Digg this outrage right here!

What a liar! He must not think the Mormons of a hundred years or so back were an organized religion. It’s just not true that every single religion defines marriage as one man and one woman. There are lots of polygamous sects out there.

PS I think he was talking about Obama and McCain (not Biden).

Mike Tidmus has more

This is more than a serious faux pas; this is an insult to all the queers and non-believers that worked their asses off to elect Obama-Biden. We need to let the President-Elect know that parading a homophobic bigot at his big parade rains on ours.

Rick Warren on how American foreign policy should deal with “evildoers:”

On the program, host Sean Hannity had asked Warren if expressing the need to “take out” Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was “advocating something dark, evil or something righteous.”

“Well, actually, the Bible says that evil cannot be negotiated with. It has to just be stopped,” the Southern California pastor responded before being cut off by another question.

“By force?” Hannity asked.

“Well, if necessary,” Warren replied.

“In fact, that is the legitimate role of government. The Bible says that God puts government on earth to punish evildoers. Not good-doers. Evildoers,” Warren added, referring to Romans 13.

Shortly after, when asked by Hannity if killing an intruder to his house was justified, Warren said he would “absolutely” be justified to protect his family.

“But it’s not murder at that point?” Hannity asked.

“No,” Warren replied. “Murder is not self-defense.”

Following Warren’s appearance, Matthew Duss, a research associate with the Center for American Progress Action Fund, criticized the influential megachurch pastor for his “brief, if regrettable, foray into foreign policy.”

i have no problem with the guy believing what he wants to believe but he is a fruit cake.

thanks, fixed it.

I’ve never forgotten Obama’s homophobic South Carolina road show.

“Donnie McClurkin — a 48-year old unmarried gospel singer and minister who supported Bush in 2004 — will be featured in Obama’s “Embrace the Change” tour, which aims to ‘engage people of faith.’”

so this is hardly a surprise. still, disappointing- and a bit nauseating.

“The Purpose Driven Lie.”

How noice! Everytime I find myself getting sentimental about this supposed changing of the guard, they go and do something to restore my cynicism.

I am not very politically inclined, but this dude makes me so angry that I can’t help but comment. His position is ridiculous. Don’t let 2% of the country determine things for the rest of the country? Since when is it ok to suppress a minority in the United States?

Romans 13 has generally been discredited…Gee, this news has really upset me. I thought I may have asked to do the Inaugural prayer….after all he was definitely my guy. Guess I missed my chance.

I hope there is a reminder of Thomas Jefferson’ warning that the majority cannot be allowed to determine rights of the minority. The whole marriage thing, I believe, is going to be resolved in the framework of discrimination.

Why would Obama ask Warren when there were serious questions that he had allowed McCain to be prepped? Part of the team of rivals, maybe. My heart is so with Obama; I have definitely not given up hope, by the way.

by the way, my pal tom who follows such things says aretha is as big as a house and can’t sing anymore. wonder if that’s true, (tom is rarely wrong about these things) and if so, why doesn’t obama know this. not keepin up? or what? and i’m pissed about the salazar pick, and this crazy cretin warren obama has giving the benediction, cabinet picks (as someone said, you can’t change by governing from the middle when you’ve been governing from the far right for so long)., and just a long list of crap. The racket that is this dessicated system we’re living under has me ready to head for the hills.

And BTW Mr. warren, “a 5000 year old definition of marriage??” Quoi? just show me that dictionary will ya?
keep yet powder dry.

I get so tired of these ersatz “Christians” spouting the OLD testament and ignoring the NEW one altogether, as in turn the other cheek?

Campaign Silo says Oh Puke! to Obama’s choice of pastors.

http://campaignsilo.firedoglak…..nvocation/

ah geez Teddy, I’m just sitting here crying, this is an unneccessary rebuke – can only imagine how painful it must be for LGBT Americans

wtf ever happened to “Not this time !”

or

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other.

I find it not only cynical but cowardly

5,000 years ago, women were chattel in marriage, and there were more than one woman in many marriages. Is that the definition Pastor Rick™ would have us return to? Or would he prefer the definition where a dowry is required, as in the European Middle Ages? How about the arranged marriages still prevalent in India and other parts of South Asia? Or would he have us return to the Plural Wife™ arrangements in our own country determined by the LDS Church to be the Revealed Word of God?

The idea that marriage has been constantly defined the same way throughout history is ludicrous, but his congregants eat it up. Does Barack Obama realize that until 1997, a majority of Americans disapproved of his own parents’ interracial marriage?

The book of Proverbs is not even Christianity. That’s the funny part of his highly televised question to Obama during the generals.

Is this the kind of lying Barack Obama wants to reward with a prime speaking spot at his Inaugural?

Yes, this has been another in the series of easy answers to easy questions.

I mean seriously does any one think this wasn’t deliberate? We are talking about the disciplined, on message Obama campaign. And what? Out of probably hundreds of thousands of religious leaders in the country he couldn’t find one that wasn’t a bigot?

Wait a minute – THE benediction? Not, like, some benediction at some party that happens five miles from and two days before the inaugural? THE benediction?

Well, I guess it’s not like they could find any good African-American preachers. There’s absolutely no tradition of that, is there?

This inauguration has all the portents of a historical moment. I’m sorry I’ll have to miss it but I refuse to willingly be exposed to a tool like warren. Why am I not surprised to see DiFi’s tracks?

OK, that rips it with Obama.

you are right on there. how’s the winter supply of scotch by the way? gonna need it.

The Obama campaign PROMISED that everyone would be vetted for anti-gayness after the McClurkin fiasco. I guess the campaign’s over now?

Or did Dianne Feinstein pick Rick?

Official lineup:

Musical Selections
The United States Marine Band

Musical Selections
The San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus

Call to Order and Welcoming Remarks
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein

Invocation
Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA

Musical Selection
Aretha Franklin

Oath of Office Administered to Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
By Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
The Honorable John Paul Stevens

Musical Selection, John Williams, composer/arranger
Itzhak Perlman, Violin
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Gabriela Montero, Piano
Anthony McGill, Clarinet

Oath of Office Administered to President-elect Barack H. Obama
By the Chief Justice of the United States
The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr.

Inaugural Address
The President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama

Poem
Elizabeth Alexander

Benediction
The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

The National Anthem
The United States Navy Band “Sea Chanters”

How much is Ricky paying for this?

Celebrity big business evangelism we can believe in?

Invocation, not benediction.

That’s actually worse, isn’t it?

Pam has an opinion

Obama inaugural team, this is a big f*ck up a la Donnie McClurkin. These folks can’t claim they didn’t know where Warren stood on the matter of civil rights for LGBTs — why look, here’s Warren speaking out in favor of Prop 8

a grotesque, offensive, revolting choice

WTF?! Are they serious? This is the same guy who gave Bush the medal of PEACE!

Geez, I haven’t liked Obama since the moment I started learning about him. My negative intuition is uncannily accurate, but I was sure hoping that it was wrong about ‘that one.’ Sigh.

noweeman at DK: Rick Warren? Are you kidding me?

Rick Warren? Are you kidding me?

Why in the name of, well … God, would Obama choose someone whose outspoken beliefs are substantively no different from the James Dobson’s of the world? There’s a thriving progressive religious community in every faith, and many believe the religious left is ascendant.

a grotesque, offensive, revolting choice

I sense a new acronym being born: GORC

As in Obama’s administration is looking GORC ;-)

is this one of those “friends close, enemies closer” things.?

Looks like DiFi is getting lots of “credit” for the entire lineup:

California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, announced the official program for the 56th presidential inauguration on Wednesday. It will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20.

“I am delighted to announce this superb line-up of participants in the 2009 inaugural ceremonies,” said Feinstein. “The inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama will be an event of historic proportion. It is appropriate that the program will include some of the world’s most gifted artists from a wide range of backgrounds and genres.”

This is an insult to any thinking human being.

But what do you expect in a country that thinks FOX News is actually news, that thinks Saddam was behind 9/11, that thinks terrorists hate us for our freedoms, and a country where Proposition 8 and similar laws were passed by voters across the country this November.

It’s easy to point a finger at Obama and his crew, but take a good look at the USA from say 30,000 feet. Obama didn’t win a 70/30 election or a 60/40 election. Close to half of this country thought McCain/Palin was a good idea. Warren is a better pick than Pat Robertson! Obama will continue to set a place at the table for the McCain/Palin crowd. They are after all the other half of America.

Barack Obama is having THIS dickwad give the benediction at his inauguration????

What the hell Barack!???

Comments and complaints about the selection of Reverend Rick™ may be directed to the LGBT Liaison to the Presidential Transition Team, Parag Mehta, at parag.mehta@ptt.gov

so did Mrs Blum throw this rather large bone to Rev Hate in hopes of garnering an endorsement for her Gov run ?!?!?

I don’t much give a rip if that’s the case – as I said on Lisa’s thread:

the focus for this must remain on Barack Obama, he let this stand.

Dumb move in my opinion. I don’t expect Obama to win anything from the religious right by this and he is obviously pandering. Give him an “F”.

thanks Teddy. mwaaah!

What? No Lee Greenwood?

Thanks. Sent email.

Some may say “Nice touch there by the WBC. Guess he’s assuming they will pony up for 2012 because they’re like the Negro – wtf else are they going to give to?” I, on the other hand, am waiting and seeing. He hasn’t even been sworn in yet. Geez..

Will Warren be visiting the WH regularly to dole out counsel, too?

What about the rest of us who are tired of all this religious crap and don’t believe in these things? What about post-partisanship for US.

if you’re still here – just wanted to pass along my props to you for your unbelievable restraint and patience a week or so back in the thread with the documentarian who made the film about the closeted evangelical.

Holy shnikes. I come out of a 6 day weather induced social coma and I find out Obama has picked this putz to represent!

Suddenly I want more ice storms.

-G

is this one of those “friends close, enemies closer” things.?

All kinds of rationales are offered about why Obama does what he does. The fact is that he does exactly what he wants to. Nobody forced him to back the FISA Amendments Act or the $700 billion bailout or Rahm Emanuel or any of his Cabinet choices. He did it because these choices reflect who he is. I think we are going to have to get used to the idea that Obama has no interest in, and maybe even an antipathy toward, progressives.

Every one will see this clown as being endorsed by Obama! People will be tuned in to see Obama speak. Afterwards, not so much.

Exactly. The RR, like the Republicans, is gonna run the bus over Obama every chance they get. Warren is a warmongering bigot. Where is Oprah on this?

Can anybody imagine a “long game” where it makes sense for Obama to embrace this person?

I can’t.

Wanker of the day indeed. At least the day.

This move demands an aggressive reaction from all of us here on the “far left”.

antipathy toward, progressives.

I’m thinking you’re right about that. It seems to be deeper than the Clintons’ corporatism.

Here’s an update from Box Turtle Bulletin, with some more email addresses:

Update: Are you looking for someone to email to express your outrage? Well, a well-placed source just provided these email addresses:

parag.mehta@ptt.gov (Parag Mehta is Obama’s LGBT liaison in the transition team.)
dnoble@barackobama.com
bbond@barackobama.com
shidebrand@barackobama.com
fred.hochberg@ptt.com
You can also contact Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office. She chaired the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies and made the announcement.

Senator Dianne Feinstein
United States Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: (202) 224-3841
Fax: (202) 228-3954

Email form for DiFi

Well, at least Bush has to sit on the dais and watch Rev. Lowry one more time.

“There were no weapons of mass distruction over there, but there were weapons of mass distraction right here.”

-G

that’s exactly right.

didn’t exactly expect the good reverend jeremiah wright (who would have been my choice), but i also didn’t expect someone this outrageously bad.

((teddy))

I really don’t feel we have any need to fear Rick Warren’s appearance at the inaugural. Check out the WSJ’s Washington Wire blog for a complete list of inaugeration participants.

It is refreshing to have a polititian who is as inclusive as Obama seems to be. Can he sucessfully bring together people like R.Warren and J.Lowery? Is Obama THE politician who will finally find a way to bridge the gap between pro-choice and anti-abortion folk?

I’m an aging DFH, and I feel Obama is the partial fulfillment of the reformist aspect of the Sixies. I am just thankful I have an opportunity to live for a time under an administration that will not be doing hateful things in my name. I’m giving him every benefit of the doubt.

People for the American Way issued this statement just now:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12/17/2008

People For the American Way ‘Profoundly Disappointed’ that Rick Warren Will Give Invocation

People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert responded today to the news that Rev. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church will deliver the invocation at the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama:

It is a grave disappointment to learn that pastor Rick Warren will give the invocation at the inauguration of Barack Obama.

Pastor Warren, while enjoying a reputation as a moderate based on his affable personality and his church’s engagement on issues like AIDS in Africa, has said that the real difference between James Dobson and himself is one of tone rather than substance. He has recently compared marriage by loving and committed same-sex couples to incest and pedophilia. He has repeated the Religious Right’s big lie that supporters of equality for gay Americans are out to silence pastors. He has called Christians who advance a social gospel Marxists. He is adamantly opposed to women having a legal right to choose an abortion.

I’m sure that Warren’s supporters will portray his selection as an appeal to unity by a president who is committed to reaching across traditional divides. Others may explain it as a response to Warren inviting then-Senator Obama to speak on AIDS and candidate Obama to appear at a forum, both at his church. But the sad truth is that this decision further elevates someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of millions of Americans.

Rick Warren gets plenty of attention through his books and media appearances. He doesn’t need or deserve this position of honor. There is no shortage of religious leaders who reflect the values on which President-elect Obama campaigned and who are working to advance the common good.

Yes, for me it’s worse.
Asking Warren to give the invocation does not bode well at all for O’s term in office.

Lowrey is good, but no one will be paying any attention by then. Heck, why not just have Tom Cruise represent Scientology. I’m sure Dianne could use his endorsement.

Oprah will just interview them all.

I think we are going to have to get used to the idea that Obama has no interest in, and maybe even an antipathy toward, progressives.

afraid you are correct. this can’t be explained away as pandering.

Not even Bush believes this stuff anymore. Think about it.

I guess we are seeing Obama’s sense of balance. Joseph Lowery a black minister in the civil rights movement against a white right wing religious bigot.

I’m giving him every benefit of the doubt.

Isn’t this what the wingers have been doing for Bush the last 8 years?

I am just thankful I have an opportunity to live for a time under an administration that will not be doing hateful things in my name.

a hateful thing was just done.

Not much more to add. I keep trying to believe in Obama but somehow I feel like an Ostrich…

After 8 years, I had hoped that the change of administration would be significant, the only significant thing to date is the size and color of the lies, little white versus monstrous black, but given time the administration will grow into their predecessors shoes with practice. FDR had a long standing group of trusted councilors before he ran for president, it is they who made the “New Deal” the ably constructed administration it was. Obama has few notable councilors, and none of equal stature to FDR’s. The few noted are Chicago School of Economic zealots, and fellow traveling stooges. Fear for the future with the executive in their hands. The invocation for the administration is no accident, it will be a feature of the future.

my instincts tell me you’re right, but sometimes i can’t tell the difference between my instincts and my jadedness.

OPRAH?! you mean the same oprah who said Senator Collins was one of 6 women in american who would make an ‘awesome’ president.

pulllleeeese

Now can we say that hope is a 4-letter word?

o/` We’re marching, marching to Shibboleth, with the Eagle and the Sword! o/`

/Firesign Theater

i guess we can look forward to Al Franken livening things up in the senate anyway.

Have they called it for him?

I really hope others invited to participate in the inauguration decline the invitation rather than appear on the same stage with Warren. If he indeed appears, I will not watch. This is an outrageous slap in the face to main-line Protestants whose beliefs have been neglected, or worse conflated with those of the evangelical/Republican bigotted, hate-filled, slime machine. Just when I think I can’t be more disappointed in Obama, he manages to find a new low. Pfft!

just this from previous good news post

In what appears to be a real time tally, The Minneapolis Star Tribune currently has Coleman’s lead at 313 votes but projects Franken to be ahead by the end of the canvassing board’s review by 223 votes.

I must say i was really disappointed in Obama’s showing on that “debate/interview” with Warren from rick’s big church, with McSame supposedly in a “cone of silence” offstage. Obama appeared foolish in that scene, and Warren made mince meat of him.so wtf does Obama thnk he’s doing now?

Didn’t Warren say McCain was in his Green Room, supposedly sequestered during his and Obama’s dual appearance at his church, when in fact McCain was in his car listening to the live radio feed, so apparent in his quick responses to the same questions Obama got?

Yes.

that’s what came out the next day, but at the time a ‘cone of silence’ was supposedly enforced on Mcinsane so he couldn’t hear obama’s responses to questions. wholotta shakin goin on.

i bet warren will be scratched from the list now with all this fuss. if he isn’t…. well…. more disappointment. i’ll avoid the news for a few days, my recovery m.o.

Okay, then.

Cone of Outrage it is.

I was hoping Obama wasn’t all that involved in selection of Warren; unfortunately, according to the Joint Committee’s news release: “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.”

Hard to believe Feinstein or Biden came up with Warren.

i also posted this in your other diary–

hey teddy–

here is the contact page to send a letter to tell them to change their plans to have Pastor Warren anywhere near this Inaugural.
http://change.gov/page/content/contact/

my letter could have been better, I hate those little boxes, but didn’t go to a text page. oh well. at least I wrote one.
I hope many many pups send one off immediately. Let’s get the outrage we feel about this across to them.

Dear President-Elect Obama;

Whomever made the decision for Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the Benediction at your Inaugural, and whomever suggested it, should be fired. Reverend Warren most certainly does not qualify as someone who exemplifies the teachings of Jesus and the actions of a man of God.

I can name at least 10 ordained women and men who espouse a level of excellence who should have been given the honor of delivering the Benediction on the historic day of your Inauguration. A myriad of choices, yet you chose the most offensive one besides James Dobson. And the one out of San Antonio, Hagee.

Surprisingly, I would rather hear the pastor at The Wasilla Bible Church; I listened to his sermon last Sunday after the fire and it is exactly what people should be hearing every Sunday. Unconditional Love. That is what he preached after having his church destroyed. You should listen to that sermon. I even wrote to him to compliment him.

Pastor Rick is not someone I would look to for insight or leadership, after seeing and hearing him telling others that love is conditional, who creates division and calls it being a leader. He is an appalling human being for the hate he creates and then hiding behind his other ‘works’ to ‘call it even’. That is not the conduct of a man of God, at least that is not what I was taught, especially coming from a preacher. i’ve noticed that he sounds great in interviews, but take a look at what he says in public, what he is really saying in front of his congregation, and news outlets. It is atrocious that he gets away with it.

Whom should you have asked instead, if you wanted a fundamentalist? Joyce Meyer. At least in the middle of her interpretations of the Bible she is also teaching people tolerance, and how to be fine human beings. To be responsible for what you create in others by being tolerant and loving to all, no matter your creed or religion. Or lifestyle.

I am dismayed that you would give such an honor to such a despicable person.

I spent countless hours working during your campaign, and I have to say, I wish I could take those hours back. I cannot believe you would do such a thing, yet you did. I truly don’t understand how this has happened.

Out of all of the people from which you had to choose, you chose the one who is the wolf in sheep’s clothing. I don’t think you realize how offended people are by this choice. If you think more will be offended if you change it, you are wrong.

I hope you change your decision about this.

Sincerely,

Methodist, and heterosexual, in case you wondered.

thanks, consider them sent.

No changing of the guard with Obama. He has pulled off “a Bush.” Just another monster in the White House.

http://fablog.ehrensteinland.c…..r-respect/

Some Americans supported Obama heart and soul from the very start. Now they see Obama letting Warren have the bully pulpit for a few minutes. Does this bother them? Is this what they hoped for?

I’ve said for some time there’s a serious problem on the Republican side. When they pick their candidate for president it’s not usually someone their electorate can identify with. Now we have a Democratic President-Elect who throws us a curve ball. Have we got the same kind of disconnect or is this a one-off event?

We’ve got to get better at finding candidates and selecting from that group. America needs great leaders.

That said, I hope Obama does a lot more good than not. I’ve said from the start of the primary that what we need it NOT to be in love with a candidate, but to select to get someone who can give us a successful administration. We need that desperately. We might yet, but these little annoyances (Vilsack? really?, LaHood? really?) are disconcerting.

I sure hope he gets somebody great for Trade Rep. That’s going to be a very important job for the next decade or so.

i posted a diary about reverend joseph lowery, who is doing the Benediction.

I think he is why Warren was invited. as a counter-balance.

it’s not an even match. heh.
http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/2512

Yeah, we should just screw off all those Christians in the country. Who needs em huh? If you ever want to win over any of those people it’s going to be just a few at a time. Yes, Warren sucks but compared to most of the asshats he is at least possibly reachable. Gestures that don’t offend a major segment of the American population are necessary for there to be any hope of peeling off any of them, crazed though most are this is the kind of act that starts to peel off a few on a path to reaching there better angels. This is a big country, baby steps baby steps.

Yeah, we should just screw off all those Christians in the country

not the christians. it’s the bigots that are the problem.