Obama Rejects Anti-U.S. Sermons From Pastor Who Was ‘Like an Uncle’
Barack Obama denounced controversial sermons Friday by his pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., shown here at a funeral service at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago in December 2000. (AP Photo)
Barack Obama describes longtime pastor Jeremiah Wright Jr. as “like an uncle” and a spiritual mentor, but the presidential candidate rejected Wright’s fiery anti-U.S. and politically divisive sermons after days of mounting pressure to do so.
Obama told FOX News Friday that he could no longer lay low as Wright’s past sermons, where he condemned the United States as institutionally racist and blamed the government for HIV and the Sept. 11 attacks, were played in heavy rotation on national television.
“Once I saw them I had to be very clear about the fact that these are not statements that I am comfortable with,” Obama said. “I reject them completely — they are not ones that reflect my values or my ideals or Michelle’s.”
Obama called his remarks “inflammatory and appalling” in a written statement Friday.
Though Obama has known Wright for 20 years, he said the pastor has never been active in his campaign and that he is no longer on his African American Religious Leadership Committee. The campaign said Wright left his unpaid post on the committee Friday, but did not elaborate.
Obama, in the interview Friday with FOX News’ Major Garrett, said he has been a member of the church since the early 1990s after working with the congregation as a community organizer on the south side of Chicago.
Obama married his wife Michelle at Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ, had his children baptized by Wright and donated money to the church, but he said he first learned of many of the pastor’s controversial statements, which FOX News reported on a year ago, only when they were aired in the media in recent days.
“None of these statements were ones I had heard myself personally in the pews,” Obama told FOX News.
He said the sermons now sparking controversy didn’t resemble the sermons he remembers from Wright, which, Obama said, stuck to messages of faith, values and helping people in the community.
Obama’s response came as critics called on the Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate to do more to distance himself from Wright, who, in a fiery sermon recorded and available on DVD, can be seen and heard saying three times: “God damn America.”
In his recorded sermons, he also questions America’s role in the spread of the AIDS virus and suggests that the United States bore some responsibility for the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
Obama issued his more forceful statement against the sermons Friday afternoon.
“Let me say at the outset that I vehemently disagree and strongly condemn the statements that have been the subject of this controversy,” he said in the statement. “I categorically denounce any statement that disparages our great country or serves to divide us from our allies. I also believe that words that degrade individuals have no place in our public dialogue, whether it’s on the campaign stump or in the pulpit. In sum, I reject outright the statements by Rev. Wright that are at issue.”
A year ago, Wright defended his beliefs in an often contentious interview on FOX News’ Hannity & Colmes.
“If you’re not going to talk about theology in context, if you’re not going to talk about liberation theology … then you can’t talk about the black value system,” Wright said on the show’s March 1, 2007, broadcast.
Wright said his teachings are based on black liberation theology, which he summed up as “Africans speaking for themselves.”
Wake Forest University professor Terry Matthews, says in a lecture reprinted on the university’s Web site that black liberation theology “seeks to find a way to make the gospel relevant to black people who must struggle daily under the burden of white oppression.”
Wright’s supporters say his sermons accurately portray black America, and they contend his sermons are widely studied by theologians.
“I’ve been at some of those sermons,” the Rev. Dwight Hopkins, a member of the church, told FOX News. “The majority of Wrights’ sermons speak to healing, he challenges the black community … to be more responsible.”
Wright delivered his final sermon last month and retired as leader of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
Obama told FOX News he wouldn’t have quit Wright’s congregation if the pastor’s more controversial statements were isolated, but if that became “the tenor or tone on an ongoing basis of his sermons” Obama said he would have quit.
“Obviously they are ones that are from my perspective completely unacceptable and inexcusable,” Obama said.
With the pastor retiring from the pulpit Obama said he doesn’t see an issue in his family remaining part of the congregation.
“If I thought that was the repeated tenor of the church then I wouldn’t feel comfortable, but frankly that has not been my experience at Trinity United Church of Christ.
After the interview was broadcast Friday night on “Hannity & Colmes,” Ari Fleischer, former press secretary for President Bush, suggested on the show that the controversy and the timing of Obama’s disavowal show him to be little more than a shrewd politician.
“I think there’s a reason Republicans I talk to are increasingly looking forward to running against Barack Obama,” Fleischer said.
Click here to read Obama’s full statement on Wright.
FOX News’ Jeff Goldblatt contributed to this report.
The more I hear this, the more disgusted I get. It has totally changed my mind about Obama. I can’t believe that in 20 yrs. this is the first time that Obama has heard comments like this. This couldn’t have been a surprise to him. He must have known that sooner or later this would leak out.
Well now that he has reject and denounce can we move on already
Too late for “I vehemently condemn” Rev’s statements. TWENTY YEARS OF exposure to this Rev’s preachings and sermons must have shaped or at very least influenced Barrack Obama and familiy’s belief system and values. sorry, but a “public statement ” does not justify enough for me to belief that Barrack Obama feels different now to his “Mentor’s” positions in a matter of a day. Sorry, I decided now; I will not support you Mr. Senator Obama. This proves what I feared…Too much unknowns under the rug.
Thank You FOX for uncovering the TRUTH
Horse manure. obama has been a member of this church for 20 years and given it tens of thousands of dollars. The videos of thes esermons are for sale. He knows all about Rev Wrights views and supports them with financial donations. He also takes his children to hear this vile language and hatred, not something most people would take young girls to church ot hear.
To believe that Obama never heard his pastor of 20 years preach the venom and hate that we have heard over the past few days would take the willing suspension of disbelief!
I find it ridiculous that Mr. Obama, just now, is denouncing this racist posing as a “Pastor”. I think he has much more explaining to do.
Somehow I think he’s only condemning it so people will vote for him, but in reality he agrees with his pastor.
Hmm.. real funny nobody seems to be commenting and nobody is defending. GO HILLARY 08
When did the word “slams” become acceptible among educated people. This term is something that you would expect to hear from teenagers. Using it for headlines or text of a story makes me wonder what age the writer is and what kind of education he or she received.
This is dumbing down the language. You guys can do better.
Obama says he never heard the Rev Jeremiah Wright make such bad remarks in his sermons but he was in and a member of his church for 20 years and did sit thru Rev Wright’s sermons……wha, was he sitting in the pews with ear plugs on? Or perhaps maybe he was just sleeping in church……..Mr Obama, your idea of damage control sucks…….
There’s your CHANGE america. He acts one way for 20 years then changes to denounce what he has truly followed. Funny I thought he said he’d been to church every Sunday..funny how he happened to miss that sermon. Funny how this racist reverend is part of his campaign when he knew well of these comments….America you’ve been duped.
If not Hillary then McCain I wil only vote for those who truly love this country…not recently because they are ahead in the primaries BUT ALWAYS!!!!
Open your eyes if this were Hillary’s minister I would not support her why is there a double standard for Obama???????
Obama has been following this idot for 20 years and he claims he hasn’t heard these rantings before. Give me a break. There’s no way Obama hasn’t been influenced by this so-called pastor.
Oh, please….you follow a Church that share your inner feelings and thought. If my pastor
preached with that tounge, I would have found another church. You have to agree to the
There is a difference in the two men. The pastor is who he is. Mr. Obama is who he is. There is an uplifting to Mr. Obama’s speeches that allow all US citizens to feel the way we should. It is time for us who do agree that this is a country for the people, by the people and of the people. We are much better of by uniting and working together. It is unfortunate that in this wonderful and diverse country we have the extremely rich and the extremely poor. We should not be this way. We should all work together to help one another. And that is the message I have gotten from Mr. Obama. I am a middle aged white woman who would never consider voting for Hillary Clinton. I tend to be a Democrat but I would not put myself on the level of voting for any of the latest Democratic candidates. Had John Edwards been the presidential candidate and not Kerry, I would have voted for him. Instead I voted Independent. I hate George Bush and all of the crimes he and his “friends” have gotten away with. It is such a shame to see what you the media play with. If you are Catholic and male does that make you guilty of child molestation should your priest be charged with the crime? Or sif you attend the church of some of the televangelists who have done really stupid things like damn homosexuals to Hell and then be found to have had a homosexual affair make you personally a closet homosexual who does meth. No I don’t think so. You guys need to clean up your act and respect the honesty and the integrity that Mr. Obama has lived his life by. Not many politicians are as honest and have the self dignity that Obama has. Leave it alone or instead of the negative put the integrity of Obama in your reports. All you have to do is open Hillary’s closet and the skeletons fall out on you so if you want to dig the dirty open her closet and your work is easily done for you. Mr. McCain is as open and honest as Obama is so you guys would have a hard time being ugly to either of them. Get a life and quit trying to make something out of nothing
Does Senator Obama really expect me to believe, as his statement implies, that “Reverend” Wright just started making these outrageous statements? It’s much more believable that the “Reverend” has probably been making such remarks for quite some time. Earlier in the campaign, Senator Obama trumpeted is “judgment” (please see remarks about his early opposition against the war in Iraq). I think associating himself with this “Reverend” for over 20 years does not reflect well on his judgment.
Too late, some change you are going to make in the white house! It’s all talk, you cant make change because you hate white people and everything this country stands for!
He’s lying. Glad to see media finally getting their collective lips off of Obama’s backside and start to investigate him.
I find it extremely troubling that a candidate for the presidency of this country,would attend a church for twenty years,where the pastor,holds such racist and hatred feelings for our country,the white population and Senator Clinton in Particular.To use the oulpit of a church to spew such hatred and to say “God Damn”America”,repeadly.We all sometimes criticize our government,however,I take offense at these insulting remarks,toward our country,especially when we have troops in foreign countries fighting for our security.This man is living here enjoying the freedoms for which American heros have given their lives,and he hates our country?Can we seriously consider handing the keys of our government over to this radical and racist group?This man did not just suddenly develope these hatefilled feelings.Obama had to have known about this.The Fox news network is to be commended for exposing this outrage to the American oublic.
I can’t trust anything Obama says. Hillary or McCain will get my vote.
How long has he been a member of this church? He has also stated that this wright fellow that calls himself a pastor is his spritual advisor. With a man as smart as they say obama is then he knew already what this so called pastor was preaching. If he didnt was this just a cover up on his true believe system of what he was taught growing up in the muslim culture with his white atheist mother? I think American’s should really rethink there thoughts about this man…?????
This guy is simply too much trouble. He isn’t even in the Whitehouse and he is causing problems. Does anyone want this for four years or eight! I think not.
THAT IS NICE FOR OBAMA TO SAY HE DON’T AGREE, BUT IT DON’T MEAN A WHOLE HECK OF LOT WHEN THE ANTI AMERICAN PASTOR IS STILL ON THE CAMPAINE TRAIL WITH HIM, HE DIDN’T DISTANCE HIMSELF ENOUGH IN MY OPION I THINK HE IS DOING WHAT HE ALWAYS DOES TALKING AND THATS JUST IT
Dear Sen. Obama:
You are twenty years(20) too late to distance yourself from this hateful “Reverend”. He is dangerous and venomous! How could you and your wife call “him” your pastor, much less associate with a person with his depth of hatefulness and evilness?
“Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are”!
Mrs.Obama , the new Governor to New York to be also is black, BUT:
Dissent , honest, hard working, not controversial , appreciative, very, modest with sense of humour , using his oun words and strong responsibility individual.
Has somebody ask him to denounce something? Is his wife just now getting proud of being American?
Is ‘t Hillary Clinton friend with Him?
You are such a big manipulator!
I’m not going to stop supporting Sen. Obama because of something his Pastor said…His pastor isn’t running for President. My Pastor has spoken some words that I feel are inappropriate towards Sen. Obama. The church is more than just a building and a congregation. The Pastor doesn’t speak for the congregation but teaches the word of the gospel. WE HAVE TO BE SMART ENOUGH TO SEPARATE THE RELIGION FROM THE RHETORIC!
Sen. Obama transcends these simplistic divisions for a greater more fruitful unified country.
Fear not the words of misrepresentation, but, listen to the word in your heart. Let God and the congregation deal with the Pastor. Let us deal with the task at hand…putting the right person into office that can change this country and change the world.
This is our task…this is our duty…less we not fall victim to divisive political tactics or we fail ourselves; the latter would be disastrous. No one said that change would be easy. No one said there wouldn’t be casualties along the way. I for one miss Samantha Powers but know she still fights on.
This is our chance to change America…we are the movement…Sen. Obama is the conduit in which our change will flow, but we must be strong enough to seize and hold on to it.
Now ask yourself…take a good look into the mirror and really ask yourself…is there anything really worth having that you aren’t willing to fight for? If you want to change America than this is that time…this is that moment…we are in the fourth quarter, the bottom of the ninth, the 18th hole and we are winning! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! for what you believe in and let’s change this country together. That means every White, Asian, Latino, Black, Native, Irish, Women, Man, Gay, Straight, Republican, Democrat, Independent, you name them
Together we stand United for Change…United for America…The United States of America.
Vote, Volunteer, Victory! (V3)
Vote for Change…Vote for Obama_08
What a hypocrite Obama is! This is as laughable as Hillary making vacant apologies, Bill Clinton committing blatant perjury, and Al Gore - the King of the Idiots - pretending to be a black preacher… LOL What is much more likely than Obama genuinely rejecting his preacher buddy’s racist opinions is that he has taken laundered campaign contributions from Al Qaeda.
Obama said Wright’s controversial statements have “pained and angered me,” but urged voters to “judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment and experience to be President of the United States.”
Exactly,20 years,25k donated last year,not coming out on this sooner,horrible “Judgement”,…He will and should lose alot of votes for this stupidity!!
Have you heard the news? McCain it turns out has been going to KKK meetings for years. Seems nobody knew it as he wore a sheet. Ya the Grand Poo Baa was his fishing buddy and they liked to drink beer together. Well his career is over of course. He said he didn’t agree with the speeches the Ole Grand Poo Baa was giving, in fact he never heard any. Just they always were talking about fishing so far as he could recall. Of course he toast any way. Couldn’t be elected dog catcher in the smallest town in Mississippi.
In other news Obama’s campaign is going great.
AND NO RESPONSES WILL BE ALLOWED
Oh please, of course Obama is forced to denounce it now…Obama went to this church and listened to Wright’s sermons for 20 years…don’t try to tell everyone that it has no influence on Obama.
OBAMA is honest, transparent and trustworthy. Obama has the CHARACTER to be PRESIDENT. OBAMA released his earmark requests for 2005-2007. Can Sen. Hilary Clinton release hers since she became a senator? How about her tax returns?
Obama wants to judged based upon his “values, and judgment and experience”, OK, based upon attending 20 years of of sermons from Rev Wright, his values are questionable, his judgemnt is poor. Most people attend church service with people who share their values and beliefs. Is this not the case with Obama and Wright? Why is it he is just now denouncing Rev Wright’s hate-filled sermons? He still doesn’t have any substantive eperience in national or international issues.
Don’t beleive OBAMA. He’s lying!! He’s only telling the American voters what they want to hear. He he really wanted to distance himself from Wright, he would not have him as a spiritual advisor on his campaign! If anyone was caught with their pants down of course they will saying thing to get elected. What do expect Obama to say, that he believes what his pastor is saying and will support him and his sermons regarless of what people are saying…. NOT! If he did, he knows he would loose the presidential election. He’s a politician for God’s sake. Spitzer probably told his wife that he loved her and that she was the only one, but when caught he appologized and probably told her lies to have her by his side during the press conference. Don’t be fooled America. Wake up! The bible said beware of one who will rule this world who is in sheep’s clothing. That is OBAMA.. Hello folks, his pastor, mentor, spiritual advisor has ties to people who want to kill American’s. The DEVIL Lies. Do you all remember the movie the OMEN. Well, that’s OBAMA. He’s Satan’s son and will lie to get into the White House. If you think 911 was bad, wait till he takes office. He’s not even and American, he’s an African!!!! Hello dummies. His and his wife’s loyalty as well as their church is to AFRICA not America.
It is about time he said something. But since he says he has known the “preacher” said all the things he did since he became a Presidential canidate, my family and I find it way too little and light years late.
I can see why now Michelle Obama has not been so proud of her country. Listening to a preacher like that brainwashing her all them years. I have to still wonder if Obama is just saying the words that he condemns what the preacher said because he is running for president. If someone like his preacher can say them words and his congregation is listening so diligently. Then to me the racist and hurtfull things that were said about My country ,full of Liberty and Justice for all, should not be overlooked so easily.
Obama’s 20 year membership of this patsor’s church speaks much more loudly than his recent attempts to verbally distance himself from this pastor during a closely contested presidential race. A deathbed type of repentance.
One thing is clear: if Obama were to ever obtain the presidency it would not be long before we all Hoping for a Change in the Future. 2012 that is.
Sorry Obama, deny all you want. I’m not buying it. You have been a voluntary member of this church for over 20 years. Pastor Wright has married you and your wife and baptized your children. You also called Pastor Wright your mentor and the inspiration for your book.
How could you expose your two daughters to this rhetoric?
When I first heard the tapes of these speeches I thought I had stumbeled into a terrorists mosque. I was waiting for Pastor Wright to ask the congregation to strap on suicide vests. I’m concerned that so many black people are being exposed to this kind of hate speech.
I am saddened.
SURE he slams Pastor Wrights comments. NOW. But he listened to them for 20 years. Sen. Obama should withdraw from the race. There is absolutely nothing he can say that means anything in light of the fact that he willingly listened to this anti-white racist hate speech for 20 years. I believe his denunciation no more than I did his lame renouncing of Rev. Farrakhan.
How is this guy any different from Fred Phelps… both seem to be preaching hate. Glad this is his last sermon! Maybe he will let the rest of us preach Jesus’ love.
if you think we have problems with bush that obama can fix you are more crazy than that phony paster of his he’s a nut case!!
“judge me not on the basis of what someone else said, but on the basis of who I am and what I believe in; on my values, judgment….”
That’s exactly the issue; who Obama is and what he believes in has been formed by his spiritual advisor and mentor of the past 20+ years. You don’t continue at a church where the pastor is preaching these things unless you agree with him.
Mr. Obama must not have attaended church much, since he never heard any of this rhetoric until now. I find that hard to believe he wasn’t at least aware of the sermons until now. If that happened in my church, I’d be out of there (permanantly) in a heart beat.
Condemn it? Sorry not enough! This Reverend insults everything about America. BHO (Obama) needs to disassociate himself completely from this venom being spewed forth. The Reverend Wright has obvious problems with his own light skin. Perhaps he should focus that anger on his ancestory because he is as white as I am with a braoder nose, though I prefer the word Caucassian or European American, I spent 20 years in the Military and checked “OTHER” as my own silent protest against listing “Race.” I got in trouble several times because I would not check “White”. About the only thing still black about Reverend Wright is in his mind and the only proof he needs is to look in the mirror. Of course maybe that is his entire problem with “whites”.
How could anyone go to church and listen to that hate coming out of the minister’s mouth week after week and keep going back, unless he agreed with it? Aren’t ministers supposed to preaching things like love thy neighbor?
I don’t belive him. Obama knew what this guy was saying. His children were there. I don’t belive him.
Senator Obama is a smart man, but the mistake he routinely makes is in dismissing the intelligence of voters. Obama likened his firebrand minister to an uncle that one may or may not listen too. While we can’t choose who our uncles are, we most definitely do choose our ministers. Obama chosing to sit under a minister best known for his hate speech for 20 years can not be down played as anything less than a ringing endorsement of Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Senator Obama:
You have the unmitigated gall to demand apologies when someone states facts, hiding behind the race card, you and your family attended “Pastor” Wright’s “church” for twenty years (yet you’ve never heard him preach this filth???), you aologize to NO one for outright lies you spout yourself and then say that you need to be judged on your own character and fiber? These are, sir, choices YOU have made. If these are not indicative of your character and viewpoint, what are they? Furthermore, “Pastor” Wright IS on your advisory staff; lie all you like Senator but don’t expect that Americans with a brain will be fooled.
It is bad enough that you are merely a know-nothing, do-nothing activist (please forgive me, by your own admission you are a “community organizer”) that understands how to point a finger but can’t find an answer with both hands and a flashlight. But you have the audacity to claim that you are the answer when the only answers anyone has heard from you are devisive and destructive? Why is it that, in response to every “two chickens in every pot” platitude you regurgitate no one has asked you a simple question? HOW?
You are an inexperienced dreamer at best and a hate-America-first moron at worst. You disgust me.
BUT DOES HE DISAGREE?
P.S., if he hates America so much, THEN LEAVE!!!
Outrageous. The U.S. is by no means perfect but his suggestions go beyond the limit. Although I am not a fan of Obama, I am glad he condemned the remarks. I appreciate freedom of speech but as a Christian, I believe saying the Lord’s name in vein is not only wrong but discourages me from listening to you. I watched a Rev. Wright sermon today and he should realize that some rich people of all colors have been putting down poor people of all colors for years, without AIDS. It isn’t easy making it in America. If Americans believe these stories, and are so adamant about constantly disagreeing with America, then leave.
Yeah…..he just now hears about them and just now condemns them although he’s been going to church there for 20 years…..that’s what I’d say too
Good for Barack, now the issues dead everyone.
Besides I doubt Hillary and Mcain really want the media to pull up every crazy statement one of their supporters has ever said, because I myself have several examples of their supporters saying crazy stuff too.
Quit crying and face the delegate count Hillary supporters. And if you think shes making it up in Michigan, ha. You flunked math and simple demographics.
The Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity Inc. announced yesterday that its membership has voted unanimously to endorse U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination. It makes you wonder if the reporting with respect to his minister was accurate.
Fox News;
You talk about Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. being Sen. Barack Obama’s spiritual advisor. What about Rev John Hagee supporting Sen. John McCain?
Rev. John Hagee says that the US Congress should take their hands off of Israel because they are breaking the Abrahamic Covenant given by God to the descendants of Isaac not Ishmael (Genesis 15).
In the book, “Eye to Eye, The Consequences of Dividing Israel for Land for Peace;” written by White House Correspondent, William Koening, it is chronolized that during the Bush, Clinton, Bush Administrations, the United States was hit by 60 major Catastrophes on the same day or within 24 to 48 hours of the United States negotiating “Land for Peace” with Israel and Palestine.
The catastrophes include Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina; The Perfect Storm, Storm of the Century … etc.
I talked to Senator McCain, eyeball-to-eyeball, about this and he said that he knew nothing about it and wanted me to get him the information.
I am a Republican, pro-life from before conception to the grave and wanting the innocent off of death row and freed.
The book “Eye to Eye,” is available through “Jewish Voice” in Phoenix, Arizona and/or “The Southwest Radio Church” out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Rev John Hagee is one of my favorite ministers!
that paster is a crack head if there ever was one!!!obama aint gettin my vote
Great reponse.
The more I see of this guy’s maturity and poise, the more I respect him.
Let me see if I have this right:
Wright was Obama’s pastor for twenty years and Obama is just now coming out against him?
This election has boiled down to a theater of the absurd. First, we have Hillary “Manchurian Candidate” Clinton, and Barack “I didn’t know this was going on around me” Obama.
I wouldn’t trust either of them as far as I could dropkick them.
Not a Obama supporter any more and will be a very ashamed of my country if he is the nominee of party or becomes our presiden… We should all be scared.
He is listenig to this sermons for 20 years. He sits in the church, he talks to the pastor he listen to his advise and now he is saying he denounces him? Bolone! If you believe you are fool.
I’m glad Obama came out against his Pastors statements. Now it is time for other black community leaders and black members of congress to come out also against these statements. But why does everyone hold Obama responsible for his remarks? He should not be responsible for his Pastors remarks He doesn’t control him he is a grown man.
Am I missing something or was Fox reporting this morning that this “preacher” is now working for Obama’s campaign??
How can he condemn his words??
He was in this guys church for 20 years and did not know him???
Obama is a not telling the truth he is manipulating it. One would have to be an idiot to believe that Obama did not know the heart of his mentor after 20 years. So if he did know his pastors heart and stayed in the church what does that mean?
It means he agrees with him and is simply selling some of the American people a load of crap so that he will get elected President of The United States.
A country he and his wife and Pastor hold in distain and ask God to Dam. A country with a population of about 250,000,000 whites and Jews that he and his Pastor hates with the passion of the old KKK.
The Truth is clear to any reasonable person.
Chris
There is a reason BHO against the Iraq war. Why………. Nadhmi Auchi is an Iraqi-born billionaire, protected secret money for Saddam Hussein, and -Auchi also financially backed Saddam Hussein’s plan for a pipeline from Iraq to Saudi Arabia, and Auchi loaned money to Rezko (Syrian Born).
When Sadam Hussein was captured, Nadhmi Auchi was charged along with Saddam Hussein for conspiring to assassinate Prime minister (president) Abdul Karim Qasim and stood trial in 1959. (Auchi gave fellow Baath Party members machine guns from his home for Saddam Hussein.) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/nov/16/iraq.politicalcolumnists
So in my opinion, BHO judgment against the war was only to protect Nadhmi Auchi. When BHO finally won the Senate seat, BHO finally VOTEd FUNDING THE WAR, and I think he voted because during that time Iraq war was an hot issue. So BHO voted just for political reason.
If we look at what Michele Obama said in Wyoming: “”For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country ………………… and her 1985 thesis during her year as a senior at Princeton. She wrotes that “my experiences at Princeton have made me far more aware of my ‘blackness’ than ever before. I have found that at Princeton no matter how liberal and open-minded some of my White professors and classmates try to be towards me, I sometimes feel like a visitor on campus; as if I really don’t belong. Regardless of the circumstances under which I interact with Whites at Princeton, it often seems as if, to them, I will always be Black first and a student second.” She further suggests that even if she assimilates into white society after Princeton, she will “remain on the periphery of society: never becoming a full participant.” http://www.newsweek.com/id/123024
Don’t you think that was the reason Barrack Hussein and Michele Obama joined the Trinity Church, Pastor J. Wright? Because what Rev. Wright preach it sound like their ideology’s background.
BHO always talk proudly that he has a better judgment to lead the country, and his supporter believe him that he has a smart person. If he has better judgment and smart, why he make real estate deal with Rezko?. If BHO smart and has better judgment, why he stays for 20 years to be member of Trinity Church, who is having pastor that tied with with Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan in 1993 to visit Libyan socialist leader Gadaffi.). Why until know BHO finally has a judgment to condemn his pastor.
What a scary if BHO became a President.
Look his friends and his family; William (Bill) Ayers and Bernadine Dorhn of the Weather Underground, Obama’s cousin Raila Odinga who just became co-President of Kenya this week (after 1,000 people were killed) whom Obama is said to be close to…who signed a secret pact with Muslim jihadists who were to ethnically cleanse people? ………….. and why does Raila Odinga use Obama’s exact same campaign slogan: CHANGE….Vote for CHANGE: Look at his website: http://www.raila07.com/
I was very curious after viewing the church website a couple of months ago about how closely Obama’s thinking aligned with Wright’s and with the sort of reading material promoted on the church website. One can certainly see the influence of America-haters like Randall Robinson on Michelle Obama.
Obama’s original half-hearted and non-specific comment about not supporting hateful statements was not enough. This was the stronger response needed. It would be hard to imagine unity stemming from someone as angry and embittered as Robinson seems to be.
I now know why Michelle said…for the first time in her adult life she was proud of her country. Senator Obama talks about how his judgement is better than Senator Clinton’s. Well, my judgement is better than Senator Obama’s. I would have and have left churches before that preached hatred towards homosexuals. And he has sat in those pews for 20 years? Sorry, not buying it…How can he talk about us coming together as “one” ? You need to walk the walk, not talk the talk….
Obama has listened to this for 20 years and he wants my vote. No wonder his wife has all that education and she is still not proud to be an American. It seems to me Obama should have distanced himself from this type of message 19 years ago. This preacher and Obama’s wife need to realize they are living a dream and encourage others to make positive decisions and show positive actions. That is how a society can build itself up. Attitude and Activity go together.
These comments are really concerning, I was in support of Barack, however I have grave concerns about his background and beliefs. After 20 years of participating in such inflammatory and appalling behavior it has to affect you judgement.
Obama has went to that church for twenty yrs, and he has never heard him say this kind of
hate mongering at all about America?? No way,! We don’t need (anyone) like that for
President.
Oh whatever . . . like he’s never heard him preach like this before . . . c’mon . . . of course he’s going to “come across” as appalled NOW . . . he has absolutely no choice - especially, when the press puts pressure on you . . . is he supposed to say he agrees with him ?? After 20 years of listening to this guy . . . it’s too little, too late - sorry.
Where’s the apology!!! Come on, he didn’t know?? Wow!
http://blog.americancongressfortruth.com/2008/02/16/obama-arab-american/
I am an American…I was born in 1962 and raised in Virgina.
I am an American…I have worked and paid Federal & State Taxes/Medicare/SocialSecurity
I am an American…I am an Airman in the USAF for over 21 years
I am an American…I attend The Eglin Chapel an Eglin Parkway, near the elementary schools.
http://www.united-publishers.com/EglinGuide/religious.html (Notice the Religious Services)
I am an American…My friends are black, white, one is jewish (non conforming), and Asian American. One of my friends just received his citizenship and now he is an American.
I am an America…Some of us attend the same chapel at different times.
I am an American of Muslim faith who fights for the Principles of Freedoms that our Nation stands for to defend the Constitution of the United States.
I am an American even thow today you cast stones at me by my faith and curse through religious divide.
Yet I continue to fight on, for an America that would rather see me persecuted. Yet I fight on so that you may have the right to.
I fight on becuase I am an American.
I don’t beleive him
http://blog.americancongressfortruth.com/2008/02/16/obama-arab-american/
SURE LETS SEE ANYBODY ELSE GET OFF THAT EASY .WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO WAKE UP AND START TREATING HIM LIKE A WHITE PERSON.
I am saddened that anyone professing to be a Christian would talk hate and prejudice as did Mr. Wright.
John 3:16 in the Bible says that ” For God so loved the WORLD, that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life”.
Mr. Wright talked about Jesus being black in a white world and knew what it felt like to be black. I don’t know which Bible Mr Wright reads but mine says that Jesus was Jewish.
I can’t find anywhere in the Bible that it makes any difference what color He was. He died for all of us.
I would not go to a church that teaches hate. The Bible teaches love and forgivness.
I think Mr. Obama needs to find another church.
Sean, thanks for your tenacity on this issue. People are finally asking why Obama didn’t walk out of his church when he heard the anti-American sermons.
Why so long???? Why did it take this long for Obama to speak? I believe he thought this would blow over and he would’nt have to respond. His advisers had to tell him to say something today????? This should show the American people what he’s made of. He only spoke today because of pressure put on him by those around him. Why didn’t he stand before a news camera and denounce this minister? Because he was afraid he would have questions asked of him by the press. He’s hiding from it. He only made a statement. The truth about Obama is now coming out. The main stream press has been in such a love affair with him, now maybe they will start investigating his past and have him explain his views in front of a live camera. It’s time the press starts to ask him real questions about this great “Change”. If he was so offended by this minister’s words, he wouldn’t have waited this long, and he would have gone immediately to the press in person and denounced him He non-action proves he has no business trying to be our president . God help us if the American people don’t wake up!!
Open your eyes to the truth AMERICA. See it as objective fact with no Hillary nor McCain manipulation needed; this outspoken, LONG-TIME “Spiritual” leader, who married Barak Hussein Obama & the not SO Proud of America (until now…) Michelle, cuts to the CORE beliefs of these two.
Preacher Wright hails the views of fellow Chicagoan, radical Islamic Louis Farrakhan, the acting head of the “Nation” of Islam as the National Representative of Elijah Muhammad - he’s not SO Proud of America either…
HELLO PEOPLE! Any of this resonating with you out there??? Islam is the biblical antithesis of Christianity as clearly stated within the inerrant word of God, The Bible. - Now dust it off
& turn to and read God’s Promise to Abraham of a Spiritual Seed, Genesis 15 through chapter 17.
Abraham’s wife was barren & way beyond child bearing age; being frustrated in the Flesh(works), she took her Arab/Egyptian maid, Hagar & gave her to Abraham to bear a son, Ishmael (hence the Palestinians) also note Gen. 16:12.
Genesis Chapter 17 changes EVERYTHING- specifically the miraculous, Spiritual conception of Issac & THEE Covenant/Promise through him & NOT Ishmael in verses 20-21.
By the way, ever wonder why the Jews always tracked their lineage? I’m glad they did & do because the Lord & Savior of the world Jesus Christ, as prophesied throughout the Old Testament (Jewish Bible), directly descended from Issac. Praise God for His Grace on us that has opened believer’s eyes to be given our saving FAITH!
Nice job Obama. Keep denying. Let me see how you BETRAY your so-called MENTOR and tell Lies.
Much ado about nothing………Were presidents, including Bill Clinton, who later invited Rev. Billy Graham to the White House held responsible and called anti-Semitic after it was clearly documented and recorded that Rev. Graham made very odorous anti-Semitic statements during his visit(s) with Pres. Nixon?
I find it extremely difficult to believe that this minister who is definately angry and critical
about everything …. hasn’t had a habit of having angry sermons….
Didn’t seem like words spoken from the Bible….!
There seem to be so much hatred in his voice against America and blaming America
for all of his wordly troubles….
That minister is definately an angry man…
I can tell you this much, I sure wouldn’t be seeking out this man for spiritual guidance….
There is an old saying that……You are known by the company you keep….!
As my mom would say to me if she were still with us…”We need to Pray for that man…!
Senator Obama has repeatedly comdemned his pastors remarks,and because a person attends a church does not mean that they are going to go out and do what they have heard their pastors say.Obama has shown in many ways that he does not live his life in that manner.This story is another ploy that the media has to show that they can be tough on Obama.This is not new news this is the work of some trying to br