After the two-month long protest in South Korea over its President Lee Myung Bak's decision to allow the importation of U.S. beefs including those from cows over 30 months old at the time of slaughter, the U.S. media are beginning to report that questions of U.S. beefs still remain because U.S. beef safety inspections are not properly done.  Dr. Paul Krugman's June 13, 2008, column, Bad Cow Disease, criticizes with some shocking details that reckless Milton Friedman style free-market economic deregulation damaged the safety and credibility of American food products and a clumsy U.S. diplomacy angered South Koreans during this controversy.  This diary will explain the current situation in South Korea that are not reported by U.S. media.

His principal reasons, as cited by Obama:

- Media onslaught on members - sick and shut in getting calls

- Distraction to business of church

- Controversial statements

- He did not want to subject his church to the same rigors as a political campaign - did not think it was fair to them

He didn't throw anyone under the bus.

He wished his church well and indicated that he hoped that when they find their next church home that they will be able to do what they desire to do in church - worship God.

He moved on to comments regarding the R&B Committee rulings.

I am a big fan of the Ed Shultz show; mainly because it's one of the few outlets of progressive info I can get on radio/during the day (especially when the cable news shows are "acting up")here in NY.

Shultz gives a male, western, progressive viewpoint, with a forceful, animated, republican style delivery, to good ratings. That's a postive to many. He's also been a strong supporter of Barack Obama.

But today, at the beginning of his show (broadcast 12pm here in NYC) Ed Shultz just played right into the Corporate medias hand.

He started his show on Fri, by eviscerating the latest alleged/burgeoning Obama "Pastor Disaster", Father Flagler, who said some not so kind (but some feel honest) things about HRC, and her sense of "white-Clinton" entitlement at Trinity this past Sunday.Ok. That's understandable.

But now Shultz wants Obama to leave Trinity?

Who is Ed Shultz to tell Obama where to go to church?  He should know better! If the MSM media, is not sure what to make of this story yet (they've been relatively reserved in light of Hagee's pastor disaster,and Clinton's recent assassination comments). Why would Ed Shultz give it legitimacy by asking Obama "to leave Trinity Church"?

I can't believe Fox "News." They are hyping another pastor story, although it's a priest, and not Obama's pastor, he mocked Hillary's ambition and sense of entitlement. Evidently he was part of Obama's campaign a couple of months ago, but he resigned. This right wing shill on Verdict said that Obama shouldn't have let him resign, he should have fired him, and this story has legs.

Hillary Clinton and John McCain have fed the media a diet of scandal and innuendo and kept feeding it to the point where it has become a monster that will consume them both.

I want to see these remarks played at the top of the hour, every hour, on every 24/7 news channel from now until the Republican National Convention.

I want to see John McCain dogged - I mean DOGGED - about this until he gives a major speech and holds a major press conference to answer for this.

Pastor Hagee, whose endorsement McCain sought and accepted with great satisfaction, apologized today for calling the Catholic Church the 'great whore.'

Millions of Catholic voters - Democratic, Independent, and Republican - as well as other voters - need and deserve a full and thorough explanation from John McCain about these remarks.

I especially am interested to hear what Irish Catholics like Hannity and O'Reilly might say about this OUTRAGE.

Last night on MSNBC's election coverage the issue of McCain and his unreported gaffes came up. A legitimate point for anyone wondering why the media is so fixated on Reverend Wright but cannot bring themselves to give Pastor Hagee even a moment's notice.

They repeatedly ignore McCain's gaffes such as confusing Sunnis with Shi'ites and admiting "I Don't know much about the economy. I turn to my advisors." when the Economy is supposedly one of if not the top issue in the campaign.

Matthews and Russert (to their credit) are quite candid about the free pass that McCain has been given. Russert points out that it's a long race, though. He seems to imply that the media will become more critical of McCain at least on issues like the war and the economy.

I'll believe it when I see it, but for now this is a pretty great video:

While our nation is at war, American families are being forced out of their homes, and gas is inching towards four dollars a gallon, we have more important issues to talk about than Obama's ex-pastor. I was personally troubled by Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s warped view of the world, and I understand why many Americans were angered by his message, but it’s ridiculous to think the former pastor's sentiment is a representation of Barack Obama's values or judgment. We would be no more justified in criticizing the whole of Christianity for Reverend Wright's comments than pundits and rival campaigns have been in criticizing Obama for vitriol the former pastor spewed. This election is about war, the economy, healthcare and our global climate crises. It's time we focused on these issues instead of what Obama's outlandish ex-pastor said.

"Wisdom is a gift; you can't train for it, inherit it, learn it in a class, or earn it in the workplace--that access can foster the acquisition of knowledge, but not wisdom." - Toni Morrison

Shouldn't Dr. Maya Angelou be part of Hillary's dialog on race?

Some have wondered why there are blacks who consider Dr. Maya Angelou a 'traitor' to her black race. I don't know if I put her there just yet. But her past words create questions as to why she has not spoken up about her friend Hillary Clinton's need to inject racism and Reverend Jeremiah Wright into this campaign in the many ways Hillary has.

Here, she is speaking to the American Academy of Achievement in January, 1997. She covers many topics still relevant to today, so as you read through this interview, remember it's eleven years old.

It's as if she's predicting an Obama candidacy.

Can the media ever stop talking about how they can’t stop talking about how they can’t stop talking about Obama’s pastor?

Tonight on cable "news."

Last night the Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart devoted a large amount of their headline coverage to how the news media is devoting a large amount of their coverage to Reverend Jeremiah Wright day-in and day-out.

It's a pretty well done segment complete with priceless phrases like "Wright... who has been dominating cable news like a missing white girl." While some might wish the Daily Show would focus their attentions elsewhere I disagree - this is what the Daily Show is, a mockery of the news networks. This is precisely why the Daily Show exists - to call out the news media for their stupidity, obsession and shallow coverage.

I've been watching so much Wright nonsense on TV over the past week or so that I find this kind of spoofing very cathartic.

... where are they?

I hear the NYT is coming out with an article questioning the 'pass' that John McCain has gotten in him actively going after the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee and getting it. I've heard some of Hagee's sermons on TV, I must say I haven't heard the f-bomb yet, but this guy has more in common with Farrakhan in some respects. I can't believe the things he gets away with saying 'on TV'.

I think it is now fair game that some Dem leaning group or two, come up with McCain plus Hagee ads. Yes I agree it can potentially get nasty, but it may have to. For too often Dems have permitted Repugs unchecked to race bait and spread lies on public policy and other social issues during election seasons.

This isn't much of a diary entry but I enjoy sharing clips from the greatest news show on television (it kind of is). Last night the Daily Show had some very funny coverage of the Jeremiah Wright media frenzy and the comments he's been making over the past few days.

Jon Stewart also sits down for a more substantive Jimmy Carter interview than you would find on FOX, Larry King or ABC. Check it all out below and weigh in with some thoughts/reactions!

I see headlines today here about Obama throwing his pastor under the bus because he is being a bad association and the first thought that comes to my mind is my parents.

Earlier today Reverend Jeremiah Wright spoke at the Press Club where he touched on many different issues. The role of the black church, racism, Barack Obama, sound bites in the media etc. etc.

For those who had never seen Jeremiah Wright outside of his sound bites it was probably an interesting and eye-opening experience. The guy actually holds his own quite well, even when being asked some pretty hard questions about past statements and so forth.

I've decided to share the Question and Answer segment of the coverage to let everyone here see for themselves. While I may not agree with everything that Wright does, I respect him for his honesty and conviction. The only thing is that this will probably hurt Obama who I am supporting for President. Hmmm

Start here.

Trinity United Church Of Christ
info@tucc.org

This list ncludes some media contact information, because I've been hearing some want to let it be known how they feel about how the media has handled this issue. It is far from complete, of course. More a sample of what is out there.

The biggest offense in the Wright tapes - when played in longer segments than Fox or ABC (which supposedly played it before Fox or CNN) or any other outlet has played them - is no one has captured the sentiment around the words beyond the Noise Level. Wright is talking to a community that feels like America has left them behind - economically, politically, socially, demographically. As Jimmy Boegle put it, "Why do you think it's impossible to love your country, yet still be ashamed of it?" Which a poster on Reddit added "I remember Trent Lott saying something like "It's possible to support troops while opposing the president." Which are variations of exactly what Wright was saying in the 'God Damn America' speech. Using the quote of a Reagan appointee.

Surely Rev. Wright’s choice of words can be jarring, but I wonder why so many credible institutions have praised him over the years. In recent days two of Rev. Wright’s major speaking engagements were canceled due to safety concerns, one in which he was to receive an award. And at another that he did attend he was invited and respectfully welcomed by white clergy among others. I wonder why a man like Barack Obama, who clearly has the qualities of a great leader, and a level of integrity and authenticity I’ve not seen in a politician, ever, claims the reverand as a friend and mentor. There must be something more to Rev. Wright that I’m not yet aware of, but I’m interested in finding out before making an uninformed judgment as so many in our media have. Not many analysts, strategists or surrogates say that they have heard anything more than the famous soundbites and maybe a few of the words written in the church’s publication. I have. - I think it’s tragic to condemn someone to the point that they fear for their life and the lives of those around them because they spoke passionately about what they believe however wrong or offensive it may be.

Joe Scarborough just displayed a dazzling display of utter bullshit on Morning Joe.