I'm just pointing out that it's a no-win proposition.

I completely agree. And I also agree that it's completely political. He's doing exactly what he said he would--bridging between the parties. I see Rick Warren is a huge part of that.

Quite frankly, I've been surprised that people have been so surprised of the choice. Disappointed? Upset? Angry? That I can see, but the surprise surprises me.

Giving someone ... his level prominence and tacit approval by including him in something as symbolically important as the inauguration is never going to seem anything but wrong to me.

My money says the exact same words are being spoken, by the far right, about the inclusion of Rev. Gene Robinson.

The difference being that Warren is a hate-monger and Robinson is not.

Obama is a politician, first and foremost. Asking Rick Warren to be a part of the inauguration is simply politics.

I think this is absolutely true, which doesn't make it okay with me. He'd rather cater to the right-wingers that didn't vote for him than the LGBT community that did. I don't have an issue with Obama engaging people like Rick Warren. I just think the timing of this sucks and makes me personally feel like a second-class citizen. Coming on the heels of Prop 8, it feels almost like an attack.

And now I try to go back to sleep. Total hot button issue for me. Sorry.

t edit Ooops. I missed GC's edit.

Deletia.

Coming on the heels of Prop 8, it feels almost like an attack.

I totally get that.

Total hot button issue for me. Sorry.

I also totally get that. I too will step away from the conversation.

Not much to contribute, just saying hi. It's a work day today, which means grading my finals and finalizing my grades. (Seriously. Not just for the funny wordplay.) And since I give short-answer tests rather than multiple choice (why, god, why do I do that?), I may be in here from time to time when I get frustrated. I've graded all the really right/really wrong answers and now I have to do the "eh... sort of, but you missed the point" ones.

Good luck, Em!

I, personally, think that Rick Warren is a bigoted troll who doesn't have the slightest understanding of what God is really about, and I hate that he's such a big part of the inauguration.

But I also understand *why* he is.

Oh I understand too, and I didn't mean to imply otherwise, but that doesn't mean I still don't think it's wrong.

The difference being that Warren is a hate-monger and Robinson is not.

I think it's important to note that the words Giving someone who preaches hate and bigotry were taken out of my original post. Some of the sense of Wrong I feel is because Obama's inclusion of everyone involves someone who so clearly doesn't believe in that inclusiveness. As GC points out, the same can't be said of Robinson.

How much do I love my library? It sends me a notice BEFORE a book is overdue! I have four more days to finish the book and get it back in. Love.

Speaking of, it's Wordy Shipmates which has really put into perspective the religion of fear. It's also hella funny.

that doesn't mean I still don't think it's wrong.

I hope my use of the term "bigoted troll" makes it clear that I don't like Warren's inclusion, either.

I got that feeling, yes.