America, I am a strong believer that how we treat each other matters.

You would think that if any group in America had 20% to 25% unemployment, it would generate all kinds of attention. The Labor Department would understandably and necessarily begin to concentrate on what can we do to reduce this level of unemployment. Congress would give great time on the floor for debate on what can be done.

First of all, do I think there's some racists in the Tea Party? Yeah. I'm an ordained United Methodist pastor; there's some racists in the Methodist church. I don't know if there's a body that does not have some racists in it.

America, I am a strong believer that how we treat each other matters.

I have family in Tanzania. I can't even explain the joy of riding through the Tanzania national park and seeing giraffes run across the road and elephants over in a pond and baboons running.

God did not burden the United States with a diversity of backgrounds, ideas and religions, He blessed America with them.

Let's do more than say the 'Pledge of Allegiance.' Let us live it!