Unfortunately, he also contradicted his earlier assertions that he had never heard Pastor Wright utter any of these hateful, despicable things that he denounces in this speech.

Politician gets caught lying, makes an inspiring speech to try and cover it up by portraying himself as the victim. Even throws his poor old grandmother under the bus to save his sorry ass.

Same old shit.

@MrBaliHai: Aloha my windswept and well travelled friend!

I have given up seeing the “honest” politician in my lifetime. Isn’t that an oxymoron anyway?

Like I said “it’s some beef”, still not a satisfying menu.

If only Heino would run for President!

I have not followed Obama all that closely. Can you help me with the contradictions. I’d go look but there is a ton of stuff to wade through. Thanks

In a nutshell: Obama first claimed that he never heard Wright utter any controversial remarks, but in this speech, he reverses that. He also claims not to have attended Wright’s church when these inflammatory statements were made, but eyewitnesses have claimed otherwise.

The Church Obama attended for over twenty years is a product of a cry for racial justice mixed with a sense of entitlement. If an Afrocentric church cry’s out that there are rich white men who with malice are piloting to oppress the Black race then you have a victim culture. With the believe of oppression around every corner the seething resentment and sense of retribution can only grow to become that which you hate. Focus on the racist hatred of the past mixed with the poverty and division of today perpetuates the cycle of victim hood. Obama is right in that there are many whites who look at there status and think it is in no way elevated because of there race. When viewed from a white perspective there is a lack of understanding as to why in this day and age there is still such strong resentment. Continued damage to moral imperative in regard to such things a personal responsibility and two parent families has destroyed the Black community from within. Pastor Wright is the bread and circuses of a hate America moment that thinks to perfect democracy means to change everything.

@MrBaliHai: Thanks for summing up the current situation.

@Jackanapes: Thanks for another comment.

I lack any true insight into American race relationships - so here is my guess / observations: your country is stuck in some old mindsets and attitudes. There really hasn’t been any real change on both sides in the last 20 years. Instead it looks more like that both sides have dived deeper into existing arguments.

Poverty and equality are challenges for all societies with different races and many immigrants. We should work hard to dissolve them at least in rich countries were we have the luxury of discussing them.