As the son and grandson of Republicans, I am asking for trouble here. Re Jeremiah Wright, his ‘God, damn America’ comment is a ham-fisted way to say what many churches have preached for years - afflicting the comfortable, comforting the afflicted, etc. with rhetorical flourish.

My favorite hymn has more red meat in it than Wright said - G. K. Chesterton’s Oh God of Earth And Altar. Hippies have softened its lyrics a bit, but it’s full of hellfire and brimstone goodness like “smite us and save us all,” “the walls of gold entomb us; the swords of scorn divide; take not thy thunder from us; but take away our pride…”

While I’m ranting, don’t bleep “damn” when used correctly! Its just like how dog breeders can say “bitch” and Spanish speakers can say “negro” with impunity, but not so much the rest of us.