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What Is Going On At Trinity Church?

Update (TL): The commenters here do not speak for TalkLeft or represent the views of TalkLeft, as is stated on our home page and is particularly relevant to the comments to this post by Big Tent Democrat.

****

First of all, this has nothing to do with Barack Obama but I have to ask, what in the world is going on at Chicago's Trinity Church? This is simply outrageous:

I repeat, this has NOTHING to do with Barack Obama, but there is clearly something wrong at Trinity Church in Chicago.

Speaking for me only

Comments closed

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  • Display: Sort:
    Father Pfleger is one of Obama's advisors, so (5.00 / 19) (#1)
    by carmel on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:47:04 AM EST
    this does have something to do with Obama. How much do we need to see of the "circle of hate" that surrounds Obama and Michelle? They take their children to this church to listen to these hate messages. So much for the unity candidate. My stomach just wrenched watching this.

    I'm Thinking/Hoping (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by talex on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:12:31 AM EST
    that Armando was being a little snarky when he said the video has NOTHING to do with Obama.

    [ Parent ]
    You still are trying to change (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by pie on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:18:40 AM EST
    the subject.  How will videos like this influence the campaign?

    Don't shoot the messenger.  How are you going to deal with this stuff?

    [ Parent ]

    How is Obama going to deal with this stuff? (5.00 / 9) (#110)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:25:38 AM EST
    That is the real question here because he is going to have to deal with it and the longer he puts it off the worse his chances against McCain are.

    [ Parent ]
    According to Pelosi and Obama (5.00 / 15) (#222)
    by Kathy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:01:01 AM EST
    he'll be the "winner" after Tuesday.

    "I will step in," Pelosi told the paper. "Because we cannot take this fight to the convention...It must be over before then."

    She can't end the war, she can't stop Bush, she can't, she can't, she can't...until it comes time to swing the nomination to the Chosen One.  Then, she is all powerful.

    So disgusting.  This just cements my opinion about where the dem party is heading.  Off a cliff, and they ain't taking me with them.

    Even Rendell is making noises, so something must be going on behind the scenes.  I hate this.  We are becoming what we hate.  Not in my name.

    [ Parent ]

    Where the hell does she get off? (5.00 / 2) (#241)
    by masslib on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:10:33 AM EST
    This is just absurd.  

    [ Parent ]
    Kathy (5.00 / 9) (#244)
    by cmugirl on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:12:13 AM EST
    I hope you don't mind, but that makes my blood boil.  I just borrowed your words and sent the following email to Pelosi:

    ========

    "Speaker Pelosi:

    You are quoted as saying the following regarding the Democratic nomination process:

    "I will step in," Pelosi told the paper. "Because we cannot take this fight to the convention...It must be over before then."

    So, in your role as Speaker, you have not been able to stop the war, you have not been able to stop Bush, you can't do a whole host of other things, but you are going to stop the nomination process? Especially when all polls are showing Sen. Clinton to be the stronger and more viable candidate for the fall?

    Your Speakership has been a grave disappointment and personally I feel that you are threatened by the idea of a more powerful woman than you.

    I was never politically active before this election, but I am now and will be sending my money not to the DNC, but to any candidate that opposes you and those who have made a mockery of this process. I will also be registering as an Independent.

    Thanks for making the decision so easy. The Democratic Party no longer represents "real" Americans, and instead is the party of the few.

    Very sincerely,

     

    [ Parent ]

    Good for you! (none / 0) (#253)
    by madamab on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:16:03 AM EST
    If Pelosi wanted that much power, she should have become President by impeaching Bush and Cheney IMMEDIATELY upon her ascension as Speaker.

    As it is, she just looks sad and desperate after her terrible performance in the past year and a half.

    [ Parent ]

    Zactly (none / 0) (#201)
    by talex on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:51:31 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    No, he will not, deal with it.... (none / 0) (#254)
    by NO2WONDERBOY on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:16:17 AM EST
    he has been given the "pass home, collect $200.00 and occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Ave." from EVERYBODY, save some (few, very few)who still value journalistic integrity and objectivity. These few, are in turn, constantly chastized for being "ANTI", racist, you know, "clingers"

    [ Parent ]
    No I was not (4.33 / 3) (#77)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:15:00 AM EST
    I am not stupid enough to believe the Media and others will agree with me on this, but to me, Obama has NOTHING to do with this. See, when I sign my posts, I express MY opinions.

    [ Parent ]
    Some people are afraid (5.00 / 8) (#184)
    by cpa1 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:47:12 AM EST
    this is what is waiting in the wings, along with Wright and Farrakhan. Obama knows how to use people.  Did he use the Trinity Church and Jeremiah Wright or is he using the kids and those great people of the Dailykos who never think it is necessary to look twice at something?

    This is the cauldron from which Obama rose in Chicago politics and until we know better, this IS Obama.  Using the parsing lies of South Carolina, telling the children and their stupid parents that Reagan was what we needed as opposed to Bill Clinton, calling Geraldine Ferraro a racist and calling Charlie Rangel, Andrew Young and Robert Johnson racists is gutter politics that either comes from Axelrod or the Obamas.  

    [ Parent ]

    And Carthage must be destroyed (5.00 / 2) (#220)
    by Upstart Crow on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:00:02 AM EST
    There's more waiting in the wings. No one has yet asked any questions about what on earth Obama was doing campaigning with a whack job like Odinga in Kenya last fall. Is this an appropriate role for a U.S. Senator? Did the State Department know about it before January when Condi Rice became involved?

    [ Parent ]
    I don't think you can separate (5.00 / 8) (#198)
    by talex on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:50:23 AM EST
    Obama from that video because it is pretty clear that this type of hate filled racial rhetoric goes on in that church on a consistent basis and Obama attended that church by choice for quite a few years. He had to be party to that kind of 'sermon' by Wright on others by choice on a consistent basis and I have no doubt that he being Obama was front and center with his 'Amens' just like the rest of the audience we have witnessed.

    I find it hard that you wouldn't comprehend that so I take it that you are just accepting that Obama will be the nominee and you do not want to cause him any further harm. If that is the case you probably would have been better served to not post the video at all because myself along with several other posters see that video much differently than you and I'm sure the general public would also.

    [ Parent ]

    I disagree, BTD (5.00 / 6) (#205)
    by americanincanada on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:51:56 AM EST
    It is being done in his name, by hischurch and one of his advisors...not to mention the "new" pastor he claims is not at all like Rev. Wright.

    If this has nothing to do with him then he needs to denounce it, in public, and apologize.

    [ Parent ]

    BINGO! (5.00 / 9) (#88)
    by p lukasiak on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:18:34 AM EST
    They take their children to this church to listen to these hate messages.

    This is what is going to damage Obama.  He can say that he doesn't buy into the message of TUCC all he wants to -- that he stays in the church because of its tradition of public service, etc -- and some people might buy it.

    ....that is, until its pointed out that this is the Church he has chosen for his children, and represents what he wants his children to believe God and Christianity is all about.  

    [ Parent ]

    Of course. (5.00 / 1) (#226)
    by madamab on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:03:33 AM EST
    Black Liberation Theology, which is what TUCC espouses, is radical, and NOT the preferred version of Christianity for most AA's. The sermons of Reverend Wright and this other hateful jerk reflect the views of Black Liberation Theology.

    As for the vitriol spewed at Hillary specifically, remember that Reverend Wright was also hateful towards Bill and Hillary Clinton on the pulpit.

    [ Parent ]

    content (none / 0) (#147)
    by gaf on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:34:53 AM EST
    I am on a dial-up temporarily - too slow to play the video. Can someone briefly describe what's the content?


    [ Parent ]
    Um. . . . . (5.00 / 4) (#3)
    by andgarden on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:49:48 AM EST


    Exactly (5.00 / 3) (#7)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:52:23 AM EST
    On one level, it struck me as a bad Jamie Kennedy skit on the other, I was simply appalled.

    [ Parent ]
    It was like Public Access TV (4.50 / 8) (#16)
    by andgarden on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:58:31 AM EST
    until the reparations talk.

    If Trinity Church were a secret front group for the GOP, it couldn't do better.

    [ Parent ]

    the crowd didn't seem (4.83 / 6) (#100)
    by Kathy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:22:00 AM EST
    too shocked by the message.  They were standing and applauding.

    I guess the good Father didn't hear from his ancestors how despicably Irish were treated off the boat and how most of the early Irish came over here as indentured servants.  I'm certainly not saying they had it worse, but it was never a walk in the park.  America was built on the backs of exploited immigrants, from the railroads to the skyscrapers to the atomic bomb.

    Also, you'd think that a church that is under investigation by the IRS about being too political would not encourage that Clinton attack at the end.  Their hubris will be their downfall.


    [ Parent ]

    Actually (5.00 / 1) (#112)
    by Steve M on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:25:57 AM EST
    I believe Pfleger is a German name.

    [ Parent ]
    Ha! My bad (5.00 / 1) (#152)
    by Kathy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:36:44 AM EST
    but, even better.  Germans in internment camps on American soil, forced labor, etc.  A lot of them worked on the Hoover Dam project, where the death toll was extremely high.  Some were worked like dogs to their deaths.

    And, most sadly of all, a lot of them moved to Texas.  Bush is a solid German name, ya know.  heh heh heh

    [ Parent ]

    In German, "Pfleger" means (none / 0) (#233)
    by scribe on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:04:59 AM EST
    "healer" or "caretaker", the latter usage being in the sense of a careful gardener, a painstakingly careful maintainer (of something or someone), or a doting nurse.

    [ Parent ]
    Of course (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:51:40 AM EST
    If I had it in for Obama would I could have done was demand he denounce his church.

    Are you a freaking idiot?

    What I am saying is let's not hold Obama responsible for what is going on in that video.

    Let me assure you, that a lot of people are going to insist on holding him responsible for it.

    But by all means, pretend that MY posting this and saying Obama is not responsible for it is my way of sticking a shiv in Obama.

    By now it is clear that some Obama supporters are complete idiots, not that I am saying you are necessarily one of them.

    It's not the Hillary supporters you need (5.00 / 7) (#23)
    by andgarden on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:02:13 AM EST
    to worry about.

    And the end of the day, Obama is going to have to have something to say about this to John Q. Public.

    [ Parent ]

    John Q. Public? (5.00 / 2) (#31)
    by ccpup on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:04:47 AM EST
    more importantly, he's going to have A LOT to say to these suddenly nervous SDs who are already concerned about his Electoral Chances in the Fall not to mention his lack of ability in bringing over voters the Dems need and he can't get.  

    This Trinity Church debacle -- yet another one -- ain't gonna help matters.

    [ Parent ]

    Site Abuser: djohnson (none / 0) (#43)
    by andgarden on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:07:54 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    djjohnson has been (none / 0) (#136)
    by Jeralyn on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:31:29 AM EST
    banned under six different names before. He's erased again.

    [ Parent ]
    can we get an amen!!! (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Edgar08 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:04:26 AM EST
    For the fully delusional!  We need saving too!

    [ Parent ]
    I see you bring up (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by pie on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:14:28 AM EST
    everything but the problem Obama will have with videos like this.

    Your "look over there" is not going to work if he's the nominee.

    [ Parent ]

    WTF? (none / 0) (#68)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:13:24 AM EST
    you have really crossed the line.

    One warning. Rein it your vitriol or be gone.

    [ Parent ]

    Here's the problem, BTD (5.00 / 10) (#46)
    by p lukasiak on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:08:46 AM EST
    When the Wright controversy broke, the question that was asked was "why don't you leave the church", and the answer was:

    1. I didn't know
    2. Wright is retiring
    3. the Church isn't really like Wright, its like that nice new pastor who is going to replace him.

    now, everyone who pays attention knows that the Church was Jeremiah Wright, but the media covered it up, and the GOP was more than happy to sit on it until it made sense to exploit it.  

    And the person who raised the issue of what Obama's children are being exposed to got this exactly right, because that is one very effective way of tying Obama to this kind of trash talk.   He can say he disagrees with it all he likes, and most people aren't going to believe him because this is what he has chosen for his children, i.e. that Obama wants his kids to believe that GOD thinks like these people.

    [ Parent ]

    Obama's church taught black liberation theology (5.00 / 5) (#54)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:10:59 AM EST
    This is black liberation theology in all its glory.

    [ Parent ]
    Christian hatred (5.00 / 4) (#157)
    by JavaCityPal on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:38:56 AM EST
    This video shows what kind of Christians Barack and Michelle are. I avoid these Christians in my life, I sure don't want them making decisions that affect the entire population of my country.

    For how much of her adult life has Michelle been proud of her church?


    [ Parent ]

    That's a question that is going to come up (5.00 / 2) (#197)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:50:15 AM EST
    a lot and it isn't going to be helpful to Obama's chances at all.

    [ Parent ]
    More fodder for the Repubs (5.00 / 6) (#230)
    by waldenpond on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:04:33 AM EST
    The Dems have gone after Repubs for their associations with the extreme in religion.  They lost the high ground on this, in fact, they keep talking about Hagee.  They should have shut-up, said this has no place in politics and provided Obama with some cover.

    BTW, the young man doing the introduction, the new pastor? That is the one who ran up and patted Wright on the back when Wright was doing his 'riding dirty' sermon. I knew there would never be a change in tone at the church.

    The Repubs have been using the ripping up of the Clinton's by their own party as an example of how the Dems 'do' politics.  They are everything they have accused the Repubs of and that they kept denying they themselves do.

    [ Parent ]

    I am exonerating MYSELF? (5.00 / 4) (#52)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:10:44 AM EST
    What in the world do I need to exonerate myself for in regards to THIS video?

    I found it repulsive. If I DEFENDED it then I would have to exonerate myself.

    Here is a question for you. Do YOU want to defend the video?

    [ Parent ]

    My biggest question is do I want to defend (5.00 / 4) (#69)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:13:42 AM EST
    this video when the GOP starts using it, because they will.  My answer is well known here......not really.  I'd rather have to defend the blue dress because the blue dress has been beaten into a dust rag now.  

    [ Parent ]
    I condemn it (5.00 / 1) (#108)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:24:39 AM EST
    But it is not about Obama to me.

    Heck, Obama must be so pissed at these people.

    [ Parent ]

    He has to be! (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:33:24 AM EST
    The one thing that really really gets to me is that if you know that having a black president breaks one of those glass ceilings out there plaguing our culture and social structure why would you give his opponents, the GOP, something like this?  It just befuddles me all to heck and back.  A nose parted from the face.

    [ Parent ]
    Frustrated, or exasperated maybe (5.00 / 2) (#173)
    by JavaCityPal on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:43:17 AM EST
    but, I doubt this is much different than what he and Michelle participated in multiple times over their 20 year association.

    Remember, this is the church Oprah left only because it would have a negative impact on her climb to the top.

    Obama probably has a speech in the drawer prepared to respond in the event they did this to him again. You have to wonder how these ministers think they could possibly be helping Obama.


    [ Parent ]

    Can you imagine the conversation between (none / 0) (#196)
    by zfran on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:50:09 AM EST
    Axelrod and Obama about what to put in this speech that people will believe!!!

    [ Parent ]
    They already used up their only shot (5.00 / 0) (#228)
    by JavaCityPal on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:03:35 AM EST
    at racism, and didn't do a very good job at that. I think they are going to lay low and pray this one will just go away on its own.


    [ Parent ]
    but what is he pissed about?.... (5.00 / 4) (#185)
    by p lukasiak on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:47:13 AM EST
    What is shown in the video may not be all of what TUCC is about, but it does represent a very real part of TUCC.

    So, while I'm sure he'll be angry about this, the question is whether he has any right to be angry.  And I don't think he does --- he has no right to demand that people at TUCC censor themselves temporarily and pretend to be something that they are not, for his political benefit.

    What bothers me is that Obama was stupid and naive enough to believe that he wasn't vulnerable to questions that would be raised by his membership in TUCC and his close association with Wright.  

    [ Parent ]

    Are you kidding? This Father is involved (5.00 / 4) (#209)
    by zfran on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:52:17 AM EST
    in Obama's campaign. If Obama didn't want this speech to happen, all he had to do was to wave his magic hands and tell everyone there to lay low until after November. He didn't. This is another bleed, albeit, a big bleed imo. It's gonna take a big plug to fix it.

    [ Parent ]
    And the truth in this post is where (5.00 / 0) (#214)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:55:46 AM EST
    my feelings become very mixed.  Did Obama do this?  No.  Did he want someone to do this?  No.  Has he played a role though in empowering this church knowing full well that this is part of what they teach?  Yes.  Can he be held completely blame free in this current situation by me?  No.  We were going to have a discussion about race after the first go around of this bullhonk and then............the crickets started chirping after he had made a really really good speech about having a discussion about race.  Obama has done this to himself by not clarifying his stance on black liberation theology when this first happened.

    [ Parent ]
    You don't have to defend it... (none / 0) (#250)
    by kredwyn on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:14:44 AM EST
    you can say that you're disappointed in the good father's statements towards HRC. But "y'know" ::shrug:: "freedom of speech doesn't mean the listener has to like it or even approve of it."

    [ Parent ]
    Hey BTD (3.00 / 2) (#74)
    by Lil on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:14:31 AM EST
    I saw this first on Noquarter and did not watch it because they are a little like the Enquirer over there (IMO), but when you posted it, I did watch because I basically trust you. IMO, you don't need to be exonerated. I think you are pretty fair.

    [ Parent ]
    I personally don't hold Obama responsible (5.00 / 5) (#181)
    by angie on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:46:46 AM EST
    for what is going on in that video. However, I do hold him responsible for (1) giving more than $20,000 last year to that Church were the kind of stuff that is going on in that video occurs and (2) not knowing and/or not caring about what goes on in that Church were that kind of stuff that is going on in that video occurs. The man is running for the job of President of the United States of America based on his "bio," "superior judgment" and "intellect" yet has no curiosity to know what is going on around him in the present or (based on his ignorance of history) the past.

    [ Parent ]
    agreed there are hundreds of (1.00 / 2) (#35)
    by TruthMatters on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:05:53 AM EST
    offensive chruches out there that will never see a post on here,

    I don't recall seeing anything about Libermann speaking for Hagee, but Trinity Church gets a post why? because it was offensive? does that mean we will expect other offensive churches to get a post? for some reason I highly doubt it, so why Trinty? because its a news item and why is that? oh yes its Obama's curch. but does this any anything to do with Obama? espeically on Talk Left, need we go back and review the opinions of Obama in the comment section of this board? but yes we will post about trinty and simply say its nothing to do with Obama, will that work?

    ofcourse not, this whole lets talk about Trinty but its not about Obama, hmmmm ok.

    [ Parent ]

    It's called (5.00 / 5) (#47)
    by pie on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:08:56 AM EST
    electability.

    What are you going to say when more videos come out if Obama's the nominee?  

    The relationship with this church is an ongoing problem for him.

    [ Parent ]

    I am not talking about that (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by TruthMatters on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:14:12 AM EST
    I am talking about BTD posting this saying it has nothing to do with Obama, as if he doesn't know this site and doesn't know the FIRST thing you all would do, is exactly what you are doing

    making it about Obama.

    [ Parent ]

    You are deliberately (5.00 / 6) (#105)
    by pie on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:23:42 AM EST
    ignoring the obvious here - Obama has been a member of this church for 20 years.

    Obama has made this about Obama.  

    [ Parent ]

    Now you have said your piecve on that (none / 0) (#120)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:28:23 AM EST
    It is utter BS,imo. But enough on that topic. Move on or be deemed a chatterer.

    [ Parent ]
    It is an issue of electability only because we (3.00 / 2) (#174)
    by samtaylor2 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:43:45 AM EST
    are divided.  If we weren't divided, the left would call this guilt by association nonsense, what it is, nonsense.  Though I think the Obama Hilliary portion (the second half) should have been left out.  I am not sure what was so wrong about the first half, and even the second half has a smell of truth.  White people (men and women), men (black, white, latino, etc) have benefitted from the system and as such have a notion of entitlement that is hard to recognize and even harder to discard.  Why is noting this wrong.  

    [ Parent ]
    Well... (5.00 / 2) (#192)
    by pie on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:49:07 AM EST
    Why is noting this wrong.

    A lot of white people will take offense at this.  They're not going to stop to think that there's some truth to it, because they don't feel responsible for the inequality.

    Just like people who voted for George Bush don't feel responsible for all the death and destruction in Iraq.

    And, frankly, I don't see how divisive rhetoric like this does any good.  It only causes more hate and more division.  It certainly doesn't promote healing.

    [ Parent ]

    So it is the churhes falt that you want stop (1.00 / 1) (#229)
    by samtaylor2 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:04:13 AM EST
    and think?  Why would you blame them.  And why would you excuse someone who didn't stop to think about it.

    [ Parent ]
    Those offensive churches (5.00 / 3) (#49)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:10:05 AM EST
    won't have a post here unless a presidential nominee attends them for 20 years and cites its leaders as his advisors.  This isn't rocket science you guys.  When you run for office here comes the microscope into your life, every politician knows and some handle it better than others and some do end up having to change who they hang with.

    [ Parent ]
    duh! they aren't running a member for (5.00 / 0) (#56)
    by hellothere on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:11:17 AM EST
    president. and expressing dislike and distain for over half of the american population says trouble to me. your self righteous bull is a pathetic, rather shallow smoke screen.

    [ Parent ]
    You never read about Joe Lieberman (5.00 / 5) (#63)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:12:23 AM EST
    at THIS site? In post by ME????

    That has to be one of the least informed comments of all time.

    As for Lieberman and Hagee, what woould you have me write. I despise Joe Lieberman and have for year and years.

    that he likes Hagee is just what I would expect from him.

    [ Parent ]

    my point is you KNOW this site (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by TruthMatters on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:16:26 AM EST
    you full well posting this would make it about Obama, so what do you do, oh its not about Obama please.

    and then you will do the well I am not responsible for what they say, ofcourse you aren't but you know exactly what would happen posting this, thats WHY you felt the need to point out its not about Obama because you know it will be about Obama, and now you will point to your "oh well I didn't say it was about Obama"

    [ Parent ]

    Look (5.00 / 2) (#116)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:27:14 AM EST
    I want to get ahead of it and try and separate Obama from it for peopel at this site.

    As you know, some people do read me here and they may consider my view that this is not Obama's fault.

    Perhaps a quiet denunciation and removal of Pfleger will do the trick. I hope so.

    My posting this is your complaint? I think my not posating it and separating Obama from it would be the mistake.

    But the Ostrich is the favorite animal of some Obama supporters.


    [ Parent ]

    ok fair enough (none / 0) (#146)
    by TruthMatters on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:34:53 AM EST
    if you are thinking of your readers outside TL then yes posting that is right.

    but I see you posting this HERE, and saying this isn't about Obama and i have to ask what did you think the posters HERE would think this is about.

    then to me it allows the posters here yet another reason to attack Obama and you can simply say well I can't control them and I said it wasn't about Obama I can't help the people here have one track minds.

    for me no matter what site I visit, I associate the front page poster with the comments they generate, ESPECIALLY if you can reasonably forsee the types of comments your post will generate.

    [ Parent ]

    Bill Clinton is an advisor to Hillary. (4.50 / 2) (#212)
    by zfran on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:55:23 AM EST
    If Bill goes out and says something, she is accused of "not reigning him in" or "not in charge of her campaign or him" and the like. This guy in Obama's church is an "advisor" of some sort to Obama. He and Trinity and Obama are responsible for its contents.

    [ Parent ]
    If you will see (none / 0) (#172)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:42:54 AM EST
    MOST of the criticism is being directed at Pfleger and the UCC, NOT Obama.

    I think I had something to do with that.

    [ Parent ]

    That's you... (none / 0) (#203)
    by kredwyn on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:51:40 AM EST
    Me? I associate BTD with BTD.

    [ Parent ]
    It most certainly is (none / 0) (#151)
    by blogtopus on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:36:26 AM EST
    Ostrich meat can be tasty if cooked properly, though.

    [ Parent ]
    some Dems won't understand your point (none / 0) (#251)
    by Salo on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:15:42 AM EST
    The Southside looks like a looney bin.

    [ Parent ]
    That's just icky in a million ways. (5.00 / 4) (#6)
    by Burned on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:52:21 AM EST


    I call it depraved (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:56:34 AM EST


    [ Parent ]
    if this isn't racism, then what is it? (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by athyrio on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:53:24 AM EST
    Pure, unadulterated hatred!! This type of behavior I  fought against many years ago from whites toward blacks and now I am seeing it from blacks toward whites. It truly makes me sad and it will cause this nation to go backwards in its progress...

    bingo, and you haven't seen the worst. (none / 0) (#65)
    by hellothere on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:12:43 AM EST
    go take a look at the black panthers website. i have.

    [ Parent ]
    What do you mean "this has nothing to (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by zfran on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:53:29 AM EST
    do with Barack Obama" This is his church. Has he resigned, has he not been back, if carmel is correct and this "father" is one of Obama's advisors, this has everything to do with Obama. This is not pretty and if it airs, it will be even uglyer.

    Everyone is entitled (5.00 / 0) (#111)
    by Kathy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:25:38 AM EST
    to their own opinion.  Even Bush couldn't take that away from us.

    [ Parent ]
    Well, I will make it about Obama and say (5.00 / 14) (#11)
    by tigercourse on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:55:24 AM EST
    that he is an absolute fool for attending this church for 20 years and for picking these people as advisors.

    the obama campaign thinks we are fools. (5.00 / 6) (#33)
    by hellothere on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:05:26 AM EST
    take a good look at what the dnc has foisted on us.

    [ Parent ]
    I have mixed feelings (5.00 / 3) (#12)
    by Militarytracy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:55:48 AM EST
    This is the sort of thing this church has preached in the past and Obama did choose to attend this church for many many years.  He has said that Father Pfleger is one of his advisors,  in what current capacity I don't know.  He isn't responsible for anyone saying things like this but he is responsible for the company he keeps and who advises him.

    Technically (5.00 / 6) (#15)
    by MMW on Thu May 29, 2008 at 08:56:36 AM EST
    If you attend, donate and utilize the services of a church for blessing your home, educating your children on faith, name a book after a sermon given by your pastor, call the pastor a member of the family or mentor, etc... for twenty years. UHHH... you are associated with said church. At least, I'd say that that is what most church going individuals would believe.

    I don't go (to church, I mean - but I'm catholic so that doesn't really count) and I still believe that.

    Has anyone gotten a copy of the sermon the "Audacity of Hope"? Is there anything in it that could be used?

    This is a UCC problem. (5.00 / 0) (#50)
    by Fabian on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:10:24 AM EST
    The heck with Obama!

    This is a bad publicity for UCC churches everywhere!  

    [ Parent ]

    Pfegler's not UCC, he's Catholic. (none / 0) (#232)
    by Ben Masel on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:04:36 AM EST
    Pastor of St. Sabina.

    [ Parent ]
    This isn't gotcha. (5.00 / 3) (#76)
    by Fabian on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:14:45 AM EST
    This is what "supporting Obama" looks like - to a lot of people.

    Usually we just see it on the internet, not at the pulpit in front of a live audience, streamed live, masquerading as a religious sermon.

    Nice supporters you got there Senator Obama.

    [ Parent ]

    Ohhhhh dude... (none / 0) (#36)
    by MMW on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:06:30 AM EST
    What can I say to you and not be banned from this site????????????????????????????????????????

    still nothing...........

    Still nothing............


    [ Parent ]

    Flineo video (5.00 / 0) (#243)
    by waldenpond on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:11:38 AM EST
    I know they are extreme, but one had Wright making his statements about Nagasaki and then Obama reading aloud from his book and then another piece by Wright and Obama reading from his book.  I always said, that Wright and Michelle were 527 data on their own.  Intersperse Obama or Michelle's words with any of the extremists in Obama's life and you have a problem.

    [ Parent ]
    Yuck (5.00 / 3) (#20)
    by befuddled on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:00:57 AM EST
    But, it's their yuck, so they can have it. I would like to know, though, just how much "politicking" can be done in a church or other non-profit. I first learned about Trinity from a Fox post with a head something like Pastor Endangers Tax-exempt Status, and in spite of all the Wright stuff since, haven't seen more about the tax angle.

    There's an ongoing investigation (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by janarchy on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:04:20 AM EST
    It started before the Rev. Wright tapes surfaced. However, the article I read about it said that it can take several years for the IRS to do a thorough investigation so it would not effect Obama's campaign.

    Of course, no one in the MSM (other than on FOX) has ever mentioned a word about it, as far as I know.

    [ Parent ]

    IRS Inquiry Settled (none / 0) (#165)
    by daring grace on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:40:30 AM EST
    According to the Wall Street Journal (May 22, 2008):

    "The Internal Revenue Service has told the United Church of Christ, Sen. Barack Obama's denomination, that it didn't violate tax laws when the presidential candidate addressed 10,000 church members in June.

    In a letter released by the UCC, the IRS said that the denomination hadn't engaged in prohibited political activity and retains its nonprofit status. The UCC disclosed an IRS inquiry into Sen. Obama's appearance earlier this year. IRS spokeswoman Nancy Mathis declined to comment."

    [ Parent ]

    Obama has donated over $55,000.00 to TUCC (5.00 / 5) (#26)
    by carmel on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:03:04 AM EST
    over the last two years that he submitted tax returns for. So Obama does support TUCC and apparently endorses the messages of TUCC. If Obama wants to claim he has never heard any of these hate messages, it makes him really naive or stupid, and not really potus material. Otherwise, Obama has heard these messages before, and supports them with his hard earned money. My question, will reparations be part of the "new democratic party platform"? Sorry, just had to ask.

    My take is that Obama has heard (5.00 / 0) (#171)
    by zfran on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:42:30 AM EST
    these messages, some from the pulpit and some from his kitchen table. Rev. Wright, remember, was "like an uncle" and the Priest is a member of his campaign (not verified yet to me). Hmmmmm. I wonder if this video will send another tingle up tweety's leg?

    [ Parent ]
    isn't it strange.... (5.00 / 5) (#199)
    by p lukasiak on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:50:37 AM EST
    that Obama knows all about the war exploits of a great uncle that he never met, but had no idea about the thinking of a man who was "like an uncle" to him for 20 years?  ;)

    [ Parent ]
    Additionally, David Axelrod is on the committee (5.00 / 0) (#179)
    by FLVoter on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:46:30 AM EST
    to raise money to make structural repairs to St. Sabina's Church where the good father is the Pastor. It is unbelievable to claim that Sen. Obama never heard any of these hate filled sermons in twenty years. This is still about Sen. Obama and his church.  It has not gone away.  For the Republicans this is a gift that just keeps on giving all the way to the GE.

    [ Parent ]
    OMG! (5.00 / 5) (#38)
    by Radiowalla on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:06:55 AM EST
    This is truly disgusting.  
    Of course it reflects very badly on Trinity Church, and by extension on Obama.  

    It is what it is and his campaign is going to have to deal with it.

    pandering (5.00 / 0) (#39)
    by Fabian on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:07:08 AM EST
    And the congregation just sucked it up.

    I wonder if Trinity can be officially sanctioned by the United Church of Christ.  I don't know.  I'm a lapsed Catholic and ignorant of the UCC organization and affiliation.  But there have to be UCC members out there thinking "This is not my church.  This isn't what we stand for.".

    Gack.  

    It is relevant to this campaign. (5.00 / 2) (#41)
    by bslev22 on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:07:32 AM EST
    This is the stuff that divides us.

    Study it while you worry, nay whine, about how it might somehow impact on the man most of us are prepared to vote for in November, regardless of people like the heinous reverend on the video, who we now know is an advisor to Senator Obama.  We are being asked to look past this stuff, but whether you like it or not, it just keeps getting in the way [and while you're at it think South Dakota and RFK because I just can't get it out of my mind; it gnaws at me as I think that KO's diatribe against Senator Clinton was circulated to the press by Senator Obama, the man who speaks of unity when it's convenient.]

    I'm sure Senator Obama knows that he needs all of us whether you like it or not.  I think it'd probably be wise to urge folks like the good reverend on the tape to go back to his cave.  By the way, can a whole church fit under a bus?  Senator Obama might just have to let us find out.  Gonna have to check on the condition of that bus soon, cause it keeps on being asked to run folks over, all in the name of unity and a change in direction of course.  

    Could someone post a summary explanation of (5.00 / 3) (#53)
    by hellskitchen on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:10:48 AM EST
    the video for those of us who are hearing impaired.  I feel increasingly frustrated by the use of videos on blogs.  To those who can hear well, the videos are a quick way to understanding an event, but for me and others it is not only not illuminating, it is exclusionary.

    If there's a transcript (probably not here), you can link to it.  If not a short summary will suffice.  Then I can watch the video for the body language, which is also important (but meaningless if you don't know what is being said).

    This generation of whites is still responsible (5.00 / 2) (#127)
    by Joan in VA on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:29:51 AM EST
    for the sins of their ancestors. Haven't given up the advantages they have because of those sins. Should give up their money. Hillary thought the nom. was hers because she's white. Barack came along to take it away from her. She cries like a baby.

    Hope that helps.

    [ Parent ]

    "married to Bill" (5.00 / 3) (#139)
    by Fabian on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:32:26 AM EST
    You forgot that part - no HHer ever forgets who Hillary Clinton's husband is.

    Tres charmante.

    [ Parent ]

    Thanks! (none / 0) (#190)
    by hellskitchen on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:48:29 AM EST
    It does help.  The internet is so anonymous in some ways that its difficult to remember that people with disabilities use the web.

    I appreciate your summary.

    Thanks also to Fabian, below

    [ Parent ]

    I typed it in all its glorious glory (4.75 / 4) (#188)
    by Burned on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:48:11 AM EST
    Intro
    The very beginning is sort of mushy.
    Then he goes off:

    .....for the one who says, "Well don't hold me responsible for what my ancestors did." But you have enjoyed the benefits of what your ancestors did, and unless you are ready to give up the benefits, throw away your 401 fund, throw away your trust fund, throw away all the money that's been put away in the company you walked into because your daddy and your granddaddy and your great granddaddy...unless you're willing to give up the benefits, then you must be responsible for what was done in your generation because you are the beneficiary of this insurance policy.

    We must be honest enough, to expose white entitlement and supremacy wherever it raises it's head.

    I said before, and I, I really don't want to make this political because you know, I'm very unpolitical (crowd laughs and claps) but, (something I can't make out) when Hillary was crying, and people said that was put on, I really don't believe it was put on, I really believe that she just always thought, "This is mine. I'm Bill's wife, I'm white, and this is mine. I just got to get up and step into the plate."

    And then out of nowhere came, " Hey, I'm Barack Obama." And she said, "Oh, damn! Where did you come from?! I'm white, I'm entitled! There's a black man stealing my show!"

    (then he does fake Hillary tears and wipes his tears with a kerchief, crowd stands, clapping, he goes ends it with....)

    She wasn't the only one crying, there were a whole lot of white people crying. I'm sorry, I don't want to get you into anymore trouble. The live streaming just went out again.

    Then he walKs off.

    [ Parent ]

    The first part - (5.00 / 1) (#240)
    by scribe on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:10:09 AM EST
    where he says one can only claim no responsibility for healing the sins of past generations only if one casts off the benefits one received from one's own ancestors - the 401k, the trust fund, etc. - is actually philosophically (and a lot of responsible theologians would say, theologically,) correct.  

    Each of us does, indeed, stand on the shoulders of our forebears and derives benefits (or hindrances) from the decisions they made in the past.

    The second part, sounds kind of like a bad parody of a Chris Rock routine.

    This is Exhibit A of why churches should not get involved in politics. Or, if you want to put Hagee, Parsley, Robertson and all the rest ahead of it, whatever letter would be next in the exhibit list.

    [ Parent ]

    good accurate transcript (5.00 / 0) (#245)
    by tree on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:13:40 AM EST
    I think the the words you couldn't make out were "Reverend Moss", the one who introduced him.

    Its probably important to say that its possible that there is an edit between the first and second paragraph, as there is a cutaway to the pews after the first paragraph. However, there is no edit between the second and third paragraph. He is connecting "white entitlement and supremacy" with Hillary Clinton choking up in New Hampshire. Pure hateful race baiting.

    [ Parent ]

    When the good friend of Trinity, (5.00 / 6) (#58)
    by Anne on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:11:26 AM EST
    roundly applauded and for whom the pastor effusively thanked God for his message, went on a rant about Hillary's tears and Barack Obama, he made it about Barack Obama.

    I'm sorry, but at what point can I draw the conclusion that if these are the people Obama chooses to associate himself with, he must share some part or all of the opinions, philosophies, theories that are being espoused?  Or am I supposed to stay tuned for the latest chapter of "just because I know them, doesn't mean I believe what they believe?"

    There just is no way for me to reconcile the overarching message of unity and hope with the ugly and divisive things I've heard from yet another high-profile Obama associate.  Is this the message that resonates with the 80-90% of black voters?  

    I just don't get it; I really, really don't.


    Really? (5.00 / 9) (#118)
    by Steve M on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:27:24 AM EST
    You believe it was that commentor who injected race, not the preacher who said "Hillary felt entitled to the nomination because she's white"?

    [ Parent ]
    IMHO. this does involve Obama (5.00 / 6) (#130)
    by befuddledvoter on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:30:12 AM EST
    This priest is in Obama's inner campaign circle. He is railing about Hillary Clinton from the pulpit.  It obviously has a political message.  And how is this religious, pray tell?  

    [ Parent ]
    Last sermon about crying women (5.00 / 0) (#145)
    by Fabian on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:34:48 AM EST
    I can remember is the women weeping at Jesus' tomb.  Don't think any them were named "Hillary" though.

    [ Parent ]
    You must be kidding (5.00 / 1) (#268)
    by TomLincoln on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:57:27 AM EST
    to believe anyone here injhected race into this, rather than the priest himself --and all of those cheering him on at Trinity. I will take it one step further. I can understand how the vast majority of African Americans feel proud to have a "viable" black presidential candidate. But please do not tell me that the vast majority of them are voting for him based on his ideas on issues rather than the fact he is black. That just does not sell. Is that racism? What would you say if Hillary Clinton were getting 90% of the white vote in all the primaries? Would you likely assume there is a vast group of whites who are not voting for Barack because of his race? Of course you would!

    This video is very troubling to me. Many Obama supporterse like to call this guilt by association, as if that cures it all. They are absolutely correct in that it is guilt by association -- associating himself with this church for 20 years, supporting it financially, and most recently saying that the new pastor --who invited this priest-- is sooo different from Rev. Wright that he sees no need to disassociate himself from this church. If it is correct that this priest with these views is a campaign advisor, that is even much more troubling.

    [ Parent ]

    I don't have an issue wth black voters. (3.00 / 1) (#218)
    by Anne on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:57:57 AM EST
    What I have is a question that I cannot answer because I am not a black voter.  And my question was whether the kinds of messages we have heard from people who support and advise Obama have anything to do with their support for him.

    You can try to turn me into a racist for asking the question, if that's what works for you, and I suppose that's one way to ignore what looks to me like a growing racial divide in this country - one that has been growing precisely because of sermons like Pfleger's.

    I asked the question because I saw a lot of people clapping and cheering in that church - applauding some truly ugly comments and characterizations of Hillary Clinton, with emphasis on the color of her skin.  So - is it not fair to ask whether that message resonates with black voters?  Or with any voters?

    And I'm sorry, but I was not the one who injected race into this discussion - race was already there, courtesy of Father Pfleger, and the people at Trinity who apparently welcome and support his philosophy.


    [ Parent ]

    Don't forget Catholics (5.00 / 4) (#83)
    by cmugirl on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:16:48 AM EST
    I AM Catholic, and while it is in the dogma of the Catholic Church to preach social justice, it is NOT part of the dogma to blame one group over others (sorry, Father, I'm not giving up my IRA because my great grandparents came here on boats from Italy, Ireland, Poland, and Croatia in the early 1900's).

    I am, however, going to send this video to all my Catholic friends and relatives.

    Give up our trust funds ... to whom? (none / 0) (#227)
    by Upstart Crow on Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:03:33 AM EST
    Did the video say who we are to give up our trust funds to?

    My boss is African-American.  Do I give it to him?

    [ Parent ]

    Shrug (5.00 / 3) (#84)
    by Steve M on Thu May 29, 2008 at 09:17:17 AM EST
    "Hillary felt entitled to the nomination because she's white."  Sounds like mainstream Daily Kos to me.

    Some people just live to stir up controversy.  This guy loves getting in the news.  He's already a lightning rod for the Right because of the time he told the owner of a gun shop, "We're going to snuff you out."