Eugene Robinson: Where Wright Goes Wrong

[babylonsister]

Where Wright Goes Wrong

By Eugene Robinson
Tuesday, April 29, 2008; Page A17



We all have our crosses to bear. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright has become Barack Obama's.

I'm sorry, but I've had it with Wright. I would never try to diminish the service he performed as pastor of his Chicago megachurch, and it's obvious that he's a man of great charisma and faith. But this media tour he's conducting is doing a disservice that goes beyond any impact it might have on Obama's presidential campaign.

The problem is that Wright insists on being seen as something he's not: an archetypal representative of the African American church. In fact, he represents one twig of one branch of a very large tree.

It's understandable, given how Wright has been treated, that he would want to attempt to set the record straight. No one would enjoy seeing his 36-year career reduced to a couple of radioactive sound bites. No preacher would want his entire philosophy to be assessed on the basis of a few rhetorical excesses committed in the heat of a passionate sermon. No former Marine would stomach having his love of country questioned by armchair patriots who have done far less to protect the United States from its enemies.

Given Wright's long silence, I thought he had taken to heart Jesus's admonition to turn the other cheek. Obviously, I was wrong.

I'm through with Wright not because he responded -- in similar circumstances, I certainly couldn't have kept silent -- but because his response was so egocentric. We get it, Rev. Wright: You're ready for your close-up.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/28/AR2008042802102.html

[hannybal]

1. Why Eugene turned against Wright

For the first time yesterday, Wright came strong against Obama saying that he would "come after" Obama if he won the presidency. Eugene is an ultra-biased pro-Obama columnist who would never write bad things about an Obama ally. Yesterday, Wright stopped being perceived as an Obama ally, and Eugene reacted accordingly.

[Red Zelda]

2. Wright is insane

like all "pastors."

[noel711]

3. Well, Zelda, I always knew I was a little nutty...

But 'insane' as is WRight?

That's kind of a blanket condemnation of thousands of us pastors
who try to live the Right way, not the WRight way.