Okay. This video of Barack Obama's pastor, Dwight Hopkins, ranting about race and presidential politics has been circulating the internet and mainstream media for a short while now...

Obama has since distanced himself from Hopkins, but has had to defend his own position on race and where it fits into his political process. He seems to be doing a fairly effective job. But let's be honest here. Obama would not have to be taking time away from discussing his policies and his vision for America to discuss his race if he were... not black; i.e. if he were white. That, in itself, tends to lend truth to some what Wright was said in this video clip.

You know. I feel kinda guilty complaining about this, primarily because I do it too. But I am getting really upset with mainstream media spending so much time discussing the "process" of running for the Presidency and spending so little time engaging the substantial issues involved the candidates' proposed platforms and policy initiatives.

It just seems, because of our mainstream media myopic focus on process, it is too diffifult to engage, on a popular level, in any serious policy dialogue regarding the "Next American Preident."

John Hagee doesn't think so. Whew! And I was worried there for a minute!

I apologize. I know I said I will comment on Ron Paul's discussion on last Sunday's "Meet the Press." I will actually do that tomorrow, even though a new "Meet the Press" presidential candidate will be speaking.

Despite the fact we are in holiday season, I work (in my day job) with people who do not get to enjoy holidays -- i.e. the homeless. They take priority for me in my day job and in my heart. So please forgive me if I cannot follow through with my wider political commentary. On top of that, I came down with a very serious cold that distracted me from both my day job and from CfD. It is very difficult to concentrate on writing a blog post with a bad cold.

I do have thoughts about Ron Paul's interview and will share them tomorrow, hopefully before watching the new "Meet the Press" interview.

In the meantime, here is the James Kotecki reeport that was given on my birthday, Dec. 19.