'The spiritual tragedies in Obama's choice of Rick Warren' (Obama can't understand wound inflicted)

[Bluebear]

...Out front, I apologize to all you gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans and others on behalf of all us straight folk — and, yes, on behalf of our in so many ways wonderfully compassionate and wise President-Elect.

He screwed this one up. Period.

His choice of the cluelessly homophobic Pastor Warren to give the Inaugural invocation on behalf of all Americans is itself clueless. Period.

I’ll get in a moment to what I think is the fault in Obama’s and his team’s thinking on this one. But these things have to be said. Without glossy niceties.

To me, this invitation is an outrage. Period.

The point is not merely that no amount of talk about bringing political enemies together to dialogue under the same roof, and other fine ideals, will put healing balm on the wound of this invitation.

The greater point is that none of Obama’s explanatory words or even any actions he is remotely likely to take, now or ever during his presidency, really will apply that balm.

Worse, this is also a wound that time itself will never completely heal. The GLBT community now knows something tragic. Short of an abject apology that, realistically, it’s almost impossible he will ever make, when push comes to shove they cannot trust their soon-to-be-President to understand just how deep a wound he has inflicted.

Therefore they can’t trust that he won’t treat them with equal disregard, or worse, again someday. When so many of them voted for him and so many of those did so very much to help him win such a stunning victory.

Bottom line, they can’t trust him.

http://www.examiner.com/x-806-SF-Spirituality-Examiner~y2009m1d7-The-spiritual-tragedies-in-Obamas-choice-of-Pastor-Rick-Warren


Sonoma-based Saniel Bonder is an acclaimed pioneer in today's "embodiment spirituality" movement. Founder of the international Waking Down in Mutuality work, he has authored nine books including 'Healing the Spirit/Matter Split' and 'Great Relief: Nine Sacred Secrets Your Body Wants You to Know.'

[Bluebear]

1. -

sorry

[elocs]

2. Yes, the Obama administration is hopelessly ruined and spoiled and over.

Too bad since it has not even started. Oh well Democrats, better luck in 2012.

[Bluebear]

7. Nice dismissive post.

[glitch]

12. Unable to apologize, they don't have much else. nt

[QC]

16. Snide and dismissive has been the dominant style here for over a year.

FAIL! Thank you for your concern! Well, if you're so smart, why aren't you the president? etc.

Hard to believe there was a time when a lot of the discussion here involved little things like issues and how to make the world better.

[Bluebear]

17. Cheerleading is more important than discussion now.

:(

[Bluebear]

20. .

[slay]

3. Not only can they not trust him...

I as a supporter of GBLT equal rights feel as though I too can not trust him. As do many progressive Dems at this point most likely. And the media tries to paint him as sooooo liberal. When compared to Bush, sure. When compared to Dennis Kucinich, eh, not so much. No so much at all. :cry:

[Creideiki]

5. When compared to Bush, Satan is liberal.

[yardwork]

4. Strong words from a spiritual leader. Thank you for posting.

[Creideiki]

6. The thing is that Warren isn't even the single worst thing ever--

it's more that there's this ever-growing pattern.

I will admit, I had doubts, but at the end at least voted for him. Warren is just another swipe in the death of a thousand cuts.

[ColbertWatcher]

8. Kick and rec. n/t

[LoZoccolo]

9. Well you know what? You don't have to trust him.

He'll nominate the Supreme Court justices who will establish government-recognized gay marriage anyways. Do what you like.

[Luminous Animal]

10. It's all a slight of hand then, eh?

How brave. Meanwhile Warren gains more legitimacy to expand his activities in Africa. Activities that are killing people.

[Bluebear]

18. Are you addressing the author of the article? I don't think he is reading here

Check the link, maybe there is an email contact.

[LoZoccolo]

26. I knew that when I posted it.

But I figured that if you posted it, you somewhat endorsed the view.

[CTyankee]

21. I think some people understand this, but what they don't see is why Obama chose to

have Warren in the first place. That is what is so puzzling to progressives who believe so passionately in gay rights.

[lolly]

22. Obama saw it as a personal gesture

My sense is that Obama thought he, personally, was being a big person to invite someone who disagreed with his positions--a sort of shake-hands-with-the-devil gesture.

He didn't think it through. I don't think he realized that his opponent had far more damaging and hateful "disagreements" with a large segment of his supporters.

[Karenina]

28. It is impossible to get a man to understand a thing

that his salary depends on his NOT understanding...

[Swamp Rat]

11. k&r

[Starry Messenger]

13. k & r

[SidDithers]

14. K&R...

Keep up the fight, Bluebear :hi:

Sid

[QC]

15. K&R

[Solly Mack]

19. K&R

[Thrill]

23. Lesbian couple invited on Inaugural Whistle Stop Tour

"Today the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Committee announced the names of 16 families who will join President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden on their Whistle Stop Tour to D.C. the Saturday before the inauguration. Lesbian couple Lisa Hazirjian and her partner Michelle have been invited to join the Whistle Stop Tour and appear onstage with Obama and Biden during events."

http://www.buzzflash.net/story.php?id=85819

People too busy bitching about Warren to see Obama doesn't discriminate about who he calls a Family

[xenussister]

24. That makes it ok?

*SLAP SLAP* "Oh, I'm sorry, let me make it up to you"

[Thrill]

25. Why does he have to be trying to "make it up" to anybody?

Are you saying thats the only reason why he has a gay couple there?

Having this couple up there, is a bigger statement, than Warren's two minute prayer. Why isn't he being praised by the community for this? My guess is bitching about something is more fun.

[Bluebear]

27. It's NOT Warren's "two minute prayer". Why don't you try reading some of these articles?

As to your guess that we just like bitching, whatever. You know us all better i guess.

[Realityhack]

29. I doubt you read the OP's link.

The entire point is that in one single act Obama obliterated his trust with the GLBT community. The story you linked has been talked about on DU and in GLBT circles etc. However, the choice of Warren sets it in a different light. Now it looks like he is trying to mend fences, his motives are questioned when they wouldn't otherwise be.

This is the equivalent of someone inviting a black family with them on the Whistle stop tour but having a dragon from the KKK give the invocation at the swearing it. What message do you think that would send?

There is no room for hate. Obama is trying to squeeze in room for it so he doesn't have to alienate anyone. The thing is some people need to be alienated. You can't try to cater to everyone and stand for anything.

And this extends beyond the GLBT community. I know a number of hard core Obama volunteers who are quite upset about Warren who are not GLBT. I personally am disgusted. I volunteered for Obama, I should be an easy sell on any decision he makes. I want to see change and I believe in him. However, after Warren I am second guessing everything he says and does. It has massively eroded his credibility with me.

[G_j]

30. darn, too late to rec.

very well stated!