Sorry to mention it in parting, but bear in mind, Mormons can not. Mormons must attend according to their local geographical WARD, within it’s STAKE and REGION. Church attendance is mandatory within one’s geographical Ward under the auspices of whoever General Authorities designate as leaders chosen by direct revelation from God. maverick muse on March 19, 2008 at 10:50 AM

Not to according to my Mormon neighbor. Veiled attempt to swipe at Gov. Romney not true. The Mormon missions are true.

There must be over fifty thousand
Screaming love and more for you
Everyone of fifty thousand
Would do whatever you ask him to
Keep them yelling their devotion
But add a touch of hate at Rome
You will rise to a greater power
We will win ourselves a home
You’ll get the power and the glory
For ever and ever and ever
Amen! Amen!

Simon Zealotes, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

BTW, Laura Ingraham mentions, as does Sean Hannity, that Christians can choose their minister. Sorry to mention it in parting, but bear in mind, Mormons can not. Mormons must attend according to their local geographical WARD, within it’s STAKE and REGION. Church attendance is mandatory within one’s geographical Ward under the auspices of whoever General Authorities designate as leaders chosen by direct revelation from God. But then, the Popes have denounced Statism regardless of locale, and Pope John Paul II pronounced that the Catholic Church formally does not accept Mormon baptism. It doesn’t matter how, Obama links the most disparate elements into public dialogue. Though Obama COULD CHOOSE his minister, as it is and has been, Romney can not.

Why was he speaking like that? There was no fire in the belly at all. This tells me it pained him greatly to do this.

SouthernGent on March 18, 2008 at 6:41 PM

Obama always speaks in non-commital tones and broken sentences. I’ve already noted that he is NOT a great orator, and those who’ve posted that he is are full of BS propaganda. Regardless of topic, it’s the same delivery every time from Obama; just look at his long and lengthy delivery of his “Joshua Generation” speech online. IN THIS ‘MUTED’ UNDERTONE Obama has been coached to avoid the tantrum theatrics at all costs. He is not a monotone, that is not what I’ve said; but his vocal registry remains mezzo, non-commital and never forte, let alone fortissimo. In the mezzo range, he would have himself appear thoughtful and respectful. He would faux Empfindsamkeit soon enough if his wife’s tears aren’t sufficient, we’ll see his own to prove his “compassion” for intolerance. It’s all part of the political act to get converts to believe him. Anything goes. All’s fair in love and war. Nothing personal, it’s business. Yadah…

It is as if Obama took coaching lessons from GWBush in timing and from Wright in enunciation. There again, the amalgamation of extremes wrapped up in the Obama boxed suit and tie. Plenty of fodder for Fox MAD comedy routines. But never hold your breath.

Obama and his white grandparents
 
Obama in his “Historical Race Speech threw ‘Grandma Under The Train”
Barack Obama, to help save his standing in the black community, described his “White Grandmother” as a raci…

I want to also note I am getting tired of this Ohamagasm everybody is having.

{+_+}

The man is, like Hillary, a monster of ambition. We now know all we need to.

Hope P. Muntz on March 18, 2008 at 4:34 PM

Heck, anyone can see that. He’s running for the highest elected office in the land in is first term as a Senator.

Agreed. This was the sound of a beaten man. The intonation and rhythm lacked all that accompanied his earlier “famous oratory.” Not to mention that the “logic” (sic – but it’s the closest thing a Democrat can come to it) was rambling all over the place.

Lockstein13 on March 18, 2008 at 7:32 PM

He knew better than to fall into that black preacher rising/falling intensity, sing song cadence that has been so effective in his previous oratory. He learned his style from Wright and was too smart to use it today in these circumstances, although I saw flashes when he forgot himself and lapsed.

Without repeating the various lines in his speech, suffice to say that, like most of his speeches, Obama’s prepared remarks today were typically eloquent-especially in contrast to when he is answering questions on uncomfortable topics-as he was this week on the TV news circuit. The problem with the speech was, as I see it, that he tried to appeal to everyone, and, in the process, may have alienated everyone with the obvious exception of those who choose to believe and accept whatever he says because he is their guy.

Obama, while condemning Wright’s remarks, stated that he could no longer disown the pastor any more than he could disown the black community. Personally, I am not sure the two are linked. I sure hope not although Wright’s parishioners have spoken out loud and clear in their support of him. Is Obama the only member of the church who rejects Wright’s sentiments?

Obama also reiterated the racial grievances of black Americans and made the usual calls for racial healing. Obama obviously felt he had to give something to his black listeners and speak of injustice. No question, Obama is walking a very thin tightrope here, trying to hold on to wavering white voters while not alienating black voters who may conclude he is an “Uncle Tom” (a ugly term also used by Wright in some of his sermons).

Obama spoke of Wright’s good works and good qualities, stating that he will not turn his back on him. He also referred to his white grandmother, who allegedly referred to her fears of encountering black men on the street. He also acknowledged that he had, indeed, been in the pews on occasions when Wright made “controversial” statements. This is an apparent contradiction from statements he had been making just in the past few days to the effect that he had not been present during these particular diatribes. (Is it possible Obama realized that there may be some video out there showing him in the audience on these occasions-perhaps doing what everyone else was apparently doing-standing, clapping and cheering?)

It appears that Obama’s theme is that, yes, he disagrees with Wright’s statements about whites and America, but that he will not turn away from his spiritual mentor and his church. America must deal with black historical grievances and present-day “real anger”, but he wants to bring about racial conciliation. In other words, Obama’s speech had something in it for everyone, just what a politician’s speech is supposed to be.

I still am left with serious questions about Mr Obama:

First, how could you sit there in that church for two decades and listen to this rhetoric and racial diatribes. Senator Obama, when Minister Wright was railing about white people, he was talking about your mother-and grandmother. Did you never take offense at that?

You talk about your love of this country. Yet, you sat there and listened to the worst things being said about your country by Wright. I don’t know about you, sir, but I would have gotten up and walked out of my church and never gone back if the pastor talked like that about America-or about other ethnic groups not my own. But you, sir, are a sitting US Senator. If nothing else, as a US Senator and aspiring presidential candidate, what kind of judgement does this show? The same kind of judgement that allowed you to do business with a character like Tony Rezko?

Already, many news commentators sympathetic to Obama are raving about the eloquence of his speech. It is spin. The fact of the matter is that in attempting to please all sides, in my view, Obama has hurt his cause only more. As I acknowledged above, Obama is caught squarely in the middle of the racial divide in this country. He doesn’t want to be regarded as simply the “Black Candidate”, rather one who cuts across racial barriers. Sadly, that is going by the wayside very quickly. I don’t know how the senator is going to reconcile these issues. Certainly many white voters who are wavering wanted Obama to cut his ties to Wright and the church in strong and forceful terms. To do so, however, would have alienated many black voters. So he tried to cut it both ways. I don’t think it will work.

I don’t know if Obama secretely sympathizes with Wright’s views; I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. His continued membership in such a church and association with Wright would make any reasonable person suspicious. What is really sad and ironic is that the candidate and the campaign that held out hope of advancing black-white relations in America to so many, even among his opponents, is now turning into something that, in the end, may only set relations back.

All of the above, of course, is written from the perspective of a white male in his 60s who probably doesn’t understand what goes on in black churches and has possibly deluded himself into thinking that over the course of his life, he had seen dramatic racial progress. All I can say is that if Jeremiah Wright is typical, then we have made very little progress. If there is actually someone out there who can bring Americans together, that person is not going to come out of the Trinity United Church of Christ of Chicago.

So is there a secret side to Mr Obama that he has tried to hide from the public? I don’t know, but one thing is becoming more obvious every day.

Barack Obama is just another politician.

gary fouse
fousesquawk

Is HA catching the feevah? Just asking…

You’re dashing Excitable Andy’s hopes, dreams, and pride at this historical moment.

Shame on you.

Agreed. This was the sound of a beaten man. The intonation and rhythm lacked all that accompanied his earlier “famous oratory.” Not to mention that the “logic” (sic – but it’s the closest thing a Democrat can come to it) was rambling all over the place.

amerpundit on March 18, 2008 at 1:21 PM

Hagee is “non-denominational”.

McCain is Baptist formerly Episcopalian(In the 90′s)

The Hagee’s College could be considered “Presbyterian”, though his church is “non-denominational”

Trinity University (Texas)

Rev. Wright’s statements are troubling indeed. Obama’s church website is a veritable treasure trove of anti-Semitism, racism, and hate-based faith. Throw in the fact that the Church is pulling its hate-based faith videos, and you’ve got yourself som…

Who or what is a Hagee?

allrsn on March 18, 2008 at 2:35 PM

An unhealthy sandwich made mostly of fat.