The collusion of church and state is quicksand.
Lately, I've eschewed all discussions about the 2008 Democratic race for the nomination because the event has turned into circus. And the only circus I'm a spectator of is the UniverSOUL circus (DC its coming soon). Now don't get me wrong I watched the debates, but not their entirety -- I'm so over it (shout out to Amaretto). Plus, the reality of it all is there's no point squabbling about who would be the nominee. The events that have and will take place up until June season Barack for the general election yes, can't rule him out-- the numbers are still on his side or demonstrate the Clintonian prowess of Hillary to win.
Currently, mainstream media is having a field day part II over comments made from Revered Jeremiah Wright most recently at the National Press Club. It's all comical if you ask me. Now I'm not sure how I feel about Reverend Wright as it relates to Obama's candidacy. So, allow me to think aloud.
In 1961, a young African-American man, after hearing President John F. Kennedy's challenge to, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," gave up his student deferment, left college in Virginia and voluntarily joined the Marines. In 1963, this man, having completed his two years of service in the Marines, volunteered again to become a Navy corpsman [and eventually a cardiopulmonary technician]...The man did so well in corpsman school that he was the valedictorian. Not surprisingly, he was assigned to the Navy's premier medical facility, Bethesda Naval Hospital, as a member of the commander in chief's medical team, and helped care for President Lyndon B. Johnson after his 1966surgery. For his service on the team...the White House awarded him three letters of commendation.courtesy of Chicago Tribune the only national paper that had the gall to write such a story.
While this young man was serving six years on active duty, Vice President Dick Cheney,who was born the same year as the Marine/sailor,received five deferments, four for being an undergraduate and graduate student and one for being a prospective father. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, both five years younger than the African-American youth, used their student deferments to stay in college until 1968. Both then avoided going on active duty through family connections.
Who is the real patriot? The young man who interrupted his studies to serve his country for six years or our three political leaders who beat the system? Are the patriots the people who actually sacrifice something or those who merely talk about their love of the country? After leaving the service of his country, the young African-American finished his final year of college, entered the seminary, was ordained as a minister, and eventually became pastor of a large church in one of America's biggest cities.
This man is Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the retiring pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, who has been in the news for comments he made over the last three decades.
Now if you've had a chance to hear Mr. Wright speak since the controversy -- hear him in his entirety. No soundbites - please. Again, as I said before he didn't lie about anything, however, he hasn't said anything new either. I really don't feel Barack should have done his most recent press conference regarding the Reverend's comments. But as dark'n'stormy pointed out to me that press conference was for a mainstream audience -- not necessarily for me. Hmmmmm. good point. I talked to another friend in the media vis-a-vis urban radio and he said that mainstream media a la "liberals" felt reassured that Obama had fully denounced, distanced, and deadened the Reverend's commentary. Yet, can you really distance yourself from the man who manned you up, officiated your marriage, and baptized you kids? That's some deep shit. Although, Revered Wright would have you keep in mind "I'm a preacher and he's a politician." Ahhh... it all makes sense now.
Can we call a truce now? There are real issues to be discussed. And I'm tired of diversions, confusions, and sensationalizations.
cheers,
Bellini
P.S. Barack everytime you counter Wrigth with a press conference there's no where to go but down. quicksand! Stay afloat.
1 comment:
Before a rooster crows, you will deny me three times...Wait a minute that's the wrong story. We are dealing with another "historical" event, a Black man trying to be President of the United States...
A few things:
1. Rev. Wright has been saying the same thing for years. So like you said, nothing was new. I have heard his Kennedy & LBJ, different does not mean deficient speech before. However, it's new to white people and some black people, and that's where the drama begins...
2. First rule of Crisis Communications: Obama has to frame the issue. That is why he countered. If he doesn't frame it (as best he can), the media will do it for him. And that will be ugly. Having worked briefly in the newspaper industry, it is easier for the media to rehash the story from various "angles" than to actually examine the "real" issues behind it all. And even though this season's Wire wasn't the greatest, that is what they were trying to examine w/ the media story/angle...Oh and framing the issue has to mean denouncing and denying Wright because that is what will allegedly appease the mainstream...
3. You wanna deal w/ the issues?!? Well that would be too much like right. And how a real election should be...
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