[jen0830]

Obama can associate with whomever he wants.

I believe his association/friendship with Wright, a man who preaches hatred, and resentment against an entire race does not further Obama's promise of being the one “to unite America.” He falls far short of this proposal based upon his actions.

Wright sounds like the Black KKK. Would you want to elect a White man, who, for 20 years, has been a good friend, and attending speeches of someone who is in the KKK? I wouldn’t vote for any White racist either. Obama then states that he has never heard this kind of talk before? He doesn't agree with his racist tirade, but wants to stay his close friend? Again, not a man I would vote for. Obama says, “I could no more disown Rev. Wright than I could disown the black community”.

According to his federal income tax return for 2006, Obama gave the Trinity United church $22,500 in contributions.

Would I vote for a man who financially supports attacks on others? NO!

In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright’s daughters serve as publisher and executive editor, Wright is CEO. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said, “Truly epitomized greatness”. That man is Louis Farrakhan.

Farrakhan is one of the country’s most bizarre, most repulsive, most openly racist, most offensive, public figures. Yet Obama’s minister lauded Farrakhan with an award for epitomizing greatness. Maybe for Wright, Obama, and some others, Farrakhan epitomizes greatness. For most Americans, Farrakhan epitomizes hatred, particularly in the form of anti-Semitism. Over the years, he has compiled an awesome record of offensive statements, including calling Anglo-Americans, “Blue-eyed Devils”. Wright’s comments are not theological views, but political statements. This is a serious issue for Obama in the general election. As with each new utterance on the topic of Reverend Wright, Obama confirms his own moral obliviousness and he seems to have disdain for those who are troubled by his own unwillingness to break with Wright.

Even worse, Obama still insists Wright is a brilliant man, So brilliant, apparently, that he has uncovered the plot by White America to kill African Americans with AIDS, so insightful as to perceive the 9/11 attacks caused by American terrorism and his discerning observation that Israel is a dirty word, and still in Obama’s eyes, Wright is brilliant. A brilliant man who calls Jews “bloodsuckers” There are the things a man says and then there are the things a man does. Attending a church with a man using the pulpit for his political agenda says much about Obama. He called that pastor a mentor and titled one of his books after a Wright sermon.

A friend, and pastor who honors the likes of Farrakhan says quite a lot as well. Obama’s silence about that Wright's honor for Farrakhan shows his position, and it is not for “all of us”.

Not being an Obama supporter, I know this is not a popular position on this thread. Still, I am voicing my opinion on this person, who has shown he doesn't have the judgment or the experience to be President of our country. He would make a good keynote speaker and his banal cocktail chatter would be a hit at some parties. Where is his substance? Voting "Present" on over 100 issues?

Now it is time for me to continue to get busy and do whatever I can to support and elect a true hero, John McCain as our next President.