Wright is partially right. The fact that Obama is having the success he is having is proof that Wright is mostly wrong. Half truth is the root of most dangerous heresy. Historical Heresy is something we all suffer from to some degree. Remember: there is a real long line of people trying enter this country and virtually no restrictions forcing anyone to stay. The line to get in is the longest in the world. Listen to what people do. So, to not see the U.S. with all its flaws and imperfections as a major force for good and opportunity in the world is to look up at high noon on a cloudless day and not see the sun. It is a reflection of a powerful bias.

One can certainly find fault with America's policy toward Israel without being anti-Zionist, let alone anti-Semitic. I'm not sure where the "kindred self-loathing" is. Excellent column, one of your best ever, Steve. Although I for one enjoy your brand of humor as well.

It takes courage to say the things Hammer wrote. Everybody wants to be careful, everybody wants to say Wright was wrong and Obama should never have attended his church. When I was young in the 60's students demonstrated in the streets and there were riots in major cities. No one is doing that but I do think every American has a right to call his country to task for past injustices and to respect the cultures of other countries.

A reply from "Anonymous" -- For those who think that I was referring to U.S. foreign policy and its relationship to the 9-11 attack -- you missed my point. Of course the attack was a result of America’s foreign policy. That doesn’t justify the cowardly attack on innocent men, women and children. Moreover, my point was directed to Steve Hammer. Steve, I was referring to your kindred self-loathing. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, anti-zionism is anti-Semitism.

if you don't believe US foreign policy was a driving factor behind 9/11, you're incredibly naive.

anyone can point a finger and say "look what we did wrong". The real measure is what he is doing to correct the problem. Bringing people to "christ" is no solution as only a part of the world even believes in "christ" (known as "non believers" to Christians and thus the enemy) Congrats, Rev, you simply gave an abbreviated history lesson. Now; what are you going to do to ensure it's never repeated? Feeding the homeless is nice, but homeless don't govern the states. Having spent most of my life in the military and have seen America's foreign policy at work, firsthand, i can honestly say Wright is right. The world hates us. And there are a lot more of them than us. good article, btw.

Sometimes you wonder how dense and sheltered some people really are. People really don't want to hear the truth. Just because we live here in America, the land we call home, doesn't mean that America is not responsible for the things that Rev. Wright said. Our government is not squeaky clean. The scenario we are seeing unfolding today has been played out again and again throughout the history of this country. Our government, and now our media, has literally destroyed the lives and dreams of millions of people with deception, fear, control, and division. I think the self-righteous talking heads would love to see Obama disown his Pastor. Even if you disagree with Obama's position, you'd have to respect him for not jumping up and claiming that his Pastor did not have the right to speak his mind. Where are we? Is this still America? Aren't we watching television this week where American reporters are interviewing Iraqi people who are just now able to speak their mind? Are we trading their former government with ours? Even if Obama disowned his Pastor, then would people say that he was flip-flopping and catering to public opinion? I cannot think of one single solitary person that I agree with every word they say. All of us interject our personal opinion into our conversations. If the critics would just stop talking long enough to think, they would realize the absurdity of their positions and just shut up. But they won’t. For centuries, the same tactics have worked. Why should they stop? Create fear. Cause division. Distort the truth. Embellish nonsense long enough and insecure people will believe it. You can use sound bites and excerpts to say almost anything you want to project. Steve, I appreciate your guts for writing something that makes sense to sensible people.

First off, Hammer is right. This is one of his better columns. But I really wanted to comment on Wright’s curious choice of pronouns. We ? have black men in prison We ? bombed Cambodia, Iraq and Nicaragua We ? believe in white supremacy Really? Should we put Wright in prison for his confessed war crimes?

Throughout our history, one of our primary strengths is the right of free speech. The beauty of this great nation is the ability to speak your mind to the public and let people decide what is true and what is false. Only after 9/11 has the government of this country and some of its citizens created a atmosphere where speaking your opinions is unpatriotic. Looking deeper, refusing to listen to opinions of other free thinking individuals is where patriotism ends. True patriotism has not, nor has ever been, judged by how well you can regurgitate the common perception. It is however, judged on the courage of individuals to stand up and say what some may feel is unpopular.

Once again, racism and ignorance raises its ugly head at Nuvo. So, U.S. foreign policy was the reason for the 9-11 attacks? Why don’t you just come out and say it: Nuvo believes U.S. support for Israel was behind the 9-11 attacks. Well, guess what: criminal terrorist were behind the deaths of thousands of innocent men, women and children that day. Once again, Nuvo defends the terrorist at the expense of the victims. Hammer, you’re a coward.

Real patriots speak truth about their country even when that truth is painful, even when it breaks illusions, shatters common conceptions. There is no one wrong point in what is said by Rev. Wright - once in a life time there is a candidate that has potential to bridge the divides, heal the wounds, and bring us together - and he is attacked so hard by wild dogs of establishment who fear the change that he might bring. There is huge potential in this country to be the true leader of the world - bring the positive change in lives of so many people around the globe, there is so much energy and inventiveness in U.S.A. - what a pity it is often wasted in wrong causes.

To Steve Hammer: I know that you are going to get some nasty resposes to your column "Wright is right." Your column spoke to me and affirmed that I am not the only one who sees what is really going on. I want you to know that what you said is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Keep up the good work!

I have to admit that I often read frivolous subjects from Steve Hammer. But he's dead on target here. After listening to right-wing talk show hosts skewer Wright to get at Obama anyone can see the political hatchet job some conservative loud mouths are trying to perform in service to the party that brought us the Iraq war, mercenary contract war profiteering, and out of control military-industrial complex deficit spending. Wright is right--at least, to those of us who read and can think independently.

Thank you for stating what I think is obvious as well. Once again Hammer you've done an outstanding job! Keep up the good work. Maybe someday the rest of the country will wake up and smell the corruption.