by matttbastard
Is he serious? Rick “politicians have to believe in God” Warren? Rick “cone of silence” Warren? Rick “Prop 8 is great” Warren? Rick “take out the evildoers” Warren? Rick “Dobson-lite” Warren? That’s the kinder, gentler hatemonger who the President-elect The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (see update below edit: and second update) has selected to give the Inaugural Invocation?
I’m with Libby Spencer:
If there was ever a time to reach out to the side of the fence that didn’t oppose him tooth and nail all the way to the White House, this is it. I would suggest people might want to leave a suggestion at change.gov and ask him to rethink this choice. Frankly, I don’t know who to suggest as an alternative, but there has to be someone more neutral than Warren.
Thunderbird is go, kiddies — remember, keep it civil (edit: and make sure to read the update below before crafting a response).
Update: Mike Madden at The War Room reports that Obama wasn’t [edit: solely--see Update 2] responsible for Warren’s selection:
[T]he decision to get involved with Saddleback was actually not Obama’s. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, run by the House and Senate, put together the program for the swearing-in ceremony. Congress, not Obama, invited Warren… .
Still, I’m sure the Committee could be convinced to reconsider their decision, were Obama to sic Rahmbo on them. So keep those suggestions coming.
Update 2: Well, so much for the Committee dodge (h/t Greg Sargent):
The program participants were invited by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and chosen by the Chairman, the Presidential-elect and the Vice President-elect.
So whether or not Warren was directly selected by Obama, the President-elect obviously had a big say regarding Warren’s inclusion in the program. Wonderful. BarbinMD is exactly right:
What a spit in the eye to the GBLT community in particular, and to anyone who supports equality, dignity and justice under the law.
Todd Beeton @ MyDD has more info on who else to contact regarding the decision to include Warren in the inauguration ceremony:
If you’d like to register your displeasure with the pick, calling Dianne Feinstein’s office might be a good place to start. As the Chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Feinstein announced the line-up — including Warren — today, calling it “superb.”
LA: (310) 914-7300
SF: (415) 393-0707
DC: (202) 224-3841
Click here to contact Feinstein via email. Again, keep it civil. Rather difficult, I realize, when one sees the following brand of shiny happy hatred being rewarded by a nominal ally:
(h/t Todd for the Warren Prop 8 vid, by way of Teddy Partridge)
7 responses so far ↓
skdadl // December 17, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Man. That is a culture with a whole lot of problems.
Do you think that it will make any difference, mattt, if a Canadian writes to say that this will make the U.S. look absurd in the eyes of the world?
matttbastard // December 17, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I doubt it would hurt, especially if Obama is serious about wanting to restore America’s reputation abroad.
Dr. Prole // December 17, 2008 at 9:28 pm
On it. Srsly.
Eagle Ashcroft // December 18, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Rick Warren is a real low life and a bigot and should not be allowed to take part in Obama’s inaugural ceremonies. Its like inviting the Grand Dragon of the Klu Klux Klan to take part in it. Its a slap in the face to civil rights. I believed in Obama and voted for him, now I wished I had not as I can no longer support a president who would ask a low life bigot as Rick Warren to speak during his swearing in ceremonies as president of the United States.
Pastor Rick LOVES teh Gays « mirabile dictu // December 19, 2008 at 12:53 am
[...] out mattt’s post and [...]
Dr. Prole // December 19, 2008 at 10:44 am
Comparing Warren to the Grand Whatever of the KKK is a bit of a stretch and not helpful.
Agreed that it is a giant slap in the face to civil rights and the millions of GLBT and progressives who worked our ever lovin’ asses off to get the man elected.
Five Links That Are Actually Important, 12/19/08 « Our Descent Into Madness // December 19, 2008 at 1:35 pm
[...] Rick Warren to give inaugural invocation–Bad [...]