Bill Moyers Journal: The Controversy Over Wright

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Posted by: Doug | August 9, 2008 9:51 PM

The condemnation of Rev. Wright for his comments on AIDS in the black community are taken from impressions. I did not actually hear him say that white people made HIV-AIDS to kill non-Whites. Prehaps he did at some other time. However, your own organization PBS in its program "Secrets of the Dead" shows that Northern European Whites who survived the plague of the Middle Ages and later possess genetic protection from both HIV and AIDS. This may be where this bel;ief comes from. Having worked as an engineer and a scientist I know that we lacked the ability to construct such a virus at the time of its onset.

Posted by: Robert W. Hicklin, Sr. | June 1, 2008 12:38 AM

Now, Obama has finally quit the whole church. Gone. Done. The comments of Wright, plus the new comments of Otis Moss III, and now the outrageous, outlandish rantings of Fr. Michael Pfleger while a visiting speaker at the church -- it was all too much. The Obama Campaign knew their guy had to cut his losses. The American public was finding the church to be more and more extremist. But with so many apparent supporters or Jeremiah Wright, and Moss and Phelger(!?!) to be seen on this weblog, will Obama now be seen as an opportunist, willing to throw his former spiritual advisors under the bus for the sake of appearances, to advance his political campaign? Interesting how the Obama campaign let the news slip out on a weekend, just as the news of the Florida-Michigan delegate resolution was breaking. Do you suppose that Obama submitted a letter of resignation days ago, and the campaign held the story until just the right moment? A "Wright" moment?

Posted by: Charles | May 31, 2008 8:23 PM

I work on organs for MOST of the black churches in Boston & Providence & have NEVER heard any of them preach the Hatred that Wright has for America... No wonder Obama won't salute our flag...

Posted by: Ron | May 26, 2008 9:07 PM

I am still hearing echoes of voices in the media saying that Rev. Wright's comments about the government being responsible for the spread of AIDS in the African-American community (he did not say that the government invented the disease) were little more than paranoid rhetoric. As a young woman living in San Francisco during the 80's, i watched helplessly as many friends died from the disease as the president and government did little to nothing to help us for years. We thought the government was trying to kill us off, and It wasn't much of a stretch to come to that conclusion. I am quite certain that the government did allow AIDS to spread in certain communities; as a matter of fact, I was witness to it. No one cared when it was just drug addicts (often minorities) and Homosexuals dying off. As Americans we have varied histories and experiences; don't be so sure that his fears are unfounded. We weren't all brought up in nice, white-collar, white bread communities, yanno.

Posted by: chillhouse | May 26, 2008 1:06 PM

Thank you Mr. Moyer, A friend sent me a clip of the piece you did with Dr. Wright. Although I don't understand or agree with all of his views and I certainly do not agree on how he has handled himself in the media, but some of his views is right on target. Dr. Wright has step on some toes and the people who are yelling the loudest are guilty of the deep rooted ugly feelings they have for African Americans. Some of the whites that disagree or just don't care to hear or understand are simply afraid to say out loud; I DONOT WANT TO LOSE MY POWER! This is a power struggle. I thank you Mr. Moyer and I wished we could get you on Prime time telvision. You have spoken the truth for both sides. What do we need to do to get your voice heard loud and clear.

Posted by: DFLto | May 23, 2008 3:51 PM

The Children Must Adapt….. BJ, You bring up an interesting hidden truth in the Black community. I believe Pastors like Rev. Wright help these children realize that they come from a strong people, that they can achieve greatness and to believe in themselves. It is this truth that you mention, that I believe is a huge problem and why in some cases the children do not make it past the 11th grade. We must begin to discuss this openly because it is my belief that we lose some of these children during what I will call the awakening period or transformation period. Some of our children do grow up wishing they were White and this may be an issue more in the suburbs than in the city. I believe by the time they get to 6th and 7th grade it is a determining factor time on what course in life this child will experience. While their ancestors suffered greatly, they now have a chance to reach for the stars. These children deal with or experience some of what I listed below before the 8th grade or they have a higher chance to be on a separate course in life that...

Posted by: gaprddesc | May 22, 2008 2:25 AM

If Barrack Obama became our President, nothing would please me more than if he reconciled with Jeremiah Wright and appointed him either Director of Homeland Security/National Intelligence or Ambassador to the United Nations. Wright provides the EXPERIENCE we need. Hell, Clinton or McCain could also benefit from Rev. Wright in their administration! He could remind everyone how public office remains a sacred trust even after the required separation of church and state. Posted by: Jack Martin Amen!

Posted by: Ted Michael Morgan | May 21, 2008 3:12 PM

If Barrack Obama became our President, nothing would please me more than if he reconciled with Jeremiah Wright and appointed him either Director of Homeland Security/National Intelligence or Ambassador to the United Nations. Wright provides the EXPERIENCE we need. Hell, Clinton or McCain could also benefit from Rev. Wright in their administration! He could remind everyone how public office remains a sacred trust even after the required separation of church and state.

Posted by: Jack Martin | May 21, 2008 2:46 PM

May God watch over those suffering from Great turmoil and disasters. My heart and my tears continues to be with them and my prayers are with them every minute of the day that more will be saved from this tragic moment in time across the ocean. We are their brothers and sisters today. God bless their children and save their children and families.

Posted by: gaprddesc | May 19, 2008 7:13 PM

Let them speak part II: When we the people challenge you on subjects such as Where did Aids come from? and why is it the the Black population has the highest rate and why was Africa cited as the origin? Is it some genetic reason that Blacks and gays have such a high concentration of the disease or is this information propaganda also? When we point out our arrogance, get the best and the brightest or better yet get the common man to discuss what they believe. There is no wrong or right answer. While we waste time on issues that don't aid us in our day to day living we missed the chance to make a change in our future. There is a pattern in the political realm of America and it is no accident that we are discussing recessions, depression and redistribution of wealth in my opinion. Living through our economy for the last 40 years and analyzing our the political scandals and decision, I have noticed a pattern. Ask the question. Who is in power when the stock market, financial market, housing market, savings and loan market, oil market, accounting market, as well as other entities that...

Posted by: gaprddesc | May 18, 2008 5:19 PM

Let them speak Part I: Let me say that you all have brought up good points and I am liberated to be able to debate and discuss issues that affect the American people. We must realize that in less than a week or so, Rev. Wright exposed the hidden issues that many of the “Have mores”, “elite society”, “concentration of power ‘Ole Great ones’” or “special membership” or whoever this few / 10 % group of people are and the special interest groups do not want discussed in the public debate arena. Anytime the injustices that I mention on 5/11 are discussed, it puts a segment of the population or a special group of people on the defense and thereby making it impossible for them to drive the public debate or discussion to advance their own agenda or propaganda. The ones who blindly follow these “elites” believe they are a card carrying member, who will benefit by advancing the agenda and arguments of the few in power. If you bring up something off the subject, they can not debate if it is off Script from what their favorite commentator handed them that day.. If mainstream, America is discussing real problems...

Posted by: gaprddesc | May 18, 2008 4:43 PM

gaprddesc (5/11) lists many continuing injustices and rightfully asks for reason; Moises (4/26) may be venting passionately rather than offering "scientific" discourse, but if you have no comprehension of American apartheid or compassion for those who suffered under Jim Crow, then you're suffering from snowblindness; d'ann (4/26) and others have appropriately pointed to American history as one way to understand Rev. Wright's apparent diatribes; that's where I will add another thought, specifically regarding the "chickens have come home to roost sermon" for the 'love it or leave it position' taken by John (5/13) and others who, I believe, are not looking past the propoganda machine. The context for Rev. Wright's sermon, if one were permitted or willing to listen to it, would have been made plain. For just a few historical examples: (1) The British enlisted the aid of Arabia against the Ottoman Empire in World War I. Remember Lawrence? He was able to forge that alliance because he was authorized to promise independence to the Arabs following defeat of the Ottomans. At Versailles, the British broke that promise. The United States has inherited Britain's role and reputation in the region. (2) Do you know that contemporary Iraq was created...

Posted by: Argus | May 17, 2008 11:11 PM

Black liberation theology is not racist. Check your facts. Dr. King is from the same tradition. I guess Dr. King was a racist as well. Check your facts again. Obviously you know nothing about the history of liberation theology and have not heard Dr. Wright's sermons in full. Dr. Wright has not criticized any other religion or race. Having pride in Blackness is not racist. BJ

Posted by: BJ | May 17, 2008 1:01 PM

I think that William Andrews’ post of May 7 on this blog eloquently gets to the crux of the Rev. Wright controversy, wherein Mr. Andrews states “It offends Americans that he includes the United States among the perpetrators of illegitimate state violence…the evidence is of no importance. All that matters is the comfortable assumption that the United States uses violence responsibly and only as a last resort. There is no greater offense than disturbing that assumption and that comfort.” I have seen that offense, face to face, while marching in an anti-war protest and being called a terrorist by a counter-protester, because I carried a sign that read “War is a Racket” – a quote from Brigadier General Smedley Butler. Here in the United States of Amnesia, as Gore Vidal so aptly puts it, there is little knowledge among the general populace of our history, and what is taught is largely sanitized, and those people on whom our actions have been and continue to be inflicted, both here and abroad, are largely dismissed. There is a correlation between the African American’s enslaved ancestor, whose only record of existence can be found on the master’s estate inventory with the hogs and...

Posted by: Mary Godwin | May 17, 2008 10:37 AM

We still do not know if Obama believes or subscribes to Black Liberation Theology. It matters to me if he does hold those views of blacks and whites and will take it into the White House with him. He has rid himself of Jeremiah Wright for other things said - not because Wright is a Black Liberation Theologian. Oh that subject, Obama has been mute.

Posted by: Dana | May 16, 2008 9:26 PM

Correction: I meant eugenics was practiced in the U.S. and African American woman where sterilized, most times without their knowledge.

Posted by: BJ | May 16, 2008 5:27 PM

Charles: African Americans have very good reason not to trust the government and link it to HIV/AIDS. The Tuskegee experiment was not stopped in 1972 and their was a cure found in 1947. And eugenics was practiced on African American women. Most times without their knowledge. This knowledge and mistrust of the government is simply passed down from our elders. The U.S. is all too good at trying to cover up so many injustices that not only happened to Black Americans but native Americans and immigrants as well. I have heard stories of African American males getting castrated as well in the past. Dr. Wright is not political campaigning for Obama and so what if he is, he has a member/ex-member that is running for President. Dr. Wright is trying to instill pride in African American culture. Other cultures do the same thing. Don't you know that Black children grow up wishing they were white at some periods in their life. Some how they are getting the message in school and abroad that being Black is bad and being White is good. How? Dr. Wright speaks truth when he says "Different not deficient." Other cultures in America instill pride...

Posted by: BJ | May 16, 2008 5:21 PM

BJ - I am sorry. I don't equate "misspeaking" with what became a central thesis of a prepared speech to the largest dinner audience in America, broadcast on national television. Wright is thoroughly unrepresentative of what I view as mainstream Christianity in America. So is Reverend Hagee. I have attended a wide variety of Protestant and Catholic churches, and the kind of political rhetoric that seems to be routinely utilized by Jeremiah Wright and John Hagee seems to me to be extreme. It is puzzling and disturbing to me, the number of commenters who have said that Wright's most controversial views are actually shared by significant percentages of the African-American community; that what he is saying is not felt to be radical; and that the amount of political speechmaking and secular history theorizing is not unusual for any black church. If indeed that is really the case, then I'd say that all churches -- the few white churches like Hagee's and the the many black churches like Wright -- ought to do a whole lot more Christianity and a whole lot less political campaigning.

Posted by: Charles | May 16, 2008 2:47 PM

The Sacrifical lamb. Rev Wright did nothing more then review History! Granted the 'Deveolpment of AIDs' may appear to be 'off the Wall' to anyone who has avoid our Gov'ts activities when it comes to ANY minority. But one thing they can Not deny (if the return just back to the Reagna Regime0 Is that it was intentionally allowed to flourish in the minority Communties- And which is more criminal the investion or it's spread? I was never offended by Wright, in fact he could have gotten this 'Recovered Catholic' back in the Pew. I left Heirarchial Organized Religion because it constantly was a odds with what was Written in the Bible.They spewed hate, or just Judgement on 'Creations', They determined what would be their punishment, They demanded our undying loyality (worship) of Their interpretations, They even decided who would be saved & who would not. Blasphamy & heresay.Judging the 'Almighty's 'Creation' placing themselves above to levy judgements and sentencing, demanding they be worshipped like Idols and proclaiming divine knowledge regarding what an omnipotent being has planned for the great Design. Mere Moratls claiming to be 'Holier than Thou' not just US but their own maker. Evangelicals like Hagee...

Posted by: Purple Girl | May 16, 2008 8:31 AM

Nicholas A Loisos: Could it be that you can't understand how Bill Moyers reached his point of view because you are ONLY seeing things from YOUR OWN point of view? Clearly the media took what Dr. Wright said out of context. And this is not the first time the media has tried to ruin someone for their own agenda. Black, White or Brown. They are supposed to report the news unbiased. Not use sound bites to sum up what a person is about. Bill Moyers allowed us to see who Dr. Wright was and all he has accomplished to go along with the sound bites. BJ

Posted by: BJ | May 15, 2008 8:42 PM

Charles, Dr. Wright simply miss spoke in his understanding of what Dr. Hale was trying to say in her book. No big deal, people miss speak all of the time. Again, you are looking for some reason not to like the man and link him to Senator Obama. Dr. Wright not trusting the government and linking the government to HIV/AIDS and the demise of Black folks throughout the diaspora has nothing to do with his patriotism. He was not goddamning the American people, he was goddamning American policy (the bearucrats)for allowing innocent people to die due to arrogance. He is a pastor and this is typical from a religious man. Scripture talks about God punishing and damning people for sinful things all through it. America is not some all holy place that has never practiced terrorism. Isn't that why we go to church to pray for forgiveness of our sins etc? BJ

Posted by: BJ | May 15, 2008 8:24 PM

The level of respect I have for Bill Moyers suffered some fraying when I clearly heard him blame the media for R. Wright's statements. This is a clear case of a person with an incredibly twisted perspective of the world, which is more obvious as one listens to more of his "sermons." He is an extremist on the same level of a KKK person, intent on distortion for political agenda. To say that it is disappointing that Bill M does not see this, is a vast understatement, one that I can only attribute perhaps to the aging process, catching up to him. I cannot see how else he can reach this point of view.

Posted by: Nicholas A Loisos | May 15, 2008 7:37 PM

Bill: Did you REALLY comment that the media was responsible for what came out of Rev. Wright's mouth...??? *Shaking my head in disbelief...!!! THa would be like blaming the ambulance for the death of the patient. Granted...the media loves to cover (even enflame...???) controversy, but to say they are the root cause of fomenting his responses. Respectfully, there is NO agreement. BOTH Rev. Wright and the press should aim for higher values and practices that demonstrate them.

Posted by: John Schaffer | May 14, 2008 5:23 PM

Right now, as the hour grows near...we need to make a clear, concise, wise and unobstructed choice as to which Democratic candidate has the best chance of beating McCain...That's just the bare-naked truth of the matter...The alternative is unacceptable...This country has been damaged so severely in the last 7+ years by the current administration that I personally feel we need someone who's been there before or very close to it...The past elections scared me to my core...The imbecilic 'sheep' of this country, with the help of those who threw their vote away on the likes of a narcissist-Nader (or chose not to vote at all (which was inexcusable, considering the circumstances and importance of what was hanging in the balance 'OF OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURES!!' Or if you place ANY value on human life, whatsoever)...And lastly...& most importantly: 'How America allowed the (election,HA!) to be completely hijacked, held hostage, then outright stolen (or bought and paid for...either way, it was done openly for all-to-see, regardless of how illegal)...Just the simple fact that people, who have audacity to call themselves 'Americans' stood by and watched one of the most morally and ethically bankrupt instances in history take place 'without so much as...

Posted by: Sir Vertual | May 14, 2008 12:17 AM

Kahale - Let's just take one example. One example that does not and should not rely on soundbites, but is best understood in terms of detailed and lengthy context. At his speech to the NAACP in Detroit, Rev. Wright went out of his way to acknowledge the professional work of Dr. Janice Hale of Wayne State University in Detroit. Wright then proceeded, in his own, uninterrupted words, to ramble on for four or five or more paragraphs about the differences between the Right-brain and Left-brain learning differences between white and black children. As I sat and watched and listened to Wright's speech, broadcast live and uninterrupted by both Fox and CNN, I thought to myself, "This is a disaster. An unmitigated disaster for the Obama Campaign, and for Rev. Wright personally." I felt the same way as when I saw (also live), Howard Dean's "I have a scream" speech that marekd the disastrous end of his own Presidential speech. I thought, "No white person could ever say such things on television without the severest and most deserved criticism for racist junk science." But at the time, Rev. Wright's comments didn't seem to sink in with many commentators. I was puzzled...

Posted by: Charles | May 13, 2008 3:19 PM

Please go on youtube or whatever you choose & PLEASE tell me what was INcorrect about what this man said & how it DID NOT come out of & tie into the Biblical Scriptures! Now make sure you watch the WHOLE THING/SERMON & put everything in CONTEXT (con=with or within; text=written or spoken body) before you truly form an opinion. If after that, you understand, but you STILL have issue with his words or the choice thereof, then say what you will. However, don't act COMLETELY ignorant, or at least look in & around the BANDWAGON before you COMPLETELY jump on board!!! Thank you.

Posted by: kahale | May 13, 2008 7:21 AM

Please go on youtube or whatever you choose & PLEASE tell me what was INcorrect about what this man said & how it DID NOT come out of & tie into the Biblical Scriptures! Now make sure you watch the WHOLE THING/SERMON & put everything in CONTEXT (con=with or within; text=written or spoken body) before you truly form an opinion. If after that, you understand, but you STILL have issue with his words or the choice thereof, then say what you will. However, don't act COMLETELY ignorant, or at least look in & around the BANDWAGON before you COMPLETELY jump on board!!! Thank you.

Posted by: kahale | May 13, 2008 7:17 AM

First of all a preacher shouldn't be damning America to its parishiners if he doesn't like it go live somewhere else no one is forcing him to stay. He said alot of anti-american remarks and Obama should have denounced him from day one thats one reason I will not support him. I just can't trust him there is something about him that is not trustworthy from the people he dealt with to never really answering honestly questions about his relations with these anti-americans. Every church I've been to has never cut down blacks or america and if this isn't racial I don't know what is . We are talking about the next President here not a grocery clerk lets get real. I hope Hillary goes Independant and takes away his chances from becoming the first anti-american President.

Posted by: john | May 13, 2008 1:32 AM

Are John F. Kennedy or Robert F. Kennedy the kind of "Catholic politicians" you are talking about? John Kerry? Teddy Kennedy? Patrick Kennedy? Dick Durbin? Pat Leahy? How about Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Christopher Dodd (CT-D) or Claire McCaskill (D-MO)? All "Catholic politicians," every one. Should they all take responsibility for "travesties" in the priesthood? It seems to me that this Comments thread has jumped the tracks in terms of commentary on the methods of Bill Moyers' journalism, which is what I had presumed was its focus.

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 12, 2008 10:44 PM

I think it is unfortunate that all this attention is being given to this man and His opinions. I wonder how many Catholic politicians knew their priest were molesting little childrens all the years that they sat in the pews and applauded their speeches?? Did they NOT know what their pastors or priest were capable of; are they not responsible for their behavior??? If they feel they are not responsible; then how can they blame Mr. Oboma for what another adult does; says or thinks. Some one should ask them what portion of responsibility do they share in the travesty that has affected so many children by the hands of those that many thought they could trust; like their Priest. It is a shame America; because you do not want to take responsibility for your ancestors behavior toward Africans whom were forced into slavery; but you waste so much energy on this pathetic issue in a presidential race. I think all politicians pastors should investigated if this is how it is going to be. Let see what the research shows; and how many have sorted backgrounds that they never knew about; but sat in the pews weekly.

Posted by: Pam Davis | May 12, 2008 6:40 PM

Correction: Applaud should be replaced Apall or outraged, sicken.

Posted by: gaprddesc | May 12, 2008 8:39 AM

Charles, It is Rev. Wright’s job to inform his congregation of those things he believes are true. It is our duty as citizens to study, research and explore whether Tuskegee incident could ever happen again. It is our duty that we research, study, confirm whether designer diseases could be created to target a certain race of people. If during your research, you find that those people in 1972 was a unique people and that it is not happening today, then it is your duty to debate this issue and inform the public. However, those of you that hear something, then dismiss immediately, as if it never happened, have no place in public debate. How can you debate someone who lacks knowledge of history and purposely stick their head in the sand and ignore the past? I'm sure that people were offended and appalled when it was stated that Black men were being purposely infected with syphilis and that the U.S. government allowed this along with the Public Health System to continue for years. I am sure they were outraged as Americans to think that someone would even say that the government had the cure but did not treat black men...

Posted by: gaprddesc | May 11, 2008 7:31 PM

Can anybody explain what good there is in telling the members of Trinity United Church of Christ that HIV was an invention of the U.S. government? Sen. Obama says that such statements "are rightly offensive to most American." So can anyone explain why Wright would ever have said it in the first place, why he wouldn't retract it and apologize, and why he would be defended for having said it? Again, I ask specifically, what good does such a statement do for the churchgoers at Trinity? Even Bill Moyers is repelled by the Wright allegations as to an AIDS conspiracy, right?

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 11, 2008 4:15 PM

If in fact it is true that fear is the motivation for the demonization of African American, Black and Negro Reverends, what is it that they fear? Angry “white men”? 1. Do they fear redlining? Being steered to homes that are in bad areas, dangerous plants and electrical lines? 2. Do they fear walking in a bank with a better paying job, better credit score, and greater track record only to be denied or given enough to stay in debt, while their friend from other race, agrees to the experiment, applies for the loan that you did with lessor credit score, lessor paying job and they get the loan plus more money and you are denied or given just enough to stay in debt? 3. Do they fear a doctor telling them that their pain is in their head and let them continue to suffer and in some case die of something as simple as a cold? 3. Do they fear driving while white? 4. Do they fear that the demographic make up of the jails will change to a lighter color? 5. Do they fear being denied a job because of their color? Or Denied a position because they...

Posted by: gaprddesc | May 11, 2008 11:28 AM

Charles, I don't think people really care about what Hagee said. If the media made it a top story and ratings went up then all the news stations would talk about Hagee. The truth is, I have never seen any white reverend demonized in the media, ever. Not that I watch that much but I am pretty sure that the only reverends demonized in the media are Black. If Hagee wanted to explain he could contact the media himself. I am sure that the media would not miss the opportunity. Did you ever consider that Hagee did not want to address the issue? He has no reason to defend his words because the media is calling for it. Obama'08 BJ

Posted by: BJ | May 9, 2008 11:06 PM

I think the problem here is that people are using the Dr. Wright thing to have some reason to not trust Senator Obama because of his race. The media, especially the Fox News channel are basically creating fear in the people about Obama. Senator Obama should not have to answer any questions about Dr. Wright. It had nothing to do with the campaign and most Americans were tired of it and wanted to hear about the real issues that affect their lives. What did Dr. Wright say that hurt people? What did he say that offended people? We have a right to question, debate and disagree with government policy as we are tax payers and have a constitutional right to speak our minds. Senator Obama simply needed to end the focus on Dr. Wright so the media could move on from it. He answered the questions about Dr. Wright and the media has to move on now (thank goodness) because we know that if he did not end it the media would have milked it forever. What did Dr. Wright say that peeves you so? And how does that reflect on Senator Obama? I think Dr. Wright spoke out to...

Posted by: BJ | May 9, 2008 10:47 PM

It is interesting and very disappointing to see all media, commentaries and pundits spin the Rev. Wright words to be negative and even with the truth spoken the story was still spinned as a negative. I was disappointed to see Barack Obama fall for the rhetoric by the media, pundits and commentaries. Why did he feel the need to denounce a man of Rev. Wright's caliber. Group Think has taken over the media and we no longer get the news unfiltered. Stop asking the question Media! This new style the media has with asking stupid questions instead of reporting does not fool us after this last event any longer. You matter as well go ahead and say what you believe on any subject because you truly showed you colors on the Rev. Wright’s prophetic sermon and the question at the bias press club. The media and it’s pundits have been exposed. The conservatives start at 8:00am in the morning until after 6:00pm propagating lies, half untruths and public hatred toward the black race and nothing is said. One Black man stands up and dares to challenge the establishment and ruling party and they tar and feather him. It is because...

Posted by: gaprddesc | May 9, 2008 8:39 PM

BJ, are you saying that Obama's "kicking Wright to the curb" was somehow done with a wink and a nod? That it is somehow understood to have been an insincere denunciation by Obama? Something that he just had to do, as a politician, as Wright himself has suggested? With Obama secretly agreeing that Wright's comments were not that offensive at all? If so, what does all of that tell us about Obama? On the other hand, if Obama truly thought that Wright had crossed a line of decency, but has somehow forgiven Wright after denouncing him, how should we feel about the offensive comments by the Reverend John Hagee? Should Bill Moyers be offering Reverend Hagee a cahnce to explain himself in a face-to-face interview?

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 9, 2008 6:41 PM

I am not mad at Dr. Wright or Senator Obama. I feel that Dr. Wright is serving his community well and only has to answer to God. Senator Obama denounced some of the things he said. The reason he denounced Dr. Wright is because he felt that Dr. Wright did not apologize for possibly offending people. I think Dr. Wright really offended Senator Obama at the National Press club interview. He did say some things that I thought were unnecessary. But as humans we are imperfect and I understand. When he read his speech, it was very good. "....different not deficient...." But when he answered questions he was on the defensive and it was not a good look for him. Whether Senator Obama denounced Dr. Wright or not it still hurt his campaign. It was a double edge sword. On one hand he was going to alienate white voters who fed into the news loops and on the other end he was going to alienate black voters for denouncing Dr. Wright. In the end I like that he gave Dr. Wright a chance to speak for himself before kicking him to the curb. Obama '08 BJ

Posted by: BJ | May 9, 2008 5:54 PM

I really don't get it -- if Reverend Wright was speaking such profound wisdom and if "most of what he said was true" (interesting phraseology), why did Senator Obama denounce him? Particularly after Obama said, "I could no more denounce him than my own white grandmother." Should Wright be denounced? Because that is what Obama did. Or should Obama be denounced for thowing his pastor overboard? It has to be one or the other, right?

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 9, 2008 3:34 PM

To those of you who have commented so negatively about the Reverend Wright and see some sort of conspiracy by Senator Obama, I have only one thing to say to all of you. Your racism and blindness is overwhelming. The double standard here is also very troubling. It seems pretty obvious that White preachers can say anything they want, even condoning murder of blacks by the Ku Klux Klan, murder of doctors or perform abortions, of Catholics and Jews, yet Reverend Wright cannot do the same. I am white and quite frankly ashamed of this country for the way it treats people who are not white. If those of you who have made such racist comments consider yourselves christians, then you need to take a long hard look at yourselves. Most of what Reverend Wright said was true - and the truth hurts. It's time to take a long hard look at the history of the policies of this country which have been nothing short of devastating to those less fortunate. Shame on all of you

Posted by: empi | May 9, 2008 1:02 PM

To those of you who have commented so negatively about the Reverend Wright and see some sort of conspiracy by Senator Obama, I have only one thing to say to all of you. Your racism and blindness is overwhelming. The double standard here is also very troubling. It seems pretty obvious that White preachers can say anything they want, even condoning murder of blacks by the Ku Klux Klan, murder of doctors or perform abortions, of Catholics and Jews, yet Reverend Wright cannot do the same. I am white and quite frankly ashamed of this country for the way it treats people who are not white. If those of you who have made such racist comments consider yourselves christians, then you need to take a long hard look at yourselves. Most of what Reverend Wright said was true - and the truth hurts. It's time to take a long hard look at the history of the policies of this country which have been nothing short of devastating to those less fortunate. Shame on all of you

Posted by: empi | May 9, 2008 12:59 PM

Many of Rev. Wright's ideas remind me of Malcom X, Stokely Carmichael, and the Black Panthers. Too bad our country has no memory, especially for truth. I'm not black, but I have always appreciated those who speak their mind while they actually take care of their community. Obama would seem the bigger man (to me) if he had actually stepped away from Wright years ago. Now he seems rather the self-serving "politician" in his remarks about Wright. Geese. I respect Wright more than Obama for being truthful.

Posted by: Deb Huntley | May 9, 2008 11:06 AM

Explain then, Ralph, the differing treatment of Wright and Hagee by Moyers. With Wright, it was a warm, softly-lit conversation between two people who so clearly were in sync with each other that it was more of a therapy session than a a hard political interview. With Hagee, it was an arm's-length hit piece. Soundbites of the most inflammatory rhetoric, no interview of Hagee giving him a chance to explain himself, etc. I'm more than confident that I am the one being even-handed in this analysis, and that all the Obama supporters among the Moyers viewership are the ones that cannot see the imbalance.

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 9, 2008 10:02 AM

C'mon, Charles. To say that there's no substantive difference between the constant barrage of inflamemotainment propaganda from Fox, the explicitly hateful and distorted inanity of Hannity in particular, and that of Moyers sit down interview with Rev. Wright is, well, silly. Moyers lifelong commitment to the democratic party and liberal social principles notwithstanding, his discipline to high journalistic standards and openness to other viewpoints is what defines him and so inflames the narrowness of the rigid right. Fox, on the other hand, with it's diatribe force and repetitive, agenda driven content is not only a parody of journalism, but of itself. We're it not for the likes of Moyers, the desolation of broadcast journalism would be a grim fait accompli.

Posted by: Ralph Davis | May 9, 2008 7:19 AM

BJ, I appreciate Fox News because it is such a good antidote to the rest of television news. And Fox, in particular, is unafraid to criticize our PBS and NPR networks (even as Fox News employs Mara Liasson of NPR and Juan Williams of NPR). I have not utilized this blog to campaign for any candidate as you (Obama '08) have. I have tried to keep the focus on Bill Moyers' journalism standards, which is precisely the focus and function of this Comments page. Neither Hagee nor Wright would have merited national debate but for the fact that both McCain and Obama sought the two pastors' support and blessing. I kind of wish that neither candidate had involved themselves with either pastor. But my greater point wsa that there was no substantive difference between what Bill Moyers, a loyal Democrat and a very liberal television personality did, and what Sean Hannity an upwardly-mobile conservative ideologue, did. Moyers wanted his viewers to be scared by Hagee soundbites, as he tried to link Hagee to McCain. Sean Hannity tried to scare his viewers with the Wright sermon soundbites, as he linked Wright to Obama. Condemn both equally if you want to, but...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 8, 2008 11:02 PM

Charles, You must be a Fox News supporter. How is this one interview compared to months of Dr.Wright being looped over and over again in the media. He only tried to show the real man behind the loops. I have never heard of Hagee, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Clearly the Fox News network is trying to change the way people see Obama because they have their own agenda. Anybody could have a pastor or similar in their faith that may have unflattering opinions about the government. So what, shouldn't we all question our government. You don't have to agree with everything your pastor says, especially if it is politics. Give me a break. I have had co-workers, friends, and family that have said controversial things. What are we supposed to kick them out of our lives because of it? No! Because you know deep down they are good people who have good hearts. That is what Mr. Bill Moyers showed us with his interview with Dr. Wright. Obama '08 BJ

Posted by: BJ | May 8, 2008 10:20 PM

Here is a link that some Bill Moyers viewers might be familiar with. It is a link to this very website: Bill Moyers' carefully-produced report on the group, Christians United for Israel, and Pastor John Hagee. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03072008/profile.html Note the use of the video production tools that Bill Moyers has decried in the case of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. In the Hagee story, Moyers himself apparently never spoke to Hagee at all. There was no chance for Hagee to speak without his words being edited by Moyers' producers. They used the most inflammatory "soundbites" that they could find on Hagee. I don't much care for Hagee, just as i don't care for Jeremiah Wright, but I do know what Wright would say if he had been put in the position of Hagee on the Moyers program. He'd have asked Moyers -- "Have you been to my church? Have you heard any of my sermons? The WHOLE sermons? Have you ever given me the chance to come onto your program to speak for myself?" As I have stated before, the notion that Bill Moyers represents some journalistic ideal is nonsense. Bill Moyers is nothing more and nothing less than a left-wing version of...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 8, 2008 5:38 PM

LunchAdmin: You not fooling anyone with this crap link. Everybody knows it's a fake, bigot. You're anti Obama and that is fine but when you start making up stuff just to feed your own bigotry, that is truly pathetic. Obama '08 BJ

Posted by: BJ | May 8, 2008 5:12 PM

Beware the terrible simplifiers? You are one such simplifier Mr. Moyers. Did John McCain campaign from Reverend John Hagee’s pulpit? No HE DID NOT. Did Barack Obama do just that from Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s pulpit? Yes HE DID. Did John McCain distribute pamphlets claiming him to be a “committed Christian” complete with photos of him praying in Hagee’s church? No HE DID NOT. Did Barack Obama produce such a pamphlet complete with photographs praying within Wright’s church? Why yes … YES HE DID, and in so doing he violated campaign guidelines – but that’s an issue needing a separate blog post. See the pamphlet here. http://departmentoflunch.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/pander.jpg So you know what Mr. Moyers? Barack Obama ignored the Constitution’s ban on religious tests for federal officeholders; he put his preacher and his faith out there for everyone to judge. John McCain has been endorsed by a few racist crackpots, but so far he has not worshiped with them or written books praising their message. In no way do I write this in support of John McCain. It’s just that your argument that black preachers in this case are getting the short end of the stick does NOT hold up.

Posted by: LunchAdmin. | May 8, 2008 4:15 PM

Mr. Moyers: Thank you for your very informative piece on Rev. Wright. I, as a Black American, wish that all Anglo Americans could sit down with someone that they may not agree with and seek the truth and the real reasoning behind their position. You do so and as I watched you over the years. You seem to be able to get to the root of the controversy with honest questions with a clear intent. I taped your program on that day and on the following day, had a friend, Anglo & staunch Catholic, start off with comments about that racist Rev. Wright. I invited him to sit down and view your program. I was dissapointed that he only viewed half, but what really made my day, was when he said was "In context the man is telling the truth and is teaching from the Bible" That really made me feel good to see a mind changed and the truth let out. All I can say is keep shining your light and please shine some in the direction of our people in the governance of our country, our clergy that want to talk about " this week's ladies tea", Our...

Posted by: Pockittin Cash | May 7, 2008 9:18 PM

Racism, Jim, is harboring hate against other races, not supporting your own in a reasonable, and in this case, in a unique candidacy. And, you're overstating the percentage, there are many people of color that support the opposition.

Posted by: ralph Davis | May 7, 2008 5:49 PM

Why can 99% of afro-americans vote for obamas and not be labeled as obvious racist? Yet when whites for for clintons they are considered racist? Double Standard

Posted by: Jim Edwards | May 7, 2008 3:39 PM

The odd thing to me, William, is that Wright's historical expertise seems so suspect on so many other dimensions that I am not sure that he is credible on any of them. For instance, Wright finds time to talk about the U.S. nuclear attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, but at the same time butchers history with the urban myth that the U.S. invited the devastating sneak attack on Pearl harbor. I also wonder why, if Wright is such a prophet of peace, he wouldn't find time to mention the Japanese war crimes, the Bataan Death March and the rape of Nanking? I am very much struck by the amount of politics that Wright has invovled himself in. That may be somewhat normal in the black church, I don't know. I do know that it is more or less required that any politician seeking election in any large American city must pass through the approval of the city's black ministers. In every church I have gone to, politics were less than 1% of the church's mission. I know that there are the Pat Robertsons and Falwells and Hagees of the nation, but those are NOT representative of mainstream Protestantism and Catholocism...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 7, 2008 2:03 PM

For the real offense of Jeremiah Wright one need look no further than Bill Moyers's interview with him. In that interview, he provides a fairly scholarly critique of state violence and compares it with other forms of terrorism. He says that violence that destroys innocence people, whether conducted by the state or by free-lance terrorists, is not pleasing to God. In keeping with the prophetic tradition of the Old and New Testaments, he points this out in his sermons. It offends Americans that he includes the United States among the perpetrators of illegitimate state violence. He has obviously thought a great deal about this, and he can eloquently array the evidence, from the fire bombing of Tokyo, to the saturation bombing in Southeast Asia, to the attacks on Sadr City today. But the evidence is of no importance. All that matters is the comfortable assumption that the United States uses violence responsibly and only as a last resort. There is no greater offense than disturbing that assumption and that comfort.

Posted by: William Andrews | May 7, 2008 1:12 PM

To Mr. Bill Moyers: Thanks again for offering some insight and perspective into the media's spin and distractions. Your show is a bright beacon in the darkness of the information blackout we have in this country over issues that matter to all of us who live in the U.S. To Mr. Charles Brown: If you aren't a “neocon”, you must at least be a stauch supporter of the Bush Administration. It's becoming clear why you have such an interest in attacking both Obama and Wright. They’re both imperfect humans and as such will not be 100% correct all the time. None of us are 100% all the time. However, Jeremiah Wright isn't running for office. He's taking a stand, wrong, right or indifferent. You give away your position when you make absurd comments like these: “As for any "government lie" about a link between the Saddam Hussein government and the attacks of 9/11, I don't know what supposed "lies" that Wright was talking about. I've never heard a member of the Bush administration claim such a link. I have heard the Bush administration discuss links to terrorism within the old Baathist Iraqi regime, but only becuase there were such links...

Posted by: pallist | May 7, 2008 12:32 PM

Only Bill would have to try to fix an interview after the fact by commenting on it and trying to spin it in a different direction. The people who were interested already saw the interview, Bill, and it is way too late to try to fix your poor interview skills with even worse commentary.

Posted by: Patrick | May 7, 2008 11:10 AM

It is very interesting how sensitive Americans are w/Wright's comments. Our history speaks for itself and I pray that we will not loose our freedom of speech in the future. There are many angry Blacks in this country regardless of the their professional titles or economic status and that is the reality of the situation. Enough is enough and "it is" time for change. It is time for blacks to speak up and speak out to fellow Amercians about the continued racism in "our" country. As a Christian, despite my imperfection, I am inspired by Rev.Wright and it is not about color. It is about his courage to take on the ever growing beast in America that has the potential to devour everything that has made America what it is today. Study revelations folks. Study our history folks. Now, as for Blacks, we have so much to be angry about and I do believe that if it were not for religous leaders such as Rev. Wright that provide an enviorment for "honest" conversation, the rage will only get worse. There is nothing equal about our society and many of our leaders have done little to bridge the gap between all...

Posted by: Ms. L'Auree | May 7, 2008 9:41 AM

Dear Bill, Thank you so much for such insightful comment on Rev Wright; we all could almost be fooled again by a media machine... Please keep up the great efforts!!! America is a great country with great people; given time and good work she will shine again. First we need to find all the root causes that's killing our country, be it anyone, or any group. Who is benefiting from the pain of the majority; who has hijacked our policy, foreign and domestic, our finances, our values... Our real enemy is only a tiny few manipulating us right here living at the top and behind the scenes. Good people have to unite and make them pay, dearly. Think for ourselves! Take care

Posted by: Root Cause | May 7, 2008 1:24 AM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I would just like to say I am disappointed with your toothless and inept interviewing style made evident during your interview with Rev. Wright. You just sat there and nodded sympathetically while the esteemed reverend bitterly complained about being treated "unfairly" by the media. Let me get this straight! Rev. Wright is free to espouse and express any beliefs, however unpopular. Indeed, his holding and expressing those beliefs is essential to the functioning of our democracy. What makes him a brazen hypocrite is his claim (stated or implied) that by virtue of him being a black clergyman he and his statements are exempt from scrutiny, criticism and ridicule. When his remarks first surfaced, a lot of people perceived them as a direct attack against their values. Naturally, those offended fought back. Facing scathing criticism Rev. Wright appeared on your show and instead of defending of what he so passionately believes in on the merits, he began to whine. As far as I know there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits criticism of a clergyman's or layman's statements made in the public domain. I find this attempt to justify and advance one's political agenda using religion repulsive...

Posted by: Alex Golubev | May 6, 2008 6:41 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I would just like to say I am disappointed with your toothless and inept interviewing style made evident during your interview with Rev. Wright. You just sat there and nodded sympathetically while the esteemed reverend bitterly complained about being treated "unfairly" by the media. Let me get this straight! Rev. Wright is free to espouse and express any beliefs, however unpopular. Indeed, his holding and expressing those beliefs is essential to the functioning of our democracy. What makes him a brazen hypocrite is his claim (stated or implied) that by virtue of him being a black clergyman he and his statements are exempt from scrutiny, criticism and ridicule. When his remarks first surfaced, a lot of people perceived them as a direct attack against their values. Naturally, those offended fought back. Facing scathing criticism Rev. Wright appeared on your show and instead of defending of what he so passionately believes in on the merits, he began to whine. As far as I know there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits criticism of a clergyman's or layman's statements made in the public domain. I find this attempt to justify and advance one's political agenda using religion repulsive...

Posted by: Alex Golubev | May 6, 2008 6:36 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I would just like to say I am disappointed with your toothless and inept interviewing style made evident during your interview with Rev. Wright. You just sat there and nodded sympathetically while the esteemed reverend bitterly complained about being treated "unfairly" by the media. Let me get this straight! Rev. Wright is free to espouse and express any beliefs, however unpopular. Indeed, his holding and expressing those beliefs is essential to the functioning of our democracy. What makes him a brazen hypocrite is his claim (stated or implied) that by virtue of him being a black clergyman he and his statements are exempt from scrutiny, criticism and ridicule. When his remarks first surfaced, a lot of people perceived them as a direct attack against their values. Naturally, those offended fought back. Facing scathing criticism Rev. Wright appeared on your show and instead of defending of what he so passionately believes in on the merits, he began to whine. As far as I know there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits criticism of a clergyman's or layman's statements made in the public domain. I find this attempt to justify and advance one's political agenda using religion repulsive...

Posted by: Alex Golubev | May 6, 2008 6:34 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I would just like to say I am disappointed with your toothless and inept interviewing style made evident during your interview with Rev. Wright. You just sat there and nodded sympathetically while the esteemed reverend bitterly complained about being treated "unfairly" by the media. Let me get this straight! Rev. Wright is free to espouse and express any beliefs, however unpopular. Indeed, his holding and expressing those beliefs is essential to the functioning of our democracy. What makes him a brazen hypocrite is his claim (stated or implied) that by virtue of him being a black clergyman he and his statements are exempt from scrutiny, criticism and ridicule. When his remarks first surfaced, a lot of people perceived them as a direct attack against their values. Naturally, those offended fought back. Facing scathing criticism Rev. Wright appeared on your show and instead of defending of what he so passionately believes in on the merits, he began to whine. As far as I know there is nothing in the Constitution that prohibits criticism of a clergyman's or layman's statements made in the public domain. I find this attempt to justify and advance one's political agenda using religion repulsive...

Posted by: Alex Golubev | May 6, 2008 6:30 PM

The good Reverend Wright speaks the truth and to many the truth hurts. The people who react out of anger, hate, and fear must be in an emission of guilt!

Posted by: tech9 | May 6, 2008 1:11 PM

Without getting too much into the merits of Reverend John Hagee versus Reverend Jeremiah Wright, I still think that as it pertains to Bill Moyers, there is a remarkable double standard. On the one hand, Bill Moyers actually did a story on Reverend John Hagee, and Moyers did the things that he chastised the corporate media for: he used soundbites of Hagee for his own editorial purposes. Moyers did not interview Hagee, and he did not give Hagee a chance to speak more openly and at length, as with Wright, to put himself "in context." So beyond any serious question, Bill Moyers has acted precisely as a left-wing analogue to Fox News, baiting the opposition with sound bites for his personal benefit. Speaking for myself alone, I find Hagee and Wright to be equally abhorrent. I'd take no pleasure in attending either one of their respective churches. But it is also clear to me that the soundbite versions of Hagee and Wright are plenty accurate enough. Neither one of them gets any better with hearing more of their comments. And it is a huge conceit on the part of Bill Moyers if he can't see what he's done on his...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 6, 2008 12:50 PM

In his efforts to give Wright a fair and even-handed treatment, I feel Mr. Moyer's has perhaps bent a bit too far, so much that he's glossed over or ignored a few of the key issues. As but one possible example, I believe many people were in fact NOT all that shocked or insulted by the basic idea behind the "chickens coming home to roost" sermon. No intelligent person can argue with the premise that a country takes actions and must therefore expect certain consequences. What WAS shocking and insulting was that fact that Wright and at least a few in his congregation appeared almost joyous that chickens were coming home to roost. The applause and cheers were quite loud! What exactly were they applauding? This was the interesting and important question - and unfortunately one that Mr. Moyers chose not to ask.

Posted by: Jim | May 6, 2008 11:02 AM

In Bill Moyers' summary, he referred to the double standard in that white preachers such as Falwell, Robertson, and Hagee have made hateful and controversial comments but have not been treated like black preacher Wright. Moyers must have a poor memory, for every comment that has been hateful, outlandish, and divisive by these white preachers has also been renounced, opposed, chided, and covered by the media - much of the time in proportion to that person's relevance to national current events. What is your purpose in distorting the facts, Mr. Moyers? Race-baiting benefits no one.

Posted by: common_sense | May 6, 2008 10:07 AM

Elizabeth Sheppard - Yes, it is true that whe pressed at the National Press Club, Wright evaded the substance of the direct question put to him, with his own flippant comment that the government was "capable" of doing such a thing. It would be nice, wouldn't it, if Wright would answer the question squarely and without equivocation. For me, Wright gave away his position when he turned on the questioner at the National Press Club and asked, "Have you read Horowitz's book?" The reference was to a crackpot theorist who wrote a book alleging that there was in fact a government conspiracy and/or a major biological accident that created the HIV/AIDS virus. Wright doesn't have the personal command of those facts, so instead he tosses the notion out, with a wink, saying, "It might be true!", just as it might be true that the mafia killed John F. Kennedy, or it might be true that the Apollo mon landing was a hoax. These kinds of theories are beneath the dignity of serious discussion. But then, Elizabeth, we can go back to the original sermon in which Wright launched a whole handful of similar theories and charges, each of them as...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 6, 2008 2:00 AM

Wright speaks truth about race and power relations in the U.S. and in how our power structure relates to the world. It is very disappointing to see Obama distance himself from Wright in such a transparently politician-like self-opportunistic way. White folks in this country still benefit from racism and white supremacy and refuse to acknowledge it. It really is as simple as that. This can truly be a turning point to get white liberals to come to grips with their own privilege in the U.S. and in a true telling of all of our history.

Posted by: Andres | May 5, 2008 10:45 PM

Thanks for your thoughtful follow up Friday night regarding The Rev. Wright. I have one slight correction; he did not say the US Government created the AIDS epidemic; he said, given some of their previous actions (he gave notable examples including the syphilis experiment), he believed they were CAPABLE of doing it. And that, for me, doesn't require such a stretch of the imagination, given their past performance.

Posted by: Elizabeth Sheppard | May 5, 2008 5:24 PM

I read the intro that illicited all of these comments on the issue of Rev. Wright. I read the Black Value System just now and that issue is twisted way before Rev. Wright. Manford Byrd's no. 1 value mention Commitment to God. And like I said in one of these comments before, the politics bleeding into the black church community makes for a very unhealthy body of Christ. I think there REALLY DOES need to be more unity within our community, more responsibility to each other and rearing up our black men in the fear of God. But starting with the Black Value System, for example, that's just a bad idea. Using the black church as black activism isn't all together good. Dr. King didn't do that. If TUCC decided to set up an black activism group outside of the ministries of their congregation, maybe it would stay separate from the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the gospel of Black Power. We are within our rights and quite justified for the anger we feel as a community, but it has gone too far and Obama's campaign is suffering for it.

Posted by: ms. a. coleman | May 5, 2008 4:10 PM

THE CLASSIFICATION OF AMERICANS BY RACE AND ETHNICITY MUST END The Racial and Ethnic classification of Americans is nothing more than institutionalized racism and must be ended. The United States of America has been known as a country of rugged individualism based on individual freedom and liberty. Why has America become a country obsessed with classifying its citizens into different racial and ethnic sub-groups? The only groups that actively support the continued collection of racial and ethnic data are big government bureaucrats and "racial and ethnic special interest groups” that also happen to receive significant funding from the federal government. These organizations argue that identifying people by race and ethnicity is necessary in order to redress some past injustice and that the federal government must continue to collect and use this information in order to set up special racial and ethnic programs, affirmative action quotas and other set-asides for these groups, some of whom consist of new immigrants, illegal aliens and non-citizens. Nothing can be further from the truth. In a country where we can no longer ask people what religion they are, what their party affiliation is or what their sexual orientation is, why are we still asking them...

Posted by: John Wallace | May 5, 2008 3:24 PM

THE CLASSIFICATION OF AMERICANS BY RACE AND ETHNICITY MUST END The Racial and Ethnic classification of Americans is nothing more than institutionalized racism and must be ended. The United States of America has been known as a country of rugged individualism based on individual freedom and liberty. Why has America become a country obsessed with classifying its citizens into different racial and ethnic sub-groups? The only groups that actively support the continued collection of racial and ethnic data are big government bureaucrats and "racial and ethnic special interest groups” that also happen to receive significant funding from the federal government. These organizations argue that identifying people by race and ethnicity is necessary in order to redress some past injustice and that the federal government must continue to collect and use this information in order to set up special racial and ethnic programs, affirmative action quotas and other set-asides for these groups, some of whom consist of new immigrants, illegal aliens and non-citizens. Nothing can be further from the truth. In a country where we can no longer ask people what religion they are, what their party affiliation is or what their sexual orientation is, why are we still asking them...

Posted by: John Wallace | May 5, 2008 3:18 PM

I have an American friend who introduced me to that delightfully instructive book "The Power of Myth" - she also predicted that, in the next election, neither the white woman nor the black man would be allowed to win. As a parent concerned over escalating american military tactics (overseas and at home) I fear that I see my friend's prediction coming true. I don't usually watch american news but do read alternet and I did watch the entire sermon on youtube and as a white canadian, I could plainly hear Rev. Wright talking a lot of sense ... Here in Canada we have been bent over a barrel by NAFTA, which has contributed mightily to our current unhappiness with the war in the middle east. The good ol' US is in fact sueing us for such outrages as our refusal legalize Bovine Growth Hormone. Incidentally, our government has tried to patch things up by firing the Agriculture Canada scientists responsible for decrying BGH. Once again, our only salvation lies in education. Thank you, Bill Moyers, for trying to educate us!

Posted by: Claudia Heinrich | May 5, 2008 3:01 PM

Mr. Moyers, regarding your essay on Rev. Wright: Thank you for saying what isn't being said elsewhere in the media and applying reason to help sort out the many influences underlying how the Wright controversy is covered in the media. In fact, the syndicated media is as controversial as Rev. Wright in its unending efforts to reinforce the legitimacy of linking the beliefs and policies of Obama to his paster. Clearly this line of reporting could get pretty messy if every public official was held to this standard of "association." I thought that we (as a society) had worked through that approach already with Sen McCarthy and found that it didn't serve the public's best interests? I'm looking forward to your thoughtful analysis of Rev. Wrights thesis on reconciliation and how this may be timely given recent events.

Posted by: David Lantrip | May 5, 2008 2:30 PM

Bill Moyers, I have always had great respect for you, and I didn't think I could like you more, but I do. We have banned tv from our home for many years, and I'm never a victim of the media situation; recently, I've been following the stories, videos, blogs online vociferously. It's astounding. Listening to you tallk is so refreshing, smart, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Makes me want to at least have pbs.

Posted by: Gina | May 5, 2008 2:05 PM

Bill Moyers, I have always had great respect for you, and I didn't think I like you more, but I do. We have banned tv from our home for many years, and I'm never a victim of the media situation; recently, I've been following the stories, videos, blogs online vociferously. It's astounding. Listening to you tallk is so refreshing, smart, thoughtful, and thought-provoking. Makes me want to at least have pbs.

Posted by: Gina | May 5, 2008 2:03 PM

To Ms. Joyce Allard. I will do my best to explain this anomaly from a young black american female perspective. It has been a long standing fact that since slavery and Jim Crow, that the dominating White majority applied the one drop rule to those who are known to have the one drop of African blood. This has lopped mulattos and light-complected people into this African American experience. The experience itself is something someone is brought up in. There are plenty of people out there who are passing for white or walking around without the knowledge of their African blood. But they may not know the black american experience. Wright's complexion is not a factor. How much white blood or black blood he has isn't the issue. He's been speaking from an African American experience because he has experienced it. It is an interesting observation, but the human genome and the many forms it takes is beyond our control and has nothing to do with a cultural experience. Now, I also want to make note that not all of Wright's broadcasted sayings speak for the African American community as a whole. Like any of race of people, the perspectives are...

Posted by: ms. a. coleman | May 5, 2008 1:44 PM

To Ms. Joyce Allard. I will do my best to explain this anomaly from a young black american female perspective. It has been a long standing fact that since slavery and Jim Crow, that the dominating White majority applied the one drop rule to those who are known to have the one drop of African blood. This has lopped mulattos and light-complected people into this African American experience. The experience itself is something someone is brought up in. There are plenty of people out there who are passing for white or walking around without the knowledge of their African blood. But they may not know the black american experience. Wright's complexion is not a factor. How much white blood or black blood he has isn't the issue. He's been speaking from an African American experience because he has experienced it. It is an interesting observation, but the human genome and the many forms it takes is beyond our control and has nothing to do with a cultural experience. Now, I also want to make note that not all of Wright's broadcasted sayings speak for the African American community as a whole. Like any of race of people, the perspectives are...

Posted by: ms. a. coleman | May 5, 2008 1:42 PM

Jeremiah Wright is lighter-complected than Barack Obama. Why has no one (Wright included) revealed his racial heritage? I deplore the fact that anyone with a drop of African blood is automatically considered black. That is just dumb, and generates racism on both sides. Someone please explain this to me. Thank you, Joyce Allard (Caucasian)

Posted by: Joyce Allard | May 5, 2008 1:00 PM

While I do not like everything that Rev. Wright has said, I cannot find it in my heart to condemn the man. What gives me the greatest sympathy for him is the fact that he is not altogether wrong. Just today, one James E. Woodard, a 55 year old black male was released from prison in Dallas Texas. He was falsely accused and imprisoned for 3 decades for murder. DNA evidence finally freed him, but the reality is that the evidence against him was never there. To date 17 black men have been released from jail in Dallas after an examination of the DNA evidence. That's 17 out of 40 cases examined. That's a pretty high error rate by any measure; one, dare I say, driven by racism. No white men or women have been freed, none were imprisoned on the same kind of slim evidence that convicted Mr. Woodard; apparently our drive to imprison someone in every case only extends to black men. Of course the black men in Dallas have it better than black men in other Texas cities. Dallas was the only city that made a substantial effort to save DNA from such cases. Tough luck if...

Posted by: Lyle Ross | May 5, 2008 10:38 AM

As long as we as people attempt to isolate ourselves as other than just american's or just religious we will never be united. Every underprivileged group who came to america either by their own will or in shackles was mis-treated or abused by the capitalist system. It is the nature of the beast. Get Over It. The Native Americans have been mis-treated and abused more than any other group and yet I see no special empathy toward them either. Our next president Barack Obama is living proof of opportunities in this great nation. The time has come for ALL americans to Get Over It already. Poor people of every race and ethnicity have had as much opportunity as anyone if they really desired to better their life. Instead of whining and claiming foul. I as well as others are the son & daughters of abandoned welfare mother's, although from drive & desire rose through the ranks to achieve the american dream after attending poor inner city schools. Go and make a better life instead of whining about the sins of america. America is the land of opportunity!

Posted by: Just a thought | May 5, 2008 10:13 AM

It is simplistic to describe opposition to Wright as “racial”. Wright joins others who are anti-scientific: this includes Falwell and Liberty “University”, the present Republican Administration, and Bryan “University” in Dayton, TN, to name three. Wright attributes Hurricane “Katrina” to causes other than scientific: Falwell and Liberty “University” and others teach that astronomy, geology, biology including evolution, physics, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines are wrong. What a strange contrast occurs when all want young people to participate in scientific education but no one denounces the anti-scientists!

Posted by: Gerald Fisher | May 5, 2008 2:54 AM

It is simplistic to describe opposition to Wright as “racial”. Wright joins others who are anti-scientific: this includes Falwell and Liberty “University”, the present Republican Administration, and Bryan “University” in Dayton, TN, to name three. Wright attributes Hurricane “Katrina” to causes other than scientific: Falwell and Liberty “University” and others teach that astronomy, geology, biology including evolution, physics, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines are wrong. What a strange contrast occurs when all want young people to participate in scientific education but no one denounces the anti-scientists!

Posted by: Gerald Fisher | May 5, 2008 2:49 AM

After weeks of reading commentary and hearing inflammatory rhetoric about Obama and Wright on the Internet, it is frustrating to find that - as usual - the real issues aren’t being addressed. The reason most of you responding negatively to Wrght and to those who are supportive and in agreement with him is so you can divert attention from these bigger issues. It's easy to ignore the context of Wright’s speeches and answers and focus on a comment or two. God forbid one actually get the big picture. To focus on and denounce Wright's belief about U.S. involvement in creating AIDs or that he appears "hateful" or wouldn't denounce Farrakhan certainly helps to keep the focus OFF all the other pointed comments he made and we all should know about this country's legacy of slavery and injustice - though some pretend not to. From genocide of Native Americans and theft of their land, imperialist wars, from the Mexican-American War to Iraq today, government corruption can all be ignored when the focus is on Wright's "arrogant attitude" or some of his angry responses to absurd questions. After all, what's he got to be angry about? We know Jesus never got angry...

Posted by: pallist | May 5, 2008 12:19 AM

"Jeremiah is a bullfrog and he's a friend of mine."

Posted by: Margie Gilbert | May 4, 2008 11:24 PM

Thank you, Bill Moyers, for your courage once again to express the painful truth about the Wright controversy in your follow up piece on May 2nd.. The diatribe spewed by a majority of the media was certainly the politics of personal destruction and a very sad commentary on their ability and willingness to hold an intelligent conversation on race. On the other hand, Senator Obama has the intelligence, willingness and ability to have this conversation and many other conversations that would move the people of the United States in to a higher and more conscious vibration. Hopefully, we can count on enough people to have the discernment to recognize a very capable leader when they hear one.

Posted by: Rita M. Klein | May 4, 2008 10:33 PM

Jeremiah Wright is obviously a self-hating member of the Mulatto Elite whose anti-white ravings mask his belief that he's not good enough for the honor of this European ancestry. His skin is lighter than Obama's and I'll bet at least one of his parents looks as white as Obama's mother.

Posted by: A.D. Powell | May 4, 2008 10:01 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers: If there is a time when someone should be commended for taking a stance against hypocrisy in the field of journalism, it is you! I applaud your sentiments expressed on your show, which aired Friday, May 2nd, 2008 on PBS in a eloquent rebuttal to the controversy involving Reverend Jeremiah Wright. My husband and I believe that there is not enough 'true' journalistic individuals in today's mainstream media spectrum, but you, sir, have undoubtedly shown to the public why we, the general public, regardless of our race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or geographic origin of birth, that our maligned ignorance that is often taught early in life by sheer covert & overt racism bred from generation to generation, will in the long-run become a self-actualization of spiritual demise with an ultimate goal of achieving disunity for many many years to come in America. Your 'on-point' introduction to the foul air of discontent spewed by mainstream & cable media outlets to continue feeding negative and overt overtones of straight & reverse 'psychological racism' that is designed to foster fear mongering of racial discord in America among American born men, women, and children from every spectrum of the hu[e]man race...

Posted by: Miriam G. Aw | May 4, 2008 9:51 PM

I think even Bill Moyers has not had the opportunity to see the videos of Pastor Wright's appearances at the National Press Club or at the NAACP. If he had seen them, then he would not give the slightest bit of credence to the smear campaign being waged against Wright. You do not have to be a psychologist to analyze behavior that did not happen. The behavior that did happen was the media once again distorting Wright's remarks. I know a lot of you are thinking, "Surely the media cannot be blatantly distorting these recent events after they have been called to task for distorting his sermons." Well you would be wrong. You should be thinking, "If they did it once, why wouldn't they do it again?"

Posted by: Steve | May 4, 2008 9:10 PM

For all the wailing there is in support of Rev. Wright "spekaing truth to power," it remains that Barack Obama and the highest-level leadership in his campaign have decided that Wright was toxic. I wonder how much it was that Wright's "AIDS conspiracy" comments were the straw that broke the camel's back in this instance. Because the AIDS support community, a mjor force in Democratic politics must have been rightfully outraged and offended (Obama said "all Americans" would be "rightfully offended" by Wright's comments) by the scientifically and morally deceptive theory that AIDS was the product of a government conspiracy. Liberal Democrats are good at railing against racism and injustice as long as they don't step on the toes of any of their own special interests in the process. Consequently, while Democrats might talk about past racism, they'll rarely mention the past racism of the labor unions. And while Democrats might talk about limiting the influence of the wealthy and powerful, it's not likely that they'll mention the wealthy and powerful trial lawyers.

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 4, 2008 8:40 PM

It is obvious the reason Barack Obama remained in a setting/church community that gives him an identity, of which the racism of America robs people like him! Barack Obama was conceived in a white womb. Barack Obama fell from white loins. Barack Obama played 'hide and seek' under a white skirt as a toddler. Barack Obama grew up in a white household as a youngster. Then tadaa! Barack Obama began to grow into a young man. And Barack is reminded that he (COMING FROM A WHITE HOUSEHOLD) needed to learn to accept the racist-ASSIGNED identity that he was now a Black man in America! And so Barack Obama fortunately found acceptance, in a Black Chicago community/church, of his pigmentation and WHITE UPBRINGING. All the racists Americans who continue to wail on Obama over his association with a Black church, which helped to cement the RACIST-ASSIGNED Black identity in America, will surely be damned! lol

Posted by: Patriot | May 4, 2008 8:25 PM

The good rev has said during his remarks before the National Press Club that his comments were edited. Moyers and company should post the entire, complete interview without editing on this web site so that all may watch and judge for themselves. To do less is to suggest that Moyers and staff are preventing this man from making his case in full. On the air there are the restrictions of time, online, here, there is not. Please post the entire uncut interview. It's the only right thing to do. Thank you

Posted by: Dave Martin | May 4, 2008 8:20 PM

As long as people attempt to isolate ourselves as other than american we will never be united. Every underprivileged group who came here either by their own will or in shackles was mis-treated and abused. The Native Americans have been mis-treated and abused more than any other group and yet we feel no special empathy toward them either. Our next president Barack Obama is living proof of opportunities in this great nation. The time has come to get over it already. Go and make a better life instead of whining about the sins of america. America is the land of opportunity!

Posted by: European American | May 4, 2008 7:35 PM

Rich Kirk One senses that you are trying to be sincere in your position on Moyers' insightful comment. However, generations of mis-education seems to get in the way. The hoopla over Rev Right RELIGIOUS RHETORIC says more about Americans' racism and IGNORANCE than it does about Rev Right, AN OLD MAN! THREATS (which are the precursors of actions) ARE the kinds of words on which Americans should be wasting so much time, energy and attention! When maniac muslims THREATEN to destroy Americans and DO demonstrate that they follow through with ACTION, then those are the kinds of words that deserve the kinds of attention Americans are wasting on the RELIGIOUS RHETORIC of Rev Right! No one who is virtuous, honest and effectively educated will blame Rev Right for the much ado over mere HARMLESS AMERICAN RELIGIOUS RHETORIC! For anyone who thinks even slightly on the hoopla surrounding Rev Right, the CONSTANT REPLAYING of particular clips of sermons by the media morons, should be a DEAD GIVE AWAY that replays were done by racists. The clips were OVERPLAYED to polarize Americans by taking advantage of their ignorance and racist disposition? It is not like Rev Right words were real threats and...

Posted by: Patriot | May 4, 2008 5:38 PM

"I tremble for my country when I think God is just and justice does not sleep forever". Thomas Jefferson Wright spoke about: As you sow, so shall you reap. Wright, then is the fruit sown by Jim Crow and RIP, Emmett Till who could be celebrating turning 67 this year along with Wright. Obama had it right he first time~he understood Wright and his character and did not agree with him on many things. If there were no white supremacists there would be no Rev. Wrights. Why would a Supreme Court Justice (Sandra Day O'Connor) rule in favor of the Ku Klux Klan over 14th Amendment rights of "equal protection under the law" of those being terrorized in 1998 by the Klan. Case decided in 2001, I believe letting the terrorize off the hook. Moyer, sir, you have it right, the commenters will never "get it". They are part of the problem.

Posted by: M Mariano | May 4, 2008 5:24 PM

Bill Moyers has written a touching lament for the tragedy of Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright. "All the rest of us should hang our heads in shame for letting it come to this in America..." All the rest of us, specifically everyone except Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright, should hang our heads in shame? Shame on us... for anything and everything that happens anywhere ever in the history of the world? For every stupid, hateful thing that anyone may ever say or do? This garbage sounds like a parody of "bleeding heart" liberals by Rush Limbaugh on one of his really bad days! We should "hang our heads in shame for letting it come to this in America," when a black Senator can become the leading candidate for President of the United States? We should "hang our heads in shame for letting it come to this in America," when the only thing that can keep Barack Obama out of the White House is his own cowardice for not confronting Jeremiah Wright? I feel so ashamed that Barack Obama didn't have the balls to confront his hate-freak pastor for 20 years! But look, says Bill Moyers! Jeremiah Wright doesn't scream hate-speech...

Posted by: Jacob Freeze | May 4, 2008 4:55 PM

Reverend Wright speaks his truth. If white America (I am white by the way) can not hear or understand his truth, it is only because they are living in denial of what race in America means. Having white skin means having the privilege of not having to think about race. Reverend Wright is right about so many things he said. Even his comments about the US government being complicit in bringing HIV to the black (and I would add, gay) community, is not that off-base. I remember hearing an ex-CIA agent, named John Stockwell who went public with all he knew about what the CIA has done in the interest of "national security" - horrifying experiments that have been done on unsuspecting Americans. I do not trust our government today - the government that lied to us about Iraq, any more than I trust the government of Ronald Reagan, that traded arms for hostages and lied to us about it. Blind faith in our leaders just makes us blind. Because Wright is speaking the truth, he is seen as a threat, and that is why the media is so intent on discrediting him. How about discrediting the real threats to...

Posted by: Rick | May 4, 2008 4:10 PM

I wonder whether this needs to be the racial issue that many are making it. Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich had this to say about the matter: ********** GINGRICH: Well, let me say, first of all, I think that there are a lot of other issues that matter. I think health matters, the environment matters, the economy matters, a lot of -- energy matters. But where I think it's hard to even explain this, and you're going to hate this answer... COLMES: Thanks for letting me know ahead of time. GINGRICH: ... is Jeremiah Wright is actually not so much representative of the black church as he is representative of the hard left. He's much closer to -- to Noam Chomsky. He's much closer to Bill Ayers. He's much closer to a tradition that sees America as the center of evil in the world. And that's actually an ideological base. ********** I think that there is great merit to what Gingrich says. The more I hear of Wright, the more I am convinced that the soundbites, the snippets, are actually in keeping with Wright's overall message. Wright hasn't been misquoted. He's been one of the...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 4, 2008 3:23 PM

I was unable to view your program in which you interviewed Rev. Jeremiah Wright but did catch your follow-up comments last Friday night. For perhaps the first time in memory, I found myself taking issue with what you were saying. Like Nixon, the Rev. Wright was arrogant enough to have himself recorded making statements that to say the least, prudence would have dictated that he should not have done. I was in very white Oregon (I live in central Philadelphia) when the tapes were played nationally, and I found myself explaining to folks there that it is impossible to be black in America and NOT be exposed to this kind of rhetoric incessantly, and not just in church, either. If you are black, this kind of rhetoric can and will come from some of your dearest friends and not all of them are Reverends. Of course, the folks in Oregon had not construed the remarks as particularly anti-American, as the press always reports it. They had construed the remarks as anti-white. There is a difference. I have to agree that the Rev. Wright’s bitterness and frustrations are totally and completely understandable. Those of us who have really studied American history...

Posted by: Rich Kirk | May 4, 2008 2:21 PM

Well, Bill, I was watching Reliable Sources and they played a clip where you said "BILL MOYERS, PBS: This is crazy and wrong. White preachers are given leeway in politics that others aren't. All the rest of us should hang our heads in shame for letting it come to this in America, where the gluttony of the nonstop media grinder consumes us all and prevents an honest conversation on race." I thought the point was important enough to watch the entire clip. I was not disappointed. I think your brand of journalism is on decline. The soft news has taken over and has made fools of the American public. We don't want a media personality interpreting the story for us. We just want the facts on a 24 hour basis. If people want to slant our opinion, why not leave that type of opinion on a network devoted to a particular brand of politics. The decline in media's ability to give us basic information means our democracy has eroded beyond belief. The Fourth Estate is not in that position to give us propaganda. It is in that position to give us the who? the what? the where? and how it...

Posted by: Genna | May 4, 2008 1:14 PM

Bill and D. - The Civil War "argument", which it was not, was an effort to point out that during the Civil War, more people were killed in trying to secure the right of all men to be free, to be treated equally; as many as were killed in all our other major wars. Anyone who really read the post knows it wasn't a "we saved your butt" comment. If fighting and dying over every man's freedom was that important to those men - then it should be at least of "equal importance to us now." I hope that helps clear up that comment for you. Wright, is right in what he points out but since your interview with him he has been negative in his presentation. Obama is coming from a positive direction. Wright's remarks in regard to Obama, are negative and regressive. It appears that Obama would present the problems with less rancor and move us "all" forward.

Posted by: Gerry E. Powell | May 4, 2008 12:08 PM

I see that there are still some people who are deluded and think that racial strife in America is something that is just a minor annoyance. They wax eloquently like a Rodney King, talking about can't we all just get along. They don't see it, the insidious and destructive way that racism has entrenched itself in the very being of some people and perpetuates itself generation after generation. These people with blinders are lamenting the same old song since the beginning of slavery, "Hey, everybody else has it bad too, what's your beef?" If you think that the Indians aren't feeling the pains of the past, read a book, visit a reservation. Last hired, first fired, police racial profiling, or just straight up police brutality, being dragged behind trucks, are just some examples that racism is alive and well. Rev. Wright is not racism, Rev. Wright is a response to racism. You can't just wish something away. If you want racism to end, then find out what it is, define it, talk about it, don't do it yourself, and make sure when it shows up in your presence, you let it know it's not welcome. Stop suffering from naivete, misinformation...

Posted by: Donnell Jones | May 4, 2008 11:47 AM

I liked the Bill Moyers interview, especially the first part. I don't think it was wrong to softball the questions after parts of Wrights sermons were looped. Maybe PBS should take the opportunity to revisit the origins of aids question. That is the title of Tom Curtis' 1992 Rolling Stone article. Is he still around? Edward Hooper could be interviewed as well. No vaccine has been developed so far - does that have anything to do with the origin of AIDS?

Posted by: Caryl | May 4, 2008 11:45 AM

Trish your eloquent and 100% correct statement reveals the "real" truth that even a marginal commentator like bill moyers refuses to admit Thank you for being you!

Posted by: Trish for President | May 4, 2008 10:44 AM

Bob, I am not a left-wing propagandist. I do not understand the terms 'left-wing' and 'right-wing,' any more than I understand the terms 'liberal' and 'conservative.' I know a fair amount about war because of the course I developed and taught for an Honors Program, which was called "Documentary Film and Literature of Modern War.' What I learned from extensive research for the course is what led to my closing comment about America's perhaps unwitting slide into corruption and danger. The United States, historically, has been-and remains-naive about war in comparison with European countries, which have had far too much direct experience of it. I have lived in Paris and London; I have spent a great deak if time traveling in Europe; I was in Britain when the Israeli-Lebanese war broke out; I was convinced we were on the brink of World War Three. I remain convinced that we are moving toward that potentially apocalyptic conflict. Anyway, I regret that you miscontrused my remarks. Regards, M A Wimsatt

Posted by: Dr. M A Wimsatt | May 4, 2008 10:36 AM

Bill Moyers did this whole discussion a great disservice by not asking the hard questions in his "conversation" with Rev. Wright. I the Reverend says that his words were taken out of context then ask him what he meant in context. Bill didn't even go that far. His questions were softball and his approach was to advocate for his interviewee rather than to ask any informative question. Bill showed no journalistic instincts in this situation and we all have lost out because of it.

Posted by: Randy Sanford | May 4, 2008 10:36 AM

Reverend Wright is the perfect example of why we still have the KKK, we still need the EEOC, and every other program that we have been subject to since Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. There have been and continue to be massive divides in our country that we've never been able to breach simply because we can't seem to move past the issue of color, religious differences, sex and every other issue that makes us all unique and different which is how God created us. People like Wright are the reason that we cannot unite as one people and move past the issues that we have allowed to divide our nation. Wright’s inability and unwillingness to move beyond the bitterness of the civil rights violations, the battles of the past, battles that continue today. Battles that never see the light of a press announcement or merit an obscure story line on page 13 of any paper published. Wright and others like him just re-enforce the belief of a minority of people that our nation can never work past our differences, and move on as a nation of ONE, which we should have done years ago. As a child and young...

Posted by: Trish | May 4, 2008 10:06 AM

Who is Barack Obama? The first thing that comes to MY mind is: “right rap, right look, right conman”. Americans look to Obama or any other smooth talking politician to tell them what they want to hear, whether it be regarding hope, change or more perks. Americans have proved themselves naive before and will prove themselves once again dumb as dishwater after being sucked into another politicians self serving smooth talk. Regardless of who wins the election we will not prosper, the politicians get richer and we will keep dreaming until death due us part.

Posted by: Obama's Typical White Person | May 4, 2008 8:39 AM

Thank you Mr. Moyers for further clarification that you my friend are not a non-biased responsible journalist. It now is rather evident that you my friend have out lived your usefulness as a "marginal" commentator, perhaps you could return to the shameless promotion of Joseph Campbell's Myth's & Mysticism (Opiatic religious mumbo jumbo and general brainwashing for the common masses)? You have now officially turned PBS into the FOX network. I can only hope they keep you off of NPR. I have always supported and loved PBS because of the truly non-biased opinions. Due to this love I would not comment on last weeks obvious sympathetic caressing of Rev. Wright. Now however after your nine (9) minute (viewer paid for) uncalled for justification of the Rev Wright interview and subliminal bias toward anyone not supporting Rev. Wright's views I must chime in. I can only hope next week Mr Moyers will spend as much time and effort promoting Sen Clinton's campaign as his obvious desceptive promotion of Sen Obama's campaign this week. Good Night Bill and turn off the lights on your way out.

Posted by: No longer a billy moyers watcher | May 4, 2008 8:10 AM

5/1/08 Who is Barack Obama? The first thing that comes to MY mind is: “right place, right time, right man”. Americans by the millions are looking to Obama to LISTEN their calls of HOPE and CHANGE. ALL the senses are stimulated. A political organizers dream candidate. People who’ve NEVER gotten INVOLVED before let alone VOTED, are coming TOGETHER calling themselves “Concerned Citizens”. DEMANDS for ethics, responsibility and accountability are becoming more & MORE prevalent on the American. The INTERNET is burning up with the MESSAGE (and Obama support and donations “mybarackobama.com”) CHANGE IS IN THE AIR! The second thought that enters my mind: WHY the #*~/ is the media and a varying 38-46% of Democrats trying SO HARD to ruin that kind of PARTICIPATION… the Obama phenomenon? It IS still about the PEOPLE, right? Y’know, all that about “Of, By, For”, Life Liberty, Happiness, Equal Rights and JUSTICE! This Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers “guilt by association” game is just NUTS! THIS is NEWS? So out-of-touch Republicans, Reagan Democrats and Hilary supporters ARE, they believe ALL THIS PETTY BS, will sway the Concerned Citizens from their DEMANDS. No NO, not NOW! Not in this time of Bush Administration foreign policy BLUNDERS...

Posted by: Frank | May 4, 2008 6:50 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you Bill Moyers for your sane and balanced comments on your May 2 program. I was extremely saddened by the Obama/Wright split earlier this week and your words helped immensely. I particularly appreciated your candid remarks that the Wright "controversy" is all about race. We have a terrible double standard in this country. I am white and liberal Christian, an Obama supporter, mid 50's middle class. And for the most part, I agree with Rev. Wright. And I'm a big Bill Moyers fan!

Posted by: Hannah55 | May 4, 2008 3:48 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you Bill Moyers for your sane and balanced comments on your May 2 program. I was extremely saddened by the Obama/Wright split earlier this week and your words helped immensely. I particularly appreciated your candid remarks that the Wright "controversy" is all about race. We have a terrible double standard in this country. I am white and liberal Christian, an Obama supporter, mid 50's middle class. Just so you know... And a big Bill Moyers fan!

Posted by: Hannah55 | May 4, 2008 3:42 AM

Mr. Moyers, thank you for your courage to speak the unspoken. Unfortunately, race is still used, however subtly, as a divisive factor in our national politics. One only needs to read the polls conducted by AP, CNN, etc., the press treats as headline news polls showing Sen. Obama having difficulty attracting white voters over age 50 who do not have college degrees. Neither McCain nor Clinton seem to warrant an equivalent level of electoral parsing from news media. AP issues no headlines reading "McCain Falters with Southern Black Voters".

Posted by: John Campbell | May 4, 2008 12:00 AM

Thank you Mr. Moyers, as per usual, you get it right. There's another angle that isn't being looked at. conveiniently, as it were it's being used to Swift Boat a great opportunity for our country to take back some of the pride it has lost over the past 8 years of corruption and defamation we have endured under this debacle of an administration. I am not a black man. I believe that what Rev. Wright said and in the context to which he said it was clearly understable and plausable... It takes a real Patriot and an American to the core to defy the mediocrity we are handed these days from the media elite who is solely responsible for our utter demise in-sync with cronism and full out corruption from this administration and their ilke for over the past 40 years period. There are a slent majority of good American peoples that exist who feel exactly like what Rev. Wright spoke up about. I believe that if the media was doing it's job, like when Watergate broke... We'd have the kind of journalism that would give us the adult facts about the real chaos and backroom dealing that is prevailent...

Posted by: Jack Mosel | May 3, 2008 11:47 PM

Teri laverne---Mr. Moyers is your Hero? Please get a life! In all due respeckt s. Laveerne we have many hero's out there and if that's the best you can do then you need to do your homework.

Posted by: Judi | May 3, 2008 10:45 PM

Thank you Bill Moyers for your outstanding comments on Rev. Wright. Employing history for context (imagine that) and comparing him to some reverends on the right made for a "fair and balanced" look at what has become a huge missed opportunity to look at race with some honesty.(Obama's March speech was a great beginning on this, and gave one hope. How did that get stifled? DId the press response have a rolet?) Now it has become just more of the horse race. Is Obama up or down now because he said this or Wright said that?What a tiresome conversation? There are real problems in this country and the world. Are Obama and Clinton so undifferentiated on the real issues that only sensationalized issues are going to get the attention of the press? If so, broaden the coverage and allow us to hear about third party candidates. Nader,for instance, has a different idea on health care policy, Palestine and Israel, nuclear energy, and corporate malfeasance.

Posted by: P. J. | May 3, 2008 9:48 PM

Bill Moyers, Thank you for the opening piece concerning the Rev. Wright & Sen. Barak Obamma fiasco. You brought a keen insight, compassion,& an open "Heart" to your piece, which is rare these days in media journalism. You also brought something else to your piece, "nuance", which seems to be lacking in our public discourse now days.With the dumbing down of the American public with info-tainment, I see why, & that to me is very sad ! As our world grows so ever more complexed & convoluted, being able to bring a nuanced perspective, should become the norm ( this is one of the gifts about Sen, Obama I love, he brings "nuance") that seems to be lost on a large segment of the American population. Instead people become suspicious, untrusting, shut-down,& confused.We need more elevated discourse instead of less, in my humble estimation. Again, thank you Bill Moyer & PBS for being that oasis for those of us who thirst! Sincerely, Robert Hill

Posted by: Robert H. | May 3, 2008 9:48 PM

Mr. Moyers, Thank you for this insightful and brave essay on the Rev. Wright "problem".To watch this gave me hope that not all the media is propagating more of the misunderstandings that keep us all so far apart. In the midst of this Wright controversy Sean Bell's NYPD killers were acquitted ; one of them had fired off at least 31 rounds into an unarmed Sean Bell celebrating the night before his wedding day . Yet where is the coverage of that?or the outrage? THe truth that many white americans cannot face is the truth that Wright has described about this nation.It is the truth that conitnues to be palyed out in the lives of many balcks such as Sean Bell. AMerican culture says criticism of govt/country is unpatriotic and this has led us where we are today: in an illegal war without end, paying record prices for gas while jobless and homeless in record numbers and generally in dire straits. Somehow the coverage of a black preacher who has a right to his anger and outrage managed to trump all these other issues. Racism indeed.

Posted by: lourdes | May 3, 2008 8:54 PM

Mr. Moyers, Thank you for this insightful and brave essay on the Rev. Wright "problem".To watch this gave me hope that not all the media is propagating more of the misunderstandings that keep us all so far apart. In the midst of this Wright controversy Sean Bell's NYPD killers were acquitted ; one of them had fired off at least 31 rounds into an unarmed Sean Bell celebrating the night before his wedding day . Yet where is the coverage of that?or the outrage? THe truth that many white americans cannot face is the truth that Wright has described about this nation.It is the truth that conitnues to be palyed out in the lives of many balcks such as Sean Bell. AMerican culture says criticism of govt/country is unpatriotic and this has led us where we are today: in an illegal war without end, paying record prices for gas while jobless and homeless in record numbers and generally in dire straits. Somehow the coverage of a black preacher who has a right to his anger and outrage managed to trump all these other issues. Racism indeed.

Posted by: lourdes | May 3, 2008 8:51 PM

Bill: You are my hero and I am glad I can depend on your honesty and integrity, but I feel you are giving Reverend Wright a pass on his very bad behavior at the Press Club and NAACP. This man makes his living (whether money or just the spotlight) on the currency of hate, resentment, bitterness and lies. He may have done good things in the past, but last week he took vengence on a parishioner for dissing him and he torpedoed the hopes of Americans of all ethnicities whose support for Obama demonstrates the desire to get past this and work on our future together. The last thing he wants is for us all to get along. Selfishness on this scale should not be explained away.

Posted by: K | May 3, 2008 8:48 PM

Mr. Moyers, Thank you for this insightful and brave essay on the Rev. Wright "problem".To watch this gave me hope that not all whites are propagating more of the misunderstandings that keep us all so far apart. In the midst of this Wright controversy Sean Bell's NYPD killers were acquitted ; one of them had fired off at least 31 rounds into an unarmed Sean Bell celebrating the night before his wedding day . Yet where is the coverage of that?or the outrage? THe truth that many white americans cannot face is the truth that Wright has described about this nation. THe culture that says criticism is unpatriotic is what has led us where we are today: in an illegal war without end, pauying record prices for gas,while jobless and homeless and in dire straits. Somehow a black preacher who has a right to his anger and outrage managed to trump all that. Racism indeed.

Posted by: lourdes | May 3, 2008 8:45 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, Your essay on Reverend Wright is one of the best essays I've ever heard you do. I think you're right on about the double standard and the pass Bush, McCain, and their preachers get. So Obama is forced to distance himself from a man who has done a lot of good things for human rights. Wright may be a little "bombastic", but, as you said (I'm paraphrasing) he never shot or lynched anyone, nor did he ever set a bomb off in someone else's church. I think that oppressed people need a safe place to support each other, make each other stronger, and (sometimes) use strong words (admittedly, I don't watch a lot of mainstream media, so I may have missed some of the sound bites that people are finding so offensive). After hundreds of years of slavery and oppression, I think it's a little unfair to expect oppressed people to talk nice 100% of the time. Their oppressors surely do not. The sermon Wright did that appeared in all the sound bites had completely different meaning when I heard the more complete version on your show last week. And it's a message I happen to agree...

Posted by: Lucas | May 3, 2008 8:18 PM

Pastors, pundits, and flag pins--OH MY! I can hardly believe most of the posts here. I haven't seen people so indignant, so self-righteous, and so self-deluding since the Bush administration began drumming up support for the war back in 2003. By the by, my favorite post thus far is the "civil war" argument, reminding me of the "we saved your a**es in WWII!" statements reserved by nationalists who weren't anywhere near WWII. Just for the record, it's myopic logic like yours that required an unbelievably costly war like the civil war to liberate the slaves. So many scared bigots, who don't think they're bigots. So many scared folks who can't even read an article exploring why Wright said the things he did without accusing the author of "excusing" what he said. That's where we are these days--if it isn't a 24 hour op/ed piece, it's suddenly not "news". If an interview consists of someone guiding a conversation as opposed to conducting an interrogation, it's a "bad" interview. I for one thank Moyers for, God forbid, interviewing Wright (who, for the record, I disagree with in a multitude of ways) without condemning him. I'd love to see him interview Hagee ("How...

Posted by: Derek | May 3, 2008 7:54 PM

I just watched the Hagee Video- I'm not outraged, I'M TERRIFIED!! Why is his sociopathic Doctrine not being played on EVERY media Loop for Weeks, the topic on every show??? Hagee Presents far more of a Threat to US and the Rest of the World than Wright. And considering 'Public Servants' who support him (Leibermann, Mac...) his Terrorist doctrrine has far more ability to be carried out with Nukes then the Islamic extremeist with Box Cutters (they don't ahve an arsenal of Weapons/Nukes). Hillary's Proclaimation of her willingness to 'Obliterate Iran' baffled me- It doe not any more. I was foolish enough tot think she was merely a Covert Corp Operative willing to enslave mankind for Greed. Now I realize she was signaling she is fully iniatied into this 'End of Days' philosophy and will be a 'Warrior for God'and being Armegeddon. This doctrine is as twisted as Jim Jones et al, but has far more capability of actually coming to fruition. NOw I AM UTTERLY TERRIFIED!

Posted by: Purple Girl | May 3, 2008 6:27 PM

I just watched the Hagee Video- I'm not outraged, I'M TERRIFIED!! Why is his sociopathic Doctrine not being played on EVERY media Loop for Weeks, the topic on every show??? Hagee Presents far more of a Threat to US and the Rest of the World than Wright. And considering 'Public Servants' who support him (Leibermann, Mac...) his Terrorist doctrrine has far more ability to be carried out with Nukes then the Islamic extremeist with Box Cutters (they don't ahve an arsenal of Weapons/Nukes). Hillary's Proclaimation of her willingness to 'Obliterate Iran' baffled me- It doe not any more. I was foolish enough tot think she was merely a Covert Corp Operative willing to enslave mankind for Greed. Now I realize she was signaling she is fully iniatied into this 'End of Days' philosophy and will be a 'Warrior for God'and being Armegeddon. This doctrine is as twisted as Jim Jones et al, but has far more capability of actually coming to fruition. NOE I AM UTTERLY TERRIFIED!

Posted by: Purple Girl | May 3, 2008 6:26 PM

For those of us enlightened by Moyers from his “World Of Ideas” series, to “Power Of Myth” with Joseph Campbell, it’s sad to see Moyers fall so hard, so fast. His struggle to justify Jeremy Wright’s venom (and we’ve seen the whole sermon now) shows Moyers to be no different than Rush Limbaugh in failing to apply critical reason if doing so refutes his dogma. Wright does what all good liars do, intermingles their flat-out lies or half-truths that may as well be, with truth we all know. We all know the crimes of Tuskegee, but that doesn’t make government creation of the AIDS epidemic directed at blacks true, or acceptable grounds for Wright’s charge. We all know the cavalier nature with which blacks were enslaved 150 years ago, and Natives were simply exterminated, but that does not put the bomb on Hiroshima in the same category, “Without bating an eye” as Wright claims. But Moyers won’t challenge Wright and already forgot what Shelby Steel taught him and the rest of us on Moyers’ program mere months ago. As eloquent as Moyers sometimes was in his defense of Wright, Moyers only served to descend to the ranks of conservative talk...

Posted by: Brett | May 3, 2008 5:40 PM

Having watched the first interview with rev Wright and then hearing his speech given a few days later-I'd have to say, you Bill Moyers, my Hero, were PUNKED...The person on your show speaking in that quiet soft voice was replaced with that disgusting ranting self serving person who gives ministers a bad name-he is not doing Gods work-he is doing his own work, I believe his bursting out of the closet NOW is a direct result of a publicity stunt to boost sales of his soon to be released book. Who is going to by the nice version of Rev. Wright-Were you not amazed at his difference in speech and content from your interview-to his speech later to ministers???Did it not cross your mind to question his motives in using you? the fact that you gave a follow up defense of him on your show friday nite was unbelievable to me. I have certainly lost some respect for you. Please regain your perspective and again give us some great unbiased stories

Posted by: sandra longley | May 3, 2008 4:44 PM

It's obvious why you've made a fortune playing a liberal on TV. You've got just the right unctously caring and sorrowful tone. But for those paying attention, you define yourself by how you actually use your power. I don't know whether Barack Obama will survive your leading the pack in reviving the Jeremiah Wright story. I hope he will. But then he'll have you to revive it again at just the most damaging time. And you'll probably bring back your friend Shelby Steele for a third crack this election season at pitching his book defining Obama as a "Bound Man." But to me, what you don't do with your power as top dog TV liberal is much more telling. As a Texan you know all about GWB's apparent perjury, obstruction of justice, and influence peddling at the heart of the lawsuit against him known as Funeralgate. Yet you went along with the NYT and the rest of the national media in suppressing it during the 2000 campaign and the first several months of his presidency while it was going through the normal discovery process before being secretly settled -- using taxpayer funds -- after 911. Had the public known about...

Posted by: Roses Prichard | May 3, 2008 3:36 PM

Mr Moyer: While I agree somewhat with some of the comments you make about race in our country the unfortunate thing is that you're only talking usually about one particular race. If you spoke about all of us then I might appreciate your wisdom more in depth. I'm Caucasian and Native American and I've never heard you talk about the racist ideology being perpetuated against these particular groups. You only talk about supposed African Americans. The lines of race become nebulous at best when you call Obama a black American. He mixed and calling him a black American is like referring to me as a Native American. 20% of children born in this country today are of mixed marriages or arrangements. It's one thing to talk of predjudice against one group, it seems more pertinent to put a proper perspective on what is real and what is many times a matter of conjecture and fantasy. To assume that black Americans are not prejudiced is folly and a ludicrous notion at best. I enjoy your show very much but your appraisal of relations in our country is being portrayed in a limited fashion. I understand though that you don't have time...

Posted by: Jullian Baird | May 3, 2008 2:52 PM

Mr Moyer: While I agree somewhat with some of the comments you make about race in our country the unfortunate thing is that you're only talking usually about one particular race. If you spoke about all of us then I might appreciate your wisdom more in depth. I'm Caucasian and Native American and I've never heard you talk about the racist ideology being perpetuated against these particular groups. You only talk about supposed African Americans. The lines of race become nebulous at best when you call Obama a black American. He mixed and calling him a black American is like referring to me as a Native American. 20% of children born in this country today are of mixed marriages or arrangements. It's one thing to talk of predjudice against one group, it seems more pertinent to put a proper perspective on what is real and what is many times a matter of conjecture and fantasy. To assume that black Americans are not prejudiced is folly and a ludicrous notion at best. I enjoy your show very much but your appraisal of relations in our country is being portrayed in a limited fashion. I understand though that you don't have time...

Posted by: Jullian Baird | May 3, 2008 2:51 PM

620,000 people. This country is the only country in modern or ancient history which fought a war to end slavery. America is a participatory democracy and non-christian men often lead this country and its industries. Those circumstances should not be used to distance any group of people or christians from the fact that if we participate if we struggle for the right we can change the country to the better. That gift, the ability to change this country was twice given - by those who fought Revolutionary war, 25,324 killed and those who fought the Civil War,620,000 killed. It takes the combined total of Americans killed in WI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam to pass the Civil War losses. Maybe before that next fire filled, prophetic sermon fills the air, "we" should think on these things.

Posted by: Gerry E. Powell | May 3, 2008 1:41 PM

Dear Bill, DEEPEST THANKS for your commentary last night re: Jeremiah Wright. What you said was so TRUE, DEEP, HONEST, and HISTORIC! Wishing every person in the nation and the world could hear what you said, I have sent it to all my friends. You are truly an amazing Southern White Guy. Please know how much I appreciate your depth of knowledge and understanding of where Rev. Wright was coming from in his preaching. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!

Posted by: Phyllis T. Albritton | May 3, 2008 12:55 PM

Thank you Mr. Moyers for further clarification that you my friend are not a non-biased responsible journalist. It now is rather evident that you my friend have out lived your usefulness as a "marginal" commentator, perhaps you could return to the shameless promotion of Joseph Campbell's Myth's & Mysticism (Opiatic religious mumbo jumbo and general brainwashing for the common masses)? You have now officially turned PBS into the FOX network. I can only hope they keep you off of NPR. I have always supported and loved PBS because of the truly non-biased opinions. Due to this love I would not comment on last weeks obvious sympathetic caressing of Rev. Wright. Now however after your nine (9) minute (viewer paid for) uncalled for justification of the Rev Wright interview and subliminal bias toward anyone not supporting Rev. Wright's views I must chime in. I can only hope next week Mr Moyers will spend as much time and effort promoting Sen Clinton's campaign as his obvious desceptive promotion of Sen Obama's campaign this week. Good Night Bill and turn off the lights on your way out.

Posted by: Suddenly not a PBS supporter | May 3, 2008 12:47 PM

Congratulations Mr. Moyer for saying it so clearly and for PBS allowing you the time to do so. I see layers of complexity in your explanation: I watched the full and required 6+ minutes on YouTube; but at least one viewer gave up after a minute and 36 seconds - - - probably because he has accepted the concept that a sound bite is enough to summarize any complex issue. Equally disturbing is that your argument may simply be too complex for even those who listen to the entire segment - - - the viewer who condensed the essay into "not the rehashed issues from 400 years past". Like it or not, this is representative of the electorate of the country we live in; and probably a majority of those voters. I will make one subtle distinction that you sort of gloss over. You equate Wright with Robertson and his ilk; and you are perfectly correct in doing so and in your conclusion that white preachers are given a pass in allowable political rhetoric - - - that a Black man is being judged far more harshly then his white counterparts. There is a distinction, however, when trying to compare...

Posted by: Laurence Schiffman D.M.D. | May 3, 2008 12:36 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers: In reference to the Rev. Wright situation and the negative pouncing from the media, you’re mentioning MNSBC, and other media on your program was so vital to our National Morality. From the moment I heard your interviews with Joseph Campbell, which has influenced my life greatly; I follow your programs and am truly grateful you are a voice for many and me. You in so many words and programs express the importance of “Virtue”, which grounds the human in moral behavior. I am not a researcher or scholar, but know the great philosopher, leaders, journalists, politicians and theologians who are humanitarian go to “virtue” a source for guidance. Jesus embraced all of mankind, which defines him as great of all humanitarian. Jesus, so often misunderstood, was the greatest model a virtuous life. Not to equate suffering with virtue, but to point out how the human needs to destroy the good in nature. To point out how we need to “take down what is good”? Mr. Moyers, why? What is this “destroyer factor” in the human that “good” cannot rise? Mary Ann Greco

Posted by: Mary Ann Greco | May 3, 2008 12:13 PM

Bill Moyers you are my hero!!! You are the voice of reason and sanity amidst all the political operatives, rabble rousers and self aggrandizers. Your opening comments were right on point! The media took hold of this story and ran with it and everyone jumped on their moral high horse without examining the facts or having ANY knowledge of history and viewing these events through their limited experiences. Your southern background gives you an insight that most wouldn't have or at least acknowledge and the collective amnesia that this country exhibits allows them to engage in a feeding frenzy and painting someone guilty by association. I appreciate your show and your thoughtful rational observations while avoiding the typical histrionics.

Posted by: teri laverne | May 3, 2008 12:06 PM

Thank you Thank you Thank you Mr. Moyers for further proof that you my friend, are not a non biased responsible reporter. I have always supported and loved PBS because of the truly non-biased opinions. Due to this love I would not comment on last weeks obvious sympathetic caressing of Rev. Wright. Now however after Mr. Moyers nine (9) minute (viewer paid for) uncalled for justification of the Rev Wright interview and subliminal bias toward anyone not supporting Rev. Wright's views I must chime in. I can only hope next week Mr Moyers will spend as much time and effort promoting Sen Clinton's campaign as his obvious desceptive promotion of Sen Obama's campaign this week. You my friend have out lived your usefulness as a marginal commentator, Good Night Bill and turn off the lights on your way out Thank you James Jones Senior Manager, Customer Service Programs

Posted by: James Jones | May 3, 2008 12:05 PM

Thank you thank you thank you Mr. Moyers. Your comments at the beginning of your program (May 2, 2008) dealing with the 2000 responses on the Controversy of Rev. Wright, your program. You hit it on the nail. I was so happy to hear everything you said. That speech to all of us should be written down and passed around for all to read on a daily basis. as a mantra. We need to hear the truth and really look into our minds and hearts about judging without really looking at all value systems. Thank you Mr. Moyers. I am wanting more of your insightful thoughts. Mary Helen Moore

Posted by: mary helen moore | May 3, 2008 11:21 AM

Mr. Moyers thank you very much for the program on Rev. Wright. At the beginning of the controversy I was not sure about Rev. Wright but during and after your program I felt good about who and what Rev. Wright is. He had some important issues to address. I think many persons do not know about American Black preaching and how they address the everyday issues. I thank you for providing me with a better understanding of Rev. Wright through your program. I am just sorry about how so many people have not understood or accepted who Rev. Wright is. Mary Helen Moore

Posted by: mary helen moore | May 3, 2008 11:13 AM

Mr. Moyers thank you for having Rev. Wright on your program. When the controversy surfaced

Posted by: mary helen moore | May 3, 2008 11:06 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your direct response to the furor over Jeremiah Wright. Your insightful analysis of the conflict between race, religion, politics, and hypocrisy of us all should be the starting point for further discussions in an effort to understand ourselves and each other. Thank you for phrasing the issues succinctly and in such a way that I was able to determine the source of my anger and irritation at the continued superficial coverage of these issues by headline and soundbite.

Posted by: Deborah Hanley | May 3, 2008 10:57 AM

Dear Mr. Moyers, Thank you for your response to the comments since the Rev. Wright interview - they were clear-eyed and insiteful. I agree with Margaret Randall's assessment in her post. There seems to be a huge fixation on the Aids issue and what I got from your commentary is that, while not validating or dismissing the conspiracy question, you allowed that, in view of such as the Tuskeegee experiments, it is understandable how a people would consider such a thing. This idea seems to just freak some people out, that our government would willingly subject us to something dangerous or even lethal and cover it up or lie about it. Let me remind you all that our government has done just that, and has been racially inclusive about it, as well. In 1951 and over the next 12 years, 126 atomic bombs were detonated into the atmosphere at the Nevada test site. Radiation spred over the entire country. Radiation injured workers and infantrymen at the site, and beyond the site killed or burned sheep, horses and cattle, and caused men, women, and children to die of cancer, and caused severe birth defects, as well. For 30 years the American...

Posted by: Mary Godwin | May 3, 2008 10:27 AM

Mr. Moyers, I was an Obama supporter until this situation unfolded on the public stage. Surely this current generation still places some value in loyalty to long time relationships, especially those that involve their faith. Obama could have ended all this early on by supporting his religious mentor’s right to have an opinion, or is that another right that has been taken out of the Constitution ? Once again, the political wranglers in the Democrat party and the Main Stream Media have sided with a vigilante mentality that feeds the ongoing division in this country. Reverend Wright expressed opinions that had previously been put forth by a large segment of Americans from both political extremes. For example, the sixty year history of the CIA is that of clandestine intervention in the affairs of foreign countries and the agency has long been aware of the Chickens-Coming-Home-To-Roost scenario which it calls Blowback. The policies of the World Bank, United Nations, and other U.S. backed international organizations, have resulted in economic oppression, starvation, and millions of deaths in various third world countries; hardly what FDR and his supporters envisioned 65 years ago. Professor Noam Chomsky was recently asked about the harsh response from...

Posted by: Richard | May 3, 2008 10:13 AM

Mr. Moyers, Thank you for being, as always, the voice of truth and illumination. Everyone should send this transcript to every media outlet and demand this kind of journalistic integrity. If we are at sea in a fog of deception and the politics of personal destruction, we are partly to blame for allowing it to go on unchallenged.

Posted by: Terri | May 3, 2008 9:30 AM

Why can't Kathleen Hall Jamieson run for president?...She undoubtedly has the 'common sense' that seems so lacking in everyone that's come to the plate...Regardless, I'm glad to hear her comments concerning this matter, as well as any other...What a level-headed, cut-thru-the-crap persona...She's got my vote. As far as Barack goes...he's shown (more than anything else), that he's another wealthy politician that will say what 'his team' feels necessary to get your vote...The reverend wright mess (as an example) Barack makes the comment that 'it happened to him'...This isn't anything that 'happened to him' at all, but a part of the truth as to 'who' he is and good or bad, it's just that: part of the truth. Instead, he takes the 'victim mentality' way out and in my mind it reinforces what I had suspected about his tactics...He'll say what he needs to, what 'the team' thinks the voters want to hear...One week, reverend wright has the same importance as the grandmother who raised him and the next week he's dupped barack for over 20 years...So which is it?...Who's confused?...Him?...I know I am. I also think 'the job' is too big for him. The Washington machine will continue as business...

Posted by: Sir Vertual | May 3, 2008 9:20 AM

Bill Moyers' editorial of May 2nd was one of the finest assessments of morality and US politics I have heard. It should be must listening for everyone in this country. One just doesn't get that depth and complexity anywhere else. Thank you!

Posted by: Margaret Randall | May 3, 2008 8:13 AM

Mr. Moyers, Thank you. T

Posted by: Tony | May 3, 2008 6:13 AM

Thank You Mr. Moyers for the interview with Rev. Wright as well as your follow up commentary of the Corporate Media response. I appreciated all the media time that was given to Rev. Wright because it allowed me to hear him speak directly. I found his remarks and assessments to be honest and courageous. He clearly spoke from a foundation of his study, practice and understanding of Liberation Theology. Your interview of Rev. Wright was valuable for me in that it illuminated the subject of Liberation Theology and it's function in the American Black Community. I am a caucasian naturalized citizen. I have never been to a Black Church. I found Rev. Wright to be an unapologetic free thinker. Following your interview I took the time to read and watch Rev. Wright's subsequent two presentations. I learned much from both. What continues to amaze me is the characterization of Rev. Wright's responses to the press as being outlandish or inappropriate. Given the context, the questions presented by the press to Rev. Wright were down right insulting and mocking of his intelligence. As a viewer I felt insulted by the hollow baiting of the questions. I applauded Rev. Wrights retorts to...

Posted by: Anasko | May 3, 2008 5:45 AM

If you accept that Rev. Wright--and, indeed, Bill Moyers, according to his May 2 commentary--are correct when they assert that the AIDS virus may have been visited upon black people because of the history of the Tuskegee experiments, then one must: assume that all Japanese Americans who were sadly arcerated during the war assume that their imprisonment must be imminent today; that Jews must blame all colleges today because at one time there was a quota system against Jews; that all Irish must suspect employment discrimination because of the want-ads that said, "No Irish need apply"...well, you get the idea. Yesterday's history is not necessarily a bellweather of today's truths. Rev. Wright,I would think, would do better to spend his time working on the unmet needs of African Americans, particularly the youth, and by extension, to the election of the first African-American who can wield the ultimate power to improve the way blacks, whites, Latinos, Asians--live. Orwould that put Rev. Wright out of a job?

Posted by: ALS | May 3, 2008 4:05 AM

After following Rev Wright's escapades over the past two or three weeks, watching and reading all the media coverage of the whole business; after reading the many responses and opinions on this suject, and finally, after listening to most of Jamieson's comments on the candidates, the campaign, etc., I despair. Friedrich Nietzsche was correct: History is the eternal recurrence of the same thing [der ewige Wiederkehr des Gleichen]. It is enough to make one cycnical.

Posted by: Lyle D. Hettinger | May 3, 2008 1:35 AM

Mr. Moyers in his commentary tonight said very definitively that all the furor over Reverend Wright's appearances was all about race. I do not agree. I think it is about religion and politics, church and state. On another forum I said that had such appearances transpired after John Kennedy made his speech about his Catholic faith - had a representative of his family church spoken as Reverend Wright did in public on contraversial issues - whatever they might be - casting blame upon a segment of the American population, or America itself in general - I think we would have the same difficulties as we have been trying to deal with since last week's interview. It's too easy to say that the problem is race, that different standards are applied to white preachers, so there is indeed this inherent division we all ought to recognize. I don't believe this is so. I think we have been sensitized to the misuse of religion by the far right, and I for one am very glad that Barack Obama steps away from any suggestion that this could also be happening on the left. It has nothing to do with race.

Posted by: juliania | May 3, 2008 12:37 AM

I really don't need to wonder why some folks in this country think racism is a figment of African Americans overactive imagination. These same folks don't even know the definition of the word. They think that if the Indians, and the African Americans have a suspicious nature, then they are just living in the past, never mind the absurdity of that observation since we all reach conclusions based on our past experiences. If a belief in a HIV conspiracy exists it's because of, right or wrong, past experiences. History, real history, has countless stories of the mass killings and unwarranted murders of Indians and Africans alike. Even today, in 2008, there are still those in America who would deny me the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, simply because I'm an African American. They are far less numerous now than in the past, but even a few hundred thousand is still too many. Rev. Wright is not talking like a fanatic, indeed, the fanatics are after him. The hatred that Americans are feeling from other countries is the same hatred African Americans have felt here at home. Ain't nothing worse than being hated in your own home...

Posted by: Donnell Jones | May 3, 2008 12:22 AM

What a whining, befuddled, useless commentary from Bill Moyers as a follow up to the Wright "interview." Moyers didn't say why he failed, in his chance to interview Wright, to ask about the AIDS "conspiracy." We are left to the presumption that such a question was not asked because it did not fit in with Moyers' greater goal, which was not to pursue truth, explanations, or clarity. Moyers' true goal was to try to sell America on Wright, and, by extension, Obama. In the end, the Moyers interview of Wright will go down in journalism history as one of the great, glaring, non-interviews of all time. This episode becomes the touchstone of the Moyers career in using the nation's public broadcasting network for the slanted, soft-leftist preachings of Moyers himself.

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 2, 2008 11:59 PM

How disappointed I am in your response to Rev. Wright. He spoke more truth than all three candidates. I heard no racism. i heard only the disgust for the same policies that I share. As a white Catholic Republican, I find more credibility in Wright than in Bill Moyers. Like Tuskegee, the truth about AIDS is hard to take. Still, I believe Wright closer to the truth that you cannot handle. Whose side are you on?

Posted by: Jtfm | May 2, 2008 11:22 PM

Mr. Jones, I don't believe congressman Conyers' record says anything about the government (CIA) creating viruses. It only addresses the issue that the CIA, during the Iran Contra affair, did supply drugs to the USA. This is an issue that blacks are particularly peeved about. However, if you are interested in genome specific weapons of mass destruction, you will find the neo-con "Rebuilding America's Defenses" a good read. You may find it on William Kristol's website http://www.newamericancentury.org/. The Wright connection of Aids and the US government is probably not as believable as this unabashed neocon call for genome specific biological weapons appearing on the neocon website. All the other neocon goals mentioned in this document have pretty much been implemented by the Bush administration. The question is can we really continue our Imperial Hegemony with the mounting debt? The dollar is declining. If it falls from grace, we face hyper-inflation due to need to reduce debt. This says nothing about moral considerations.

Posted by: Bruce Ackerson | May 2, 2008 11:17 PM

In defense of Rev. Wright PUBLIC LAW 106–398—OCT. 30, 2000 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION, FISCAL YEAR 2001 See pages 119 ff for a description of what the government knew about the attacks on Pearl Harbor. These writers are convinced that the commanders at Pearl Harbor were wrongly accused of negligence, since the government knew an attack by Japan was imminent.

Posted by: Bruce Ackerson | May 2, 2008 10:50 PM

So based on the below data we are to believe the CIA created the AIDS virus and further justify Rev Wrights spewing of venum? eh hem, That was your intent? Thank you for the insightful information ;-)

Posted by: Jim Jones | May 2, 2008 10:39 PM

Information concerning Rev. Wright Congressional Record May 7, 1998 Entered by John Conyers A Tangled Web: A History of CIA Complicity in Drug International Trafficking WORLD WAR II The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), the CIA's parent and sister organizations, cultivate relations with the leaders of the Italian Mafia, recruiting heavily from the New York and Chicago underworlds, whose members, including Charles ``Lucky'' Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Joe Adonis, and Frank Costello, help the agencies keep in touch with Sicilian Mafia leaders exiled by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Domestically, the aim is to prevent sabotage on East Coast ports, while in Italy the goal is to gain intelligence on Sicily prior to the allied invasions and to suppress the burgeoning Italian Communist Party. Imprisoned in New York, Luciano earns a pardon for his wartime service and is deported to Italy, where he proceeds to build his heroin empire, first by diverting supplies from the legal market, before developing connections in Lebanon and Turkey that supply morphine base to labs in Sicily. The OSS and ONI also work closely with Chinese gangsters who control vast supplies of opium, morphine and heroin, helping to establish the...

Posted by: Bruce Ackerson | May 2, 2008 10:34 PM

Information concerning Rev. Wright Congressional Record May 7, 1998 Entered by John Conyers A Tangled Web: A History of CIA Complicity in Drug International Trafficking WORLD WAR II The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), the CIA's parent and sister organizations, cultivate relations with the leaders of the Italian Mafia, recruiting heavily from the New York and Chicago underworlds, whose members, including Charles ``Lucky'' Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Joe Adonis, and Frank Costello, help the agencies keep in touch with Sicilian Mafia leaders exiled by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Domestically, the aim is to prevent sabotage on East Coast ports, while in Italy the goal is to gain intelligence on Sicily prior to the allied invasions and to suppress the burgeoning Italian Communist Party. Imprisoned in New York, Luciano earns a pardon for his wartime service and is deported to Italy, where he proceeds to build his heroin empire, first by diverting supplies from the legal market, before developing connections in Lebanon and Turkey that supply morphine base to labs in Sicily. The OSS and ONI also work closely with Chinese gangsters who control vast supplies of opium, morphine and heroin, helping to establish the...

Posted by: Bruce Ackerson | May 2, 2008 10:30 PM

Thank you for pointing out the hypocrisy of the media's portrayal of Rev. Wright vs. Rev. Hagee or Pat Robertson. There is no other way to view the obvious difference except to express outrage at the overt racism in coverage.

Posted by: macman2 | May 2, 2008 10:24 PM

Tonight for 9 long viewer paid for, wasted minutes Mr Moyers attempts to justify his obvious sympathetic cuddling of Rev Wright. Bill get over it already. You and all of the PBS sponsors know you lips were chapped after that obvious butt kissing session last week.

Posted by: Jim Jones | May 2, 2008 10:05 PM

When people claim that this story was somehow created by "corporate media," I truly wonder what it is they are talking about. First, the video recording of Wright's sermons was done by his own church, not the corporate media. The networks used portions of those recordings, of course, but the original capture was done by Trinity. So, far, no "corporate media." When Obama decided to speak out ultimately, he did it on his own terms, in a speech in Philadelphia, which I heard on an NPR radio station, not "corporate media." Next, Wright goes to Detroit, at the invitation of the NAACP branch there. And he gives his speech, without intereference from the "coporate media." Finally, Wright goes to Washington and the National Press Club, which is broadcast on C-SPAN. C-SPAN! Is that what counts as "corporate media?" This is so weird. Even when your candidate, your hoped-for leader of the free world says that his fellow Americans are "rightly offended" by Wright's comments (and not by "corporate media"), some of the Bill Moyers faithful are still defending Wright and thanking Bill Moyers for not having asked him any hard questions when he had the chance.

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 2, 2008 5:43 PM

I was extremely disappointed with Bill Moyers and this interview. He spent more time coddling Wright than holding him accountable to any of the ridiculous and insulting things that he has said...

Posted by: Emily | May 2, 2008 5:30 PM

Just a couple comments/questions here: Can Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church retain it's tax free status? Where is the ACLU? They must still be busy with last years Christmas nativity scenes. If comments like this were made in a white church, there would be hell to pay. White churches can barely hand out voting registration cards - wow the ACLU wouldn't be ignoring this story - would they? I find that hard to believe. Here is a pastor that supports abortion, and nobody is saying a word. Do I need to remind him that the founder of the abortion movement - Margaret Sanger's goal was to target and eliminate minorities. Oh - by the way, when did Jesus Christ become pro-abortion? Excuse me - pro-choice? Did I miss it in the Bible or in one of my pastor's sermons? All of you naive people that still believe Rev. JW comments were taken out of context should continue to support his ministry and his new 10,000 SF home in his new white neighborhood. Did I say white neighborhood - oh the horror! Don't forget to throw in some gas money for his Mercedes. I had no idea the people of this Chicago...

Posted by: Darryl Stanley | May 2, 2008 4:55 PM

The Journal interview with Wright was Moyers at his best: presenting us with the depth of context, giving a man who had been vilified for utterly partisan reasons the opportunity to focus on his life overall, a life of great merit. Wright's subsequent appearances at the Press Club and elsewhere, however, and particularly the timing of those appearances, do make me wonder what his goals are. It is sad to see such self-serving arrogance on the part of someone who clearly has contributed to society. Wright's comments, offensive to some while plausible to others, are no longer the primary focus. The corporate press's insistence on keeping this story alive, and Wright's own stoking of the fires, only diverts attention from the very serious issues at hand, and the campaign of perhaps the only candidate committed to addressing those issues head on.

Posted by: Margaret Randall | May 2, 2008 4:22 PM

I wish I could do more, I wish I could write more, and create work that makes a difference, and inspires people to think, to accept truth and question the lies that we are being fed by media that is so obviously controlled by corporations, who’s sole interest is to sell and make money at what ever cost. I wonder if I’m just wasting my time right now and instead of trying to think these things through, and question in my mind the issues that matter in our world, for our own well being and the well being of our children, I shouldn’t be out there enjoying the sun, drinking, dancing, laughing, and ignoring the blister that impedes me from walking with grace. Is it all the same? Will the powers that have a hold on our psyche always get away with murder and treason, until that day arrives, that unfortunate end, when it’s too late and we all are forced to suffer the consequences. I can’t stand the idea that so many wonderful people out there believe that nothing is wrong, as long as they are comfortably numb, and that the only topic of importance is whether Obama should...

Posted by: Begonya Plaza | May 2, 2008 3:54 PM

Just imagine if Rev. John Hagee went on television before a national audience and said, "Hurricane Katrina was visited upon New Orleans because of its sinful embrace of homosexuals, transvestites, prostitutes and all other manner of vice. And the Roman Catholic Church is nothing but a cult." Imagine further in the course of that interview, Rev. Hagee talked about the importance of morality in our public discourse, preventing teen pregnancy and drug abuse, discouraging divorce and domestic violence. Does anyone among the Bill Moyers loyalists think, for even a moment that the "Katrina" and "Catholic" comments would not draw the most attention? And would the faithful be saying, "He may be controversial, but he has a right to his opinions, and he has a message worth listening to"? No way. And Bill Moyers would not be inviting Hagee onto his program to "explain" his views in some kind of greater context. Commenter Lyn-MD wrote this about Wright: "Wright is in part basing his distrust of the government, concerning his views on the HIV virus and the black community, on the Tuskegee syphilis experiment. No one really knows if it is a valid fact or not." Say what? "No one really...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 2, 2008 10:47 AM

Will the real J. Wright please stand up! Dem. have some good issues, but the noise filtering out intended communication has rarely, if ever, been louder! J. Wright's snippets became a problem for Obama & then an attempt to justify them was made, the hope was that the issue was over. J. Wright appeared on Moyers' & smiled, was mild mannered, was calm, but said Obama was just speaking politics & did not distance hinself from his ole mentor & pastor. Ooops! This renewed "the issue" & enlarged the coverage. Obama had justified Wright & to now denounce him would be a flip-flop--which would be an equally large problem. What to do? The National Press Club allowed J. Wright to speak & his weird appearance allowed Obama the needed "change" he has been looking for & then was able to say Rev. Wright was not the man he thought he knew for 20 yrs. Did this solve the Wright issue or did the right issue come to the surface? Did Obama just admit to having such poor judgement that after spending 20 yrs. with a man that he was not able to judge his message? How will Obama judge how...

Posted by: Billy Bob | May 2, 2008 9:39 AM

I have now listened to the Moyers interview and I found the National Press Club interview to watch. It is true that Rev. Wright was the most effective when he stuck to his prepared remarks. He got silly and mocking when he did the quesion and answer period but even then his answers were very considered and worth listening to. If, as I often do, I was judging a High School debater I would have chided him for his attitude which ultimately detracted from his message. But his message even in his question and answer period was well worth listening to. Rev. Wright may say that this is not about him, it's about an attack on his church, but I would beg to differ. I think the attack has been quite personal and aimed at him. I think his cockiness was a response to that. Last impression: the question and answer period did evoke Jesus and the Pharisees for me. ANd I totally loved it when he they asked the question, quoting scripture, how he viewed Islam in the light of no one can come to God except through Jesus...and he answered scripturally noting that not all of his sheep...

Posted by: Janet | May 2, 2008 8:41 AM

It's interesting, how the Republicans react to what Rev. Wright Said, but say nothing about the Lie Bush told, that caused Thousands to Die.

Posted by: Martha | May 2, 2008 8:22 AM

I would like to see a roundtable discussion with Wright, Hagee, and Parsley - with input from Dr. Marty and Joan Campbell Brown - on the role of religion in American politics. And a complete "airing" and explanation of the statements made: Wrights contention about AIDS, Hagee's proclamation about the Catholic Church; and Parsley's edict on Islam.

Posted by: Tess | May 2, 2008 5:58 AM

Judi, What's scary is the idiot that won two terms in office, and happens to be our current president. The PBS, Bill Moyers interview with Wright, was neither brilliant nor despicable. It was preferable to the tabloid journalism "gotcha" theatrics that we've grown accustomed to. I hope Wright does not go away. You may not agree with everything that he says, but he has a right to his opinion, just like you and others have the right to blindly follow along with everything our government tells us. Most of the country, for the sake of being patriotic, fell for the pathetic, unfounded reasons Bush and Co. gave on the run up to the Iraq invasion. The corporate run media, proudly fell in line. Anyone who questioned it, was deemed unpatriotic and were told, if you're not with us then you're with the terrorist. Wright is in part basing his distrust of the government, concerning his views on the HIV virus and the black community, on the Tuskegee syphilis experiment. No one really knows if it is a valid fact or not. Wright cannot prove it, but can anyone disprove it? It does seem odd that a virus that was once...

Posted by: Lyn, MD | May 2, 2008 4:52 AM

Judi, What's scary is the idiot that won two terms in office, and happens to be our current president. The PBS, Bill Moyers interview with Wright, was neither brilliant nor despicable. It was preferable to the tabloid journalism "gotcha" theatrics that we've grown accustomed to. I hope Wright does not go away. You may not agree with everything that he says, but he has a right to his opinion, just like you and others have the right to blindly follow along with everything our government tells us. Most of the country, for the sake of being patriotic, fell for the pathetic, unfounded reasons Bush and Co. gave on the run up to the Iraq invasion. The corporate run media, proudly fell in line. Anyone who questioned it, was deemed unpatriotic and were told, if you're not with us then you're with the terrorist. Wright is in part basing his distrust of the government, concerning his views on the HIV virus and the black community, on the Tuskegee syphilis experiment. No one really knows if it is a valid fact or not. Wright cannot prove it, but can anyone disprove it? It does seem odd that a virus that was once...

Posted by: Lyn, MD | May 2, 2008 4:51 AM

Judi, What's scary is the idiot that won two terms in office, and happens to be our current president. The PBS, Bill Moyers interview with Wright, was neither brilliant nor despicable. It was preferable to the tabloid journalism "gotcha" theatrics that we've grown accustomed to. I hope Wright does not go away. You may not agree with everything that he says, but he has a right to his oppinion, just like you and others have the right to blindly follow along with everything our government tells us. Most of the country, for the sake of being patriotic, fell for the pathetic, unfounded reasons Bush and Co. gave on the run up to the Iraq invasion. The corporate run media, proudly fell in line. Anyone who questioned it, was deemed unpatriotic and were told, if you're not with us then you're with the terrorist. Wright is in part basing his distrust of the government, concerning his views on the HIV virus and the black community, on the Tuskegee syphilis experiments, done on men without their knowledge. No one really knows if it is a valid fact or not. Wright cannot prove it, but can anyone disprove it? It does seem odd...

Posted by: Lyn, MD | May 2, 2008 4:42 AM

Beware of the Jabbertalkers; they will create death and destruction where ever they go. They remind people of why others should hate other people and undermine their human status so that they can be punished while at the same time exalting themselves. They not only want an eye for an eye; they want a life for a minor mistake or a life just in case "Their Enemy" might be thinking of doing something wrong while at the same time they are doing plenty of evil themselves. Blessed are the peace makers because they will be crucified and all of that for people who are self-righteous bigots. We all fall short of the glory of God and our righteousness is as filthy rags. When will we see the light as Christ taught it and have compassion for our fellow human beings? We are here to live our life and tend the earth not create hell on earth. No religion is better than false pretense. "He who bears the interests of humanity in his breast, that man is blessed." Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi

Posted by: David Eddy | May 2, 2008 2:29 AM

I don't know why we are wasting time still making statements about this farce of an interview. Maybe if we stop talking about Wright he will go away. But the same things are being repeated daily on here. Let's move on to more important issues. Wright is a lunatic and Obama is a follower. Has been for twenty years. No getting around it. He admitted it himself. Now it's up to the American people who the want for there next President. My personal opinion is that I don't think any of these candidates are capable of running our Country which is so sad. But this topic here has to end. It's tiresome. Wright has only made a fool out of himself. I will make this my last comment on here but I have to say just one more thing about Wright. I think what is even more disturbing is that there are people out there who believe in him and he gets applause. Scary! Let's move on!

Posted by: Judi | May 2, 2008 2:02 AM

As I continue to read the posts of this blog, I'm beginning to think that "some" here are actually against the "truth" contained in Rev. Wright's infamous sermons and his recent rants. While most of us had a huge problem and level of discomfort with recent speeches of Rev. Wright, I do think that there were granules of truth to many of his statements. I also noticed he was quick to disclaim agreement with all of Farrakhan's beliefs as well. So, I thought the Moyer's interview was ok considering. On the other hand, like others, I DID NOT like the melodramatic mannerisms of Rev. Wright in his recent National Press speech. I DID think he appeared as some sort of stand-up, comic grief, not relief, and he so reminded me of the old caricatures of the Black Face. It was awful. The Rev did in fact state things in his sermons and in his recent speeches which I've heard ordinary White and Black citizens have said...especially regarding the 911 crisis. I've heard people of all backgrounds, (yes White too) say that the U.S.A has in some ways placed us in harm's way by our international policies and we have become...

Posted by: Tyhia | May 2, 2008 1:58 AM

While watching Bill Moyer's interview of pastor Wright, my wife and I were in agreement that he spoke as an intelligent man who has given much serious thought to the positions he has taken on a variety of subjects. He has also taken on the responsibility of making the black community of his church whole, self respecting and involved in the larger community in which it is located. The video tapes of his sermons chastising the U.S. for the actions which may have indeed led to 9/11 was only alarming in the respect that this is not a sermon that takes place in more Christian places of worship. Where are the spiritual leaders who take their flocks to task for committing sins against other humans? Why is there no uproar concerning the church's blind eye to this country's financial and military imperialism as has been and is practiced on many poor countries in the world? As to his accommodation, not acclamation, of Farrakhan, Wright pointed to the good Farrakhan had done with young black men while stating he did not agree with many of his philosophical positions. Jeremiah Wright has now done in Detroit and at the Press Club what...

Posted by: Bogart McQueen | May 2, 2008 12:32 AM

Ultimately, Rev. Wright may slowly vanish from the public debate and be discounted as a mere distraction, and an irrelevancy to serious discussion. Pretty clearly, he will be kept as far away from the Obama campaign as humanly possible. Then the focus will turn to Obama himself. And whether his dismissal of Wright has been as earnest and yet as painful as some suggest. James Taranto, of the Wall Street Journal's OpinionJournal.com webpage and the Editor of the "Best of the Web" oline column, has pointed out that almost exactly a year ago, the New York Times reported this fascinating exchange: ====== Mr. Wright, who has long prided himself on criticizing the establishment, said he knew that he may not play well in Mr. Obama's audition for the ultimate establishment job. "If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me," Mr. Wright said with a shrug. "I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen." The New York Times, April 30, 2007. ====== In other words, the political calculation between Wright and Obama was never any sort of arduous personal exploration by the two of them; rather, it...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 1, 2008 11:46 PM

Moyers did not explore Wright's racism. Moyers failed to ask Wright why he has called Italian Americans "garlic-nose," and why from the pulpit he has repeatedly badmouthed whites in general. Apparently, Moyers' job was to sanitize the man for the sake of the Obama campaign. Shame on Moyers. How he has fallen. Wright is a fitting albatross hanging from the neck of the junior Illinois senator of ever-so thin credentials. Express all the politic outrage he may, Obama cannot account adequately for a twenty-year close association of "lamb" to pastor, with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Voters are not idiots. And they know what Obama and Wright know, and what Moyers failed to point out: that you are known by the long-term company you keep.

Posted by: Marc Loera | May 1, 2008 11:21 PM

Hi Bill I am ready for my next interview. Please call me when I should give me next interview on PBS. JW

Posted by: J Wright | May 1, 2008 10:59 PM

BEWARE: continued use, over and over again, of long answers, by the same individual/s, is an attempt to SABOTAGE this blog. Those in power are scared of losing their power. The worst thing that could happen to them is for individuals from the MIDDLE CLASS to rise up, and be heard.

Posted by: INFJ | May 1, 2008 10:57 PM

Lyn-MD--In all due respect don't quit your day job. They only person confused here is you. Mr. Brown is right on target. Maybe you weren't paying attention to what Obama had said in his last speach.

Posted by: Judi | May 1, 2008 10:38 PM

Just a couple more brief points, John... You said that Moyers extends the same kinds of courtesies to conservative guests as he does his many liberal guests. I think you're mostly right about that, as far as it goes. Moyers doesn't do much "tough questioning" of ANY of his guests. Moyers' style is to attack persons who are not his guests, but to only invite the persons with whom he can ask nice questions. So Moyers invited the great and fascinating black conservative Shelby Steele, and they had an illuminating conversation. But then there's the case of the radical fundamentalist, Rev. John Hagee. The left loves to claim that the same scrutiny that has applied to Wright should apply to Hagee. I mention Hagee here only to point out that Moyers actually did an attack-piece story on Hagee and his ministry and some of HIS inflammatory outbursts (none of which I defend), but he never invited Hagee onto the show. That's really the Moyers modus operandi. An appearance of journalism, but with a very, very soft lens.

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 1, 2008 9:06 PM

Now, John, with respect to the Moyers transcript portions in my post immediately below, those are as close as I could find to "hard questions." If I had been in a courtroom with Moyers and Wright, I'd have said, "Your Honor, he's leading the witness!" The closest thing to a challenge of Wright was Moyers' observation that Farrakhan's anit-semitic remarks had been "inexcusable." But Wright evaded that, and then went on to talk about the good of the Nation of Islam. Personally, I find Farrakhan's role in all of this to be mostly irrelevant. Obama long ago denounced Farrakhan, and rejected Farrakhan's political endorsement. But for his own reasons, apparently, Obama brought it up again this week, probably becuase the National Press Club audience asked Wright a more pointed question about Farrakhan, a better and more insistent question than Moyers' slow-pitch softball, and Wright called Farrakhan one of the great men of the 20th and 21st centuries. But more than anything, Moyers didn't ask Wright, "Why did you claim that there was a U.S. government conspiracy to spread AIDS?" Do you really believe it? Why make the claim if you have no proof to back it up? Isn't it a...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 1, 2008 8:48 PM

John, It was pretty easy for Bill Moyers to ask, and for Jeremiah Wright to answer, a lot of softball questions like these: BILL MOYERS: Let's start with first things. When did you hear the call to ministry? How did it come? ... BILL MOYERS: So, when Trinity Church says it is unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian, is it embracing a race-based theology? ... BILL MOYERS: So, God is not, contrary to some of the rumors that have been circulated about Trinity, God is not exclusively or totally identified with just the black community? ... BILL MOYERS: What does the church service on Sunday morning mean in general to the black community? ... BILL MOYERS: Are you saying that the members of Trinity leave the world of unemployment, leave the world of discrimination, leave the world of that daily struggle and come to church for- ... BILL MOYERS: Lots of controversy about black liberation theology. As I understand it, black liberation theology reads the bible through the experience of people who have suffered, and who then are able to say to themselves that we read the bible differently, because we have struggled, than those do who have not struggled. Is...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 1, 2008 8:36 PM

Charles, Moyers asked Wright to explain his "God damn America" comment, his relationship with Louis Farrakhan, etc. The point of this interview was obviously to give Rev. Wright the opportunity to provide the context, beliefs, philosophy, etc. that lies beneath the ubiquitous sound-bites. Bill Moyers gives the same opportunity to all of his guests, many of whom are on the other end of the ideological spectrum from Jeremiah Wright. Could you name other journalists, or news programs, that offer the same sort of respectful dialogue? If you like "journalists" who aggressively corner and shout down individuals they disagree with, while giving corporate and government power structures a free ride, then you have plenty of sources to choose from. But for those, like myself, who appreciate someone who has the mind, spirit and character to have an intelligent conversation with a wide range of guests, and the courage and perspective to expose power abusers, there are few if any like Bill Moyers. In one of your postings, you said that Bill Moyers "role in all of this...(is) a sterling example of journalism as propaganda." I'm sorry, but I find that absurd. What is your opinion of the pro-war propaganda served up...

Posted by: John | May 1, 2008 7:34 PM

John, what "tough questions" did Bill Moyers put to Rev. Wright?

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 1, 2008 5:03 PM

When the corporate media was endlessly looping Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Rice soundbites about the need to attack Iraq, Bill Moyers was a visionary voice in the wilderness doing what journalists are supposed to do: ask the tough questions. On the fifth anniversary of Bush declaring "mission accomplished", imagine the death, destruction and deficits that could have been spared if more "journalists" had sought the truth, rather than beating the drums for war. Now, the same corporate media feeds us endless loops of Rev. Wright snippets, while barely mentioning the escalating violence in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Administration drum beats for war in Iran, direction of torture by Condi Rice and co., endangerment of public health caused by Administration meddling into EPA science, on and on. Barack Obama's campaign is about a deep change in direction from the lies, corruption and incredible damage perpetrated by the Bush Administration, which Bill Moyers has unflinchingly chronicled from the beginning of their reign. The interview with Rev. Wright gave a context for his sound-bites, that showed that his main message is speaking of God as an ally of the oppressed, the poor, a force for peace. It is no doubt this Rev. Wright that attracted Barack Obama and...

Posted by: John | May 1, 2008 4:51 PM

But Lyn - Surely you understand that among the "soundbites" were excerpts in which Wright theorized that AIDS was a government conspiracy. Another "soundbite" (a photo-op, in fact) was Wright honoring Louis Farrakhan. And as to the "coming home to roost comment," even Barack Obama found Wright, IN CONTEXT, to have crossed into an area of disgust and offense when Wright compared the U.S. military to terrorists. Those are only three examples where the "soundbites" appear to have spoken the truth. I chose those three because Obama himself itemized those three in his formal rejection of Wright. what could possibly be clearer? In context, in his own words, Wright repeated his earlier outrageous comments without any editing whatsoever. Barack Obama watched it, and says he was offended. You are of course free to support Rev. Wright if you wish. But there is some kind of schism going on, wherein first Obama and now Northwestern University seem to regard Wright as radioactive. (NU just announced that it is withdrawing its offer of an honorary degree to Wright.) I don't propose to change the minds of devoted liberals. But I do propose to challenge the view that unfair "soundbite media" is what...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 1, 2008 4:43 PM

Charles Brown, I don't know if you are genuinely confused or if you are deliberately trying to confuse others. The "soundbite media" did make Wright a scapegoat because the soundbites were taken out of context. When you thought you heard Wright saying "Goddam America", on the soundbite, What he really said was "God Damned America", for our past actions against others. "GOD damned America", not Wright asking God to damn America or Wright cursing in church. When you heard " The Roosters are coming home to roost", on the soundbite, what you heard is Wright quoting Peck, the ambasador of Iraq, who happens to be a white man. Mr. Peck made that statement on the Fox network, after 9/11, and there was no uproar about it. The uproar came after Wright quoted Mr. Peck, during a 2001 sermon that was taped. Portions of that video was leaked to the media for obvious reasons. When you observed Wright at subsequent events, after the PBS, Bill Moyers, interview, He was being Pastor Wright, speaking and preaching and answering questions as himself. That is what he does. I guess he could have turned down the rhetoric, but maybe he felt that since Barack...

Posted by: Lyn, MD | May 1, 2008 4:08 PM

Some people say God bless Bill Moyers. I say God damn Bill Moyers.

Posted by: Steve | May 1, 2008 3:48 PM

It seems to be an article of faith that Rev. Wright was done wrong by "soundbite media." And that the Bill Moyers interview was so much better than that kind of media. But it was not Bill Moyers' interview that exposed Rev. Wright to Barack Obama. It was the events of the subsequent days -- the Wright speech in Detroit, and the appearance at the National Press Club -- that seem to have exposed Rev. Wright to Obama as a person that Obama had somehow not known for the previous 20 years. Judging by what Obama has determined, the soundbite version of Wright is the more accurate one than the one that was seen on warm and fuzzy Moyers interview. In retrospect, Obama would have done well in his Philadelphia speech to have drawn the lilne in the sand between himself and Wright then and there, instead of saying that he could no more disown Wright than he could disown his white grandmother. Because now, he has disowned Wright. Why is it that "soundbite media" is continually made the scapegoat in the case of Rev. Jeremiah Wright?

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 1, 2008 3:14 PM

Thanks so much, Bill Moyers, for once again giving us a bigger context for the inflammatory sound bites fed to us by the corporate media. I found the interview to be extremely enlightening about the history of race/religion/culture/politics in the US in our time. Reverend Wright is obviously very well educated in these issues and has lived them. I was very inspired by the humanitarian work they're doing in his congregation, that's what churches should be about. I also totally agree with the statements he made that were clipped out of context. I think it's pretty common knowledge that U.S. foreign policy is bringing us back only misery. What goes around, comes around. It's sad that in the name of politics, Barack can't talk about these issues as easily as he can talk about race. Nothing is going to change for the US if we can't confront these issues head-on without being marginalized as America-haters. The wealthy military-industrial complex counts on our "patriotism" to stay in power (over us).

Posted by: Linda | May 1, 2008 2:42 PM

Barack Hussein Obama is indeed doing what politicians do as Rev Wright said. He is distancing himself from Wright now that it is all out in the open. The fact is that BHO and his wife (Michelle O could do stand-up with Wright, she is no different)were comfortable with Wright for 20 years - they knew who he was and what he was about. They could have changed church a long time ago if they weren't comfortable. Why suddendly now? He a running for President, that's why. Don't be hookwinked America - and don't make excuses for the politician BHO.

Posted by: Wright Stuff | May 1, 2008 1:28 PM

I may be wrong but I believe that true patriots are always few. That's why they have special recognition in our society and in our history books. That's why they are marked as courageous. If your easy patriotism causes you to believe what the masses believe then you should make sure that you're still a patriot.

Posted by: HHH | May 1, 2008 1:18 PM

The issue is will PBS continue to enable Bill Moyers to continue his leftist agenda using public funds? Barack Obama’s action validated my opinion of Mr Moyers journalism. Moyers had the unique opportunity to illuminate Wright’s comments and their underlying message. He failed to do that, not because he is inept, he is very astute and subtle, but… because he has an agenda. I believe Reverend Wright’s misguided beliefs have been shaped by years of honest, empathetic work in a parish with lots of disadvantaged people. But there is no excuse for Moyers dishonest approach to journalism.

Posted by: SeekingTruth | May 1, 2008 12:45 PM

What surprises me is that so many racists (mostly men with curt names) pretend to be surprised and outraged by Jeremiah's conspiracy accusations. The same power and ruthlessness you seem to admire in "your team", the United States, he is describing from "below the deck." (Maybe he ain't personally "below the deck" these days but as a U.C.C. pastor he speaks for the victims current, past and present at home and abroad.) He feels compelled to do this by his faith, and is even disappointed that Obama refuses to sacrifice his campaign by going the distance. I really wish Jeremiah could join with people like myself who are convinced 9/11 was an inside job. I am disappointed that Jeremiah has not gone the distance because the United States has become an organization of covert secrecy and ruthless, cruel behavior in pursuit of profit and suzeranity for its wealthy class. It shows the self-defeating nature of the Nazi mind that they embrace sadistic heirarchy, and undermine their immediate personal interests, by attacking any party accusing their "betters" of crimes against the American people and humanity. Maybe they do it in hopes that the Big Man will pat their little bottom or...

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | May 1, 2008 12:06 PM

Janet, the generosity and understanding that you are apparently willing to show me and to demonstrate to others appears to be something that Rev. Jeremiah Wright is incapable of in the political context. (And as a now-retired minister and future author on societal and political issues, politics seems to be where his bread is buttered these days.) Wright seems to hold his political enemies ("the government," the Bush Administration, etc.) with such an unusual degree of contempt and hatred that he is willing to perpetrate outlandish and despicable lies, like an "AIDS conspiracy" in order to advance his ajenda and influence his credulous congregants. Janet, I don't think this is a matter of Christian understanding. What Christian purposes are served by spreading an enormous lie about a devastating disease? Persons on the left of the political spectrum seem to like to talk about speaking truth to power. Well Rev. Wright is a powerful man; a wealthy church leader who commands a large enough media audience so that his address to the Detroit Branch of the NAACP was broadcast live on two national television networks. Wright had (now discharged) a prominent position in a national presidential cmpaign. Now, I am speaking...

Posted by: Charles Brown | May 1, 2008 10:00 AM

There are violent comments about Senator Obama on iVillage. One poster has a thread running entitled "I found Obama. He was under a bus" in which he talks about a knife in Obama's back. http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-elpoliticsto Yes the statements turn out to be metaphorical if you read the post. This is still unacceptable and inappropriate. iVillage has refused to take down this inappropriately titled thread. I suggest posters get on iVil and express their outrage. These kind of statements need to be stopped and removed. Casual words can lead to action.

Posted by: Duck Soup | May 1, 2008 8:34 AM

Rodney King in 1992: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jgc6vOjCiE (don't read too much into this, I'm just pointing out the call for peace)

Posted by: Amy Miller | May 1, 2008 2:53 AM

I found a an interesting advice on the following blog to which I posted an interesting advice of mine here is the link and my advice: Always "put yourself in the shoes of the other side/the adversary to see if you would like your treatment of others/other-nations. For example see if you would appreciate the manipulative playings (for cynical and illegitimate political gains) with the ancient name (thousands of years old) for a very famous Gulf; the Persian Gulf. Listen to this truthful logic (even from a horrible kicked-out dictator: http://youtube.com/watch?v=hQgZ3oLp_WY&feature=related Shah of Iran on Persian Gulf, and American Jewish Lobby === Frannie Em - 5/1/2008 1:05 AM M Morgan - huh? what kind of shoes did the Shah wear? reply M Morgan - 5/1/2008 1:12 AM Listen to it (click the link) to find out that he had been wearing the magic shoes of the always-truthful Iranians/Persians. At that moment he had become one with the rest of truth-telling people of the world. reply

Posted by: Dr. Murray M. Morgan | May 1, 2008 2:24 AM

A demogogue mixes truth with lies. Rev. Wright has a valid cause to be upset, but his reactions do not always make much sense. The point is that he is not helpful to Senator Obama, to voters, or to himself. Sad.

Posted by: Ted Michael Morgan | May 1, 2008 12:57 AM

Charles, I see that you are a person who finds it hard to live with uncertainty. I don't much like it myself but in truth there is little alternative. Once upon a time I was taught an "affirmation"--a statement that you can make to yourself or others that simultaneously acknowledges an individual's imperfection and their inherent worth. It goes like this. "You are a precious, worthwhile, mistake-making person." You, Charles...you, Rev. Wright...all of us are precious, worthwhile, mistake-making persons. So, yes, Charles I can live with it. I can tolerate knowing that Rev. Wright does not have to generate perfection to be able to teach me something. I work with families all of the time and they tell me profoundly silly things about their health conditions. Sometimes it occurs because of miscommunication between physician or health care provider and patient. Sometimes I am dealing with someone who has a limited understanding of their body and its' function. But these folks teach me all sorts of things and I can live with the dissonance even though it bothers me sometimes. So while I do not believe that the government spread AIDS among people, I believe the government's deliberate policy neglect of...

Posted by: Janet | April 30, 2008 10:47 PM

Mr. Moyers: You asked the wrong question, unfortunately, of Rev. Wright. The question is not why say "Damn America" but rather why say "America" as opposed to some Americans, or some American leaders or some individuals. Why does he damn America instead of individuals? Unless, of course, if is appropriate to condemn all for the actions of some.

Posted by: Dirk S. Adams | April 30, 2008 9:02 PM

I apologize to Mr Moyers. Your interview was before Rev Wright told us that blacks have different brains and learn subjectively , not objectively. You did know that he thought the US government created and spread AIDS to kill blacks. I wonder if Trinity UCC give advice to their congregants to not identify their race on social security applications. That would be risky because the Dept of Health and Human Services would know where to find the blacks. Granted they probably used AIDS so it could be done passively. But what if that specific government department (maybe it was the Defense Advance Research Project Agency) decided to get a little more aggressive. You'd have to be very careful about identifying your race.

Posted by: Mace | April 30, 2008 8:56 PM

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 30, 2008 07:12 PM "The third option is that Obama 'condemned' Wright for pure political expediency, but he doesn't really mean it. In which case Obama is a remarkably duplicitous figure.)" [you were responded to Posted by: Janet | April 30, 2008 06:14 PM] RESPONSE: Barack Obama took too long to come out stronger against Reverend Wright's controversial and divisive remarks. Reverend Wright just echoed what Barack Obama has heard previously. Really, nothing new. My conclusion is that political expediency drove Barack Obama to distance himself more from Reverend Wright on Tuesday, April 29, 2008. And, that's why I am appalled.

Posted by: Appalled | April 30, 2008 7:54 PM

Amazing to see all the good reasonable moderates just ‘enabling away.’ Apparently Bill Moyer's agrees with Rev Wright that little black children learn differently from whites...God bless their different brains. I guess Bill Moyer's agrees that those black children are 'subject' oriented. As Wright said they just love climbing all over their teachers (the subject) and just can't get into those pesky 'objects' like books. And as Wright implied those teachers were just freaked out that the black children could not stay in their seats. That cracked up the NAACP convention. Whooweee funny. Wake up people. I heard this growing up in Miss. And of course they provided schools for the distinct learning style of all the little black children. My aunt and sunday school teacher stuck my nose in the bible, made me sit there, and taught me, from the Book, that 'Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world...' That propositional truth from the Bible showed me I could never be a racist. Racism did not comport with the reality of creation, as revealed to us in God’s revelation. (I think T. Jefferson had the same source).

Posted by: Mace | April 30, 2008 7:22 PM

One additional point, janet, because you used a phrase that I find troubling. In civilized discourse, there are statements about which I cannot "agree to disagree." You wrote, "okay, I'm going to agree to disagree on HIV as a plot against blacks..." No. I won't "agree to disagree" on that. I might "agree to disagree" with you on whether Bill Moyers is a good journalist, or who should be our next President. But I shall not "agree to disagree" on 'AIDS as a US government conspiracy. I likewise won't "agree to disagree" with anyone who denies there was a holocaust in 1936-45. I won't "agree to disagree" that 'one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter,' and I won't "agree to disagree" that one racial group is superior to another. Those things are, to use another popular metaphor, "Non-starters." They are non-negotiable. I will not "agree to disagree," and I respectfully suggest to you that you should not either.

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 30, 2008 7:21 PM

I don't understand, Janet. It is one of two things. Either Barack Obama is right, and Wright's comments "rightly offend all Americans, and they should be denounced,"* or else Wright is an important, valid voice in public affairs who has been wrongly denounced by Obama. Which is it for you? (I suppose there is a third option, but I suspect that few of Bill Moyers' loyal viewers would bite. The third option is that Obama 'condemned' Wright for pure political expediency, but he doesn't really mean it. In which case Obama is a remarkably duplicitous figure.) *Per Obama's statement yesterday

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 30, 2008 7:12 PM

Well, Susan, your disingenous and I'm dishonest but all in all, I feel like I'm in good company. Charles, you are absolutely fixated on two points and with that you indict the entire credibility of a man and his life's work. I am under no illusion that I am going to change that for you. My point, which apparently was too nuanced, was that when the first wave of AIDS cases arrived, the national response under Reagan was to ignore. However, gays are as a group more well educated and thus better paid. ANd they used all of their clout to bring attention to the issues. And some of their most strident activists were likewise branded as crazies. But they did an amazing thing. They did get funding for HIV/AIDS research and treatment that made a difference. They were pretty activist with their own people and for a time waged pretty effective safer sex campaigns. Now I claim to be no expert on HIV/AIDS health policy but a widely impacted group who is not particularly well funded or activist is IV drug users and women. Blacks are disproportionately represented in this group. These are facts. These are facts that have...

Posted by: Janet | April 30, 2008 6:14 PM

Susan, you're being disingenuous. Rev. Wright brought up the Tuskegee experiment in order to scare his listeners into thinking that it was quite likely that the U.S. government similarly created the AIDS virus. It is a hateful lie to suggest that, no matter how nuanced you may want to be. Barack Obama knew that, and that is why he condemned Rev. Wright in the strongest possible terms. Rev. Wright's suggestion of a government AIDS conspiracy to his listeners (one poll suggests that 26% of black Americans share that view) is, in my humble opinion, very near to a form of hate-speech, so offensive it is to our civilized society and to rational discourse. Let's be clear about why Wright would do such a thing. It is utterly inexplicable on theological grounds to scare a susceptible audience and plant such falsehoods with them. But it is explainable if Wright views himself as a quasi-politician, a local kingamker in Chicago ward politics, where he is saying to his congregants: "Don't believe what you hear in the news. I know better. The U.S. government is evil and it is out to get you, but there is hope for you with my church. I'll...

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 30, 2008 5:38 PM

Once again we are not aware of the destruction we are causing. Some of us know better, other don't even care. Here we have two people representing others, acting like children. We all know racism still exist. Among our own races and against others. Because ignorant adults taught their children how to hate. I think if we focus more on what God's plan for our lives then what this person thinks,has or done; this world would definitely be more peaceful. We take too much time trying to satisfy everyone. That is God's job. People stop playing GOD and let his will be done. If we could come together in prayer as much as we come together to tear one another down, the world would be a better place. But the book of Revelation prepares us for this time. Be wise in your decision making and listen to GOD not just what you hear and see!

Posted by: Yolanda | April 30, 2008 4:53 PM

Lyn from MD - well said. Have you considered running for office? :-) To Appalled, to address your views: As to the AIDS statement in Rev. Wright's sermon, when I first heard in the sound bite, I was appalled, too. I couldn't believe a learned man like him would say something so ludicrous. However, when I saw the context in which he said it, I understood. He was saying that instead of putting our trust in government, we should put our trust in God. He cited the infamous Tuskegee experiment where black men were infected with syphilis. He said he wouldn't be surprised if AIDS had been planted, etc. He wasn't saying it had happened - just that, governments can do bad to people. So don't put your trust in governments. Put your trust in God. It is our faith in Christ that leads us to speak up on behalf of the downtrodden, the exploited, the poor, and the oppressed. Please see Luke 4:18-21. Also interesting to note: After Jesus preached that sermon, they tried to throw him off a cliff! Folks haven't changed much over the centuries, it seems. A church that has gone from 87 to 8000 members...

Posted by: Susan | April 30, 2008 4:48 PM

I would like to say one main point. I am of African American decent. None of had a choice on what our race would be God did when he created us. He created us each different. But why must we as a people continue to find faults in others be it Pastors, Politicians, everyday people. I wish many of us could just keep our free minds we had as children. Ignorant adults teach our children were different. Whether it is your color, a disability or whatever.We all have a history and a past. Talk about it, yes. Dwell on it NO. Learn from it. When will we learn from it? Life is too short to discuss the small stuff...I feel sorry for us all, because believing this, believing that. Believe in God, pray about the decisions you make and the RIGHT person will be our PRESIDENT!

Posted by: Yolanda | April 30, 2008 4:43 PM

Brava, Lyn, for your thoughtful comments, in particular "The problem is, most of Barack's supporters ended up embracing Pastor Wright, after seeing the PBS, Bill Moyers interview, and with Barack now, rejecting Pastor Wright, it is surely looking like Barack is just a politician." I admit that I assumed that the Rev. Wright must be a "wackadoodle" until I listened to the Moyers interview and two of the Rev's sermons; I saw that the inflammatory soundbites (chickens coming home to roost, G-D America), were part of an argument more nuanced and supportable when heard in context. I'm not yet ready to join the Jeremiah Wright Fan Club, but I do wish that we'd stop demonizing the man, stop forcing Barack Obama to defend or denounce him, and get on with life. The Rev himself can get back to ministering to his congregation.

Posted by: Lisa, Chicago | April 30, 2008 4:37 PM

Dr, The thing that scares me the most is someone like you is in a position to teach our children your leftwing propaganda.By the way, I'm black !

Posted by: Bob | April 30, 2008 4:14 PM

The only people who don't believe that America could even possibly be damned are those who are causing it to possibly be damned.

Posted by: HHH | April 30, 2008 4:11 PM

I watched and listened carefully to Bill Moyers' interview with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, and I also watched the segment with Wright on 'The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer' for April 28, 2008. The Reverend Wright is a charming, charismatic person who says exactly what he thinks. In the main I agree with his statements. I am Caucasian, but I have taught African-American literature for decades, and I also have many African-American friends. On the basis of what I have learned from them, and also from the writing of Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Ralph Ellison, and other black authors, I understand why the Reverend Wright said what he did. Were I black, I would say 'G-d damn America' as well. I'll say it anyhow, because the country with its insatiable appetite for war is rapidly becoming the most corrupt and dangerous nation in history.

Posted by: Dr. M A Wimsatt | April 30, 2008 2:44 PM

"The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever." -Thomas Jefferson damning America (1781)

Posted by: HHH | April 30, 2008 2:25 PM

Thank you PBS for this great interview. Fox News has people convinced that the litmus test for a good interview is how often the host badgers or interrupts the interviewee. Thank you for reminding us that a lot can be learned by listening.

Posted by: CK | April 30, 2008 2:19 PM

First, I definitely differ with the Rev. on certain points on the spread of HIV/AIDS, drugs etc. They are all very conspiratorial. But, by the same token, anything, though improbable, is still possible. Overall, I see a good man in Rev. Wright who harbors a few dissenting opinions with which I vastly disagree. I also think Mr. Moyers could have been a lot tougher on those issues. This was not a horrible interview, not an A, but not horrible.

Posted by: Michael LaPenna | April 30, 2008 2:18 PM

Oh come on, Janet. Your response is practically dishonest in its non-responsiveness. What Rev. Wright said about AIDS wasn't nuanced. He wasn't making any sympathetic points about gay life in America. you'd have to question the gay rights credentials of anyone who so enthusiastically praises Louis Farrakhan anyway, wouldn't you? Wright CHOSE to exploit a comparison to the infamous "Tuskegee experiment" in his mention of AIDS and the government. He referred the National Press Club to a book by a notorious conspiracy theorist. Those aren't nuanced, intelligent responses by Wright. What it is, is pandering, to the lowest and least-informed among Wright's select audience. It is shameful, intolerable. Barack Obama said so; do you somehow not agree with Obama's pronouncement on the subject?

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 30, 2008 2:16 PM

First, I definitely differ with the Rev. on certain points on the spread of HIV/AIDS, drugs etc. They are all very conspiratorial. But, by the same token, anything, though improbable, is still possible. Overall, I see a good man in Rev. Wright who harbors a few dissenting opinions with which I vastly disagree. I also think Mr. Moyers could have been a lot tougher on those issues. This was not a horrible interview, not an A, but not horrible.

Posted by: Michael LaPenna | April 30, 2008 2:12 PM

I peruse the blogs almost everyday since Barack began his campaign. I love Barack and I will support him in the General, but I think Barack has made a BIG mistake in the way he handled the Jeremiah Wright issue. I thought his speech on race relations was needed and the right thing to do, but I feel that when those sound bites first appeared, Barack should have immediately diffused the situation by stating adamantly, that his former pastor is not a racist, and he does not hate America. He should have followed that up with, he is just very passionate and concerned about the state of black America, and he teaches and preaches black pride, and how to better the black family and community. There is nothing racist in that. Just like Jews, and the Irish, and other nationalities take pride in and celebrate their ethnicities, and help their communities. He should have made it clear that Pastor Wright never preached black supremacy, or hate for any other race. He should have made it very clear that as far as the sound bites were concerned, not only was he not in attendance on those days, but he would have...

Posted by: Lyn, MD | April 30, 2008 2:10 PM

Susan | April 30, 2008 12:01 PM "The role of the pastor - in the black or white church - is to speak truth to power. That is part of our prophetic role." RESPONSE: Reverend is embroiled in controversy because he has used his clergy position to espouse ideas that are not connected to the teachings of Jesus Christ. In his position, he has told [paraphrase] people that the US govt. created the AIDS virus to kill black people. In his position, he has told [paraphrased] people that the US govt. brings drugs into black communities to imprison blacks. Telling these things to people will, probably, not lead them any closer to accept God's free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ, which is the most important thing he could ever do. And, that's why I am appalled.

Posted by: Appalled | April 30, 2008 2:00 PM

Charles, my Pastor preaches that birth control is bad. I tend to get my health information from health resources. (I'm a nurse.) While I do not think that the authorities "created" HIV for blacks, American policy certainly selects who gets health care. And I think history indicates that it took strong gay activism to mobilize an American HIV response. You can say that the government was slow to respond or that they were slow to respond becauses of the de-valuation of gays but the net impact was the same. A lot of gays died and the AIDS epidemic amplified. When my son was little we would watch a movie and he would ask (about characters), "Is he bad?" And we'd give it to him in a nutshell. But you seem to have the same taxonomy as my then pre-schooler. People are either good or bad, right or wrong. I would suggest to you that Rev. Wright is not always right but he does have something to say and maybe you ought to listen.

Posted by: Janet | April 30, 2008 1:56 PM

I want to hammer this point for Pastor Susan's benefit one more time. These are the words of Barack Obama as he figuratively threw Rev. Wright overboard, concering the statements that much of the world found to be loony, but about which Bill Moyers never asked Wright. Senator Barack Obama: "Now, I've already denounced the comments that had appeared in these previous sermons. As I said I had not heard them before. And I gave him the benefit of the doubt in my speech in Philadelphia, explaining that he has done enormous good in the church, he's built a wonderful congregation, the people of Trinity are wonderful people, and what attracted me has always been their ministry's reach beyond the church walls. But when he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS; when he suggests that Minister Farrakhan somehow represents one of the greatest voices of the 20th and 21st century; when he equates the United States' wartime efforts with terrorism, then there are no excuses. They offend me, they rightly offend all Americans, and they should be denounced. And that's what I'm doing very clearly and unequivocally here today." Apparently...

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 30, 2008 1:37 PM

Susan, as an assistant pastor, are you comfortable with Rev. Wright having preached that the inception and spread of the AIDS virus may have been plotted by the U.S. government through the CIA? Do you think that serves the interest of the church and the community? Do you not think that such statements are an affront and an abomination to persons who are HIV-positive and who live in fear of AIDS? Do you think that Barack Obama was right, or wrong, to condemn the comments of Rev. Wright ON MONDAY OF THIS WEEK, about the origin and spread of AIDS, or his praise for Minister Louis Farrakhan, or his comparison of the American military to terrorists? Clearly and unequivocally, those comments were an offense to Barack Obama. Do you think that Obama is somehow mistaken in his response to Rev. Wright's comments?

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 30, 2008 1:27 PM

Thank you, Bill Moyers, for presenting the interview with Rev. Wright. Based on comments here, I decided to look for myself at the speech Rev. Wright gave at the National Press Club. There was nothing out of line at all with what he said. Rather than posturing, he said it like it is. I am a white minister of the Gospel and have studied liberation theology and MLK in depth. Rev. Wright's comments were right in line with the kinds of theology studied in accredited seminaries. He is absolutely correct that the dominant society has no idea what the black church is about. There is great misunderstanding out there, especially among us whites. What I am hearing in some of the comments is an incorrect assumption: that if you are pro-black, you are automatically anti-white. (I call it "white fear" - our society instills it in us, sadly.) Rev. Wright is pro-everybody, regardless of color. (I know white folks who've been members of his church for years and believe me, they would not stand for any kind of racism.) Trinity UCC is about black empowerment, which means they work to help black people become the people God meant them to...

Posted by: Susan | April 30, 2008 12:01 PM

I remain surprised that there are still people who defend the Moyers interview as having shown the "true" Jeremiah Wright, when Barack Obama himself now says that after 20 years, he now feels that he doesn't know the person that Wright has become. It is simple. Moyers' goal was to help "sell" Wright to the American public. The National Press Club's goal was to question Wright. That fundamental difference puts Bill Moyers to shame, as a professional journalist. None of what has happened to Wright over the course of the past week is the result of editing or sound bites. Wright had his full address to the Detroit NAACP broadcast in full and live on two national cable networks. At the National Press Club, he had a chance to speak fully on his own prior to answering queations. Then, the questions themselves were moderated and the answers were unedited as I viewed it. I was one of many millions who correctly appraised Wright as soon as I saw him. The questions now are why did Obama not see this coming before, and why did Bill Moyers' interview obscure the reality that Wright demonstrated on his own just a few days...

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 30, 2008 11:07 AM

Coronado | April 30, 2008 09:48 AM You quoted the Christian Scripture James 3:7-10. RESPONSE: I agree with you! And, I don't think some of Reverend Wright's comments follow Christian Scripture, and that's why I am appalled.

Posted by: Appalled | April 30, 2008 10:54 AM

James 3:7-10 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Posted by: Coronado | April 30, 2008 9:48 AM

I heard Bill Moyers excellent interview and I agree with Rev. Wright, which is why the media is really to blame for allowing distorted messages which do not show the whole picture to be presented. Of course big media conglomerates are afraid of Obama because if he kills the special interests, who will advertise on their network? It is so hypocritical for the FCC to get huffy and fine the network's about Janet Jackson's boob and yet do NOTHING about allowing network's to air distorted excerpts from speeches. Tell me, which one corrupts the moral fiber of this country more? Thank God for Bill Moyers and shame on the FCC and the networks.

Posted by: macman2 | April 30, 2008 9:21 AM

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 30, 2008 12:05 AM "...I have learned through the Rev. Wright incident and through this blog. I appreciate the willingness of people (such as "Appalled") to help me understand their views..." RESPONSE: Amy, I have learned a lot from you and others who have posted on this blog. As I have stated previously, too many Christian leaders dive too deeply into the political arena. At times, this may be necessary, but I believe that Reverend Wright goes too far, unnecessarily. And, I don't understand why people say "prophetic" or the "prophetic black church." I believe Jesus Christ was the last "real" prophet. There are a lot of people today, who say they are prophets, and only God will be able to properly judge those who deceptively tout themseleves as prophets. As I opened up my daily Scripture lesson, this is what it said. Ephesians 4:30-31 (Apostle Paul writing) "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice."

Posted by: Appalled | April 30, 2008 9:01 AM

I was impressed with the reasonable way Moyers spoke to Wright which was a very different style to the rude style of Bill O'Reilly. FoxMedia (Faux) spend an inordinate amount of time on this matter. Thank God for Larry King and the BBC News. I suppose you Americans have an egocentric view of the world. Your economy was built on slavery and later low paid employees.

Posted by: Noel | April 30, 2008 8:08 AM

Richard, Your words are so insightful. We are allowing those who would destroy our nation in their continued quest for power and money. Senator Obama is that voice of change and the 'powers' that be are trying to silence him. But, this is America and we have the freedom to oppose this nonsense. We can push back as citizens by doing 3 things: 1) Click PBS home page, click 'support PBS' and make a donation of any size to this great network. Also, report 'user' abuse from right winged news anchors,hiding behind user names. You can tell who they are because their posts stop when they have to go on air. 2) Start a petition letter and send it in to the networks that allow these knuckleheads to spew their venom. Refuse to support their sponsors. They will listen. 3)Volunteer to help the candidate of your choice. Join their campaign.Work harder than ever to get them elected. Let's show the media that 'dirty' politics don't work. It's a new day in America. It's up to us to get that message out. Do not be willing participants in this nasty mind game that the political pundits are playing. IT'S TIME FOR...

Posted by: Jean | April 30, 2008 6:45 AM

In the 21th century of America, some use religion to get elected and further personal agenda for enrichment of a few in the name of the God. However, the real religon leader speaking with a belief that there is a higher order than the government will be crucified. There is a good reason why our media would pay more attention to what a pastor said than what Bush did. Those who control our nation resist the candidate who can possibly bring in changes.

Posted by: Richard Chou | April 30, 2008 3:23 AM

In the 21th century of America, some use religion to get elected and further personal agenda for enrichment of a few in the name of the God. However, the real religon leader speaking with a belief that there is a higher order than the government will be crucified. There is a good reason why our media would pay more attention to what a pastor said than what Bush did. Those who control our nation resist the candidate who can possibly bring in changes.

Posted by: Richard Chou | April 30, 2008 3:20 AM

Odd. I still think Moyers did the right thing in letting Wright tell his side of the story, since he had been maligned for weeks without getting such an opportunity from the mainstream media. Yet having watched the National Press Club comments, I just found him inappropriately goofy. Not hate-filled, not ideological, just goofy like the class clown. Like, "what on earth is he smoking?"

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 30, 2008 2:57 AM

Mr Moyers, you're a hack journalist. The only thing that makes me angry is that you get paid with public money. Some of it - mine. I never witnessed such a fluff reporting job in my whole life. Rev. Jeremiah Wright needs to repent. This whole idea of bits of his speeches being taken out of context is a joke. You are a intelligent man that does not tell the truth anymore. 'Pride comes before a fall'.

Posted by: Darryl Stanley | April 30, 2008 2:33 AM

Judi, One strike and you're out? PBS as a whole is responsible for one interview for all time? As a sinner myself, I hope you're not a friend or family member of mine 'cause I screw up a lot more than that and I need forgiveness.

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 30, 2008 2:01 AM

I have read with considerable interest, the many posts pro and con the whole Rev. Wright debacle. Many of these posts have been insightful and educational. Others have shown that some people are in need of enlightenment on the issues and concerns of different cultural groups and their experiences. Some posts have shown downright ignorance. I do appreciate the Moyer's interview with Rev. Wright last Friday. It "did" give people an opportunity to see a different side of the man. I was impressed with all of his accomplishments in his own and the larger African-American community. He established a very dynamic and self-sufficient church work which began with merely 80 or so parishioners and grew to almost 10,000. That's pretty inpressive in this day and age. His contributions to God's work with the varied ministries can never be taken from him....period. On the other hand, dear Rev. Wright definetly needs to re-evaluate himself before the larger body of Christ. He has offended many people with his beliefs, diction, rhetoric, and I'd also say...melodramatic style. We are encouraged to be examples of the believers in "word and spirit" and to "not sin, by offending our brothers and sisters." Unfortunately, in the...

Posted by: Tyhia | April 30, 2008 1:44 AM

I watch PBS all the time and enjoy most of there programs but they flunked miserably on this one. I will not support them anymore and that saddens me. Because like I said I really enjoyed there programs. I could have given a better interview. Shame on Mr. Moyers for not exposing Wright for who he really is.

Posted by: Judi | April 30, 2008 1:20 AM

Well, now,,, First we have an interview which supports the premise that Rev. Wright is mis-used and misunderstood because he is being smeared by sound bites. Mr. Moyers fully supports this premise in his questions and comments. The "saint" leaves, halo restored. Then, the "saint" shows his true self in the various speeches, presentations, etc in which he loudly states everything he and Moyers agreed were trumped up. Then, I read an article from Rolling Stone (Feb. 22, 2007) in which words from a Rev. Wright sermon are included. The same hate-filled tirade as shown in the videos and recently as yesterday's live performances. Mr. Moyers must (should) be embarrassed to have the wool pulled over his eyes. He should have done more research into the Reverend's beliefs and comments prior to the show and should have taken him to task for his comments. Bill should have asked him to explain rather than allow him to claim it was taken out of context. Veracity - the truth - is the first law of journalism. Mr. Moyers broke that law. I don't understand his rationale for that decision but it does sadden me. I am a firm supporter of public television...

Posted by: Linda Mae | April 30, 2008 1:12 AM

"Lily" referred to the Bible (I think mainly the OT) in asking whether pastors should make political statements. Although that's a good place to start, I think it may be one of the areas in the Bible where we do have to look at the differences in culture and communication between ancient Israel and contemporary America. In the former case, a prophet would generally speak to his people face-to-face; if it was not possible for someone to hear the original sermon, he or she would receive it by work of mouth from someone who was there. It was pretty clear what these prophets meant: there were no out-of-context sound bites and no cultural divides. In our society we are constantly bombarded with messages that we have little or no time to listen to. We have many subcultures within our greater culture, so the words used by Rev. Wright (or even the late Rev. Jerry Falwell) have different connotations for their immediate followers than for many in the culture at large. After all, when we study the Bible and don't just read the words, we learn the various contexts and assumptions of the societies in which they were originally written. This...

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 30, 2008 12:05 AM

Dear Mr. Moyers. I have watched you and your programs since the 1980’s and have enjoyed and agreed with most everything you stand for. We are very much aligned ideologically and politically while sharing a certain activist bent and genuine empathy for the injustices in this world. Your insight is profound. I have on many occasions called you my hero, and wished I chose journalism as a career. However, your interview of Rev. Jeremiah Wright left me disappointed and empty. I listened intently to your broadcast and tried to be fair in my observation, since I have so much respect for you and your views. I felt it necessary to give both you and Rev. Wright the benefit of the doubt, considering his public vilification over the youtube video clips portraying him as a virulent, angry militant black man with an agenda. Your delicate treatment of his controversial, divisive, inflammatory views and ideology gave him a forum to temper his views into acceptance. The delivery of a message can alter the message itself, and your program changed that very same message, sugar coating the one he was delivering with anger, bitterness, and vitriol in his pulpit with one of clarity...

Posted by: Jake McGraw | April 29, 2008 11:46 PM

The Rev. Mr. Wright made a positive impression during his interview with Mr. Moyers. Nothing else that the media reported about the man the rest of the weekend made a positive impression.

Posted by: Ted Michael Morgan | April 29, 2008 11:42 PM

Hey Michele, is your last name Obama ?

Posted by: Bill | April 29, 2008 11:36 PM

I was not surprised when on the morning of Sept the 11th 2001, I heard that the World Trade Center was attacked! "Americas chickens had come home to roast." It's not the greatest of phrases, but it's true. I've listened to Wright's three events from this weekend and I have to say, that as an Irish emigrant living here for twenty years I understand and agree with everything he says. He is right on! He is not running for office, he does not have to be politically correct. I hear echoes of Martin Luther King's denunciation of America, as well as Martin Luther Kings love of America in his words. There is no hate in his speech. Anger, yes! But also hope. The audacity of hope...and anger...and truth! There are differences between the races! And there is at least subtle racism everywhere. This country was built on as much terrorism as heroism but we would would rather believe the fairy tales. Wright shows us a more realistic view and it's not a pretty sight.

Posted by: Michael Blake | April 29, 2008 11:36 PM

The Rev. Mr. Wright impressed me in his interview with Mr. Moyers. He said much that we need to say and hear. He speaks from what we know directly and indirectly about racism, imperialism, and out-of-control capitalism in the United States, but he still seems to distort what he says with a bitterness that undermines constructive responses to the problems we endure. I appreciate that Mr. Moyers interviewed the Rev. Mr. Wright for an hour and gave him, what I think, is a fair hearing.

Posted by: Ted Michael Morgan | April 29, 2008 11:35 PM

Discourse should be carried out at this level: the courteous Rev. Wright allows us to weigh his perspective, and the less excitable among us see much to ponder. An admirable interview. What a pity the attention of the body politic is limited to the duration of a TV ad (and what a tragedy that so admirable a person as Mr Obama should be so hasty today as to condemn the reverend from fresh hearsay, and so fall into its trap).

Posted by: boudu | April 29, 2008 11:35 PM

And when all is said and done, most of us will believe what we want to believe. Thx to Bill and PBS for the Wright interview. Once again I was reminded why Bill Moyers is the only hour of American TV I watch.

Posted by: canucklehead | April 29, 2008 11:15 PM

Well, I watched the interview and I watched the sermons....and felt I'd been suckered by the MSM. Then, I watched Rev. Wright do everything he could to ruin Mr. Obamas' chances to win the nomination and felt I'd been suckered by Rev. Wright. Good God, this nation is one f***ed up mess. There is no hope for the good-hearted people in this land. We're doomed.

Posted by: Mark Benham | April 29, 2008 11:12 PM

It will not be lost on Mr. Moyers that several times in referring to the Friday night interview during his remarks on Monday, Reverend Wright announced, somewhat as an aside, that oh, that particular part of the interview was cut. I think we all have been played, by someone who has a very mixed up opinion of himself, of people in general, and if it has already been stated that these are the actions of someone of malicious intent against a presidential candidate, then I join that side of the argument. The Reverend dissembles. He has made himself the center of attention in order to bring down Mr. Obama because the latter separated himself from his histrionics. This is very sad for both of them. I do not think this display of egotism on the part of Pastor Wright is at all helpful. He actually joked about the manner of speech of John Kennedy, and he actually suggested (I suppose with a grin) himself as a vice presidential candidate. I can understand why Mr. Obama was offended. Reverend Wright, with Mr. Moyers' perhaps unwitting help, entered the political arena while saying he is 'only' a pastor. It has been a...

Posted by: juliania | April 29, 2008 11:10 PM

Michele did you not hear what Wright said? Problem is this man actually believes what he says. Why do you think Obama is distanting himself from him? You need to listen my dear girl. This man is a maniac.

Posted by: Judi | April 29, 2008 11:09 PM

Allyn---I couldn't agree with you more. I think even Obama feels he's lost this one. Although it is Wright who is acting like a fool Obama is getting the brunt of it. Wright scares me. I'm to a point I don't know who to believe anymore. I am disappointed in all three candidates. Our country is a mess. I want to vote and have no idea who to vote for. I don't think any of them of capable of running our Country. Sad truly sad!

Posted by: Judi | April 29, 2008 11:06 PM

Mr Wright seems to have a genuine love of all people, and it seems if we were to listen to his 'controversial' sermons in thier entirety, and with an open heart, there is much to be learned. I was actually moved by his "God damn America" sermon. It spoke of history to me, not hatred. To me, it meant that human beings never get into trouble if they follow God (I am agnostic, but the basic tennants apply). God will always be true, just, love all mankind regardless of nationality, race, etc... Humans only get into trouble when they try to project the qualities they expect from thier God onto thier Governments. We the People, we as voters, as citizens, would never knowingly vote for someone, or some policy that could be percieved as evil. Therefore, we can get defensive if an action of our government is charactarized or criticized as being evil or of evil intent, as afterall, it is ulimately a judgement on us. And no one likes to be judged poorly. I believe this is what Reverend Wright means... America is a product of man, not God. If the government of America by its policy commits acts...

Posted by: Michelle | April 29, 2008 10:42 PM

As an African-American, I became saddened when it became apparent only the most outrageous accusations of Wright's has often turned out to be the focus. After listening to him, I have found he not only has a grasp of history, but is extremely insightful, with the ability to explain the true calling of the black church-to call for justice and reconcilation. But when Rev. Wright yelled AIDS conspiracy from the pulpit and neither retracts nor provides proof for his accusations, his main message gets shunted by the wayside. And all some people get is AIDS and Farrakhan on the brain. I think Obama was geniune in his anger. The problem is, is some people, and I even read it happening on this blog, is that people will be inclined to dismiss the important truths that Wright brings up. And that I think is very sad. A baby out with the bath water kind of thing. BTW: The African-American slave experience was unlike any other immigrant story i.e. Irish, Jewish, Polish, or even Afro-Carribean or Afro-Brazilian experience. Unique to this country was the idea that black slaves= animals, a critical distinction. The the legacy of which we ARE CURRENTLY dealing with.

Posted by: Morti121 | April 29, 2008 10:34 PM

America is & has been in a world of hurt as long as I can remember. For me it started with JFK's killing & LBJ lying about Vietnam & hurting this country to no ends. Now we have Bush & his staff running unchecked. I am not suprised that "The chickens are coming home to roost", just I am surprised 9/11 took so long. P.S. I am white & a disable veteran that has never voted for any politician and don't believe in the american dream anymore. You're all on your own, get used to it.

Posted by: John Eynon | April 29, 2008 10:32 PM

I just watched the NewsHour and saw Obama destroy any chance he had to be President. Don't blame Dr. Wright for standing up and speaking truth to power. This was the time for Obama to step up and begin the dialog to heal the racial divide and bring this country together, but he played the safe game and lost the nomination. It was time to challenge Americans to live up to the ideals of America, to break from the old ways of fear, and Obama dropped the ball. Dr. Wright, keep speaking truth to power. Don't let anyone silence you. Maybe the next Black candidate will have the strength to stand up and speak truth to the American people. In January 2007 when the Dirty Tricks gang started trying to smear both Hillary and Obama--with the fake e-mails from Hillary's office about the madrasa garbage--I knew that events in this election would make the 2004 "swift boat" garbage look like an episode from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Obama is out, who knows what event will sink Hillary now. I suspect that come the convention neither Obama nor Hillary will be the choice. The same thing happened in 1968. All the front...

Posted by: Allyn | April 29, 2008 10:32 PM

America is & has been in a world of hurt as long as I can remember. For me it started with JFK's killing & LBJ lying about Vietnam & hurting this country to no ends. Now we have Bush & his staff running unchecked. I am not suprised that "The chickens are coming home to roost", just I am surprised 9/11 took so long. P.S. I am white & a disable veteran that has never voted for any politician and don't believe in the american dream anymore. You're all on your own, get used to it.

Posted by: John Eynon | April 29, 2008 10:31 PM

America is & has been in a world of hurt as long as I can remember. For me it started with JFK's killing & LBJ lying about Vietnam & hurting this country to no ends. Now we have Bush & his staff running unchecked. I am not suprised that "The chickens are coming home to roost", just I am surprised 9/11 took so long. P.S. I am white & a disable veteran that has never voted for any politician and don't believe in the american dream anymore. You're all on your own, get used to it.

Posted by: John Eynon | April 29, 2008 10:30 PM

America is & has been in a world of hurt as long as I can remember. For me it started with JFK's killing & LBJ lying about Vietnam & hurting this country to no ends. Now we have Bush & his staff running unchecked. I am not suprised that "The chickens are coming home to roost", just I am surprised 9/11 took so long. P.S. I am white & a disable veteran that has never voted for any politician and don't believe in the american dream anymore. You're all on your own, get used to it.

Posted by: John Eynon | April 29, 2008 10:28 PM

I'm embarassed that my ignorance is showing! In the last 30 minutes I became aware of the latest on Wright's news conference and Obama's response. I thought we were just talking about the Moyer's conversation. Charles, I think you are right to point out that the Reverend ought to be a better role model...a few minutes ago, I would have said it's not his fault that he has the perspective he has...but at this moment I wonder if he is not an egomaniac looking to have more influence than he deserves. It looks like he is currently riding Obama's tail to have a level of media access he has never had before. His manner is very different than in the sermons or with Moyers. I still stand firm in my belief that Wright is not a lunatic-I believe he has done good work, and as Janet says, he speaks of realities we don't really want to think about. Unfortunately, he also speaks of realities that...aren't real. And right now he is doing some work that doesn't need to be done: delegitimizing the black church, and by extension, wounding Obama. This just feeds straight into the fears whites have about a...

Posted by: Gina | April 29, 2008 10:09 PM

Gina, I admire your courage. I don't like every word that comes out of Rev. Wright's mouth but he is presenting a single perspective that American's don't even like to ponder: that American policy is skewed to profoundly help some and its' cost is mostly disregarded. Rev. Wright is asking us to ponder out cost. Necessarily America prefers the view of itself as an innocent victim on 9/11 and I would echo the person above who says no one really knows the entire truth of much of our recent past, including 9/11, but our policies have brutal impacts both in America and abroad. I personally think that too many forces who could not contemplate a black president will grotesquely balloon Rev. Wright's comments, tie them unequivocably to Obama and will inflame racial tensions to insure that America will not have a black president. Look at Rev. Wright's life works. Yes, it is possible to scrutinize this overfocussed picture the media has created but LOOK at the man's works. He's not perfect. But his overarching plan has helped a lot of people. Americans have lost their ability to do critical thinking. Who wants you to hate and be afraid of this...

Posted by: Janet | April 29, 2008 9:36 PM

Gina, persons of authority in the community, who are educated, are supposed to preach and teach and lead in ways that cure them of sociopathic lies like, "AIDS is a government conspiracy." But Rev. Wright didn't do that. He perpetuated the myth. With a wink to his parishoners, saying in effect, "Don't believe what they are telling you. Listen to me." There is no excusing that. Obama said so today. And yet, Wright said the same thing long, long ago. And Obama didn't condemn it until his advisors told him it was destroying the campaign. And, returning to the topic at hand, Bill Moyers sat Wright down for a long interview and never asked him about it. So shame on Wright, shame on Obama and shame on Bill Moyers. This day is their worst nightmare, and they have all three earned it.

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 29, 2008 9:08 PM

Dennis, Could you give me some of what your smoking....

Posted by: Bob | April 29, 2008 9:02 PM

The Truth Has Been Spoken Some Americans Are Ready For It And Some Are Not.... For The Record I am WHITE.

Posted by: Dennis | April 29, 2008 8:49 PM

Hi Charles, No, I was not specifically referring to you, and your response to the Wright controversy is not of the rabid type that is disturbing. Frankly, I think that Obama has to take a very strong stand against Wright unless he wants to look like a anti-American black power leader. I live in NC, one of my jobs is social development with poor minority youth (almost entirely black, even though we have a large Hispanic population). The perspective of Wright is familiar to me as a young white woman because I have been exposed to black social perspectives in a unique way-through the youth...The kids I work with do not yet realize what is off-limits in "polite company." Wright has a specific perspective that echos the ideas of the black grandparents I have met and whose words I hear through their grandchildren. There is a paranoia, a strong distrust of the government (thus the AIDS infection theory-and more). There are truths that support these theories (Tuskegee-and more I probably don't know about), so I understand how the distrust spreads among blacks in this country. I perceive that Obama does not share this perspective, as most black people of his...

Posted by: Gina | April 29, 2008 8:45 PM

I can't decide if two African-American leaders having very public problems with each other is completely tragic, some weird kind of progress, or something imbetween. Is there anything good about this situation?

Posted by: Julka | April 29, 2008 8:27 PM

Gina, perhaps you were referring to my comment, just below, as one of the "unintelligent" comments. What I ask you, in your defense of Rev. Wright, is whether you agree or disagree with Barack Obama when he says the following, which is an edited quote from his press conference today: **** "You know, I have been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1992. I have known Rev. Wright for almost 20 years. The person I saw yesterday was not the person that I met 20 years ago. His comments 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... But when he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the U.S. government somehow being involved in AIDS, when he suggests that Minister Farrakhan somehow represents one of the greatest voices of the 20th and 21st century, when he equates the United States' wartime efforts with terrorism, then there are no excuses. They offend me. They rightly offend all Americans. And they should be denounced, and that's what I'm doing very...

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 29, 2008 7:57 PM

Barack Hussein Obama is indeed doing what politicians do as Rev Wright said. He is distancing himself from Wright now that it is all out in the open. The fact is that BHO and his wife were comfortable with Wright for 20 years - they knew who he was and what he was about. They could have changed church a long time ago if they weren't comfortable. Why suddendly now? He a running for President, that's why. Don't be hookwinked America.

Posted by: Wright Stuff | April 29, 2008 7:46 PM

Reading the unintelligent responses to Reverend Wright, I can't help but think of this: "They teach the boys to drop fire on people but won't let them write the word 'F***' on their aeroplanes" (Apocalypse Now). I can't imagine how anyone could argue against Wright using logic & awareness of reality. The only stance available to assail him is blind patriotism-which is why, I assume, all the criticism sounds unthought, emotional, and incredibly empty. I admire the work Wright is doing, and I can't argue against a single thing I have heard him say (from this program and on Youtube). If I did not agree with some of his words, this would not affect the worth of his work. By the way, I am not black, and I am not a Christian.

Posted by: Gina | April 29, 2008 7:44 PM

AS I listened to part 1 of this interview, I appreciated the demeanor in which Rev Wright spoke. I agreed with SOME of the things he clarified, but being a person who studies the Bible, He is sharing his views on "God Damning America" in a way that is misleading and inflamatory. When Michael the Archangel was contending with Satan, the Bible says he dared not bring a charge against Satan, he said "The Lord rebuke you". Matthew's account of Jesus' sermon on the mount quotes Jesus as saying bless those who curse you, bless and curse not. The Apostle Paul says do not pay evil for evil, but leave vengance to God. Jesus says do good to those who dispitefully use you. If your enemy is hungry give him food...you heap burning coals (of shame) on his head. The New Covenant of the New Testament of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in no way shape or form incites His followers to stir up seeds that promote further division. Rev Wright like everyone is just a man, at points an intelligent man, but just like Elliot Spitzer who won the governorship of NY position by a landslide, and was praised...

Posted by: Toni | April 29, 2008 7:32 PM

Whatever your politics, it must be conceded that Bill Moyers' interview with Rev. Wright was an abject failure. He failed to ask the salient questions that the members of the National Press Club did, just a couple of days later. In his quest to support liberal politics and a liberal politician, Moyers betrayed his journalism. So it was left to another night (a speech in Detroit) and another forum (the National Press Club) to expose Wright for what he was. It turns out that the much-maligned soundbites were more accurate, more revelatory, than a long interview with Bill Moyers. Now, we know Rev. Jeremiah Wright better. And so does Barack Obama. Obama now says that Wright is not now the same person he thought he knew. But we have all obtained that understanding with no thanks to Bill Moyers, the ol' liberal apologist. Thanks, Bill. For nothing.

Posted by: Charles Brown | April 29, 2008 6:56 PM

After events of the past few days since Bill Moyers interview of Rev. Wright, it is shocking to me to see how so many have attacked Rev. Wright with little regard for journalistic integrity. What was Rev. Wright talking about? What did he say? What did it mean? What did the thousands of individuals in the audience have to say who were cheering Rev. Wright speeches? Reporters seemed to have abandoned their duty. I'm not interested in how angry and incensed the reporters are (and their select commentators), yet this seems to be all we are getting from the corporate news media. I'm bi-racial, Black/White, and in my 50's. What I see the corporate news media doing is the most shallow, biased, hate-based, reporting I've seen in a long while. How sad to see Rev. Wright so abused. Shame on the corporate media, and the few Blacks who have taken advantage of this unfortunate situation. Hear that Juan Williams? It was stunning and sad to see Soledad O’Brien (CNN) report live from the event on how funny, enjoyable, and meaningful Rev. Wright’s “home run” was in delivering his speech at the NAACP dinner—then dramatically shift the next day where she...

Posted by: Ellison | April 29, 2008 6:55 PM

I'm sorry. I generally like Moyers, but the comments from Wright are outlandish. Also, Wright made every effort to tone down and appear benevolent, and, from viewing the comments here, many fell for it. Yes, I listened to his entire speech, both the original one aired and the one given in Detroit. Yes, African Americans have been treated horribly in the past. So have other in varying degrees. The Jews. The Irish. The German and Japanese in our country during World War II. The list goes on and on and on and on worldwide. But I don't see the Jewish people, for example, acting out, ranting and spewing. Tuskegee occurred many, many years ago at a time when racism was rampant. It was also done for a progressive purpose, albeit horribly. It was not done to destroy the black population. It was done to study syphilis and it was done on black people because they were seen as inferior, less than human by the people performing the experiments, just as many prisoners on whom experiments are performed today are viewed, just as Jews (who suffered even more horribly)were viewed by the Nazis. To claim that AIDS is spread by the...

Posted by: john | April 29, 2008 6:36 PM

Keep up the good work PBS! This interview has totally motivated me back up my moral support of the network with financial contributions as well. It's good to know that news networks with journalistic standards still exist in today's media

Posted by: Elianna | April 29, 2008 6:21 PM

Moyers' and MR. Wright! What a pair of anti-American idiots.(Along with the Wright ass kissers on this blog) I fully expected Moyer's to kiss Wrights ass...maybe he did....among other things! The only good thing that has come of this is myself and several neighbors have ended our support and membership to PBS...that is until they get rid of Moyers!

Posted by: Jerry | April 29, 2008 6:12 PM

Thanks, I enjoyed your interview with Rev. Wright. He seems to be a man with great passion and convictions and I respect him. I agree & disagree with Rev Wright beliefs, not necessarily Christianity. Nevertheless, I disagree with the views and perception of mass media with its sound bites and misleading headliners. Why are Americans so upset about Rev. Wright’s beliefs on HIV, 911, etc.?? Who knows the truth? Do you? In regards to Obama, who cares what his Pastor believes. Obama's belief system is not solely based on Rev. Wright views. Come on America Wake UP and move forward to the issues that the media are avoiding! One of the things that I did learn from Rev. Wright’s sermon about governments……Governments are only as “good” & “righteous” as the people who are in office and the people that vote them into office. As of today, we, Americans, have declined on our ethics and morals, which explains our government.

Posted by: Hall | April 29, 2008 5:45 PM

Good interview. I'm glad that Mr. Moyers let the Rev. speak and explain himself and his remarks including his intentions, the full context of his words, and some of the basis for his comments (agree with them or not). Sen. Obama has risen above the fray and handled himslef with integrity during this fiasco. The Rev. will obviously continue to say what he feels and let's not forget, that is his right in this wonderful nation - you don't have to agree with him - this is just one man's opinion after all. I believe that Sen. Obama has made his positions crystal clear. The MSM blew this way out of proportion (shocker) - it is a waste of energy at this point, but I found his perspective interesting at a minimum. Let's move on!

Posted by: sarah | April 29, 2008 5:37 PM

This guy has great stuff. I just love it when he said - "Barack Hussein Obama! Barack Hussein Obama! Barack Hussein. It sounds like Osama, Obama.

Posted by: Wright Stuff | April 29, 2008 4:46 PM

So Barack Obama is now denouncing Rev Wright. Why? Barack states how Wright's idealogies are divisive and not reflective of his own idealogies. Was Barack the last person on the planet to figure this out? So Barack has OFFICIALLY charged Wright with the same things some of us have been trying to tell you liberals about Wright from the beginning. All I hear from you blow-hard liberals is that we are "twisting the truth" and we're using "snippets" to make false accusations about Wright. Now that you've heard it from the horse's mouth (Obama), what say you now? Do you continue your liberal defense of Wright to spite Conservatives, or do you now side with Obama and admit that you were once again wrong? Do you actually believe that Obama was so out of touch with reality that it took him 20 years to figure it out? Would you still vote for an idiot like that or is he simply lying to us?! Think America, think! None of this adds up in any way. Barack Obama is either a fool or a liar. The sludge that is currently on this board is living proof that you liberals got it wrong...

Posted by: Bilbo Baggins | April 29, 2008 4:42 PM

Sojourner Truth delivered her famous speech, "Ain't I a Woman," at a convention in Akron Ohio in May, 1851 (157 years ago) and this quote is from Wikipedia: "Reminiscences" (from that convention) by Frances Gage: "There were very few women in those days who dared to "speak in meeting"; and the august teachers of the people were seemingly getting the better of us, while the boys in the galleries, and the sneerers among the pews, were hugely enjoying the discomfiture, as they supposed, of the "strong-minded." Some of the tender-skinned friends were on the point of losing dignity, and the atmosphere betokened a storm. (Kind of like now, eh?) When, slowly from her seat in the corner rose Sojourner Truth, who, till now, had scarcely lifted her head. "Don't let her speak!" gasped half a dozen in my ear. She moved slowly and solemnly to the front, laid her old bonnet at her feet, and turned her great speaking eyes to me. There was a hissing sound of disapprobation above and below. I rose and announced "Sojourner Truth," and begged the audience to keep silence for a few moments." "The tumult subsided at once, and every eye was fixed on...

Posted by: Nicky Hartzell | April 29, 2008 4:41 PM

What a different three days makes! After watching your interview with Rev. Wright, I was convinced he was the victim of a babid press corps(which to some extent, he was). But, after seeing his behavior this weekend and at the Press Club, I must now modify my opinion. He is a selfish, posturing, destructive voice, more concerned with taking center stage than engaging in a useful exchange of ideas. Barack Obama gave him the benefit of the doubt, even defended him at some cost to his own standing, because he believed the man was being unfairly caracatured. And how does the good reverend repay him? By demeaning and belittling the essence of his campaign, which is and has been from the start, one of unity and mutual respect. Barack has lived his life in service of closing the racial divide and promoting understanding among all races, religions and social backgrounds. For Wright to demean such efforts as political rhetoric was a classless, even vindictive gesture. Obama today did the right thing. He renounced a man who clearly has no regard for him and who does not truly share his values. It is a pity that the political discourse in this...

Posted by: Jeff Eckerle | April 29, 2008 3:58 PM

Shame on you Bil moyers for the useless interview with Rev wright! the only thing lacking was a kiss! How dare you take public money and personal contributions and not ask ny tough pertinent questions of this out of date racist. Having been rasied with heroes suach as MLK and my personal favorite, Dick Gregory, I am totally disgusted with BillMoyers and this waste of time. How dare you not ask about the HIV, 9-11 comments among others. Never agin wi I make contributions to this obviously left wing medis outlet that has forgotten what it's call letters stand for...PUBLIC Broadcasting system. Fox claims to be "fair and balanced", this is what PBS is supposed to be and why it was formed. You contribututed to the 15 minutes of fame that this zealot is looking for. He has done more to set back race realtions than any white zealot could ever ask for. He may as well join the US of KKK hinself. I'm sure that the KKK is laughig all the way in their white robes. Terrible, Bill, for your lack of honest journalism, you should be removed from the taxpayers public funded system today! You did nothing but...

Posted by: Al Rider | April 29, 2008 3:50 PM

After Senator Obama's complete divorce from his ex-pastor today, I'm struck by how long ago last Friday seems. Bill, I still think your interview was well done! My views concerning that, or you, hasn't changed. My views of your subject, however, has. People are responsible for their own words, especially when taken in context! I've never heard Senator Obama utter anything that has offended me so my opinion of him has not changed. On the contrary, my heart goes out to him and his family. Altering something as fundimental as a relationship associated with one's faith or values is one thing. Doing it in public during a presidential campaign is quite another.

Posted by: Ian Macgregor | April 29, 2008 3:40 PM

I'm starting to think that this is big deal only so that the MSM can present it's favored candidates, Hillary and McCain; people they can do bidness wid. After watching the Moyers interview and the following links of Wright at the Press Club, I feel that even more strongly. Rev. Wright at the National Press Club (1 of 3) http://youtube.com/watch?v=q2H1dMbkYa4 Rev. Wright at the National Press Club (2 of 3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gXnZKUG_ic&feature=related Rev. Wright at the National Press Club (3 of 3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aM8VU47pKU&feature=related I never did recommend a book for the President to read because the top three were already recommended. If I may? The Best Democracy Money Can Buy (ISBN 0-452-28391-4, Penguin Plume USA) is a 2002 book written by investigative journalist Greg Palast http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Best_Democracy_Money_Can_Buy

Posted by: nunya | April 29, 2008 3:39 PM

Has anyone else noticed the use of the word "prophetic" in most every posting that praises Wright? Guess everyone at Wright's church received the memo with the talking points, huh? No conspiracy? Yeah, right.

Posted by: Wilbur Post | April 29, 2008 3:36 PM

I think the softball interview that Bill Moyers conducted only lack them "kissing". this was typical of the problems woith the media that we now have. Not one tough question was asked. how do you explain not questioning Rev. wright about his comments about the US gov injecting the HIV virus into the black community Or his 9-11 comments. despicable, Bill. will never contribute to PBS again. I a ashamed that my public tax dollars and personal contributions go to such wasted use as Bill Moyers! Bill Moyers should be removed from the PBS "airwawaves" today. A total waste of time letting this man rant for his own personal 15 minutes offame. wright has set back the race problem in America like no person ever i history. Having been raiseda proponent of equality and idolized person such asMLK and my personal favorite Dick Gregory, whom I felt privelaged and honered to meet, shake hands a nd talk with, this man lives in the past and is disgusting to America in 2008! MLK must be turningover in his grave! How could the question of his multi million dollar home not be asked? Shame on you Bill Moyers, Sshame on PBS for...

Posted by: Allan Rider | April 29, 2008 3:28 PM

I take back my apology to Rev. Wright for the attacks he's had to endure. He deserves them. Had he ended with your interview he would have looked much better. After his performance yesterday, I think he is a disgusting man and deserves whatever criticizm he gets. With a Pastor like Wright, who needs enemies?! I will continue to support Obama and don't think he should be held accountable for Wright's outrageous beliefs. Shame on Wright for causing these problems for Obama.

Posted by: Debbie | April 29, 2008 3:15 PM

Bill- you do not show the PBS spirit....This is a murder of PBS...dividing the country

Posted by: AMerican | April 29, 2008 3:12 PM

Bravo Bill Moyers, What has infuriated me in all this is that the MSM failed in both of the most controversial clips shown to offer them more completely, which in both cases would have put what Rev. Wright said into context. I am beginning to believe that at the risk to the freedom of the press, media should be required to obtain and post the approval/disapproval of those not in public office being broadcast in the form in which it is being presented; or if not, play video clips in their entirety. The MSM knowingly created this issue for their commercial and/or political needs. Disgusting. A wonderful and prophetic interview! Thank you Bill Moyers for making me prouder than ever to be a supporter of PBS.

Posted by: DC | April 29, 2008 3:03 PM

At the risk of not seeing the log in my own eye...I believe I heard Bill Moyer say he and Pastor Wright are members of the UCC denomination. No wonder both of them are confused. The UCC does not hold to the full authority of scripture. Once a protestant church leaves behind the foundation of scripture, it will be a ship blowing in the wind with broken mast. Jesus' parable was straight forward. You've got to build your house on the rock, the word of God. The UCC is built on trendy sociological thinking. I've listened to Bill Moyers disparage 'orthodox' or 'fundamentalist' or 'evangelical' thinking for years. But I think you are looking at the flower, the fruit the fuzzy thinking without the careful guide of scripture.

Posted by: Mace | April 29, 2008 3:01 PM

Jack Martin said: "...but I think it does show organized campaigns are involved, more so on the racist side" You might be right (I think you are, to an extent) - however, I fear that the majority of racist or borderline racist posts are from racist, or merely culturally conservative individuals ;/.

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 1:38 PM

"However, none of them are speaking the truth. Just liberal, racist jibberish. Poor mind-numbed robots." lol, yeah, that's right, it's a big conspiracy, there can't be THAT many sensible people on this board who totally understand what Wright is talking about... right?

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 1:20 PM

Although names suspiciously similar to my own and to my associates have appeared on this page I have not spoken until now. I never expected the intense response Jeremiah Wright has drawn. I admit to wasting my time reading these many posts, many of which seem ingenuine. Some are repeated many times on various blog pages and others seem to be joking. The nature of a blog is that submissions are anonymous barring a criminal investigation or electronic policing on the part of webmasters. How can anyone say what the intent of a post is unless people reveal more personal information than might be prudent, excert by reading and evaluating the argumentative content. In comparing this "Wright controversy" page to that of "Books the President should read" I find a more respectful tone and a higher quality of argument on the books page, even considering the 9/11 exclusion issue. I don't entirely understand what this says about racism, since candidate Obama and Rev. Wright are nominally black, but I think it does show organized campaigns are involved, more so on the racist side. Content reveals that some racist submissions were composed by persons who had not watched Moyers Journal or...

Posted by: Jack Martin | April 29, 2008 1:17 PM

Wow, the same interviewer who has issues with the questions posed during the last dem debate then shows his complete incompetence at asking even a single probing question to this highly racist individual. He then lets the interviewee re-direct the question and Bill fails to follow up in any significant way. Way to go, Bill!

Posted by: Patrick | April 29, 2008 12:49 PM

After revisiting this board numerous times, it is obvious that it is being sandbagged with two, maybe three distinct groups of people. 1.)Members of Wright's church that are going to praise the racist no matter what he says or does or 2.)White people with a terrible guilt complex that think that they need to be harshly rebuked for something that happened 150 years ago or 3.)Members of Wright's church pretending to be part of "white America" that whole-heartedly agrees with Moyers and Wright. Hmmm, probably some out of all three sub-sets. However, none of them are speaking the truth. Just liberal, racist jibberish. Poor mind-numbed robots.

Posted by: Wilbur Post | April 29, 2008 11:51 AM

This interview and Rev. Wright's truth-speaking are a breath of fresh air in this campaign of distortions and misleading sound bites. As a white southerner, I am grateful for the courage of Rev. Wright to speak out in the prophetic tradition about the wrongs all around us. And I am always grateful for Bill Moyer's quiet thoughtful and balanced interviews. Thank you!

Posted by: Nancy Carter | April 29, 2008 11:33 AM

It is obvious from this interview and from Wright's comments in context that he is a prophetic voice in America right now... one that the rich, middle class whites who vote Republican (and I am a white woman myself), and many others do not want to hear because it doesn't line up with their fascist views of what corporate America is. I love Jesus Christ first and this country second. Thank God there are still ministers who speak truth when there are so many who do not and who simply have pulpit warmers who feel good about themselves each week. Jesus didn't go around making Pharisees and others feel good, and neither did the Old Testament prophets.

Posted by: Lisa | April 29, 2008 10:58 AM

I taped the interview and watched it a second time hoping that I could make some sense of Wright's remarks. Although Moyers lobbed softballs and Wright responded with platitudes while knocking down a few straw men, it became obvious that Wright is a man who is so completely full of himself that he thinks he is Christ. His remarks from the pulpit are just a black version of the Falwell/Robinson/Hagee rants. Hopefully, Wright will quickly pass from the scene and America can get on with the long, hard process of racial reconciliation without his preening exploitation of legitimate black grievances.

Posted by: RBrudzynski | April 29, 2008 10:20 AM

"Should pastors be making political statements?" My response: Assuming that pastors are Christians and believe the Bible to be the word of God I think the question shold be "What does the Bible say about Christian leaders making political statements?" I think there's lots of evidence of leaders who made political statements especially the prophets. Christianity is supposed to shape the values of Christians and applicable to everyday life so I don't see how pastors can not make political statements. A lot of times it's had to slice between what's political and social issues.

Posted by: Lily | April 29, 2008 7:34 AM

This interview was simply fantastic, uplifting and a fresh of breath air. This is really what journalism should be about - with professional journalists facilitating a discussion or interaction between the public and people in the news on the questions that matter so that the public can get a full picture and make their own judgments. I have lived in Rwanda and South Africa where the mainstream media distorted truths and spread misinformation, turning the simple differences between races into the fuel for fear, hate and a complete disregard for humanity and the fundamental right to life. The result - genocide and decades of the murderous, dehumanizing apartheid system all perpetuated and sustained by ordinary people like you and I. It is impossible for me not to see the similarity in the actions and role of the media in the US today and in the responses of bloggers here and on other sites. This country, like all others, has a past and present replete with mistakes and the sign of its maturity isn't going to be found in denial or a refusal to discuss these but in the commitment shown by ordinary people to set any fears and prejudice aside...

Posted by: Sue Katz | April 29, 2008 5:46 AM

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 29, 2008 03:28 AM "Appalled, I'm supposed to be studying right now so this is the last post from me tonight, but: I'm excited because I think I might actually understand your point, although I don't necessarily agree with it." RESPONSE: Amy, I respect your opinion and really appreciate the friendly discourse. And, I wish you success with your studies. A heartful, God bless you, too.

Posted by: Appalled | April 29, 2008 3:37 AM

Appalled, I'm supposed to be studying right now so this is the last post from me tonight, but: I'm excited because I think I might actually understand your point, although I don't necessarily agree with it. When I heard Rev. Wright's comments, I automatically placed them in the context of my past experiences with African American churches. They fit there,and he didn't say anything I hadn't heard before. LOL- if I heard the same words in my own church, I would walk right out. Anyway, in a society where it often seems like everyone's shouting and no one's listening, I'm glad we can have a civil and productive exchange. May God bless you...

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 29, 2008 3:28 AM

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 02:48 AM "For example, he said "Bill Clinton is ridin' dirty" and "Hillary aint never been called a n..r." This is not appropriate words from the pulpit." How is this not appropriate? It's not the clean, removed 'fantasy-land' Christianity, as Wright said. RESPONSE: DKSU, I appreciate your comments. I am basing my views from what I have learned in my Christian faith. It was written in the Christian Scriptures that Apostle Paul said "there must be no filthiness and silly talk..." (Ephesians 5:4), and "...your speech always be with grace.." (Colossian 4:6). As I try to be more like Jesus Christ in my daily life, I don't believe I am pursuing fantasy.

Posted by: Appalled | April 29, 2008 3:09 AM

Thank you Mr. Moyers for imparting insight and clarity in your interview with the Reverand Jeremiah Wright. In lieu of the recent controversy surrounding the Reverand--instigated in large part by the media’s repeated broadcast of craftily edited and seemingly incriminating sound bites--your questions were fair, broad-sighted and respectful of giving his voice equal time to be heard. Above all, you offered the American viewer an opportunity to formulate their own opinion based upon information not manipulated by political ulterior motives or media bias. Your bio on the man himself and footage of the sermons helped put into context the messages conveyed by Reverand Wright and gave me a clearer perspective on the essence of his point of view. By the interview’s end, I was reminded of the biblical passage found in Proverbs chapter 4 verse 7 that reads “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding.” Again, thanks for your journalistic integrity in handling this subject matter with sensitivity, but most importantly for generating greater understanding.

Posted by: Evelyn Castro | April 29, 2008 3:05 AM

I think a lot of people are missing the point that Rev. Wright was actually quoting Edward Peck, former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq and deputy director of President Reagan’s terrorism task force, who was speaking on FOX News. He mentioned this before and after the sound byte which was conveniently left out by the satans who doctored it. So the real shame is on all of you who keep perpetuating this lie! Most of the comments here are sad and pathetic. Anyone telling a Jewish person to get over it is anti-semitic, yet it's no problem to say that to an African-American?

Posted by: Y. Hayes | April 29, 2008 2:51 AM

... Not to mention that it's downright hilarious!

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 2:50 AM

"For example, he said "Bill Clinton is ridin' dirty" and "Hillary aint never been called a n..r." This is not appropriate words from the pulpit." How is this not appropriate? It's not the clean, removed 'fantasy-land' Christianity, as Wright said. It's dirty, gritty, serious, like the real world. Wright said himself that his point is to connect the actual world and church life, not to separate the two. He talks about peoples' lives in the real world, probably using language that you wouldn't approve of. But that's how people speak. And that's what his people connect with, not metaphysical and purely theological preaching. But I suppose you could disagree...

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 2:48 AM

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 29, 2008 02:21 AM "Pastors have been making political statements for a long time now, particularly in the past 40 years or so. G.W. Bush was in large part elected because of political use of the pulpit." RESPONSE: Thanks for you thoughtful response. It does not make a difference to me about the political ideology of the preacher, when it comes to my discomfort with preachers getting political in the pulpit. As I have posted previously, Reverend Wright has said some things in the pulpit that would not lead a person to accept God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. For example, he said "Bill Clinton is ridin' dirty" and "Hillary aint never been called a n..r." These are not appropriate words from the pulpit.

Posted by: Appalled | April 29, 2008 2:38 AM

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 29, 2008 02:21 AM "Pastors have been making political statements for a long time now, particularly in the past 40 years or so. G.W. Bush was in large part elected because of political use of the pulpit." RESPONSE: Thanks for you thoughtful response. It does not make a difference to me about the political ideology of the preacher, when it comes to my discomfort with preachers getting political in the pulpit. As I have posted previously, Reverend Wright has said some things in the pulpit that would not lead a person to accept God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. For example, he said "Bill Clinton is ridin' dirty" and "Hillary aint never been called a n..r." This is not appropriate words from the pulpit.

Posted by: Appalled | April 29, 2008 2:37 AM

"Perhaps a question we should all consider is how we feel about pastors making political statements. It's a tough question considering the degree of overlap between government and morality." I don't see what's wrong with pastors making political statements. I mean, there's no dividing line between politics and 'life'. The idea that there is, and that only politicians (and others in the field of 'politics' as such - the fact that I'm separating those 'in the field of politics' and those who aren't is itself troubling...) can be political is seriously cancerous. It's clear that Wright sees politics as a grassroots affair, and thinks that it's his duty to help people organize at this level. He's helping people realize that there's no gap between life and politics, between oneself and the structure of society. And he should be commended for this, and for challenging the 'low intensity democracy' status quo.

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 2:33 AM

Posted by: MossaB | April 29, 2008 02:09 AM "The truth to what the man meant by what he said is in the very words of the man himself. The case whether Dr. Wright misspoke or not should be closed. We have seen more of the actual sermon and heard clear explanation." RESPONSE: Reverend Wright is speaking out about how he has been depicted in the media, so this situation continues to roll on. He also adds to the fray. Barack Obama has not told the truth about what views from Reverend Wright he has internalized from their 20 year relationship. It is not unreasonable to conclude that Reverend Wright has some controversial (and unbelievable) viewpoints.

Posted by: Appalled | April 29, 2008 2:24 AM

Guess said: "At the University of Chicago Divinity School, Jeremiah Wright earned another master's in the history of religions with a focus on Islam." Great, this can only be a good thing. We need more people who understand the history different religions and cultures. Especially ones that have been influential not only in Wright's own community, but in the world!

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 2:22 AM

Appalled, Pastors have been making political statements for a long time now, particularly in the past 40 years or so. G.W. Bush was in large part elected because of political use of the pulpit. Not all pastors do it, and I actually like the fact that my priest does not. On the other hand, many pastors feel the need to address moral outrages going on in society. Perhaps a question we should all consider is how we feel about pastors making political statements. It's a tough question considering the degree of overlap between government and morality.

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 29, 2008 2:21 AM

"Thanks for your response. As I mentioned, I am appalled because of Reverend Wright's political use of the pulpit." This is precisely his strength. He's so popular because he helps to address the needs of everyday people, and to educate them as to the necessity for real structural reform. Personally, I disagree with his 'he's a politician, I'm a pastor' line - Wright is obviously intensely political, this is exactly what makes his sermons so worthwhile (I'm not a religious person and even I can appreciate them).

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 2:15 AM

I don't think any Pastor should use the Pulpit for Politics. If that were the case in all Churches we would all walk out very depressed. Since Politics these days are very depressing. I think we are all capable of making up our won minds when it comes to voting. We all need to do our homework and pay attention to the Candidates NOT there Pastors. Do most of you remeber the old saying when your out and about and your enjoying yourselves stay away from Politics and Religion otherwise the night can turn into a disaster. There is a time and place for everything. Church is NOT one of those places. I actually think Wright believes what he says. That is why I think Obama has distance himself from him. My personal opinion and I think I'm allowed that under Free speech I am getting sick and tired of getting blames for something I had nothing to do with that happpend years ago. I am Irish and I remember signs that said Irish need not apply. So with that said let's move on and I will not apolgies for something I had nothing to do with. It's getting tiresome...

Posted by: Judi | April 29, 2008 2:14 AM

Never heard anything?? In his 1993 memoir "Dreams from My Father," Obama recounts in vivid detail his first meeting with Wright in 1985. The pastor warned the community activist that getting involved with Trinity might turn off other black clergy because of the church's radical reputation. Later he would base his 2004 keynote speech to the Democratic National Convention on a Wright sermon called "Audacity to Hope," --also the inspiration for Obama's second memoir, "The Audacity of Hope." Though Wright and Obama do not often talk one-on-one often, the senator does check with his pastor before making any bold political moves. Last fall, Obama approached Wright to broach the possibility of running for president. Wright cautioned Obama not to let politics change him, but he also encouraged Obama. At the University of Chicago Divinity School, Jeremiah Wright earned another master's in the history of religions with a focus on Islam. earned another master's in the history of religions with a focus on Islam. Jerry Wright loves islam. No!!! Say it aint so. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,271630.story?page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true&coll=chi-religion-topheadlines

Posted by: Guess | April 29, 2008 2:10 AM

The truth to what the man meant by what he said is in the very words of the man himself. The case whether Dr. Wright misspoke or not should be closed. We have seen more of the actual sermon and heard clear explanation. Respectfully, those who still hold any negative and judgmental view on this man -and the relationship with Mr. Obama, clearly have a deeply inherent hate within. These individuals should seek to understand the history of this nation -but most importantly, their very own history. The conversation on this issue is over! Let's move on to more important issues that threaten our way of life -that of blacks, whites and every human beings in this world.

Posted by: MossaB | April 29, 2008 2:09 AM

Donna Moyer, Thanks for your response. As I mentioned, I am appalled because of Reverend Wright's political use of the pulpit. You did not address this. I appreciate that you have tried to speak for Barack Obama with your response. But Barack Obama has not specifically addressed any of the items in the list. My point is that people don't really know, but are guessing and trying to speak for him. "6 or 7 out of 9 ain't bad. It's too bad that Obama's views are likely in no way similar to Wright's."

Posted by: Appalled | April 29, 2008 2:08 AM

Appalled wrote: "Most the people who have posted on this blog appear to agree with Reverend Wright. Below are tidbits from Reverend Wright. A lot posters like them. 1. Barack Obama says things because he is a politician. 2. US govt. is a terrorist govt, equivalent to those we are fighting in the Middle East 3. US govt. created AIDS virus to kill African-Americans. 4. US govt. brings drugs into the black community to imprison blacks. 5. US of KKK is a valid description of our country 6. US military was not justified in using nuclear weapons to force Japan to surrender in World War II. 7. Today, he made fun of JFK's Bostonian accent when he mimmicked JFK's "ask not what your country can do for you" famous words. 8. Hillary aint never been called a "n..." 9. Bill Clinton is "ridin' dirty" 1. Of course, this is correct. 2. The U.S. is/has certainly engaged in and has facilitated international acts of mass terror. 3. This is false. 4. COINTELPRO 5. There's quite a bit of racism in the U.S., though today more often than not, it is cloaked in humanitarian garb. 6. Completely agree. The U.S. was not...

Posted by: dksu | April 29, 2008 2:01 AM

Never heard anything?? In his 1993 memoir "Dreams from My Father," Obama recounts in vivid detail his first meeting with Wright in 1985. The pastor warned the community activist that getting involved with Trinity might turn off other black clergy because of the church's radical reputation. Later he would base his 2004 keynote speech to the Democratic National Convention on a Wright sermon called "Audacity to Hope," --also the inspiration for Obama's second memoir, "The Audacity of Hope." Though Wright and Obama do not often talk one-on-one often, the senator does check with his pastor before making any bold political moves. Last fall, Obama approached Wright to broach the possibility of running for president. Wright cautioned Obama not to let politics change him, but he also encouraged Obama. At the University of Chicago Divinity School, Jeremiah Wright earned another master's in the history of religions with a focus on Islam. earned another master's in the history of religions with a focus on Islam. Jerry Wright loves islam. No!!! Say it aint so. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,271630.story?page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true&coll=chi-religion-topheadlines

Posted by: Truthy | April 29, 2008 2:01 AM

Donna Moyer, I appreciate your response to my post. An excerpt of your post is below, and my response will follow. Dona Moyer | April 29, 2008 01:48 AM OK Appalled, I would like to know what is so appalling about the statements Barak Obama made, ie the ones you quoted. Do you agree with everything your minister says? The most important thing a Christian pastor can do is lead people to Jesus Christ. I am appalled that Reverend Wright, and too many preachers, use the pulpit to espouse political views. Reverend Wright has used his pulpit to get into the political arena. His primary job is to lead people to Jesus Christ. He needs to stay out of the politcal fray. Some of the things he has said are paraphrased below. They will not lead people to Jesus Christ. Below are some of the statements from Reverend Wright, from the pulpit. Help me understand how they would move someone to accept God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. 1. Barack Obama says [untruthful] things because he is a politician. 2. US govt. is a terrorist govt, equivalent to those we are fighting in the Middle East 3. US...

Posted by: Apalled | April 29, 2008 1:58 AM

OK Appalled, I would like to know what is so appalling about the statements Barak Obama made, ie the ones you quoted. Do you agree with everything your minister says? Always? If you have small children, do you even hear everything your minister says? I am Catholic now but I grew up in a Baptist church. I sure didn't agree with everything my minister said. Otherwise I'd still be a Baptist. I still respect that faith though. As my priest says, if they aren't against us, they are for us. Every man should owe loyalty to the person who led him to Christ. Yet all of you are sitting, waiting for Barak Obama to denounce the man who led him to Christ. I'm a white conservative Republican who intends to vote for Barak Obama. I am voting for him because he has the integrity that I believe Hilary Clinton lost years ago. I think McCain has that integrity also but he is too much a part of the Washington machine for me to vote for him. I want the fresh face as long as he keeps it fresh and doesn't fall into the dirty tricks the media expects of him.

Posted by: Dona Moyer | April 29, 2008 1:48 AM

Barack Obama says he knew of controversial remarks by Reverend Wright. His response in a an interview question about this is pretty weak. I think it is not unreasonable to conclude that he has internalized some of Wright's views. Internet link to interview transcipt: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352785,00.html Transcript: Barack Obama on 'FOX News Sunday', Monday, April 28, 2008 WALLACE: By the way, in your speech on race, you said that while you hadn't heard these remarks that have been public, that you had heard controversial remarks from the pulpit. OBAMA: Right. WALLACE: But you've never said what those were. OBAMA: Well, you know, I didn't have any particular examples. WALLACE: I mean, can you tell us anything you heard him say that was... OBAMA: Well, you know, I think that he has oftentimes talked about some of the problems in the black community in very controversial ways. I mean, I think — or in sharp ways, in ways that are provocative. You know, he will talk about the failure of fathers to look after their children in ways that sometimes people might be taken aback by. He can use street vernacular in his sermons in ways that people wouldn't expect to hear...

Posted by: Appalled | April 29, 2008 1:24 AM

I am saddest about the fact that it seems that half the people who have written on here are only listening to what the commentators have said about Rev. Wright and not about what Rev. Wright, himself said. Some have said 'don't bring slavery into it'. sorry, slavery is part of the black man heritage. I'm not black. I don't have that heritage. Sometimes I think some black men use that as an excuse. I don't believe that is Rev. Wright's position. Neither is it Barak Obama's. However, I can understand Rev. Wright's talks. Why can't other white Americans? Is it because they are too used to the 'good old boys (and woman's, in regards to Hilary) politics? This 'good old boy' system is what I think Obama wants to change. Do you really believe the Republicans have started all this hoop-la about Rev. Wright??? Look at Bill and Hill's track record. Anyone who has ever crossed them has been drug through the mud. Rev. Wright is just the one who THEY chose to use to drag down Obama. I believe the Clintons are part, and a big part of the problem with Washington. I think McCain is part of...

Posted by: Dona Moyer | April 29, 2008 1:21 AM

why does the media hold the feet to the fire when ministers and pastors are somewhere in the political picture, but on the other hand some discusting floozie from hollyweird can "endorse" a politian and nobody blinks an eye? (maybe nobody cares what the hollyweird floozie says?) why doesn't the media start scraping through the george cloony types movie gibberish "sound-bites" every time THEY "endorse" some politcal person? why doesn't the media scrape through the resume of the governor of "kally- forn- eeee-aaaaah" and some of his rediculous "sound bites" and crrrrrrreeeepy face stuff? eeeeek! he made his fortunes on icky movies....then marched right into office. i'm not going to vote for any of the three unfortunate choices that are scraping their way up to the presidency and i have really come to distrust major media. media wastes so much time with second hand stuff, and they AVOID first hand stump speaches etc. media pays a handful of people to sit around a table and blab on with "hersay",and their own interpretation, not the original speech! i think obama is a "wolf in sheeps clothing", hillary is a liar, who kept her head in the sand when her bill was...

Posted by: Questions | April 29, 2008 1:14 AM

I find it interesting that the comments here have moved from mostly feedback from people who watched the interview Friday night to a large number of simple-minded trolls. The time lag suggests to me that most of the trolls are not people who watched the interview and reacted to it, rather people who were told something and reacted to what they were told.

Posted by: Amy Miller | April 29, 2008 1:14 AM

Newt, Hannity, Oreilly and others... At least give credit when it is due. You only knew of Obama granting 75k to a terror fund as director of the Woods Fund because you read it here first. At least mention the blogger "Truth" speak about youor new found facts. Thank You all and keep up the good work. Also steal my other posts where Osama admitted a year ago that he and wright talk politics everyday.

Posted by: Truth | April 29, 2008 1:13 AM

"What I value most about Pastor Wright is not his day-to-day political advice," Obama said. "He's much more of a sounding board for me to make sure that I am speaking as truthfully about what I believe as possible and that I'm not losing myself in some of the hype and hoopla and stress that's involved in national politics." http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/religion/chi-070121-relig_wright,1,271630.story?page=1&coll=chi-religion-topheadlines&ctrack=1&cset=true Didn't wright just say they never discuss politics? Didn't wright just say that he will be gunning for obama because they disagree politically? Why then do they seem so connected a year ago? Jerry Wright LIES! And this is all a game. Osama will repudiate wrong in the next few days and all of the liberal biased media will say... Look.. Osmama repudiated him! BS.. It's all a game!!! This is ALL A GAME!!!! “If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me,” Mr. Wright said with a shrug. “I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.” http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html?_r=1&pagewanted=3&oref=slogin

Posted by: Truth | April 29, 2008 12:59 AM

Jeff S. Not only do we all have the "right to berate" our country, we have the PRIVILEGE and more importantly, the DUTY to question and berate our leaders when we question their leadership. No, wear of the uniform does not give one the right to "berate", being lucky enough to be a citizen of this great nation does though. (By the way, I proudly wore the uniform for 20 years!)

Posted by: BruceL | April 29, 2008 12:55 AM

On the Sunday after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Mr. Wright said the attacks were a consequence of violent American policies. Four years later he wrote that the attacks had proved that “people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just ‘disappeared’ as the Great White West went on its merry way of ignoring Black concerns.” Mr. Wright, who has long prided himself on criticizing the establishment, said he knew that he may not play well in Mr. Obama’s audition for the ultimate establishment job. “If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me,” Mr. Wright said with a shrug. “I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.” http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/us/politics/30obama.html?_r=1&pagewanted=3&oref=slogin

Posted by: Truth | April 29, 2008 12:45 AM

Moyers is a disgrace to journalism. Wright is a disgrace to the clergy. PBS is a disgrace to fair and balanced broadcasting. The congress is a disgrace for giving all of these entities our hard earned tax dollars to present this tripe to us!

Posted by: Craig | April 29, 2008 12:43 AM

Moyers is a disgrace to journalism. Wright is a disgrace to the clergy. PBS is a disgrace to fair and balanced broadcasting. The congress is a disgrace for giving all of these entities our hard earned tax dollars to present this tripe to us!

Posted by: Craig | April 29, 2008 12:41 AM

This conversation only solidifies what has been known by most thinking people in this country. This man censured America for her racist past. I dare any person, regardless of race, creed or color deny any of the charges Pastor Wright uttered in his denunciation of America. Let your minds not be controlled by the media as we are in very dangerous times. They know that if we the public hears something over and over again, we will come to believe it. George Bush used this tactic to get re-elected. I have a problem understanding how many in our country can PRAISE our President and Vice President (George Bush and Richard "Dick" Cheney) for the selling of the big lie "WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION" yet, we condemn and vilify a good man such as Reverend Wright for telling what we all know is the truth. Yes, every word uttered in Pastor Wrights sermon concerning his condemnation of America for her history of inhumanity to man is sadly and shamefully true. For the record, I doubt most people who have openly condemned Dr Wright for his flammable statements have actually read or heard them in their entirety. We have been fed snippets...

Posted by: J. E. Patterson | April 29, 2008 12:36 AM

Jeff S---Couldn't agree with you more. I don't think any of these Candidates are capable of running our Country. Sad truly sad.

Posted by: Judi | April 29, 2008 12:00 AM

That wasn't an interview, it was an infomercial for Wright. Moyers served up softball after softball to Wright. Never pressing him on any of the crazy views he had. Wright contradicted his own views several times and not a peep from Moyers. This was not good journalism, or TV.

Posted by: kmb | April 28, 2008 11:59 PM

It’s simple, if the issue of slavery bothers you, move on. Be the bigger man and move on. Just ignore it. You don’t have to pay anything, so your good. As a matter of fact, use this post as an official certificate that exonerates you from any blame. I ___________ have officially been exonerated from any blame of owning slaves. The issue is for my government to settle while I keep my nose out of that which does not concern me.

Posted by: GetOverIt | April 28, 2008 11:55 PM

I think what it is really scary about this interview is that people actually agree with some of the Statements made by Wright. I did watch the whole tape and I didn't feel any different then I did when I only saw small bits. I'm tired of the Reverend and I think Obama is also tired of him. He has distant himself from him. Now what does that tell you?

Posted by: Judi | April 28, 2008 11:54 PM

Bill, You made Larry King look like a Cy Young Award winner. What a joke...

Posted by: Buster Ashton | April 28, 2008 11:54 PM

Dawn, Your points are well made. I am not afraid of any Black man doing any job. More power to them in any endevor they try in life and the same for any man or woman. I just feel Mr. Obama is not the right man for this time, nor is John McCain or Mrs. Clinton. We are in a tough spot and these three do not cut it. They all have too much baggage in their carpet bag!

Posted by: Jeff S. | April 28, 2008 11:53 PM

Bill, you threw the Reverand a softball and then another one and on and on it went. Why no tough questions for the Man of God. I am 48 years old and have been raised in Lutheran and Methodist Churches all my life and I have never heard a Pastor take the name of the Lord My God in vein. Has the Man of God, Reverand Wright not read the 10 Commandments? Maybe he feels they do not apply to him. They apply to "all" of us Reverand. Shame on you. JUst because you serve this nation in the uniform of our military(thank you for your service)does that give you the right to berate the USA? Not where I come from. Montana, Idaho and Washington State. Oh, they are too white to understand you Reverand. I do not think so. This is where we are in America today? Your speechs are not OK. Shameful, distasteful, disrespectful and yes, unpatriotic. You as a man of the cloth are supposed to bring people together, not divide them. Open mouth insert feet! The Lord is watching you Reverand. Better think about that.

Posted by: Jeff S. | April 28, 2008 11:47 PM

Please tell your friends in mainstream America, particularly those who are Conservatives - or those who may be White, male, and over 50 - that their paranoia is getting the best of them, and the media needs to quit pandering toward it. Tell them that at the crux of this issue is that THEY are the ones who are AFRAID. They are AFRAID of Black men in positions of leadersihip. Malcolm X was not and Louis Farrakhan is not interested in killing you or doing you any physical harm - period. Reverend Jeremiah Wright is NOT a threat to you! Jesse Jackson and Al Shaprton to not support legislation - nor do they lead movements - that result in the disenfranchisement of White people. Barack Obama is not running for President for only the Black community. He is not just in it "for the Blacks." You will not lose your current socioeconomic or political status just because the President is Black. It will not cost you one red cent or a morsel of food out of your mouth. You WILL, however, have to COMPETE, in a way that you never have before, because automatic entitlement will be OVER for ALL...

Posted by: Dawn | April 28, 2008 11:47 PM

After this lovefest that was advertised as a interview, I'm wondering how Moyers can call himself a journalist. It was appalling to watch such a travesty of journalism. PBS should be ashamed of itself. As a member of PBS for over 35 years, I will not be renewing my membership !

Posted by: Harley | April 28, 2008 11:37 PM

Scary thought: In Germany in the 1930's and 40's there was a racist leader that spewed racial hatred that could be compressed into 10 and 20 second snippets. People also blindly followed him and thought he was "telling it like it is". Fast forward 60 years and we have another racist (a "preacher") spewing vile rhetoric(that can also be compressed into 10 and 20 second snippets) against his country and his countrymen and people blindly back his play. These sheeple are the ones "stuck on stupid". We are in some deep poo, people.

Posted by: Robin Hood | April 28, 2008 11:34 PM

It was quite apparent that many of the posts are from those that are still "Stuck on Stupid." How in the world can anyone think that this man is a racist, teaches hate or anything else negative for that matter? This is clearly a man of God and like God says if you mess with his children, you will reap the consequence. This man was appointed as was Senator Barrack Obama to fulfill a divine purpose. Read your bible because it is apparent that many still do not understand, yet comprehend what the Bible truly says. And yet many say that they are Christians. For Pastor Wright: Isaiah 54:17 - no weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD."

Posted by: Dianna Thomas | April 28, 2008 11:23 PM

Well. Today is days after the great interview with Bill and the Reverend. Since then, the meek mild man of God who spoke with Bill has taken off his mask and the firebrand angry American-hating man has evolved. Bill should be embarrassed for being taken in by the charlatan. Since then there have been many more moments of "sound bites" but also words from the man himself. MLK would roll over in his grave when Obama compared the Rev. to him. Shame.

Posted by: Basil | April 28, 2008 11:21 PM

PBS, thank you for being a place (almost the only place) where I can get some truth and in-depth insight. You all are thinkers unlike the mainstream media who is interested in sensationalism and entertainment. I am starving for real journalism out there, but I know that I can get fed here. Bill Moyer's Journal focusing on Rev. Wright was real. God Bless.

Posted by: Yanela Gordon | April 28, 2008 11:09 PM

You really want to know what is sad? The fact that those of you who know nothing of Dr. Wright other than the 10 seconds of tape played 50 times per day by Sean Hannity are so willing to vilify and destroy him. And some of you call yourselves Christians. Sean Hannity is a coward. He wants to jump over this sentence taken WAY out of context and wants to use it to attack a man who didn't even say it (Barack Obama). There is no way any person of intelligence would do this. A thinking man would listen to the entire context, as Mr. Moyers aired, and from that make a determination as to whether they agree or disagree. I don't think honestly that most people who heard the entire passage believe the rhetoric as the media (Hannity) has hammered into the ethers. Perhaps it is the truth staring people in the face makes them so uncomfortable that blaming the victim, passing responsibility to something/someone else makes it easy, and certainly feels better. Wake up ladies and gentlemen. See what is really going on outside of your neighborhood. Life does not end at your subdivision.

Posted by: W James | April 28, 2008 10:32 PM

Bill you have done a great public service by informing us and in the bargain you may have rescued the dignity of a very honorable man. Something tells me that this time Republican tricks may not be that effective....eventhough the press was asleep. Hard to figure Bill and Hillary's excuse for cruxifying the pastor?

Posted by: Albinus | April 28, 2008 10:26 PM

What a disgrace! Now I read that "Reverend" Wright is going to live in a $1,000,000 house in a gated community and is being endowed with a $10,000,000 trust fund;all courtesy of his church. Seems to me that if Mr. Wright is so concerned about the downtrodden people of his race that he should give at least 90% of the money to help with HIV education classes, birth control classes, etc. That will never happen as he is a racist hippocrit that is no better than Paula White, Kenneth Copeland and the other WHITE preachers that live high on the hog at the expense of others. Shame on them all; but particularly shame on Wright as he accepts all the good that America offers and then runs America and a majority of her people down with his hateful rhetoric. It's sad that many, many people are ignorant enough to buy into his garbage and support him. Sad day for America.

Posted by: Wilbur Post | April 28, 2008 10:17 PM

I have been very busy the last couple of days and have not read any of the postings. I did listen to Rev. Wrights speech via NCAA last night. I watched News programs tonight because I wanted to see if anyone could possibly find fault with the things he said. I was amazed that most of the media did. WHY??? As I said in an earlier post, I am white conservative Catholic, but I was raised in a Baptist family. I heard things like Rev. Wright said all the time. Nobody criticized our minister. My sister, who is married to a Baptist missionary has said the same things, and they are missionaries to the military. I wonder to myself if it is merely because Barak Obama is black or if he just dared to oppose Hilary Clinton. I sent Obama an email several months ago telling him that I thought he might be too naive to run against a machine like Hilary's. I didn't realize at the time that he would be having to fight the whole Rush Limbaugh machine too. Rush believes that if all independents vote for Hilary it will keep the Democratic party fighting dirty and will...

Posted by: Dona Moyer | April 28, 2008 10:10 PM

I am going further than not ever giving PBS another dime, I'm going to visit every germane chat room, blog, and put up my own web page. I don't have to exagerate, just quote J. Wright's supposed interview with your mealy mouthed, journalist(?)Bill Moyers. How can a man who puports to be a journalist, not question at least some of the racial rhetoric spewing forth from Mr.(?)Wright? Does he really believe that our "GodDamn America" developed HIV and spread it in the black communities? Does that account for the 70% unwed births in the black inner cities. Maybe the government developed a stuck on stupid gene, and infused it into the black community, that causes the unwed birth rate to be what it

The Controversy Over Wright

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