Originally Posted by RFK1968

Why do people act as though this was a common part Reverend Wright's sermons week-in-and-week-out. These were random occurrences that have destroyed this man's legacy, all with the purpose of bringing down a presidential candidate. I can't believe we're reaching a point where the sins of everyone that surrounds the political figure are cast upon that political figure. It was pathetic when it was done to Mitt Romney. It's pathetic when it's being done to Barack Obama.

But this idea that someone should leave their church because they disagree with some of the things the preacher says is absolutely ludicrous. Would you abandon members of your family that made racist or sexist or homophobic statements just becuase you disagreed with them? What if your church was as big a part of your life as your family? Obama said Wright was like an uncle. That doesn't surprise me one bit. I've got a racist uncle. I still hang out with him sometimes. Does that make me a racist? This whole "agreement by association" principle falls flat on its face.

And these same people find it acceptable for a candidate to be endorsed by someone who has made homophobic, anti-Semetic or anti-Catholic remarks because, to them, it's the degree of association that matters, and they are the deciders regarding what degree is acceptable.

If anyone could find me a single piece of evidence that Barack Obama shares any kind of this sentiment, I'd really love to see it. Otherwise, if we're going to continue this "agreement by association" mentality, I'd be worried about the tremendous can of worms that will be opened regarding associations on the other side.