Not so sure about Obama

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Once again our great country has achieved another milestone with Barack Obama becoming the first candidate for president who is black. This should be no surprise in a country that specializes in trying to encourage all to reach their greatest potential. However, this step has been painful and too long coming.

It makes me proud, but I do have misgivings — none of which are about the candidate’s ethnicity, but instead, large questions about his character and associations.  

His church, and the church’s pastor, Rev. Wright, and the recent guest appearance of Father Fleiger, make a person wonder just what is taught and believed and in this church that Barack has called “home” for 20 years. One need only pay attention to the rhythm and cadence of the services to understand that after certain segments were completed, it was time to get inflamed about all the injustice done to our brothers of color. It was not a random and seldom event, but a part of a recipe present on a typical Sunday.  

Combine that with Barack’s friendship with William Ayers, a non-repentant bomber of U.S. symbols and institutions, and his close ties to Tony Rezko, and you have a circle of associates of disturbing history and behaviors.

My parents and other people I have respected in my lifetime have frequently said, “You are judged by the friends you keep.” However, in the case of Mr. Obama, people rationalize it and say, “William Ayers isn’t running for president. Rev. Gerald Wright isn’t running for president.” Records for rationalization have been set at a gold medal high.

Don’t get the idea I am a Hillary Clinton fan. I believe she and her husband have defiled and stained the office of the presidency and have assembled the dirtiest political team in modern history. I cannot wait for them to no longer be a part of a single TV moment. Goodbye and best wishes to them both.  

I still worry that this great accomplishment of our country and its people is hinged upon the reputation of a man that we knew nothing of four years ago. That alone should be a fair question.

We must be careful that in our attempt to correct past slights, we don’t hastily pick the wrong man as the solution.

Gary Kenny

Seatonville