Rev. Wright back on the scene, will keynote for the Chicago Teachers Union
The Politico reports on news that may be of some concern to the image-obsessed Team Obama:
The Chicago Teachers Union wants a louder voice in the political world β and to kick off that campaign, itβs turning to a public figure every bit as combative as the union itself: the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Wright, of course, is the Chicago pastor who was a spiritual mentor to Barack Obama until the 2008
presidential campaign. Then a video surfaced of Wright shouting from the pulpit, βGod damn America.β Then Wright suggested the U.S. had committed terrorism and thus brought the Sept. 11 attacks on itself. Then he opined that the government had created AIDS to kill African-Americans. Obama forcefully denounced his former pastor. And Wright gradually faded from the headlines.Now, heβs back.
Wright will give a keynote address Wednesday at a breakfast the teacherβs union is holding in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The union has invited local pastors to the breakfast in the hopes of building a coalition of Chicago clergy to support its causes. In particular, union officials are seeking allies to fight the cityβs policy of shutting down dozens of neighborhood schools and opening charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately managed β and often, nonunion. CTU is expecting about 250 representatives from the clergy at the breakfast.
CTU President Karen Lewis β herself a fiery speaker, prone to the occasional incendiary remark β said she hopes Wrightβs speech will be βstimulating, interesting, provocativeβ and fully in tune with Kingβs legacy as a crusader for social justice and union rights. She said she is βnot concerned at allβ that Wright might repeat some of his more inflammatory comments or reiterate controversial stances such as his embrace of Louis Farrakhanβs anti-Semitic views. βHeβs a theologian and a scholar,β Lewis said of Wright, who is pastor emeritus at Trinity United Church of Christ. βHe is highly respected in this town amongst the clergy.β
And once “highly respected” – and even strongly defended – by our current President while a candidate for the Oval Office back in 2008 … until the Rev. had the gall to slip up and speak truth to power. Then it was on.
Anyway, will the Rev. get caught embarrassing His Royal Highness, er, President Obama again with his upcoming public appearance? Grab the popcorn, folks!