By now much has been made of Barack Obama's unfortunate choice of gay-bashing fundo fatboy Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. I've heard the other side -- such as it is -- of this argument: Obama is "reaching out" and being a "uniter not a divider", blah blah blah.
Bullshit. This is the first misstep of the Obama Administration. Granted there will likely be a lot more, but this one bodes ill for the concept of true equality for all in this country under an Obama rule.
And yeah, I know that the benediction is being given by a Grand Old Man of the Civil Rights movement, Joseph Lowery, as if that will provide some sort of bookend for the whole thing.
But lost in all of this hoopla is the fundamental question: Why do we even need an invocation and a benediction at a presidential inauguration? It's not like it's an American tradition. George Washington had a religious invocation at his inauguration, and then it fell by the wayside until 1933, when Franklin D. Roosevelt revived it. Probably because he wanted, like Obama, to be "inclusive" -- and while he was at it, to put to rest the ugly rumors that he was a socialist, a communist, or even -- gasp -- Jewish!
So I say the hell with all of the religious trappings. Let the president be inaugurated to the highest secular office in the land with a secular ceremony.
Oh, and that whole swearing on the Xian bible and the phrase "so help me god" thing? Neither of them appear in the constitution, but I think you can make some good money betting that IBIL* of yours on whether they are.
[* IBIL = Idiot Brother-In-Law]
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Warren Invocation -- Who Needs It?
Posted by Farnsworth68 at 6:07 PM
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3 Comments:
I dont' think this was as stupid as it looks on first glance. Actually it's a pretty wily move. By selecting Warren to invoke the Creator's blessing, Warren is also bestowing his own blessing, and tacit approval (and the blessing of the entire right wing), on Obama's presidency. Furthermore, by getting Warren invested in the Obama presidency, it already is having a moderating effect, as evidenced by Warren removing some inflammatory statements on his church's website. I think also that Obama wanted to reward Warren's shifting the focus of the religious right from abortion, gay marriage, and guns to issues of economic and social justice, and global warming. By inviting Rick Warren to give the invocation, he also has a stronger argument for inclusiveness: If we can include the religious right then we also must include others whose ideas and lifestyles may be different from our own. Everyone, it seems, has a place at the table in the Obama Administration. And isn't that what he promised? Besides, I think Obama will support gays where it really counts: new laws that provide protection and equality for all. We should give him a chance, and allow him to lead.
Thanks, mrln. I'm hoping that you are right and that this will send that "inclusiveness" message. Toward that end, I note today that Warren has removed from his website most of the anti-gay rhetoric that was there.
Maybe there is hope after all.
Happy Holidays from The F-Man
THIS RICK WARREN CRAP IS A SLAP IN THE FACE TO ALL PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL. I THINK IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO MARRY ANYBODY YOU WANT JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE. YOU WOULD THINK OBAMA WOULD BE A LITTLE SENSITIVE TO THE SEPARATE BUT EQUAL ARGUMENT.
I ALSO AGREE WITH MRIN THAT IT MAY PROVE OUT TO BE A SHREWD POLITICAL MOVE ON HIS PART. HE'S BEEN RIGHT THIS WHOLE CAMPAIGN.
SEMPER FI!
HMC LAVADOG
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