Rather than just wringing our hands over Rick Warren, what can we do?

[DainBramaged]

Lots of threads, lots of angst, and oh boy, rightfully placed. But, what can we do other then talk among ourselves? Petition? Call Obama's offices? Deluge them with letters or emails? What can be done to get it through to him that his choice of the bigot Rick Warren won't stand? As a community, we can be meaningful. We should lead rather than follow or do nothing.


Just flagellating ourselves over this isn't going to solve it. Solid steps and action are necessary. And those who think it's acceptable to brush it off as if it isn't important, I don't think so. The WORLD is going to be watching on 1-20-09. I had hoped that day would be the end of the error, but it could be the beginning of another.

[billyoc]

1. Call, write, protest and picket.

Direct action gets the goods.

[last1standing]

2. All are being done, but so far met with silence.

It is as though we aren't even on the radar to Obama.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

7. He's hiding from the storm nt

[Fumesucker]

12. Other than a select few, this is the way Dem politician act toward their base..

The great majority of Dem politician despise teh liberals and teh gay and teh DFHs..

They go out of their way to dis us, it increases their "seriousness" in the MSM and the Capitol village, they get applauded by the pundits for doing it.

[Oak2004]

39. That's why the real election as far as I'm concerned is the primary election

and why I think sensible people need to double down on the plans out there to recruit primary challengers against Dems in 2010.

And I am beginning to suspect we will soon need to do the same for 2012.

They will ignore us as long as they can get away with it. Our job is to make it far too expensive for them to ignore us. If we can put enough of their heads on pikes like we did with Al Wynn and nearly did with Lieberman, they'll pay attention.

And hint to Obama: if you think you've found a clever new way for "New Democrats" to hide as progressives and get lots of donations, I'd suggest you not be so confident you'll get that kind of money the next time around.

[BeFree]

3. Make the best of it

Expose Warren for the hypocrite he is, use this as a springboard to get rights for everyone, and keep letting Obama know we are gonna work hard to help him bring the change we need.

[DainBramaged]

5. Calling our representatives, Senators and protesting and bitterly

threatening them come the next election tha we will work for their oposition (they have no idea what kind of a giant this has awakened).

[BeFree]

9. You get it

It has awakened a giant. It may have been by design or by accident, but awakened it has.

[polichick]

4. I've sent a couple of emails to change.gov - not sure what else to do.

[canetoad]

8. Write to BO's office

On real paper with a real stamp, posted via snail mail. Make it succint, not insulting, but make it assertive. State your opinion shortly and without insults or recriminations. No more than three or four paragraphs, try to keep emotion out of the letter.

Better than email.

[polichick]

17. Do they ever get to the snail mail?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. Write the president-elect and tell him this is disgusting. Write the media and tell them the same.

Tell others to do the same. Get this Rick Warren off the inauguration roster. He must NOT do the invocation prayer. What a disgusting man he is!

[KG]

10. well, if anything, this choice shows election of a dem is no reason let up at all in the

fight economic and social justice in this country or in the world.

[ColbertWatcher]

11. I had a few suggestions.

Expose his hate, force him to explain himself: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4680741&mesg_id=4680741

Maybe another solution: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4686604&mesg_id=4686604

Today I've been thinking maybe something more secular, have an historian or teacher deliver a Constitutionally-based speech.

But, I've discovered why picking Warren really bothers me: it's disrespectful and Obama has always come across as respectful even to people he disagrees with.

[Fumesucker]

13. In order to be considred "serious" by the pundits, Obama has to dis teh gay and teh DFHs

That's just the way the game is played in DC these days.

[Bucky]

16. DFH?

help me here

[scarletwoman]

18. DFH = Dirty Fucking Hippies (nt)

[Bucky]

26. How could I not know that?

I guess I was just unaware of WTASF.

[scarletwoman]

31. I only knew it because I used to hang out at Atrios' blog a lot a few years ago, that's where

I first saw it used -- don't know if that's where it originated or not. But over the ensuing years I've seen most progressive blogs pick it up.

I'll take a stab at WTASF: "what that acronym stands for"?

[Bucky]

32. well done

I mean "WD"

[scarletwoman]

33. TY

;)

[ColbertWatcher]

27. I disagree.

Obama did not play dirty, which is also a tradition in Washington.

He has shown he doesn't have to be disrespectful to be successful.

The inaugural hasn't happened yet, so he has a chance to rectify this insult.

[Fumesucker]

36. If he doesn't dis teh left he will displease The Village..

And will be thought Unserious, rather like Kookinich.

I wish it wasn't that way but I think that's how it will turn out.

[ColbertWatcher]

38. I wish people could define themselves based on what they do and not on who they hate. n/t

[Oak2004]

43. I would think that if he wanted to play the game

it would have been a tad bit more honest to represent himself as someone who believed in the Washington political game.

[ColbertWatcher]

25. I also started another poll! (link inside) ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4692964&mesg_id=4692964

[Bucky]

14. Call your reps & ask them to wear a rainbow flag or lapel pin in solidarity at inauguration

Obviously disrupting the inauguration--particularly the prayer part of the ceremony--would be counterproductive. We're protesting the utter lack of respect both the President and his guest Jesutizer are showing. Protests should respond with utmost respect for the solemnity of the occasion. But wearing a rainbow lapel or scarf or flag pin during the prayer would tell the president and the world that we stand with the oppressed, not the oppressor.

[JanMichael]

15. please, read my post in LGBT forum

and join the facebook group: Remove Rick Warren from the Inauguration

[ColbertWatcher]

28. Post a link for both, please. n/t

[Somawas]

19. Petition, call, etc. And turn your back to Warren.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8002766&mesg_id=8002766

[DainBramaged]

21. (Pssst, I was the first to suggest turning our backs)

but was attacked by the apologists and lurkers.

[Fumesucker]

22. I thought it a reasonable idea..

I would definitely just turn my back, no booing or anything overtly disrespectful.

[DainBramaged]

23. a MASS of people, a SEA of people turning their backs

what a message.

[Fumesucker]

35. You got that right.. I'd love to see it happen n/t

[madfloridian]

20. Here..in the video I posted of Rob Boston on Countdown...there are links to the committee

that is overseeing the inauguration.

Note the Republicans on the committee...

May not matter but at least you will have made your voice heard.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/3260

[Mari333]

24. have already written to change.gov and to the committee

and to my own congresscritters.
and posted on boards.
and i hear *crickets* from all of them.

[ColbertWatcher]

29. It's the weekend. Don't give up. Double your efforts Monday. n/t

[stuntcat]

30. I'm gonna give him the finger

I'm going to the inauguration. Perhaps I'll give him the finger AND turn my back.. I'll see how I feel when the time comes.

I wrote to Obama and signed a couple of petitions to try to stop it altogether.

[muriel_volestrangler]

34. Lobby him to prioritise the repeal of DADT and DOMA

Tell him that if he panders to the right wing for PR purposes, he's got to produce real change, quickly, to show his true beliefs. And the "I have to consult with the military chiefs" delaying tactic won't be accepted any more than "the dog ate my homework".

And get him to sign the UN resolution on anti-gay laws: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4690436&mesg_id=4690436

[no_hypocrisy]

37. Simple. Add another minister to the Benediction.

Add someone progressive like Reverend Weldon Gaddy or Bishop John Shelby Spong. Inclusiveness will weaken whatever negative impact Warren would have.

[Toasterlad]

40. They've Already Done That.

A gay-friendly minister is going to give the closing benediction, or whatever.

That in no way balances out the huge insult of inviting this bigoted asshole to speak. You don't apologize for having a grand dragon of the KKK speak at an event by inviting a black guy. You don't invite the KKK asshole in the first place.

[Toasterlad]

41. What Can Be Done, Has Been Done. It Will Change Nothing.

Even if Obama gave two shits about gay people, he couldn't uninvite Warren without appearing "weak". And he cares FAR too much about the opinion of the religious right to risk alienating them. Even the religious right that don't like Warren being at the inauguration (and there are apparently plenty) would be pissed if he were univited.

THOSE are the people Obama doesn't want to piss off. WE are the people Obama chooses to piss ON.

[dflprincess]

42. Demand your campaign contributions be refunded.

I know a few people who did that after the FISA vote and they did get their money back.

[DainBramaged]

44. Good point, that will open some eyes.