I think people who look at his speech objectively, if that’s possible, would acknowledge that it was one of the most compelling political speeches of the past 40 years. An honest discussion of race, patriotism, the meaning of the American Dream, the attempts by private and political interests to divide Americans over race, and the need for all of us to overcome those divisions if we want to move our nation forward.

Those who support Senator Clinton or Senator McCain will find fault with the speech, and use it to criticize him. It’s happening already. The McCain and Clinton people will spin it in a way that serves their interests. That’s not criticism. That’s politics.

Shame on those democrates that are too embarassed or too stubborn to admit they were wrong about Obama.
They will cost us the election in November. America votes for a guy that has a twenty year history with a spiritual mentor who is a fascist? Yeah, right.
Kennedy, Kerry, et al—admit it boys —if you don’t give your egos a rest this election is already lost.

If Jesus were on earth today, I’m convinced he would be enraged at the racial injustice that still exists in this country, not to mention the world. Jesus would have been friends with Rev. Wright. Jesus was a social activist, and so am I, as one of his followers. Are the racial disparities among blacks & whites appalling? Absolutely! It wasn’t that long ago that Blacks were slaves in this country. It wasn’t long ago that they got the right to vote! We have a long way to go, America.

Jesus spoke out and stood on the side of the oppressed… He spent his time with prostitutes, tax collectors, and lepers. He called on his followers to take care of orphans, widows, and the sick. Jesus cared for the homeless. He was enraged when money changers were cheating people in the temple. He overturned the tables and yelled. He yelled at pharisees and leaders of the faith – calling them hypocrites, dogs, broods of vipers, and swine.

As a follower of Jesus, I have to stand on the side of the oppressed. I feel that indeed, God WILL damn us if we don’t do something about racism and other injustices in this country. Rev. Wright, by calling America out on its racial disparities and injustice (even if he’s not P.C. & even if he uses strong language), is following the tradition of Jesus.

Seems she only moved him out of the spot light. And this just in…Wolfson also has ties to a firm lobbying Congress to pass that trade deal with Columbia. He says he took a leave of absence…a leave of absence means he will return after the campaign. So who is Hillary trying to fool? YOU!.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/04/0…

snips:

“I call upon her to completely sever ties with Mark Penn if she’s going to save her credibility,” said Teamsters President and Obama backer Jim Hoffa.

A source said Penn’s demotion was sealed when one of Clinton’s strongest champions, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees boss Gerald McEntee, got both Clintons on the phone and went ballistic after learning of Penn’s Colombia dealings. *****************************************************

Mark Penn still in Clinton loop: source
BY THOMAS M. DeFRANK and MICHAEL McAULIFF
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

Tuesday, April 8th 2008, 4:00 AM

Kolvoord/AP Mark Penn left the Clinton campaign Sunday after it was disclosed he met with representatives of the Colombian government to help promote a free trade agreement Clinton opposes.

WASHINGTON – Hillary Clinton’s political guru may have been pushed from the top spot in her campaign, but he didn’t land in the grave.
Despite embarrassing the White House hopeful by consulting for the Colombian government on a U.S. trade agreement she opposes, Mark Penn remains “very much in the loop,” a Clinton source said.
Penn stepped down after Bill and Hillary Clinton learned he was getting paid by Colombia as a consultant and directly expressed their anger to him, sources said.
The campaign said that Penn would keep his role as an adviser and pollster, but most observers took that as a fig leaf to the former First Couple’s trusted adviser.
Not so, say friends and critics.
“Reports of Mark’s death are greatly exaggerated,” said a Penn confidant.
“You don’t break a circle like that easily and quickly,” a senior Clinton adviser agreed.
Sources said Penn will remain involved in day-to-day matters like conference calls and will even maintain his modest role in preparing Clinton for upcoming debates.
By keeping their old friend that close, the Clintons could be taking a serious risk of further alienating labor groups, especially in Pennsylvania, where Clinton is staking it all on a big win to launch a comeback.
A source said Penn’s demotion was sealed when one of Clinton’s strongest champions, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees boss Gerald McEntee, got both Clintons on the phone and went ballistic after learning of Penn’s Colombia dealings.
A Philadelphia native, McEntee told the senator and the former President in a weekend conversation that Penn’s trade talk jeopardized her chances in the crucial April 22 Keystone State primary.
McEntee “played a big role in this,” a key Clinton source told the Daily News. “To say he was angry is an understatement.”
“He wanted Penn out,” the source said, adding that Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell was not happy, either.
With polls showing Barack Obama closing the gap in Pennsylvania, the Clinton campaign made a show of Penn’s demotion.
“Mark continues to be providing his wisdom,” one adviser added, with a touch of sarcasm.
But there’s no doubt the Clintons forced his demotion, albeit reluctantly.
“This is not something he [Penn] willingly did,” the adviser noted. “But he saw the handwriting on the wall.”
For some labor leaders, retaining Penn in any role is too much.
“I call upon her to completely sever ties with Mark Penn if she’s going to save her credibility,” said Teamsters President and Obama backer Jim Hoffa.
Still, other campaign sources said Penn will have an uphill battle getting himself heard, pointing out that none of the other members of the top echelon want to hear from him.

“He’s gone,” one said.

mmcauliff@nydailynews.com

With Kenneth R. Bazinet

Barack Obama a fine man and will make a great leader, if people are not so swallowed up in hate and ignorance that they cannot hear his wonderful message of hope captured in his speech and throughout this campaign.
As for Wright, I have friends and relatives, and yes, a pastor, whose opinions I do not always share, but you don’t dump the baby out with the bathwater. Obama sat through wonderful inspiring speeches by Pastor Wright, the man who brought him to Jesus, and he rejected the comments he didn’t agree with. But he didn’t abandon him or his church. He understood where it came from. Pastor Wright is of an era where a black man had to step into the gutter to let a white man pass. Where ‘Whites only’ signs were everywhere. There is more; so much more. So many injustices. It if matters, I am a white woman in my 70s.
Are there not people in your life you don’t always agree with? Can we not have more understanding, more compassion. Being bi-racial, Barack Obama is in the position to see things from more than one side. He is not perfect. He is a human being, albeit a quality human being and he will make a wonderful President, and will bring change to the world. It would be a tragedy if we lost out on that. Please try to remember that Barack’s mother was white, and he has said on more than one occasion that the best that is in him, he owes to her.
I wish you a fair wind at your back, Mr. Obama.
~~~
As to Mrs.Clinton, one can easily misspeak or have a lapse in memory. But I think If I were running across a tarmac with my head down, trying to dodge bullets I would remember that. This is not a misspeak or an exaggeration. It’s a shameless lie, clearly and simply.