I have listened with awe and astonishment to the statements of friends, neighbors and colleagues raising, what they believe, are serious doubts about the character, national allegiance and political leanings of Barack Obama. One neighbor said that while a child in Indonesia Barack was known as Barry, by his friends and his mother was married to an Indonesian man (is that something that indicates poor character?). A friend said Barack must be a Marxist because he stayed in his church 20 years listening to that madman Jeremiah Wright. I have often wondered if the people making the accusations have ever attended a church long enough to establish family ties. That is what happens to folks who attend church on a regular basis they become part of the church family. Most of us don't cut ties with our family because they say things we don't agree with or don't like.
Church pastors are like anyone else.
Sometimes they make statements that shouldn't be made. Statements the audience lacks the education or historical basis for referencing or understanding should be avoided. Pastor Wright made his statements for members of his congregation and people of like faith and belief who wanted to hear them (you can buy any of his sermons on tape). But whether you have the educational background or historical references to understand Pastor Wright's public statements it is the epitome of ignorance, for members of the press or anyone else, to cast doubt on his patriotism or political mindset. Wright served in the Marine Corp honorably. He is well educated holding a B.A. and an M.A. from Howard University, an M.A. from the University of Chicago and a doctorate in divinity from United Theological College, where he studied under the eminent Samuel DeWitt Proctor. Wright also speaks 5 languages.The press and the American public took issue with most of Wright's public statements before researching their truthfulness. Nationally known white pastors stated publicly, before a similar statement by Jeremiah Wright was made, that the nine-eleven attack on America was the, "Chickens coming home to roost", in other words America's misdeeds in the world catching up to her. But there was no public outrage. As for Wright's "God damn America" statement, the Bible is full of examples of how a person or a nation can be damned or condemned. One of my favorite is, "For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shall be condemned."Matthew 12:34-37
My friends, neighbors and members of the press who doubted Obama for reasons like those previously mentioned raised no doubts about McCain or Giuliani during the primaries. There is a ton of ammunition for casting doubt on the character of these two fine politicians. Beginning with John McCain; on a Vietnam Veterans against John McCain web page an article written by col. David H. Hackworth, U.S Army, raises a serious challenge to McCain's record as a war hero. Hackworth received 3 Silver Stars for gallantry in action during the Korean War and 7 silver stars for gallantry in action during the Vietnam War. The ten awards of the silver star by one man, who also earned 2 distinguished service crosses, is unmatched by any other veteran in history. Hackworth's investigations and conclusions about McCain's conduct while a POW in Vietnam casts serious doubt on whether he is truly a war hero. (vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com)
The marital dirt on McCain and Giuliani is well documented. While John McCain was still married and living with his wife in 1979, according to The New York Times' Nicholas Kristof, he was "aggressively courting a 25-year-old woman who was as beautiful as she was rich." McCain divorced his wife, who had raised their three children while he was imprisoned in Vietnam, then launched his political career with his new wife's family money. In 2000, McCain managed to deflect media questioning about his first marriage with an admission of responsibility for its failure. It's possible that because of McCain's charmed relationship with the press the level of his dishonesty will not be brought out. But Giuliani may face a more difficult challenge if he should ever make it past the primaries. Giuliani conducted well-documented affairs in the last decade--while still in public office.
Giuliani informed his second wife, Donna Hanover, of his intention to seek a separation in a 2000 press conference. The announcement was precipitated by a press field day after Giuliani marched with his then-mistress, Judith Nathan, in New York's St. Patrick's Day parade, an acknowledgement of infidelity so audacious that Daily News columnist Jim Dwyer compared it with "groping in the window at Macy's." In the divorce proceedings that followed, Hanover accused Giuliani of serial adultery, alleging that Nathan was just the latest in a string of mistresses, following an affair the mayor had with his former communications director.
Until relatively recently, a self-confessed adulterer had never sought the presidency. There was once a time when reporters believed that the sexual indiscretions of American leaders were a private matter and the nation was probably better off for that belief. But the rules have changed, thanks largely to the mainstream press and the GOP's relentless pursuit of Bill Clinton.
I believe McCain and Giuliani are able public servants. However, based on their previous affairs and disloyalty to their wives, they formed the most challenged, from the standpoint of personal integrity, duo of Republican presidential candidates in American political history.
In reality both McCain and Giuliani, like the rest of us, are flawed human beings. I don't believe the lack of loyalty to their wives or personal sexual indiscretions disqualifies either man from getting my vote. On the same note, statements that Barack Obama may have made while a child growing up in Indonesia, or those made by his former pastor are not indictments of his character or political mindset. Nor do they indicate a lack of loyalty to his wife and family.
