....on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, IL when Barack Obama made his announcement that he was going to run for president, I suspect folks will began to understand one reason why Rev. Wright is now speaking out.

The Senator invited him to participate in the event, and then uninvited him---without a doubt on the advice of his handlers at the time. I suspect this wasn't the first, or the last, time he/they did similar things to Wright or people involved with the minister/church.

I know this because, after the speech at the Democrat National Convention, Obama became so enamored with his own celebrity that he rejected many Illinoisans who voted him into office. He (his staff and handlers, more precisely) cavalierly rejected requests by community groups in favor of having him travel the country stumping for the likes of Joe Lieberman.

Unfortunately, we thought we were voting for a junior senator from our state (in which, despite what he tells media, was an easy win since his final -- after several changes in candidates on the republican side -- was carpetbagger Alan Keyes) to represent us in Washington. We thought we were voting for someone who would, hopefully, follow in the footsteps of our senior senator Richard Durbin, who followed in the footsteps of high-respected Paul Simon. We expected that he would provide services to us, be visible throughout the state, and show that he cared about Illinois.

Instead, we wound up with a "rock star" easily and effectively controlled by his expert handlers. As a result, Illinois constituents were pushed aside, sacrificed on the altar of higher aspirations, with not so much as an "I'm sorry" or any kind of an indication that he even cared. (Or, perhaps, even knew about us!)

This may sound bitter, but it's based on personal experience. And while those of us who were sacrificed at the altar of Obama's ego and ambitions can't (or won't) speak out, it looks like the senator has met his match in an equally ego-driven - and spurned - man who has nothing to lose. The fact is that there are some people you don't mess with. Obama's handlers messed with Wright, and now their candidate is suffering the consequences.

The funny thing is that many of us will vote for him anyhow if he's nominated. But, as we cast those votes, I hope people will realize President Barack Obama will be a composite of lots of people with different ideas and approaches to issues. Most of them are not African-Americans. Many of them have their own agendas. Some of them are highly-skilled at spinning the facts. He will no more be "the decider" than is George Bush because he bends too easily to his handlers' sometimes-wrong and often self-serving ideas. It's been demonstrated in his interactions with Rev. Wright since that cold day in Springfield, IL when the Senator made his announcement and his handlers pushed aside his pastor. And maybe Jeremiah Wright is trying to warn us of that inevitability.

....who must have grown up in a sheltered enclave in a faroff planet. Or he's just full of crap!

Oh, and please stop insulting those of us who have supported Clinton by calling us Reagan Democrats. Where has the media pulled that from? Probably the same place where Matthews' crap is coming from, I suppose.

And, as we read these comments and waste time discussing a little bully boy's stupidity, the House of Representatives is considering an appropriations bill to fund the Iraq invasion for FY 2009. Now that's something we ought to be concentrating on, don't you think????????????

...for being called a republican-in-disguise, I want to say what I've known all the while but can't seem to make people understand: Barack Obama (a great speech maker) is NOT GOOD in making remarks off the cuff and, just like Hillary Clinton, makes mistakes when he tries to do that. So, of course someone is going to make a big deal out of what he said about Auschwitz----just like we lefties jump in and attack one of our own whenever she misspeaks.

Funny thing is that the book doesn't officially come out until Monday yet everyone seems to be an expert on its contents. Yes, there are some advance copies, but I doubt that most of the folks out there on the speaking circuit from the Bush administration have read more than a few excerpts. Bush hasn't, which has already been confirmed by Dana Perino, and won't (remember that THE MAN DOESN'T READ!!). Nor have the rightwing critics (er...I mean "conservatives"). Nor have the journalists whom McClellan charges with letting him get away with his spinning and flat out BS.

Most of the coverage I saw and heard yesterday when the story hit was top heavy with Bush and Cheney loyalists. Like McClellan was expected to do, they too are out there spinning. Frankly, I found it all amusing---and ordered my copy today.

...widowers into the priesthood, as well as allowing former Anglican (& married.....with families) priests into the Roman Catholic priesthood. A church that uses these kinds of tricks to maintain its all-male club isn't worth having good women waste their time trying to join.

Kinda reminds me of "Catholic divorce" which they call annulment. More nonsense!