Rev. Synder is to be applauded because he didn't stand silently by and watch a crime being committed. He came forward. More people should follow the example of Rev. Synder and exhibit a little backbone.

Link? I'd like to use this and disseminate this release. We need to focus the media's attention on this if/when they let the Wright thing really come to a boil again this time.

Where is this on the 24 hour news shows? They couldn't wait to get Hillary's new remarks about Barrack & Wright,in fact it was the lead news story.

The Clinton's entertained Rev. Wright in the White House,after being impressed after attending his service.

Thanks for headlining this in a reader blog.

The link to Dean Snyder's (Senior Minister at The Foundry United Methodist Church) PDF document is:

http://www.foundryumc.org/pdfs/Statement%20concerning%20Rev.%20Jeremiah%20Wright.pdf

If that link is invalid try:

www.foundryumc.org

and click the Dean Snyder statment link.

To see the full context of Rev Wright's sermon about the chicken coming home to roost, see:
http://tinyurl.com/2um3uo

This clip is well worth watching. In contrast to the 5 second blurb we see on the tv, it shows a much more thoughtful exploration of the tragedies which result when violence begets violence.

I've been ignoring this faux-scandal because I thought it was a non-issue. But today I finally watched the most notorious clip in its full context on YouTube. Sure, as a rhetorical flourish, "God damn America" is pretty intemperate, but it's clear that he's criticizing the government, not the people. As for the rest of the sermon -- I really enjoyed it. And since when do preachers have an obligation not to criticize the government? And for what it's worth, almost all Rev. Wright's criticisms of the American government, in this clip, were spot-on. And I have no idea where people get the idea that he is "racist" against whites -- that is just not there.

This is the 6.5-minute segment I watched:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RvMbeVQj6Lw

Since McCain doesn't want to make a big deal of this, Huckabee has defended it, and Obama has already given his extraordinary, inspiring response ... let's hope Clinton will allow the debate to move on to something that actually matters in the lives of the American people. The economy? Anybody?

An interesting piece at Truth-Out gives a historical perspective to Rev. Wright's sermons and his own history. The piece is long, but well worth the read.

The authour reminds us that slavery was written into parts of the Constitution:

"What is often overlooked are the parts of the Constitution that laid the foundation for hundreds of years of slavery and oppression for African-Americans; the constitutional framework for human beings to be treated as less than human. It's these sections of the Constitution that America has never truly atoned for and still refuses to make right."

[...]

Many overlook, too, the fact that the Wright issue has been mainly discussed from the white person's perspective. Notably the way the media presented Rev. Wright was unfair and disrespectful of the public, Obama and Wright.

"The reporting and commentary on Dr. Wright's words have been presented from the perspective of people who either have no appreciation for the African-American historical experience or a personal agenda when it comes to presenting these issues."
[...]
"Dr. Wright is not un-American. He embodies what America was founded upon, the free exchange of ideas in the public space, speaking truth to power, challenging America to be the best that it can be. The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright's views might not reconcile with many Americans' perceptions of America, but they must not be discarded as the ranting of an angry man. His statements were founded in the historical truths that African-Americans have and continue to live through."

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032208F.shtml

Even McCain made a statement against linking Obama to his pastor (probably due to Pastor Hagee and televangelist Rod Parsley endorsements). Huckabee went further in his statements to stand up for Obama. What did Clinton do? She sought to do more damage control by bringing up the Wright issue again today.

Hillary and her surrogates' use of race as a device against Obama may be worse than being racist.

For all the good she has done, Hillary's blind insensitivity toward the Black Community may have permanently damaged her standing and reputation.

Strange to ponder that if Hillary had pounced on the Wright "flap" as an opportunity to disseminate her own defense of those who rail against injustice, that she might've thrown the MSM for a loop and garnered much-needed respect from progressive Dems for her continued bid. There have been moments since this cycle's nomination contest began that I've felt grudging respect for the obvious qualities that Hillary brings to the table. Debates where I had to admit to myself that she is a woman whose competence and fire I would be glad to see my own daughter express. Fight the good fight! Dad's got your back! Didn't I raise you to understand that life ain't fair? It is what you make of it, for better or worse, and we'll always have the holidays for commiserating over the table about how bad it all is, and deciding whether or not your old man and his generation are doing enough to help level the playing field.

But, alas, Hillary is not fighting the good fight. The Democratic electorate that has now set itself against her are, for the most part, neither as sexist nor as stupid as she or her supporters imagine. We're simply paying attention.

I agree, there have been lots of times when Hillary could have acted with class and chose not to; I was struck by her failure to congratulate Obama on a good race after her "decisive wins" in Ohio and Texas(which we know she didn't in fact win). I was raised to thank an opponent after a contest, win or lose, but especially after a win. I don't believe she even thanked her voters in states she lost for supporting her, but simply hurriedly said that those states didn't matter.

And like others have said, she could have taken the high road when asked about the Muslim business, and over Rev. Wright.

Had she behaved this way I would definitely be planning to vote for her if she gets the nomination. However now will be difficult.

For whatever its worth, the post is incorrect. Snyder was not Hillary's minister.

Hillary will reject Wright, but she good pals with Mc Cain... the man who spoke some very, very nasty words about her daughter Chelsea !
Oh well, they were just words!

***Breaking News***

Hillary's membership in the secretive religious Cult "The Family" is starting to be picked up in the MSM

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/26/135640/787/385/484718

Snipers, NAFTA & Cults. Oh my.

The problem with this is, the facts are incorrect. Dean Snyder was not Hillarys pastor. But hey don't let the facts get in the way of big story.

OMG! When I saw this headline I thought it said, "Hillary's MONSTER supports Reverend Wright." LOL!

Also a good NYT story about Obama refreshed, revived and renewed back on the trail answering questions about his church again. I've said this before, and I know I'm not the only one, but this has been a blessing in disguise because it has almost totally dispelled the crazy he's-a-secret-Muslim rumor attacks. It's also giving him an opportunity to speak to Christian conservatives because as this article shows, he knows their language. So, now he's able to put on a little Huckabee if you will.