Barack v Hillary (and Rev. Wright)

I suppose that, as a McCain supporter (going back to 2000), I should revel in the Hatfield-McCoy drama that is the 2008 Democratic party's quadrennial flea circus.  The problem is, I want the best candidate from both parties to run in November.  The Democrats seem hopelessly incapable of accomplishing the simple task of winning an election that is handed to them.

In 2004, the Democrats nominated an elitist liberal from the most elitist liberal state in the country.  In the process, they handed the election to the most beatable imbecile the Republicans had ever put into office.  This year, with a gasping economy, surging fuel and oil prices, a vietnam-like war, a health care system in shambles and a plummeting US image abroad-- the Democrats continue to be the gift that keeps on giving.

I must admit that I feel this year is different, however.  Clearly the despicable Clintons are more than willing to twist it, but it is Reverend Wright who has given them the knife to mortally wound the Obama campaign.  Rev. Wright has heaped praise on the suspected-- maybe even admitted-- murderer of Malcom X ("Minister Farakan"), accused the US of attempted genocide of the US black community, and suggested that the US caused 9/11.  (Curiously reminiscent of Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, who were appropriately lambasted by the press for similar comments.)

Rev. Wright has claimed that these comments were taken out of context.  Well, let's examine that.  It turns out that Rev. Wright is a vocal proponent of a "theology" named "black liberation theology."  In fact, the Trinity United Church of Christ (Obama's church) that he pastored incorporates elements of this theology in it's mission statement.  Black Liberation Theology was founded by James Cone who defined the theology as:

"theology that refuses to accept a god who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community.  If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him..."

Now I don't agree with everything that any pastor says.  In fact, I disagree with a lot of things that some pastors say.  I have to question, however, when someone stays in a church for 20 years with a mission statement built on a theology with inflammatory rhetoric such as this. Oprah recognized this and left this church in the early 90s.  Barack recognized this as well and rescinded his pastor's invitation to give the invocation the day he announced his candidacy. Yet Barack has chosen to stay in this church for 20 years.

I am not suggesting that I don't prefer Barack over Hillary.  I do.  This issue has made the choice more difficult, however.  Barack would do well to spend more time explaining the apparent inconsistency between his soaring rhetoric on the stump and the inflammatory language he tolerates in the pew.