Shame on you, Barack Obama

Dear Mr. Obama:

I am sorely disappointed at your patently transparent attempt to save your (50% lily-white) political ass yesterday.

You are running for President, sir. That means you're asking us for the job of leading all Americans. As such, you've got some 'splainin' to do regarding your membership in a church which was, for the first twenty years you belonged to it, led by a racist demagogue.

(By the way, Jeremiah Wright looks like he's got a little "ofay in the woodpile", if you know what I mean, and I think that you do. Since this is all about race, despite protestations to the contrary, I think it's entirely fair to define the terms accurately.)

You had a splendid opportunity yesterday and threw it all away in a bid save your campaign. Instead of promoting "healing", you repeatedly ripped-off the scab, smeared shit into the wound and then sprinkled it with some nice flesh-eating bacteria.

Thanks a bunch, "Uncle Fester".

Being that you're running for the highest office in the land, you had a serious obligation to let us know precisely which of Mr. Wright's comments you've disagreed with. (You know, the ones you initially claimed not to have ever been present to hear first-hand.)

In your own damning words:

“Did I know him [Jeremiah Wright] to be an occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely — just as I’m sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.” 

Actually, when the head rabbi at the synagogue my family belonged to when I was child expressed some far less despicable views than those Mr. Wright has spewed from his pulpit, my Dad told said rabbi in no uncertain terms to fold that nonsense until it was all corners and shove it up his ass.

Followed by very loudly and publicly quitting that synagogue. But then, Dad was a man of principle.

(So much so that even before he had received his American citizenship, he was involved in the civil rights movement in this country. Despite having a wife, two young sons and knowing his actions might possibly cause some fairly serious problems regarding his naturalization. Because Pops had a wee bit of up-close-and-personal experience with hatred as a guest in one of Mr. Hitler's resorts. And bad as things have been for black folks at times during our country's history, we have never even come close to actually exterminating them by the millions, have we? But I digress.)

At best, Mr. Obama, I believe you joined Jeremiah Wright's kooky, foul institution to gain some black street cred in order to compensate for the fact you're just not very comfortable with being half-white devil/honky/Mister Charlie. At worst, you actually believe the vitriol Wright has espoused for decades. And it's abundantly clear that you're okey-doke with exposing your own children to such dangerous, foolish hate, thus ensuring it is passed on to yet another generation.

Kudos for "keepin' it real", Barack Obama; I hope it ultimately costs you your political career. Which it almost certainly won't, but a fellow can dream.

I have a dream that all reasonable Americans will rise-up, give race-baiting assholes like you the middle finger and condemn you to the derision, cruel mockery and obscurity you so richly deserve.

I have a dream that one day, you and your unhelpful ilk will actually comprehend and embrace the incredibly moving, inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King and feel a burning shame.

I have a dream I will one day live in a nation where nobody will be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. (Given that you threw one of your grandmas under the bus yesterday, you are sadly deficient wherein character is concerned. And speaking of grandmas, is the one in Kenya a Christian or a Muslim? She's copped to both at different times; apparently waffling lying runs in your family.)

I have a dream that some day, America will be free at last from bigoted, self-serving bastards like you, Jeremiah Wright, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, Cynthia McKinney, Louis Farakhan...

God damn your America, sir.

Along with your political aspirations and your place in history.