Obama quits Chicago church after long controversy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around Barack Obama's resignation from the Trinity United Church of Christ amid controversy surrounding remarks made by his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and a visiting priest, Fr. Michael Pfleger. Participants explore the implications of this resignation, the nature of the comments made, and the broader cultural and political context surrounding these events.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express satisfaction with Obama's resignation, suggesting it was a necessary step to distance himself from controversial figures and remarks.
  • Others question whether Obama's decision was truly voluntary or a reaction to public pressure, with some suggesting he may have shared similar sentiments as Wright in the past.
  • There are differing opinions on the nature of Pfleger's remarks, with some viewing them as hate-mongering while others see them as a legitimate expression of frustration.
  • Participants discuss the potential impact of Obama's resignation on his political image and future church attendance, with some speculating he may seek a new church in Washington, D.C.
  • Some contributors raise questions about Obama's religious beliefs, speculating on whether he might now identify as an atheist or if he would continue to attend church.
  • Concerns are raised about the rhetoric used by Wright and Pfleger, with some arguing it exacerbates racial tensions while others defend it as a reflection of genuine feelings within the community.
  • There is a discussion about the broader implications of victim mentality in politics, with some arguing that it is a necessary narrative for Democrats to maintain support among certain voter demographics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no clear consensus on the appropriateness of Obama's resignation, the nature of the remarks made by Wright and Pfleger, or the implications for Obama's political future. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives present.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal interpretations of the events and the motivations behind them, highlighting the complexity of public perception and political strategy. The discussion includes references to cultural and historical contexts that may influence participants' viewpoints.

  • #91
Astronuc said:
But then none can enjoy the freedom in their own country in the land of their ancestors.

This is true of every person in America.
 
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  • #92
The thing that I find unfair about the recompense given to them, at least in this town, is that the reservation isn't a huge chunk of land. It is a small town here, and most people own at least a couple acres, many people own large parcels, and then there is the Rez. which is like a little suburb with houses right next to each other, sidewalks and stuff. They deserve more land, so that they have more room to build and stuff. At the Rez, they play catch on the street, at my house, I play catch in my yard. Something is wrong when the native americans in a community are living more like city people than the foreigners.

Giving them incentives to stay there on their little suburb which has a huge unemployment rate, and it turns into something you would see in the inner city with gangs and drugs/drug money etc.
 
  • #93
There is nothing preventing them from purchasing more than they are given on the Rez. It is, in the end, their own decision to remain in such conditions. In Canada, we have similar problems with many of the reservations. Most of the natives I've known who were (what I would call) successful in life (ie. no excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol and/or gambling), moved away from the reservations as soon as they could, and never looked back. Due to the gangs/drugs/generally bad influences common on many of the reservations, it is very difficult for a person living there to come out ahead.
 
  • #94
Also, there is basically no law enforcement there, although they do have their own private security guards. One of the last times I was there, some kids were lighting a car on fire using gasoline.
 

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