Friendly Fire—How a One Time Insider Threatens to Undo an Historic Process, Jeremiah Wright, Simply Wrong, by Bryan R. Parker

Friendly Fire a term originally adopted by the United States military, is fire from allied or friendly forces, as opposed to fire coming from enemy forces or enemy fire. This term may best be seen as an oxymoron. That is “fire” whether coming from allied or enemy forces is still deadly. In this context, there is no real concept of friendly fire. I submit that Senator Obama has been hit by “fire”, and the source of that fire, friendly or allied is starting to be damaging, heading toward being deadly, to the most promising Presidental campaign of my lifetime. I for one, would like to see it stop.

I am very saddened by the recent words and appearances of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. It seems, for some inexplicable reason, that this man simply will not fade from the public consciousness. I am puzzled as to why, especially when he knows full well the impact his words and appearances are having on the campaign of Senator Obama. I share Senator Obama’s outrage and sadness that Reverened Wright would pick now to take center stage in a debate that is not about Reverened Wright. It is not even about Senators Clinton, Obama or McCain, but as Senator Obama states it is about “[P]eople wanting some help in stabilizing their lives and securing a better future for themselves and their children…” This is the fundamental message of change of Senator Obama’s campaign. This message of change should be the central point in our debate. Not the silly comments of an aging pastor who is fighting his own irrelevance.

If it is not about Jeremiah Wright wanting to maintain his relevance, what then? Is he mad that Senator Obama had to distance himself from the reverend? Senator Obama was right to distance himself from Reverend Wright. He was right to distance himself, not for political gain as Reverend Wright asserts, but because the comments of Reverend Wright were and are wrong. These comments are divisive and antithetical to the politics of change and unity. The change that Senator Obama promises will be beneficial to all, to be sure, but especially blacks and other disenfranchised groups. As such, shouldn’t Reverend Wright be embracing this message, and supporting the campaign, even if it means, as it does here, taking a backseat and staying out of the limelight? If Senator Obama made any mistake it was not denouncing Reverend Wright sooner and more strongly. In his previous remarks he said “he could no more denounce Reverend Wright than he could his white grandmother”. I respectfully submit that someone who says “God damn America” and after the September 11 bombings stated that it was a case of “American chickens coming home to roost” can and should be denounced, and in the strongest terms possible. Senator Obama may therefore rightly be accused of being too loyal, however, this still does not excuse the actions of Reverend Wright.

Jeremiah Wright said in a recent sermon that “[he] is sick of Negros who do not get it….being a black man in America, controlled by rich white people is hard”. Yes, I agree, being black in America is still hard, but getting better. If the Reverend Wright “got it” he would not be so quick to provide fodder to the Clinton and McCain campaigns. Senator Obama has undertaken a task some thought was impossible—becoming the first African American President of the United States. Senator Obama has done a fine job. Reverend Wright is also correct in that blacks in this country still have to be a step better to achieve acknowledgement and success. Senator Obama has been better. Now, when he can use all the support he can get, especially from the African American community, one should not expect that another African American, especially one who claims to love and care for Senator Obama, would give fodder to the opposition. The opposition, Senators Clinton and McCain, are clearly looking for anything they can to undermine this historic campaign. It is against this back drop that I am reminded of one of my favorite Gospel Songs—“Hide Me”. The song asks God to hide me from the enemy. Near the end, the song says “hide me o Lord, even if the enemy is me”. Reverend Wright should heed the words of this song, exit center stage and allow this historic campaign to get back to the real issues—change for America and its citizens.

Allow me to close with Galatians 5:7 “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth”. The bible teaches us that the path of the righteous man is beset on all sides be treachery and the tyranny of evil men. Galatians reminds us that even when the path to victory is impeded, we still have an obligation to stay faithful to the right path. Fortunately, we have a candidate, Senator Barack Obama that gets this concept. I praise Senator Obama for continuing to rise above these politics of negativity and staying focused on his message of bringing change for our country. Thank you Senator for not succumbing to this “friendly fire”. We can only hope that those engaging in this “friendly fire” get the message as well.