Since I probably will not vote for Barack Obama anyway, I suppose I shouldn’t care of all the hoo-hah being made over his relationship with bombastic pastor the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. The problem is that I don’t know quite what to make of the whole sordid mess. I mean, I get that Wright is as annoying as gristle between one’s teeth and appears to be relishing the limelight that is getting the only viable black presidential candidate in this nation’s history more and more on a path of self-destruction.
But what I don’t get is what does a presidential candidate or anyone’s relationship with their pastor, priest, preacher, spiritual adviser, and so forth have anything to do with anything other than their own business?
Let’s say for instance Mr. Parishioner goes to the Church of Perpetual Payments. His priest and spiritual guide is Father Sublime. It turns out after an intensive investigation that Father Sublime has been pocketing the tithes that bind not to mention taking a nip or two of the sacramental wine when he is not supposed to. Does that mean Mr. Parishioner is a dirty, thieving wino like his priest?
Well, one might say, it is different when you are a candidate for president. Maybe it is. I don’t know. I guess I am just not that intelligent to figure it all out. Black is black and white is white. But this I know, the good Rev. Wright acts the fool and people sometimes are what they act. At least that is what someone once said.
I never promised I had all the answers or cornered the opinion market. If you want that, chances are you are going to have to pay for it. And, damned if I don’t think it might not be worth the price one might pay. Spends your money, takes your chances.