The Reverend Jeremiah Wright (updated) (updated again) (and again)
UPDATE Well, read the below and watch the interview, but I will admit that, to quote AmericaBlog, Wright “crossed over into cuckoo-land yesterday, saying that our government created AIDS, among other things.” It’s weird the juxtaposition between the Moyers interview and his self aggrandizing press conference yesterday. I don’t understand….
UPDATE II: Joe Conason argues about how I feel re: the NAACP and press conferences held by Wright earlier this week. You should also google or youtube some of the clips from those, especially the former. It’s amazing how differently Wright can perform there and on PBS. And it’s sad that such a wonderful man would behave so badly for reasons unknown….
UPDATE III: I should make clear that I think this is in no way reflective of Obama, and I’m utterly sick of all the coverage Wright gets, while important issues (and Clinton and more importantly McCain scandals) are ignored by the MSM (mainstream media). Look at the polls! People care more about the economy, about Hillary’s political opportunism, and funnily enough the McCain ties to GEORGE W BUSH (who is actually less popular than the Reverend Wright!), than they do about Obama’s ties to Wright. Whatever the news agents tell you, and they all say Wright is more important, these are the real numbers. Americans know what’s important - can we please try to keep our eyes on the ball?
Original post:
Honestly, what an amazing man. Given Obama and what I know of him from reading both his books and watching his speeches (and my obsessive political followings more generally), I knew Wright was being mischaracterized by the media, but, wow, I had no idea of his lifelong commitment to making a better world. And what unflinching care, forgiveness and pacifism… It’s just striking. I am now a Wright fan, and plan to go see one of his sermons in the midwest when I’m there in the Fall.
Reverend Jeremiah Wright interview, part one
Reverend Jeremiah Wright interview, part two
And Bill Moyers, too - they don’t make them (journalists) like that any more….
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Hi Nathaniel, Sharon just told me you were a fan of Rev Wright. Man, I watched that interview only last night… blown away.. it was amazing.. I don’t think I’ve ever heard such an articulation of the struggle of black america or such a deeply compassionate understanding of our current global predicament…and he’s a priest! See you at DATA.
Comment by john buckley — 28 April 2008 @ 10:49 pm
I’m glad it touched you as much as it did me, John. I hope he’s right about a real dialogue coming out of all of this and the Obama speech…. Yeh, see you at DATA tonight - should be a good one!
Comment by nathaniel — 29 April 2008 @ 10:54 am
WTF is going on???? I listened to his speech, the content was inspiring. He screwed up in question time, too angry… but for the that Wright for President I say…unfortunately it’s just the thing to sink Obama (even if he is a coward!) The Democrats just don’t get it. They always go for this bi-partisan ‘beyond ideology’, basically beyond politics rubbush. Don’t they know who they’re up against?? Depressing stuff all round. Sorry I we didn’t get to speak the other night. soon.
Comment by john buckley — 03 May 2008 @ 11:48 pm
yeh, me too. am actually in Flordia (USA) right now for a family emergency, but let’s grab a beer when i’m back.
Comment by nathaniel — 04 May 2008 @ 12:52 pm