My best friend used to be a gang member. He was an enforcer type. The type that intimidates, maims, and dare I say kills for the cause. He served 8 years in prison, got out, got married to a wonderful woman, had children, and now runs a martial arts (Hapkido) dojang. I have no doubts that my best friend killed rival gang members. Why? Because he said as much and there is no reason not to believe him. Many a late night conversation with him has turned into a confession with me playing the role of priest. My best friend has killed a human being. Knows it, accepts it, and deals with it as best he can. Nevertheless, he has given me invaluable advice in my personal dealings. He’s my spiritual counselor. He has an ability to touch the soul. I love him like a brother. Yet if I wanted to run for President of the United States, I would have to denounce him. Distance myself from him. Throw him under a bus. At least that’s what Richard Cohen of The Washington Post feels concerning Barack Obama’s relationship with his friend and spiritual adviser Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr:
Barack Obama is a member of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ. Its minister, and Obama’s spiritual adviser, is the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright’s daughters serve as publisher and executive editor. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said “truly epitomized greatness.” That man is Louis Farrakhan.
Oh my. A Farrakhan sighting. Here’s more:
It’s important to state right off that nothing in Obama’s record suggests he harbors anti-Semitic views or agrees with Wright when it comes to Farrakhan. Instead, as Obama’s top campaign aide, David Axelrod, points out, Obama often has said that he and his minister sometimes disagree. Farrakhan, Axelrod told me, is one of those instances.
Fine. But where I differ with Axelrod and, I assume, Obama is that praise for an anti-Semitic demagogue is not a minor difference or an intrachurch issue. The Obama camp takes the view that its candidate, now that he has been told about the award, is under no obligation to speak out on the Farrakhan matter. It was not Obama’s church that made the award but a magazine. This is a distinction without much of a difference. And given who the parishioner is, the obligation to speak out is all the greater. He could be the next American president. Where is his sense of outrage?
This is the American Way. Smack Obama around because his friend’s daughter’s magazine gives some love to a controversial figure in America. Guilt by far association. I can hear it now, dumb speculation:
I knew Obama wasn’t clean.
Obama’s Muslim leanings come to surface and they are radical leanings.
Wonder what other skeletons Obama has in his closet?
He must be a little anti-Semitic.
So on and so forth. Well count me as someone who won’t be running for POTUS. I’m best friends with a former gang member and self-confessed killer (Farrakhan isn’t that). I would be burned at the stake because I must harbor murderous thoughts. We all talk a good game about wanting to hear the issues but this type of slop by Richard Cohen is the true meat that we like to prepare, cook well, serve with lovely trimmings, and eat with gusto. I call this a non-issue but I know that’s silly of me. I’m even writing about it.
But are we ever going to get pass these type of cheap shots in politics? And why does common sense seem to fail us in situations like this? Do you really believe that if (a big IF in my opinion) Obama becomes the POTUS, that Farrakhan, radical Black Nationalism, and radical Islam would have more leverage in domestic and international affairs? Do you really believe that?
I’m not complex. Don’t have time for all that. And all that complex stuff bad for the stomach. Just color me simple and plain with a twist.