DISQUS

Bart · 11 months ago

Lost in all this commotion today: Obama selects retired Admiral Dennis Blair (supporter of Indonesian junta's brutality against East Timor) as Director of National Intelligence. Now that's change I can believe in!

sherifffruitfly · 11 months ago

lol - you may want to re-think the use of the initials "HRC".

Bart · 11 months ago

Glen Greenwald: Though there is some debate about the motivations behind Obama's choice here, I think Digby's analysis http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/praying-... of what Obama is up to is almost entirely accurate.

red_dwarf · 11 months ago

Warren is such a bigot. Your link proves once again how shallow this homophobe really is. What an embarassment - and to think Obama conciously made the decision to put this dip on center stage.

Bill · 11 months ago

Rick Warren should be hounded with protests wherever he goes.

John, thank you for your several very articulate, very important posts on the Warren invocation matter.

I will do my part to keep the heat on.

Let's turn this serious misfortune into a serious teachable moment.

The days of Rick Warren being considered legitimate need to be over.

And good job HRC, too.

KarenMrsLloydRichards · 11 months ago

Furthermore: ALL pro-choice women should be outraged by Obama's selection of Warren, given his extreme remarks about reproductive rights.

Indigo · 11 months ago

<viscious snark>I read that the government of Zimbabwe has imploded.</viscious snark>

tas · 11 months ago

Aren't they the ones that sat back and screwed up the Prop 8 situation anyway?

Indigo · 11 months ago

A "gay marching band"? Just say no. Who are they? We need to get ahold of them. They're doing bad and need guidance.

gs · 11 months ago

That gay marching band should boycott the parade!

Bart · 11 months ago

Not a chance. Too bright a feather in their caps.

Ben Dover · 11 months ago

Barry the Pandering Politician took our money, took our time and sold us out faster than you can say "change you can believe in".
Barry talks a good game, but when it comes right down to it his words are meaningless and his actions invisible.
A complete total waste of time, energy, cash and effort. As I posted before, Barry can paint that outhouse many shades of many colors but it's still full of shit.

smoke · 11 months ago

any word from ken mehlman?

sullivan · 11 months ago

Will someone please locate the name of this so called gay band? I would personally like to write them and tell them to cancel. i can't find any info.

Bart · 11 months ago

Start here: http://sflgfb.org/supportus.html (contact info bottom of left column). Be sure to keep us posted how this is coming.

Bart · 11 months ago

Twenty-six members of the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Freedom Band, and Cheer San Francisco, were selected from the Lesbian and Gay Band Association's thousands of members nationwide to participate in the Jan. 20 event.

Jackson Thersites · 11 months ago

Our beef is not with the marching band it is with Obama's choice of Rick Warren. Lets not pressure the folks in this band to do anything. It is an honor for them and we should celebrate their joy at being given the honor. Our fight is over the choice of Warren.

Jenny · 11 months ago

That's OK. I question the HRC's commitment to trans rights. I guess everyone's free to point out something about an organization or a candidate that they don't like. This controversy, though, is not goign to play well in the MSM. It's already gathering a head of steam.

I wonder if John knows there's a little add for the Purpose Driven Life at the top of his home page?

S Brennan · 11 months ago

OBAMA TEAM TO INCLUDE KLANSMEN AT INAUGURATION
by Scarlet O'Butler - NYT 18 Dec 2008

In a surprising move, surrounded by much secrecy, Sen. Diane Feinstein [D-Ca] (who is in charge of a $1.24 million budget for the 56th quadrennial presidential inauguration) announced today that President-elect Obama would host the Grand Wizard of the KKK at the inauguration.

When asked about the mixed messages such a gesture might send, the Senior Senator said "it's sends a message of inclusion that even the dimmest bulb will understand" she went on to say "we want to reach out to all the cracks and crevices in America, even if means looking under slimy rocks". While the Senior Senator distanced herself from the outreach search committee due to her aversion to manual labor, she did offer up "that whatever the search committee found, ought to be included".

When asked what Obama and a head Klansman might do together, she offered that while the two originally planned to drink beer and shoot some hoops, the plan was changed when the Wizard complained that being seen on a basketball court might send the "wrong" message to the KKK members. Instead, the two will sit around and practice knots and finish with a bonfire specifically built by the Grand wizard for the ceremony.

While this meeting might seem alienating to one of President-elect Obama's biggest support groups, it is thought that the political jujitsu of this move should leave Gays who complained about the President-elect including a Preacher who insults gays and wants to deny equal rights...absolutely speechless. So far, the Washington consensus seems to support view, "this as a very clever move that should be seen as "real change" by the American public" a well respected Washington insider close to the administration was quoted as saying.

Also appearing by special invitation to the presidential inauguration will be the Hell's Angels from California, along with assorted Somali Warlords and representatives of the Sudanese Government. For the record Sen. Diane Feinstein [D-Ca] was asked if she had personally extended a warm welcome to the Brown Shirt Organization of Greater America, but she declined comment specifically on that saying that "it's a real mixed bag" and "including everybody, regardless of their background had left a lot on her plate...and she wasn't sure if it would come clean in time for the big event"

Ed. note, special thanks to Washington freelance writer John Aravosis who provided background for this story.

Not One Penny · 11 months ago

We pray we weren't misled.

a) Stop praying since no one hears it.

b) Stop paying since that's all politicians understand.

gs · 11 months ago

Dear President-Elect Obama:

I worked hard to help you get elected. I passed out fliers in several neighborhoods. I worked with a local get-out-the-vote group. And I drove 37 people to the polls for early voting and 16 more on election day, itself.

Now, I feel betrayed. That you would invite a homophobic [ir-]religious bigot to deliver the invocation at your inauguration is a slap in my face and in the faces of all your GLBT supporters.

For the very first time in my life, I thought I was voting FOR a candidate instead of against a candidate I couldn't stomach. I was wrong. You are no different. And you have lost my support.

I'm not sorry I voted against McCain/Palin but I am very sorry I voted for Obama/Biden.

You're NOT welcome,
[signed]

red_dwarf · 11 months ago

Warren said he wasn't homophobic - referring to gays as "them" (interview to air tomorrow night) he said he once "gave them donuts and coffee".

Hate to tell you but the bottom line is Obama is about Obama (do I hear 2012?), not about standing up and making concious decisions that reflect your courage and capacity to do what is right.

Obama is a medocre man. He will be a mediocre President.

coolcatdaddy · 11 months ago

Well, this is fascinating. HRC's been so wimpy it's shocking to actually hear them say they're "angry" about something.

Bart · 11 months ago

At least with Hillary in his place we would have had this Clintonism being run by an actual Clinton.

Marck · 11 months ago

2012 so near and yet so far away. Barry better hope he can do some magic with the economy. I am now open to all other progressives who might want to run in 2012. Face it. We were duped. Duped big time. We were sweet-talked and seduced and then screwed up the wazoo and dumped under the bus. How very low down and perhaps even downlow of Barry, the gay-hater.

So many LBGT people worked so hard to elect the great hope. They spent time they should have spent trying to defeat Prop H8, electing their main man Barry. So many in the LGBT community will work for the good of other oppressed groups, while ignoring their own. How sad.

Screwed by Downlowbama. Sad.

Bart · 11 months ago

Sweet-talked and fuked without Crisco.

Indigo · 11 months ago

LOL !

Robert · 11 months ago

Choosing Rick Warren is like inviting the Grand Wizard of the KKK to his inauguration. It confirms the beliefs of many Americans who agree with Rick's ideas on gay rights and abortion. I voted for Obama and convinced many people to vote for him because he represented change. There is no room for any kind of bigotry in this world and by allowing Rick to be with him on such an historic time makes me doubt his true intentions.

rmichels · 11 months ago

My goodness gracious you make a wild leap of logic here. Perhaps without realizing it you've just suggested that about half the people of America are equivalent to KKK members. I support marriage for all and I want to see it made the law of the land NOW but it's not going to happen quite so quickly while a majority of my fellow citizens aren't yet supportive. In the meantime, I'm going to press forward, at demonstrations and in the courts (through my donations) but I'm not going to demonize those whose hearts I want to change. I might boycott their restaurant but I'm not going to demonize them. Way too much vitriolic hatred being expressed here today. Many of you have been made ugly by the ugliness you fight.

Robert · 11 months ago

We live in a world today where people pride themselves on hating gays. Have you read the message boards today on this topic? People don’t even have opinions just mean hurtful recycled rhetoric.

larry · 11 months ago

No that is not the basis for the comparison. When the chap that is giving the invocation compares the gay communities desire for recognition of marriage or civil union to pedophilia...incest...it tends to raise hackles. To compare your fellow Americans to pedophiles and incestuous people is not hatred..vitriolic hatred? Some of us think so and so we are more than a little angry that the person we supported to lead the nation has selected that individual to raise the first voice to God for this new hopeful presidency. Doesn't seem so hopeful to us anymore.

gymnjim · 11 months ago

Makes me proud that I spent $5000 on a motorcycle instead of Democratic Politicians this cycle.

ann marie · 11 months ago

i dont know john....all this talk of inclusion....a lot of gays didnt want to "INCLUDE" the trannies in the human rights legislation...its always later...later we will bring in the trannies....later we will have real justice...later obama will show his progressive chops....later we will get equal marriage rights....when the next generation gets more power....maybe inclusion should start with us first....

elRey · 11 months ago

I thought HRC was Hillary Rodham Clinton. Doh! someone already said that.

RudigerVT · 11 months ago

Rick Warren is a theologian? On what planet?

Marck · 11 months ago

I also have to add a huge amount of gratitude to John A. for beautifully articulating the fact that all bigorty is wrong, and that if any of the things Warren said were said about any other group there would be no way in hell that he would be anywhere near anything remotely associated with Barry.

Good job and thanks!

johnosahon · 11 months ago

Fuck you john, HRC, 2 fuckin minutes of a fuckin prayer wants to kill you?

what i want is for them to cancel any prayers both the warren and the gay-marriage-supporting-pastor, ENOUGH WITH RELIGION IN THE PUBLIC. it is a BIG FAT MESS. they should pray in the white house where no one can see and fight over.

Bart · 11 months ago

John, I sure hope you have communicated with Michelle and invited her to look at these threads.

ruthlessgravity · 11 months ago

My question is that if Obama has Warren delivery the invocation then turns around and promotes gay rights in his speech and works towards overturning a lot of the stupid legislation...is all forgiven? Just curious.

Bart · 11 months ago

Actions expose reality.

RonJ · 11 months ago

Well the obvious thing to do is for all real progressives in the audience to turn their backs to Saint Warren when you starts yapping.

RonJ · 11 months ago

should read "when HE starts yapping" doh!

Rob Mule · 11 months ago

Who realized when Obama said "We as a nation will get there" that there was an asterisk after the word "we"?

Bart · 11 months ago

Sorry to say I have to shorten the part of the Pledge of Allegiance I can recite. It's down to "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United State of America." eom

rmichels · 11 months ago

Rick Warren is taking a bold step forward and coming to Washington to bless Barack Obama, a man who disagrees fundamentally with him on abortion and on certain aspects of GLBT rights. The two happen to see eye to eye, though, on global warming, government's constructive role in ameliorating poverty and, yes, on gay marriage.

Rick Warren doesn't hate gays and lesbians any more than the owner of El Coyote restaurant in Los Angeles. Is he misguided about marriage? Yes, and he'll know that too within a decade or so. For right now, our president-elect is reaching out to everyone, including Warren and his followers and saying, I will work with you when I can; work with me when you can. They probably won't back Obama's GLBT civil rights agenda (read it on change.gov!) but they will be more inclined to support the president on global warming initiatives and economic justice causes. That's a good first step--better than the demonizing that would apparently make John and Joe so happy.

Bart · 11 months ago

No, what Obama's doing is validating this creeps credentials to the world and to his followers. Nothing less.

Jackson Thersites · 11 months ago

I know in early 2006 Warren signed onto an intiative to fight global warming with 86 other evangelical Christian leaders. According to the NY Times

"The statement calls for federal legislation that would require reductions in carbon dioxide emissions through "cost-effective, market-based mechanisms" — a phrase lifted from a Senate resolution last year and one that could appeal to evangelicals, who tend to be pro-business."

You argue here Warren and Obama "see eye to eye" on global warming. Do you mean the general need to do something about it or more specific ideas? Other than the above I haven't found anything else Warren has said or done since 2006 on global warming. I hope you can help me out.

KarenMrsLloydRichards · 11 months ago

B-b-but! The Reverend Rick, and we must revere him, gives water and donuts to the gays whom he says he talks to! (Ex-gays get coffee).

Randall · 11 months ago

Keep bitching about it, do you really think it will help you?

Memo to gays, you account for 2% of the population and your influence is minimal, next to none. So fucking what if Obama picked Warren? Are you going to bitch about every little thing he does because it doesn't suit your bias?
Obama is right to ignore your community, seeing you acting like a bunch of hysterical pansies.

What's the beef going to be in three months? Six months? I'm sure you'll find something to get upset about that Obama did or said. Oh noez, Obama isn't doing what WE want him to do, therefore he's intolerant.

And I'd like to think someone with John's level of education that he'd know when he's using slipperly slope arguments like the entire shrieking gay left has been for the last few days.

There are WAY more things to be worried about, you idiots.

usagi · 11 months ago

No, there aren't. Obama has sent a very clear signal here, and if he gets away scott-free doing it this time, he'll try something more egregious next time. When it's your neck on the line, it becomes the most important thing.

rmichels · 11 months ago

Except your neck isn't on the line. Good grief, what an exageration! But wow it must feel emPOWERING to feel all self-righteous. Too bad you couldn't have been in China during the Cultural Revolution. You would have had a grand ole time executing the wrong-thinkers.

cowboyneok · 11 months ago

Randall is writing from the United Kingdom, so he is either an ex-pat or he is a Brit who's gays already have the right to marry.

warbler · 11 months ago

Gay marriage is not legal in England.

larry · 11 months ago

Yes it is...Madame Elton John married his American honey.

usagi · 11 months ago

Fuck yourself. Talk to me after you're gaybashed because of something some asshole in a cleric's collar said from the pulpit, and I'll discuss this with you as a peer. Meantime, fuck yourself, preferably sideways with a chainsaw.

Bart · 11 months ago

Right wing junk science fabricated out of thin air to try to deny the real prevalence of homosexuality in the population and marginalize a valid portion of "we the people". If homosexuality was so rare, why would they be so afraid of it. Closer to the truth is a look in the mirror and the memories of those brief or fantasized thoughts and/or encounters that are so utterly common throughout the population. Goebbels would be proud of the brainwashing the US has done on its people.

Brad · 11 months ago

This little Warren jihad of yours has lost you at least one long-time reader. So long, Americablog.

usagi · 11 months ago

Watch the door on your way out...

Bart · 11 months ago

Steal my name, but not my message.

Bart · 11 months ago

Sorry, misread your name. The wine is hitting.

RedSox61 · 11 months ago

Obama has been TREMENDOUSLY consistent since 2004 - 'there is not a red america / a blue america - there is the united states of america'.

He is a man, unlike many others - that actually practices what he preaches.

Who did people think they were voting for?

Someone who could be a fulll partisan democrat?

He promised NOT to be one!! And he is delivering.

He is pulling together a team - not of partisan democrats to push a particular democratic agenda - but the best americans to push the american agenda. He invites religious from all sides who share the common goal of a better america.

There will NEVER be 100% agreement on all issues. The problem in this country ARE those that push THEIR agenda as if it is the most important item on ANY agenda. This is what divides the country - this is what causes the huge divides - and divicive dialogue. The man I voted for would have none of it -- he promised to be inclusive -- and he is -- and I am happy.

With his leadership - with his willingness and his practice of being inclusive - maybe for once - the walls within our country can come down so we can finally face the AMERICAN problem from common ground

rmichels · 11 months ago

Well said, RedSox.

Bart · 11 months ago

The walls will not come down as long as there are selfish, self-willed, do-it-my-way conservatives with a voice.

Marcus · 11 months ago

Incoherent gobbledygook. Apart from all the vacuous, meaningless rhetoric--is not Cheney an American? Should Obama include Cheney's agenda in the "American" agenda?--you think that a group singled out for attack that dares defend itself is "pushing an agenda." Your post has all the intellectual rigor of an episode of The Kardashians.

Izzy Stoner · 11 months ago

Imagine if JFK had invited a nasty segrationalist to deliver the inaugural invocation: "We need to bring the country together ... and hey, we're letting a black gospel group close the ceremony, so stop your whining and get on the (back of) the bus." Obama can't heal the nation by taking away minority rights. They aren't his to bargain with.

Bart · 11 months ago

Actually, they are his to bargain with.

CCaitlyn · 11 months ago

Izzy, JFK didn't need to invite a segregationist to do anything at his inauguration, a majority of people in Congress and JFK's own cabinet either actively supported segregation or just didn't think it was that bad. Get your history straight. Black people didn't throw a tantrum and say they'd go start their own all black party because of that. They pressured the government from within and without to get the civil rights bill. LBJ was more comfortable using the N word than any rapper today; but yet he got a bunch of racist Southern Democrats to vote for the civil rights bill because he was persuaded by reason and peaceful protests that it was the right thing to do. Going ballistic over this just makes us look petulant, vindictive and unreasonable. I'd like to know the last time you took the opinion of a petulant, vindictive and unreasonable friend or co-worker seriously.

James · 11 months ago

If Obama wants to incorporate ALL of America, why doesn't he invite David Duke to give a speech at the Inauguration?

Roy · 11 months ago

Obama has nothing to lose and everything to gain here. Just as with Donnie McClurkin, the "ex-gay" black gospel singer who was a headliner on one of Obama's shows during the campaign, Obama's people know that gays are now and indefinitely in his pocket. He can afford to push them aside at any opportunity where there is a chance of pulling in some other group. Gays have absolutely no where to go. The Republicans officially consider them subhuman. There are no viable third parties (by design) in this country. Gays can take scraps and say thank you from the Dems, or they can cower and be horsewhipped by the Republicans. Now which do you think it will be?
Obama's saying he is a "fierce" (snicker) supporter of gay equality is an easy statement to make. He has made it before. He'll make it again. But his actions will show the truth. When it comes time to fight for marriage equality, job protections, military equality, or even human dignity, he'll be elsewhere growing his tent. He is a politician and discovered years ago that words are cheap and easy.

cowboyneok · 11 months ago

Wrong-o. Gays can turn their backs on HIM and the Democratic Party. We can cause trouble through non-violent resistance. We can make change happen. The power is within us. There are enough of us willing to put our very lives on the line over equal rights. I'm one of those people.

larry · 11 months ago

As Obama has turned his back on us, lets turn our back on Obama. At the inaugural as Warren delivers the invocation and anytime, I repeat anytime Obama needs us, it will be easy to turn our backs then. Quietly...but powerfully.

Rufus · 11 months ago

I like Larry's suggestion. Fifty-one percent of the audience with their backs turned during Warren's invocation. Will send a message.

rmichels · 11 months ago

Sadly, you sound like the children over at pumapac. Dude, you can pick up your ball and stomp home but the rest of us are going to be about taking back our country . . . which will include working with people we sometimes disagree with profoundly. If you can't handle it, I agree, you ought not to be there. But we'll welcome you with open arms when and if you grow up.

Bart · 11 months ago

By the way, what symbolically significant part will Ahmadinejad and Chavez play during the inaugural events?

Rufus · 11 months ago

Will the president-elect also ask a KKK member and perhaps a CIA or military torturer to speak. After all, we need to come together. Unmitigated Bushwa (not a knock on Bush, a real word -- look it up)!! Surely, Obama hasn't started pandering for 2012 votes even before he starts? I'm a Democrat, not gay, voted for Obama and hope he is a fabulous success, but this is not a good start.

cowboyneok · 11 months ago

The LGBT marching band needs to pull out. I'm serious... If this decision stands they should NOT participate.

RainbowPhoenix · 11 months ago

And where will that leave us? Invisible, AGAIN.

Gridlock · 11 months ago

Oh yes, where would the gay rights movement be without a fucking MARCHING BAND
'
*rubs temples, tries not to be mortified*

RainbowPhoenix · 11 months ago

Did I say that? People like Warren want us to be completely invisible. If the band drops out, that's what happens, and the bigots get everything they want.

cowboyneok · 11 months ago

No, we will be there! Just not MARCHING in the parade like we have something to celebrate.

RainbowPhoenix · 11 months ago

We do have something to celebrate. Maybe not as much as we thought, but the Warren decision should not be enough for us to throw away everything we've gained.

larry · 11 months ago

As for Obama being inclusive, it would be nice if he included those of us who supported him "fiercely" first, then ask those who fiercely campagined against him...just after if you don't mind.

vegasbaby · 11 months ago

warren says he's for civil unions? how is that equal treatment under the law? marriage has been redefined many many times over the years....keep your religious customs...my partner and I deserve equal treatment under the law....period....and to those who say calm down, it's no big deal...how would you like it if you were treated less than equal your whole life and now a hater bigot like Warren gets the national spotlight for being who he is....a faux religious bigot who out right lies to the face of the press....with no challenge....corporate media asleep at the wheel again....

this is such bullshit....what did Warren do to get Obama elected? oh that's right....nothing!!!!! my partner and I gave the maximum amount and volunteered countless hours to get Obama elected....

why do I feel betrayed and thrown under the bus....because once again, because I'm gay, I have been....

invite all the bigots to the stage....anti semites, the KKK, anita bryant.....they're all welcome right?

UTTER AND COMPLETE BULL CRAP!!!!! I'm so pissed I could scream!!!!!!

Chit · 11 months ago

HRC is a joke of an organization. I pay zero attention to them. The fact is, the vast majority of gays I've spoken to see this as not a big deal, it really is just folks like yourself who think they speak for our community that are trying to whip up a frenzy, probably in an effort to boost fundraising. After all, they have to have some cause now that their candidate is in office. Newsflash: neither you nor HRC don't speak for the rest of us.

cowboyneok · 11 months ago

You are wrong. Period.

RainbowPhoenix · 11 months ago

Evidence? There's a significant number of us that, while pissed, don't see this as something with any long term importance.

cowboyneok · 11 months ago

"HRC is a joke of an organization." Evidence? I've worked with them in Washington, DC and they aren't a joke. They do more lobbying on behalf of gays and lesbians than any other organization I know, except for maybe the NGLTF.

As far as long term importance? We are waiting for Obama to SHOW US what he is going to do for the LGBT community. So far, he has said he believes in "civil unions." Well, I'm for civil unions for inter-racial couples then... There hasn't even been a true indication he will overturn "Don't Ask / Don't Tell." The only thing I've seen so far from the Obama campaign is an invitation for a homophobe, who claims he isn't, give the invocation at his inauguration. The long term importance is the tone it sets. It says we are going to ignore you and this is PROOF! Welcome the guy who has agreed to remove your civil rights! Lets give him the biggest platform in the world and let him lead the prayer for the inauguration.

RainbowPhoenix · 11 months ago

The quality of the HRC's lobbying is suspect, regardless of how much of it they do.

As for Warren, like I said, we're not happy about it, but it's a three minute prayer that most people will forget within twelve hours. Who remembers the invocation for any inauguration? All this suggests in the long term is the need to hold Obama's feet to the fire, something that we will do.

cowboyneok · 11 months ago

Well, I may be overreacting but its just that I've seen this pattern before. I'm going to express my outrage, though. I'm not going to have the Obama administration think we haven't noticed this...

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

I'm sorry. You used a double negative. So you're saying that both he and the HRC speak for the rest of us? Or are you saying that they may speak for the rest of us or not, but they don't not speak for us? Or could you mean that though they neither speak nor don't not speak for the rest of us, neither neither not speaks nor don't not speak for the rest of us? Or possibly you mean that neither speaks neither not for the rest of us nor not? Or neither?

larry · 11 months ago

MEMO to Randall...the gay population has always...ALWAYS dude been tagged at minimally 10% whereas most scientific estimates place it at 5% more or 15%. So get your "rithmatic' STRAIGHT Randall...no where...no where is it 2% . Sorry, dude.

warbler · 11 months ago

Simply wrong, Larry. Wrong. NEVER tagged at 10 or 15%, ever, dude.

larry · 11 months ago

Sorry...but you are wrong. Try the US Census...dude. If that doesn't do it for ya...Kinsey even pointed to 10+% in the 50s. But hold on to that low number if if makes ya feel safer...or better.

Rob Mule · 11 months ago

Always a fun issue when folks start bailing with the "I'm never reading this blog again" line...
No matter the "come together" stuff, Mr. Obama, without even considering Warren's position on gay issues, made a mistake giving such a prime spot to a fundie after 8 years of fundie-packed team Bush and a mega-church political fundie who attempted to sandbag Mr. Obama with the Cone of Silence debate that turned out to have not been so silent for Mr. Obama's opponant.
Surely a smart pol like Mr. Obama won't give the far left and right another cudgel to divert and divide yet another Democratic presidency???
Is Warren's blubbery ass and shoddy scholarship worth all the trouble?
Couldn't he open some Inaugural ball with peppy crossover prayer rather than the main event?
I do sympathise with the Obama people as any religious figure brings baggage nowadays...a Catholic? Dear God no! A Muslim? May Allah have a previous engagement. A rabbi, no...And, of course, most Protestants suffer from Bush over-exposure. What's left?
I say give the job to a poet or a cult leader like Oprah.

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

Dame Edna Everage is the only thing left!

20shadesofviolet · 11 months ago

John,
As a middle aged straight woman I'm with you 100%. I do not believe that any representative of the Religious Right should have a place at the table. There is no middle ground or compromise with these people. They are absolutists and will never change their beliefs. To give someone like Rick Warren a prominent and visible spot at the Inauguration lends a legitimacy to a group of people that do not respect The Constitution and want to ram their narrow religious views down everyone's throat.

BarbaraGordon · 11 months ago

100% agree...and could not have said it better.

Tony D · 11 months ago

Aside from the kick in the groin the whole Warren issue is, I cannot believe how many ignorant people read Americablog, and comment.

John, I appreciate the voice you give us. It obviously hits right where it needs to with both your readers and with your dissenters. The only thing that will get us where we dont feel like second class citizens is grassroots mobility leaded by a great thinker.

Keep up the great work!

Richard · 11 months ago

I am, to put it mildly, devasted by the choice of Rick Warren to speak at the Inauguration. Usually, we get to wait until after the man we have supported for President takes office before they kick us in the teeth. Maybe there are a couple of Ideas that can effectively voice our opposition. The first comes from a very powerful Evangelical form of protest. When evangelicals are faced with a speaker with whom they disagree, the simply stand, and turn their back on him. Can you immagine if the entire inaugural audience of 1 to 3 million simply turned their back?
The other is to have all of our "Obama" stuff ( hats, pins, t-shirts, etc) collected in one location, boxed up and returned to the transition office. Let me know where to send my stuff.

Rob Mule · 11 months ago

Dear God...Don't return your Obama political ephemera....Don't you realize how potentially valuable and collectible this stuff is?

evan_la · 11 months ago

*snort*

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

I didn't know Obama had ephemera. Two shocks in one day.

Frere Jacko · 11 months ago

Quick question. Would you rather have Sarah Palin in the White House and an openly gay minister deliver the invocation at her inauguration? Because the argument you guys seem to be making - albeit unwittingly - is that it doesn't matter one bit who the President is or what his/her severally stated policies on gay rights are as long as the person that delivers the invocation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the LGBT. Going nuclear over this just makes supporters of gay rights look as loony and intolerant as the religious zealots on the other side who're also freaking out over Rick Warren doing the invocation because to them it means he endorses Obama's position on abortion and gay marriage. You can't say you want a tolerant society and at the same time demand that those who don't agree with you be ostracized from that same society unless they capitulate and join your "church."

Bart · 11 months ago

Dear Jacko, and which you rather have cut off , your thumb or your dick? Now, keep in mind, you can only choose one or the other.

Frere Jacko · 11 months ago

Dear Bart, why do I have to choose?

Bart · 11 months ago

Because you dichotomized mind-changer-elect Obama (replete with all his oily smooth teasing and hints about fair play for gays) and Countess Vlad Palin. Simple choice, so I gave one back. The Warren selection is clear evidence that truly fair play is not going to come from Obama for gays. They will instead remain his casual one-night stand when it's convenient for him.

Frere Jacko · 11 months ago

You remind me of the Naderites in 2000 who said there wasn't a difference between Al Gore and George Bush. How did you like them apples?

Bart · 11 months ago

Them apples? Means nothing to me. This conversation with you reminds me of all the whitewash artists I have had to put up with all my life.

warbler · 11 months ago

You have a point here? Do you have two dicks? Do you piss with your thumb? Which one do you have sex with? Can you pick up a dime with your dick?
There must be a better analogous choice you can posit here.

warbler · 11 months ago

Well, this makes sense. Seems this is a biblical turning of the other cheek on the part of our President-elect. Tolerance is difficult sometimes.
Obama will end up looking better because of this. He will be able to encourage tolerance, having practiced it himself.

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

Yes, tolerating bigotry and honoring the bigot always looks so good.

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

I would rather have Barack Obama in the White House without honoring at his inauguration the hateful person who called me a pedophile and worked so hard to revoke my marriage. Does that make me look loony to you? That makes you look like someone who has neither an idea nor a care about gay people, nor civil rights, nor equality, nor fairness. Let Rick Warren take his bigotry with him to his grave for all I care. Just keep it off the podium at the inauguration. Don't elevate it and honor it. Don't slap Obama's gay supporters across the face and call it outreach.

paul94611 · 11 months ago

The Warren prayer will provide an excellent opportunity to observe by action those that either support or oppose LGBT issues. All we need to do is see who turns their back on Warren when he speaks. What an awesome opportunity to employ non-violent opposition in a highly visible and potent moment in history. Those that face Warren face with Warren.

ShirleyGoodnessanMercy · 11 months ago

Obama wants to welcome all points of view...

so where is the racist and anti-Semite minister on the inaugural agenda?

tm · 11 months ago

I believe Monica Goodling can provide her services. We wouldn't want anyone with the wrong beliefs sneaking in.

Bill MacKay · 11 months ago

Obama's handling of this mistake will be the deciding factor if I'll ever donate to a campaign again. I'm tired and frustrated and I'm not going to waste my money any more on politicians.

Bart · 11 months ago

Obama will not be changing on this decision. After all, he will be the President of Inclusion, remember?

Ugh · 11 months ago

Ugh, I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE the HRC!

Human Rights Champaign, baby.

Mostly rich, mostly white and totally out of touch of any issues other than elite gay issues. Ugh.

They are just a big corporation that happens to use gayness to make their money. But they do jack shit.

Lisa · 11 months ago

I just sent a comment to Obama's website, will let you know if anyone responds. I have never commented here, have been a loyal reader for over 2 years and this one just really scares me. Maybe if a bunch of us send him our thoughts, he'll get it?

I was saddened and disappointed by this choice. I am not gay but I can understand how disrespectful it is for you to include Rick Warren in your inauguration. The GLBT community spent many many hours to help get you elected, yet this choice is definately a slap in the face to this community. Stating that you are just being inclusive is a very shallow take on this issue. If you wanted to be inclusive, invite Rick Warren out for diinner. You didn't need to taint what was to be one of the most exciting days in our history for all your supporters. Remember Rick Warren and his followers are not, by and large, your supporters.

It was a very divisive decision and has altered my view that you believe in equality for all.

Very disturbing, believed you were much better than that...

ncsenior · 11 months ago

The gay and lesbian community is being completely over the top on this Warren thing. What I think you fail to understand is that Obama as president is the best you can hope for. Even many Americans like myself who will 'accept' civil rights for you are not necessarily happy, comfortable or truly accepting of your lifestyle. If you push too hard on this issue you are going to jeopardize the minimal gains made in recent years.

kevinbgoode · 11 months ago

And we might not be happy, comfortable or truly accepting of your lifestyle as well. Of course, we don't take your constitutional rights away, and then still expect you to pay full taxes.

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

But it might not be a bad idea. ;0)

Bart · 11 months ago

Well, let me think about this. You're so magnanimous it's hard to take it all in. Maybe if your heterosexual lifestyle weren't blatantly shoved in every decent, self-respecting gay's face every hour of his waking life, I could consider "accepting" your civil rights as well.

ncsenior · 11 months ago

I'm not the minority in this discussion. I'm talking reality not morality.

Bart · 11 months ago

And what I'm saying is that gays will get not one crumb by meekly and humbly acquiesing to the tyranny of the majority.

Jackson Thersites · 11 months ago

Actually you are talking neither reality nor morality. You're talking nonsense. The reality is a substantial majority of people between 18 and 29 agree gays should be allowed to marry. The percentage drops a bit with each decade in age of the cohort but stays above 50% until we reach the people between 50 and 60. Happily in ten years a majority of Americans will agree in the full rights of gay people. Then my friend you will be in the minority.

ncsenior · 11 months ago

Your statistics may hold up in the big cities, but you obviously haven't spent much time in the rural south. And let's see what your 18 - 29 year olds think with a few more years of maturing.

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

You mean let's see if they stop thinking.

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

First, let me thank you for accepting civil rights for me. It is so good of you to allow me to have any, despite your discomfort. Please don't take away what you have granted me, sir. I will try not to jeopardize my minimal gains by offending you further. I will learn to appreciate how lucky I am to have a president elect who honors the minister that calls me a pedophile and was successful in his efforts to get my marriage revoked. I will endeavor with your help to never be over the top again, and to do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. And just so you know that I am sincere, I now reveal for the first time the greatest secret of the Boy Scout "Order of the Arrow" which we were sworn to never reveal - the Three W's of the Order of the Arrow. Wichmanatunk - Wingolaushik - Witdaemoway. I'm not too sure about the spelling, because the Indians didn't exactly have an alphabet. But I'm sure you get the significance.

GreenOwl · 11 months ago

Go to Change.Gov and ask Obama how many KKK grand dragons he's got speaking at his inauguration......

JoJo's Girl · 11 months ago

You voted for Obama. I didn't. Ha ha.

JoJo's Girl · 11 months ago

Hillary would never have taken my vote for granted (or have been smug when she did). How do you like The Chosen One now?

Bart · 11 months ago

He's The One, baby, The One. Holy Moley!

davidinchelseama · 11 months ago

Here's the bottom line: Obama has picked someone to deliver his inaugural invocation who basically believes that tomorrow morning I, as a gay citizen of this country, should go to work, and work as hard as my straight counterparts, have the same percentage of social security taken out of my check as my straight counterparts, and then sit back and shut up when my social security deductions are NOT used to protect my family when I die.

political_correctness · 11 months ago

The Warren pick mean he's opening up to the other side.
Why do people have to make this pick so damn personal?

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

Well, I guess I just take it personally when I'm called a pedophile and my marriage is invalidated and I'm stabbed in the back by the candidate I supported when he honors the guy who called me a pedophile and worked so hard to invalidate my marriage. Silly me. I'm glad we have someone like you to point out that we need to open up to bigotry and stop taking the loss of our ability to marry so personally.

Bob in BC · 11 months ago

I just watched the HRC on the News Hour describing why it was such a bad decision. No wonder we never get anywhere on our issues. The presentation was unfocused, allowing the faith-based guy to get away with saying essentially that Obama agrees with Warren on Gay marriage and so that makes it all right. No response that Obama opposed Prop 8, no argument that this is not about gay marriage, this is about giving homophobic religion a primary place in the inauguration of a President who ran on change. Oops, just not change for gays and lesbians. This is a civil rights issue. Why is Obama, the News Hour, and the HRC making this a religious issue???

political_correctness · 11 months ago

The thing I think people in the glbt community are missing is this.
You need my vote to bring about change with glbt issues.
I'm the person that would vote against things like proposition 8.
I'm also the kind of person you keep alienating with all the negative attacks.

Why does the glbt community want to turn off the very people they need to bring about change?