A post by Maynard.

I was flashing back to the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, the hatemonger who was so inspirational in so many ways to President Obama, and to whom Obama dedicated so much of his time and money as an adult. For some reason, our nation didn’t want to acknowledge what was obvious prior to the election. Maybe it’s time to revisit the obvious.

In early 2008, when Obama was an ascending candidate, I visited the United Church of Christ website and retrieved a pamphlet entitled, “A Message From our Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Senior Pastor”. This document was shortly thereafter removed (I wonder why?), but I’ve got my copy here. It’s mostly a political diatribe and a call for the impeachment of George Bush (please don’t tell the IRS about the politicking, or Barry’s church might lose its tax-free status). Midway through, it weighs in on Israel. Here’s what it says:

The Israelis have illegally occupied Palestinian territories for almost 40 years now. It took a divestment campaign to wake the business community up concerning the South Africa issue. Divestment has now hit the table again as a strategy to wake the business community up and to wake Americans up concerning the injustice and the racism under which the Palestinians have lived because of Zionism.

The Divestment issue will hit the floor during this month’s General Synod. Divesting dollars from businesses and banks that do business with Israel is the new strategy being proposed to wake the world up concerning the racism of Zionism. That Divestment issue won’t make the press either, however.

So Obama stood in the leadership hierarchy of an organization that equated Zionism with racism and aggressively promoted disinvestment from Israel. We knew it, and the nation yawned. We made excuses. “That’s the pathway to power in Chicago,” we said. “Obama doesn’t believe in that stuff.”

Ignoring the inflammatory rhetoric, what’s the expressed goal of Rev. Wright? We’re working to, he says, to end Israel’s “illegal occupation” of the Palestinian territories.

And now Obama announces, “We believe the borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states.” Is this not a sugarcoated translation of Rev. Wright’s call to arms?

Obama and his defenders rushed back to assure us that Obama’s speech was “misunderstood”. “Let me reaffirm what ‘1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps’ means,” Obama told us.

This is a Herman Cain moment. Yes, we all understand that “mutually agreed swaps” means a negotiation to the satisfaction of both parties. But the phase “1967 lines” is a loaded phrase, just as “right of return” is. These may sound like innocent words to a naïve speaker or listener, but they convey heavy meaning to the savvy. Cain blithely assented to the “right of return”, presumably because he didn’t know what it meant. It sounded like a reasonable point to negotiate, rather than a call for the destruction of Israel. Likewise, the demand for the “1967 lines” as a basis for negotiations conveys a similar expectation that Israel, first and foremost, abandon a defensible border. The 1967 lines were not secure; that’s why war came.

So both Obama and Cain returned to clear up a “misunderstanding”. The problem is, Cain probably didn’t realize the implications of his words (and this indicates he lacks the background to be president), whereas Obama certainly knew what his statement meant. Cain acknowledged that the misunderstanding was on his part. Obama, however, transfers the onus from his mouth to our ears. This is a naked exercise in deception.

Some Democrats aren’t buying Obama’s excuses. I earlier mentioned Alan Dershowitz’s editorial, “President Obama’s Mistake”. Former New York Mayor Koch has weighed in; from the Jerusalem Post, “President Obama’s Hostility to Israel Continues” (and this same editorial is carried by the Huffington Post with a different title, “The Difference Between Obama’s and Bush’s Positions on Israel”). Koch, having digested Obama’s reassurances to AIPAC, calls for Americans to stand united with Israel and against the president:

President Obama’s remarks have lifted up the spirits of Palestinians, who now believe he has given them the upper hand. Supporters of Israel, Jews and Christians, Democrats and Republicans, now is the time to make your positions known. Members of Congress, you are not potted plants. Let the president know you disagree with him. We must stand strong for Israel in this time of great danger.

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14 Comments | Leave a comment
  1. aggedor says:

    Sorry, Maynard I know you’re a big deal here but as I’ve posted another place Mr. Cain no more lacks qualification to be President in 2012 than Governor Palin did in 2008.

    Frankly I think I’m a pretty savvy guy and I know quite a few people who follow politics from many different angles. Obviously the right of return issue is important but to myself and many knowledgeable others, ‘right of return’ comes off as a buzzphrase we didn’t even know existed until some people who view Mr. Cain as a threat to Governor Palin began talking about it as reason to discount Mr. Cain’s candidacy.

    Let’s face it. If we can’t get Governor Palin into the top spot to face Obama for some reason Cain is far and away better than any establishment drone currently running for the Republican nomination–mistakes and all.

    • Maynard says:

      Hi, aggedor, I’m not a big deal here, in that none of this is about me; I just put out what I see and why I see it, and it’s fine that you think I have it wrong. Believe me, there are some points where I think Tammy gets it wrong, and vice versa. And it’s fine if we quibble, because I think we’re all pretty much pulling in the same direction, and the guy on the other side is pulling in a bad direction. When the decision is made, I’ll be a thousand percent behind our guy (or gal), whoever it is. But until that’s done, we’re facing a critical question regarding who is going to go toe-to-toe against Obama, and I figure it will be be a difficult task to beat Obama’s coalition of cronies and special interests and racialists. Cain’s gaffe might be okay for a man in a position unconnected to the State Department, but it’s simply unacceptable for a presidential candidate. That translates into problems in electability and doubts about competence, and we can’t afford that. It’s certainly a bad launch. That’s my take, anyway.

      After writing this, I realize I’m getting distracted from my main point, which was that Americans are less and less able to deny how dangerous and incompetent Obama is. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned Herman Cain at all. But it struck me as odd that both men tossed out a loaded phrase on the same subject at the same time, and I couldn’t resist commenting on that coincidence.

      • aggedor says:

        Maynard: In principle I agree with you. We need to choose the best candidate to go up against B.O. For me that’s Governor Palin. Tammy’s right in saying that despite the leftist media she COULD win against him.

        My only concern is everyone putting ALL their eggs in this one, VERY attractive basket. Maybe it’s the strategist in me but I seek a, ‘just-in-case’ alternative. Bachman is clearly a Romney shill so she’s out but IMO there has to be a second choice to carry the flag–and barring any other non-establishment choices out there for me it has to be Herman Cain.

        BTW thanks for not bagging on me because I happen to disagree with you and Tammy on this issue. I’ve had worse treatment from another radio talk show host’s Website and on a FAR less significant question.

  2. JEN says:

    Have faith aggedor,Sarah will be our 45th president even after swimming upstream all the way and all that it entails.
    Some of us seen the real BHO but not enough of us could prevent the Zombies from doing the escape from the isylum routine.But the sleeping giant has awoke from hibernation And at the present are getting the lay of the land.Watching,Listening,Waiting and I will use Michele Steeles introduction Word that comes to mind in SPs Evansville Right To Life speech, The Storm is coming.She likes to say sometimes “The Calvary is Coming”.With the new 2hr.movie starting in Iowa first then onward from there its only the start of starting that engine we call america.
    I strongly suspect in Iowa they will premier the film first then when it has finished sarah will walk out on the stage and I sincerelly hope the girders holding the roof up dont collapse cause its gonna get really loud…
    Yet still she dosnt have to make it official if she chooses not to.small matter cause we are on to lady sarah…She dosnt have to until it becomes a legal thing.I am sure she will have everything worked out.We have her back,The big guy upstairs has her in the palm of his hand and i stll also suspect she might plan a trip to rome so that the holy father can lay his hand on her.who can stand before that?.
    Its only the beginning.When folks really catch on it will go viral.,meaning that this is no longer a national race but a international one.So we no whats coming.Like Tammy says the non-beleivers better be stocked up onsoothing ointment and other first aid remidies they will need all of it and then some. thorazine & prozac anyone.
    I used to work as a aid to the severly handicapped at one time and they always had them doped up on that stuff because without it well…ill leave it at that. My point being we will have a few million basket cased zombies lost more than they usually are.
    So we have some historic times ahead beleive you me I too am chomping at the bit .Ill use a little horse talk to close, Question what happens when a running horse gets the bit in its teeth??, Its called a runaway and that my friends is what we have here.When the Gov. gets that between her teeth we will have the same X ten…

  3. JuanitaDugas says:

    Let’s face it, Obama lowered the bar to get into the White House…who can deny that? But none of us here are going to settle for the equivilent of a community organizer, and of course Palin and Cain are qualified to hold office if for their smart business sense and love of country alone. Neither have foreign policy expertise, both have made gaffs, but from what I’ve seen the quality they share is a drive to save our economy and world standing. Sarah’s my first choice but not to exclusion of all others. If only all we had to beat were Democrat opponents.

  4. otlset says:

    I believe that deep-down, beneath the build-up of layers and layers of image-BS that he has cloaked himself with for his public persona over the years, Obama just plain irrationally dislikes and mistrusts Jews and Israel.

    I believe this stems from his early years, influences and grounding as a Muslim, and extending into his “conversion to Christianity” and subsequent influence from the anti-Jew and anti-Israel rantings of Jeremiah Wright during all those years of “not noticing” such rantings in Wright’s church.

    All of which of course lead to his outlandish urging of Israel to commit national suicide by returning to the pre-1967 borders that are indefensible, especially with the weapons technology of today.

    Shame on Obama! Shame on the media that protects and promotes him!

  5. Pat_S says:

    In a Q&A this morning in the UK, Obama said he believed the issue of Palestinian refugees would be settled after the establishment of two states with mutual recognition. By putting it this way, he acknowledges there is a credible claim to right of return and it should be negotiated.

    Obama is well practiced at saying things that are superficially balanced and objective while working in more subtle ways to undermine one side. He does this against Republicans all the time. With respect to Israel, without the strong backing of the U.S., Israel cannot sustain itself against its enemies. After the obligatory assurance of our support for Israel, in his May 19th speech Obama sent a number of signals—threats—that he will put pressure on Israel.

    He openly declared the ’67 borders as a basis of negotiating borders which was a significant departure from past administrations. He let it be known the U.S. is impatient with Israel and time is running out. He reminded Israel of what its fate would be if the U.S. abandons them.

    For two years my administration has worked with the parties and international community to end this conflict building on decades of work by previous administrations. Expectations have gone unmet.

    The world looks at a conflict that has grinded on and on and on and sees nothing but stalemate.

    While saying we stand with Israel, he suggests mafia-style what could happen to Israel if we withdraw our support. The Middle East could wind up in the hands of a Jew-hating rabble which would be capable of destroying Israel.

    As for Israel, our friendship is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values. Our commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable and we will stand against attempts to single it out for criticism in international forums but precisely because of our friendship it is important that we tell the truth. The status quo is unsustainable and Israel too must act boldly to advance a lasting peace.

    At a time when the people of the Middle East and North Africa are casting off the burdens of the past, the drive for a lasting peace that ends the conflict and resolves all claims is more urgent than ever.

    A growing number of Palestinians live west of the Jordan river. Technology will make it harder for Israel to defend itself.

    A region undergoing profound change will lead to populism. Milliions of people must believe peace is possible.

    The media was in a tizzy over Netanyahu’s presumed lecturing of Obama. What I saw was the Prime Minister of Israel practically on his knees begging the President of the United States not to betray the Israeli people. I saw Obama using body language essentially telling Netanyahu to shut up.

    Obama has strongly come out against the maneuver to get the UN to declare a Palestinian state. My guess is that has more to do with concern for the future of the Democrat party than the future of Israel.

    In addition to his veiled threats, Obama demonstrated his contempt for Israel by making these remarks one day before Nethanyhu’s visit and then turning his back on Netanyahu by leaving town while Netanyahu was still here.

    Obama has put the Arab world in a stronger position. He compares the upheaval in the region to the American Revolution. He will be sending billions in aid to Arab states. In the meantime, he shows contempt for Israel and makes veiled threats.

    All the Arabs are asked to do is acknowledge the legitimacy of a Jewish state while Israel must gamble their lives with hard concessions. This is not a new situation for Israel but Obama has joined the bomb throwers in a way that threatens Israel’s existence more than Israel’s declared enemies.

  6. JEN says:

    Just wanted to let people know over at c4p we just hit 1,000 comments on a single thread. Facebook entries approaching 3 million a few thousand shy…Business is brisk X 10…

    • aggedor says:

      Sounds like C4P is the place to be! Might have to roll over there. 😀

      • JEN says:

        last night we dedicated two pages to beating up on creepy joe over at c4p it was a lot of fun i never laughed so hard as well everyone else did.Now that the time nears for the Gov. to step foward expectationgs are growing also noticeable by the heavy traffic.There was 1,200 comments on one thread alone..so yea its busier than bees making honey…

  7. mrcannon says:

    Maynard, thank you for reminding us of the influence of Reverend Wright, and for having the foresight to grab a copy of that pamphlet. Ever since those videotapes of his so-called sermons were launched on an unsuspecting media, it sounded to me that the man Obama called his “mentor” and “spiritual advisor” had an insidious agenda. Moreover, Barack is a clone of Wright, and despite his claims to the contrary, he paid attention at every service, hung on every word and will never unlearn it. To even call Wright a “pastor” would be to use the term loosely; I mean, did he ever teach the word of God, or did he engage solely in radical political activism? I can’t imagine what their Kool-Aid is laced with, but it must be yummy for the Obamas to attend Trinity United “Church” for two decades. Nevertheless, every time Barry speaks, Wright is beaming with pride.

    (Well, except when he’s toasting the Queen.)

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