Wright defends controversial comments

Hello Revmitchell:

I tried to follow the link but got nowhere.

In any event, can you please point us to actual statements about the 911 attacks. The choice of words here is very important. You attribute Wright as saying that the US deserved the 911 attacks. I would like to hear whether he used this exact word and, if not, what he really said.

Is it possible that American policy is causally linked to the 911 attacks? Of course it is possible. Here is where words matter and those who prone to rhetoric can wrap us around their little fingers.

There are those in the US who simply cannot entertain even the possibility that the actions of the their government may have contributed to the 911 tragedy. And this is, to some degree, understandable. But please remember, one can assert that US government actions are a causative factor without asserting that there was malicious intent on the part of the US government or that the response of the terrorists is even remotely justifiable.

I listened to Wright for about 10 minutes this morning and while he did not talk about 911, what he did say seemed remarkably insightful and well thought out. That's just 10 minutes, though.

I would really like to know exactly what he said about 911. Can anyone point us to a transcript?

 

I heard his response to that question which was "I served six years in the military. Does that make me patriotic? How many years did Cheney serve?"

 

Here is the speech and the question and answer session at the National Press Club this morning:

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/28/transcript-rev-wright-at-the-national-press-club/

 

What an absurd accusation. I never said anything remotely jutifying this assertion of yours.

I will watch the video if my computer supports it. And I did search for a transcript. Perhaps it has not been posted yet.

 

Thanks. I will read it.

If Dr. Wright's comments are at odds with the OP assertion that he claimed that the US "deserved" the attacks, I will point this out. The careful reader will know that there is an important, if arguably subtle, difference between these 2 statements:

1. The US deserved X.
2. Actions of the US caused X to happen

 

We may disagree 99% of the time; however, I agree with you on this.

 

I most certainly did not.

Here is part of what I wrote that disproves your assertion:

These words are clear, direct, and unambiguous. I did not suggest that any actions of terrorists can be justified.

 

Are you really a "reverend"? Please stop making false accusations and using inflammatory statements. The distinction I drew is real. If you think otherwise, do not effectively call me an idiot. Make a case (for a change, I might add).

 

No, it is not. Andre is obviously someone who thinks through issues. You could learn from him(and so could I. )

 

No man is reverend. Only God should be called reverend.

 

In your worldview do ever place any responsibility on the United States? In your worldview does the United States ever do anything wrong to another nation or group of people, or even one person?

 

Here is the portion during the answer and question session about the attacks on 9/11/2001:

MODERATOR: You have said that the media have taken you out of context. Can you explain what you meant in a sermon shortly after 9/11 when you said the United States had brought the terrorist attacks on itself? Quote, “America’s chickens are coming home to roost.”

WRIGHT: Have you heard the whole sermon? Have you heard the whole sermon?

MODERATOR: I heard most of it.

WRIGHT: No, no, the whole sermon, yes or no? No, you haven’t heard the whole sermon? That nullifies that question. Well, let me try to respond in a non-bombastic way. If you heard the whole sermon, first of all, you heard that I was quoting the ambassador from Iraq. That’s number one. But, number two, to quote the Bible, “Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatsoever you sow, that you also shall reap.” Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” You cannot do terrorism on other people and expect it never to come back on you. Those are biblical principles, not Jeremiah Wright bombastic, divisive principles.

 

I agree. However, that does not mean that United States' policy does not result in blowback. For example, our nation's participation in the overthrowing the democratic government in Iran in 1953 to install the Shah certainly resulted in blowback in 1979. That is undeniable.