Though I do not agree with what the reverend said, I think it is the context of how he said those comments that makes it truly disturbing. It seems to have been said with a huge sense of passion & conviction, and dare I say it, normality.

There are some things we think, and think good for saying it, and there are some things that we think, and should only think without verbally disclosing it.

In this time of social-sensitivity we should all be consious of this. No-one should think themselves as being anyone else's mouth-peice. We say & write things that we cannot take back. This is our society today, and though it may not be ideal, perhaps this is a hard lesson for us all to always think before we talk, think before we write, and think about what we think.

On what points does Obama agree with Rev Wright? Disagree? Where does Barack stand on black liberation theology? Why does TUCC have a Black Values system and not a Christian Value or American Values System? Where does he stand on the Nation of Islam? on Hamas? Why did his church give Louis Farrakhan a 'Lifetime Achievement' award?

A great speech would have been Obama telling us it is time to end the race issue by everyone taking personal responsibility for themselves and to quit blaming everything on "rich, white men". He could have pointed to himself and his wife as examples of overcoming racial obstacles and succeeding in life. However that kind of talk isn't heard because the black community has to remain the victim in order for Obama to win.

Thank You Roland and CNN for providing America with the truth. The world needs to see and hear about this instead of the little snippets we get on youtube

NOW I DON'T KNOW HOW STUPID MOST AMERICANS ARE ,BUT IF YOU THINK I BELIEVE OBAMA DID NOT HEAR THE SERVICES OF HIS MINISTER AFTER TWENTY YEARS OF SITTING IN PUES YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE HAS A PROBLEM. ARE THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA THAT IN LOVE WITH THE THOUGHT OF OBAMA THAT THEY CAN'T SEE PASS THEIR NOSES,THE REV.MANNING ON YOUTUBE.COM GO TO ATLAH.ORG AND HE MIGHT HAVE A WORD OR TWO FOR YOU.

IT WAS NOT SHOCK AND AWE THAT MADE ME CRINGE WHEN I HEARD OBAMA PASTOR JEREMIAH WRIGHT'S RACIST, ANTI-AMERICAN TIRADES FROM THE PULPIT OF OBAMA'S CHURCH..
ANYONE WHO SCREAMS G....D....AMERICA REPEATEDLY
EITHER LEAVE OUR COUNTRY OR RENOUNCE HIS AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP. TO ME IT WAS A SHOCKING AND REPREHENSIBLE.
BILL RICHARDSON 'S ENDORSEMENT OF OBAMA IS EVEN MORE SHOCKING TO ME AFTER WHAT BILL CLINTON HAS DONE FOR HIM. THAT BRINGS TO MIND BENEDICT ARNOLD THE DISLOYAL (TRAITOR) GENERAL OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

Thanks Mr. Martin for taking the time to dig deeper into the sermons.
The way some are playing this thing you'd think every Sunday was like the few clips they show over and over.
Maybe you could pick a nice "happy" sermon to disect too

We can talk about this all we want but people who were for Rev Wright before will say, 'Yes, that's right' and people who were against him before will say 'That's not right' .

So why not get to what Obama' s record is (not his plans, but his actual record) on National Security, Taxes, Earmarks, Illegal Immigration and Islamic terrorism. Why won't you take up threads comparing Obama/McCain/Clinton on these subjects?

Roland,
Most of the time I agree with you. I realize the media has had a field day with the utube snippets and some of it was taken out of context, I'm quite sure. However, there is no reason, for anyone, white, black,
Asian, or otherwise to say what the pastor said. There is no way to justify damning our beloved country. I am a white American, and I refuse to listen to any justification for this rant. Having said that, I don't think any less of Senator Obama. I liked him before and I like him now.

WoW!!!! Thanks Roland for finding the truth...I guess you have to hear the whole sermon to get an understanding of GOD COUNTRIES....

Excellent write-up Roland... It is so important to put this in context... Kudos to you on responsible journalism.

Thank God for the Prophets in the land. One day America will look back at this prophetic sermon and thank Rev. Wright for shining light on her short comings. America needs restoration and counselling, but she must first acknowledge that she needs it.

I listened to his sermon and don't see a problem with what he said at all. He is telling the truth. To be a true leader as a person or a country you have to accept your strengths and weaknesses, you have to acknowledge you true history. This sermon puts the truth on our plates for dinner. To break it down in an analytical way is to be applauded.

With such tools at many peoples disposal such as the Internet it would seem that many would listen to the entire speech, but too many choose to get their information from 30 second sound bites or through 30 minute news casts. People may disagree with Rev. Wright, but it is in no way racist. In fact I would argue that many of his points are correct. Should he have balanced his negatives truths about America with positive truths? That could be debated, but he is not a politician he is a pastor and taken in its' full context the message he is attempting to deliver could not have been made. You can not however truthfully argue any of his points at all.

Thanks AC for another blog entry worth every bit and byte needed to display it,

Now it is very clear why sen. obama does not wear a flag on his jacket . Also on why he does not put his hand on his heart when the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE is being said.This also answers why he refuses to say the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. WAKE UP AMERICA !
I am an Independent .FOR THE LOVE OF MY COUNTRY HE WILL NOT BE GETTING MY VOTE!!

This entire week TV channels (including all CNN stations) repeatedly broadcast excerpts from Rev. Wright's sermon where he says the chickens have come home to roost.
Until I saw the video of the full sermon, I was not aware that Rev. Wright was quoting from an interview Ambassador Peck had given Fox News. Towards the end he even goes on to say something like "these words are not that of a black militant but those a white man ..." There was a report on this at HuffingtonPost and it has a link to the video of the sermon which lasts about 8 minutes.
I am disappointed that CNN would stoop to the level of Fox News. Why would CNN play snippets from the sermon that makes Rev. Wright look unpatriotic? Is there a hidden agenda here? Will you please investigate this and show viewers what really went on during that sermon? Given the frenzy of the last few days I am not sure whether this email would even see the light of the day. Thanks.

Roland

Thank you for taking the time to pursue this and put it in context. Like you and David, Carl, and Anderson said last night on 360 one must look at what is said in the totality of the person and their background and in its full context.

I'm not sure what I think about it all now but at least I have more to judge it on more accurately than the sound bites we had before.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

Well, it’s nice to see that someone finally bothered to get at the truth. Like with the previous post by Roland Martin, I can’t see anything offensive about this sermon.

I grew up in Germany and went to school there. I learned about black people being held as slaves and segregated and discriminated against, Native Americans being slaughtered and later imprisoned on reservations, Jews being persecuted and killed under Hitler, and many other atrocities people have committed since the dawn of time. These are all historical facts. I don’t doubt that any of it happened.

Here’s what I don’t get: Why do Americans keep rubbing salt into all those old wounds? Who is it helping? How does that make you feel better? Why do you feel this need of endlessly discussing things that happened decades or hundreds of years ago? Nobody can change the past; all we can do is learn from it. But Americans never seem to learn anything from the past. If you did, you would let bygones be bygones and move on to the present and future.

Why don’t Americans concentrate on the here and now? If there are any injustices or discrimination going on, yes, by all means, let’s talk about that and let’s fight that. But constantly bringing up old wounds of your forefathers serves only one thing: to incite hatred and
counter-hatred. Yes, that’s all it does.

I am a white person. I never did anything to a black, Native American, or Jew. To me they are just people. I certainly would not want a Jew or African American or anybody else hurt me because some white person a hundred years ago mistreated his or her relative or maybe even just somebody unrelated and unknown, simply because they had the same color skin. This is just total insanity.

By the way, I’ve met quite a few Native Americans and I never heard one of them whine and complain about what the white people did to them. Why don’t the African Americans follow suit and just grow up and get over slavery already. It’s all very old news.

We women all know what it’s like to be discriminated against and abused. This is still going on today. Let’s fight the problems that are plaguing us today instead of worrying about the past. It’s time to move into the 21st century, people!

Roland,
You did it once again man!!

As I read this I remembered some of the sermons I have heard in my own church that was similar to this but with no racial innuendos thrown in. I go to a non-denominational church but the pastor preaches just like Wright in what they call the pentecostal preaching. So I am used to these types of sermons. They get down and dirty and tell it like it is. You aren't supposed to like it. It is supposed to make you think and change yourself for the better.

Saying that I will say that I don't think that Wright is saying anything that a lot of other preachers haven't said before. He is saying that because the U.S. thinks it is so big and doesn't need anyone's help including God's that these things that we do are coming back to bite us. And it does say in the Bible that those who think that they are above God are damned already. And the US. has kicked God out of about just everything because we try to be too pc!!

On some things he did go a bit too far! But no one is perfect and everyone has faults. No matter if you want to admit it or not everyone has some racial prejudices from when they were growing up even if you mean to or not. Who are we to judge him!?

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.

Powerful sermon. I don't see where anything he says isn't accurate. I wish the Reverend lived in Los Angeles so I can attend his church: Lord knows I haven't been in years because of the lack of strength and leadership in the clergy.

When Obama wins the Presidency, it will be the first time I will salute the flag and pledge my allegience since I was 10 years old. That's 28 years ago! I'll look forward to taking off my hat at a ball game and putting my hand over my heart.

Roland – thank you for reporting into this further – but shame on CNN for burrying this and the other full story on the 9/11 comments (as it was on the CNN home page before) and NOT addressing this on any of this on any of the broadcasts this evening. Also, shame on ALL the networks for not providing the people with the full story and just providing them with selective sound bites. Whether people agree or disagree with Wright, the people deserve to hear the full story – in context. The media is taking subjects that are so sensitive to so many people and blowing it up for ratings.

The media should be ashamed for doing this and the public at large should be ashamed for buying into it so readily. We have met the enemy and it really is us.

Amen.
But let's all go crazy and screw freedom of speech, and lynch Mr. Wright. Let's noose up Mr Martin for good measure as well for how dare he look for context or the whole story or the truth. Of course America IS God, because we have the power to bomb the rest of the world into silence, just like God supposedly can...but then again maybe not as God supposedly flooded the world once but even then he had mercy on Noah. what a softee. If punishments were left to America the God we would have done it right, scorched even the baby feeding on her mother, for how dare the child does not bow down to America daily at least 5 times a day. God could never damn America no, we would destroy all mention of God if He tried. America damns God, but we will keep him around as long as it serves our purpose, because it's easier to make people believe "In God we Trust" than if we tried "In America We Trust".

-Dick C.

Roland,
Wright is a radical coo-coo! Have you listened to and read Michael Meyers(NY Civil Rights Coilition) LA Times op-ed "Obama Blew It! THAT is where AMERICA IS! And needs to be! If you keep defending Wright, you will go down in a blaze with him and OBAMA. The moderate media (you know those you refer to as the far RIGHT) has called you (CNN) out on being an OBAMA safe ZONE! Now you(CNN) are the far (coo-coo) LEFT fringe of reality.

There will NEVER ever be any acceptable excuse for the statements of Rev Wright. Many people of many colors, shapes, sizes, ethnicities have worked toward equal treatment of ALL people. To belong to or affiliate or defend a group which segregates themselves and allows their mantra to be..."we are such victims"...Instead of "we can help ourselves" has no place in our CIVILIZED and equal society.

I believe that the "OUTING" of the radical Rev Wright was an Act of GOD and we should all see this as devine intervention, because he(God) could no longer allow the hate and vile committed in that segment of our society to continue. AMEN

After this Rev Wright episode, the lingering feeling I have is that somehow this was all my fault due to some inherent racism in me. Its not unifying me to others, it's making me feel bad

Thank you for putting this into context of the entire sermon. While I don't agree with some of his "facts", for the most part, he's right. I get what he's saying. America isn't the land of opportunity for everyone. If you think it is, you're delusional. I work in education. I can tell you education is still not equal, kids still get left behind, and current best practices are often a joke. I've worked in social services with addiction and HIV/AIDS (and the HIV and addiction conspiracy theories are all bunk, by the way). This pastor is right on so many other counts, though, it should scare America for the right reasons, like mainly changing things for the better for those who have been disenfranchised for multiple generations. I have been one of the naysayers to Obama and his church. I admit to being wrong after reading both speeches today in full. I am glad you shared these with viewers. The media should do a better job of getting facts straight before the smear campaigns start. But then it wouldn't be as destructive to a person's reputation and campaign. The sad thing is, people are still going to hate even though the facts are there. People will still be narrow minded. The media will always have hidden agendas. And America still loses when that mentality is allowed to run rampant.

Obama is a master of diverting attention away from anything that may be an Obama flaw and redirecting it to - oops, you guessed it, OUR racism, NOT HIS racism, not his pastor's racism . What a phony.

If Americans elect a President with a person in his inner circle who hates America, then it's our own fault if we get a nanny state. Obama nevers speaks against the welfare state. It's gimme gimme gimme irresponsible babies who want someone else, especially the government to take care of them. That's who I see increasingly posting on the political blogs, irresponsible babies who want the government to be their nanny. Obama is perfect for them.

Will somebody please let jimmy (the first blogger up above) know this is year 2008. And give him a pillow, he needs some sleep.

What is your point Roland?
The bottom line is none of this gives you hope or represents change.
And your candidate Obama saw this man as a mentor and admired him for 20 years.

And what is worse is that the FACT that Obama didn’t have the backbone to object.
He only did it when it was jeopardizing his candidacy. Stop dividing us

This is not the way to be healed or to move on.

God bless America. God bless this nation. .

Thank You for that I now understand what he meant and although I wish it would would have been said differently I understand it. I wish CNN or someone would play the whole section of when he says God damn America because it is understandable and not in any way unpatriotic. It means the goverment may and will fail some people but God never will.

Since Mr. Obamba stereotyped me as a typical white person I am the proud owner of a Democrat against Mr. Obamba for president. Why CNN lets him put down the very fabric of my being and say " It is white mans fault" is beyond me.

Mr Obama is at the very soul of the black folks problems. They can't move forward because they are stuck in the past. Just listen to the Reverend speeches. It has always been in the best interest of black leaders to keep blacks down. His speech this week just confirmed that. Makes no difference which incompetent white or black person becomes president we will still have bad government. We the people have no voice in our government and Obambas speech this week just confirmed for me what the black community has felt all along.

No more black white meeting. No more lets get along. You want to get along then just do it. But don't ask me to pay anymore taxes for what you see is something that happened to you from the past. Those folks are dead. Just like my relatives were murdered in WWII.

Let it go. Lord Let it go. Just let it go.... and you will be saved.

Obama's smooth, real smooth. Never trust a man that smooth. He's a lawyer, a salesman, used to getting what he wants, advancing. And boy has he laid a snowjob on us now. He was faced with denouncing Rev Wright's comments, so he did it without being specific, but while still representing Wright's views. He deftly did both without stepping on too many toes.If there's one thing that stands out for me from this scandal it's that Obama doesn't want us to know the plans he has for America, nor is he interested in sharing his real views with us because his support is so great he doesn't need to.

obama is a big problem for the democratic party....................

wow,u can tell this is politically motivated,we see people burning the american flag which i believe is the most degrading thing to do but it seem to fly by with no uproar

Thank you, Roland. This continual analyzing and overanalyzing of Rev. Wright and Obama's relationship is digusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the only thing they can find on this man. No one is perfect, all of the candidates have skeletons and the media is destroying the BEST option out there for President!!!!!!!!! And I do not believe that it is by accident! There is plenty of dirt on Hillary and McCain and the best we can do is to burn Obama for something his Pastor said 7 years ago. He has been more upfront than any person we have every had. This country is so used to DIRTY candidates that they want to tar and feather the closet candidate that we will ever have to, HONEST.

Obama is 1/2 WHITE, WHY AND HOW CAN HE BE RACIST OR HATE WHITE PEOPLE? It would mean that he hates HIMSELF , and this man does not carry himself in that manner. Because of that fact that he is 1/2 WHITE AND 1/2 BLACK, HE UNDERSTANDS THE ISSUES OF BOTH RACES. A concept that many commentators really do not want to see OR ADDRESS it is OKAY FOR HIM TO TALK ABOUT WHITE AND BLACK PEOPLE BECAUSE HE IS BOTH WHITE AND BLACK. I can discuss the issues that woman face, BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN, DOES THAT MAKE ME A RACIST?

CNN, MSNBC, and all the rest of the news media stink!!!!! These were not Obama's words and they have been talking about what this guy said 7 years ago for 10 DAYS!!!!! Geraldine Ferraro's hateful comments, that she said 2 weeks ago were carried by the news media for 3 DAYS!!!

John McCain has endorsements from Pastors who have said controversial statements, why aren't they being continually played everyday like a broken record???? Your station is guilty of playing on the prejudices of people and as far as I am concerned CNN is worse than Jeremiah Wright. The know the full context of the speech, but they prefer to keep broadcasting the sound byte to stir people up.

Everyone, can just sit back and wait for the Republicans to remain in office and for us to stay in this war for another 100 years. The US is on it's way to becoming a third world country and as far as I am concerned many of his comments regarding the US are true, we focus on hatred and evil and not love, truth and honesty. God Help Our Country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robinhood, first of all you are not Obama's grandmother. Secondly, Obama is also white. Obama is at liberty to say his grandmother is a 'typical white' person because he is white. If he said his grandma was a typical black person, there would be no issue. It’s time for white folks to accept that Obama is one of them too. In the past when a light colored black tried to pass as white they were beaten. Don’t beat Obama. He’s white and he’s black. He is free to talk as both races.

i really do not see anything wrong with it at all,people like lou dubbs and fox news love to take things and run with it for ratings

Roland, your pretty boy Obama will never win the presidency. Americans are not going to vote for someone who supports a racist like Wright. Obama should get out now instead of damaging the Democrats more.

Why is a cnn "journalist" not presenting both sides to a story?

C'mon Mr Martin we know that their (Wright and Obama) philosophy is one that believes Big Government can "fix" the problem. It's a way of thinking that ignores the fact that $7 trillion- yes trillion has been spent in this country since the "war on poverty" began. That's $7 trillion in the transfer of wealth - but money will not cure the problem. That proves big government is never the answer.

The problem is that Democratic politicians rely on the creation of a voter plantation to remain in power. The problem is convincing people that they cannot control their own destiny, and that it's someone else's fault. Wright and Obama are both masters at creating that climate. The problem is that that's not what America is about. The problem is liberalism.

Some of you people are really pathetic. How many of times have you gotten in a disagreement because you were not very tactful in your approach to a situation? Our ministers are not supposed to be tactful and polite when it comes to helping the Lord save our souls. They are supposed to be piercing in some respects because eternal damnation is a lot more intense than any language that came come from a minister's lips. Let's face it...there are many people (whether they want to admit or not) that feel that this government and the country has failed them. Not immigrants or aliens....native landers who are losing their jobs, losing their homes, losing their families because this government has forgotten about the many and has concentrated on the few. And its that's a pill that we cannot swallow just because we want to be tactful....then same on us for being so cowardly to not face the mirror to our own shortcomings and failures.

I am a White 70+ woman and find Dr. Wrights sermons distrubing, somewhat untruthful and comdemning all for the sins of a few.

Maybe my point is, that I would not sit in a church that preaches hate more than love, preaches division more than community and politics more than the gospel. This is how NOT to bring the nation together.
Senator Obama shows his Black side to one group of people but wants the rest of us to see his non-racial side. He is playing the race card, even when he says he is not.

Roland.

Thank you for taking the time to dig deep and share the truth. As always, there will be closed minded individuals that we not read or take the time to attempt to understand the context in which these words were uttered. It is also sad that your exploration into these sermons will not gain the media’s attention as much as the negative side of the sermons did.

I'm glad I read the whole sermon. While I do not agree with his choice of language in certain sections I do think he has a point with the message he is trying to convey. Being white, I obviously have no idea what it's like to be black but I have had people treat me badly for other reasons that is also considered bias. No matter the reason it's ignorance or fear that keeps people in their prejudice.

Unfortunately, the problem is that people are too busy making huge generalizations which just makes racism and prejudice worse. For any person to hold a whole group accountable for something is wrong. To say all blacks are this or all whites are that is why we have the problems we have today. I live in a city where there are some racial issues. I have seen and heard people do(say) things about blacks that are not great and usually it's because they take one person or group that doesn't do their community justice and say "they are all like that". But it also goes for the other way around. I have heard the same from black people against white people, but again it's due to the one or two idiots that say or do stupid thing. We are NOT ALL THE SAME. Some people are good at heart and some are not, but that has nothing to do with the color of their skin. I hope one day we can all be judged by the person we are not by bias and prejudice of ethnicity or religious belief.

I must say that black Americans are a very strong and resilient people. After 400 years of slavery, several more years of lynching and injustice, they still have the ability to smile and love the race that enslaved and terrorized them. That is the power of God. Only the love of God can heal the wounds of the past. I pray that white Americans will take time and patience to really understand the plight of the black race and not have a “get over it” attitude. Trust me if the tables were turned and it was the Africans who bought white slaves to work in the fields of Africa, I’m almost certain whites would not heal as fast as the blacks have. My Jewish brothers and sisters have suffered and are still suffering and we will never forget the holocaust. Jews and Blacks are the only two races with a history of 400 years of slavery. All I ask is for a little more patience and understanding. Thank God for Barack Obama who has a little piece of white and black (and some) in his DNA.

I expect more from our leaders. Sen. Obama’s comments of, “typical white people� as extremely offensive and shows the double standard accepted by some of mainstream America. I live in a racially mixed middle class community in the suburbs of Philadelphia. I own a tavern there. My staff or I do not tolerate offensive behavior and although his comments would have not have gotten him tossed from the bar he would have been called on it and watched more closely.

What about Obama saying "typical white person" – I'm offended , how racist!

I knew when I saw you ,Martin, on CNN, there was something there! substance! You have done the one thing that nobody was willing to do!
I am a big fan of Anderson Cooper, he made me so proud during the KATRINA mess, he just told it like it was, no spin. His one-liner on AC 360 is about letting a story tell itself...getting out of the way.... this time,,he let me down, please tell Anderson, i will still watch his program, but he needs to tell me why he did not INVESTIGATE before he joined the gang that shot down the one guy who has dared talk about race. Whether he had no choice or not or if it was the politically necessary thing to do,does not matter, after you hear the speech , the content of that speech, you will have to examine yourself.

Those sermons in context make sense, no lies were told, Rev. was angry.......he is allowed that, because he was talking about issues that anger and frustrate, we are allowed that, this country has some sins, every country has sins.He did not lie about that, we just do not want to hear it! Shame on us! This is from a man of God and a former US marine, i say, he is not a racist, i say he is an angry black man, torn between the gospel and what his country has dealt him!

It was far more "entertaining" to pretend to know a man based on a bunch of clips of his life! It is easier and more fun to bash Obama or Hillary or whomever over petty stuff tha pondering what he candidates think about he fact that i am about to pay $4 a gallon! Just like it is irrelavant to me where Hillary was while Bill was getting his groove on,that does not tell me how we will prevent a 12 hr wait at the ER!

There are no perfect people, America does not need a perfect president, it needs a unifier and a tell it like it is.....the people should not be looking for one guy to change things, we should look to ourselves to change things. If you liked Obama cause he is the "feel-good, Hallelujia"candidate of the decade, you are supporting him for the wrong reasons, he has substance, go to his website, we are just so used to things a certain way that we cannot see anything outside of the norm ever working!

I would like to thank Mr. Martin for trying to get to the bottom of this controversy. Although I'm sure the pundits do not want to look at it in the context of the whole sermon, because they want to continue to try to sabotage Obama's campaign. The news media is not going to focus on the context of the whole sermon because it would show them to be wrong in trying to persuade America against Barack Obama. Even though they would profess to have no agenda they are in fact all white. And though Obama spoke in his speech about the issues of race, the white media immediately went to work to find whatever fault they could with what was a great speech. They don't benefit if there is no controversy to talk about. If they would leave the issue alone it would go away. I am sure many more Americans than would step up an profess the truth (this includes many in the media) we all have someone, mother, father, uncle, aunt, grandfather, grandmother, or some ancestor who harbored racist attitudes about either blacks, Jews, or immigrants. Yet we try to pretend like we love or loved everyone and race doesn't matter. We are hypocrites and we need to get real and let the candidates get back to the issues and not continue this bickering that the media is enjoying.

Bill Clinton's endorsement today of Senator McCain raises serious concern about Mrs Clinton's loyalty to her party. President Bill Clinton's endorsement follows Mrs Clinton's earlier show of support for Senator McCain. The publlic needs to know under which banner the Clintons are seeking nomination.

Obama's cowardice in failing to accept responsibility, blaming others (conservatives) for lgitimately questioning his veracity and complete lack of judgment, his illogical and offensive moral equivalence and ultimate justification of black hate-speech shows he is a well-educated but nonetheless ignorant, cowardly charlatan selling the same snake oil that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have been selling for decades - only now it's in a more sophisticated package and costs three times as much.

Wow, you guys are doing "investigative" reporting now??

...maybe you guys should have done that before airing the 3 second clip 500,000 times. You guys are pathetic and are starting to remind me of Fox News.

It's sad that some white folk are willing to eat rice for the next few years rather than vote for Barack. White men, like myself, need to resign themselves to knowing that a ethnic gentleman can and should lead this country. Get a grip and get over it. All of this racial flap further makes me believe that if some white folk get to heaven and discover that Jesus is anything but white, many will be handed a ticket straight to hell because they will begin swearing right in front of Him. WE ARE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN AND HE DOES NOT HAVE RESPECT OF PERSON (which includes race).

If any of my future children decide to run for President one day, I guess I'll have to warn them that the media and America is going to judge you on what church you attend and what your pastor says in his sermons. So be sure not to miss a sermon or just don't go to church at all like Hillary.

Lou wake up and smell the coffee, you speak of why WE can’t move forward in the democratic party….. WE must first acknowledge the past which is what this HONEST dialogue is supposed to be ….
HONESTLY had the video of two men being run down by cars, there would have been a public out cry. But the cars were driven by SC. Police and victims black; so lets pretend it didn’t happen.
HONESTLY had Gov. Richardson given his support to Clinton, would this be the “Identity campaign�.
HONESTLY Nobody wants to push aside the Tragic history of the Jewish people.. but we all would like to move on from SLAVERY, can’t move on by pretending it didn’t happen.
Minorities in this country don’t want reparations or a hand out...
“We want cops to start shooting unarmed white men.�
(Sounds crazy doesn’t it)
The American people have not dealt with past by being “Politically Correct�; by not calling Mr. Obama the N word.
What the media is doing is asking (quietly) “did you notice he’s black�??
Rev. Wright is not running for office nor was chosen as VP.
Gov. Richardson couldn’t have given his support to the best man for the job.
HONESTLY, Lou Dobbs you need to take an HONEST look in the mirror..
Hal B

This article is proof that when statements, and video clips, are taken out of the context they were made in misunderstanding follows.

Wright is nothing but a joke. I can see why obama and his wife feel the way they do, especially after listening to him for 20 years. If this man hates America so bad, why don't he leave. We do not need someone that racist in this country.

It's obvious that in April of 2003 Rev. Wright didn't like Bush or his administration. He' was not alone in those feelings. Many white people felt the same way. However, there are more constructive ways to promote change. Did Rev. Wright actively encourage his congregation to vote for Al Gore? Or John Kerry? Did he encourage them to contact their Senators or Congressmen? Did he encourage them to do "missions" to help those less fortunate then they were? Did he encourage them to volunteer their time or services?

Maybe when Sen. Obama made the comment "It's a racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years." he was referring to Rev. Wright.

roland,

we are sick and tire of your spin concerning obama. you talk how obama is trying to bring change to politics; however, all you do is spin spin spin for this guy. what will he have to do in order for you to say something thats true about his campaign that may be negative. you are a typical obamacrit when it comes to spinnig to win p.s i'm tired of seeing you 5 times a day saying your being honest when you can't even be honest with yourself.

Why will CNN not show the context of the videos and give viewers the right to make up their own minds based on a fair presentation. Wait, of course, the truth is not news worthy.

The Pastor's legacy's been destroyed to fuel ratings.

Its about time somebody in the media took a look at the totality of the career's worth of sermons by Rev. Wright instead of the constant 10 minutes worth of soundbites. Roland, how about looking at some random selection of his sermons for analysis? My guess is that the Youtube soundbites we are endlessly tormented with might be the sum total of his controversial remarks.

But, more to the point, can we move on already from this whole Rev. Wright controversy? The media, including CNN, has proved to us all that they can beat the life out of any candidate they wish. It's about time to take the foot off his throat and let him up already. I mean, when 2 on-air newspeople at Fixed News Network no less, start saying enough is enough with their Bash-Obamathon, you know its time to move on.

When does Reverend Wright get to the part about being like Christ?

thank you for posting the full speech.Now if you can tell Archie Bunker oh i mean Lou Dobbs to read the entire speech maybe we can stop beating this dead horse.

I'm a little confused by some of the commentors who seem to believe that racism is an issue of the past and that it no longer affects blacks–they apparently aren't aware of the many studies which show that blacks can still be subject to unfair and unequal treatment when it comes to health care, buying homes or cars and getting loans–while there has been progress over the years in terms of equality, there is still a lot of disparity and black leaders aren't trying to "keep blacks down" or keep them stuck in the past by addressing these issues, they are only pointing out the facts.

Listen people....The reason this disparity still carries on is because the U.S. has refused to apologize for Slavery. Flat out refused. I'm not talking about individual citizens having to apologize, the Government refuses. But Native Americans have gotten an apology. Why?

If a white candidate said that a black person was just a "typical black person", that candidate would be finished.

Thank you Roland for the complete sermon.
It is true that Americans have over stepped their bounds.
We have been the bullys of the world and we just keep running over people to get what we want.
I appreciate you printing the whole sermon so it makes much more sense.
Rev. Wright is really speaks the truth in whole. We should listen.
I feel completely differently about this now.
Thanks and PEACE!

PEOPLE CAN CONVOLUTE THAT SERMON ANY WAY THEY WANT TO COVER THE RACISM ...IT IS STILL RACIST .

To say that, "Fighting for peace is like raping for virginity " ... is only a statement to support the racist base of the sermon.

We are not fighting for peace ... we are fighting for freedom and independence for ourselves and those who have been tyrannized. But I suppose if you wanted to stir a stink and work the people into a lather against their government ... you would have to convolute the truth to serve your need to convince masses.

"G.D. America" ... sounds allot like the "death to all americans chant " and the fact that blacks and other races REFUSE to assimilate themselves ..... OR BE IDENTIFIED AS TRUE AMERICANS SHOULD BE A MAJOR CONCERN !!!!!! .....
Couple it with all the hatred he could squall out at the CLINTONS because they are white and not dirt poor...... and other anti white American comments .... over a period of 20 years ....

If you can still call Obama ELECTABLE .... then I wish you would get out of my country. THIS IS MY COUNTRY ... MY FATHERS FOUGHT FOR MY FREEDOM HERE ... they fought for yours too .... long before anybody ever heard of Martin Luther King... Louis Farrakahn ... Jesse Jackson ... Al Sharpton and anyone else that wants to excuse black racists for inciting disorder and incivility .

If a white church spewed that garbage every week .... there would be Sharptons and Jacksons in TRIBAL ATTIRE AND PAINTED FOR WAR ALL OVER THE PLACE .... demanding prosecution for hate speech... and the fact that Obama won't denounce any of it SPEAKS VOLUMES ! ! !

God blesses everyone, everywhere.

Learn to deal with it.

Since when are sermons about American foreign policy?

OHHH PLEASE,.... I AM SO TIRED OF THE RACE CARD ALREADY. TYPICAL WHITE PEOPLE.I THINK OBAMA NEEDS THERAPY. MAYBE HIS GRANDMOTHER HAS RACE ISSUES ... I DON'T......

Roland – can you answer me why in the world Obama would say "typical white person?"

There's no such thing as typical white person any more than there is such a thing as a typical black person.

Thank you. Thank you.

I have longed to see someone give us the whole sermon, and now it says something completely different.

Kudos to CNN for having the guts to post it, though it should be front page. It would solve a lot of this debate.

I think Sen Obama and rev Wright and every other blind-with-hate leftist miss the point that slavery was not motivated by race but by money. Alex Haley, in "Roots" informed us that Africans rounded up fellow Africans of lesser means.Those slaves were brought into this country by land owners who wanted cheap labor. It didn't matter what color the labor was. The racism we see today doesn't have its roots in color of a man's skin but in love of money.

Amazing, CNN is screening the blogger's and deleting what they feel is negative toward Obama. What is we could delete CNN of the tv and satelite!

Obama can throw around the race card and make us all think were racist, even his own grandmother. Oh, by the way I'm black so please "let down" throw out the typical white people stuff.

Roland: Sounds like you are getting your share of sermons today! This sermon was very interesting. Not quite sure what to make of Pastor Wright now. I would love to hear one of Wright's sermon's which inspired Obama too. Then, I would get the entire "360" view of this Pastor. Thanks.

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

Thanks to Roland Martin for actually doing some real research, and some real reporting on the Wright affair, and finally bringing some actual sanity and contextualization to bear. This is still a very harsh sermon, with some outrageous and false assertions (about AIDS for instance), and Obama is right to distance himself from those words. Ironically, however, the central sentence about damning America that has caused so much offense is not nearly as outrageous as it first appears.

It is based on a substantive argument about America's external and internal bad deeds (in which not only African Americans but also Japanese Americans and Native Americans are included as victims). It also seems to me based on a fairly standard theology, that any decent religious leader, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish or whatever, would understand, which is that when a government, a human institution, starts playing God, that is when the trouble starts.

The key sentence here is:
"God Damn America as long as she tries to act like she is God and she is Supreme.�

In other words, it is what Wright sees as the American government's claim that "she" is to all intents and purposes equivalent to God, in other words nationalist idolatry, that is the reason for damning America, for America is trying to replace God. That "as long as" is a key conditional–for if America's government and people were to act with proper humility, knowing that they were not God, but UNDER God, then America would not be damnable.

This is a hard thing to say, but it is the duty of preachers to preach truth to power, and if anyone remembers what it was like in this country back in April 2003, then I think what Wright says here is brave, and theologically sound. You can disagree, but from a reliigous perspective it cannot be deemed unpatriotic or irreligious. Indeed it is precisely those that do equate America with God, the extreme nationalists, who are being idolatrous and in that sense bad patriots.

Why is the whole speech any better? It rambles and still has the same message – outrage. It is not just the words he speaks. It is the manner in which he speaks them. When he says God DAMN America, the emphasis is defientely on the DAMN. You can explain away but the truth is that Jeremiah Wright is a very emotional experience. You can't just pick apart the words and ignore the emotions behind them. If white people cannot understand the "black" experience. maybe it is true that black people cannot understand the "white" reaction to these emotional expressions.

There's nothing new under the sun. Some Americans are still racist but most are fair minded and will listen to any candidate whether black white, woman, man. There's nothing new under the sun.

Happy Easter-Peace of the Lord with you all

That the Rev. Wright was brave enough to give a sermon like this speaks volumes about his and Sen. Obama's character. After watching Sen. Obama's speech on race, I was overcome with a sense of satisfaction that when I voted for him in the Ca. primary , It was the only time in my adult life that voted for someone I believed could move this country in a different direction.
After reading and listening to people slam the Rev. and Sen Obama. I understood why people were overwhelmingly willing to follow Pres. Bush into the abyss we call Iraq. We as a people are unwilling to ask the hard quetions. In this case why does our country act like it does, in who name does it act and can our actions around the world be causing our problems at home.
For me the change and hope that Sen. Obama represents is that this is a great country and we have our problems. We have caused injury to some of our own citizens, but we can do better .

Thank God Jesus came 2000 years ago, because today he wouldn't have lasted 3 years on earth. His harsh words to the money changers in the temple would not have been well received. He would have had to be politically correct for the media, instead of flowing in the prophetic and being the voice of God. He definitely would have been killed much sooner with the vicious unbelievers that exist today. It seems the descendants of the Pharisees and Sadducees are alive and well.

This is a sad country. We will continue to polarize, and continue to live an American lie. These aren't conversations. It's just so sad that everyone is so angry. From most of the people posting here, and down to Wright.

Why cut and splice his sermons? What was that for? People don't get it. They want us to be mad and angry, and that's what is happening.

Realize that there is predjudice in almost everyone. Regarding blacks, whites Latinos. Asians, fat people, women, gays, etc. Mostly everyone has a preconceived idea. And everyone...Obama iincluded...can misspeak.

But let's continue to call him a racist. Because everything he's done proves that!

It is amply clear that many of the posters on here comment without having read what was written in the article nor having listened to Sen. Obama's March 18th speech on race.

Being negative and hateful is EASY. Cranking open your mind a notch or two to try to understand other viewpoints is DIFFICULT. Hmmmm...

Ok, Rev. Wright said some things that were not accepted well by people that wasn't even in the same state and everyone one else! Obama shouldn't be jugded by what someone else says. And there's this 'white folk' comment, I'm trying to understand how has he thrown his grandmother under the bus? It is true that older white people sometimes say racial slurs around thier families, not meaning to degrade that person, but maybe thats all they know. Now everyone is going to try to say that is why they will not vote for him. Thats my man!I take nothing from Hillary, but the little guy from Iran is not going to respect the US. I would be in fear of my life if she was elected, wouldn't you America?

I knew this was going to happen as a blogger stated above. You want every white person to apologize for slavery. Is this where we've gotten to with Obama! So how much do you want? Would you prefer a check or cash with your request? Being black, I'm insulted that someone would expect our goverment to repay us for something that happened al long time ago. Leave it in the past or at least tell Obama to.

To Jerimiah: Someone that racist should leave. Then how many of your friends and relative do you want to leave. You and yours are not sinless. Be careful of what you wish on others. You yourself sound like a racist.

Roland-There is no appropriate context to the quotes. In your attempts to restore Obama to his lofty status you have lost all objectivity. Reverend Wright deliberately spreads hate, anger, and falsehoods in order to elevate himself in the eyes of his pawns. There is no excuse for this. It is simply wrong!!

Well said! Anyone reading this who oppose it whole-heartedly are afraid of the truth, and furthermore fear it. Become aware that our history is a huge influence in our lives. Just as oppression and being disenfranchised still resonates in the hearts of many blacks, ignorance, selfishness, and arrogance is clearly still prevalent among some white americans.
By the way, Rev. Wright does not influence Obama's governing, he influences his spirituality, and last time I checked it's how you will govern not how spiritual you are that determines electability!

Would the mainstream media and the public want to "move on" if George Bush referred to someone as a "typical black person?!"

If Obama becomes president we will see change that will reverse all the progress that's been made over the last century. We have evolved but if he steps into office our children will have no future and our country will spiral in crisis.

I don't think Obama is a good choice but not for any "racial" reason. His financial experience is non-existent, he wants tax hikes. That's not leadership.

I don't think we should automatically assume he's a healer. No President should have that much power. It's what in a person's heart that causes them to do what they do. relax, and don't let Washington have that much power over you.

Wright says the Government knew pearl Harbor was going to be attacked? That is crazy. Wright says the government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color? Not to mention other remarks. Read this ppl! If this is not an anti-Government bunch of ppl, I'd like to know who is! If this were white people, law officials would be getting in on this. Is a church the kind of place where you need to be talking anti Goverment and racial remarks like this? I don't think so. But just to enlightened Wright and his members, including Obama, if it weren't for one war, the civil war, which many American's died, Wright and Obama would not have the freedom to give these ANTI-AMERICAN sermon. Unthankful, irrogant bunch of jerks.

Mo, If George Bush refered to his grandma as a typical white person, would you have a problem? No. Because he too is white. Newsflash... Obama is also white.

Ali, Why didn't slave traders go to Scandinavia and ask Scandinavians to round up Scandinavians of lesser means. Please. They wanted strong workers and people who could endure the sun. It was a matter of money and race.

As a white person can you not call a family member typical? I think you can. As a black person can you not call your family members typical? I think you can. He is part white, right?

Jesus was crucified on this day, people. He died for all our sins. These things we fight about are so freakin trivial. Why don't we all...all of us...Black and White...take a chill pill in our own lives. Take a step away from some of the things we say secretly in our homes every now and then? Let that be a starting point. When you point a finger, there are 3 more pointing back at you.

If George Bush referred to his grandmother as a “typical black person� and she was actually black, what would be the problem? If Sen. Obama’s grandmother has a problem with him describing her as “typical�, I’m sure she could just pop him upside the head. THEY ARE FAMILY. They love each other. I suppose that he could have called her atypical.

Wright and Obama both scare me. Obama's just smarter so he shows a polished facade.

The thing is, we can't show a direct relation between Sen Obama's actions and Rev Wright's bitter racism. That's because Obama has kept his beliefs hidden. He has voted "PRESENT" in the Senate so many times, voters have no idea what this guy stands for! That's the scary part.

Can we just get along? We all have different skin colors...we still bleed the same BLOOD, right?

I would like to ask all the blogger tonight a question. Why is it that there are so many (media included) people trying to explain what it is that Obama means whether in speeches or his relationship with Pastor Wright. It seems all these people are tripping all over themselves to do so. Why?

One more thought–why is this excellent article (and same goes for the one on the 9/11 sermon), which goes to the heart of the Obama/Wright affair, so difficult to find–on a blog, rather than being up front and center of CNN's coverage, both on the website and on the cable broadcast? Come on CNN, let the truht out!

WOW, after reading this it is even more disturbing than the 30 second sound bites. I am a "Typical White Person" and really feel like this democratic race has turned brutally racial. I will be voting for Hillary and if she doesn't get the nomination I will be joining the rest of my "Typical white friends and family members" to vote for McCain. I can not vote for some one with Radical & Corrupt Associations. (Wright & Rezko)

...as if the Clintons and McCain don't have radical and corrupt associations...pullleeease. What's your REAL reason?

It is really easy to take a person's words out of context and make what they said sound extreme. Rev. Wright's words are passionate. I've heard equally intense sermons in pentecostal churches. There are Christian churches that are more passionate, or sprit-filled, than other Christian churches.

Rev. Wrights sermon is powerful and passionate. His sermon is also angry *BUT* it is righteous anger. How ironic this issue of race has occurred at Easter.

After his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Christ overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple in righteous anger. Was he a coo coo? Was it wrong for him to be angry because people in his country were using the name of God to extract money and make a profit from the poor? I see no difference when a pastor who has devoted his entire life to helping the poor, weak and undefended becomes angry about the way the poor are mistreated in this country and by corporate greed allowed by this country. Is it wrong to speak out against injustice? Maybe we need a little bit more passion in our churches. Maybe we need to be a bit more passionate about what is righteous and just. Or have we lost sight of what it means to be a true Christian?

I wonder what would've happened if Hillary had said "typical black person'–we all know!! It's Rev.Wright & Obama's views that continue to fuel racisim in our Great Country. How can we elect a man who talks about his own Grandmother–no matter what color she is–with such disrespect & subject his own childern to such hate & anger??

Roland, thank you again for researching and revealing. I am black. I am woman. And I love my country. Sadly however, most of what Wright said about the U.S. was fact (except for the HIV thing). The fact that these things are true is much worst than saying it. I, for one, do not like to mix politics with religion. That is why I don't attend Trinity, here in Chgo. But no matter what church you choose, you are going to hear some stuff that makes you uncomfortable. Maybe that is only true for the black community. My church is anti-gay. I don't like that, but it is my church home. It is my perception that blacks are more used to accepting fault in things that we still love. Maybe that is because we have had to love this country even when it did not love us back.

Thank you so much for getting to the truth. While I don't agree with some of his view, it's certainly a different perspective than from the tiny soundbite that is hurting him, his church, and Obama! I think it's outrageous that the media hasn't applauded you and reported on your findings. I can find no other news site showing your information. Thank you for perservering in your efforts when no one else bothered. I hope America learns we can't choose a president based on soundbites. Go Obama, we need your honesty and leadership.

Thanks for sharing this though I think people seem to care about the sound bite snippet more than actually listening to the whole sermon, unfortunately. I listened to the whole thing before this was here and in context it's a pretty powerful speech. Personally, I'd like to attend one of his services.

This all just deflects us from the message that Senator Obama (very eloquently) sends to us all. Of all people, Senator Obama, with a white mother, raised by white grandparents, and possessing an African heritage would not be where he is today if he didn't embrace the concept (though sadly I see it's still a concept) of racial equality.

Ruth Kessler
Burlington, MA

Mitt Romney was personally responsible for everything anyone in his religion said or did for the past 100 years, and you're telling me we shouldn't care that Obama has rev Wright in his 'inner circle' ??

I really wish themedia would do some fact checking before they rush out with thes stories. Thank you for the context.

Now, can we talk about issues?

Roland Martin, you need a medal. I love the way you make the media tell the truth. We should always get the entire story on CNN but FOXNEWS and other networks continue to show on clips and not the entire story. I had something simliar happen to me years back, where I said " I love women so much" everyone thought I was gay. After a while my entire speech was shown and showed that i said " I love women so much. Women are the carriers of all human beings. Women are the care givers and mothers of all beings. I love being a woman. People are so judgemental like they have never done anything wrong. We have a right to say we don't like the things America is doing, it's free speech. A lot of my friends are anti american while being american and loving certain parts but they hate the fact that we are killing our enviroment. This is an democracy, free speech, freedom of thought, freeddom of expression, freedom to like or dislike anyone or anything.

I wish everyone would stop asking why Obama didn't walk away from his church. I think he explained that adequately in his Philadelphia speech.

I belonged to a church for years that was part of my neighborhood; my friends were there; my family grew up in the Church; together the church family did great things for many people in need. But we had a succession of ministers who were true disappointments. One of them actually murdered his wife when he discovered she was cheating on him; another turned out to be involved with young boys. I could go on and on. I didn't leave the church. The church is larger than its minister, or pastor. The church family is a unit that survives the pastor.

Personally, from what I have seen and read about Pastor Wright, I find Obama's explanation credible and I'm tired of being beaten over the head with these sound bites. Most people who are part of a church understand.

If people were required to "walk out" of Church in the face of embarrassing or upsetting behavior of their pastors, then there would be very few Catholics attending Mass in light of the scandals with pedophile priests. There would be a lot of fundamental Christians walking away from hate speech against gay people.

Can we move on to other subjects? Barack Obama is not responsible for his minister and he has adequately displayed his love of his country and his disagreement with the most extreme of Pastor Wright's pronouncements.

Thank you Roland. You have given the information as it should have been presented in the first place...in its entirety. I am sure people don't agree with the sermon, but at least they now have given the full context of the sermon, not just a sound bite.1/40th of a sermon–knowing my minister, that would not be giving his Sunday morning discussion any justice.

You know what, I believe that the damage has already been done and it is irreperable. Bottom line.
Every time people see Obama the first thing they will think will be the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. It's sad.
The worst thing of all, is that he could have gone a long way to have prevented this hemoraging.
The Clinton camp did not even need to speak out. Obama was self destructing himself.

Thank you Anderson Cooper for giving us the true contexts from which these sound bites were taken. While the sermons are fiery and politically charged, they are in no way as "threatening" as many would have us believe. I truly believe this movement to discredit Obama is from the same people who keep sending out those emails laced with lies about his refusing to pledge allegiance to the American flag. We have come too far in this country to blindly believe in a government to the point of ordaining all the acts of its president as "God's will." My thought is that in order to keep from being labelled as racist by opposing Obama, people are trying really hard to find another angle...like proving he is anti-government or God forbid...unpatriotic as defined by those who drape themselves in the American flag and the divine cloth of God in order to further greed and enforce their own religious beliefs...which may or may not be Godly.

I don't think Roland should try to justify Rev. Wright's remarks. I think they were simply over the top for Church. He is a former Marine and nurse to Lyndon Johnson, but I believe something has happened in his personal life that has brought him to this anger. On the other hand, I think it is ridiculous to try to hold Barack Obama responsible for his pastor's sermon. We have heard two or three sermons over the span of years. The United Church of Christ which is overwhelmingly a white Christian demonination, speaks highly of Reverend Wright and has been associated with him for many years.

Obama states he was not present during these remarks and no one has shown that he was. He clarified that he had heard some controversial remarks from his Pastor, but they were primarily about family life. This is the man who lead him to Christ and its not so easy necessarily to walk away from that especially when the conversion occurs as an adult.

Obama has not demonstrated any racism or unpatriotic behavior in his words, deeds, actions or legislation. At what point does the news media stop showing the clips and bringing this up. Let the Right wing do its dirty work. They will be showing the clips ad nauseum forever and a day, but CNN and the main stream media need to give this a rest.

They used to teach us that using God's name in vain was a sin, thus I guess the Reverend Wright, the right wing commentators and all of the main stream media who have fallen in love with these clips are headed straight to Hades.

Enough of the coverage on the sermons cnn. They are incredibly unimportant at the end of the day, and are simply a waste of time. Focus on issues that matter.

This video with Rev.Wright is very upsetting to me. What does it matter if it was only a clip of a video. The fact of the matter is, Rev.Wright preached it in his sermon, whether or not it was his own words is besides the fact. And I don't believe Senator Obama sat in that church for 20 years and didn't hear those words or something similar. For Obama to be that close to someone like that is shocking! This is not being a UNITER it"s being a DIVIDER. One of my first thoughts after watching this video was, " Is what black americans still think about white people? Is that what goes on behing closed doors" And also, Obama doesn't back pedal well.

Call me a typical white person if you like; this pastors comments offend me deeply.

And I am amazed of the sophistry Obama/Wright peddle. Of course war is bad. It doesn't take a genius to be "against going to war," but the world is much more complex that his solution to simply pull troops out.

I could beat Obama in a debate by asking him questions like this: "If the terrorists followed our troops to Saudi Arabia, would you advocate pulling them out of there, too?"

Ok, I sat here and read the whole sermon and I see nothing racist.. (comments from those that aren't comprehending the message) and truly he's not saying anything over the top. What I do see is a man comparing the power of the Gov. vs the power of God. He's just stating how the Gov. has let certain groups down. The Gov. is not God.. God is everything and the Gov. SHOULD follow and fear the power of God but America thinks she's a power all on her own. If you really know the Bible... the Gov. is not of God but God uses it to do His will. We are a sinful people and we are going to fall in this country... people have no love in there hearts for each other... prophesy is being played out right in front of you. Not the races but sometimes the Human race makes me sick.

LYN,
Senator Obama does say the Pledge of Allegiance in the Senate. When the picture of him was shown on TV without his hand on his heart, it was mistakenly said that the candidates were saying the Pledge of Allegiance – I believe it was Fox news who ran that story. It was later corrected because the scene actually took place while the National Anthem was being played. Commentators have pointed out that most people no longer put their hands over their hearts while the Anthem is played. In all fairness, Fox news or the person who started the false "Pledge of Allegiance" rumor should replay the correction every single day until Nov., at least as many times daily as they played the false info. There are sooo many people who didn't see that original correction.

I listened to the sermon and am wondering how different are these sermons from those made by preachers on the christian right? It seemed to work just fine as they supported our present president, who, I might add, served 2 terms. Per my experience, if people do not like you, they'll find a reason not to....

By the way, why do Americans continue to try to "coerce" other Americans into believing that they are unpatriotic because they just happen to not agree with them. Why do I have to wear the flag on my lapel to be a true patriot? This has happened in the last 2 elections and is unacceptable as well as unAmerican....well, as far I am concerned.

Barak Obama offers an alternative. He comes across as a thinker, and quite honestly, civilized in every sense of the word. He's not perfect...but who is? If it makes some uncomfortable (and I know it does), that is unfortunate. Get a life. You do not have to vote for him. The truth is, if you choose to vote for McCain, God Bless You. At least you voted. In the end, Obama would have given a run at the presidency a shot...like we (as Democrats and some Independents) did with Gore and Kerry. We lost back then, but it was honorable. And I don't miss a night's sleep over my decisions then. Considering what has happened to date, I think I did my part well by voting for the right people. They both seemed to have proven me right (post election). God bless them.

You do not have to like Obama. As far as I'm concrned, he's taking a shot against the odds, fighting an election battle on two fronts. He is doing something you and I will never, ever have the balls to do. Actually, he's doing something you and I, and I daresay Hillary never thought would happen. Get over it Hillary and supporters. Do you guys really need the presidency to consider yourselves successful in life? Wow....may I suggest therapy. You lost!! Grow up and be graceful. Is the game worth playing only when you win?

Most recent bloggers feel qualified to condemn someone who has sacrificed so much. Probably widely read and appropriately schooled in the nuances of culture and religion, and how they intersect. Dollars to doughnuts, they have never set foot in an African American church.

Abraham Lincoln expressed it perfectly, "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."

what mr wright forgot to mention is that slavery was present during biblical times. It was not made up by the white colonist. It sounds and looks to me, that this man has been preaching hate toward white people and our government. If he hates the United States, maybe he should really think about moving to Pakistan to live with Usama Bin Ladin. And shame on the obama's for sitting there for over twenty years listening to this man or beast may be better. I know for certain i would not have stayed in a church that shouted hate for other nationalities. WAKE UP AMERICA SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JESUS WOULD NEVER OF PREACHED HATE LIKE THIS.

One last thing, I am book smart. But I have just as much street smart. I have not studied much on sociology, and prior to this election, I was not really the political type. But I took a special interest in this because I want a change. But is you talk to someone who is a sociology major, they will tell you what Rev. Wright was talking about, for those who really do not understand. Before you continue to think what Rev. Wright was saying was so bad, do some research on the bible, history, and sociology, and I gurantee you, the bulb will come on that he is merely speaking the truthon issues that most are in denial of or really don't know.

Thank you for sharing this. It helps immensely to see the discussion in context. If anyone wants to hold this against Barack Obama, they need to be ready to hold John McCain to the same standards. Rev. Wright's speech does reflect some anger that has spun too far. His anger is not attractive but his underlying points are less offensive to me than those of Hagee, whose endorsement was sought by John McCain. My analysis of Rev. Wright is that he mentored Barack Obama and planted some of the seeds of his passion for social justice. And then Barack grew beyond him, while Rev. Wright grew more bitter and angry.

I do not see this (personally) as an issue with Barack Obama. If he held the sediments of Rev. Wright, he wouldn't be a Senator or running for President. He would have been consumed with hate and it would have been displayed to the public long ago. Rather, his ability to walk with all different types of people is a testament to his ability to be a full human being.

Hi Roland,I'm a black man originaly from Cuba.I amazed by pastor Wright's love of GOD,and I believe now better, that Obama would be that kind of president we all need to save America,from it own wrong doing pass and bring this country with all races together avoiding America get divise as it happen in the soviet union , 'cause it can happen here too,we united all together or some day our different go to be out of control and another civir war or call it a new revolution go to divide our geography in e few diferents countries with diferents races or political believe, or religion. As a cuban poet said, the sun have bean that bring live to our planet, but at the same time the sun have black spot on it self, the glad people focus on the light of the sun'beans, but the bad folks they can only see the black spot, that's why people see mr.Wright's comments in to differents way.
I say GOD BLESS AMERICA but I can not ignore the pass.thanks for the opportunity to share my view.

You can not excuse Obama for not being in the Church while remarks were made by his pastor . Obama had been in that Church for years and was very close to his pastor . Any logical , educated guess would tell you This was not a surprise to Obama by any means .

The real question is that if Obama deep inside agrees with his pastor ? You had heard him with his remarks about his grandmother , and now he says that "I meant a typical white person" . When you put adjective with any race , in my book you are being prejudice .

This preacher needs to get his facts straight because his speech is filled with historical inaccuracies. I would like to point out a few of them, one being that the Equal Rights Amendment never passed or came close to passing. Second in the Tuskegee Experiment the men already had syphilis, the government did not infect them with it. Third, since we haven't yet found any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, it goes without saying that the government could not have planted any. Fourth, as far as treating citizens of African descent fairly when they first came over they were slaves, therefore they obviously did not hold citizenship . Fifth, in describing the Dred Scott decision he gets the date right but demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of American government by stating that the US military enforces the laws. In fact the executive branch (that would be the President) enforces the laws that Congress passes. I could sit here and do more but I don't really feel like it right now.

I didn't even have to look any of this information up, I already knew it because I am intelligent and I read. However, I do not preach and try to influence the opinions and attitudes of large groups of people with inaccurate information. I believe this preacher is dangerous because he lacks the discipline to study history and he lacks the intelligence to understand it. Barack Obama does, however, and I wonder how he could sit in the audience and not laugh at this caricature.

PS – Maybe this guy is the reason why Barack doesn't wear a flag lapel pin *_*

You people white or black or latino or asian are dumb!!

HAVE ANY OF YOU EVER HEARD OBAMA MAKE THESE COMMENTS!!

I'll bet you that if I find out who YOU associated with, I'll find some friends of yours that are more dumb than you and say stupid racist words as well.

STAND FOR CHANGE!!!!

For everyone that can't look at themselves and say that they have never had a friend, family member or otherwise, say something that may have offended many, Shame On You. People focus on the little things, such as letting one man dictate, what you may feel is best to unite our country. Of course race is still a HUGE problem in America and everywhere else.

Of course the MEDIA make this seem as if Obama said it and some people want to take it as his words, not the Reverends word. (Until this article) These are Reverend Wright's words and his sermon, no matter what you believe. They say guilt by association. OK, then I guess everyone is guilty. Everyone has heard, or told a racially backed joke, and didn't say anything to that person and you may have even laughed. Maybe you heard an off color comment and didn't say anything. Does that make it any different? Does that make you or everyone racist?

Maybe you aren't running for office, but your vote puts a person there. Think about it..

What we need is a way to get our country back together, where family values are key. Where a Father/ Husband, Mother/ Wife doesn't have to take a job in the Middle East to support their family and miss out on the good years, or put their life at significant risk.

Being of mixed race, I see all sides of racism. It is shameful, to be treated differently or to be not accepted. Where you are considered to Black or to White. Come on now!!!! I have to do my best everyday to step away from the feelings of inequality to make my son and daughter, both mixed, see that they are better than this. That they will hear these things one day and to let it go and rise above it. Why can't we as grown ups learn from all out past failures and move toward a better future for all, none of us are going away any time soon.

We have got problems. It is sad that we are no longer able to discuss the real issues that can get Democrats elected. We need to look at some real problems for the general election. This is sad. I am a preacher's daughter and the pastor had the opportunity to discuss the issues in an intelligent constructive way. God d**** America is a gift to the Republicans. On this issue the Republicans will attack again and again is his judgment. If Obama wins the primary, the Republicans have found a gold mine and they will mine it. They will make Obama one with the words, and they will find more words. The pastor went over the line and Obama should have said this years ago. It was wrong of Obama not to let us know about the church sooner. The speech will not stop the Repbublicans. Obama and the DNC not supporting a revote in Michigan & Florida will kill us in the general election. The republicans will remind these 2 states on a daily basis of this.

Happy Easter eaveryone,

I am sure God is watching and Jesus is weeping.

The context of Reverand Wright's message was spoken in truth. Our nation is in danger of being damned by God; if not for our pride in believing the nation is superior to God (which is a definite fast lane to damnation according to the bible) but also because of our attempting to put a bandaid on cancer (being politically correct about the effects of slavery and racism).

Jesus says '..the Truth shall set you free." Jesus says "I am the way, the truth and the life..." - (CLUE: God likes truth; he hates lies)

God says people like their ears tickled (CLUE: Another way of saying people hate to hear the truth and would rather hear a lie. PC is another word for lie).

God says His people shall not fear man who can only kill the body, but His people shall fear God who can kill the body and cast it into hell. (CLUE: Rev Wirtght nor Obama should apoligize for Rev. Wright's sermon; if it was grounded in truth)

Jesus was hated for telling the truth–he was murdered for it (thank God He is risen), John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and every prohet throughout the bible was hated for telling the truth. The truth hurts–especially if you find yourself guilty.

Any person who knows the scripture knows that what Rev. Wright stated was historically factually accurate (with the exception of his HIV comment which hasn't been proven but is plasuible considering that other germs were intentionally injected into blacks by the government in the past.)

I pray for the healing of our nation. I pray that we will 'turn form our wicked ways' so that God may heal our land.

Does this sound too politically incorrect? If it does, take it up with God. He will surely take it up with you.

Happy Easter.

I noticed somebody put up a comment, the preacher (I use that term lightly) is in no way
racist, and I thought about it and I came up with this:
Anybody who says G.D. America is racist toward mankind and his/her country, skin color has nothing to do with it, of course it seems to me
those type of activists nine times out of ten are the only ones worried about skin color to start with. How often does a white person bring up his skin color?
An oriental person, a person from India, etc.. you do not hardly ever hear them complain about skin color.
But of course if a white says something just slightly off toward blacks and has decent job, Rev Al Sharpton is ready to get them fired,
And furthermore, If Hillary Clinton would have been involved in the
same scenario. The black activists would have wined and complained until she was forced to drop out of the presidential race,
just because of her skin color.

I am a 29 year old black man from Michigan. I represent a demographic that isn't always given attention in the many polls and commentary in the media. I just got done reading what Rev. Wright said and for those of you who don't know, a lot of what he said, many black people agree with. I think to be fair CNN and other media outlets should let their viewers see and hear the whole of his sermon on TV instead of posting it online– and reporting just specific, controversial parts. It is no secret that the history of this country is filled with injustices against people of color (Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc).

Lets not forget slavery was real. For 400 years in this country black people did not have any freedom. We did the work and built this country, while white people were free and able to attain an education and live in good areas, and go to good schools, and eat good food. Even after slavery lets not forget that black people were still treated as second class citizens. Remember people like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X who had to fight for our civil rights. That was in the 60s. My parents were born in the 40s. This country is not that far removed from the disgusting practices in unjust treatment of black people. And black people are not too far removed from the experience and anger and detrimental social affects of that time.

Many people Rev. Wrights' age, like my parents, lived through those times. And I don't know what white America thinks but the pain and consequences of that treatment is real. The residual affects of that time are REAL. Black people were and still to this day are treated like second class citizens. Of course white people are generally, but not absolutely, blind to this.

There seems to be a subconscious stigma towards black people by white people in this country. Why aren't we talking about McCain's Endorsement by John Hagee with such passion, disgust and anger? A person who mocked the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina victims by saying it was God punishing them (gays, sinners, etc.). A person who called the Catholic Church "The Great Whore." The media hasn't jumped on that. Why? To many black people the answer is clear. McCain is not black. Could Obama get away with that same type of endorsement? No. What's even worse Obama denounced the Pastor's comments. Which were the PASTOR'S comments. Senator McCain hasn't denounced Hagee. Furthermore there are many people in churches around this country who don't always agree with their pastors who still respect their pastors and love their church. What makes Obama a liar or questionable when he displays the same sentiment?

If Obama is going through this spectacle for any other reason than the color of his skin ( his mother is a white woman and he was raised and admittedly loves his white grandmother who raised him as a Christian), I would invite someone to tell me what is.

To be honest, I really do not have much of a problem with what the Rev. said. Honestly, if we live in a free nation, we should be free to speak our mind. He should be free to believe what he wishes to believe. Moreover, a pastor's job in part is to give his own opinion, be it that of the majority or not.

I feel part of being patriotic is being able to criticize the government when it is at fault. It's one thing to want to support your government's ideals and another to follow along like tame sheep to everything that people tell you to do. Government is not perfect and if there are faults, they should be pointed out and dealt with.

With that said, if one believes that Sen. Obama is more than just a sheep following the rest of the flock, then he has no shepherd leading him around and telling him where he should go (at least with respect to government and law). Sen. Obama should not be held accountable because it was not Sen. Obama's own actions (or perhaps thoughts) that were so controversial.

CNN should be ashamed of playing Rev. Wright's sermon everyday. Mr. Obama can only be judged by what comes from his mouth, his writing, and his actions. He is not responsible for Rev. Wright's sermon.

Most people have stopped watching CNN because of the abuse on a piece of Rev. Wright's sermon which was taken out of context to be used as a smear campaign against Mr Obama.

People who have listened to Mr. Obama's speaches know the kind of man he is. He has the ability to imagine possibilities above and beyond current reality. He is intellegent, wise, mature.

I agree with comments from those that indicated that Sen. Obama has not demonstrated any racism or unpatriotic behavior and is not responsible for the comments made by his minister. As a matter of fact Sen. Obama is no more responsible for the words of his minister than Sen. Clinton is responsible for the countless extra marital affairs made by her husband. As she initially indicated, she was not responsible for remarks made by Farraro; additionally, remarks made by her husband that proclaimed Sen. Obama a fairytale or her husband’s attempts to marginalize Sen. Obama’s big wins starting in S.C., where he went on to politically beat Sen. 13 times in a row—and most recently win the primary in Texas, and made additional gains in California and Ohio. Think, Ed and Caroline Kennedy endorsement of Sen. Obama were garnered because Sen. Obama is intellectually and politically qualified and because the Clinton’s were race baiting. Some how or another I pray that descent people regardless of their race, creed, religious, color or sexual orientation will continue to judge Sen. Obama on his record,that illustrates that he's been faithful to his wife and children, his family overall, to his constituents and he’s proven to be a hard and dutiful worker. His diverse background and intellect makes him the most likely candidate that is capable to restore America to its place as leader of the free world.

Americans I encourage you please do not get caught up in the cynicism and negativity and words that Sen. Obama had no control of, and to help keep the movement moving by keeping our eyes on the prize and become partners in actualizing that American dream to make Ameica, “a more perfect union,� and we can do that by electing Sen. Obama to the office of President of the United States of America!

Love, Peace and Blessing

Azora, Washington, DC

to Monika.

Why do you not tell the Jewish people to move on and forget the Holocaust? You are telling black people to forget slavery

I am dumbfounded that the majority of those who are still dwelling on Rev. Wright's issues continue to channel them unto Senator Obama! If we were all to be judged for the words of those in our families, our close friends, our churches etc...we would all be damned! Being a 'typical' young man myself I took exception to the words as originally broadcast. Thankfully I have the wisdom to withhold judgement until I have the facts in their entirety. Senator Obama, like every presidential candidate should be judged and held accountable for their direct actions/words. Please discontinue the divisive tactics which CNN has seemingly adopted since the Feb Super Tuesday Primaries!!! Objectivity really seems to be lost in today's news media. That said, Thank you Roland for your attempt at providing an objective view of the events. It is sad that your colleagues at CNN devote so little time in illustrating a balanced view! Ferraro's comments were obviously more acceptable although they originate from a place of deep resentment and misunderstanding of our diverse American landscape.

I wonder if the Obama camp put some clips of Rev. Wright's good religous inspiring messages that drew the Senator to him on the air if the media includng radio talkshow hosts will give those clips as much attention as they are doing now.
I also wonder if by the media constantly showing these present clips constantly is going to impede any progress of the racial healing that the Senator wants or is the media trying to prevent that racial unity from happening.

I have just finished listening to the audio of this sermon, and being half-Hispanic and half-white, you would think that I would be offended, as, I admit, I was after listening to the sound bites we've been exposed to over the last few days.

But the truth is I LOVED THIS SERMON! It was so energetic and insightful, I found myself praising AMEN!

My church is a "typical" catholic church – where you stand when you're supposed to stand, sit when you're supposed to sit, kneel when you're supposed to kneel, and speak only when you are spoken to. Very orderly and quiet most of the time.

It's very clear that anyone offended by this sermon simply does NOT understand the very significant differences that exist between churches of different cultures (white/black), even though they preach the same message, and they do.

This sermon is saying that God would not approve of injustice, intolerance or war in any fashion, and that we (as a people, a country, or a president), should not justify such things in his name – Jeremiah Wright is simply saying it loud and forcefully. I wish I had some of this at my church!

Race is an issue.
The fact that we want to pretend that it is not an issue is in fact an issue.
Unless people like Cooper bring them to the table; issues don't get answered.
Thank you Cooper.
I wish everyone could learn to put the cards on the table and deal with them or at least stay home America and clean our house first. Racism is America's civil war.
In addition: Rev. Wright is a man who lives in a democracy with the right to express his views. His followers are people living in a democracy with the right to listen to them. It is not our business until he runs for president.

GOD BLESS YOU for this great service to America. This is what people want to know, and don't have the means to find out themselves. The absence of knowledge breeds insecurity and fear, and fear breeds hate. Let's not make emotional investments based on question marks. Let's make them on facts and reason. A great big THANK YOU Roland, from this 49 yr old white guy (what I am doesn't matter, but folks need to know that people who aren't black care about this).

Ok let me make sure I have these chain of events correctly....

first we were to dislike him or hate him because he's muslim because of his middle name.

Now, we're suppose to dislike him & think he's a racist because he belong to a church for an extended period of time where the pastor or should I say spiritual advisor said some inflammatory things about America's government. (curious were these comments true or false)

Let's not forget the other silly comments!!!

I want to know have any of you seem a picture called "Wag the Dog"?

America is indeed a great place to live but the politics in America's government SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! America's trying to help others find democracy and in our own country WE AMERICANS are soo disfunctional is unreal!!! We hide behind our doors and our untruths while we're sooo quick to jump on the band wagon to have hatred for each other and criticize each other!!! We are arrogrant and divided!!

And for all of you who think that he's racist, or he's a phony please base your opinions on something that more substantial than the comments from a grown man he had absolutely NO CONTROL OVER!!!!! I'm sooo sick of people everyday trying to find every little thing not to like this man!

If you really needed a reason not to like him just find one better than what the MAIN STREAM MEDIA is FEEDING YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
My goodness we as a people, blacks, whites, jews, all have issues with each other as a community and within our racial groups!!!!

It's time to MOVE TOWARD A HIGHER GROUND PEOPLE!!!!!

Find something else to be angry over!!!

Simply. Simply Amazing, that people can read but not understand. The essence of this sermon was social justice and based on one of two commandments expressed by Jesus Christ himself. As a Christian, who follows Christ should know, "Do unto others as you would want them to do to you," and "Love no gods before me," – the greatest one being the latter.

(See Matthew 22:36-40). These religious leaders had made almost an art form of classifying all the various laws and giving them relative degrees of importance, so in asking Jesus this question, their aim was to test Him. His answer stunned them: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

This sermon was based on "loving your neighbor as yourself." If you can sit there and call yourself a Christian and not hear this message in the Wright sermon then you need to get up and walk out of your church, because your Pastor or preacher is doing you a disservice by not explaning this commandment.

This sermon is not a song being peddled on a street corner asking for a government handout. What it is an indictment for our inactivity in our government, for our less than compassionate approach for people who are not American.

For those who say the past is the past, put this in context of today's events. Led by the goverment, we've run into a country on false premises. Back in 2006, according to a CNN article, 655,000 Iraqi deaths were attributed to the war. We've had 4,000 US military deaths. We've had the total disruption of the lives people in two countries... Where are children playing safely in Iraqi? Where are women getting together for a girls night out in Iraq? Where are guys getting together to compare brackets in sports bars in Iraq? What is a day in Iraq for those living there?

If you've spent your life moving from SUV to Work, to SUV to the burbs and not attempted to reach out to someone else or understand someone's elses life then you've missed a lot of opportunities.

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 25:43 I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 25:44 Then they too will answer, 42 ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?’ 25:45 Then he will answer them, 43 ‘I tell you the truth, 44 just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’

How many people on this blog consider themselves to be Christians? A few, but also a lot of people who simply are angry and hateful and fearful. They choose judgement rather than compassion and understanding. Oddly enough, Mike Huckabee has had a response to all of this that I think is characteristic of a true Christian, and he is undoubtedly in opposition to the political views of Obama. Christ told his disciples that they could recognize true followers this way: "By their works shall ye know them." You cannot look at Obama's work, his words, and his life and deem him other than both a true Christian and a patriot. That doesn't mean he would make a good president. It doesn't mean you have to vote for him. Seriously, folks, we must hold ourselves accountable for the level of political debate we engage in. The politics of hatred and fear will destroy this country. We are well on the way. So let's get real and debate the issues, and go and vote our preferences when it's our turn, and stop this nastiness now!

All this parsing and analyzing ridiculous. Either you believe the basic precept of Christianity or you don't. Rev. Wright was simply making a point that the government is not God.

Many people pray at the alter of the almighty dollar, for others it's drugs, and for still others it's nationalism. Rev. Wright was making a case that there is only One True God.

That's all.

Most sermons are variations of this same theme. At the time this sermon was given, nationalism was reaching a fever pitch in this country so I'm not surpried that he would choose it as the example of something we mistakenly substitute for God.

For people for whom headlines, video snippets and taking reporters editorials and so-called "experts" opinions for the gospel truth and then laying claim to understand an issue fully has become the norm for a majority of people. Independent thinking and trying truly to understand nuances are taken up too much time for many people ... call it instant gratification on which many base their opinion . Only those who are truly want to learn and listen can claim to understand ... ignorance will keep you in the status quo of ignorance.

Thanks Mr Martin for giving us further information on this important matter. I am a black woman with sons and would love to support Obama because listening to his speeches I thought he was a good motivator for especially the young blacks. But reading all these blasting hate sermons of Obama's minister of 20 years it made me realize that he speaks just like him. I believe Obama thinks just like his spiritual advisor and this minister has captured his soul without he (Obama) himself knowing it. It is very clear that he cannot make a decision without consulting this man. So when Obama becomes President he will be his constant advisor on all domestic and foreign affairs because it appears Obama is not capable to make up his own mind on important issues. Now I know why he was against the war and boasting that he was against the war on day one. I wonder if I am the only one that noticed the same theme in Rev Wright's sermons and Obama speeches with the constant call for change. Mark my comment there will be great change but not the way we will love it if Obama is elected. One thing I am sure of he will win without my vote. I cannot support anyone that stand ,sit or lying down that hates America. We are so privileged here that this minister can stand before a large congregation and say 'God dam America' so many times and gets away saying it. He should be put on trial for the things he is preaching to all these young people messing up there minds and don't think Obama's mind is not mixed up also He cannot see himself apart from this Minister. He can only compare his white grand-mother or anyone else that says racial slurs with Rev Wright only if they hate and curse America like him. This is serious matter that should not be dropped here. I listened to Obama's speech and just knew that so much was missing when he spoke about his minister. The Rev may not be there now but his footprints are left there and not in sands but carved in the minds and hearts of those he touched. I am an emigrant to this great country and I pray for it every day. I have done well for myself, two of my children served this country in the Army and the Marine and I am very proud of them. I love America.And God bless America and please tell this to Michelle Obama. Now I know that I will in no way vote for him he is not strong enough because he cannot make up his own mind. Gl

Thank you Cooper for finally putting the truth out about this sermon in its entirety. While reading it brought back memories of how I felt when 911 occured and the decision that our President later made to go to war and my fellings were exactly the same. You have to take your time and understand the theology and the religous parts of it as you read it. Very Very powerful, and the majority true. My admiration and support for Obama has only grown more. Thank You for helping me to understand and clearing up the TV five second blogs.

I think at least part of the reason the controversy erupted as much as it did is because a lot of white people would much rather forget that racism happened and still happens. I think we all might be a little too ashamed of ourselves for all that happened and continues to happen. It is, unfortunately, our legacy. We're taught in schools that racism was a bad thing that happened but it's over now. It's not over. Sticking our heads in the sand won't change things and it certainly won't make us feel better.

But it is also important to remember what Obama said in his speech on race: that not every white person feels terribly privileged by the color of his or her skin. It makes sense that when a lot of people who work themselves to death to support their family, only to see someone else get what looks like unfair treatment through affirmative action, this breeds resentment. So we should do something to address those concerns, too.

After reading his speech in its entirety and in its proper context, it certainly doesn't seem quite as bad as it does in the 30-second crazy pastor version. It actually seems to make a lot of sense where he's coming from, even though I don't think he's really addressing the problem in a terribly helpful way.

Who was it that said something to the effect of, "I disagree with everything you say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it."? Isn't that what America is supposed to be all about? Does not every American have the "inalienable right" to call on God to damn whom- or whatever he or she pleases? And who has the right to claim certain knowledge of what and whom God blesses or damns? To my way of thinking, such a claim is nothing short of outright blasphemy.

Like all human beings, we Americans are imperfect mortals, none of whom should have the temerity - nay, arrogance –to "cast the first stone." When it comes to what Rev. Wright had to say, then - well, I just wish I could remember the exact words and name of the person who uttered the words I paraphrased in my first sentence. To utter them with sincerety is what being an American SHOULD be all about.

Hi Roland

Thank you and CNN for putting these sermons in perspective. You have done more to help this country and the world to understand the full meaning of what Rev. Wright said. THE CLIPS NEED TO BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY and viewers referred to this full text.This context contradicts all the negative, unpatriotic, hateful comments that have been said about the sermons. When people see the two words, God and Damn, not the one word, God... that makes a big difference about Anti-American.These sermons should stay on line for months, maybe forever, so that the American public can judge for themselves regarding this very serious divisive issue. It should be required reading for all talk show hosts.

Anderson,

I am so happy that the news keeps us informed however I have to say as an American Citizen and voter I am so sickened that the media has gone so far as to dig into Obama's religous life. What a disappointment to a fellow christian. I am proud to be a youth leader in a fire and brimstone church that is mainly all white. I know that canidates get all the aspects of their lives review but WOW! I think it is sad that he cant even attend a church without the media crucifying him for the views of a pastor that he has said so many times he dont agree with. I wonder why the media dont go after Hillary or John's religous beliefs, why do you single him out? Dont the public deserve to see you treat them the same or is it because he is doing so well that he is being so delicately critiqued? The reason that I support Senator Obama is because he has explained the policies and I trust his words.He is the person I see as composed enough to handle the harsh comments and messed up media that is constantly on his coat tails. With what I have seen of HIllary I dont want my daughter to even see her on TV since she is very rude to the commentators during the debates and just as nasty in trying to destroy a man that so far has prooven to lead her for this position. As for John McCain he has said he is so expierenced then we see his talk shown last week of him overseas you will see he had to be told what he said was not accurate which leads me to believe he is not as expierenced as he professes to be.I say that because there are going to be times where you can not say the wrong thing and it just be overlooked. I am young but these things matter to me. I have to say that I am really proud to live here in the United States but as I see it if Obama dont win the nomination I will probably not vote again, simply because I will know that until this country and the media convicted him on his religious choices he was widely loved. I dont go to church for any other reason but to worship God. I have sat in a church that said things I didnt agree with however, I knew the truth and know that they will face their own convictions for what they said wrong. It tells you in the Bible to read The Word of God since there are so many false witnesses. I believe as a white women that Rev. Wright said what he did due to the frusterations that so many people where hurting a man he knew as an honorable and great Commander In Cheif canidate..I dont agree fully with what he said but as others have mentioned we have to be able to see some of it is right. Many people live in fear of what they dont know and things their families racially believed. I know my grandfather was hugely racial and I feel that everyone should be treated equal and have set out to teach my child that we are all the same in God's eyes therefore we should be the same here. I know that Obama has the best intentions for our nation and if he fufills half of them we will be a whole lot better then we are now. I just dont trust Hillary, she wont release her tax returns because she knows that she did wrong and she cant take the heat if you call her out like she does Obama. Also dont you ever question why she knows so much about all these people she accuses Obama of being close to? Her husband was associated with Rezko and also Rev.Wright so why dont she have to take the same heat. Her husband brought Rev. Wright to the White House. Dont you think she was there? Obama and HIllary have history with Rev. Wright so what is the real reason why Obama is taking all the heat? Sounds Quite Racial to me!

It's about time that someone went a little further than a sound bite on such a critical issue, CNN and all of the major networks should make it their business to give the whole story. Whether that changes anyone's mind is up to them but at least it will be a decision based on a more complete understanding of the complex issues involved.

If we are going to base our decisions about our democracy on what religious leaders say, then why have the big networks all but ignored Pastor John Hagee, whose endorsement John McCain was "honored" and "proud" to receive. Hagee says Katrina was God's punishment for homosexuality, Jews are to blame for anti-Semitism, and Catholicism is the "Whore of Babylon" and "a cult."2

Why ignore Rick Parsley, a televangelist who McCain called his "spiritual guide" when accepting his endorsement last month. Parsley has said:

I do not believe our country can truly fulfill its divine purpose until we understand our historical conflict with Islam. I know that this statement sounds extreme, but I do not shrink from its implications. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed...3

Why ignore McCain's spiritual advisers while going after Obama's?

It is time for us to get back to the urgent issues at hand and not fall into the trap of allowing any religious leader to define our politics, Isn't that why our forefathers separated religion and state ?

God bless all of our citizens and their freedom of speech!

I'm a white retired serviceman who thinks the Rev. made very good points. A person who actually believes that we, as Americans, have always been "right" is blind. Ask the Hungarians who revolted when we promised them aid and then backed out. Ask the Cubans who waited and waited for air support at the Bay of Pigs. Ask the 1000's who died in the Shaw of Iran's jails while the US supported him. No wonder we are one of the most despised powers on Earth. Our actions are not congruent with our words. Are you honestly shocked to find that brotherly love for us whites is not at the top of their agenda? Wake up. I was going to vote for Hillary but after seeing O'bama calmly handle the pressure to diss his longtime pastor, he has now earned my vote. I think blacks and women should both have their turn in the White House; they sure cant be any worse than the Bush gang.

Rev Wright seems full of hate , just like the KKK. I never owned a slave, and I would not mind being baried next to a black man. I never stole a Indians land, I worked and bought mine. I am just a typical 48 year old white man. It amases me that so many people want to blame me for something that happened 150 years ago. I can not believe that Obahma listened to this man for 20 years. Rev Wrright get over it.

It is so sad that Rev. Jeremiah Wright preached such harsh and hateful sermons. However, there is one thing most of the Evengelical preachers have in common all over the world. They have no soft tone when it comes to preaching. It is not a surprise in this case of Rev. Wright's. I understand he said many bad things, but one similar condemnation I have heard from different preachers both whites and blacks is about 911. Now coming to the question of Barack's refusal to leave the church. This is a son of white and black parents. He is connected to both race. Each day listening to differences from both sides must have torn him apart. Each day he listened to the harsh words towards his mother's side and also the daily conflicts and reaction towards his fathers side; all these gave him a stand and motivation to look for solution and a way of reconciliation and bringing the two sides together so that there could be harmony. I do not say that Rev. was right. We have all heard many words that we do not agree with our pastors. While the pastor was wrong, we have not shown him that we are far beyond what he thinks we are. Our comments and reaction towards Barack who after hearing all those words came out with a positive message is unfair. Had Sen. Obama started his compaign with a negative message or same attititude like his pastor or a message that promotes revenge then, we would know that he believes in his pastor. Leaving the church is not the solution because it could not have stopped the pastor from saying what he said or what he thinks. Sen. Obama did the right thing by deciding to stand up against him in action rather than leaving the church. The church itself has no problem. The Pastor is one person who comes and leaves the church as he did. It is not his personal church. Let us be honest, in this matter. Let us all examine deep down into our hearts. Without hypocricy we know that racism is still real in our midst. Differences are still real. We see it daily in many ways. If God would open each one's heart then we would all know our true color regarding race. Many people are wondering why Sen. Obama raised the issue of race in his speech, because he knows that it is the root cause of all these problems. You cannot cure any disease without takling its root cause first. It does not matter who wins in November, the so-called universal health care, better education etc. won' t work until there is harmony and reconciliation. Unless our focus is to see Barack's defeat,ed, I believe it is time to stop blaming him but rather embrace him for the right decision he took instead of running away from the church and do nothing about it and then, continue to hear the same story year after year. The message he started with is the same even after this horrible time. Should we continue to hear what that pastor said, or pay attention to what the candidates are promising to do for our country. Rev. Jeremiah is not our God. Our God knows what is good for our country. Please stop this obssesion of Rev. Jeremiah and talk about what is good for our future. For the fact that Barack is from both sides, he is the right candidate when it comes to national union.

Obama, honest? Where was his honesty when he first denied being in the pews the doing an about face and admitting that he was, in fact, sitting there. This is honesty? I'm a black man with a white great grandfather. Does this make it ok for me to use the term, typical white woman? Does this make me both black and white? Wake up people! Obama is NOT the answer for America.

I'm a white American who thinks most christians are spiritually blinded ,,cruel and just plain mean,,,,but I love this guy,( Obamas Pastor ) He made a silly remark about HIV ,,,but he is a righteous and beautiful man who is definitly NOT politically blind,,,I have lived in subconcious fear of this government since viewing the films on Hiroshima ( A-BOMB ) as a fourth grader,,,,it doesn't take a guiniess to see that there are things we as a country have done that are EVIL on a massive level,,,,,we can't even give a baby medicine without breaking his poor mothers back. I live in TAIWAN,,,and am always so home sick,,,I love America and am in heaven when I go home,,,just because I can talk to people,,,and can relate to just about EVERYONE , when I travel I want to say I'm Canadian because of the mass murder commited by our NATION,,,,,what happened to compassion ??? and common sense,,,!??? This pastor is calm compared to what I would have said,,,,how could that woman on your panel say this guy was full of hate for whites !!! Is she actually that blind or is it just some dumb media show,,,, I personally find it quite hard to believe 360 would have someone of that intellegence on national television,,,,

Thank you, Roland Martin, for putting this brouhaha into perspective.

And let me offer some perspective of my own. I've not read all of the comments due to their quantity but let me say that unless you have personally experienced discrimination then you cannot even begin to offer a reasonable or rational comment about Reverend Wright.

Even though I was a non-Jewish, white male at the time, I was once married to a Jewish woman. And the amount of blatant discrimination that I encountered on numerous occasions while accompanying my wife was completely unexpected and astounding to me. I was completely unaware that such attitudes still existed in this day and age. I can't even begin to understand how an African-American might feel since they have surely experienced much greater discrimination than I have.

Let me tell all readers one thing: even though I was mainly surprised and perplexed at the time, I now feel very angry about the discrimination that I experienced because there was no rational reason for it. Consequently, I can't even imagine the amount of anger that African-Americans must feel. I had thought that virtually all of the citizens of the USA had moved past such petty divisiveness but was I ever wrong.

Our country has a long way to go to move beyond discrimination of every kind. Everyone reading these comments or posting to them would do well to listen to Senator Obama's recent speech in Philadelphia in its entirety which directly addresses these issues.

dissent has become unpatriotic.
scary.

For every Tiger Woods there are 10,000 blacks who don't see a golf course? I guess we need taxpayer funded midnight pitch and putt?

For every famous and wealthy white guy, there are 10,000 white guys driving trucks, digging coal or pumping out septic tanks. Does this mean the American government has failed her citizens of Euro-American descent?

The "context" here is 99% what a soulless fictitious business entity called government "owes" people. About 1% about God.