by Serge Eygenson | His words can and will be used against Obama.
Recent national headlines have been filled with an abnormally large number of terrible puns, "Wright Path," "Wright is Wrong," or "Wrighteous" to name a few. While Rev. Jeremiah Wright's particularly homophonic surname may have had some impact, the majority of the media attention can be attributed to his radical views and statements and association with Barack Obama. Leader of Chicago's Trinity United
Church of Christ and long time pastor and personal advisor to Obama,
Wright has repeatedly preached anti-American, anti-Semitic, racist, and
conspiracy messages. At various times he suggested that "God damn
America," quoted Nation of Islam propaganda accusing Israel of working
on "an ethnic bomb that kills Blacks and Arabs," called 9/11 "a wake-up
call" to "white America" and described AIDS as a government created "means of genocide against people of color." Much has been made of
Obama's ties with Wright and other radicals and plenty of questions
have been raised about the implications on the presidential candidate's
morals and ethics. Obama, despite his frequent pledges to "a new kind
of politics," reacted with the usual Washington tactics. After
initially pleading ignorance to Wright's remarks, he changed his story in late March, categorizing them as reminders of America's "tragic history when it comes to race." Finally, a month later, he completely distanced himself from Wright. What caused Obama to condemn his former pastor as "giving comfort to those who prey on hate" only a month after he called Wright "like an old uncle"?
Despite the Obama campaign's and the pro-Obama media's best efforts, Rev. Wright continues to attract attention with his radical statements. Obama's condemnation of Wright, not just some of his statements on April 28 in which Wright defended his initial radical comments, accused the media of attacking the "black church," and stated that Obama "distanced himself from some of [Wright's] remarks... because he's a politician." As his remarks foment controversy, Wright refuses to step away from the spotlight, continuing to spew his radical agenda.
Wright is, self admittedly, "not a politician" and "not running for the Oval Office." The general publicís opinion on his views affects his "campaign for Jesus" very little, and the media attention from his remarks has brought his church unprecedented publicity. Nonetheless, considering Wright's condemnations of the Washington establishment, he should be a fervent supporter of Obama's supposedly new approach to politics. Yet, Wright has been more effective than any Hillary Clinton smear tactic in curtailing Obama's popularity. According to a recent CNN report "fewer Democrats ascribe positive qualities to Obama than did so a month ago" and "since late February, his unfavorable rating has risen six points among Democratic voters." If the Reverend Wright is to be taken at his word, he can be judged to be an utter demagogue. He places infinitely more importance in spreading his message than in implementing it. For Wright pointing out the perceived problems in American society, and the accompanying personal acclaim, takes precedence over aiding a solution that could correct the problems.
Perhaps Rev. Jeremiah Wright is smarter than his widely publicized words indicate. Recent reports have uncovered that, as a retirement gift, Wright's former church is building him a million dollar home. The reward is not undeserved; Wright transformed Trinity United Church of Christ from a small congregation with 87 members into a mega-church with 10,000 followers. The church, located on Chicago's South Side, an area that has in recent years been associated with high levels of crime and unemployment, proclaims to be "unashamedly black," preachs back liberation theology, and looks down upon "middleclassness." While Wright may have considered these values a good marketing tactic, clearly he does not apply them to his own life. His mansion is being built in Tinley Park, Illinois, some 15 miles north of the church. Tinley Park is an affluent suburb with an average household income of over $60,000 and a population composed of 93% whites. It appears that Jeremiah Wright has chosen to spend his private life as a member of the mostly-white, upper middle class establishment he so fervently bashes publicly. In this context, his actions, and their detrimental impact on the Obama campaign, seem reasonable, even sly. Having analyzed his actions more thoroughly, perhaps THE PRIMARY SOURCE should offer the Reverend Jeremiah Wright a subscription.
Mr. Eygenson is a freshman who has not yet declared a major.
Despite the Obama campaign's and the pro-Obama media's best efforts, Rev. Wright continues to attract attention with his radical statements. Obama's condemnation of Wright, not just some of his statements on April 28 in which Wright defended his initial radical comments, accused the media of attacking the "black church," and stated that Obama "distanced himself from some of [Wright's] remarks... because he's a politician." As his remarks foment controversy, Wright refuses to step away from the spotlight, continuing to spew his radical agenda.
Wright is, self admittedly, "not a politician" and "not running for the Oval Office." The general publicís opinion on his views affects his "campaign for Jesus" very little, and the media attention from his remarks has brought his church unprecedented publicity. Nonetheless, considering Wright's condemnations of the Washington establishment, he should be a fervent supporter of Obama's supposedly new approach to politics. Yet, Wright has been more effective than any Hillary Clinton smear tactic in curtailing Obama's popularity. According to a recent CNN report "fewer Democrats ascribe positive qualities to Obama than did so a month ago" and "since late February, his unfavorable rating has risen six points among Democratic voters." If the Reverend Wright is to be taken at his word, he can be judged to be an utter demagogue. He places infinitely more importance in spreading his message than in implementing it. For Wright pointing out the perceived problems in American society, and the accompanying personal acclaim, takes precedence over aiding a solution that could correct the problems.
Perhaps Rev. Jeremiah Wright is smarter than his widely publicized words indicate. Recent reports have uncovered that, as a retirement gift, Wright's former church is building him a million dollar home. The reward is not undeserved; Wright transformed Trinity United Church of Christ from a small congregation with 87 members into a mega-church with 10,000 followers. The church, located on Chicago's South Side, an area that has in recent years been associated with high levels of crime and unemployment, proclaims to be "unashamedly black," preachs back liberation theology, and looks down upon "middleclassness." While Wright may have considered these values a good marketing tactic, clearly he does not apply them to his own life. His mansion is being built in Tinley Park, Illinois, some 15 miles north of the church. Tinley Park is an affluent suburb with an average household income of over $60,000 and a population composed of 93% whites. It appears that Jeremiah Wright has chosen to spend his private life as a member of the mostly-white, upper middle class establishment he so fervently bashes publicly. In this context, his actions, and their detrimental impact on the Obama campaign, seem reasonable, even sly. Having analyzed his actions more thoroughly, perhaps THE PRIMARY SOURCE should offer the Reverend Jeremiah Wright a subscription.
Mr. Eygenson is a freshman who has not yet declared a major.
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