Something Still Isn't Wright

Newsweek, via anonymous sources, explains why Oprah left Obama's church in this article, Something Wasn't Wright:

According to two sources, Winfrey was never comfortable with the tone of Wright's more incendiary sermons, which she knew had the power to damage her standing as America's favorite daytime talk-show host. "Oprah is a businesswoman, first and foremost," said one longtime friend, who requested anonymity when discussing Winfrey's personal sentiments. "She's always been aware that her audience is very mainstream, and doing anything to offend them just wouldn't be smart. She's been around black churches all her life, so Reverend Wright's anger-filled message didn't surprise her. But it just wasn't what she was looking for in a church." Oprah's decision to distance herself came as a surprise to Wright, who told Christianity Today in 2002 that when he would "run into her socially … she would say, 'Here's my pastor!' " (Winfrey declined to comment. A Harpo Productions spokesperson would not confirm her reasons for leaving the church.)

Newsweek goes on to say that Obama joined the church partially to discover his racial identity, which was not a consideration for Oprah, who was "secure in her blackness." Both Obama and Winfrey were impressed with the church's outreach programs for the poor. Of course, Hamas does the same thing, and for the same reason - to cultivate an air of legitimacy while raising a crop of hatred.

How admirable that concern for her money-making ambition led Oprah to leave Wright's hateful pulpit. How sad that Obama didn't recognize the danger to his political ambition.

And what a tragedy that neither Oprah nor Barack could recognize the destructive, bitter hatefulness that permeates this so-called house of God. Or just didn't care beyond appearances.