Why do Americans have an aversion...

[skooooo]

...to hearing opinions and ideas they disagree with??

Ok, so some of Wright's statements might seem provocative, I don't think he has said or done anything as serious and reprehensible as George Bush.

Does anyone have a video of Wright scrambling around on the floor acting like he's looking weapons of mass destruction?? no? I didn't think so.

Now THAT'S offensive.

[EmilyAnne]

1. Exactly. Its a very important SKILL to hear the opinions and ideas of someone with a different

perspective. That is how people learn.

[Omega3]

2. some Americans, and in particular Dems, have an aversion to extreme religiosity from our political

leaders, I guess more of the same with BHO.

[lapfog_1]

6. Then you won't like Hillary's quiet fundy religion either.

She has attended the bible study group and prayer breakfasts run by "The Fellowship" (with fellow Christian fundies like Sam Brownback) since she and Bill first came to Washington.

[againes654]

3. Good question

We promote free speech until it "offends" our sensitive nature.

[leftofcool]

4. Opinions?

No problem there. Just don't make sexual motions from the pulpit with little childen in your sanctuary. It's vile and disgusting and if Obama had good judgement, he wouldn't take his daughters there.

[islandmkl]

5. did hillary take chelsea out of the white house...

back in the days......

[skooooo]

12. I guess that's Obama's call.

He's not you, and you're not him. He doesn't tell you where to take your kids, so....

[JohnnyLib2]

7. Excellent point. And we ain't admitting the aversion, either!

LOL, you have hit the mark with this one. Stay steady.....

[BOSSHOG]

8. I always wondered what the "ignore" button was for

Seems to me that one chooses to close one's mind to the two cents worth of those who may disagree with them. Seems to me a pathetic way to dabble in the political arena.

I can see the value of the "ignore" button if someone is personally harrassing you, but just to shut out divergent opinions seems downright unamerican.

[skooooo]

14. Divergent opinions are one thing..

When you see the same people starting fights in thread after thread, it can be a real time saver.

[uponit7771]

9. I've asked EVERYONE who I feel is upset about Wrights statements to tell me what he said that was...

...false and I rarely get a cogent answer...on the other hand GOP'ers are patting McCaint on the back for taking the high road.

[Texas Hill Country]

13. The US started AIDS to keep the black man down... how is that for false....

[skooooo]

15. Angry black men are scary!!

:scared:

[Texas Hill Country]

16. There are plenty of REAL things to be angry about... this is tinfoil hat time.

[fbuzz]

10. skooooo, get back to your job at Obama headquarters

n/t

[Texas Hill Country]

11. Its not just an idea i disagree with... these statements show a seriously flawed mind.

[skooooo]

17. Explain......

if you will..

[MH1]

18. Saying "God Damn America" is ABSOLUTELY worse than

starting a war with a country that didn't attack us and killing and maiming millions in the process, while allowing your cronies in the Military Industrial Complex to loot the US Treasury.

Sure it is.

:sarcasm:

(I sure hope I don't need to use that tag but around here one can never be sure)

[Benhurst]

19. Yeah, he's not a war criminal, guilty of mass murder. Is that our

new standard of acceptability?

I'm not particularly happy with Hilary's 14-year connection with a right-wing religious group; but, hey, that's just me. I'm an agnostic. But it has been reported today that the church she and Bill attended while in the White House is marrying gay and lesbian couples now, so that offsets her other connections a bit for me.

But Wright is a bit beyond the pale. And it is disingenuous to ignore the close relationship Obama has had with him. When it comes to dedicating a book, writers give the matter considerable thought. Most don't do so, or at least that is my impression. Spouses probably lead as the choice for those who chose to dedicate a book, followed by parents, other family members and close friends. Obama's choosing Wright for the person to whom he dedicated his book, belies efforts to distance Obama from him.

And what if McCain were revealed to have a similarly close ties to the anti-Roman-Catholic preacher who has endorsed him? Or Hillary to have dedicated a book book to an anti-black or homophobic preacher? All hell would break out, as it should.

Obama is not a hapless victim here. He has made choices. He got a pass when he ran for the Senate. But it was too much to expect he would continue to go unexamined once a presidential campaign got underway, although for a while there it did look as though he might continue to escape scrutiny. But now that some of the rocks are being turned over, people are justifiably disturbed at what has been lurking underneath them.

Fasten your seat-belts, it's going to be a rough campaign.

[skooooo]

21. Is that our new standard of acceptability?

Obviously it's not, since I called it unacceptable. The rest of your post doesn't read well because you started out so badly.

[Benhurst]

22. Nice try. You set up a strawman upon which to base a defense

of Obama's relationship with Wright, then use my ignoring your patently spurious construct to dismiss what I have said.

Wright isn't as bad as Hitler, Stalin, Mao or Vlad the Impaler, either, for which, given his closeness to a presidential candidate, we should all be thankful. How much lower can the bar be set?

[BlackVelvet04]

20. another ridiculous post......

what's offensive is Obama supporters are too disingenuous to admit that Wright's rantings and ravings would destroy Obama's chances in the G.E.

Wright's statements MIGHT SEEM provocative? Well there's the understatement of the year.

Spin it all how you want but Obama, by supporting that church for 20 years and having Wright as his personal mentor, puts his stamp of approval on it....actions speak louder than empty words.

[stillcool]

23. I haven't heard the man say anything...

that I have not said or thought myself. And for 20 + years as well. I put my stamp of approval on reality!