"I've never disputed political calculation plays a part in the actions of either side. I merely believe it is not always the primary driver of what Obama, McCain and Clinton do."

I'd say it is, and everything else is secondary, particularly before either one of them has bagged the nomination. It's so close right now he'd be foolish to take any chances if he didn't have to. But reasonable people can disagree about that I suppose. But the idea that any campaign's dynamics at this stage are primarily ideal driven strikes me as naive.

"Perhaps. Perhaps a few poorly chosen words don't negate a lifetime of service to one's community."

See, I don't believe there's a good choice of words with which to express the idea that the US government invented AIDS to kill blacks. That's not a poor choice of words; it's a aberrant and deformed line of thought.

"If you say so. Personally, I think I just touched a nerve given how visceral your responses are getting."

I'm being gentle with you compared to what I've had to dish out to some of the lefties here when been accused of supporting baby rapes and a having a hard-on for war etc.

"Here's hoping. The last twenty-eight years haven't been easy on anyone."

You clearly weren't alive or aware during the Carter administration. That wasn't easy on anyone either.

"Perhaps. Perhaps a few poorly chosen words don't negate a lifetime of service to one's community."

See, I don't believe there's a good choice of words with which to express the idea that the US government invented AIDS to kill blacks. That's not a poor choice of words; it's a aberrant and deformed line of thought.

As is the thought that 9/11 attacks justify the invasion of Iraq, the Military Commissions Act, and every other idiot act the current Administration has committed. Yet there you go.

I won't try to excuse or justify that particular bit of conspiracy nonsense. Its a prevalent thought within parts of the electorate, so the most you can do is take it for what it is and work to change the dialogue to something more rational.

Then again, given the company McCain keeps and the worsening instability we're seeing these days, the whole "End Days" mythology Hagee and company preach may prove to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"If you say so. Personally, I think I just touched a nerve given how visceral your responses are getting."

I'm being gentle with you compared to what I've had to dish out to some of the lefties here when been accused of supporting baby rapes and a having a hard-on for war etc.

I'll consider myself fortunate then, although you may want to think of getting a ticker skin.

"Here's hoping. The last twenty-eight years haven't been easy on anyone."

You clearly weren't alive or aware during the Carter administration. That wasn't easy on anyone either.

Except I was, and in comparison to the nuclear panic Reagan caused and the decline of American political discourse and mores since then, the late 70s were positively calm and idyllic. But that's simply my view.

Is a blog better than a white sheet and a hood?

Umm, yeah.

Because words are not deeds.

Because words can be refuted, ridiculed, or ignored.

Because words, even hateful and untruthful words, don't hang people on trees in front of their families.

Words have power. Words can change worlds. But people can overcome words. They can't overcome death.

First of all, I, a white woman born and raised in the South, don't take issue with most of what I've heard Pastor Wright say. But, for the sake of argument, if you really believe that a controversial pastor should be rejected by prominent politicians I've got one question for you:

WHAT

ABOUT

PAT?

If you want to talk batshit crazy, Pat Robertson's your guy. You might recall he predicted that the world would end last year. Just sit for a minute and let that one sink in. He said God told him the world would end on April 29, 2007. On the basis of that alone (which is before you even begin to consider his claim to be able to leg press 1800 pounds), he kicks Wright's ass in the "crazy preacher" round.

If you want to argue that it's not crazy that bothers you, but hate, Pat wins that round too. He agreed with Jerry Falwell when the latter said America "probably" deserved to be attacked on 9/11. He's called Episcopalians, Methodists and Presbyterians the "spirit of the Antichrist." He said the Democratic congress wanted to "destroy all Christians." Oh, and don't forget, he advocated the nuking of the State Department, as well as the assassination of Hugo Chavez.

And yet, Pat's no fringe player. It was just a few months ago that it was considered a coup for Guiliani to have obtained Robertson's endorsement for President. Where was all the outrage then? How about the outrage over Robertson's relationship with W? Nope, the press seems to have no problem with a white preacher who is arguably crazy and a documented hater.

This whole "controversy" about Wright and Obama is nothing more than the latest episode of IOKIYAR.

No one could be this far out of touch with reality without drugs. What is this stupid man trying to say? That the 'niggers' have replaced the communists as the enemy of choice. Fifth column - haven't heard that for years. How nostalgic and how typical that he thinks the people who have been harmed by white America for generations might now be considering revenge and to then use that as an excuse for his own intolerance and racism! Why doesn't he join the Klan and get it over with. Better still, he should just shut up because he has nothing useful to say, is a hatemonger and wants to play the race card in the Presidential election. This is dogwhistle politics at its worset.

So when Greenwald links a post, he reads the entire blog to make sure it passes muster? Is that what he's telling us? It must be, because that's what he's telling us Reynolds should have done. Wow, what integrity! Seriously, the world should take notice. He should be drafted for public office, at least.

How about when Greenwald buys a condo? Does he check the neighbors for unsavory backgrounds? Unpaid credit card balances, KKK affiliations, that sort of thing? Why, I'll bet he does! He's that kind of guy!

What about the other Salon writers? Any objectionable articles on the site? (Some might even be touching Greenwald's posts!) What about links in those articles? Maybe Greenwald should quit, just to be on the safe side. I'll bet he does just that, as soon as he reads this. It probably just never occurred to him until now. No stone unturned, that's our Glenn Greenwald!

When Greenwald quits, would you kindly send me a job application? From the evidence at hand, it can't be all that hard to write for Salon.