Why Obama's not Wrong on Wright

I first must confess that as a liberal, somewhat educated self professed social democrat, I just downright dropped the ball on this one, I missed it. When I saw these tapes emerging on Fox news (a news channel that prides itself on the fair and balance reporting it supposedly conducts on a nightly basis) I thought to myself “okay these words are pretty inflammatory and definitely reprehensible, but it’s one priest right? No harm no foul” These words were said inside the confines of church walls, and me being the staunch supporter of Thomas Jefferson’s separation of church and state, I just didn’t mind that much, as I believe it had little to do with Barack’s position on both domestic and foreign policy. Boy o Boy was I wrong, after witnessing the backlash, reading the polls and talking to a number of my conservative friends, Barack could be in a whole mess of trouble. Here is why I think that is ludicrous.

First point refers to credibility, people will continue to ask, and does Obama feel the same way as Reverend Wright does, regarding the sensitive issues of race and the critical issue of American foreign policy? My thoughts on trust are, unless there is evidence to the contrary it is easier to accept what someone says when they say it, you can’t spot evil on sight so there is no reason to try. I believe Obama when he says, as an educated and confident man he can critically disagree with his Reverend on his issues with American foreign policy and race and yet still have a relationship with him, especially since he was the man who introduced him to Christianity (don’t hardcore nut job Christians, what people to find Jesus? They should be happy that Reverend Wright introduced Obama to their lord and savior?).

Second point: Radical right wing spin doctors will try to paint Barack as anti-American, a presidential contender who won’t contend for America’s best interest, a man who simply does not love his country (using his wife’s “pride” comments and lapel-gate as political fodder I’m sure). But there is an ultimate flaw in this rational, to make that statement with regards to the words of Obama’s pastor is to somehow infer that a person’s patriotism is somehow directly related to that person’s faith. Essentially these people are saying that Obama’s pastor is unpatriotic (words extracted from a fraction of this man’s 30 year career as a minister mind you) therefore Barack is unpatriotic. Sounds nuts to me, what about all of those agnostics or atheists that live among us? Are they any less patriotic than me, a non practicing catholic? Do they value the rights that they have any less? I would contest an unequivocal no.

Third point: Hypocrisy on the right. I know what you’re thinking, (please read the following with a sarcastic tone) Republicans as hypocrites? That’s just crazy! But it’s true, far right radio talk show hosts, TV. pundits and regular voters will bemoan the hateful and divisive comments preached by Reverend Wright. They will scorch Obama’s character for associating himself with such a controversial man. This is their prerogative, but in order to be taken seriously they need to first look inward at their own party’s demons. The historical context should be known in order to make the correct and rational judgment regarding this regrettable situation, we should not demagogue, we should not treat this critical moment in our history as a way to fire up the bases.

Ronald Regan, Bush 1 and Bush 2 have all bellied up with and coddled profusely for their own political convenience with men who have epitomized divisiveness and hate for 30 years. These men have never been brought up in discussion over the Obama/Wright controversy, not once and yet the words they have spewed over the years in the name of God, the animosity they have felt and fueled over fellow Americans is equally reprehensible and appalling. Let it be known that it was Bush 1 who regularly sought out the spiritual guidance from Reverend Jerry Farwell, a man who was once quoted as saying “AIDS is not just God’s punishment for homosexuals; it is God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals”. He has also in the past equated the ACLU and its supporters to the Nazi party and Hitler’s Third Reich during the 1930’s and 40’s. I don’t know about you, but seeking the guidance of a spiritual advisor who blames a portion of this country’s population (homosexuals) for the mass killings and immeasurable suffering that AIDS have ravaged this country with, seems to me to be grounds for severe character questioning.

Or how about Bush II who regularly met at the White House, with Pat Robertson to discuss religious issues and matters of faith? Here is a man, a professed servant of God who has linked feminism to the cause of abortions, adultery and lesbianism? Or who equated homosexuals to Nazi’s? These are men who have demonized children of God, who have demonized fellow Americans who have cast the blame of death and destruction on gays, feminists and teenage women who face the unthinkable decision of termination. This is the hypocrisy that angers me so; this is the lack of intelligence that stifles my mind, smothering my thoughts to the point of exhaustion. We can denounce Reverend Wright’s comment and try to mischaracterize Obama for carrying on a relationship with this man, we can do that. But we cannot fully do that and call ourselves informed, fair, rational citizens while at the same time refusing to discuss the above mentioned relationships that former conservative presidents have engaged in.

Do I believe that either of Bush 1 or the current President Bush are horrible people because they associate themselves with such disgusting men such as Jerry Farwell or Pat Robertson? No. Do I believe that their relationships drastically affected social and fiscal policy? No. No more than Reverend Wright’s relationship with Obama drastically effect’s his outlook on governments role in our society.

Is this where our country has found itself? In a position where legitimate disagreements on crucial issues force us to disavow ourselves from the root of the original relationship all together? Can we no longer agree on 10 issues but disagree on 1 and still be respected? Must all of our presidential candidates now give nationally syndicated, headline speeches on faith to win trust for a position to be held that has little if any jurisdiction over faith?

I disagree with Michelle Obama…

For the first time in my life, I’m not proud of my country, I’m ashamed of it.