Well Done: Geoff Kors Declines Inauguration Invitation

[BR_Parkway]

http://news.lavenderliberal.com/2008/12/18/well-done-geoff-kors-declines-inauguration-invitation/

It is extremely disappointing and hurtful that President-elect Obama has chosen California Rev. Rick Warren, who actively supported Prop 8 and the elimination of existing civil rights for LGBT Californians, to give the invocation at his inauguration.

Accordingly, I have decided to decline the invitation to attend the inauguration as I cannot be part of a celebration that highlights and gives voice to someone who advocated repealing rights from me and millions of other Californians.

I was looking forward to hearing a speech by the new President about his vision of a new America and an end to the politics of division where one group is pitted against another.

Rick Warren does not share that vision. Far from it. Instead, he actively works to divide Americans based on who we are and has been an ardent supporter of efforts to ostracize LGBT Americans. He compared “gay marriage to incest, pedophilia and polygamy and repeated the inaccurate charge that without Prop 8, conservative preachers could be prosecuted for hate crimes. He described ’social gospel’ Christians of the 20th century as closet Marxists.”

It would be impossible for me to attend the inauguration where a person who has worked to deny my and Equality California members’ equality is setting the tone.

Respectfully,

Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Now the real ripple of what Obama did begins.

[tekisui]

3. Ahem....the backlash cometh.

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. K&R

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Good

K&R

[scarletwoman]

5. Well done indeed. I'd sure like to see some more people of conscience decline their invitations, too

I'd especially like to see a high-profile woman return her invitation and make a statement about Warren's disgusting medieval views about women.

sw

[noamnety]

8. I'd love to see his pick for poet do that.

It's a lot to ask of someone though.

[scarletwoman]

12. That would be fantastic. But I certainly wouldn't expect it.

This is just so frustrating. I was looking forward to an inspiring event marking a moving forward out of the darkness of the bush years, a celebration of the triumph of our better angels.

But no, Obama is sticking that fat fucking toad in our faces -- a sleazy conman who stands for everything that is unenlightened and disempowering and false in our culture. It's unforgiveable, imo.

sw

[glitch]

24. That would be profound, and might even allow him to admit he made a huge mistake. nt

[mondo joe]

6. Honstly, I wish he'd attended because sometimes you have to suck it up to maintain

the relationship.

But in all honesty I couldn't be the one to do it.

[scarletwoman]

10. "suck it up to maintain the relationship" -- Like what battered women do when they stay with their

abusive spouses? Yeah, that works.

Wrong is wrong. No one should "suck it up" when it comes that vile bigoted misogynist conman.

sw

[mondo joe]

11. Politics isn't marriage. And I've been completely outspoken against Warren.

But politics is also politics, and being absent doesn't help us at all.

And please note: I couldn't do it myself.

[scarletwoman]

13. Well, you were the one who used the word "relationship". I'm not down on you, I'm down on Obama for

pulling this bullshit move.

sw

[mondo joe]

15. In my work I've had to shake a lot of hands and talk with a lot of people I'd just as soon

kick, because it served the purpose. (I work with human service non profits.)

Our purpose is to get legislative and executive change, and the more we absent ourselves from the process the harder that becomes to achieve. Or as they liked to say on the West Wing, decisions are made by those who show up.

And all that said, I'd personally have a very hard time doing it, and I don't blame anyone for not doing it.

[scarletwoman]

16. I'm fine with Obama meeting and speaking with Warren, that's an entirely different matter than

giving Warren a place of honor at the inauguration.

sw

[mondo joe]

17. I agree. I think we've agreed consistenty on this. NT

[rhett o rick]

26. In the last eight years there has been way too much "suck up to maintain the relationship".

The Democrats in Congress (most not all) have been a disgrace to the party and to America. They have kissed the feet of the boy king. They have never stopped him from the most terrible acts of tyranny. There is no excuse. There is no excuse. Even today they bow down and allow the boy king to dole out trillions of dollars, effectively bankrupting this country. It is time to kick them all out and start over. not all, Sen Bernie Saunders can stay. I want bush in the town square in stocks.

[Hydra]

7. Standing on principle

Bravo! We need more like him!

[mondo joe]

9. I just wish Obama was as "fierce" and advocate for us as he was a fundraiser of us.

The two don't match.

[earth mom]

14. How many more will do the same? Lots, I hope. nt

[1awake]

18. I wish he wouldn't have,, it's unfortunate n/t

[Deja Q]

19. Seconded.

[glitch]

25. Surprised.

Not.

[Solly Mack]

20. K&R

[Maat]

21. Well done, Geoff!

Obama is making a huge mistake by giving voice and credibility to the bigot and sexist, Rick Warren.

[Paladin]

22. Good. (n/t)

[Yukari Yakumo]

23. Who are you, and why should we care?

While this move will provide a "feel good" moment for some gay rights activists, I personally think this is really a "shoot yourself in the foot" moment.

All he's doing is preaching to the choir. For those not in the choir, his actions risks looking like a crybaby throwing a temper tantrum because things aren't going precisely his way. While reinforcing his base, he could potentially lose the support of those he needs most to achieve his goals.

[rhett o rick]

27. Good for him. It's past time people started to stand up for their principles. nm