A friend of mine has a white friend named Mei Ling. Always referred to as "my white friend Mei Ling."

Huh. I know a white woman in Manhattan whose name is pronounced like that.

I think its worth noting that Robinson was asked before Rick Warren was announced as leading his invocation -- this isn't a patch job, it was the plan from the start.

Not to beat a dead horse, but... it doesn't make it any easier to accept the Rick Warren invitation for me. If it were simply that Warren disagreed with gay marriage due to his religious belief, I wouldn't have an issue (even though I disagree). No, what he did was compare gay relationships to incest, bestiality, and pedophilia (and he was asked to clarify this position and said yes, that was exactly his meaning). There's just no way I personally can support that and it offends me when people say, "Well, Obama is just trying to surround himself with people with different points of view" because this is hate speech, pure and simple. It is in the same league as racism, anti-Semitism, etc. and I think none of it has a place at the inauguration. It's just not okay. And yes, it made Obama's glow much much dimmer in my eyes. And I am sad about that.

Huh. I know a white woman in Manhattan whose name is pronounced like that.

I think this one lives in Georgia or somewhere. But anyway, it's really no odder than Michelle Santangelo or whatever.

On another note, Gene Robinson was featured in the documentary I always forget the name of (For the Bible Tells Me So maybe?). His story was really inspirational.

Every time I got an email from the Obama camp asking for money for the inauguration, I sent back an email saying "Yeah, I don't think so if Rick Warren is involved."

I have no illusion anyone will actually read them, but it made me feel better.

My old neighbor's daughter's name is Chen-li, but it's Hebrew. I'm guessing she gets a lot of askance looks when people meet her and she's not Asian.

Perkins, I got a call from the Democratic party asking for donations and regular emails asking for inaugural funds. Uh-huh. I declined to donate for the same reason.

Is it bedtime yet?

I was working at an Episcopalian church when Robinson was elected bishop- that was crazy times! Our church was supportive of Robinson but it was funny- the religious ed director was divorced from one of the major proponents of parishes separating from the Episcopal church in protest.

But anyway, it's really no odder than Michelle Santangelo or whatever.

Or my name, in theory. Though it's weirder to find in South America.

Totally.

I also enjoy a woman I know with an Indian last name, who is super super pale (hair/eyes/etc). I seriously considered if she might be an albino before I realized she had taken her husband's last name and was not Indian at all.

Famous last words.