MyDD :: Catholic Priest defends Jeremiah Wright

Catholic Priest defends Jeremiah Wright

by Dracomicron, Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:34:54 PM EST

Disclaimer: The first link is to Fox News. I'm not surrupticiously linking Fox as if it were a viable news source. What I am doing is linking to a video of an interview they did with Catholic priest Father Michael Pfleger, an inner city white pastor with a black congregation.

Without further ado...

http://www.foxnews.com/video2/video08.ht ml?videoId=1fd1c0cf-5c80-4d75-996f-bd53b 2461ae0&sMPlaylistID=

There's a little from him in the pulpit here:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rAqX9Q4zMA U

I think we all agree that the reporter in the Fox segment has got to be one of the worst interviewers we've heard since that shy kid with glasses tried to interview the head cheerleader for the high school newspaper.

This is a man who reached out his arms in compassion to prostitutes as Jesus did, treating women forced by circumstnace into a despised profession with basic human dignity. This is a man who takes rap stars to task for lyrics denegrating to women. This is a man who has led protests outside gun stores known for being used by criminals. This isn't some random crackpot.

A man who has defied the Vatican on spreading knowledge about abortion rights is not a man we should take lightly. Like Wright, he has converted an inner-city ministry into a thriving religious community that's active in the lives of the parishoners.

If this man says that there's more to Wright... and even Farrakhan, then I'm prepared to listen.

Tags: Fox News, Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama, Louis Farrakhan (all tags)

Permalink :: 33 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Catholic Priest defends Jeremiah Wright (2.00 / 2)

Excellent videos, Dram, awesome diary. I'd rec it if I could.

Serious question- Is This Snark?

by ragekage on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:36:53 PM EST

Thanks (2.00 / 2)

Pfleger went from being completely unknown to me to being one of my heroes in the space of two clips.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:39:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Thanks (2.00 / 1)

I'd second that. Too bad this'll probably be missed on all the Clinton supporters around here.

Serious question- Is This Snark?

by ragekage on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:43:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Uhm no - I know many (none / 0)

Clinton supporters here in the City who know and respect Father Pfleger. It has nothing to do with Hillary as he has been doing good work in the city for many years.

by Xanthe on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:50:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Uhm no - I know many (none / 0)

I really meant here, as on MyDD. I've no doubt you're correct on what you say.

Serious question- Is This Snark?

by ragekage on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:56:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Uhm no - I know many (none / 0)

Clinton supporters as a whole are generally a lot more appealing than the most vocal supporters here on MyDD.

On a whole, I think most Clinton supporters are just fine with Obama... but I'm glad to get some confirmation that Pfleger is not just some weirdo demogogue.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:01:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

No - but he is an activist on (none / 0)

behalf of the black community - not just the Catholic community. And many of the children at St. Sabine's (?) are not Catholic but parents find the money to send them there.

He's not a weirdo but he can make Whites uncomfortable. It's all about his people. You can see in one of the videos that he is actually soft spoken but he has taken up the black dramatic style of preaching. I have been to black churches and you do get into the flow of that kind of preaching - I prefer a more sedate brand - but as I say I understand the psychology of those people standing. I'm guessing some of the Catholic liturgy at his church is Afrocentric.

by Xanthe on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:26:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Catholic Priest defends Jeremiah Wright (none / 0)

Kudos to you, my friend

Serious question- Is This Snark?

by ragekage on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:56:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Catholic (none / 0)

I think BO supporters would be well served to just not bring Wright up at all. He is radioactive and defending his is just a bad idea. I would push for lets hope people just forget about him.

david

by giusd on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:37:51 PM EST

Whatever (2.00 / 2)

Yeah, letting a lie fester is such a great idea. If we just bury something that we're uncomfortable talking about, when the Republicans bring it up in the general people will think, "you know, I hadn't thought about it that way."

But if we push people to think about these things, they'll come to their own conclusions and not be easily led astray.

I dunno. Really. If a well-respected soldier came out one day and had evidence that Clinton HAD been under sniper fire, wouldn't you want to hear him or her out?

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:42:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Whatever (2.00 / 1)

Dude,

They have wright on multiple DVD clips saying anti american, anti-isreal, anti-white statements and then the church crowd goes wild cheering him on. If you think you can tell people that this is ok then good luck trying. IMHO the more voters see of wright the worese BO will do with moderates and reagan dems. Just my opinion.

david

by giusd on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:07:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Whatever (none / 0)

Dude!

You've totally, like, completely missed my point!

If you actually listened to the interview, Pfleger dismantled the very phoenominon you're talking about. You want us to leave the Wright issue alone, but that's stupid. Most people have the wrong idea about him still.

The way to fix it is for people to get a greater understanding of Wright and why he's said what he's said, to listen to the context.

This is a white, well-spoken, knowledgable clergyman who has firsthand knowledge of Wright, and is telling us that we still have a ways to go before we understand it.

If these Reagan Democrats you speak of watch Fox (and assuming they haven't butchered the interview for the TV broadcast... long odds, I know), they're going to see that there might be more to this than they first thought.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:20:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh Dude - (none / 0)

All this stuff just sounds like a "fairy tale" to me.

In context, in context, in context! I KNOW we ALL heard "in context" about the "fairy tale"!

by Southern Mouth on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:27:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Father Michael Pflaeger (2.00 / 2)

was at every anti war march in Chicago when the war was popular - when people were screaming at us. I have never seen him preach in that manner - so it looks like he has adjusted to his black parish. He was an inspiration to us in the beginning when the marches were not popular.

He is a good man and a pain in the neck to the diocese.

This is not about Wright though (I have some issues) - but this priest's loyalty is to his black community - as it should be -

by Xanthe on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 10:47:23 PM EST

Well, I'm impressed (2.00 / 1)

It lifts me up a little that a Catholic can be a good friend with Protestant and Muslim religious leaders.

Leads me to think that our differences are not as great as our similarities.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:04:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes, there are some liberal (none / 0)

priests - younger than Father Pflaeger - that I met at the marches. One is a priest in a Latino parish - a young priest whose name I can't remember. He has been very active in housing.

Why would you think Catholics aren't friendly with Protestants and Muslims. I am and many of my friends are. I often go to Protestant services - though I have never been to aMuslim service. And the priests and rabbis and ministers and Muslim holy officials have contact through varius organizations.

by Xanthe on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:19:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My own bias, that's why (none / 0)

My religious days are well behind me. Even as a teenager, I questioned organized religion, preferring a more personal faith.

From the outside looking in, I see a lot of bias against Islam in this country, especially since 9/11 (when I spoke out for the egyptians in my neighborhood). Further, all of these religions have had their share of wars over seemingly trivial issues.

I'm glad that the modern state of affairs is better; I was really pleased to see Huckabee go out on a limb for Wright, for example, crossing the sect, party, and racial divide.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:31:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Personal faith - many people who (none / 0)

find comfort in organized religions have personal faith - as I think you mean the term. they can be compatible.

Well religious congregations are made of humans and humans create war, but we can aspire to be better thru these organizations as well.

I haven't been to a Muslim service btw because I've never been invited - I would go of course.

by Xanthe on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 10:47:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Catholic Priest defends Jeremiah Wright (2.00 / 2)

I'm sorry, I just have a mental block about Farrakhan, and I expect I always will. Anti-Semitism makes me cringe in a way few things can. I don't have a problem with Wright (except for his admiration for Farrakhan), and I don't particularly care where Obama goes to church; however, I'm not ready to be open-minded about Farrakhan.

Other than that, I like a lot of what Pfleger has to say. Rec'd.

Even John McCain lusts after teh engels.

by sricki on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:17:46 PM EST

Farrakhan (none / 0)

Apparently he's seeking reconciliation.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NvDEQB_Tce 8

Maybe because he's sick, maybe because he's seen how his methods aren't as constructive as he'd like, but Farrakhan is trying to reach out.

He's a complex figure, to be sure.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:27:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Liberation Theology is Surprisingly Mainstream ... (2.00 / 1)

among more progressive-minded Catholic priests in the third-world. You might want to review the Church's involvement in the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua to see what I mean. Similar work is being done in Haiti, though with a lower profile. Last year I recall a priest there getting kidnapped (and eventually released) as a warning about stirring things up too much.

Given that, I'm not surprised that Fr. Pfleger has taken this "pragmatic" approach to his ministry. It seems to work, though it might not be popular with the more conservative priests in Rome. It also tends to stir up trouble with establishment types here in the US, apparently.

God bless Fr. Pfleger. May he set the world aflame.

by professor on Sun Apr 06, 2008 at 11:56:43 PM EST

Be careful (none / 0)

God bless Fr. Pfleger. May he set the world aflame.

Some may think you're speaking of apocalypse there... though, I suppose, did not flames spew from Jesus's mouth when he spoke of the Spirit?

I may not be religious, but I do love the Bible for its poetry and message.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 12:13:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

It's a Jesuit thing (2.00 / 1)

"Go set the world aflame." - Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)

by professor on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 01:12:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's a 70's thang (none / 0)

"Burn Baby Burn Disco Inferno!" The Trammps (too long ago)

by thewholeofthemoon on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 01:58:28 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I liked that one too (none / 0)

Though I never was a very good dancer.

by professor on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 02:11:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: It's a Jesuit thing (none / 0)

Jesuits are pretty awesome.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 08:50:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

This diary has been a victim of (none / 0)

R-E-C-C-E-D.

This is a new bacteria disease that has been spreading like wildfire through hospitals.

Symptoms of this disease are:

a lack of negativity
decent content
not being an outright lie
not linking to rW news sources (without a proper disclaimer and only using RW sources when normal sources are unavailible)

To cure this disease, go and write a hit piece on either candidate, or go tell me to "Go Cheney yourself"

This has been an alert from the annoyed medical student coalition Chapter 9347.

Peace.

Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!

by Student Guy on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 12:43:55 AM EST

If that is a sickness... (none / 0)

...then I never want to get better.

I refuse to right hit pieces or hatchet jobs.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 08:52:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Or rather... (none / 0)

I refuse to "write" hit pieces or hatchet jobs.

To be fair, I also refuse to "Wright" hit pieces or hatchet jobs.

M I RITE?

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 08:53:52 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Catholic Priest defends Jeremiah Wright (none / 0)

Recc'd

What a great job he does of not being drawn in by the interviewer's manipulation.

I especially like the part when he talks about the double standard of criticizing the country--when it's 'constructive criticism' and when it's 'anti-Americanism' based on one's skin color.

Thanks for the clips.

John McCain is a coward. He has no honor.

by vadasz on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 06:22:32 AM EST

No problem (none / 0)

I loved his smackdown at the end, and how angry he was that the little toad of an interviewer kept bringing up the sanitized, fit-for-public-consumption view of MLK Jr.

It was kinda a "John F. Kennedy was a friend of mine. You, sir, are no John F. Kennedy" moment.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 08:56:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Catholic Priest defends Jeremiah Wright (none / 0)

It doesn't really matter what MyDD Clinton supporters think of this - or Obama supporters, either.

What matters is how general election voters perceive it. Period.

by Susie from Philly on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 09:52:09 AM EST

True enough (none / 0)

Which is why I hope these clips get spread around.

Funny how I look at YouTube and see the same clips, edited the same way, being billed as both "another hateful preacher for Obama" and "A TRUE American."

Everything in the presentation, I guess.

In this avalanche, the pebbles get to vote.

by Dracomicron on Mon Apr 07, 2008 at 11:58:03 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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