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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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Thursday, May 1, 2008 9:56 PM CDT
COLUMN: Wright's 'rants' put meat on bones of his video snippets on TV

By HARRY REYNOLDS, Editorial page editor
hreynolds@jg-tc.com

Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s “bunch of rants” earlier this week put meat on the bones of the videos of the pastor attacking the U.S.

The snippets, taken from sermons Barack Obama’s pastor made over a number of years, were condemned as being taken out of context and not representative of a respected black liberation theologian.

The snippets included “G-damn” America, “the chickens have come home to roost” (shortly after 9/11), and claims the government created the AIDS virus to destroy “people of color.”

TV news networks and the Internet broadcast them repetitively. Pundits of all colors and persuasion argued the obvious question raised by the snippets:

How could Obama have attended Wright’s church for 20 years and yet claim to have never heard about, or witnessed, the venom his mentor spewed from the pulpit?

The same people condemning the broadcasting of the snippets accepted hook, line and sinker Obama’s claim of ignorance. Over two decades, a polished, highly intelligent man, keenly aware of what was going on around him, didn’t know what was going on in his own church.

Which spawns another question: If Obama didn’t know what was going on in his own church, how can he be entrusted to lead the nation?

In the wake of the videos, Obama made a televised speech, widely lauded, condemning the pastor’s remarks. Obama did not leave the church or repudiate Wright, saying, “I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community.”

The uproar over the snippets came while Obama was trying to cut into rival Hillary Clinton’s lead in the Pennsylvania primary campaign. The damage wrought by Wright, coupled with Obama’s comments to an audience of rich liberals in San Francisco about gun-loving, blue-collar voters clinging to their religion and distrustful of those different than themselves, cost Obama dearly in Pennsylvania.

It also set him up for a tough primary fight in Indiana, that state having its share of blue-collar workers. In North Carolina, which has its ranks of gun-loving, Bible clingers, Obama hoped to win big next Tuesday.

And then, came along the pastor. Wright couldn’t keep quiet. Apparently piqued by Obama’s condemnation of his earlier sermons, the pastor consciously, or unconsciously, yearned to do more damage.

In an interview on PBS with Bill Moyers last Friday night, Wright said his sermons were taken out of context. It was a thoughtful interview up to the point where the pastor said he didn’t begrudge Obama for condemning him.

Wright didn’t stop there. He volunteered Obama was “...a politician. I’m a minister. We speak to two different audiences. And he says what he says as a politician. But, they’re two different worlds.”

Assuming that’s true, Obama condemned the pastor’s remarks, not because he disagreed with Wright, but because he wanted to win...wink, wink.

Wright threw gasoline on the fire Monday. Addressing and taking questions at the National Press Association, he said, “This is not about Obama, McCain, Hillary, Bill or Chelsea, this is about the black church.”

Wright implied again that Obama’s criticism of him was a matter of politician expediency, not sincerity. “He has to distance himself because he’s a politician. Whether he gets elected or not, I’m still going to have to be answerable to God.”

During the speech — televised nationwide — Wright called the government imperialist and repeated his assertion the U.S. invented the HIV virus as a means of genocide against blacks and other minorities.

Obama came out swinging Tuesday, saying he was “outraged” and “saddened by that spectacle that we saw yesterday.” Obama was particularly angered by Wright’s implication that he secretly agreed with him.

“All it was was a bunch of rants that weren’t grounded in fact,” Obama said.

“Obviously, whatever relationship I had with Reverend Wright has changed. I don’t think he showed much concern for me, more importantly, I don’t think he showed much concern for what we’re trying to do in this campaign.”

Wright’s antics, coming at this late hour before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries could cost Obama dearly. The race in Indiana is close, and a few days ago, the governor of North Carolina came out for Clinton. And the governor is very popular, particularly with blue-collar voters.

As much as Wright is to blame for the mess Obama finds himself in, part of the problem Obama created himself by failing to distance himself long ago from the minister.

The question of what he knew about Wright and why he didn’t know will dog Obama from now until the end of his campaign for the Democratic nomination. And it will continue to dog him if he wins the nomination and faces John McCain in the presidential election in the fall.

As for Wright, he may be a brilliant theologian, but in his increasingly apparent efforts to destroy Obama as a viable candidate, he exhibits a real talent for Machiavellianism.

It could be Hillary or McCain going to the White House....because a question was not confronted and a preacher was thinking only of himself.

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longtimegone wrote on May 2, 2008 9:06 AM:

" It,s beautiful to see pariah,s fall out. "

The Question wrote on May 2, 2008 9:09 AM:

" Jeffrey Toobin on CNN actually called the corporate media on its own game last week, almost. When Monotone Blitzer droned on about "When will this Wright controversy end?," Toobin snapped back in effect that the news media should answer, not ask, that question.
The corporate media loves to pretend that Obama is driving this story when he"s just the innocent bystander who's been run over by it. This is a non-story that the corporate media continues to hammer in its quest to finish off Obama and make the world safe for Sen. McBush. "

Just a Soldier wrote on May 2, 2008 9:35 AM:

" Harry will be accused of racism in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... "

krusayda wrote on May 2, 2008 11:42 AM:

" I , for one, do notunderstand why this guy is even a news worthy person. He is a preacher of a church that Obama went to, so what, why don't we drege up his barber, shoe shine guy and insurance agent also and make a big deal out of how the feel about stuff. This is so a non-news situation. Hillary is just egging on a whole lot of nothing, as that is all she has. "

Becky wrote on May 2, 2008 12:37 PM:

" I think this Wright guy is NUTZ! I'm sick of hearing about him every 5 minutes too. MSM....Morons Since Murdoch. "

Tom Andres wrote on May 2, 2008 1:28 PM:

" For a candidate who claims to be in touch with America, Obama certainly exhibits poor judgment on America's acceptance of his personal and professional circle of 'friends'. Elitists and racists and admitted terrorists seem to top his "A-list"? Even his own wife says she had never been proud to be an American until Obama was a front-runner in the Dem primaries. // Yes, his rhetoric for change sounds great (we're all tired of DC politicians) but come to think of it, isn't that what all politicians say? LOL, Obama's chickens may have come home to roost. "

even steven wrote on May 2, 2008 2:30 PM:

" Rest assured I took note of the "Reverend" Wright's and Sen. Obama's divisive comments. I think they both have some issues with race they need to work on. Perhaps both would benefit from sensitivity counseling, or better yet, perhaps they could raise enough money that they could each buy a clue. "

The Question wrote on May 2, 2008 3:52 PM:

" Let's start with a hypothetical situation: Suppose a small group of people controlled the press, and they wanted to ensure a Republican victory in November. A few weeks ago Obama seemed to be riding a wave of inevitability and positive perception. The Democrats seemed to have settled on a candidate, and he scored well against the Republicans because he was seen as post-racial and post-partisan. If this group were to write a memo to the media, what would it say?
Their game plan would have very specific objectives:
1. Extend the Democratic primary race as long as possible.
2. Remind the public that the seemingly "post-racial" Obama is a black man; make him seem as scary-black as possible.
3. Strengthen Hillary Clinton's image with white working-class voters by making her appear populist, folksy, and one of them. Conversely, characterize Obama as an elitist who is out of touch with "real people."
4. Break down Obama's post-partisan appeal to independents and Republicans by linking him to the divisive left/right politics of the 1960s.
Now look back over the media's coverage of the Democratic campaign during the past several weeks. Bingo: Mission accomplished.
RJ Eskow "

ed miller wrote on May 2, 2008 9:05 PM:

" Nice conspiracy theory, Question.

So this "small group of people who control the press" (probably in cahoots with Dick Cheney) must have bribed Rev. Wright to open his big racist mouth just to make Obama look bad. The media didn't invent that. You also forgot to mention how they hurt his standing with the Rednecks by printing his low bowling scores. But those crafty controllers of the media mostly suppresed the fact that his score was only for five frames. WE WERE DUPED! However, your secret group of anti-Obama media barons must have been asleep when Hillary was being raked over the coals for forgetting that she wasn't under sniper fire after all.

This Rev Wright guy is just like Billy Carter. An embarrassing relative that won't go away. I don't know why this story was in the paper. It's an old story and everytime someone writes a new article about him, it just propels him into the spotlight again which is what people like him and Jessie Jackson thrive on, since they have no real use in society. "

out-there wrote on May 2, 2008 10:14 PM:

" All the Media has to do is plant a seed.
Let People run with it any way they can.
Facts and truth are a thing of the past.
when we refer to church do we refer to it as my church or the pastors church?
Good planting Harry ( Media)
"

Early Bird wrote on May 3, 2008 7:37 AM:

" Big difference, ed. The Hillary story died down after a few days. The right wing propaganda machine including Fox news and the radio nut jobs aren't about to let this one go. Admittedly, Wright isn't helping, running around and shooting off his mouth. They are going to keep this one up, ala Karl Rove. Or perhaps they remember Nixon's idea about once you get the knife into your opponent, you keep twisting it. This presidential election is starting to sound like the last two, that is, don't talk about your guy, just about how bad the other guy is, or in this case about how nutty his preacher is. Negative campaigning has been taken to a new level by the Republican party. But what the heck, this sort of campaign got Bush elected twice, and it might even get the hot headed sputtering tired old John McCain into the White house. "

The Question wrote on May 3, 2008 8:46 AM:

" So tell me, Ed, McCain sought and got the endorsement of the infamous fundamentalist minister John Hagee, who has called the Catholic Church the 'Great Wh*re,' the 'apostate church,' the 'anti-Christ' and a 'false cult system.' Why aren't there 25 stories a day on cable news about that, as there are about Wright? "

Harry Potter wrote on May 3, 2008 8:57 AM:

" A republican congressman from New York got arrested for a DUI, and surprisingly, FOX (entertainment) news actually reported it, at least on their online news site. Now the question is, will they carry the story for weeks on end like they did when one of the Kennedy's did the same thing, LOL....actually that was a joke because we all know they won't. Most of us know that Fox reserves beating up politicians for weeks at a time for Democrats. That's our good old "fair and balanced" bunch that our friend Tom Andres is addicted to 24/7. One ear on the Roger Aile's heavy handed/Republican edited Fox and the other on the Oxycontin addled brain Rushie, huh Tom? I threw in the Ailes comment for those who might not be aware that Fox so called news is headed up by none other than Richards Nixon's chief political advisor. Surprised? "

Harry Potter wrote on May 3, 2008 1:00 PM:

" It's time to expose the big windbag, Rush Limbaugh, on his bogus claims regarding his Operation Chaos.

Still reeling from getting it wrong on the last Congressional elections, Limbaugh has struggled to make himself relevant, and as usual his dupes are going along with his lies and distortions, by eating up all of his horse manure.

Limbaugh has come up with a new tactic that he calls Operation Chaos.

Ever the scheming opportunist, Limbaugh is even hawking his coffee mugs and tee shirts to his loyal followers, proclaiming his "brilliance" in this endeavor.

Seeing how many Republicans have switched over and voted in the primaries, old windy has decided to take credit for it and claim that all of this was his idea.

The funny part is that a lot of people are actually believing he is having that much effect on the elections. But then again, there are a lot of folks out there that want to be told what and how to think, and Limbaugh serves them well toward that end.

This is a reality and is the life blood of people like Limbaugh and is the reason for the success of Fox news.

Unfortunately, a lot of people don't want to think for them self and are satisfied to believe the propaganda being put out by the radio fanatics and the Republican party's mouthpiece, Fox news.

In reality thousands of Republicans are voting in the primaries for a Democrat because they don't want McCain.

Limbaugh's Operation Chaos was born out of frustration at the general dislike of McCain, and his fear of irrelevance in this election.

Exit polls show that Limbaugh's involvement has been greatly overstated by both him and his followers, but overstatement is sort of his trademark anyway. "

The Question wrote on May 3, 2008 2:13 PM:

" During a town hall event in Colorado this week, John McCain "decried the dangers of Americans reliance on foreign oil," but "also seemed to suggest that this reliance caused the current struggle in Iraq."
Here's what he said: "My friends, I will have an energy policy that we will be talking about, which will eliminate our dependence on oil from the Middle East that will - that will then prevent us - that will prevent us from having ever to send our young men and women into conflict again in the Middle East."
---------------
What stuns me is having to listen to the Republicans blather on loudly and obnoxiously for years about their "moral clarity," and then hear them slip and blithely admit they believe they have the right to kill hundreds of thousands of people for the purpose of getting control of their natural resources. "Hypocrisy" doesn't come near it. "Psychotic cognitive dissonance" is closer to the mark. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 3, 2008 4:30 PM:

" Right on TQ, anyone who ever believed Bush and his string puller Cheney's phony democracy bull has to be either stupid or at the very least totally naive.

It's always been about the oil, and yes, you're right grandpa McCain finally admitted it. I'll bet his handlers cringed over that one. This is just one of many gaffs that will ultimately bring him down. Remember his confusion while in Iraq a month or so ago, as to who the enemy was?

Can this country really take a doddering old fool like him as president?

Wait a minute, we had a doddering old fool for president. And his name is still evoked when trying to get votes by his fellow republicans. In fact I read where his name was used several hundred times during the Republican debates while Bush's name was almost never brought up. But can you blame them? It was reported last week that Bush had the lowest approval rating for any president in this century.

It seems the only ones supporting Bush are the few on this site, and they for the most part seem to have gotten lost.

Speaking of that, I wonder what name Doh will use the next time he comes back?

I miss the daily blather about how well the war is going and how great the surge was.

Maybe old Doh just gave up trying to sell that lie. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 4, 2008 2:31 PM:

" Guess who the Chicago Tribune is endorsing on the Democratic side? Check it out @ chicagotribune.com for full details. I'm sure all the racists and bigots, who are hiding their real feelings behind all sorts of justifications, like the phony Reverend Wright story, will love this one. "

The Question wrote on May 4, 2008 5:19 PM:

" Right, Harry. I understand the US managed to blast a hospital in Iraq. Way to win those hearts and minds. Haven't heard our Bush lovers tell us what a glorious victory that was.
I guess we have to fight the hospitals over there so they won't come here. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 4, 2008 7:54 PM:

" Ya gotta love those Republicans. They have pretty well perfected the art of taking things out of context, telling half the story and in general lying by omission. But now the Democrats pulled the same stunt with a McCain ad and they are crying foul. Unbelievable. I say if the Republicans want to get down in the gutter, as the usually do, the Democrats should play the same game. Starting with Lee Atwater and right through to Karl Rove, the Republicans have playing with the truth for several elections, so it's good to see them getting a dose of their own medicine. "

medic57 wrote on May 5, 2008 2:13 AM:

" Question ----- The Hospital did not get blasted. Get your facts straight before resorting to lies. "

The Question wrote on May 5, 2008 7:32 AM:

" A major hospital in Baghdad's Sadr City slum was damaged Saturday when an American military strike targeted a militia command center just a few yards away, the U.S. military said.
-----
So the hospital was blasted. Looks like you're the one who's lying, Medic57. "

The Question wrote on May 5, 2008 8:00 AM:

" Forget the rocket attacks, concrete blast walls and lack of a sewer system. Now try to imagine luxury hotels, a shopping center and even condos in the heart of Baghdad.
That's all part of a five-year development "dream list" _ or what some dub an improbable fantasy _ to transform the U.S.-protected Green Zone from a walled fortress into a centerpiece for Baghdad's future.
But the $5 billion plan has the backing of the Pentagon and apparently the interest of some deep pockets in the world of international hotels and development, the lead military liaison for the project told The Associated Press.
--------------
What an attraction. Having rockets fired into your luxury hotel suite would be so exciting.
"

The Question wrote on May 5, 2008 9:54 AM:

" Here's the news from "calm" Anbar province.
------
The U.S. military said Sunday a roadside bomb killed four Marines in western Anbar province " the deadliest attack in that area in months.
The Marines were killed Friday, but no other details of the incident were released.
------
Better blast some more of those threatening Iraqi hospitals, I guess. "

The Question wrote on May 5, 2008 10:44 AM:

" Bush helpfully explained last week that he can't do anything about America's many Bush-created problems because he lacks the necessary ability, which is the power to work magical spells.
As Ed Naha observed, "President Bush, last week, confronting the writhing agony known as our economy, did the only thing a stand-up kinda leader could do...he blamed it all on the Democratic Congress. As Dana Milbank wrote in "The Washington Post," "He faulted lawmakers 16 times in his opening statement alone."
And you could tell Bush was serious. He wore his patented "constipated ape" expression.
Bush addressed America's financial woes in lofty, technical terms. "And so I firmly believe that, you know, if there was a magic wand to wave, I'd be waving it, of course."
He later explained: "I think that if there was a magic wand to say, 'OK, drop price,' I'd do that."
As reporters waited for Bush to switch metaphors, stick his thumb up his a$$, crook his free arm skyward and warble, "I'm a little despot," he went back to his wand waving, instead.
Further clarifying his trickle-down approach to Harry Potter, he offered: "But there is no magic wand to wave right now."
"

The Question wrote on May 5, 2008 6:16 PM:

" The number of suicides among veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may exceed the combat death toll because of inadequate mental health care, the U.S. government's top psychiatric researcher said.
Community mental health centers, hobbled by financial limits, haven't provided enough scientifically sound care, especially in rural areas, said Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He briefed reporters today at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting in Washington.
-------
That news, like Bush and Cheney and all the greedy, lying Republican warmongers who got us into this mess, makes me sick to my stomach. "

The Question wrote on May 5, 2008 6:25 PM:

" BORED by those endless replays of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright? If so, go directly to YouTube, search for "John Hagee Roman Church Hitler," and be recharged by a fresh jolt of clerical jive.
What you'll find is a white televangelist, the Rev. John Hagee, lecturing in front of an enormous diorama. Wielding a pointer, he pokes at the image of a woman with Pamela Anderson-sized breasts, her hand raising a golden chalice. The woman is "the Great Wh0re," Mr. Hagee explains, and she is drinking "the blood of the Jewish people." That's because the Great Wh0re represents "the Roman Church," which, in his view, has thirsted for Jewish blood throughout history, from the Crusades to the Holocaust.
Mr. Hagee is not a fringe kook but the pastor of a Texas megachurch. On Feb. 27, he stood with John McCain and endorsed him over the religious conservatives' favorite, Mike Huckabee, who was then still in the race.
Are we really to believe that neither Mr. McCain nor his camp knew anything then about Mr. Hagee's views?
Frank Rich "

ed miller wrote on May 6, 2008 2:26 AM:

" Ok TQ, glad to see you finally got back on the topic of the post, after your usual ranting about the war that you do in every post. First off, I think the whole Wright thing has been overblown, but to make that comparison with Hagee to McCain is ridiculous. Wright was Obama's pastor and mentor for years. This Hagee guy is not the same thing. Just because someone voices their support for a particular candidate, doesn't mean they have to share the exact same views. By your logic, if Charles Manson supported someone, then we must assume that candidate has the exact same views as Manson. "

The Question wrote on May 6, 2008 9:26 AM:

" Sen. McBush begged for the endorsement of a man who calls the Catholic Church "the great Wh0re," Ed. "It's true that [John] McCain's campaign sought my endorsement," Hagee told the New York Times magazine.
So who's really the wh0re here?
And I'm not surprised that you Republicans don't want to talk about the disastrous, immoral war of aggression you cheered. I wouldn't either, if I were you.
By the way, have you seen the latest figures on the suicide rate for US troops that your war has caused, Ed? "

father bob wrote on May 6, 2008 2:39 PM:

" ed miller wrote on May 2, 2008 9:05 PM:
it just propels him into the spotlight again which is what people like him and Jessie Jackson thrive on, since they have no real use in society. "

spoken like a true wasp bigot "

exbricklayer wrote on May 6, 2008 8:46 PM:

" I think Hillary should go visit Australia, that way she could watch her Presidential hopes circle the drain in a Counter Clockwise Direction. "

ed miller wrote on May 6, 2008 11:21 PM:

" father bob wrote on May 6, 2008 2:39 PM:

" spoken like a true wasp bigot "

ok, since you are obviously not intelligent enough to generate a rebuttal, go ahead and call me names. Makes you feel good doesn't it? Just like 3rd grade.

I'm not the bigot ,he is. I'm not the one standing in a church telling one race to hate another and blame them for all their troubles. Thats exactly what the KKK does, you know. Just that statement about AIDS being created to kill blacks should have discredited him as a nutcase anyway. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 7, 2008 8:43 AM:

" I would agree that Wright and Jackson are camera hogs, cd, but to say they have no real use in society life seems a bit of an exaggeration me. You seem to do that a lot, with issues that you're not in agreement with. I would venture to say that both of them have done a lot more than you have or ever will. Just because you dislike someone or their politics certainly doesn't mean they have done some good things for society. We've heard your assessment as to their value to society, so now let's hear what you've for the betterment of society. I can't wait. "

The Question wrote on May 7, 2008 9:34 AM:

" Looks like the corporate media's 24-hour-a-day Blitzer blitz to destroy Obama with someone else's words didn't work, did it? The corporate fascists had better try something else. "

ed miller wrote on May 7, 2008 11:21 AM:

" You're right HP. To say that they have no use to society was a little harsh. Maybe they have had some good intentions toward civil rights. It just seems like these guys do more to incite hatred and division among races than healing. I think they realize that if there were no race problem, they would not have the wealth and power that they enjoy today. Jackson has been accused for years of using racial boycotts to extort money from big corporations (Toyota), or using it to gain jobs for family (Budweiser). It's a shame when you have a TRUE reverend like MLK jr, who truly cared about the plight of his people and then you have guys like these, who are in it for themselves. "

krusayda wrote on May 7, 2008 1:17 PM:

" " Looks like the corporate media's 24-hour-a-day Blitzer blitz to destroy Obama with someone else's words didn't work, did it? The corporate fascists had better try something else. "

You can bet they will, hoe he doesn't have the same fate as that DC madam that "hung" herself......yeah right. "

father bob wrote on May 7, 2008 2:16 PM:

" ed miller wrote on May 7, 2008 11:21 AM:It's a shame when you have a TRUE reverend like MLK jr, who truly cared about the plight of his people and then you have guys like these, who are in it for themselves. "

hagee
falwell
hinn
robertson

are common thieves and no one says a word about them and the outrageous claims they've made.....oh yeah i forgot, they're for the old white guy. "

cd wrote on May 7, 2008 6:09 PM:

" And Michell Obama isn't helping her husband either.
---------------
Posted: May 06, 2008
8:28 am Eastern

2008 WorldNetDaily

Michelle Obama (barackobama.com)

Michelle Obama, wife of presidential candidate Barack Obama, known for saying what's on her mind candidly, spontaneously and frequently has exposed this trait yet again in a profile in the London Guardian.

Asked how she feels about Bill Clinton's use of the phrase
"fairytale" to describe her husband's characterization of his position on the Iraq war, she first responded: "No."

But, after a few seconds of contemplation, and gesturing with her fingernails, she told the reporter: "I want to rip his eyes out!"

---
"What we have learned over the past year is that hope is making a comeback. And let me tell you something for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment."
===

That remark was followed up with reports of a stump speech she delivered throughout South Carolina in which she characterized America as "just downright mean."

She said the country is divided, life is not good, the people are "guided by fear" and cynicism.

"

Harry Potter wrote on May 7, 2008 7:59 PM:

" Hey fb, it would be quite a job picking out the worst of the worst of that bunch of charlatans. There surely will be a special place in hell for TV charlatans like those you listed.

And I would add old "God is going to come and take me home, if you suckers don't send me a big bunch of money" Oral Roberts to the list.

And speaking of Oral Roberts, it looks like his son got caught with his hand in the cookie jar AGAIN. Anyone surprised?

Lastly, I heard old Benny Hinn will only preach one of his so called healing service revivals where the weather is nice. I guess he doesn't want any cold wind blowing into that big girly looking hairdo of his, but perhaps that fleet of luxury cars of his aren't equipped with heaters.

They only honorable evangelist that I ever knew of was Billy Graham, and guess what, I believe he was a Democrat.

Just a wild guess here, but I'll bet everyone one of those shysters is a Republican. Any bets? "

ed miller wrote on May 7, 2008 9:52 PM:

" father bob wrote on May 7, 2008 2:16 PM:

hagee
falwell
hinn
robertson

are common thieves and no one says a word about them and the outrageous claims they've made.....oh yeah i forgot, they're for the old white guy. "

Ooooh, I said something negative about a black person. I must be a racist. That pretty much sums up your outlook on everyone, doesn't it FB?

If you say those guys are crooks, fine. BTW, you forgot Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. I was talking about so-called reverends who don't preach anything but hate and division among races. THAT was my point. If Wright was such a Godly man, he would have defended his close friend, Obama instead of throwing him under the bus and calling him a liar. Also, if he truly cared about forwarding the cause of the Black man, he could have kept his mouth shut and possibly helped to elect the first black president, but instead he IMMEDIATELY jumped at the chance to make the talk show and lecture circuit and fuel his own ego. "

gringa wrote on May 7, 2008 10:19 PM:

" By the way, father bob, do you know MLK Junior was a Republican? See: www.nbra.info. The NBRA has a very interesting website. Check it out. "

The Question wrote on May 8, 2008 5:41 AM:

" Here's a nicely "fair and balanced" quote I'm going to keep bringing up.
Neil Cavuto of Fox News, Feb. 6, 2008: "I'm also
hearing a lot of people are waiting for Senator McCain to snap; for him to do something crazy and that just as he's on the verge of winning this, he's gonna go, you know, kinda like a Norman Bates deal."
"

Early Bird wrote on May 8, 2008 5:44 AM:

" Poor Rush Limbaugh, it appears that all of his efforts to get Hillary the nomination are going up in smoke. He might even have to return to his illegal drugs for solace. Sorry Tom A, just like in the last congressional elections, it seems your hero has struck out again.

I look forward to listening to his first show, after Obama is elected. That is if he's not back in rehab. "

Jon Vanatta wrote on May 8, 2008 7:38 AM:

" TQ, You are wrong about John Hagee he is one of the few people who have got it right in this country. He never said the Catholic Church is the great wh-re. He said the apostate church is the great wh-re. So TQ if you say the Catholic Church is the apostate church then YOU are offending the Catholic Church. You either cant understand the truth of what John Hagee said or you are intentionally misrepresenting what he said. I suspect the later. You probably should watch John Hagee sometime you certainly could learn something if you could get by your bias long enough to listen. Why would he want to offend the Catholics his wife is a former Catholic millions of Catholics watch him and he lives and pastors in San Antonio, which has a majority of Catholics. Your mischaracterization of his views on Catholics is typical of left wing radicalism that is so evident to those who know the truth. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 8, 2008 7:51 AM:

" Say what you want about Limbaugh, EB, but I'm sure he has some spin prepared for this eventual outcome. Whatever it is, it will be about how brilliant he is. LOL. "

father bob wrote on May 8, 2008 8:51 AM:

" nice that i can't respond to your posts.... "

father bob wrote on May 8, 2008 9:04 AM:

" i will not comment on this thread. the JG-TC staff wishes to undermine opinions by not posting responses. "

even steven wrote on May 8, 2008 11:16 AM:

" Question for The Question...

What's a corporate fascist? Isn't that a contradiction, considering the history of fascists taxing corporations to death and treating them like state property? You write a lot, but you don't say anything. "

Tom Andres wrote on May 8, 2008 11:21 AM:

" Early Bird, I don't listen to Rush nearly as much as you apparently do. I may listen to him an hour a week - or not at all. Keep in mind, hes an entertainer, not a world leader. In the few snippets Ive heard, I've always had the impression that his goal is to cause 'chaos' in the Dem's primary process, not necessarily to throw (Republican) support to Clinton. I've always thought it was his intention to dilute support for both Democratic candidates. If his ingenious Operation Chaos has accomplished anything at all, the 'chaos' factor may have been successful. The Dems will unite for Obama unless Clinton Swift Boats him or destroys party unity by corrupting delegate rules. Eventually then, we'll get down to the business of debating serious issues and electing a president. I highly doubt that Clinton supporters will vote for McCain in November. In the meantime, Rush's business strategy will have been achieved, once again. His strategy (the same one he's had for over 20 years) is to increase his listening audience and to increase ad revenues to historic highs. Rush is in the entertainment business, EB. If he were the demagogue you think he is, he would have run for president long ago and he may have won a landslide victory. Try to keep his persona in perspective. LOL, it's 'TALK radio', and Rush Limbaugh literally owns it! Hes an entertainer who reflects the views of his vast multi-media audience. "

Tom Andres wrote on May 8, 2008 1:10 PM:

" Here's one for you conspiracy theorists. Fox News just had one of those 'history questions' on Martha MacCallum's "The Live Desk". She asked her viewers to name the Democrat presidential nominee who never won a single primary race? The answer, of course, was Hubert Humphrey in 1968 after the presumptive nominee, Kennedy, was assassinated. Early Bird, will you now try to convince us that Fox News is trying to incite another assassination attempt within the party before the convention this year? "

ed miller wrote on May 8, 2008 6:06 PM:

" father bob wrote on May 8, 2008 9:04 AM:

" i will not comment on this thread. the JG-TC staff wishes to undermine opinions by not posting responses. "

They are probably all racists. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 8, 2008 7:22 PM:

" An hour a week? You sure seem to know a lot about him for someone who only listens an hour a week. LOL.. Wish I had kept extensive files on you, Tom, because I seem to remember you saying something different a few weeks ago. An hour a week? Good one, Tom. "

Early Bird wrote on May 9, 2008 6:00 AM:

" Well hello Tom.

I don't subscribe to conspiracy theories, so your idea won't be happening. Actually, I don't share your love and admiration for Fox news. I think Fox news is a joke, well actually they fit the description you gave your icon, Rush, and that is, they are in the entertainment business. They just happen to be controlled by a right wing fanatic, by the name of Roger Ailes.

I once read that he was the source for Nixon's infamous line about once you get the knife in, twist it.

I think their popularity is because they don't tell it like it is. Many people don't want to hear the truth. They would rather watch Fox news and hear all the flag waving about how great everything is, like the war in Iraq, the economy and anything else the Republican party is doing. All on this sprinkled all over with how evil the Democrats are and ranting for weeks on end over any Democrat misstep. (Patrick Kennedy and Gary Condit)

Of course any Republican misstep is usually reported on in passing, and once reported, quickly fades away. (Larry Craig and too many others to list, caught up in various scandals)

Ignoring the reality of things and sugar coating the truth, is not news my friend, it's entertainment at the very least.

One hour a week, huh? You're a funny guy, Tom, but I thought you agreed to give that up? "

1 cav wrote on May 9, 2008 7:27 AM:

" How does it feel Democrat's to know your votes in the Primary doesn't count at all?? Most of you probably didn't know you don't elect a candidate until the last few months. ;) "

Tom Andres wrote on May 9, 2008 8:19 AM:

" Believe what you want, HP. You're the one in charge of that. All I can tell you is what I already told you. I listen to Rush maybe an hour a week - or not at all. LOL, I also like to listen to Bobby Likis Car Clinic if I'm out running errands on a Saturday morning. Hope that helps with your profiling efforts. LOL, while you're visiting memory lane and trying to recall things I've said in the past, try this one: I've always been a heavy metal fan, as in magnum load #4 lead. What's going on here, HP? Are you falling in love with me? Be honest now, do I need a TRO? "

father bob wrote on May 9, 2008 9:22 AM:

"
ed miller wrote on May 8, 2008 6:06 PM:
" father bob wrote on May 8, 2008 9:04 AM:

" i will not comment on this thread. the JG-TC staff wishes to undermine opinions by not posting responses. "

They are probably all racists. "

think what you want.... "

Harry Potter wrote on May 9, 2008 8:03 PM:

" Sorry, Tom, hate to disappoint you, but you're not my type, and of course I believe the one hour a week Limbaugh claim. wink wink.... Hey, got any tips for starting an extensive file system on fellow posters? "

Tom Andres wrote on May 10, 2008 7:35 AM:

" Sure, HP, here's a tip - if you want poster files, go for it. LOL, whatever time you spend off-line will benefit the rest of us. Gotta go listen to Rush now. Sorry. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 10, 2008 9:31 AM:

" The Bush apologists on this site keep pointing out that this election is not about George Bush because he is not running. But is that really the case? I say no. This election is all about George Bush and the world he has created.

A vote for John McCain is a vote to continue the failed policies of George Bush.

John Mccain was caught in a ANOTHER big fib recently. He was overheard by several people as saying he didn't vote for Bush in 2000, and despite several witnesses hearing this, he is denying it. I don't blame him for not voting for Bush, especially after what the Bush people, led by the creepy Karl Rove did to him in South Carolina, but do we need another liar in the White House?

And do we need a first lady that is so arrogant that she says her tax returns are none of our damn business? I think she gave up that privilege when she used her massive fortune to get her husband his start in politics. Remember the uproar from the Republicans about Kerry's wife's income. Where is that same uproar over Cindy McCain's income?

It is beyond me how anyone could continue to support Bush after what he has done to our nation, our reputation and our children's future.

It's time for a change.

We don't need another 4 to 8 years of what we have just gone through.

It's time for a Democrat economy. Let's compare the Clinton years with the Bush years. All the talking points in the world about the Dems being all about tax and spend won't get it, when you compare the results of the last two administrations. No contest! "

Harry Potter wrote on May 10, 2008 9:56 AM:

" Sorry Einstein, but I don't believe your hero Rush is aired on Saturdays. I suspect he needs the week ends to sober up and dry out from his illegal drug usage all week long. Good grief, can't you Republicans tell the truth about anything? Between your massive, or as you call them extensive, files and your fibbing, I'm starting to worry about you, Tom. "

Early Bird wrote on May 11, 2008 5:29 AM:

" Cindy McCain vows that her husbands campaign will not go negative.

Wanna bet?

She also says her tax returns are none of our damn business.

You have to wonder what Cindy is hiding, don't you? If they get desperate enough, they will go negative and Cindy might even release her tax forms, that is if the press makes an issue of it, and stops giving McCain a pass on everything as they usually do.

Case in point: several veterans who served with McCain are saying a lot of his claims are bogus. Where's the press on this issue?

Too bad the press doesn't follow through with this, as they did when the same thing happened to Kerry.

Of course those who made claims against Kerry were telling the truth, and those who make equally damning claims against McCain are lying, right?

We hear on a regular basis how the main stream media are in the pocket of the Democrats, but is it the truth?

For those who are addicted to the tabloid news outfit, Fox, and the right wing radio zealots, it must appear that way.

Perpetuating that lie is what keeps those folks in business, and their followers buy everything they repeat over and over as their mantra.

Look at how the main stream media have totally overlooked the VP and his immediate families financial ties to this war.

It's time for a change. It's time for decency to return to the White House.

We don't need an adulterer and his former mistress in the White House. Even though, I will concede Ronald Reagan did set a precedent for that.

It's time for George W. Bush and his war profiting VP to get out of Dodge. "

sam adams 52 wrote on May 11, 2008 9:39 AM:

" Wow! The Question has some interesting points. What planet is this guy from and has he taken his meds lately? Is he really Jeremiah Wright is disguise? Is everything always a conspiracy? Here is a question Mr. Question...why did Obama not just say that Wright is a freak and he stayed in the church because there are a lot of powerful wealthy people that help his career that attend that church. The truth what a novel idea, and the story would be done. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 11, 2008 1:25 PM:

" For my friend father bob:

I would give that response another go, fb. I've never been able to figure the logic used on this site when it comes to deciding what to allow.

On more than one occasion, I have posted things that were of a rather innocuous nature and did not violate any of their stated rules, and it never showed up.

We all see things on here daily that seem to violate their rules, so figure that one out.

I have even gone back and posted the same message later after seeing it didn't get on, only to get it done the second time. I don't keep extensive records like our friend Tom Andres, (LOL) so I had to sort of wing it, but the messages were basically the same as the ones that didn't make it through on the first try.

Not being much of a computer whizz, I suspect sometimes these things are merely glitches.

I always like reading your messages, so I hope you will consider trying it again. You've got my curiosity too. HP "

gringa wrote on May 11, 2008 10:15 PM:

" Mr Potter, Rush is on durng the weekends. It's a 'best of' type thing. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 12, 2008 7:18 AM:

" Thanks for the update, gringa. I didn't know that, but I'll bet Tom Andres does. Maybe that's when he listens to his one hour a week. LOL! "

father bob wrote on May 12, 2008 10:35 AM:

" I always like reading your messages, so I hope you will consider trying it again. You've got my curiosity too. HP "

thanks, but no thanks.......maybe i'll revisit it another day in another thread. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 13, 2008 7:49 AM:

" Looks like the Republicans are playing the race card in Mississippi. Wonder it that's the plan for November? "

father bob wrote on May 13, 2008 3:56 PM:

" John McCain says he's a defender of democracy. But the folks running his campaign have been playing for the other team.

Two of John McCain's senior campaign staff were forced to resign this week after revelations that their lobbying firm was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to represent Burma's brutal military dictatorship.

And it gets worseturns out this goes all the way to the top. Charlie Black, McCain's campaign chairman, ran a lobbying firm that represented brutal dictators like Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines and Mobutu Sese Seko in Zairealong with terrorist rebel Jonas Savimbi in Angola. Together, these men have been responsible for massive human suffering.

And for good measure, Charlie Black has represented war profiteer Blackwater Worldwide and Iraqi fraudster Ahmed Chalabi.
"

Early Bird wrote on May 14, 2008 5:40 AM:

" I'm truly shocked. In a congressional race in Mississippi, being viewed as pivotal by most observers, Fox news (fair and balanced of course) didn't mention the results on their on line news service this morning. Oh yeah, could it be because the Democrat won. LOL!

This race was interesting because the Republican candidate was using blatant racial tactics, and many saw this as a test as to how the Republicans will handle the race issue nationally in November.

Hopefully with this defeat, the Republican strategists will abandon the idea of using the race card and will stick to the issues in the upcoming election, even though playing the race card has been effective for them in several elections of recent times. Both Bush and his father effectively played the race card in their victories.

It would be rather ironic if McCain chose to do so, after all it was what got him defeated by Bush in the South Carolina primaries, after he had knocked Bush out in New Hampshire. "

father bob wrote on May 14, 2008 12:36 PM:

" http://tinyurl.com/5w3lfs "

Harry Potter wrote on May 14, 2008 12:46 PM:

" Right on, EB. Looks like playing the race card might have backfired in Mississippi! And yes, isn't it interesting how Fox news is ignoring this? Even Drudge, who's about as right wing as Fox, carried it. I wonder if Tom Andre's mentor, Rush Limpwrist is carrying it today. hee hee "

father bob wrote on May 14, 2008 12:52 PM:

" May 6, 2002; The day that changed America.

On December 21, 2000, President Clinton signed the Rome Statute (with support of US elected officials) to join the International Criminal Court ICC you know, those pesky people who hold international tribunals concerning Crimes Against Humanity at The Hague).). What many dont know is that on May 6, 2002, The United States of America pulled out of the ICC.

Wonder why the United States of America pulled out of the ICC and how all this relates to Order, Acts and Lies? "

father bob wrote on May 15, 2008 5:05 PM:

" it's pretty tough right now to be proud about being an american. monkeyboy once again humiliates himself and us.

"

father bob wrote on May 15, 2008 5:33 PM:

" Without mentioning he name in the Israeli Knesset today, Bush likened Obama's willingness to talk with our adversaries as appeasement. Because of the Bush family's very dodgy history with the Nazi government, George II has always been eager to accuse others of what his grandfather was widely reviled for-- except, of course, his grandfather didn't just do it because he was a proto-Nazi, but because he was well-paid by the Nazis to represent their interests. Bush Regime operatives have acknowledged that Bush was aiming his smear at Obama, although no one seems to know which senator he was referring to who wanted to negotiate with the Nazis. Was it is grandfather, Prescott Bush or one of his close pro-Nazi allies like William Borah (R-ID)? "

Harry Potter wrote on May 15, 2008 9:01 PM:

" I wonder what Bush would say about Reagan's talks with Gorbachev? I'm sure that was OK, because Reagan was a Republican. And about that Bush grandpa's Nazi connection, the family has always tried to downplay that, even though declassified government documents have been released that show there was more to it than the Bush family lets on. In reality the Bush family fortune had its start with Nazi money. Perhaps that why old Georgie sort of acts like a Nazi and times. "

father bob wrote on May 16, 2008 10:32 AM:

" DUBAI (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden vowed in an audio tape to mark Israel's 60th anniversary to continue to fight the Jewish state and its allies in the West.

The al Qaeda leader, who has placed growing emphasis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said it was at the heart of the Muslim battle with the West and an inspiration to the 19 bombers who carried out the attacks on U.S. cities on September 11, 2001.

Osama....osama....oh yeah....that irrelevant guy who was behind 9-11...i remember him. the guy George WTF Bush isn't concerned about. "

Harry Potter wrote on May 17, 2008 10:13 AM:

" For more of the same, vote McCain! "