Obama's Pastor: Man of God?

In a word, No. Unlike the IRS, I have no problem with a pastor making biblical comments on the issues or candidates of the day. (Stump speeches on Sunday mornings are irritating and generally out of place, but they should not be criminal.)

But what this man has been recorded as saying is unfitting and inappropriate for a man who is to "lead the flock." According to a foxnews.com story and other sources, the following things are on the record as coming from his mouth in recent days:

From April 2003: "The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes three-strike laws and wants them to sing God Bless America."

“No! No No!

“God damn America … for killing innocent people.

“God damn America for threatening citizens as less than humans.

“God damn America as long as she tries to act like she is God and supreme.”

From Late 2001: “We bombed Hiroshima. We bombed Nagasaki. And we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon and we never batted an eye,” Wright said.

“We have supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans, and now we are indignant because of stuff we have done overseas is now brought back into our own backyard. America is chickens coming home to roost.”

And from another sermon (at least, I'm assuming that is what it was): “The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. The government lied.”

At long last, Senator Obama has distanced himself from his "friend," "mentor," and pastor's comments. At least, officially. And this man has recently retired from his pastorate.