Still Beating The Dead Horse

I know. Y'all are getting tired and bored with my blathering on about the whole Obama-Wright affair, which would not be a story at all, if they were two white men. But what I believe you're seeing is the response to a "scary black man". This may be my last post on the subject, but I make no promises.

From Charlie Reese at Lewrockwell.com, a libertarian website. Rockwell is a supporter of Ron Paul.

He [Wright] does not lower his eyes, bow and scrape, eat crow or humble pie, or apologize. If you insult him, he'll insult you back. I like the guy a whole lot. I disagree with him on some points, but I've come to like and admire him. He makes a better speech than most candidates, and certainly a better and more intelligent one than the so-called pundits.
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Here was a distinguished man with an exceptionally great career watching his whole life being reduced to a few sound bites created by some political trash. He finally had enough. He was interviewed by Bill Moyers, and he made two great speeches, one at the National Press Club and one at the NAACP national convention. Now let's look at the media trick involved in this.
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Now, in the first place, this was the old guilt-by-association gimmick – Sen. Obama, you either have to denounce this man or we will assume you agree with and condone all of his views. Bull. The Rev. Wright is not part of the Obama campaign, doesn't write his speeches and doesn't speak for him. Obama should have said: "Look, we have no connection except a personal one. I've told you I don't agree with all of his views, but I cherish his friendship, and if you don't like that, you can go to hell. And if you have any questions about him or his views, ask him, not me." Then he should have stuck to his campaign message and ignored any questions about the Rev. Wright.

Instead, Obama caved in to the media pressure. As a result, I think a lot more of Wright than I do of Obama. No one should ever let somebody else tell him who he is supposed to like and dislike, and whose views he is supposed to denounce. When people write off other human beings because of a difference of opinion, then you know those people are fanatics. Obama claimed to be offended that the Rev. Wright said Obama had to speak as a politician while he had to speak as a pastor. Then Obama did exactly what the Rev. Wright said he would do – he spoke like a politician.

Yes, I know that the Rev. Wright purchased property in an exclusive, predominantly white community (Imagine!) and is building a house that will cost $1.6 million, with help from the congregation of the church from which he's retiring, but what's that got to do with it? He won't be the first religious leader living in luxury, nor will he be the last.

UPDATE: Thanks to Jim at JindalWatch for the link to Reese's column. While you're there, you can read about the near escape of the Louisiana legislators from having to eat cheap meals in his "The Fear of Taco Bell still Looms Large" post.

UPDATE 2: And the beat goes on. Read Frank Rich's column in the New York Times.