Letters to the Editor
debaser
Published Letters: 656 Editor's Choice: 11
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Joan.
[Read the article: I was wrong about Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You seem to be focused on the whole "he stayed there for 20 years" thing. I get that, it's the common theme in all of the chatter about this. But I would think as a self-professed Irish Catholic you'd know how meaningless that actually is. I'm a French Catholic and have been a member of the same parish for over twenty years. I was confirmed there, my sister was married there, my father's funeral was held there and both my nephew's baptisms were there. You'd assume from this that I go there weekly, but I don't. I go maybe once every other month (which is more than anyone else in my family). But if you asked me if I'm a practicing Catholic I'll say yes, and that I'm a member of that parish. And the parish knows me as a member.
I'm sure you know numerous Catholics exactly like me. My priests over the years have said some stunningly offensive things (not to mention their tacit approval of child abuse). But I don't think anyone would ever assume to know me through my priests (even though I've had personal dealings with them many times). If I was to run for political office no one would ever say "his priest is on record saying that he finds gay marriage to be sinful! He does not deserve to be elected!"
I've been thinking about this alot lately, and there really is no other explanation for why my Roman Catholicism wouldn't be an issue were I to run for office...it's because I look white (I'm half Native, but you'd never know it). My religion, and my personal spiritual mentors (the priests I've had at my parish) have held opinions far more odious than what I've heard Wright say...and yet it wouldn't raise an eyebrow. Obama's "Wright" problem is solely because he's black. Can we please admit this?
And so I'm left Joan, wondering why you aren't taking a more strident tone in defending Obama against this pretty naked racism? I mean you've done alot of work exposing and denouncing the sexism on display this primary season...but here we have an example of Obama being eviscerated on racial tones (people can gussy it up with talk of "patriotism" but let's be honest...it's race) and you join in.
why?
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Smith
[Read the article: I was wrong about Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thank you for your reply, it's nice to see that at least every once in a while people actually read divergent viewpoints!
The point I was trying to make was that for someone who has repeatedly referred to herself as a working class Irish Catholic, Joan should know that one of the major points about this flap, the whole "he stayed for 20 years!" thing is rubbish. Most every Catholic I know is exactly the type that I am.
I wasn't talking so much about what Obama should do (mainly 'cause I don't know what he should do when faced with such an "issue"...that's why he's the candidate and I sit here annoyed that my beloved Habitants lost tonight :). My main point was that seeing as how Walsh, as a Catholic, should see how this is obviously being twisted it's confusing that she hasn't responded in the same manner as she has with regards to the sexism one finds.
I firmly believe that this issue is fueled not by "patriotism" but "race"...and I would hope that as editor of a respected left wing publication she would attack this racial issue with the same vigor that she does with sex. But instead we find analysis that quite frankly isn't much different than what I would find over at CNN, and it's confusing.
Look, I know this is a problem for Obama - everyone here knows this...but it becomes quite disheartening to come to our favourite lefty blog and find that the editor isn't standing astride the barricades as it were, decrying the deplorable actions of the MSM.
cheers
p.s. I meant to write initially that Walsh was doing GOOD work on the sexism issue...and not just "work", my bad. If you peruse my history you'll see that at the very least I've never referred to Clinton as "Hillary"...I figure that is the bare minimum of respect one should afford to someone running for The Most Important Job in the World(tm). Rest assured, I am not a knuckle-dragging sexist, I just prefer Obama.
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@myiq2xu...WOW!
[Read the article: Obama "outraged" by Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"I have far more respect for Rev. Wright than Obama
Rev. Wright clearly believes what he says. He may be wrong, he may be crazy, but he has integrity. Obama, on the other hand, will say whatever he needs to say to win."
Wow dude, just...wow.
so I guess the standard response to THIS response will be that he threw Wright under the bus?!?!?
stunning.
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Hutman
[Read the article: Obama "outraged" by Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"Hey, maybe you can go hang out in the rye and catch running children from falling over the cliff's edge. Good luck with that, if you're not too busy busting phonies, that is. Don't pull that hunter's cap too tightly down over your ears."
anyone who references dear Salinger so aptly and hilariously is tops in my books!
cheers!
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@Green Job
[Read the article: Obama: "I am outraged"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"unless Obama is the worst judge of character in the world, easily gulled, or suffering from Early-onset Alzheimer's."
Pardon my language but, Fuck You. Glibness of that kind is neither appropriate nor appreciated. AD isn't a punchline you jackass.