Crazy Like A Fox
The Huffington Post is reporting that President-Elect Obama has invited New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who is openly gay, to give the invocation at his inauguration. Hmmm… Robinson and Warren. On stage together. Not on stage together… but linked all the same!
Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Maybe they’ll kiss like Madonna and Britney.
Wonder if Warren weasles out???
That was my thought as well, Rebecca. But how can he without looking like an intolerant, homophobic ass – something he’s been trying to avoid since accepting the invitation.
I’m so lovin’ this!
He should also have someone from the Aryan Nation.
Warren is gonna look funny in a level 5 Hazmat suit.
A Hazmat suit with a “purple” tie?
Get all the facts right folks Warren isn’t going to be at this event which takes place the day before at the Lincoln memorial
Ahh Hah. Thanks T.T.
Oops, thanks TT! Still, being on stage together won’t matter. Warren and Robinson will be linked. The fundies will go nuts.
They are not going to appear together: Gene Robinson will be leading a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, January 17th Biden and Obama will both attend. Gays are still being pushed to the sideshows. (no pun intended).
Equal Rights Not Special Rights! Gay Power!
The fundies are already going nuts that Warren is appearing at the Inaugural.
That said, this move looks like an afterthought, like Rod says. As I noted before, I understand the politics Obama is trying to reach for here, but I really don’t like providing a known bigot this kind of honor.
I’m glad the backlash on the Warren pick was big. I think this made Obama add Robinson and hopefully will move up the timetable on the repeal of DADT.
I think DADT is on the agenda – just not first thing, think Clinton.
The reason I like this move is because it places Warren in a position to defend it – to, you know, do what Jesus would do. All eyes are now on Warren.
pandora,
With respect, I think your reading of this whole thing is naive. I agree with Rod; this is tokenism.
Rick Warren is already on record about Gene Robinson, and has been offering Saddleback Church as a meeting place for those Episcopalians who don’t like the idea of a gay bishop. He doesn’t give a good rip about what the left–or Jesus–thinks about him here. What he cares about is the President offering him national legitimacy and the chance to connect with millions of evangelical Christians, many of whom (believe it or not) voted Democratic.
http://delawarelibertarian.blogspot.com/2009/01/separate-but-equal-token-pat-on-head.html
You can’t spin Obama picking an anti gay minister into something good for gays. And don’t expect him to go after the Defense of Marriage Act, he’s against gay marriage and picking Warren cements that stand.
Allow me to give some insight, since I do respect your opinion. When I read the story my first thought was that Warren was going to be pissed because he’d be sharing the spotlight with a gay bishop, that from this moment on whenever anyone spoke about prayer at the inauguration they wouldn’t be focusing solely on Warren. I thought of all the uncomfortable questions Warren was about to be asked, and savored watching him squirm trying to appease his base while simultaneously moving into the “mainstream.”
My thoughts were on Warren’s reaction. How will he handle this situation? Can he make everyone happy – especially followers who will expect him to speak out against Robinson? If he does speak out what happens to that mainstream appeal he so desperately seeking? If he doesn’t speak out what happens to his flock’s devotion?
None of this means I was happy with the Warren pick, nor does it allow me to dismiss everyone’s comments. You all have extremely valid points – which I agree with and should have included in my hastily written (narrowly focused) post.
Speaking as one of those Episcopalians Steve mentions who believes that gay bishop is an oxymoron, I’m hoping Rick Warren can help Mr. Robinson “pray away the gay” so the Anglicans will stop teasing us.