This Thing Still Bothers Me

8 Random Items for 12/22/2008 #2

Yes, I'm not done talking about that bigot Rick Warren.

I say again, Barack Obama's choice of Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at this inauguration is a slap in the face to progressives everywhere.

It is a direct slap in the face of the gay and lesbian community. Rick Warren has even compared homosexual marriage to be no different than incest or polygamy.

It is a direct slap in the face of the progressive religious community. Obama has chosen to reinforce the notion that "Religious = Conservative". There are so many wonderful and progressive religious leaders across this country who would have better represented those who elected Obama.

It is a direct slap in the face of anyone who values the truth in their public discourse since Warren chose to lie to anyone who would listen about the impact of Proposition 8 in California.

While it may certainly be true that Rick Warren represents the best of the evangelicals, it does not make him the right man for this job. I applaud the work he has done in Africa. I believe that much of his outreach to progressives as well as to those of other religions to be genuine. He seems to be a very likable guy. Still, he is, simply, the best face for the other side.

I say again, if Mr. Warren was using the same type of language to argue against, for example, interracial marriage, he would not even be considered for this spot. He would be ridiculed. He would be marginalized. I have to ask again, why has Barack Obama granted him this spot?

It could be worse. He could have asked Billy Graham's idiot son, Franklin Graham, to deliver the invocation.