The longer UTube version of the “God Damn America” sermon only gives the context leading up to the inflammatory remarks, and doesn’t go beyond that point, so it is pretty hard to know where Rev Wright took that message from there. But certainly the sermon fits within the context of the prophetic preaching style that Rev Wright and others use. There is a good article by Jane Lampman in the Christian Science Monitor about Rev Wright, and the role black preachers have played in America, here:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0328/p03s07-ussc.html?page=1

Another CSM article from July 2007 about Barack Obama and his faith is also very interesting: http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0716/p01s01-uspo.html

I sent a note to CNN suggesting that they get the full version from the church and post it on their video area, and say something about it, and the fact that Rev Wright’s comments had been taken out of context. I also told them I thought that CNN, ABC and Fox news and others have participated in a smear campaign and should take action to rehabilitate Rev Wright’s reputation. So far, I don’t think they have done anything - perhaps not wanting to inflame the situation further. But since it doesn’t seem to be going away… I think they should “flesh out” the story and not just keep fanning the sparks into flames. It could go a long ways in supporting an important conversation. But it needs to be lifted out of the current campaign politics where any discussion devolves into what impact it will have on the election. The issues raised as a result of the Rev Wright controversy and Barack Obama’s response (and there are many) transcend the election, and should be handled in a serious manner, and involve the participation of people other than political pundits. I could suggest a few luminaries who might have some cogent comments to make on a number of the issues, but the list is too long. Perhaps it is too much to ask of cable entertainment/news network to provide the venue for such discourse.

I had a pretty long conversation about this with a friend, and the general opinion at this point is that this was a damn hard hit job, whomever is ultimately responsible remains to be seen, and for now, it’s best to let the whole thing die until it comes back during the General Election.

As for why we all bought it hook line and sinker, I take a different tack, though you do have a point. My thoughts are that this thing just came on so hard and fast that we all just kinda got shocked straight into damage control We’ve all heard whispers, of course, but in the end a lot of us got really blindsided and found ourselves so scared of being associated with Rev. Wright’s comments that we went into distancing mode without even thinking about maybe he was taken out of context.

Expressions of religion in general — and sermons in particular — tend to leave me cold. But I thought he made some very sound points that, to a religious person, would be thought-provoking. I found nothing shocking or distressing about it, although I was concerned about potential IRS investigations of the church’s tax-exempt status, particularly if this sermon was delivered prior to the 2004 election.

The context truly makes all the difference, although I didn’t find the “God damn America” statement to be egregious even in the carefully-selected excerpt so maybe I’m not the best person to weigh in on this matter.

I can certainly appreciate Kyle’s inclination toward self-flagellation upon recognizing that we “failed to get Wright’s back”. Perhaps it isn’t so much that we fell prey to the right-wing frame and extreme outrage, but simply that many of us have little notion about what goes on in predominantly-black churches?

Incidentally, if there are any other Left Fieldians, or Cuffaluffs out there who can watch this, I would really love to get some opinions on this before I do get the chance to watch.

Thanks.

Things take a slightly different perspective when viewed in the right context.

Whether one agrees with Reverend Wright or not, it seems to me that he has been unfairly demonized to make a media controversy.

Jeremiah Wright’s God Damn America in context on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvMbeVQj6Lw

“The fracas started Thursday morning, when ABC’s “Good Morning America” ran a Brian Ross expose on Wright that included old video of him saying: “The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing ‘God bless America’? No, no, no. Not God bless America. God [expletive] America.” ”

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0308/9051.html

Good to see you’re up on the latest kook spin, though.