Obama Defends Rick Warren Pick

“where we can disagree without being disagreeable and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans.”
This is why I voted for the man. We are never going to agree on everything. No group of people never does.

I’m a gay Obama supporter and I don’t have a problem with Warren being part of the inauguration. Obama has always been upfront about reaching out to those who don’t share his own views. Warren has also done a lot of good work in areas of concern to many liberals.
America’s a “big tent.” We’re not always going to agree with one another but we can at least show each other some respect and civility.

and Brooklyn Democrat
you like much of America …
do not know much of Warren’s statements on this issue
it is not about marriage
it is about beleifs that homosexuals are on par with “adults who try to marry children” and evolution not existing because a “defect” like homosexuality would not exist
never taking into consideration …perhaps like many preachers do…that it could be some other purpose that homosexuals may serve the species.
this is not a centrist man…or preacher for that matter.
and this is not a left wing issue…
it is a center vs. right issue.
Obama made a mistake…and I think if he takes a look at Warren’s statements…and realizes the similarity between this and what his Mother faced…it may bring that mistaken decision home for him.

It’s priceless. They protest what they perceive as Warren’s lack of tolerance with… well, intolerance. Sweet!!!

Why are some so opposed to Obama extending a symbolic hand to the opposition? We’re going to need more than straight-up partisanship as we continue to head into a severe time of economic distress.

Set the triangulation machine to stun. I predict either:
- team PEBHO puts out a high ranking gay to endorse the idea of Rick Warren giving the invocation
- there is a quid pro quo of value to the gay community. May David Geffen heads up the art council or an executive order legalizing poppers.

BertieW
I can tell you the first thing you mention…will not happen
especially now that people are starting to look at what Warren has said in the past…
not about gay marriage…
but his really antiquated and destructive statements about homosexuals in general.
It would be like someone choosing an anti biracial marriage preacher asking Obama to give the thumbs up to it.

Jeremiah Wright, Rick Warren. Religion is a tool for building a constituency. That’s clearer today than it was yesterday.

Any pick would have been critizesed. I don’t agree with Warren, but i respect his point of view and will expect respect for mine. That is what Obama is all about, show the evalgelicals and radicals that we are bigger than the biggots.

THERE ARE DRAMATIC REASONS WHY A PERSON CAN LOVE GAY PEOPLE AND STILL OPPOSE GAY MARRIAGE – the lobbyist for forcing lifestyle issues on everyone else like to bring up biology (see dl above) BUT only when they think it helps their cause (this is that ridiculous red vs blue, hateful divisiveness that comes from the left at least as often as it comes from elsewhere) – they say things that make little since in the name of science (again see dl) and then ignore obvious biological issues such as the fact that young women can only become pregnant by a male ……………..many of our marriage laws take this into account……and now 40 year old gay men want the “right” to go and ask some legal guardian, “can I marry your 15 year old son” ……… you may fully believe gay is great, but you have to admit that there ARE differences in same sex couplehood – one size does NOT fit all …… the more you try to force these attitudes on people, the more you become the hater and the intolerant one – I say good choice – Rick Warren is a good man – period!

WOW….all I can do is laugh!!!!!!!
After all the apologists about Rev. Wright, here come the two faced liberals bashing Obama’s choice. You people are such losers. Wright didn’t matter. Obama had him preside over his wedding & his chidren’s baptisms and sat in his church for 20 YEARS!!! That did not matter.
He chooses this guy, and all of a sudden the earth has split wide open and NOW…it matters!!!!
INCREDIBLE!!!!!
I am not an Obama supporter, but with supporters like you people and this dopey activist groups, he does not have to worry about those of us on the right!
IF Wright’s hate speech that Obama “did not hear” meant nothing, WHY does this guy’s past words MATTER NOW??????
Come On .WHY DOES IT MATTER NOW??????

I don’t like Obama’s choice. It’s hard to accept, but it is consistent with his rhetoric during the campaign. We will not solve our problems if we don’t reach beyond our differences to strive for our common good. And, we must solve our problems.

Dumb one-issue voting whiners can’t understand anything beyond their own emotions… get over it

I thought the campaign was the time for “Sister Soldier” moments, not the inauguration.

Dan Smith is either wrong or very smart.
An inauguration is a perfect place to showcase people with whom you disagree, because an inauguration doesn’t matter. It’s like appointing a repub to
Irritating the gay crowd is a cost-free bone thrown to the right, a group from which Obama has no support and has tremendous upside potential.
Remember, this isn’t policy. It doesn’t matter.
I call on all gay people to show as much irritation as possible. Be loud and mad. The more sympathy Obama has from the gay haters and other religious nuts outside his constituency, the greater chance he has of pushing through good policy.
Let’s keep our eye on the ball.

Warren is being a hypocrite for participating in the ceremony when he doesn’t believe in views that Obama has endorsed.

“BUT he wants to use the same ideas in Afganistan.”
No he doesn’t.
Both Gates and Obama have been calling for more troops in Afghanistan for some time now and it has little to do with the tactics of the surge in Iraq.
That’s why Caribou Barbie looked like a fool claiming the same thing that worked in Iraq would work in Afghanistan.

Rick Warren’s presence at the inauguration could help to mollify the reaction from the use of Obama’s middle name, which tends to provoke fear from some. I’m glad myself that he’s claiming his full name.

I voted for Obama.
Ever since his victory it has been an endless demonstration of gestures and choices which very much contradicted his campaign message. It’s Wall Street in the Whitehouse, a quasi-neocon as secretary of state, a goat as gardener of the SEC, a right-wing fringe lunatic delivering the invocation, and on and on and on.
I am just waiting for him to invite the Klansmen for dialog.
There is so far you can lean to extend a hand. Any further and you fall over, which is what he did.
I fear he has sold out on the basis of political expediency before even taking office. I regret the phone calls I made on his behalf, the wasted hours.

Had Rick Warren actively worked to remove ANY other minority’s Constitutionl Rights from being covered by the equal protection clause.
We wouldn’t be having this conversation.
There also wouldn’t be ANYONE telling that minority to just get over the insult.
No amount of LGBT’s anger will alter the invitation given to Rick Warren, the campaign should have known before the invitation was extended to Warren, what the reaction would be. The inaugeral Committee didn’t do their job, or this fiasco wouldn’t be playing itself out Nation wide. Pelosi, Reid, Feinstein will also be held in contempt by LGBTs, and they can watch our support EVAPORATE for them too. I hope LGBTs plan an event on Inaugeral day outside of DC, we don’t go where we aren’t wanted, and it’s not like we have any shortage of TALENT, who know how to throw a party

I agree here with Baraka Obama. Rick Warren is perfect for his inauguration. Rick Warren will represent exactly what is written in the Holy Bible on homosexuality, and gay sex, and gay marrige. And Warren should also put on a good helmet for protection from flying shoes.

Who do we need a prayer, and particularly Christian prayer, at a political event? I find the pervasiveness of religious ceremony at federal events offensive and not in the spirit of honoring the separation of church and state.

“Who do we need a prayer, and particularly Christian prayer, at a political event?”
You havent been paying attention. Obama closed his acceptance speech at the convention with a quote from the Scriptures, Hebrews10.
“9Therefore, my brothers, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21and since we have a great high priest over the household of God, 22let us continue to come near with sincere hearts in the full assurance that faith provides, because our hearts have been sprinkled clean from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23Let us continue to hold firmly to the hope that we confess without wavering, for the one who made the promise is faithful.”

YES
We do need prayer at all public events….We need to put GOD back in this country. This country was found on the belief of GOD.
Not gays and lesbians……

Jenny Rome Ga—what you wrote is so true, thanks for that. at the end of the day we have to all live together in this great country. we would have a drab society if we did agree on everything.

==I will NEVER be less than “disagreeable” with anyone who thinks that I don’t deserve the same rights as other citizens.==
You DO have the same “Rights” as everybody else.
If you’re a man, you don’t have to be heterosexual to marry a woman.
If you’re a woman, you don’t have to be heterosexual to marry a man.
All men of age may marry women of age; and all women of age may marry men of age.
== I am regretting that Clinton did not win the Democratic nomination.==
Tuff. It’s too late. You shoulda thought about that earlier. You didn’t. Now, live with it.

==[the] other side is actively taking away (dare I say it) my God-given human rights.==
Which ones?
And since when does somebody who claims to be homosexual rely on God who condemns homosexuality?

Mr. Incredible, “Ok. Let those who claim to be homosexual go first.” all right. i want to get along with you man. it’s unfortunate that we have serious disagreements, but you are not writing diatribe and seem serious about your feelings, beliefs and views. and i respect your beliefs and would like to live in a more decent society.

==Mr. Incredible, “Ok. Let those who claim to be homosexual go first.” all right. i want to get along with you man. it’s unfortunate that we have serious disagreements, but you are not writing diatribe and seem serious about your feelings, beliefs and views. and i respect your beliefs and would like to live in a more decent society.==
Ok, but all you’re offering is talk. Talk is what I was responding to when I wrote, “Go first.” That means going beyond the talk.

ask a question then.

Now having can be compared to wanting.
The Obama camp was willing to call anyone who didn’t vote for him anything convenient to slander and intimidate them. They won by thuggery and misdirection. Now they have what they wanted. They told us we would eat crow and they would celebrate at the innauguration.
So is this crow all around except on Pennsylvania Avenue and the inner rings of power in Chicago? Or has the lone class mate from Harvard who said “Obama is about Obama” having the last laugh?
The election is over. Warren is a decent man. Clinton will be an incredible Secretary of State. Bush is leaving the White House. All is well with the world.
Just not under the bus.
Did you really think it would be otherwise? Grow up. This is the big league of world politics where when a man says “do anything required to get it done” you might want to believe him.
Now where is that Crow Sauce?

Mr Incredible…we live by constitutional law not religious law.
founding fathers wanted all religions to flourish as well as the right not to have a religion.
the constitution guarantees equal protection of the laws.

BertieW—don’t guess. Quakers didn’t write the constitution, neither did the pope, or a baptist preacher in kentucky. the establishment clause is very clear. you can just read the constitution. it’s available online and easy to understand. it is the first ammendment, also called the Bill of Rights. that is the rock of our nation, not the bible, the constitution. no need to read the bible to guess what the Quakers might have wanted, it’s all clear as day in the constitution.

BertieW—
“Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
there is no gibberish about the Church of England. christianity has not been established as the religion of the united states, quite the opposite there is no national religion. have any opinion you want, but the law is the law.

the first ammendment has been the law of the land since the united states became an independent country. the ammendment is there for you to read. there are also hundreds of supreme court decisions upholding the establishment clause.
i know where to find the supreme court reports which is a publication of every supreme court decision rendered by that court. these are the decisions written by the justices of the Supreme Court.

==the first ammendment has been the law of the land since the united states became an independent country.==
Well, the Declaration of Independence was signed in July, 1776.
The Constitution, including the First Amendment, was signed in 1789.
Gee, only thirteen years off.

the declaration of independence was written before the beginning of the Revolutionary War. it is a declaration not a formation of government. 1776 was the beginning of the war for independence. LOL. basic american history, please take a course at your local elementary school.

Mr Incredible and Ms Bertie—you can write whatever you want. facts are facts and they are very simple. i also encourage you to read supreme court decisions fron the late 1700s until this year. there is separation of church and state. that has been the law. that is why we are living in a democracy (the kind of governement they wanted) instead of a theocracy where a pastor, or a mullah or a bishop makes the laws and we all follow like sheep.
thus a nation was born that has seen advancement in science and medicine that would have never occured in somewhere like Iran.

==Mr Incredible and Ms Bertie—you can write whatever you want.==
Gee, thanks, but I don’t need your permission.
== facts are facts and they are very simple.==
We’re happy to have presented them.
==there is separation of church and state.==
Where is that wording before 1947 SCOTUS?
== that has been the law.==
Not before 1947.
==thus a nation was born that has seen advancement in science and medicine that would have never occured in somewhere like Iran.==
Except that Science and, in this country, major-institution education are creatures of Christianity. Harvard, Yale and Princeton, for example, were Christian schools. The Science discipline came from the Catholics, as a matter of fact.

atheism has created more scientists than religion. the universities you mentioned are institutions which encourage diversity of ideas, are non-sectarian.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” how much simpler can it be?

==we became independent at the conclusion of the Revolutionary war. we were part of britain’s empire until the english surrendered. after that the founding fathers went about the task of creating a government.==
Indpendence was declared in 1776. That means it was established at that time. The fight was to maintain it.
==atheism has created more scientists than religion.==
Science came out of Christianity, particularly the Catholics.
The major universities in this country started out as Christian schools.
== the universities you mentioned are institutions which encourage diversity of ideas, are non-sectarian.==
They didn’t start out that way.
==Mr Incredible and Ms Bertie—didn’t know you were the same person==
That’s cuz we aren’t.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” how much simpler can it be?
Still, there is no wording, “separation of Church and State.”

so our government is not christian. the founding fathers did not establish a religion. we are free to have our religion. there is no evidence that Jefferson, Franklin…had any intention that this would be a southern baptist ruled country. the truly believed in democracy.

” Ms Bertie”
“besides the conservatives on the Court are “strict constructionists” meaning they don’t look for guidance from history, or the “Church of England” context, they read what is written in the constitution and only that.”
If you dont know the relationship is between the First Amendment and the Estalishment of the Church of England, then you really dont know anything about the First Amendment.
Hint: why did the settlers come to the colonies? Freedom *of* religion, not freedom *from* religion.
Plus your statement on “strict constructionists” is at odds with reality. Go read DC v. Heller and tell me there is no reference to historical context.
Both of these things you can do on wikipedia so you dont strain yourself,and you’ll be a better person for it.

Obama is wrong. He made a poor choice. Choosing Rick Warren is a direct stick in the eye to major groups of his voting block, gays, lesbians and ALL women. It’s insulting to say the least.
There is no defense for the indefensible.
Obama should apologize, yank the Warren choice and choose from the thousands of OTHER pastors & priests available who would NOT insult the nation.
The left has been suckered.
WE told you so. Obama was NOT and is NOT who you think he is.
WE could have and should have had Hillary Clinton as our next President.
Remember, Obama is a product of and tool of the extremely corrupt Chicago political machine.
Follow the money trail. It will lead you to the answers you seek.
My Democratic party should be ashamed of the obscene amount of money raised and spent by Barack Obama in this 2008 campaign debacle. Nearly a billion dollars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHEN is the media going to follow the money trail of Obama???????????????????
WHEN??????????????????????????????????
I am not concerned about which “puppies” the President elect is choosing. I AM concerned about WHERE his money came from.
INVESTIGATE AND REPORT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
WE, the Dems are supposed to be fighting for campaign finance reform. What a joke!
May God help us!

WE told you so. Obama was NOT and is NOT who you think he is.
_______________________________________________
So far he’s done and been exactly what most expected. He has not cowed to the right or the left. He has been thorough, intellectual and swift with his Cabinet Post. He is representing not the red states,not the blue states but the UNITED STATES – and that was his platform.
The lesson from Obama many could stand to take a page from is it is okay to disagree with someone’s policies or philosophies, but just because they differ from your own does not mean they should be condemned or ostracized.
You catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Do you think the vitriolic response by the far left and LGBT is going to gain then any ground?

Its not just gay people who are upset. Mainstream christians are not happy about this leader of a mega church, who teaches hatred and intolerance, being given such an honor. I don’t think there is anything magic about pandering to the extreame right.

If The CHANGEling weren’t a six-flags showboat, his questionable coronation wouldn’t require prayers from a CELEBRITY mega-mouth for a nondenominational mega-organization.
Save the day for a General Strike for National Health. Obama’s a fraud.

” Mainstream christians are not happy about this leader of a mega church, who teaches hatred and intolerance, being given such an honor.”
Dont think so. You have a link?

The selection of Warren is a great choice, if for no other reason than it makes those who claim to be homosexual angry. That, in itself, must mean that it’s the correct choice.

Belle: I have a better idea. How about Cheney? Or Perle? Or Wolfowitz? Or Rumsfeld? Or Yoo? Or Gonzales? Or Scooter Libby (after his pardon?). I think a war criminal would be perfect.