Today, Senator Obama spoke on the Reverend Wright controversy and made clear what he believes. Three points came out of his speech and I am sure he only intended one point. The biggest issue resolved was that he explained why he continued to befriend Reverend Wright and why he continued to be a part of his congregation. His explanation was both eloquent and clear. He personally understands the reasons why Reverend Wright thinks the way he does and he understands why it is different from the way he (Senator Obama) thinks. Barack Obama defined the differences so well that it had the ring of truth and clarity. This writer is convinced that Senator Obama has not exercised poor judgment when sitting through Reverend Wright’s sermons; that he successfully compartmentalized what Reverend Wright was saying compared to what he believes.

He did not address or explain the previous statements that he had never experienced these sermons personally yet now in this speech stated that he had heard the questionable sermons all along. Do we chalk this deception up to political gamesmanship? The straight talk was absent here. Two other issues surfaced during his speech, that shine a clearer light on what and how Senator Obama thinks.

His statement, that he will find a way out of the war in Iraq, did not ring as clearly as his previous definitive proclamations regarding the speed of removal of our troops if elected and taking office. Does this mean that he now understands that unraveling Iraq will be like cutting a fine diamond and that it cannot be done haphazardly or hastily? To improperly unravel or to just leave Iraq may create more world problems for us in the future than remaining and continuing to stabilize the country, which is currently happening.He needs to be pressed on this by the unbiased media – if we can find them.

His statement that we need to stop corporations from sending jobs out of the country just for the sake of profit demonstrates a glaring lack of understanding of how capitalism works and creeps up upon a socialist agenda. Under capitalism with some controls, the better the environment for profit, the better the environment for growth and prosperity.This means jobs – good jobs! The jobs are leaving because the corporations need to make profit to survive and will seek out the most advantageous environment to make that profit, even if it means to create and manufacture elsewhere. It is the responsibility of a government in a capitalistic economy to foster an environment to entice corporations both foreign and domestic to produce here thus creating good jobs and plenty of them.You cannot regulate jobs unless you are in a failing communist or socialist economy where the standard of living misery is balanced and widespread.

He should be seeking to change the health care system by relieving corporations of this burden and ameliorate the corporate tax rates to foster a profitable environment for corporations producing in this country and trading with the world.This should be the fix he seeks. This will place corporations doing business in this country in a position to grow and sustain good paying jobs. Remember, corporations do not pay taxes they collect them for the government from you in the form of higher prices, but in the world trade environment they cannot pass these taxes on so they become uncompetitive. When they are uncompetitive they move to an environment where they can be competitive and move the jobs elsewhere. He should not be condemning profit, which is the engine of prosperity and standard of living as long as it is heavily laced with successful world trade.

Senator Obama says it is all about judgment and not about experience.He minimizes experience as a requirement to be President and points to his judgment demonstrated by his voiced opposition to the war in Iraq.He offers that judgment is preferable over experience.Let us assume that he is right and judgment is the key to being a good President.Does a voiced opposition against a war, which at the time had some compelling reasons – now debunked, represent that Senator Obama will bring King Solomon like judgment to the office of the President.

For the past twenty years Barack Obama has chosen to be a part of a religious congregation in Chicago – in fact he did not just fall into this congregation, but selected it as it suited his needs.He and his wife chose to have Reverend Jeremiah Wright marry them and they chose to have their two children baptized by Reverend Wright.During this twenty year association he has chosen to call Reverend Wright his friend and has remained a faithful member of Reverend Wright’s congregation.

I had thought about providing a link to the most recent inflammatory video of Reverend Wright, there are plenty of them on the internet – just search Google or go to Fox News or ABC News.It is not necessary to post the video, but it is necessary to comment on the commentators at this point.The commentators seem to talk in terms of an apology from Senator Obama, or a rejection of the rhetoric of Reverend Wright by Senator Obama.

This is not a matter of apologizing or of distancing oneself from Reverend Wright.It is a matter that Barack Obama been a friend to, been affiliated with, participated in the congregation, been married by, and had his children baptized by Reverend Wright for a twenty year period.What does Barack Obama truly believe – clearly we know little about his thinking as he has not had time in public life to demonstrate that thinking.

More importantly, what is his judgment capability?If he believes the rhetoric of Reverend Wright, should he be President?If he does not believe the rhetoric of Reverend Wright, why has he been a prominent member of the congregation and a friend of Reverend Wright for twenty years?What kind of judgment does Senator Obama possess? Does he buy into Reverend Wright’s rhetoric – if so, than I cannot vote for him – this may be the Real Change that Senator Obama talks about?Does he reject the rhetoric of Reverend Wright – if he does, then what kind of judgment does it take to associate with the Reverend for twenty years and subject your family to rhetoric you do not believe in?

One last point – now you can connect the dots to what Mrs. Obama said – paraphrased (first time being proud to be an American).Do she and Senator Obama really buy into Reverend Wright’s thinking – when connecting the dots, it is starting to look like it.America, look out!You had better peel back the onion on Senator Obama – because the media will not.What kind of Real Change are you seeking?