4.17.2008
One of the most ludicrous questions asked of Senator Obama was about his former Pastor, Reverend Wright and whether he loved this country. In fact, it was an issue that was brought up during the "debate" on more than one occasion. I thought that this would be a good time to address some of the talking points that are out there about Reverend Wright.
I guess I can understand someone questioning Dr. Wright’s patriotism if all that is known of the man is the thirty-second loop that has been saturated in the news for the past several weeks. But don’t you find it a little suspicious that over the span of his 36 years as a preacher only thirty seconds of his career have been found to be that objectionable?
So let’s take a closer look at the man and what he has done in his life to show his patriotism to his country. In 1961 during the Vietnam War Jeremiah Wright, inspired by President Kennedy’s challenge to "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," left college to become part of 2nd Marine Division with the rank of private first class. He could have taken the easy road and use his student deferment like Dick Cheney did FIVE times, but instead he decided to serve his country.
After he served a couple of year in the Marines he transferred to the Navy where he graduated as valedictorian of his class at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. Having excelled and been such an exemplary corpsman, Jeremiah Wright was then accepted into the National Naval Medical Center where he graduated as salutatorian. After graduation Jeremiah was assigned to the medical team in charge of treating President Johnson. He was the cardiopulmonary technician that tended to him. During his time of service he awarded three letters of commendations from the White House.
So is this a man that hates America? A man who served his country proudly for six years while Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Bill Clinton, and George Bush used their student deferments to stay in college until 1968 and then avoided going on active duty through family connections. What makes them more “patriotic”? Their lapel pins?
And the statement "God bless America... No!... God Damn America," that was said after 9/11. Is it possible that the 5 seconds of the hour long sermon were taken out of context? Do yourself a favor and watch what he really said:
Is he over-the-top from what we see in most white churches? Yes. But is he factually wrong in what he actually says? NO.
A true patriot, like I believe Reverend Wright is, should speak harsh words of a government whoo abuses power, not out of a place of hatred, but from an impassioned place of profound love and the highest of expectations. There are deep echo of my own feelings about this country in Reverend Wrights words. I love America, but I vehemently oppose what we pass off for some of our policies.
Remember, the genocide of Native Americans was committed by our government. A whole race of people were legally enslaved by the this nation and sold as property. And for no other reason then being Japanese, our government put our own citizens in concentration camps. Do you really think that God would look favorably upon these acts or would he see them for what they are - sins against humanity. So, yes: God Damn America.
The Tribune also has an enlightening article here about his military service if you would like to read more about it.
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