I listened to him a little bit more on the News today, and I have to say, he is a smart man.

Now, if his goal is to get Obama elected, he is likely making a bad move. Wright, however, was never called to put people in power, or to campaign. In fact, he said that while he wants Obama to become president, he will likely oppose him once he is elected. Wright is taking this position because he knows the Bible.

In ancient Israel, there were three types of leaders: prophets, priests, and kings. While sometimes a prophet would anoint a king, most of the time a prophet would correct a king (or remove him.) Even the best of kings had to be corrected by prophets.

Today, America is deciding who will be our "king." Meanwhile, most religious leaders are more likely to see themselves as priests rather than prophets: taking care of ceremony and "established" religion. Wright, however, has never seen himself in this role. He has been denied it, he has been made an "outsiders" by the rest of American culture. His calling is prophetic.

Obama certainly wishes Wright would shut up, but because Wright's first concern is not electing a president, but remaining obedient to the word of God, he continues to speak. He has an opportunity that few black pastors are given: a national audience.

Rev. Jackson had this opportunity, but his voice was compromised when he sought political power (Only Jesus was able to be prophet, priest AND king--and he is a very different kind of king).

Before him was Rev. King, and his voice was silenced when he started talking about poverty and war.

It's funny: Wright is called anti-American for saying similar things to King, and there is a national holiday in King's honor.

Couldn't Wright wait until after the election to speak? I'm sure Obama would like that, but who will be listening then? Once the election is over, Wright will only be given a fraction of the attention he is being given now.

Wright is smart not to wait. He is attempting to seize a unique opportunity.

Now is the time for a conversation on race and justice in the United States.

Obama's candidacy facilitated that conversation, but ironically, he will not be able to win office if he pushes that conversation. After the election, the impetus will be over. Wright is smart to speak up now.

For the first time in a long time, mainstream white America is being exposed to the concerns of blacks. Many have pointed out that Wright's comments are shocking, but that avoids the more important question: are they true?

A conversation will not happen without willing partners. Like it or not, Wright has taken the next step in the conversation that Obama began. He has said some hard things, but they need to be heard. Is white America willing to listen?

I hope so. It will be difficult, and hard. We will have to face some uncomfortable truths. But this is too big to ignore. Its time to listen.

It was good. The good cop was actually a bad cop, but he was a bad cop because he was a good guy. But he used to be a bad guy.

And he was willing to go to jail with the reputation of a bad cop to make the difference in the life of a friend. It took the investigation of all of his friends to figure out why he did what he did--he was keeping his mouth shut to save his friend, even though everybody thought he was not only crooked, but a murderer.

"Greater love has no man or woman than this, to lay down his or her life for a friend." --Jesus

Fun stuff for all you web programmer types.

(e:Janelle) and I had a great weekend away, and I will probably write more about that later, and maybe post some pics.

In the meantime, thanks to (e:Jim) and (e:James) (although I think it was mostly (e:Jim)) for caring for the animals that live in our house.

The 24 hour store on Elmwood is advertising "Wine Product" for $8.99.

Now, as far as I know, even the foulest of wine can still be called "wine." So whatever this "wine product" is, I think it is best avoided.

Besides, for $9, you can fill a growler with decent beer (instead of "beer product")

It's rare that I can say that. My mind was filled with thoughts. This book, "Jesus for President" is beating me up and I am not sure yet how to respond to it.

We need a person to watch a dog and two cats, starting Friday evening until Sunday am next weekend.

Money, beer, cookies, trade: we will compensate you one way or another if you want to take care of our old dog, our fat cat, and our bad cat.

They invited me to apply, and then I applied. They interviewed me and voted on me, and I am now a board member of the Elmwood Village Association. After one meeting, I am glad to be giving them my time. Good people, doing good stuff, and wanting the best for the neighborhood (even if Paul does hate the name).