The American Spectator

br> — Robert Schuman br> Jenkins, Missouri /p> p> Your use of the phrase anti-white discrimination in a recent article is just more proof how truly deluded the conservative view of America is. You’d think that a line of thinking so adverse to progressing forward would at least have a sense of history. We are not autonomous beings, we each are born with a history, a set of circumstances far beyond our control. The circumstances of injustice and oppression on African Americans over our nation’s history (and to a lesser extent to this day) have placed African Americans into situations that are disadvantaged. They have lower incomes, less access to education and in general less opportunities due in many ways to the racism that held down their parents and grandparents. And now, after oppressing them for centuries you want to say “My bad, let’s start over, clean slate!” and you expect them to compete on the same level? I know that the quota system is deeply flawed, but there must be a system the guarantees any disadvantaged minorities (whether race, gender, socioeconomic class) a helping hand, because bigots like yourself wouldn’t take these factors into account. Whites aren’t oppressed, they’re the dominant power in this country. Stop whining and leave Obama alone. For full disclosure, I’m a white moderate who supports John McCain, but I have a deep respect for Senator Obama, and if conservative hate mongers keep this sort of vitriol flying, I’m liable to change my vote. Thank you for your time. br> — James Robinson /p>

The real issue is not whether there should be a national dialogue about race. It is whether Senator Obama has any credibility on the issue. Though he presents himself as an open minded, healing uniter, he is steeped in the politics of racial division and hate. He has spent 20 years studying at the side of one of the most bigoted race hustlers this country has seen in a long time. I don’t think it is unreasonable to fear that some of these ideas might have rubbed off on him.

A person chooses a church to worship in that one feels comfortable in, that nourishes them spiritually, that teaches them, helps them grow as human beings and validates beliefs they already hold. Most people also need to feel comfortable with the style of the minister. It is troubling to think that Rev. Wright’s bigoted rantings might have validated some already held beliefs by Obama or that the Senator would want to subject himself and his family to the ministers hate filled monologues on a weekly basis.

A national debate should also be commenced concerning Obama’s intelligence and judgment. It is scary that a person this close to the Presidency would pick as his guru, mentor and spiritual advisor, a man who believes that the U.S. government created the AIDS virus to kill black Americans (and apparently accomplished this by first introducing the virus into the gay/white community). Why would Obama want a crackpot like this advising him on anything?

p>I think we have more than enough reason to be concerned. br> — K. Wilson br> Highland, Indiana