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Josiah Stephens
Feature Writing
Final Rough Draft
Oops

I loosely follow the current campaign for president, with my updates usually coming from a quick flip by c-span or a particular headline in a newspaper that grabs my attention because of its big font. Despite the brevity of my visit, there always seems to be a common theme, what I like to call a Barack Obama “Oops Moment.”
So there I sit flipping through the channels, not hesitating for more than a few seconds on each station, when I suddenly stumble upon another Barack “Moment.” I decide to see what it is this time and hit the volume.
"They get bitter,” said the Illinois senator. “They cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Perplexed, I wonder to myself, did I misinterpret what he said or did a candidate for president of the United States of America just condescend to those whom he is trying to lead? Surely I misunderstood.
So I head to the computer and type in, “barack guns or religion speech.” I find a website with his direct quote and read it again. Sure enough, I had read it correctly. Prejudice from a presidential candidate?
Upon a little more research I uncover some disturbing remarks made by his pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. In a speech that is now quite controversial, Rev. Wright makes the statement “God Damn America.” A statement that completely appalled me. I had thought those words to be a combination that not even sailor could muster, least of all, a reverend. I later come to find that in the reverend’s first sermon after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Wright blamed the United States for the attacks, stating that we “brought them on ourselves.” In another instance, the reverend accuses the United States of being racist towards African Americans and calls it the U.S of KKK A.
While Sen. Obama denies ever being in a service where Rev. Wright made such remarks and tries to distance himself from the more controversial teachings, I can’t help but wonder, can you be a part of a congregation for 20 years, such as Obama has, and manage to never hear these types of preaching? Not to mention, Rev. Wright married Obama and his wife and baptized their children. Surely the reverend has been of great importance in the Sen. Obama’s life.
When asked about Rev. Wright’s comments, Obama responded that Rev. Wright is “like an old uncle that says things I don’t always agree with.” And that everyone has someone like that in their family, excusing the anti-American comments with a playful nod.
In a questionnaire that was filled out by the then Mr. Obama, who at the time was seeking state office, the senator-to-be takes extreme liberal views, opposing any restrictions whatsoever on abortion, directly opposing the death penalty, and proposing a ban on the very act of manufacturing handguns.
That didn’t sound very American to me, nor many other Americans. This new found information was quickly brought to light and the senator was questioned on it. However, when he was confronted about some of these views, Sen. Obama excused himself by stating that an aide had filled out his questionnaire in his place, once again excusing his actions and providing himself with a legitimate reason to directly contradict his previously expressed views. Very slippery.
It seems as though the senator’s campaign has become a constant strand of lies, followed by “what he meant to say.” Sen. Obama is rearing an ugly head of unconstitutional, un-American ways by suggesting that he will deny us the right to bear arms, and by showing a blatant disregard for mankind. denying death where it is deserved (death penalty), and granting it where it should be constrained (abortion). If this is what we see from Sen. Obama before he has even been elected, how much more of his true self will he let show through if he is elected?
Sen. Obama pledges to bring a “new kind of politics,” but unfortunately for us so far, he’s pulling the same old tricks we see all too often

very good glad to see a paper will be putting information like this out there. great ending by the way, quite a nice little punch like you said.

goin out tomarrow at my school! I'm so excited! my first published work! lol

I can't wait for the hail mail to start piling in!!

HE IS SUCH A JOKE

scarily, I think I'm actually learning more about Obama from you than I am from the news media

We are screwed. We have an unholy trinity, running for an important position. Not a single one of them, are for the people. All three answer to the same bosses.

So how did it go down at school then? I've seen recent posts so presumably you haven't been lynched.

haha, ya I'm still walking around campus without threats on my life so that's all good... I made a couple last minute changes and ended up rephrasing alot of the piece. when it was printed(right above a pro-Obama piece) there was a picture of my face and a quote next to it saying "Obama gives in to popular demand much like a 12 year old girl gives into peer pressure once her popularity is challenged"...lol pretty funny, and they really couldn't have picked a better quote from my article..but if for some reason my posts do suddenly stop you'll know why, hahah

josiahes wrote: "Obama gives in to popular demand much like a 12 year old girl gives into peer pressure once her popularity is challenged

That's an excellent quote. Do you know if it's attributed to anyone particular, or is it something your editor slipped in?