Rev. Jeremiah Wright's words: Sound bite vs. sermon excerpt

People have continued to read inflammatory parts and believe what they want to believe...

Rev. Wright didn't help by being arrogant... people tend to have a problem with arrogance, period. After this point it doesn't matter if it had truthfulness attached to it...

An excellent article and a public service!

Well, I must admit. I had only heard the excerpts, and on a biased newscast, none the less, and this article changed my mind. It is a shame that the media are obviously trying to make Obama out to be the "wasted vote" or worst choice. He obviously did become a Christian and was never a muslim, he was never taught to be a radical islamic follower, like the right wing would have you believe. It is also apparent that the Republicans are running scared, and willing to say and do anything to hurt Obama's campaign. There are a few things about his church I dont agree with, but the same problems exist in my community as well, and to tell another truth, in my own household. I cannot make people believe or think the way I think is best, despite my best efforts, concerning certain issues. That is okay, though. America was created on the principle that every man has right to worship how he sees fit. Of course we draw the line at hurting others for our belief's sake, and should. Even the radical muslim has a right to be one, as long as he doesn't try to kill off all the non-believers. That has nothing to do with Obama anyhow. Lets get a couple of things right: his mom, who raised him, was a caucasian and his dad, who wasn't there since age 2, was african-american. Not to diss either, just that, really, people are closest to their mothers naturally, and for you and I to forget that he is just as white as he is black, that is the real racism. Mixed races seem to always be viewed as the darker-race equivalent, which is fine if you truly feel they are both equal, like I do. My own kids are half asian, so who would I be to call Obama anything. He is a man. Just a man, with dreams to change us for the better. Why is white america so afraid of that? Think about it before you answer, and remember, God's chosen people are Israli, not caucasian. We are all just men and women, that are supposed to love and take care of each other. No matter who you support in politics, or why, don't be just another racist spouting junk you heard on the news. I almost was one, and am looking forward to hearing what this MAN has to say in the future. Thanks for reading, and Much love!

I read his speech months ago, and kept saying that what was being said at the time, was taken out of context. The speech is excellent, and truthful.

Thank you Chicago Tribune so very much for publishing these remarks in their entire context. You are doing the service to your country that the First Amendment envisioned and enabled. Unlike the media that publish the snippets. In my years as a lawyer, I've learned that if something smells fishy, there's probably a dead fish somewhere, and it's up to me to find it. And it's not always easy! The only way to get at the truth is to keep asking the questions and digging, even when it becomes obvious that some people don't want us to hear the answers. And half truths are worse than full lies, because they are harder to deny categorically.(Instead of saying "I never said x," a person must say "I said x, BUT ...," and this has a different emotive impact.) So, readers, when you hear people say something that sounds wrong about someone, ask them to back it up with facts, and keep pressing, pressing, pressing for the FULL TRUTH! We must not enable people to circulate lies in the form of rumors and half truths. Slander, lies, and half truths undermine everything we stand for as a free people.

It is not at all surprising. Anything taken off context is misleading and inflammatory. All the more the United States of America now needs a President and Vice- President with legal training - with those sharpened analytical minds to bring the US back up from its knees.

The country, leading up to its most crucial election in the next 3 weeks, does not need frequent game changers or the regurgitation of a carefully coached bunch of talking points that's a bridge to nowhere. Enough.

I remember a few years ago several prominent US religous figures were on tape making anti-semetic remarks years ago.Of which these leaders had close relationships with former presidents. It was written of as old times and no big deal. Its amazing how people have attempted to attribute Obama with radical, terrorist hoping many folks would not take the time to read and listen to what he has to say. fortunately times have changed. You can't just make statements and we follow like sheep. This is not cold war and your accusations of someone being communist, he wears red, these tactics are old and laughable. Obama ain't perfect but these attacks are so back firing in my opinion of a candidate...Oh, and I think if your on an education board your trying to do something to improve education; I don't think Obama elected Ayers. My decision on a candidate is starting to become more clearer....Thanks

After reading your display of poor spelling and grammar, it's no wonder you're voting for Obama. Most other uneducated people are following suit.

assumptions wrote:

I remember a few years ago several prominent US religous figures were on tape making anti-semetic remarks years ago.Of which these leaders had close relationships with former presidents. It was written of as old times and no big deal. Its amazing how people have attempted to attribute Obama with radical, terrorist hoping many folks would not take the time to read and listen to what he has to say. fortunately times have changed. You can't just make statements and we follow like sheep. This is not cold war and your accusations of someone being communist, he wears red, these tactics are old and laughable. Obama ain't perfect but these attacks are so back firing in my opinion of a candidate...Oh, and I think if your on an education board your trying to do something to improve education; I don't think Obama elected Ayers. My decision on a candidate is starting to become more clearer....Thanks

Apparently you a lot of you do not hold Obama to the same standard, and Obama himself has used the famous "The fundamentals of the economy are strong" comment against McCain. If you took the time to read this article take 30 seconds to listen to McCain's speech where this comment was taken out of context:

http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Owned by life wrote:

After reading your display of poor spelling and grammar, it's no wonder you're voting for Obama. Most other uneducated people are following suit.
<quoted text>

You need to do some reading and fact checking. The largest gap in candidate support by education is amongst those with a Post Graduate education (59% Obama - 36% McCain).

Educated people tend to fact check. I will point out the irony of your exceedingly unintelligent post since you can't grasp it for yourself.

And why did you place the comma after grammar? I guess you are one of those people who randomly places commas to appear intelligent.

Rev. Wright...20 years to influence Obama.