22 APR 08: WRIGHT DOWN HERE

Today is Pennsylvania Primary day in the Presidential race. So which Democrat should voters support - the one who can't her facts straight about overseas trips? Or the one whose longtime pastor can see the wrath of God in every Iraqi roadside bomb?

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Your blog confirmed Monday night that Barack Obama's controversial longtime pastor is coming to Columbus. Dr. Jeremiah Wright will be the guest speaker at a series of revival meetings in two weeks. So his message may be tame the first night, and be worth recording for YouTube by the last night.

The appearance by Dr. Jeremiah Wright is NOT being kept a secret. His name is on the sign, outside St. John A.M.E. Church on Steam Mill Road -- a church which advertises in the Yellow Pages that it's "striving for.... reconciliation in our family, the church and our community." And what says reconciliation more than this minister? Maybe a lecture series by Bill O'Reilly?

For those who turned off the political talk shows after the Georgia Primary: Barack Obama disowned Chicago Pastor Jeremiah Wright to a large extent, after critics started reviewing some of Wright's sermons [29 Mar]. The minister suggested God should NOT bless America, because of its actions around the world. Yet Wright still has NOT been invited to preach in Venezuela or Iran.

Jeremiah Wright is scheduled to speak in Columbus at a four-night revival May 5-8. This could be the most well-attended revival this city has seen in years. Of course, the "overflow" crowd could be outside carrying picket signs....

(The revival falls during the week of the Indiana and North Carolina primaries. It's nice to see the longtime friend of Barack Obama has conveniently made himself too busy, to help with the campaign.)

Given all the fuss about Jeremiah Wright's sermons and writings, why would St. John A.M.E. Church invite him to Columbus? It actually seems to be an exchange trip - because the St. John's Pastor spoke at Wright's church in Chicago last May. Maybe that was one of the Trinity United Church of Christ services Barack Obama actually attended.

The church bulletin for that service last May declared St. John A.M.E. Church Pastor Debora Grant is "held in high esteem as a Leader in the Tri-City Area...." Maybe so, but I don't recall hearing her name before -- and even Ann Hardman beat her to a weekly service on TV.

We couldn't reach the minister known as "Pastor Debbie" Monday night, to comment on the Jeremiah Wright visit. Perhaps she was busy organizing police protection for his trip....

The connection between Debora Grant and Jeremiah Wright may go back even farther. Trinity United Church of Christ apparently sent a group to Columbus three years ago, for the SOA Watch protest. That'll teach some of you, who think that weekend is merely a showdown between the Catholics and the Baptists.

We've also learned where Dr. Jeremiah Wright will stay, while he's in Columbus. We're told it's not a minister's home, but the Hilton Garden Inn -- or as the source who tipped us off to this story said, "GLENN DAVIS'S Hilton Garden Inn!" As if the Columbus Councilor reviews the guest list every night, and mails customers autographed baseball cards?!

(Before people pin any blame on Glenn Davis, they should realize something. St. John A.M.E. Church is only a few blocks down the street from the City Manager's house.)

This source suggested something should be done to stop Jeremiah Wright from preaching in Columbus. But there's one small problem with this. Changing the Bill of Rights to ban freedom of religion and freedom of speech is pretty hard to do in 12 days.

I know some ministers at the other end of the political spectrum from Jeremiah Wright, who would declare his anti-war remarks treasonous and demand his arrest. But then, some Roman Catholics who heard their ridicule of the Pope might demand the very same thing....

BLOG CORRECTION: Speaking of religion, we need to clarify our entry of 16 April. We're now told the Columbus Baptist Association started to help Theresa Jones save her home, but then backed away. If she didn't say the "Sinner's Prayer," they might have wound up saying it for helping her.

Now we'll try to be a little less preachy, as we check the Monday headlines....

+ The Ledger-Enquirer unveiled a new streamlined look, which the editors say is designed to save on newsprint costs. All the better for having a special ten-page section of legal notices Monday -- listing nothing but home foreclosures. [True!]

+ The manager of Cowboys Steak Saloon on Airport Thruway told the newspaper if Governor Perdue signs the bill allowing concealed carry weapons in restaurants, he'll demand all guns be checked at the door. Aw c'mon - does this guy want an authentic Western steak house, or not?

(Even the owner of Country's Barbecue says he'll require all guns to be checked at the door. So I guess we'll have to trust these restaurants, and believe the chicken quarters are dead.)

+ The Muscogee County School Board approved higher lunch prices. Grade-school children will pay $1.75 for lunch next term - which is slightly more than their parents will pay for a bag of chips and a soda at vending machines.

+ About 200 Barbour County High School students stayed away from class, to protest the choice of a new superintendent. Or as they'll call it 20 years from now, "Senior Skip Day."

+ The new "Fortune 500" rankings of the biggest companies knocked Aflac down one notch from last year. It's now number 165 - which could inspire calls for a new campus near Fort Mitchell.

+ Tiffany Tootle ended weeks of rumors, by resigning as Columbus State University women's softball coach. We're still not sure why Tootle was placed on administrative leave. Perhaps someday she'll explain it to other coaches - in a Tootle Tutorial.

Today's main topic was the result of a blog reader's tip. To offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.

BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 579 (+ 13, 2.3%)

TRUDGE REPORT, DAY 51: Running 3.35 miles, walking, 0.3 miles. Total: 160.65 miles run, 17.1 walked

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

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