Obama’s Continental Divide

Obama’s Continental Divide

By Judi Panasik
The Weekly Recorder
March 21, 2008

I have avoided watching the news over the past months because I can only take so much talk about the candidates. Over the years I have watched the media spin words and comments that can haunt politicians the rest of their lives. People still think Al Gore said he invented the Internet because of the media. When in reality he said he was one of the first senators to work towards making laws for the new technology.

But no media put a spin on what Senator Barack Obama’s former Minister said about America and race. And after taking the time to listen to his speech on Tuesday March 18, that was supposed to set the record straight on Obama, it proved to me why he shouldn’t be President.

First of all he admitted to hearing sermons like these in the past. Obama stated that he disagreed with them but never said he spoke with his minister. If you couldn’t stand up to him how are you going to stand up to other countries? You were part of a congregation that hates America? You were part of a congregation that has racial tension?

Second aren’t these things against the core of Christianity? You stated at the end of your speech that we should all follow the golden rule of Christianity by doing onto others, as you would want them to do onto you. Your church seems to preach a lot of discontent for this country and certain groups. If we follow the example of your church we would all hold discontent in our hearts and never have forgiveness.

Third, you made the statement that things have probably been said in all of our churches by ministers or priests that we disagree with. I can honestly say that my church has never said anything anti American or against another religion or race. They teach acceptance and forgiveness and helping one another to make the world a better place. As a feminist they did offend me once by talking negatively about the book The DaVinci Code, but honestly that’s it.

Forth, for a man not running his campaign based on race you sure gave us a history lesson on the trials and tribulations of African Americans. And thanks for telling all of us how “white” people feel. I’m not sure there was any part of your speech that didn’t cover race.

You say you want to unite us but your creating the divide. You’re the democrat George Bush. He told us that we were a divided country too, and he was a uniter. And he was, he united our pocket books with the gas pumps.

Thinking back to all of the political scandals over the years, this one seems to be the most threatening to the American people. The Clinton/Lewinski scandal didn’t affect us. Watergate was bad but once again not something that could hurt anyone. The fact that the man you chose as your spiritual counsel, and someone who taught you his “Christian” faith, may have an influence over the man running our country frightens me more than Bush getting a third term in office. The fact that you never stood up to him and confronted him on his outrageous statements shows a lack of leadership on your part.

And once again, if you couldn’t handle one man how are you going to handle our country? Being president is more than just giving speeches and shaking hands, it’s being able to make decisions and having the people be able to trust your judgement.