Once Obama became a threat to Hillary Clinton's nomination for the presidency the hits on Obama came building on the racism in our country and analyzing every word so as to corrupt his message of bringing us all altogether.

But I haven't heard any questions put to Hillary about the Clinton Chronicles. WHY?

I recently sent e-mails to all the uncommitted superdelegate senators and congressmen I was permitted to e-mail which was the following:

I am an Independent/leaning Democrat, 62, white and a woman and this is the first I've heard and seen the CLINTON CHRONICLES on google.

These chronicles should be addressed now before Ms. Clinton uses any more of her racist digs on Barack Obama.

America needs to transcend their racist roots to survive and for the world to respect us once again. Obama is the cleanest and worthiest candidate and if nominated we can transcend the bigot voters in our country and beat McCain.

Without Obama, I'm with Nader/Gonzales.

I would like to get evryone's opiniomn of Reverend Wright now. Barack Obama has finally come out and cut Wright loose because of his controverial and racist remarks. Bill Moyers and all you who would support this reverse racism, how can you defend this man now? If you still defend him and his remarks then how do you reconcile your stance with that of Obama. Is Obama wrong when he states, "When I go church ....It’s not to hear things that violate my core beliefs". and I believe the next statement by Barack explains it best: "His comments [Reverend Wright] were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church" Thats right!!! His words "GIVE COMFORT TO THOSE WHO PREY ON HATE" Can we all agree now that what Wright has been bombarding his congregation and the public with is racist and hateful. When we as a people, of all races, can come together and condemn racism then we can truly live together as Americans.
Let me quote Martin Luther King, Jr. "In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline." Now I want you to ask yourself honestly. Do Reverend Wright's comments sound "bitter" and "hateful"? Does he try to stay on a "high plane of dignity and discipline"? If you were honest then you would have answered "YES". If not then please continue to look the other way while King's dreams are stepped on and racism continues to be spread like a cancer through America.

America at this moment in time, reminds me of a story that I saw recently on a popular television talk show where a family was dealing with the trauma of a grandfather who had molested his own granddaughter. Now the acts of the grandfather were willing to be ignored by the grandmother because after all this man was her husband and the man she had spent the majority of her life with. To deny him would mean the grandmother would have to deny, I’m sure, years of shared history and fond memories with this man. However, the daughter and the son-in-law just could not seem to get beyond what the grandfather had done to their young daughter and rightfully so. It was hard for them to recall good memories. To them even the good memories about their family were clouded by their pain.

Now here we are an American family with an ugly dirty secret called “racism” which has operated at the highest levels of our government and business. May we not forget Senator Strom Thurmond who was an admitted racist the entire time he was caring for his black daughter a story which, by the way, did not get nearly as much media coverage. America is in the exact same dilemma of this troubled family. Do we act like the grandmother and chose to forget our hurtful racial past by not confronting it and go on as if it never happened? Or, do we acknowledge the statements of Jeremiah Wright as being the family member who is unable to get beyond his pain, anger and disappointment because his American family refuses to acknowledge and deal with its ugly secret.

As I see it, we should all be grateful for Reverend Jeremiah Wright because whether you believe he’s wrong or right, it was his words that brought the American family to where we can finally have a real conversation about race and hopefully if we can all acknowledge the truth; however ugly it might be and embarrassing to hear and maybe, just maybe we can ultimately get to a place of healing and a truly “united” States of America.

I am responding to your broadcast with Rev. Wright, Trinity United Church of Christ. I am taken aback with his hypocrisy. Those tapes of his sermon showed the TRUTH of his hatred of white people and America---his home land(not Africa). His ancestors may have come to America as slaves, but he did not. The time of Martin L King has not existed in America for a long time. There are no laws telling blacks to ride in the back of the bus, etc. Any black child can attain any status he or she works hard to achieve in America TODAY!---Just like any white, yellow, or brown child. WORK for is the key word. I attend an Episcopal church where integration is real---white,black (Sudan,Africa), Spanish, oriental---I did not see one WHITE face in Rev. Wright's congregation. He does not preach the love that Jesus preached. Christ didn't point fingers or make excuses. I am a 60yr old white woman, who grew up in an extremely poor environment. I have made a success of my life, by working hard and not blaming anyone else for my problems. Tell Rev. Wright to start preaching that instead. Thanks for listening.

Mr. Moyers,

Hats off to you for conducting such an awesome interview with Rev. Wright! It was professional and I appreciated the fact that you allowed Rev Wright to speak w/o interruptions which are all too common in mainstream media. I really wish the uninformed would open up their minds and see who the real Rev. Wright is as defined by he himself! Kudos to you AND Rev. Wright for a JOB WELL DONE!!!

I will simply say thank you for a quality piece. All to often are we forced to hear people talking over one another trying to get gotcha points. Nice work.

I just wanted to fwd an interesting email i rec'd:

Rudy Giuliani's priest has been accused in grand jury proceedings of molesting several children and covering up the molestation of others. Giuliani would not disavow him on the campaign trail and still works with him.

Mitt Romney was part of a church that did not view black Americans as equals and actively discriminated against them. He stayed with that church all the way into his early thirties, until they were finally forced to change their policies to come into compliance with civil rights legislation. Romney never disavowed his church back then or now. He said he was proud of the faith of his fathers.

Jerry Falwell said America had 9/11 coming because we tolerated gays, feminists and liberals. It was our fault. Our chickens had come home to roost, if you will. John McCain proudly received his support and even spoke at his university's commencement.

Reverend John Hagee has called the Catholic Church the "Great Whore." He has said that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the European Union (of course, the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish). He has said all Muslims are trained to kill and will be part of the devil's army when Armageddon comes (which he hopes is soon). John McCain continues to say he is proud of Reverend Hagee's endorsement.

Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam. Since this is such an outlandish claim, I have to add for the record, that he is not kidding. Reverend Parsley says Islam is an "anti-Christ religion" brought down from a "demon spirit." Of course, we are in a war against all Muslims, including presumably Muslim-Americans. Buts since Parsley believes this is a Christian nation and that it should be run as a theocracy, he is not very concerned what Muslim-Americans think.
John McCain says Reverend Rod Parsley is his "spiritual guide."

What separates all of these outrageous preachers from Barack Obama's?
You guessed it. They're white and Reverend Jeremiah Wright is not. If it's not racism that's causing the disparity in media treatment of these preachers, then what is it?

I'm willing to listen to other possible explanations. And I am inclined to believe that the people these preachers go after are more important than the race of the preacher. It's one thing to go after gays, liberals and Muslims - that seems to be perfectly acceptable in America - it's another to accuse white folks of not living up to their ideals.

I think there is another factor at play as well. The media is deathly afraid of calling out preachers of any stripe for insane propaganda from the pulpits for fear that they will be labeled as anti-Christian. But criticism of Rev. Wright falls into their comfort zone. It's easy to blame him for being anti-American because he criticizes American foreign and domestic policy.

If Rev. Wright had preached about discriminating against gay Americans or Muslims, there probably would not have been any outcry at all. That falls into the category of "respect their hateful opinions because they cloak themselves in the church."

But one thing is indisputable - the enormous disparity in how the media has covered these white preachers as opposed to Rev. Wright. Have you ever even heard of Rod Parsley? As you can see from what I listed above, all of these white preachers have said and done the most outlandish and offensive things you can imagine - and hardly a peep.

If the disparity in coverage isn't racist, then what is it?
© 2008 Huffington Post All rights reserved.

I just wanted to fwd an interesting email i rec'd:

Rudy Giuliani's priest has been accused in grand jury proceedings of molesting several children and covering up the molestation of others. Giuliani would not disavow him on the campaign trail and still works with him.

Mitt Romney was part of a church that did not view black Americans as equals and actively discriminated against them. He stayed with that church all the way into his early thirties, until they were finally forced to change their policies to come into compliance with civil rights legislation. Romney never disavowed his church back then or now. He said he was proud of the faith of his fathers.

Jerry Falwell said America had 9/11 coming because we tolerated gays, feminists and liberals. It was our fault. Our chickens had come home to roost, if you will. John McCain proudly received his support and even spoke at his university's commencement.

Reverend John Hagee has called the Catholic Church the "Great Whore." He has said that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the European Union (of course, the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish). He has said all Muslims are trained to kill and will be part of the devil's army when Armageddon comes (which he hopes is soon). John McCain continues to say he is proud of Reverend Hagee's endorsement.

Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam. Since this is such an outlandish claim, I have to add for the record, that he is not kidding. Reverend Parsley says Islam is an "anti-Christ religion" brought down from a "demon spirit." Of course, we are in a war against all Muslims, including presumably Muslim-Americans. Buts since Parsley believes this is a Christian nation and that it should be run as a theocracy, he is not very concerned what Muslim-Americans think.
John McCain says Reverend Rod Parsley is his "spiritual guide."

What separates all of these outrageous preachers from Barack Obama's?
You guessed it. They're white and Reverend Jeremiah Wright is not. If it's not racism that's causing the disparity in media treatment of these preachers, then what is it?

I'm willing to listen to other possible explanations. And I am inclined to believe that the people these preachers go after are more important than the race of the preacher. It's one thing to go after gays, liberals and Muslims - that seems to be perfectly acceptable in America - it's another to accuse white folks of not living up to their ideals.

I think there is another factor at play as well. The media is deathly afraid of calling out preachers of any stripe for insane propaganda from the pulpits for fear that they will be labeled as anti-Christian. But criticism of Rev. Wright falls into their comfort zone. It's easy to blame him for being anti-American because he criticizes American foreign and domestic policy.

If Rev. Wright had preached about discriminating against gay Americans or Muslims, there probably would not have been any outcry at all. That falls into the category of "respect their hateful opinions because they cloak themselves in the church."

But one thing is indisputable - the enormous disparity in how the media has covered these white preachers as opposed to Rev. Wright. Have you ever even heard of Rod Parsley? As you can see from what I listed above, all of these white preachers have said and done the most outlandish and offensive things you can imagine - and hardly a peep.

If the disparity in coverage isn't racist, then what is it?
© 2008 Huffington Post All rights reserved.

Dear Mr. Moyers;

Thank you for your interview of Rev. Wright. So often we form misinformed (or "disinformed")opinions of people based on what the mainstream media pumps into our living rooms nightly.
Rev. Wright obviously loves his country and is doing what he can, the only way he knows how, to make this country a better place.
I don't really care for the way he goes about his business on the pulpit, but he can hardly be accused of hating the United States.

Mr. Moyers you are the BEST!!!
I edited some of your questions into my paper. used some of the blogs (gave everybody credit and anonymity of course) but I patterned the conlcusion of my paper Saturday night after you and this morning my professor email to tell me that I GOT AN A!!!!! YEAH!!!!!! My paper was balanced and insightful.
Thank-you so much! don't mind the haters, they're just jealous!!

I just wanted to fwd an interesting email i rec'd:

Rudy Giuliani's priest has been accused in grand jury proceedings of molesting several children and covering up the molestation of others. Giuliani would not disavow him on the campaign trail and still works with him.

Mitt Romney was part of a church that did not view black Americans as equals and actively discriminated against them. He stayed with that church all the way into his early thirties, until they were finally forced to change their policies to come into compliance with civil rights legislation. Romney never disavowed his church back then or now. He said he was proud of the faith of his fathers.

Jerry Falwell said America had 9/11 coming because we tolerated gays, feminists and liberals. It was our fault. Our chickens had come home to roost, if you will. John McCain proudly received his support and even spoke at his university's commencement.

Reverend John Hagee has called the Catholic Church the "Great Whore." He has said that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the European Union (of course, the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish). He has said all Muslims are trained to kill and will be part of the devil's army when Armageddon comes (which he hopes is soon). John McCain continues to say he is proud of Reverend Hagee's endorsement.

Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam. Since this is such an outlandish claim, I have to add for the record, that he is not kidding. Reverend Parsley says Islam is an "anti-Christ religion" brought down from a "demon spirit." Of course, we are in a war against all Muslims, including presumably Muslim-Americans. Buts since Parsley believes this is a Christian nation and that it should be run as a theocracy, he is not very concerned what Muslim-Americans think.
John McCain says Reverend Rod Parsley is his "spiritual guide."

What separates all of these outrageous preachers from Barack Obama's?
You guessed it. They're white and Reverend Jeremiah Wright is not. If it's not racism that's causing the disparity in media treatment of these preachers, then what is it?

I'm willing to listen to other possible explanations. And I am inclined to believe that the people these preachers go after are more important than the race of the preacher. It's one thing to go after gays, liberals and Muslims - that seems to be perfectly acceptable in America - it's another to accuse white folks of not living up to their ideals.

I think there is another factor at play as well. The media is deathly afraid of calling out preachers of any stripe for insane propaganda from the pulpits for fear that they will be labeled as anti-Christian. But criticism of Rev. Wright falls into their comfort zone. It's easy to blame him for being anti-American because he criticizes American foreign and domestic policy.

If Rev. Wright had preached about discriminating against gay Americans or Muslims, there probably would not have been any outcry at all. That falls into the category of "respect their hateful opinions because they cloak themselves in the church."

But one thing is indisputable - the enormous disparity in how the media has covered these white preachers as opposed to Rev. Wright. Have you ever even heard of Rod Parsley? As you can see from what I listed above, all of these white preachers have said and done the most outlandish and offensive things you can imagine - and hardly a peep.

If the disparity in coverage isn't racist, then what is it?
© 2008 Huffington Post All rights reserved.

Bill, you call that an interview? In case you have forgotten what interview means, watch the O'Reilly show. He has interviews.

Finally, real journalism!

Bye, bye CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC and the infamous FAUX NEWS. I will never watch or listen to your lies again. I prefer the truth, so it'll be PBS for me -- forever!!!

You know it says in the Bible that not all will be able to see or hear the truth and that those who can are aligned with God and WILL be prosecuted in all ways. Those who are doing the prosecuting against Rev. Wright or anyone else for that matter, I guess we know who you're aligned with, don't we?

I am not clear why the stopobama people are being allowed to use the blog for their personal purposes with this number of posts. I don't think everyone has to praise the interview, but the number of posts from this groups is extreme. I guess it is an issue of free speech.

This was a beautiful interview. More of this and maybe more of us will believe the press. It was not judgmental it was insightful. Thank you for one mature journalist or reporter. I hope this is a lesson to many that its not only lies that sells truth can sell to. You just got yourself a new donor to your station.
Thanks you.

Thank you Bill Moyers for providing a platform for Rev. Jeramiah Wright, Jr. to tell his story. He is more of a patriot than Dick Cheney, Bill Clinton, George Bush and a few others in that he honorably served this country and a president as well. America, can you stand to hear the truth? The time is now for healing.

Lovely Jeremiah Wright interview! Thank you so much, Mr. Moyers! I don't know why the naysayers think you should've pummeled the man- I thought you did a brilliant job at showing what this man is about. And by the way, has everyone forgotten that it was pretty common after 9-11 to wonder what in the world we had done to have factions hate us so much that they would perform acts that happened on 9-11? Um, we might be the "greatest nation in the world" for many reasons but our hands are not completely clean. (Note: Any educated person will take note that I am not saying that 3000+ people deserved to die in the towers because of this- anyone that disagrees with me will twist my words to intimate that I am saying we deserved it- I am not).

I can only hope that the clips that make MSM are not taken out of context and twisted and fabricated into whatever will support the McCain and Clinton camps. Why can't we just look at the facts without projecting our own meaning into it? I don't have to agree with Rev. Wright to see that he is a wonderful man that could teach many valuable lessons to people. The most important mentor in my life, my grandfather, who is a hardworking, devoted family man and Christian, thinks the Holocaust was perhaps "embellished" or fabricated. Do I agree with him? NO!!!!! Would I write him off and never speak to him again because of this? No! I love him with all my heart and he has taught me so much in life. I also realize that he looks at life through his own set of lenses that were formed by his own experiences in life. As an educated woman, I am capable of pulling from him what works for me and leaving with him what doesn't. I do not adopt every view from every person that touches my life and I trust Senator Obama to do the same, as a responsible, educated, balanced leader. Why is this so difficult for everyone to grasp? If everyone looked at their mentors in life, they would find tons of beliefs that they do not adopt- and that does not take away from what those mentors added to their lives. It really isn't that hard of a concept to grasp. I wish we could open our hearts and minds a bit more. If people do not want to vote for Obama, fine- but make it a vote FOR something of substance as opposed to a vote AGAINST something of absurdity.

I have to admit once I heard the sound bites of Rev. Wright I thought who is this crazy man and why would anybody with any agenda those things this in public, but after this interview I would vote Rev. Wright for president. I think a lot of people reputations, at least in my eyes, will never be creditably again.

Lovely Jeremiah Wright interview! Thank you so much, Mr. Moyers! I don't know why the naysayers think you should've pummeled the man- I thought you did a brilliant job at showing what this man is about. And by the way, has everyone forgotten that it was pretty common after 9-11 to wonder what in the world we had done to have factions hate us so much that they would perform acts that happened on 9-11? Um, we might be the "greatest nation in the world" for many reasons but our hands are not completely clean. (Note: Any educated person will take note that I am not saying that 3000+ people deserved to die in the towers because of this- anyone that disagrees with me will twist my words to intimate that I am saying we deserved it- I am not).

I can only hope that the clips that make MSM are not taken out of context and twisted and fabricated into whatever will support the McCain and Clinton camps. Why can't we just look at the facts without projecting our own meaning into it? I don't have to agree with Rev. Wright to see that he is a wonderful man that could teach many valuable lessons to people. The most important mentor in my life, my grandfather, who is a hardworking, devoted family man and Christian, thinks the Holocaust was perhaps "embellished" or fabricated. Do I agree with him? NO!!!!! Would I write him off and never speak to him again because of this? No! I love him with all my heart and he has taught me so much in life. I also realize that he looks at life through his own set of lenses that were formed by his own experiences in life. As an educated woman, I am capable of pulling from him what works for me and leaving with him what doesn't. I do not adopt every view from every person that touches my life and I trust Senator Obama to do the same, as a responsible, educated, balanced leader. Why is this so difficult for everyone to grasp? If everyone looked at their mentors in life, they would find tons of beliefs that they do not adopt- and that does not take away from what those mentors added to their lives. It really isn't that hard of a concept to grasp. I wish we could open our hearts and minds a bit more. If people do not want to vote for Obama, fine- but make it a vote FOR something of substance as opposed to a vote AGAINST something of absurdity.

Anyone who judges Obama based on his association with this man should at least hear what he has to say. It seems to me that Wright's biggest sin is hyperbole. His words about God damning America and America's chickens coming home to roost are merely colorful ways to illustrate one of the Bible's most important themes: that God brings judgment on nations that oppress their most vulnerable people.

Bill: You forgot one thing in your interview with the good Rev Wright --- the smooch.
Thats right, you forgot to have him bend over your desk and plant one on his big fat butt. You did this in every other sense of the term, so why not in fact? Pucker up butter cup!

Mr Moyers:
Well---- you missed one thing sir; the smooch. Thats right, you did everything else to defer to the good Rev, but you forgot to ask him to bend over the desk and to plant a kiss on his big fat butt! You did this in every other sense of the phrase - so why not in fact? Pucker up butter cup.

In reference to sub-Herr Wright: When you are given another escaped terrorist slave to interrogate, Bill Moyers, he should be softened up first by
CACI experts (waterboard, extended wakeful stress, nudity and sexual degradation, threats to loved ones, sodomy, hood, shocks, extreme temperatures, holy texts ground in excrement, stress positions, etc.). Let him be informed in no uncertain terms the atrocities and perversions he surely must have committed, else we would never have been forced to bring him in. Then you should get Brancaccio in for a good anchor/bad anchor routine of slaps, shocks, bright lights, confession writing and mock bargaining. It is only in this way a that high value renderee will come clean with the strategic information necessary to keep the public disinformed and manipulated, and elections safe for elitist, classist, racist manipulating Supermen, like myself. If you follow my recommendations I shall remain syncophantic to your cult forever (even renewing my WNET card), or at least until my Luger discharges in my mouth and my body is cremated by my underlings.

WOW. THANKYOU SOOOOO MUCH FOR DOING THAT INTERVIEW MR. MOYERS. I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THIS INTERVIEW, BUT I WAS TAKEN BY COMPLETE SURPRISE AT WHAT KIND OF INTELLECTUAL MAN REV. WRIGHT IS. QUOTING THE BABLYONIAN TALMUD? HELPING PRESIDENT JOHNSON RECOVER IN THE HOSPITAL? THIS MAN HAS HAD AN INCREDIBLE LIFE AND HAS INCREDIBLE WISDOM, INTELLECT AND INSIGHT.

I DON'T HAVE MUCH USE FOR CHRISTIANITY OR CHRISTIANS BUT THIS MAN ISN'T A CHRISTIAN. HE IS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST, HIS TEACHINGS AS WELL AS OTHER FAITHS AND BELIEFS. HE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF WHAT EVERY BLACK MAN AND BLACK WOMAN IS AND SHOULD BE.

IF EVERY PERSON WOULD BE MADE TO WATCH THIS INTERVIEW, PRESIDENT OBAMA WOULD WIN IN A REAGAN-ESQUE LANDSLIDE ELECTION TOMORROW.

TRULY GREAT! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST HIGH, JAH!

RASTAFARI!

Well, well well. Some of these comments are disgusting. I now have a new look at Rev. Wright. Perhaps some of those questions could have been more penetrating.
Rev. Wright’s comments about how shameful our country is regarding Iraq, Katrina, Viet Nam and the like really hit home.
I find the Bill Moyer’s interviews to be very forthright. Each week he gives us a different look at how messed up our country really is.
I just hope that many people saw this interview. I heard about it on CNN Friday morning.
Obama has nothing to worry about. But to thing that the Republicans would stoop that low to a political campaign add in North Carolina denouncing Obama is ridiculous.
Just think, if Hilary gets elected, 36 years of Bush and Clinton.
Steve Zimmett, St. Marys, PA

Thank you Mr. Moyer for your in depth interview with Rev. Wright. Thank you for showing the sermons in more of the real context in which he preached. This man has been crucified wrongly!! We may not believe everything he believes in, but I'm sure he IS NOT a racist or unpatriotic! The truth hurts!

I was impressed with the skillfulness of the interviewer, Bill Moyers. It struck me, in a very positive way, that not only did we not hear about Barack Obama until the last ten minutes or so, but that the interview was very focused on the man himself, Rev. Wright. I’ve be waiting for a response from him ever since this happened. I found Rev. Wright to be compelling, likeable, and profound as a thinker.

Amazing. There are two sides to every story. A couple of the comments here show that some are too narrow-minded to realize this, and do ignorant things, such as labeling the interview a PR campaign. It shows how firm a grip the cable news channels have on the minds of the masses. No other source is credible, and anything that gets airtime outside these "news channels" is radical propaganda. That is preposterous and indicates a latent fanaticism in the minds of those who gave credence to those five second clips and loops taken out of context from Wright's sermons.

I have no doubt in my mind that everyone here has said something that would be called "abrasive" or "hateful" if it were taken out of context and looped over and over again for emphasis. That doesn't mean you should be castrated for it.

The ignorance in some of these inflammatory comments is just overwhelming.

Great piece though.

I commend you, Mr. Moyers, for the courage to give Dr. Wright a chance to present himself to the American public.

In reading the postings that criticize you for this, I am reminded of how polarized we have become since Cable TV has locked viewers into their corners of the ring, where they rarely listen to anyone who doesn't agree with them anymore.

Those of us who admire both Senator Obama and Rev. Wright have been subjected to literally hundreds of minutes of those sounds bites on every station for the last 5 weeks, taking Rev. Wright's remarks out of context, but you are criticized for giving him one hour to speak in context! Those who castigate you show their own narrowmindedness and bigotry.

Instead of reasoned discourse between the right and the left, between black and white, shouting and scoring points in argument seem to be the norm. We should note that this type of behavior is often a preamble to violent, civil conflict. Those who keep their radios tuned to the likes of Rush Limbaugh harden their views and descend into the fascist mindset that is always in the shadows. I hope those who posted those angry remarks do not represent a sizable portion of the US population. I hope there are fewer of them than there are of those who agree with Rev. Wright's analysis - because we certainly number in the millions.

Clearly, the range of views in America can span a great chasm. Barack Obama is a voice for dialogue, encouraging us to listen to each other, and seek common ground. Those who want to deny Rev. Wright and those who agree with him a platform to be heard fairly need to understand that they do not have an exclusive claim on American patriotism. Rev Wright has every bit a right to claim to be a patriot, having fought for this country and having stood in the surgical suite with a sitting US President, with the power of life and death in his hands. He cannot be denied the right to speak, and those who would try to do so need to get a grip on their sanity and open their minds to the possibility that people who look like him have something to say to which they need to listen.

Mr. Moyers, thank you for being a bridge over these troubled waters that are the American public discourse today. I hope yours will be the first of many opportunities for dialogue across this widening racial, cultural, and political divide.

Thank you, Mr. Moyer, for trying to help generate more light than heat on the Rev Wright and his preachings. I believe, though, that you have only begun to scratch the surface maybe for lack of time, or for whatever reason. It was disappointing for example, for you not to have followed up on the Reverend's dismissal of Sen Obama's public utterances on the nature of their pastor-parishioner relationship by saying this is how one (Sen Obama) speaks as a politician and the other (Rev Wright) as a pastor. What happened to truth in all these then? Is this an example of how religion and politics are being shamelessly mixed together these days to gather votes? Whatever happened to separation of Church and State? What does this say of the intrusiveness of the Bible, and the glib use of its passages, as a handy tool for justifying this and that cause?

Another question I did not see tackled in the interview was: Where does the maligning of the Clintons in the Reverend's sermons, from the pulpit no less, to promote Sen Obama enter the picture? Is this what he meant when he said he speaks as a pastor?

In the end, I feel that Sen Obama and his pastor need to show more candor and sincerity to win the trust of the people.

Thank you. My spirits needed a lift from the drag of dreck accumulated from watching Facist Fox and other news hitlerites. Unfortunately, even intelligent people of my acquaintance have been repeating what the networks have been spewing out, and now I have something I can counter them with, if, of course, they will listen. Thank you again!

Mr. Moyers,

Thank you so much for this illuminating interview with Reverend Wright. Although I am not a Christian, I was deeply moved by Rev. Wright's message of social justice, love, peace and humility (what I've always felt true Christianity is, but has been so often ignored). I feel such outrage at the way in which his words were twisted by the mainstream media - it's a disservice to all of us when the public dialogue is manipulated.

Thanks again and welcome back!

WOW! Lot's of people really show a high level of negativity. I was disappointed to read the other comments, but the comments are insightful. I was captured during the show with Rev. Wright. We have become so angry and vengeful. He may say a lot of things, but he does speak truths of the Old Testament. I am Catholic and a product of Catholic schools. He definitely does understand the Old Testament. He recognizes the trends and is able to say that this too shall pass, in reference to the trend of our times. I am hopeful also, but sad. He may not be perfect, but he is as human as all of us are. I hope we survive US. Thank you Bill Moyers for your contribution to public television.

Thank God for PBS and their boldness and kindness in letting Rev. Jeremiah Wright voice his feelings, showing his remarks in context -- that the news media blew out of context and played over and over again to incite racial hatred and to cast expersions upon Senator Obama for not denoucing him.

Thank God he didn't! He knew the truth about the matter and stood firm on his belief.

The news media tried to show comments -- again out of context-- of the things he said in the interview before it was aired -- they put their usual negative spin on it to prejudice people against it before it even came on.

Shame on the news media! Everyone was exposed and Rev. Wright and Senator Obama were exonerated. I trust that this will be enough to stop the negative effect of the ads that the Republicans are going to run next week.

The news media says that it was bad timing for Senator Obama, when in fact it was great timing. I trust that the Obama campaign will pay money to run the entire interview on national tv before every primary.

The news media is still taking the interview out of context and putting a negative spin on it even after it aired.

Hopefully the American people will not take what the media showed in advance of the interview, and will form their own opinion about the matter.

I hope everyone will get to view the complete interview.

Thank God for answering the prayers of His people in bringing out the truth.

Thank you very much PBS and Mr. Bill Moyer for this insightful piece. Although, this program should have answered any and all questions concerning the context of Rev. Wright's sermons, ignorant people who have been poisoned by the biased and racist media will continue to feel the same way they felt before the program. The reason for this is that hate and racism is still pervasive and permeate the very fabric of America. It is attached to America like a parasite attaches itself to a host. By not having meaningful, intelligent, and constructive conversations about race, America's racial infirmity will continue to exist.

Thank you, Mr. Moyer, for this phenomenal interview. It allowed Rev. Wright the opportunity to fill in the blanks surrounding the words of his that have been blasted all over the news of late. Rev. Wright showed himself to be a man of great character and loyalty, loyalty to a country who's society has oppressed him and those of his race for centuries. Every word he said rang true and his life of caring for the overall well being of his parishioners speaks volumes. He is the true Christian, not one of the flag waving zealots we usually have put in front of us by the (anything but) Christian right.

Dear Mr. Moyers, Thank you so much for this sensitive and illuminating piece, and for all of your work for so many years. If we had more journalists of your caliber, our nation would be a vastly better place.

Sincerely,
Ben Silverman
New York, NY

Dear Mr. Moyers,
I would like to thank you for this wonderful piece. It was helpful to find out more about Rev. Wright, I was so impressed with his message and demeanor.
The mainstream media, the Republicans, and Hillary Clinton should be ashamed of themselves for their portrayal of him. The race-based fear that they are trying to instill are precisely why we need true change in this country.

Bill Moyers, YOU ROCK!!!!!
peeps...
If you like PBS..pony up...put your money where your mouth is..
Buy the video, $29.95.. show it to your kids, your classes, your groups.
Show your support,click on
the 'digg' icon and let them know

Thank you, Thank you!
The interview allowed whole thoughts to be expressed and fleshed out, an interview for adults! What a refreshing change.
Rev. Wright may have said things we do not want to face, but what he said was true. Thank you again.

Dr. Wright seems to preach wholly from the Old Testament where he exudes pride in Joseph's life in Egypt. Where Wright differs from my ministers is their sermons come mainly from the New Testament and Jesus Christ's ministry. I find Dr Wright preaches black theology, but it isn't rooted in Christ's life and work, which took place in all of 30 miles in Israel (Middle East). The 2000 year old story is one of love, truth, and forgiveness.

The Reverend Wright piece was excellent, it gave basically an hour to someone who has been in the news frequently of late. To try to make Reverend Wright a bad guy is ridiculous. Any pictures you saw of him in his life he was trying to do the right thing. I mean, c'mon, he is a pastor and before that he was a medical technician trying to help save a president's life. It's gotten ridiculous that all people are judging is what philosophy a person has or whether they are liberal or conservative. What they do when they wake up and do the rest of the day should be the criteria if you ask me. I

Reverend Wright, Obama and the media can spin it any way they want with the now sweet, soft-spoken but still lying Reverend. It's still HATRED, RACIST and ANTI-AMERICAN.

Nothing can justify God **** America. Nothing.

Let's ask the Reverend about dry humping the air in front of the congregation, including children, while saying we did black people like Bill Clinton did Monica Lewinsky.

I'm not stupid and know what "ridin dirty" is. And in front of children, shame, shame Mr. Wright.

Wow, it's sad to see that you're one of the only rational voices in the media. Everywhere else, it's just been a clamor to rip his sound bites out of context and do as much damage to Obama's campaign as they possibly can to keep this Democratic nomination process going. They don't care that in the process, they're deceitfully defaming an entire community on false premises. Anyway, digg it if you liked it.

This won't change reality--
Obama will lose in November because of this association, among other things.

Obama said on the view that Wright was sorry for his comments, and that's why he hasn't left the church. Another bending of the truth?

Rev. Wright doesn't represent the "black church" anymore than the "Rev" Jacksons or Sharptons. This is strictly hate speach which only serves to hold down the black community and has no true spirituality/Christianity. Blacks, whites, Hispanics all should turn their back on him. Barack's membership in this man's church says he flushed his morals long ago, in choosing politics. He is betraying his black brothers.

Mr. Moyers:
I usually am very impressed with your program and the people you have on even if I don't always agree with them. I think you do a great sevice to the American discouse. However, I was very disappointed with the Rev. Wright inteview. I thought it was very much a softball interview. I wanted to hear why it was appropiate for Wright to say the things he said about Bill Clinton "doing the dirty" to the AA community like he did to Monica and his comments about Hillary never being called a n***er etc. First, the Clintons have done a great deal for the AA community over the years and brought many AA's into government posts during the Clinton years. Second, any woman from Hillary's generation knows what women went through to break into many jobs in the male dominated society. AA's are not the only ones that have had to be smarter and work harder to compete in the male dominated world. And women may not be passed up by a cab but they have to worry if the guy giving them a ride is going to try to rape them. Where were the questions to address these issues?

Being raised in Kansas a Lutheran in a Catholic neighborhood, I had exposure to many different religous teachings. I never heard the anger, the hate spewed by Wright. I heard love thy neighbor, do unto others..... I learned about hard work and an obligation to help those who couldn't help themselves. Not about the government. Do I think our government has done some terrible things? Absolutely. And it is up to me to follow MLK to PEACEFULLY try to change that injustice. Just calling it out with hate and anger is not productive.

Rev. Wright is trying to clean up his image but I am not buying. If it was my pastor I would have walked out. That is not the spirituality I was tought.

Thanks for the helpful and revealing Jeremiah Wright interview. HOW TRAGIC!

Rev. Wright is likable and his words compelling in so many ways. But he also deceives himself with a sense of his own righteousness and right-ness. Rev. Wright is apparently incapable of apology.

Any pastor--ANYONE, for that matter--who advocates cross-cultural understanding, but offends massive portions of another cultural group, who despises the mass media for "miscommunicating" his own words, but claims to have successfully communicated with those same offensive words, who embraces his role as a citizen of and minister in the only major non-sectarian democracy in the world, but condemns "THEM" (not "US") for America's mistakes and sins, who defends what a reasonable interviewer calls "indefensible," who sings the righteous blues of self-pity for having outraged the sensibilities of caring, conscientious people in all walks of life, ought to have some sense of humility. Rev. Wright showed none. Mr. Obama, on the other hand, responded masterfully well in his Philadelphia speech. And he wasn't doing "what politicians do"--he did what a thoughtful humanitarian would do.

Rev. Jeremiah Wright's failure is not that he is "unashamedly Black," but that he is also "unapologetically self-righteous." How contrary to the very spirit and "mind of Christ."

Dear Mr. Moyers,

I am rather disappointed that you did not ask more pressing questions. This man's racist, divisive preaching is not to be tolerated particularly when he capitalizes on this hate speak to buy himself a $10 million dollar home.

Why did you not ask him about this?

How about his sexually gyrating in church and insulting the Clintons -- or making the horrible comment in a sermon, no less, that Hillary Clinton doesn't know what it's like to struggle because she has never been called a n*gg*r. Can you imagine. Never mind the horrible mysogyny she faces every day at the hands of people like him and media thugs. Why didn't you question him about this.

I can understand treading gently with the Rev. to get him to open up, but to let him off the hook like this does a disservice to your reputation -- and to your viewers. When you read all of his remarks "in context" they do not get any better. They are still horribly paranoid, racist and divisive and do nothing to move the debate toward unity forward in this country.

We do not need to see an interview that is little more than an effort by his press people to clean up his image.

Thank you for the Jeremiah Wright story! Thank you! I wish everyone in the country could see this and appreciate Mr. Wright for what he is- without having to agree with his views. Thank you so much for airing this- I have never watched your show before and am glad to have discovered it through this. Thank you for this interview! I hope it helps the critics put this whole story in context and see what a wonderful man he is. Thank you!

I am so glad that you did this program. I found Rev. Wright to be very articulate and a deep man of God. As the catholic priest says on the video circulating, if you took the words of Jesus and did small sounds bites, he would sound like a mad man. I have listened to the entire sermons in controversy and found to be true what i saw tonight - he is earnest, patriotic, and a great man of faith. And his words are really no different than other great ministers, such as billy graham, who has said, God will punish America, or he will have to apologize to sodom and gomorrah. thanks for the great show!

Terrific Bill and I was worried going in following todays sound bites. I so more understand and I hope others do to. There is no doubt that Rev Wright is a brilliant man and patriot. I only wish that every American watched it. We (USA) have a lot of work to do and I hope that we take on the challenge.
Saying any more would just be rhetoric and God knows we have more then enough of that going on these days. I hope this hits UTube ASAP and as I said I hope the people read and digest.
Thanks again Bill - wonderful work.

that is it words out of context where is the hard questioning of moyers sorry I guess Bill has lost his journalist touch and would rather be a vehicle for the absurd no one including "pastors" have the answers

Oh.

Flag Pins...Made in China.

Oh.

Flag Pins...Made in China.

If this video excerpt on Wright is representative, I'm disappointed that you gave him a podium, but failed to ask any pressing questions.

Far from misrepresenting his views, the news networks actually cleaned up Wright sermons. Much longer videos online are far worse.

For example, go to YouTube and if you want, you can see Wright on the podium in front of a congregation of 8,000 including young children, imitating sexual intercourse while he says, "Blacks don't owe the Clintons nothin'. The Clintons did to us blacks what they did to Monica Lewinski."

Here are some questions I would like to have seen asked: 1) "If you claim the excerpts mis-represent you, in what context is it acceptable for a Reverend to imitate sexual intercourse on the pulpit in front of children?" 2) "What evidence do you have that the U.S. government created AIDS to kill blacks?" 3) "Given that violence is a plague destroying the lives of inner-city poor, do you feel your hate speech helps lessen or contributes to violence?" 4) "It is illegal for non-profit churches to endorse political candidates. Conservative churches have been pursued in court by the IRS for doing so. Why shouldn't the IRS go after Trinity for your open endorsement of Sen. Obama?"

Why is it that some Americans have an aggressive stance to any views contrary to their own?

In the land of the free, freedom of speech is still a problem; comments are twisted to denounce those, whose views you don't agree with. The issue really is not why Bill did not conduct an inquisition of Rev. Wright but why were Wright's sentences and speeches edited to make them even more extreme?

Dirty politics that is reminiscent of football hooliganism has become standard fare in America (to the point where senior American politicians draw analogy to knife fights) and the mainstream media are politicised and sensationalist.

Some of the comments on this blog reflect that unthinking, quickness to action that leads to blunder i.e. Iraq war. Racism is mostly endemic in America and Wright is just another facet.

However hypocrisy is what makes it all ridiculous. It is laughable to hear comments denouncing one racist by others who probably still have issues with voting for a non-white or feel uncomfortable engaging with blacks.

Has any one of those discourteous respondents heard the quote: "I detest what you say, but I'll give my life to defend your right to say it"?

Wright's comments are extreme, but isn't that a very American thing?

I am glad that there are so many questions that some of the writers to this blog would ask Rev. Wright, I also hope these people would ask there government officials about the spread of aids and the world trade center and many other poorly explained events in our history. I also hope they have asked about hurricane katrina efforts, about the war in Iraq, about the de-regulation of financial institutions such as hedge funds, the buildup of private military interest that now fight in wars without oversight of the people of the U.S. I hope the questions never stop coming but I also hope some reasonable proofs will be established and then new questions can be asked.
If Rev. Wrights words offend you consider how the words of G.W. offend me, how day after day I see a person lie to the public and a V.P. say "so what" when questioned about what a two thirds majority of Americans think.
You object to garlic noses but not to thick lips under the guise of it being descriptive as opposed to thin or non existent lips. I admit I don't exactly know what a garlic nose is but niether can I accept that you know what thick lips are, for I do not accept your standards.
To somehow believe that you understand more about America than Dr. Wright who has lived many years of America, has served America, has prayed for America, has toiled for America, has seen the cruelty of America, has watched the treachery of America, has embraced America, has corrected America and has represented America makes you a vile individual with no sense of moral appitude as well as a decietful person.

I just watched the interview you had with Rev Wright and I found it to be completely devoid of any relevant content. The Nazis and the KKK did lots of charitable things for thier own people but they were still racists and filled with hate. Of course Rev Wright's comments are being used as a political weapon but if Obama has really been mentored by a man who may have a heart filled with hatred toward anyone who is not black then we need to know that. Your interview did not bring us any closer to finding out what type of mentor Obama had.

Uhhhh..How about asking him the very simple question " do you really beleive the CIA gave black americans the Aids virus"

That one question would show what a crack pot that guy really is....oh yeah...how does he justify buying a 10,000 sq foot house in an all white neighborhood, when he preaches that black americans are abondoning thier neighborhoods ? What a lame interview...my dog would have done a better job.

Bill

You are a real Liberal lapdog. What a lame, limp wristed attempt at an interview.Why bother to ask Rev. Wright any questions at all? He didn't need to explain anything. You did all the apologizing for him. What a liberal loser you are.

Mr. Moyers, you are one of my journalistic heroes. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your voice of reason, clarity, and integrity.
Thank you.

These comments are predictably vulgar. I weep for the future.

Bill: "What did you think when you saw those very brief soundbytes circulating as they did?"

Very brief? They seemed pretty long to me! And there are MANY of them! Did you ask him about his obscene, racist rant(s) about Hillary? It's LONG and cannot be called a "byte": Jeremiah Wright - Hillary Clinton attack, and white guilt. What about when Wright pumped his body pumps back and forth to emphasize his nasty "ridin' dirty" message out? Ridin' Dirty Did you ask Wright about that? Did you ask him about his understanding of the sexism brought against WOMEN?

What about his comments against Italians ("with their garlic noses"), "rich white Europeans", and the rest of the "white" people?

Did you ask him whether he'll "come out of retirement" once the election is over?

And why did Obama appoint Rev. Wright to his official presidential campaign religious advisory committee AFTER KNOWING ABOUT HIS INCITEFUL COMMENTS?

Also, why has no other candidate emerged with an influencial person close to them spewing, yelling and distributing (some are on a dvd) the type of devisive predjudice that Wright does?

This is why Wright presents himself as being so soft-spoken in this interview: to counteract what we already know about his aggressive, angry "style".

The pieces of the puzzle are obvious: Obama believes in the "typical white person", he doesn't put his hand over his heart when the National Anthem is played, he won't wear a flag pin (looking very irritated when asked about it), is praised by Farakan and Aljazeera, his wife verbally states she has not been proud of America...there is more but I think most of us get the picture. He made some points about racial tension in the US, but he is NOT presidential material!

Obama is free-falling as people begin to see through him. Bill Moyers, why are you defending him & Wright? Why can't these men be held to their words and deeds??

RE: Israels New Best Friend

I was surprised that you would interview 2 men who deride conservative evangelical theology without inviting a conservative to the table to bring some balance to the discussion. It was clear to me that neither you Bill, or your 2 guests understand or accurately portray conservative evangelical theology (lets call it CET). You certainly do not understand dispensationalism. Rabbi Lerner is far off the mark when he states that the CET view of end times will have Jews convert to Christianity and lose their "jewishness". This simply is not the case. CET understands that there will come a day when all people will see the Christ or Messiah. The nation of Israel will at last meet the long awaited Messiah. This does not make them Christian - this will make them completed Jews.

Regarding CET and the dispensational view of end times scenario... they do not teach that they can cause "any events" to take place by being Israel's friend as described on your show. A dispensational view believes future events will take place, regardless of what anyone does or believes.

Regarding fear that CETs are stirring Arab world hatred toward Israel, this is not the case. The Arab world has never had a desire to accept an independent Jewish state. Ancient arab ancesters were against Israel returning to their historic homeland when Cyrus King of Persia released Israel from (the Babylonian/Medo-Persian) capitivity to return to Jerusalem. History records that bands of armed locals fought against Nehemiah's men while they tried to rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Likewise, many modern Arabs are equally against Israel being in the land as evidenced by the 6 Day War of 1967 and other recent backlashes. These things happened previously without the aid of CET support (early events pre-date CET existence) and would happen even if all CETs were silent.

In my opinion, the portrayal of CETs by all parties on this show were nothing short of a "Neronian-like phobia" of the conservative Evangelical Christian movement. History proved that Emperor Nero played a crazy, delusional tune while he harbored (even fabricated) and communicated unfounded fears about the Christian movement. It seems to me Bill, that you and your 2 guests may be motivated by good intentions, however all of you appear to be harboring and communicating "unfounded fears about CET. So much so you could easily play a background trio for a Neronian serenade.

If you want to understand a correct dispensational view of the Bible and its relationship to the world... talk to a real dispensationalist. Inviting one to this show's panel of guests would have helped to balance the discussion.

Such a breath of fresh air every time I watch your program, it seems the truth is now a pocket in the news that is PBS/OPB.
During late 2002, when this was all going down, I used to yell at my tv, but did not know where to go to make my voice heard to anyone else. I watched all the news pundits, the "real" journalists and they all said the same thing. What scared me most back then was that no one was even offering an opposite view. The "American People" went with what they were told by the newspeople they trusted. It was definately not fashionable to be against the buildup; and if you did, well, you couldn't be a commie any more, so you were either un-american or against the troops. I had few listeners among the people I knew, and even lost some long time friends. Because I questioned official policy. And now it comes full circle. Missed it the first time you aired this program, but boy am I glad I caught it this time.
We are still in the woods on this, as we have a congress which bends with the tides at best, and does nothing but double speak at worst.
Sure would be nice to have a politician who 1)voted what his heart told him was right and just; 2)was in office to do the right thing; 3)did not care if he was re-elected or not, and didn't succumb to the money; 4)really wanted to make a substsantial change for the better; 5) and stuck to their beliefs no matter what the political wind was blowing at them.
Here in Oregon, we have Ron Wyden; I no longer have the faith in him when he first went off to Washington, but I think he started out for all the right reasons.
So there it is, sorry I spoke so much. Didn't know about Knight Ridder, I will investigate further.
I still don't feel I have a voice that I would like so others can hear what I feel, but THANK GOD that there is a Bill Moyers, a Fareed Zakaria, and Mr. Batachio (hope I spelled that one right) still telling us the truth. Remember, follow the money.
Bill Scott, Portland, OR.

Great to have you back Bill!
Keep up the good work.
Please do whatever it takes
to move toward the impeachment of the leaders of this country that ignore the laws of this country.
we want our country BACK!!

please do whatever is required to continue processes to impeachment the true evil doers.
i want our country back.
thank you bill

Your last program on impeachment was great. The duo in the White House should have been impeached in 2004,when the N.Y. Daily Times first advocated it. Pelosi's oversight is failing, since 80% of congress still represent corporate America and the administration. Either the Republicans squash a good bill or it passes and the President vetoes it. The public is between a rock and a hard place with a imperial-military gov't, an autocrat in the White House and only 30% of congress to represent them. Because of this an impeachment willnever happen. We the people are in a sound-proofed room screaming unheard.

Bill, thank you for your show, as infuriating as it sometimes can be. People have answers and want new direction, but I am always amazed that the powers that be just can't see it. This is not why I'm writing though...

There needs to be a refresher course in cause and effect, especially in the arena of politics.

I was shocked and dismayed by how early the mechanisms of the 2008 presidential campaign kicked in. Our main campaigners were already set by Christmas 2006. We're into debates now, not next year when electoral concerns and current events could actually sync up in some synergistic fashion - long story short, they'd be more relevant next year than at this particular moment.

How so? Well, unlikely as it may seem, the demeanor of the public could change. What happens if, God forbid, more terrorist attacks and near attacks happen in the U.K.? The current administration becomes more insular and, oddly enough, the public agrees. The Republicans who have been punching the fear 'hot-button' pretty hard would seem to reap the benefit, but also-ran John McCain suddenly sees his alignment with George Bush as asset, not detriment. Meanwhile, all the candidates who distanced themselves from Bush look soft on terrorism, weak, not patriotic. And the Democrats? They're crushed beneath the weight of this year's scorn, branded 'flip-floppers' and are generally regarded untrustworthy. Look, I said this was the unlikliest of scenarios.

But if there is a drastic reversal of fortunes, this extra year of gum-flapping could only be more harmful than helpful. But what is worse is the quality of our current debates. Rather than being moderated by impartial, credible parties, we are seeing these candidates boxed into corners by special interests. Am I saying that Melissa Ethridge shouldn't be concerned whether or not our next president will carefully consider the rights of gays and lesbians, or whether they should or shouldn't be legally allowed to marry? No, Of course she should. Should scientists have the right to ask candidates if they will stand up for stem-cell research? Should women's activists be allowed to ask if abortion rights will be upheld? Should right-to-lifers have a chance to ask if the candidates should consider opposing it?

In all these cases, Americans deserve to be heard, but through an unbiased and credible moderator; certainly not through some of those ridiculous YouTube questions presented by citizens more interested in their fifteen seconds of fame than in their country's future. When someone actually stepped up with a clear purpose, (I'm thinking of the woman with the wig, asking about healthcare and cancer research), they stood toe-to-toe with show-offs, sarcastics and snowmen. I'm not opining for some lost sense of political dignity here. I just expect all viewpoints to be channelled through a single entity, this way all ideas can be addressed fairly and not with all the mugging, antics and "communication bling".

Another downside of having these debates so early, and having the campaigns start so early, is yet more showing off, this time with each state rescheduling their primaries to sync up with a single "Super Tuesday Super-Primary". Whereas before when elections were confined to a proper year, now there's so much time to expand, like an oilslick on a lake, that every state wants to move up just because they can. There is no real incentive to do this beyond showing off to the original heavy political arenas like Iowa and New Hampshire. NH begged off of the controversy yesterday by insisting they'd keep their ballot where it has been. Iowa, on the other hand, inferred their primary would be moved to December... That's December of this year.

I, as much as anyone, desire change in the way our country is being steered, but this trend in state and social self-aggrandizement not only sullies the process but has a real chance of backfiring on those most committed to that change. I'd hate to think that our country could slide even farther away from reform simply because we couldn't show the tiniest bit of self-control.

Please look into the terrible racist situation in Jena, LA. Talk to Alan Bean, bean@cebridge.net, head of Friends of Justice. He's been involved from the first and knows the story best. Thanks and keep doing your good, great work

Bill I enjoyed your documentary but I think you owe Oprah a huge apology.

The only mainstream media voice who ended up joining the antiwar movement before the war took place was Oprah (Donahue was not mainstream).

Oprah did a whole series of antiwar shows in the few months before the war. Michael Moore even endorsed her for president and praised her on page 87 of DUDE WHERE'S MY COUNTRY for showing footage of Donald Rumsfeld embracing Saddam no other major media would dare show. Here's an excellent article about a two-day antiwar show she did from Academics for Justice:

Understanding What Just Happened on The Oprah Winfrey Show :

Today, Oprah Winfrey started a two-part series focusing on the impending U.S. war on Iraq. About halfway through the show the broadcast was pre-empted by coverage of Pres. George Bush, with Colin Powell at his side, reading a prepared statement on Iraq. The coincidental timing of this pre-emptive press statement raised immediate questions about the motives of the White House war strategists. Students of the Civil Rights Movement will recall an incident in 1964 when activist Fannie Lou Hamer sat before a live television audience and gave a riveting account of the oppression she and other Blacks faced in the South. President Lyndon Johnson was so convinced of the power of her appeal to undermine his own political/racial agenda, that he hastily called a press conference to pull cameras away from Hamer’s impassioned revelations. Though the networks pre- empted Hamer’s testimony to cover the president, the newscasts later showed her entire presentation.
The pre-emption of Winfrey’s show today should be seen in the same light. Oprah’s audience is a vast and powerful—but largely apolitical—force of middle-class white women. It is likely that most did not watch Colin Powell’s live testimony at the U.N. yesterday. In fact, it is likely that this huge audience was being oriented to the issues of the Iraq war for the first time. It is unlikely that they treated this show with anything but intense propaganda interest.
The first 30 minutes of the show was decidedly anti-war and highlighted not only worldwide unanimity in opposition to the war but presented many of the heretofore unheard voices of ordinary people speaking forcefully against Bush’s motives. CNN assisted the Oprah Show by presenting overseas confirmation of this from Great Britain and Iraq. For instance, the British correspondent said at one point that it was hard to find anyone in Britain EXCEPT TONY BLAIR that supported the war. Other voices repeated their conclusion that the war is “for oil,” not “against terrorism.” Those familiar with the Bush administration’s network cheerleaders at ABC, NBC, and CBS would, no doubt, view this expose’ with raised eyebrows. Then, without warning or introduction, Bush is seen at the podium reiterating Powell’s statement at the U.N. yesterday! One immediately had to assume that Bush was actually declaring war on Iraq, given the urgency of this interruption. Soon, however, it became clear that OPRAH herself was the target of this sabre-rattling and not Saddam Hussein. Bush simply summarized Powell’s presentation for Oprah’s audience, hitting key emotional points for this afternoon women’s gathering. He said nothing more of any import at all. Returning to the show, 15 or so minutes later, found still more impassioned, but reasoned, anti-war input from members of Oprah’s audience. There was indeed a balance of pro-war input but the net effect of the show—in spite of Bush’s strategic Johnsonian interruption—was to embolden the anti-war voices and to make opposition to the war as “patriotic” a position as that of the warmongers. What we just saw was a replay of an old propaganda ploy of an ol’ Texas politician, Lyndon Baines Johnson, against the scarecropper’s daughter from Mississippi, Fannie Lou Hamer. In 1964, enough of Hamer’s message was heard to force Johnson into acting against his own political desires. Bush’s ploy in 2003 may have backfired as well.

Here's an article about a second antiwar show Oprah did right before the war:

The Oprah schnook club
By Ben Shapiro
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/BenShapiro/2003/03/19/the_oprah_schnook_club

Oprah Winfrey is the most powerful woman in America. She decides what makes the New York Times best-seller lists. Her touchy-feely style sucks in audiences at the rate of 14 million viewers per day. But Oprah is far more than a cultural force -- she's a dangerous political force as well, a woman with unpredictable and mercurial attitudes toward the major issues of the day. Her ignorant views and wacky reasoning shape the views of millions.
Oprah's latest target: the war in Iraq. In what previews described as an eye-opening hour, Oprah used her bully pulpit on March 18 to slam the United States and George W. Bush. Her guests were anti-war Fawaz Gergez, a professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Sarah Lawrence College, and "pro-war" New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman. Of course, both Gergez and Friedman were anti-Bush.
Oprah also showed part of Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," which lambastes American foreign policy. "It resonated with a lot of people, me included," she sweetly informed. When Friedman (remember, he's supposed to provide balance) stated that "the Bush administration is going to have to have an attitude lobotomy," Oprah laughed out loud. After showing a clip of young Muslim man ripping America, Oprah noted: "What he said sounded like what I've heard from people of color all over the world."