Republican party won't let you be a serious contender for president if you speak out against the "agents of intolerance" who believe that we deserved 9/11 because of sin. McCain sought out the endorsements of two disgusting, despicable pastors because of the votes they could deliver. That, to me, is even worse than Obama's case. In McCain's case, the fact that these people had those views and held sway with the bloc of voters who sit and listen to that garbage every Sunday was the whole point. Explain to me how that's different in a good way.

And I have to say, KC star apparently thinks you can be a racist and anti-American all you want, as long as you aren't running for president. White supremacists everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief, I'm sure.

I don't get your line of reasoning on Wright and Obama. At first we were told that Obama got where he was because of Rezko. That ended up being a lie. Then we were told he was a Daly machine politician. Also a lie. Now we're told that Wright gave him every accomplishment he's ever had. Just looking at the evidence, that one smells to high heaven, too.

I don't get why you guys can't do what McCain says he wants you to do and just engage the guy on his ideas. I mean, if he's really so obviously wrong, it shouldn't be that hard.

Instead, you're flopping around in this garbage that, as time passes, is looking less and less like a way to beat him. Sorry, but this isn't going to do it for you.

To honor the memory of William F. Buckley, shouldn't conservatives start taking the high road and quit smearing a decent, smart and admirable candidate?

[Bill Moses]

Did anyone see Jason Whitlock's column today? One of the most brilliant, accurate columns I've ever read.

[Engineer]

solomon
First of sll, how am I to know it's "a black bloger"? Karenkc was and she did make racial comments which I ignored. I did enter some topics with her where I thought there might be some mutual progress. Depending on the comments I would most likely tune them out if there appeared to be no profit in contesting them. But I have enough people to hold discussions with (argue?), you, Jim, jack, devin, newdealer, truebluehawk, etc. without looking for others.

[solomon]

Engineer,

I enjoy conversation about certain topics. One of them, as you can tell, is about day to day life. That sometimes enters into the realm of race. It bothers me when people say negative things and no one steps up. I asked you a valid question earlier that you glossed over. If a black blogger repeatedly made blanket negative statements about the white community and white people would your response be the same as to NEAWGs constant ugly comments concerning blacks? (basically no comment at all)

[kcstar_is_one_sided]

"When will the neandercons denounce Sean Hannity for his long-running friendship and promotion of the white supremacist Hal Turner?"

When he runs for president. Until then, who cares.

[Engineer]

Jim
Your link doesn't seem to bear out your post. Apparently the relationship consisted of Hal Turner being a caller on Sean's radio show and that "connection" ended in 2000. No twenty year long on going "mentor" relationship. Also there is nothing on what Turner said on Sean's show. His current comments are outrageous but we do not know what he was saying 7 or 8 years ago. And to paraphrase Tom, you have convinced me not to vote for Hal Turner.

[Engineer]

solomon
I'm not sure you "get it". I see nothing to be gained by discussing some subjects with NMMNG. I think I already understand where he is coming from and I don't think anything I say would affect his opinions. In your case, however, I have never been able to ascertain your basic motivation. It is unclear whether you simply enjoy rattling cages or if you actually have some plan or solution in mind.

[solomon]

Engineer,

I get it. We choose what we want to talk about here. I don't weigh in on tax cuts or raising taxes, Rep vs Dem or criticisms of the administration. And as long as NEAWG is only making ugly and derogatory comments about blacks why should you get involved?

[Engineer]

jack
The question is not about churches. The problem is with a twenty year membership in a radical church. It is also about Obama's "mentor" and how instrumental that mentor has been in forming his character and thought patterns.

[Engineer]

solomon
The things I want to get out of the blog are an understanding of how other people think and to gain some information. NMMNG posts some excellent ideas. He also posts some ingrained and cherished opinions. I see nothing to be gained by contesting his ideas that seem set in stone. On top of that he seems irritated enough by life without me on his case. And I do seem to have a knack for irritating people, even more than I intend.

[solomon]

Oh zenozac..............

[Jim]

When will the neandercons denounce Sean Hannity for his long-running friendship and promotion of the white supremacist Hal Turner?

Turner's spewed all kinds of racist garbage on Hannity's radio shows, and Hannity helped him with his radio career over the years. Here's a look at the kind of racism Hannity promotes and agrees with:

http://halturnershow.com/

[solomon]

jack(louie),

To paraphrase George Carlin, as far as holding them both in contempt...."That would be something Jesus might do!!!"

[jack]

I also notice there is no condemnation of the whaite churches that espouse racial superiority. And yes, they do exist. Much more than anyone around these parts can appreciate.

It is only about 20 years since I spent a decade in Chattanooga, TN one year. While there I learned that the "colorline" is still intact in some places. I learned that some people still see the KKK as a "civic minded organization" that blacks and "northern liberals" have smeared. I learned that bigotry is still preached from the pulpit of "main stream churches" in some parts of the country.

Does this make what Rev Wright had to say acceptable? Of course not. It does make it hypocritical (IMO) to point the big hairy finger at Obama about this while rooting for McCain. McCain will be and is now supported by some hard core, right wing, white bigots and racists. Obama is and will be supported by some hard core, left wing, black bigots and racists.

Wouldn't the "Christian" position be of holding BOTH in contempt?

[solomon]

Sorry Engineer, I meant to say NEAWG would make my point for you with his last post.

[solomon]

I think Engineer would make my point for me with you. You don't consider his last post offensive or derogatory enough for you to call him on it. I know we pick and choose what we comment on here, but somehow his vitiolic rants don't strike a chord with you. Now imagine a black coming on this thread and regularly making comments offensive to whites. would you react the same?

You asked me what i would do about the low graduation rates among black males. Having never been an educator or civic representative I do not know.

[solomon]

NE,

none of my children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews say "zup doo". Subsequently I'd have to place the blame on other white parents for their children being like that. i place no blame with the people being imitated by people who should know better.

Engineer,

i agree with jack that there is much less prejudice and racism as say 40 years ago when white people stood outside schools yelling "nigger" because the school was being integrated. But 40 years ago was not very long. There are still vestiges of racism ingrained in our way of life. it is something we don't readily discuss. Everything said about race is not racist. To think so dilutes the actual concept and actuallity.

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Eng, many enter high school and then go right into the NBA or experience free enterprise (although an illegal product offering). Many become rappers and some become pimps and players. Either way it's not whitey making these decisions for them.

[Engineer]

solomon
In essence I feel the same way as jack. There were wrongs and perhaps there still are, but great progress has been made. So far as I can see, with the present laws and customs, the effects of racism today are very limited. As to education, if you complete high school it seems to me that a black has better prospects of getting help for a college education than does a poor white. The fact that something like fifty percent of the black males who enter high school do not graduate cannot all be the fault of whites. But just what is it that you propose should be done?

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

Solly but now we have a prblem with white kids running around saying "Zup Doo?"

We have some serious indentity problmes in the US, kids hung up on being black, somehow thinking it's the way to success.
Of course one day a thug, then the next a millionaire jergoff, arrogant athlete, all is well and all is forgiven and over looked. Society is pathetic (now go buy your #27 or #7 jerseys folks).