Let me make this as clear as I can: Had someone of stature said

[cali]

"them blacks" or "them gays" are keeping me from Obama, the denunciation of that person would have been universal across DU. I find it a very sad thing that there is a significant minority here at DU who refuse to admit that what Jeremiah Wright said was blatant bigotry- or to be precise, anti-semitism. By saying that Jews control access to Obama, he was repeating a classic anti-semitic canard. And his saying 2 days after, that he meant to say Zionists, hardly makes things better.

Apologism for bigotry sucks, and it sucks to see it here. It has no place on DU.

[ejpoeta]

1. that is true. and i believe what wright said is very racist. and that man has some

serious issues.

[Solomon]

17. Yep. It's the same thing as shooting that security guard at

the holocaust museum. No difference whatsoever.

[ChazII]

35. Agree with you 100%.

It is scary that some folks do not see that they are cut from the same cloth -- the cloth of hate.

[Solomon]

88. And I'm sorry I didn't use the sarcasm tag.

Jeeezuz. You people are nuts.

[leftynyc]

63. Their actions may be different

But the biogotry comes from the same place in their souls.

[Dark]

2. I agree. With his other quotes, though, I said that his message is good, but his delivery is bad.

He was basically saying our chickens come home to roost, but so many were caught up with "God damn America".

[cali]

3. The God Damn America didn't bother me.

His attacks on Hillary and Bill Clinton were disgusting. His accusation that whites invented AIDS to kill off blacks was highly irresponsible and bigoted. He's a wacky piece of work filled with ugly sentiments.

[chimpymustgo]

25. Jeebus. Rev. Wright needs to be consigned to the great dustheap of history. WHO GIVES A SHIT?

Let it go.

[cali]

27. As long as he's opening his mouth and saying outrageous shit, he'll be in the news

and yes, he'll be exploited by the MSM.

[Kahuna]

38. And no one can stop him from opening his stupid trap. No need to get

one's panties in a wad because someone who has no power to change anything in America predictably says something stupid... That's who he is. That's what he does. I also don't get my panties in a wad over what the rightwing media hacks say because again..it's predictable. :shrug:

[cali]

46. he has influence and yes, that often translates to power.

if he was just Joe Shmoe, it would be inconsequential. He is not.

[Kahuna]

48. Maybe I'm missing something. What "influence" does he have?

He's a doddering, old clown, who is stuck in the past. Who listens to him anymore? :shrug:

[Captain Hilts]

70. He has a huge congregation in Chicago. He is a man of influence. nt

[live love laugh]

74. Untrue. He is retired. nt

[Captain Hilts]

80. Not for long. He is an influential man. nt

[Kahuna]

85. Stating it like it's fact still doesn't make it true. And like the other poster said..

he's retired.

[live love laugh]

86. Facts mean things. nt

[pecwae]

4. It's sickening to see

Wright defended for the in-your-face bigotry he displays. Why any DUer would apologize for him puzzles me.

[imdjh]

43. People have short memories

I remember thinking that Wright was a total piece of shit during the primary, and now I can't remember exactly what, except for the "God damn America" thing.

I remember that whiny Catholic priest coming to Wright's defense, but can't remember his name or what he said.

I remember being amazed that any white person would attend that church, but I can't remember why.

[LARED]

5. Wright is an unapologetic bigot

This is hardly news, only his latest insert foot in month moment.

[cali]

7. the point of the OP isn't Wright's bigoted comment, it's the disturbing

fact that quite a few here are acting as apologists for him, and diminishing the ugliness of what he said.

[LARED]

10. I agree

I guess my point was DU'ers have been apologizing for Wrights bigotry since day one.

[Ganja Ninja]

6. Maybe it's because nobody gives a rats ass about Jeremiah Wright.

There's tons of bigots out there are we suppose to denounce them all one by one? Just because he was once Obama's preacher doesn't mean we have to denounce him every time he makes a bigoted comment. He is what he is and everybody knows it. If we have to denounce him every time he opens his mouth we'll have to dedicate a forum to him.

[cali]

8. wait a minute, people are defending him because they don't give a rat's ass?

and sorry, he's a prominent leader.

[Ganja Ninja]

13. If that's happening then I apologize. I haven't seen the thread. n/t

[cali]

14. several threads, in GD, GD-P and Late Breaking.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

28. This is the first thread that I've read about what he said. It was a horrible bigoted comment

and hopefully this man is considered irrelevant.

I am a Jew and find it personally hurtful if DUers are supporting this man's comments. Do you have any links to threads where he is being supported by DUers?

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

33. I saw that thread and didn't open it to read it. Thanks. I've added a comment there.

Boy, am I pissed.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

9. But people are going out of their way to defend his comments.

It's one thing to not bother denouncing them. it's quite another to say "Well, I think he really just misspoke about his policy disagreements RE: Palestine" or "I think he was just speaking in the heat of passion"

[Bonobo]

11. Anti-Semitism is on the rise here, make no mistake about it.

You can see it all around if you have felt it before.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8462351&mesg_id=8462351

http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?&next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DUxt9HwfPwPo

[safeinOhio]

57. Racism is on the rise every where

including Israel. These kids and the actions of some settlers should be condemned along with Rev. Wright.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Co9qma8R4

[zabet]

12. .....

I agree, it sucks. Especially seeing it here.

[WeDidIt]

15. It was clear as air to me

Wright is an anti-semitic bigot.

[liberalmuse]

16. The threads I saw on this...

were pretty much bemoaning the comparison some on the right are making between the Holocaust shooter and Rev. Wright. It's not an apt comparison since Rev. Wright is not a cold-blooded killer. But yes, he has been known to say some racist stuff, and that isn't acceptable, but neither is the right's being dishonest by saying Rev. Wright is no different from the right wing asshats who are murdering people.

[cali]

20. I agree that comparing him to a cold blooded killer is just wrong.

but I've seen plenty of posts here that simply defend or excuse his comments and him, and have nothing to do with responding to posts comparing him to a murderer. There are people he can be compared to- they aren't murderers.

[lunatica]

18. I believe he meant Rham Emmanuel

[cali]

19. and? how is that OK? How is it OK to refer to someone by their religion,

implying that they're motivated solely by religion? How is that not bigoted? And if meant Emanuel he should have said Emanuel. Furthermore, he used the plural, so clearly he wasn't just referring to Emanuel.

[lunatica]

21. Point out where I said it was OK

Can you read a sentence without infusing it with your rage? There are many times when people will say 'they' when they mean one or two people but they're too cowardly to say the names. To me it's obvious what he's doing. It's stupid and bigoted and self destructive, not to mention it gives fodder to the likes of Limbaugh, et al.

[cali]

22. How you found rage where there was none, is a mystery.

Here's the post where you "found" rage. Or rather invented it.

and? how is that OK? How is it OK to refer to someone by their religion,
implying that they're motivated solely by religion? How is that not bigoted? And if meant Emanuel he should have said Emanuel. Furthermore, he used the plural, so clearly he wasn't just referring to Emanuel.


No rage, no rudeness. Unlike your post. Your post was incomplete. It consisted simply of your saying that he meant Rahm Emanuel. If you don't want your posts misinterpreted, let me kindly suggest that you not write cryptic posts that are open to interpretation. I think you'll find that useful information.

[lunatica]

24. As usual you posts crawl with sanctimony

It must be a burden to be so perfect. Point out where I said it was OK.

[cali]

26. sanctimony? just trying to be helpful by explaining

that your post wasn't at all clear. I erred in my interpretation of it, because it was so unclear. If you made your posts clear you wouldn't have to be so furious over someone interpreting your cryptic words, wrongly. Try it.

[lunatica]

29. Point out where I said it was OK

[cali]

31. I didn't say that you did? I asked if you thought it was OK?

As I said before, your post was extremely unclear.

[lunatica]

32. My post was quite clear

You just want to read more into it. You see bigotry where there is none and want to push your point of view and 'writing' ability like a bully. It was a statement that I believe is true. Nothing less and nothing more.

but I'll leave you with the last word since it's so important to you. This has become boring and pointless.

[cali]

34. LOL!!! "I believe he meant Rahm Emanuel" is anything but clear

you're right, that this is boring- or it was until you claimed that your post was clear. Now I have to thank you for the laugh.

:rofl:

Oh, yeah, and just what could you mean by your claim that I'm seeing bigotry where none exists?

[Raineyb]

90. If there's no rage why is there a million and one threads saying the same shit over and over again

And once again the apologists for racism decide to gang up on the black man who has no power BTW because it's so much easier than listening to someone else tell you about the systemic effects of white privilege isn't it?

[hfojvt]

77. How is it not okay?

Suppose I was a good friends with a President or Governor, perhaps going back a long ways, but for political reasons he/she appoints a chief of staff (and some other cabinet members) who are Catholics. Does it make me an anti-Catholic bigot if I say "them Catholics are keeping me from the President". It's not a really deep conspiracy theory. Catholics are generally anti-choice. So I might think they are excluding me because I am pro-choice, and that, yes, their Catholicism is a big part of the reason.

[cali]

81. yes it does. it absolutely makes anyone a bigot who brings up someone's

religion, gender, sexual orientation or race as a reason that he/she is doing x,y or z. And by the way, no Catholics are not generally anti-choice. However, even if that were true, unless you KNOW the person in question is anti-choice due to their religious beliefs, saying "them catholics", is a BIGOTED STATEMENT. Period.

[HughMoran]

23. Sad how some will overlook blatent bigotry in certain people

I don't care how much radical credo he has, bigotry is always wrong, no matter who says it.

[Captain Hilts]

60. Yep. Hate is hate. nt

[Kahuna]

36. I said Wright was an idiot last year. He's the same idiot he was last year.

No need to repeat it again. :shrug:

[cali]

37. Didn't say there was a need. I'm saying that defending/apologism/excuses

for him, are shameful.

[Kahuna]

39. I understand. But it's also predictable that some DUers will excuse

Wright..but knowing that, I passed up all those Wright threads because I didn't want to see that. You could have chosen that option.

[cali]

42. I didn't want to ignore something I think is disturbing.

[Kahuna]

45. You cannot change the fact that some DUers will excuse Wright's

stupidity. That's all I'm saying. They will always be among us. That's why DU gave us the Ignor feature. :pals:

[cali]

47. well, you're right about that. but I can say that excusing bigotry is a not a good thing.

[Kahuna]

49. On that we can agree. Excusing bigotry is NOT a good thing..

Regardless of which side it comes from.

[here_is_to_hope]

40. I think you find everyting very sad.

Its that kind of world.
Might be better to stay in bed, eh?

[cali]

41. LOL!. Idon't find everything sad by any means

And no, I don't think it would be better to stay in bed. I don't find the world so awful. I feel fortunate. And I'm off to work. I have an orange amaretto cake to bake, a walnut espresso torte to ice, scones to bake,veggie tarts to make, a kitchen garden that needs tendings and lots else to do- that I largely enjoy.

[JuniperLea]

71. That doesn't sound like work to me...

It sounds like becoming one with Goddess Earth… Nirvana in Shangri-La:)

I have two contracts to write, a corporate website to update, a dozen or more calls to make, four interviews to schedule, two media trainings to schedule, and there are more than 20 emails that need my attention... right after I finish my coffee. And in about 9 hours I have the privilege of fighting the traffic out of downtown, and a 20 mile drive home.

Give me a trowel, a straw hat, and a smear of flour on my nose and I'd be as happy as a pig in cold mud on a hot day.

You are fortunate.

I am going to the Playboy Jazz Festival on Sunday... I guess I'm fortunate in my own ways... please pardon my jealousy of yours... :)

[H2O Man]

44. Wright was wrong.

He is a flawed man. There are certainly many good things about him. But what he said was stupid, ignorant, hateful, and serves only to stir the brewing pot of hatred that is so damaging to our culture.

[KharmaTrain]

50. Well I Hear Some Of My Best Friends Are...

Spot on and thank-you. Being Jewish, I was very offended by Reverend Wright's remark...and I was one who strongly defended him last year. Not on this one. It's pure anti-semetic racism that he, of all people, should be attuned to. He should be roundly condemned for such an insensetive remark. He's lost a lot all respect from this "Jew".

I also am tired of those who equate those who are Jewish and have a love or support of Israel as being members of AIPAC or Likudniks or somehow in favor of oppressing the Palestinians. It turns into an I/P mudfight that serves no purpose other than to inflame and further divide and alienate.

I've long avoided discussions on the Middle East situation as the lines have become so rigid, the rhetoric so ugly and the broad brushes in ample supply.

Cheers...

[Kahuna]

51. The puzzling part with Wright is that as a Christian minister, he should know

that it is against the teachings of Christ to hate the Jews, because in his bible and mine, it teaches that the Jews ARE the chosen people of God and Christ's coming didn't change that. So, he's just a hateful, old, idiot. It's really hard for me to believe that he is educated and a man of God, because he doesn't act that way. That's why I choose to ignor him.

[KharmaTrain]

54. It Defeats What He Claims He Stands For...

I appreciated his calling out of a white establishment that sought to maintain its special position...one that many minorities in this country can relate to. But it appears he's as much a victim of racism as he is someone who should be able to rise above it.

There are many factors at play here. Some of it economic as there has been friction for year between the black and Jewish communities...going back to the days when many businesses in the black belts were owned by Jews who fled to the suburbs during the riots of the 60's. Those tensions have never subsided and Wright was right in the middle of it. Seems like he's never been able to overcome it. Inversely, I've always been offended when I hear my Jewish bretheren and sisters using the word "schvartze"...the yiddish equivelent of the "n" word.

It's these kind of hateful statements that discredit any good he says or stands for...and they have consequences.

Cheers...

[Kahuna]

56. I grew up in Newark during the 60s and personally witnessed

what you have written about. When I was little, my public school was integrated about almost 50/50. By the time I was in the fourth grade, it was 80/20. By the time I was in the 6th grade, it was 99/1. At this point the Newark riots took place. I was tucked safely away on vacation at my aunt's farm in south Jersey, but by the time I got back, the business district which was about a half mile from my house was completely routed. My four older brothers filled me in on all the details.

The Jewish business owners were completely gone by the time I returned from vacation. Who could blame them? I witnessed first hand during those days what a lot of people only read about. There were some who came through my community (Leroy Jones, H. Rapp Brown, Dick Gregory and Stokey) who denounced the Jews and "whitey" in general. But that had no long term effect on me. Though I must admit, I did have my brief militant period. I'd be willing to bet thought that many of them have moderated their views by now while Wright has not. And, as I said, as a minister of Christ he is doing precisely what Christ said not to do.

[Captain Hilts]

62. Farakkhan is a flagrant anti-Semite. And Jesse Jackson's 'Hymietown' comment didn't help. nt

[Vidar]

52. Of course it's bigotry.

[dionysus]

53. there's people here saying that?! only on DU folks...

[Smith_3]

55. I'd say, it depends on whether there actually are specific jews/blacks/gays doing exactly that.

If there truly exists a group of people composed primarily of jews that actually tried to keep Wright away then I have no problem with the statement.

If he is making it up then yes, it is bigotry, anti-semitism etc.

[Codeine]

76. Even then, why the emphasis on their Jewishness?

What would be the significance?

[Dappleganger]

58. People went nuts over Mel Gibson's remarks

and he was drunk at the time.

I agree, it sure does seem that some want to give Wright a pass.
The only way to stop bigotry in its tracks is to call it out each and every time, no matter the source.

[Captain Hilts]

61. Good comparison! nt

[Captain Hilts]

59. Rev. Wright gets a 'bye' from a lot of folks here. But as someone who had to live in Pat Robertson

's 'hood, I had it up to 'here' with hate-mongering preachers and that includes Rev. Wright.

Sitting in Wright's church for 20 years is the ONE thing that made me critical of Obama.

[Just Saying]

64. I agree with Sherri from "The View"'s take on Wright.

She said he's like that old, crazy uncle everyone has that says racist, outrageous things and everyone wants them to stay in the back of the room.

Of course his comments were bigotry and there is no excuse for that. I'm sorry that he is associated in any way with President Obama.

[Dappleganger]

65. Like Uncle Pat?

Who gets paid for being racist and spewing his crap on MSNBC.

[Just Saying]

66. I always wondered if that's why Rachel called him that.

It's sad that MSNBC gives him not just a platform, but an INCOME to spew his nonsense. On the other hand, he does represent some people in America and maybe having that ignorant point of view held up for ridicule is a good thing. Hmmm....

[Captain Hilts]

69. You don't choose your uncle. You choose your pastor. Big Difference. nt

[lame54]

67. because the fool is not worth the time

[Kahuna]

87. Bingo! No attention to him is good attention for him. Eff him. nt

[Forkboy]

68. I found Wright to be one of the most fascinating characters to emerge from the primaries.

The sermons of his that the Right (and Dems in the primary) tried to bludgeon Obama with were actually excellent (his "chickens coming home to roost" stuff is one of the most spot on things I've heard since 9/11). I've defended him many times in the past, both here and offline.

But I have no defense for this. It's bigotry, no ifs ands or buts about it.

K&R

[JuniperLea]

72. That sums my take up as well...

I applauded a few things he said that were taken out of context. This is clear bigotry, and the back-peddling disgusting. If he were truly a Christian, he would feel much shame for the way he treats "these, the lesser of my brethren." And remember, "lesser" is in the eye of the beholder. No one should have a "lesser" view of any other human being.

Unless they are murderers, rapists, child abusers... jeez... it's getting to the point where I feel the need to qualify every stinking word.

I need to get to work. Bah.

[cali]

82. I agree. I think some of the sermons he gave were right on.

And that's what makes his uttering such shit all the sadder.

[chrisa]

73. Wright is an anti-semetic, hateful moron.

[JerseygirlCT]

75. Very true

and as I've said before, it's even worse coming from someone with the life experience and education to know much better.

There are no excuses for what he said. None.

[progressoid]

78. yup - eom

[Swede]

79. Some here are gonna break theirs backs,bending over backwards defending him.

I don't get it.

[proteus_lives]

83. Nailed it.

He's a anti-semite. Nothing more to it. But people will defend him anyway, it's sickening.

Bigotry is bigotry, no matter who or where it comes from.

[MicaelS]

84. Jeremiah Wright vs. Fred Phelps - Live ....

On Celebrity Bigot Deathmatch on Pay-per View. Two bigots enter the deathmatch cage, will either survive? Call 1-800-Eat-Shit to order! :evilgrin:

[BigBearJohn]

89. I agree with you.

[ButterflyBlood]

91. The threads with that type of thing I actually find rather useful

They make managing my ignore list a lot easier.