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NOVEMBER 23, 2009


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Christopher Barron is president of CapSouth Consulting and former political director of Log Cabin Republicans. He can be reached at cbarron@capsouthdc.com.

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The audacity of hate
Rev. Wright controversy demonstrates that Obama lacks the judgment to be president

HOME > VIEWPOINT > EDITORIAL

Mar 28, 2008 | By: CHRISTOPHER BARRON | COMMENTS

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Jerry Falwell or David Duke, and the consequences for Obama should be no different than they would be for a Republican. This incident makes it clear that Obama does not have the judgment to be president and no speech on the state of race relations in this country — no matter how true and compelling — can change that fact.

COMMENTS

Please review and follow Washington Blade’s current Comment and Discussion Policy. Guidelines updated as of August 22nd, 2009. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

vartian

0

By your logic, every Catholic in the country should be intelligible for president. As a member of a party that has for so long groveled at the feet of the religious "right", it is laughable that you would have anything at all to say about the spiritual mentors of others.

Posted 3/26/08 - 10:58 AM

bmf6c
Silver Spring

0

Wright's comments are disgusting? A little misguided maybe. African Americans lead almost every public health crisis in America. African Americans are disproportionately poor. And African American infant mortality rates are higher than some developing nations. Shouldn't Wright be angry? And Wright didn't blame America for 9-11. He said chickens come home to roost. When you have an immoral foreign policy, unilateral invasions of foreign countries, etc., you engender ill will. Lastly, in the judgment contest I'll take Obama. He didn't vote to start a war that's killer 4000 Americans.

Posted 3/28/08 - 7:35 AM

ScottS
Chicago, Il

0

Obama and Clinton's positions are similar but different in a key aspect. Obama has stated he would support a full repeal of DOMA. Clinton would leave the provision that states may choose to not recognize marriages performed in another state in place. Seems to me to be a big difference.

Posted 3/28/08 - 10:58 AM

rabete1

0

This argument is shortsighted and narrow-minded. I would hope that most GLBT's take into account a much broader perspective than the comments of someone's pastor when voting at the polls. This anti- Obama argument reminds me of what most GLBT's hate about the Republican party - their ability to convince millions of evangelicals and born again christians (the lack of capitals is intentional) to vote based on their religious views. What we should be focussing our attention on is trying to restore the separation of church and state.

Posted 3/28/08 - 11:09 AM

ray
washington, DC

0

This whole Rev. Wright issue is nonsense - I spend more than enough time in black churches and I havent heard one negative word about the man! The same with black gays - we see through this - it's an attempt to bring down Obama started by the increasingly shrill and desperate Hillary Clinton, who'll do anything, no matter what, to win! Aside from the fact that I dont see Rev Wright's words as a big issue, why should Barack Obama be blamed for those words? By the way, what do you gay republicans really want? Aceptance from the straight republicans? You'll never get it!

Posted 3/28/08 - 8:08 PM

goluboi
Stow, Oh

0

Wright's affirmative actions towards GLBT folk are well known. How many churches have singles' ministries for gays and lesbians? Mr. Barron, did you read/hear complete sermons, rather than 30 sec. clips? In one sermon, he tells worshippers to say to their neighbor I affirm the human value of every life, including gays and lesbians. The facts are more complicated than portrayed here. Barack may well be a strong supporter of GLBT rights precisely because he DID hear those sermons. Surprise: someone can associate with people with extreme views & still retain a moral core.

Posted 3/28/08 - 8:53 PM

jeri .

0

so YOU have decided obama isn't qualified to be president because...? pleeeeeaaaze! who are you to make such a opinionated statement concerning senator obama's ability to make personal decisions? for that matter, who are you to condemn reverend wright? his OUTRAGEOUS views? when reverend wright said "god damn america" he was really saying "god damn the america that bought and sold human beings." he was saying "god damn the america that perpetuated discrimination against an entire people." reverend wright hates injustice and he believes in equality. i applaud obama's loyalty to this man. and so do many others. in fact, he could have been more outspoken in his defense.

Posted 3/28/08 - 9:59 PM

dindc
Washington, DC

0

This column illustrates the increasing non-relevancy of the "Washington Blade." So what if Obama's preacher has a big mouth... Please show me any preacher on a Sunday morning, collecting his paycheck and babbling about a supposed sky-god, who doesn't sound like an idiot. The good thing is Obama has said "No" to this YouTube condensed idiocy, whereas McCain is and will continue to be embracing every right-wing lunatic with a Bible. Hillary? Can't-Choose-Your-Family-Can-Choose-Your Pastor Hillary? She could have divorced her philandering husband, so to hell with judgment.

Posted 3/29/08 - 1:22 AM

kmwa
Gaithersburg, Md

0

I am a 63-yr old white gay man, raised (sic) in Texas. Until I was drafted in 1968, I had never been in a classroom with a Black person, had never been in a restaurant with a Black person and had never been in a public restroom with a Black person. Our little Ozzie and Harriett town of racism, homophobia, and ignorance had lots of segregated churches....and all the "Nigras", as polite people called them, lived in a separate part of town and had a separate (massively inferior) school. Rev Wright is 65. He lived under segregation. I have read all Rev Wright's comments in context. I find none of them outrageous or offensive in any way, given context and who Rev Wright is. I think it appalling that any white cracker faggot Republican like Chris Barron would have the balls to think he gets to vote on a Black person's experience of the Land of the Free. But then I find all gay Republicans appallingly stupid and offensive.

Posted 3/29/08 - 10:40 AM

David25

0

Hate generates more hate, if we protest against the homofobics (chruch)like they do to us, we should act differently, WE SHOULD TELL THEM WHY YOU HATE US? OUR WHY you condem us? WHEN JESUS DIDN'T CONDEM US IN ANY OF HIS GOSPELS! thats the way we should do it, giving them hugs and welcoming in a nicely way! so they will see that we are not bad people otherwise they will continue teaching their children that we are scandaous and sinical, against God's will, and therefore a lot of young men will still comite suicide because they can not support being gay in a "moral-religious" society!

Posted 3/29/08 - 11:40 AM

stephenclark
Washington, DC

0

"Christopher Barron is president of CapSouth Consulting and former political director of Log Cabin Republicans." I couldn't care less what a Republican mouthpiece says about the race for the Democratic nomination. Nor am I interested in the thoughts of a white man so ignorant about race in America as to equate Rev. Wright with David Duke.

Posted 3/29/08 - 12:31 PM

rabete1

0

stephenclark pointed out what I failed to notice when I responded to this poorly supported position: Christopher Barron is a gay Republican. Why this Uncle Tom is allowed to have a mouthpiece for his opinions is beyond me. I cant imagine that there are more than 0.1% of people in the GLBT community that would actually care to read the opinions of such a misguided and confused individual.

Posted 3/29/08 - 4:48 PM

jeri .

0

ooooh! you go, stephen clark! i like it when we agree on something!

Posted 3/29/08 - 6:55 PM

ray
washington, DC

0

christopher barron, you of course havent thought about this, hut have you ever considered that a black man Rev Wright's age grew up at a time with lynchings were still going on? When segregation still existed? While the civil rights movement was going on, with civil rights workers in Mississippi being murdered? Im sure this has affected his view of America! You talk about "hate" - well, Im sure Rev Wright has exprienced enough of that in his lifetime! Is he supposed to just forget it all now and act as if none of it ever happened and just pretend everything is wonderful now?

Posted 3/29/08 - 9:17 PM

belovedcommunity
Washington, DC

0

It is sad to see Kevin Knaff's bias in favor of Senator Clinton blind him to the point that he thinks a commentary like this defaming a great American like the Jeremiah Wright is worthy of being the Blade's lead editorial. Has Mr Barron or Mr Naff ever met Rev Wright. Has either ever heard him preach in person. Has either read any of his books? Has either worshipped at Trinity United Church of Christ. Has either even watched the entire sermons from which the "offensive" quotes are drawn. I doubt it. Rev Wright has preached at my church. We know him well. He is no bigot, no hater, no question.

Posted 3/29/08 - 10:55 PM

Clyde.Online

0

I AGREE with Chris Barron’s opinion of Obama’s judgment. It appears to me that most people don’t learn from the mistakes of others. We've known about these megachurch preachers (black and white) for a long time, and we've heard similar false and outrageous rhetoric from the pulpit many times before. My question is, Why do intelligent people like Obama continue to go to these churches and listen to these preachers, when in all probability, they are aware of the kinds of indefensible statements these preachers make? My belief is that in an effort to appeal to the black masses for political gain, Obama chose to attend a blacker-than-thou megachurch. I think it’s unfortunate that candidates feel they have to get support from these churches to win elections. I hope that at least some people in addition to Obama learn a lesson from this and leave this pastor and this church altogether.

Posted 3/30/08 - 8:30 AM

jeri .

0

clyde, your opinion reeks of elitist privilege. as does chris barron's. why don't you read some of the comments below. you might learn something. your comprehension of the issue is extremely limited. pull down your skirt...your ignorance is showing.

Posted 3/30/08 - 8:59 AM

Clyde.Online

0

Jeri, I'm not elitist, I'm anti-elitist. I read all the postings before making my posting. Your nastiness and name-calling are the kinds of responses I've come to expect. Your school-yard attacks on me are a waste of everyone's time and solve nothing.

Posted 3/30/08 - 9:25 AM

bradyj

0

Some of his comments are definitely off the mark but it is a known fact (the CIA admitted it) that the CIA allowed drugs to enter the Los Angeles drug market in order to finance rebels in South America. So saying the US supplied drugs to black communities is not a lie. Did the govt create AIDS? Probably not but they have done similar things with known diseases. Is Wright the equivalent of a klansmen? No, and in order to understand him I think you have to have grown up in his time and in his skin.

Posted 3/30/08 - 12:12 PM

jeri .

0

clyde, i am thrilled you can read. unfortunately, you don't seem to comprehend what you read. reverend wright is NOT a racist or a bigot. he has a lot of support. obama's association with this church is not something he should be ashamed of. simple. if you can't take everything the reverend preaches in the full context i don't suppose you will ever understand.

Posted 3/30/08 - 12:34 PM

Clyde.Online

0

jeri, I don't know whether you can read or not or if you can read, whether or not you even read Chris' opinion or mine. Neither Chris Barron, nor I have called Mr. Wright a "racist." You are right about one thing, I will never understand the kind of remarks Mr. Wright made, nor will I ever understand why anyone would attend a church where those kind of remarks are made.

Posted 3/30/08 - 10:07 PM

Mr Chris

0

As for the author how could you be loyal to a party who doesn’t stand for your lifestyle let alone anything else? Rev Wright is not a person of hate and this columnist who is white. I would like to ask him try walking in my footsteps. It’s bad enough being gay. Try being BLACK and Gay! And even being discriminated amongst races of other LGBTQ. How about that! We must unify folks for in Unity there is strength! To divide and conquer is failure we cannot afford that! WAKE UP!

Posted 3/31/08 - 1:56 AM

Mr Chris

0

All I can say is this WAKE UP People. There are so many Gay people who are atheist but now this comes up and gives folks a reason to be against Obama using GOD almighty. Stop finding unnecessary fault and look at the big picture. John McCain has no intentions of helping the LGBTQ community at all. And though Kevin Naff and the DC Blade are behind Clinton. That’s all fine and well. We must all realize to join together and defeat the right in Nov. Because if we don’t could any of you imagine what it’s going to be like for LGBTQ?

Posted 3/31/08 - 1:57 AM

ray
washington, DC

0

CLYDE, if you were black, maybe you WOULD understand where Rev Wright is coming from - our experience in this country hasnt been the same as yours! Our America is not YOUR america!

Posted 3/31/08 - 9:03 AM

Clyde.Online

0

RAY, I am a black man. I have experienced racism. However, just because we experience racism as blacks does not make Mr. Wright's comments OK. They were outrageous and ridiculous beyond belief. Ray, maybe you should not make assumptions about what race someon is like you did with me. That's part of what racism is - making assumptions about people without facts. Of course, Mr. Wright's statements were not factual, just loudmouthed nonsense. Also, I never said black people and white people have the same experience in America. However, that still doesn't make Mr. Wright's comments OK.

Posted 3/31/08 - 9:14 AM

belovedcommunity
Washington, DC

0

I continue to wonder how many of those commenting here on Rev Jeremiah Wright's values and meanings have actually read or heard the ENTIRE sermons from which the supposedly offensive quotes were taken. I believe all of the sermons in question are available in full on YouTube. Rev Wright has a few books you can purchase and read as well. I know Rev Wright and his work and his words. I have never found him to be hateful or bigoted. I encourage others to learn more about him at about Trinity UCC and their good works .Check out www.ucc.org to get a more complete understanding than sound bites give

Posted 3/31/08 - 12:21 PM

Mr Chris

0

Hey Clyde from one Black Man to another with the exception of the statement “Aids being injected into the Black community" which is not true. I beg to differ with you. The other statements of Rev Wright are true regardless of tone. You're not his age and don't come from the era in which he does. I don't believe to be the case with you. However to those that understand him it is OK. And to those who choose not understand then they can reject him. But it shouldn't be an issue with Barack Obama. When Jerry Falwell made the statement “It was God’s will to keep the races separate” What about that?

Posted 4/1/08 - 2:03 AM

ErikDC
Bowie, Md

0

It is the worst kind of political opportunism to compare the anger of Rev. Wright with the unvarnished hate of David Duke. For unlike Mr. Duke, Rev. Wright has a legitimate claim to his position. The continued legacy of slavery and Jim Crow is enduring, pervasive and deep. Listening to those sermons, I don't hear a man that hates his country or any race of people. But I do hear a man that is angry at inequalities in our society, inequalities many would like to pretend don't exist. As Secretary of State Rice said last week, the effects of slavery have continued relevance to who we are today.

Posted 4/1/08 - 7:08 AM

Debra Phylum

0

Rev Wright supports same sex marriage, and has since the 1980s. What do you think about that, Christoper Barron, Log Cabin Republiqueen? And by the way, who the hell are you to judge a brother who supports us?

Posted 4/1/08 - 2:36 PM

ellipse

0

Uh huh. Barack Obama attends a church, which he knows to do copious good work in Chicago. The vast majority of his work iss good, but he is given to rhetoricl excesses. You alledge that Barack should repudiate him, rather than maintain a relationship and making clear his differences. Another Planet ... Hillary Clinton is married to a man who she believes to be a great leader. He exhibits horrible personal judgement and drags her family, which has a young daugher at the time(since grown), and the whole country thru the mud for years. Should she have the same standards applied? Begone Bill

Posted 4/1/08 - 5:12 PM

Clyde.Online

0

EXCUSE AND DEFEND is all that most of you here are doing. Just because of Mr. Wright's age does not make his comments acceptable. So, it's OK for someone to make outrageous remarks because they are older, alive during the Civil Rights Movement. I wish you all would stop excusing Mr. Wright's remarks. Even Obama condemned Wright's remarks. This is a double standard. If I white person makes the remarks, it's wrong. But, if a black person makes the remarks, it's supposedly OK b/c of racism and their age. Give me a break! Mr. Wright was wrong and in your hearts, you all know it.

Posted 4/1/08 - 5:46 PM

Mr Chris

0

UM Clyde, A white person could never talk about oppression from hands of Blacks! And the tone is what made you feel as such. Maybe you need to listen to all 4 sermons in its entirety. You might still think differently. However you will understand it better by and by. And if you're not a person of faith. Then you just won't understand at all. In my heart he wasn't wrong at all. Except for 1 statement and that's about AIDS in the black community which was a wrong thing to say. When Gays was falling like flies back in the 80's

Posted 4/2/08 - 7:17 AM