Letters to the Editor
Ricardo Malocchio
Published Letters: 151 Editor's Choice: 2
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I'm an Obama supporter and no admirer of Clinton, but I can't honestly say this is out-of-bounds.
[Read the article: Clinton: Wright "would not have been my pastor"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm assuming that no one believes there's a corresponding Democratic "golden rule" to the GOP's "speak no ill of fellow Republicans". I might have hoped that instead of the "kitchen sink strategy", our candidates might have run a bit more of a positive campaign against one another, much in the way that Huckabee did in the latter stages against McCain. But the dynamics are very different, and I've been forced to accept the fact that neither Clinton nor Obama will go down without a fight.
If not for New Hampshire, if not for Texas... things might be different. But she's still standing, if only barely. That this accrues to the benefit of McCain is terribly unfortunate, but how am I to ask Clinton supporters to politely shut-up about my candidate? I wouldn't tolerate the same coming from her side.
And I have to live with the obvious fact that there's a double standard in this country. Right-wing religious types like Hagee, Pasley, Robertson, Falwell, Dobson and their ilk simply aren't verboten. Similarly, Hillary's membership in the Fellowship is a non-issue and certainly not something in the slightest bit scary to the vast majority of voters. That I happen to agree with Wright much more than any of the above apparently places me squarely in the minority. And I have to accept that it might cost my candidate the election.
I don't quite understand how so much vindictiveness can be hurled against a man for pointing the finger at US foreign policy, corrupted as it's been over the years by our addiction to foreign oil and the oppressive dictators we support to keep that pump primed. Or for pointing out the goddamn obvious fact that black Americans have some legitimate grievances against the white majority. But, for whatever reason, politicians can cozy up to religious leaders who point the finger of 9/11 blame at our gay brothers and sisters, at the ACLU, at pro-choice doctors, at libertines in general. Officious men who take to the pulpit to say that New Orleans got what it deserved for defying GOD by scheduling a gay pride parade. This apparently does not render anyone unelectable.
It doesn't make me any more of a fan of Hillary knowing that she cozies up closer to these types in the Fellowship while denouncing the Wright types. But I believe that this is what she believes. And I believe that she represents many voters who feel precisely the same way. And I believe it is fair game for her to make an issue of it and to denounce Obama for it.
It's not the Democratic Party as I'd prefer it to be, but then it hasn't been that Party for many decades. Neither is it our country as I'd prefer it to be, and perhaps never was. I can't wish this away; I can only hope that there might be enough of us to change it and enough open minds willing to be changed.
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@redgti2000
[Read the article: Clinton: Wright "would not have been my pastor"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]As deflated as I may sound, no, I haven't abandoned the notion that this country may in fact be on the verge of growing up just a little bit. I've been astonished at what we've seen thusfar, and continue to pinch myself when witnessing Obama's ascendancy. After all, it was only a very short time ago that he was a distant dark horse, when Hillary's lead seemed insurmountable and he didn't even receive a majority of African-American support. Here, in the moment, it's hard to discern what real effect the right-wing echo chamber is having on voters, and I may find myself astonished yet again.
There is one other element to this story that I also find astonishing, but not in a positive way. Does no one else find it remarkable, if not quite incomprehensible, that Hillary chose the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - a right-wing rag owned by Richard Mellon Scaife - to make these comments? And that Scaife was actually sitting at the table?
Is there anyone who more personifies the "Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy" than this man? He of the "Arkansas Project"? And "The American Spectator"? I don't understand. I don't understand. I don't understand. My mind reels.
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@vanco52, according to a blog on the Democratic webpage, a man named Dean J. Snyder is Hillary's pastor, and he had some interesting comments regarding Wright....
[Read the article: Clinton: Wright "would not have been my pastor"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/deborahwilliams/CpVd
A STATEMENT CONCERNING THE REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT
The Reverend Jeremiah Wright is an outstanding church leader whom I have heard speak a number of times. He has served for decades as a profound voice for justice and inclusion in our society. He has been a vocal critic of the racism, sexism and homophobia which still tarnish the American dream.
To evaluate his dynamic ministry on the basis of two or three sound bites does a grave injustice to Dr. Wright, the members of his congregation, and the African-American church which has been the spiritual refuge of a people that has suffered from discrimination, disadvantage, and violence.
Dr. Wright, a member of an integrated denomination, has been an agent of racial reconciliation while proclaiming perceptions and truths uncomfortable for some white people to hear. Those of us who are white Americans would do well to listen carefully to Dr. Wright rather than to use a few of his quotes to polarize.
This is a critical time in America's history as we seek to repent of our racism. No matter which candidates prevail, let us use this time to listen again to one another and not to distort one another's truth.
Dean J. Snyder, Senior Minister
Foundry United Methodist Church
March 19, 2008