Let's congratulate Obama for choosing pro gay rights supporter Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery!

[zulchzulu]

People are focusing on Warren (who is an asshole) and many are complaining on that choice at the inaugural ceremony. Are those same people thanking Obama for choosing Rev. Joseph E. Lowery (for same-sex marriage and gay rights) for ending the Inaugural ceremony with the benediction?

"When you talk about the law discriminating, the law granting a privilege here, and a denying it there, that's a civil rights issue. And I can't take it away from anybody." (Rev. Joseph Lowery, Civil Rights Leader on ABC News, 3/13/04)

http://queernotes.blogspot.com/2006_08_01_archive.html

Here's some more info:

Key African-American political and religious leaders, including Coretta Scott King, Rep. John Lewis, and Rev. Joseph Lowery, have called for African-Americans to support full legal and social equality for lesbian and gay Americans and to oppose the federal marriage amendment.

http://www.thetaskforce.org/reports_and_research/false_promises

Add this from Linda Douglass, a spokeswoman for Mr. Obama’s presidential inaugural committee:

Linda Douglass, a spokeswoman for Mr. Obama’s presidential inaugural committee, said the upcoming ceremony would be the “most open and accessible” inauguration in history and defended the inclusion of Mr. Warren.

“Clearly, the president-elect disagrees with him on issues involving the LGBT community,” she said. But Mr. Obama has consistently stressed the need to “seek common ground with people with whom we disagree fundamentally.”

Ms. Douglass noted that the benediction, or closing prayers, would be offered by the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, a civil rights icon who has expressed support for gay marriage, and that the Lesbian and Gay Band Association would march in the inaugural parade, the first time such a group would do so.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/gay-activists-decry-pastors-role-in-swearing-in/

Watch him as he spoke at Coretta Scott King's funeral:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3j9ltp1qM8

[Maven]

1. One does not cancel out the other. There is no equivalency.

That is the point you're missing.

[EFerrari]

9. Exactly. n/t

[zulchzulu]

17. When I turn my back on Warren when he speaks, will that not be enough?

So far, the choice was made. I don't like it NOR justify it. I get it. Warren was chosen for some reason. Lowery was ALSO chosen for some reason.

What are the reasons? That might be the point you are missing.

Warren is a charlatan, a stooge... someone who Jesus would beat the fuck out of if he was around. Lowery, on the other hand, IS someone Jesus would hang around with and maybe even do the "terrorist fist jab".

Write your letters or whatever protesting the Warren choice. In my view, that just gives Warren more attention than he deserves.

[Maven]

21. No one will give Warren more attention and legitimacy than Obama, as tens of millions watch

a ceremony that represents the future of our country.

I get the reasons Warren was chosen but they're wrongheaded and they aren't justified. This is inexcusable, more of the same old politics Obama publicly disdains.

We are the only group of citizens who voted overwhelmingly for this president yet will have to watch a man who publicly defames us and helped strip away our civil rights elevated to a position of grandeur, at a hugely historical moment.

I'm glad Lowery was chosen but again, one does not "balance" the other. Again, these are not "opposing viewpoints." Again, "inclusiveness" is not a justification for honoring someone who works to exclude a group of citizens from human dignity and the equal protection of our laws.

[zulchzulu]

26. I think African Americans voted in greater percentages for Obama

Whatever on that point...

Listen, if Warren is taken off the list, I'd be very happy. But he probably won't be. Is it stupid that he is going to speak? Yes. Will I listen to him. No.

Will I listen to Di Fi (who is also speaking)? No.

Will I want to see an asshat like Judge Roberts swear in Obama? No.

Will I cheer with glee when Reverend Lowery sends off the ceremony with what will probably be a very inciteful benediction or speech? Yes.

Do I want to give Warren any more attention by even mentioning him because I know that that strategy is EXACTLY what he and his followers want? No.

Will I continue helping out in grassroots efforts to help get the gays/queers/LGBT community their just due in equal rights in this country? HELL YES!

Aside from the only solution is to somehow kick Warren off the list, assume there is much work to be done to finally make people like Warren insignificant as time goes on.

[Divine Discontent]

34. nice post HK.

apparently, Obama wrote praise about Warren in Audacity of Hope, and they're friends - bet he wouldn't be friends with Warren if he found out that Warren was anti-black - but hey, being anti-Gay and anti-woman's rights - no problem apparently for the president elect!

[dlauri]

45. No, Jesus would not beat the fuck out of Warren

Jesus, at least the one I'd like to believe in, wouldn't beat the fuck out of anyone.

[No Elephants]

53. Oh, please. Warren was not chosen bc he is a stooge. He was chosen bc he has sold a

bizillion books, has 22,000 congregants and is a respresentative of the neo theos. Obama SO picked the wrong moment to pander to religious right neo theo bigots. The protest should be loud, clear and sustained. Amen.

[Fearless]

22. If a bigot is not cancelled out by a nonbigot, then the opposite must also be true.

[thewiseguy]

2. Why are you trying so hard to justify this shit?

What the fuck is wrong with you?

[FrenchieCat]

4. Perhaps he sees it differently than you do.

I don't think that the STFU thingie is applicable or acceptable at DU....or so I've read by reading thread after thread about it.

We don't all think exactly alike.
This is no exception.

[zulchzulu]

11. I absolutely don't like Warren and will turn my back when he speaks

I'll be at the Inauguration. When Warren is up, I'll turn my back. Warren is not my choice to speak.

Lowery, on the other hand, will be a wonderful person to have speak at the end of the ceremony. I will cheer him greatly.

I don't understand how some people don't seem to have the intellectual scale to see that this is not a "STFU" thing. Why aren't we whining about how Roberts is going to swear in Obama? He certainly will do a LOT MORE damage to the American people than some two-bit religious charlatan.

Some people like to whine and when they get caught being hypocrites, they act like Republicans in reverse.

I won't hold my breath waiting for the Equal Rights Campaign to congratulate Obama for his choice of Reverend Lowery, a vocal proponent for gay rights. That would demand some semblance of civility and balance.

[zulchzulu]

5. What the FUCK is wrong with you?

Life isn't perfect. Maybe you haven't figured that shit out yet.

Do I like Warren? FUCK NO! Am I justifying him speaking? FUCK NO!

Why aren't you looking at how Lowery IS going to speak?

[thewiseguy]

8. So I should go run over people in the street because life is not perfect?

Did not you just made another fucking thread saying that why should we be upset at Obama when Warren is the ass?

Who picked Warren in the first place?

[zulchzulu]

13. Whuh?

So are you going to congratulate Obama for choosing Lowery to speak or not? I know. That would be too hard to do, right?

And no, don't run over people.

[uponit7771]

6. I support 95% of Obama's other associations, I'll be waiting to hear an explanation about Warren....

...due to the fact Warren is the worst type of bigot. He isn't loud and stupid and pathetic sounding 100% of the time but legitimizes his bigotry with how he delivers his message most of the time.

Using God as an excuse to be a bigot is offensive

[WCGreen]

15. Exactly...

Just like the Pro Slave folks used the Old Testament to justify Slavery...

[uponit7771]

3. Warren uses God as an excuse to be a bigot. I support Obama no doubt but don't agree with an out

...front bigot being "chosen" for anything.

Again, I agree with 95% of Obama's other choices...when I talk to him I'll mention the other 5% :-)

[jobycom]

7. I remember thanking Otis Toole for not killing MY kid...

[Thrill]

10. Forget it. Nothing to complain about here

[AtomicKitten]

12. Thanks for the bio info.

I was hoping to see Father Pflager on the roster too.

:hi:

[zulchzulu]

18. Anytime AK

Ah, Father Pflager... ouch, my head hurts.

:hi:

[Solon]

14. One doesn't cancel the other out, Warren needs to go. n/t

[JackBeck]

16. How quickly people forget.

If only others would take a few minutes to watch the video you've include in your post they would be reminded of how supportive they were of the good Reverend when he spoke at Coretta's service.

Thank you for posting this reminder. I knew the name stimulated a happy Fuck You Bush memory. But I just couldn't place it.

If only others took some time to intellectually balance the contrasting views being offered during the inauguration ceremony, many of us might have a better conversation about this whole thing.

[zulchzulu]

20. Absolutely...

The good Reverend gets rocking at about 4:00 when he mentions how Coretta was against homophobia and he burns down Bush's house at about 4:30 with the "weapons of mass destruction" comment.

He is a stellar man and one I am very proud of Obama having to end the Inaugural ceremony. Whatever Warren says will be vapor at that point.

[JackBeck]

23. Unless it hasn't already been vaporized by Obama's Inaugural address.

;-)

[zulchzulu]

27. Wow. You're not kidding...

By the time Obama takes the podium, two-bit charlatan Warren will be a melted snowball in the gutter.

[JackBeck]

30. If only those that complain the loudest would actually do something locally

They might be part of a movement that is part of some change.

[lapfog_1]

36. And it will only make sense if he walks over to Rick Warren

and punches his lights out. And slaps Obama for inviting such a bigot to the stage.

Figuratively speaking, of course.

Is that going to happen? What makes me think the answer is "noooooo".

And even then, balance is not what we are looking for here, one does not cancel out the other.

"Sorry about shooting you in the groin, here is a box of chocolates. Why aren't you happy about your chocolates?!"

[CTyankee]

46. Is Lowery himself gay? I thought I had seen that somewhere, but my memory is pretty awful lately.

n/t

[zulchzulu]

49. Not sure, but he's been a civil rights activist since the 1950s n/t

[Darth_Ole]

25. I'll second the praise of James Lowery!

And just imagine the hatred spewing from Free Republic about Obama allowing a reverend who believes in gay marraige to give the benediction!

No, Lowery's positions don't "cancel out" Warren's, but it does show how Obama will govern.

As someone wisely pointed out, the inauguration is not a victory parade, and Obama is not just the president of the people who voted for him. If you hadn't noticed, overplaying your hand and claiming a false mandate will come back to bite you in the ass.

I'm really not surprised that hardly anyone here is showing the same fervor in praising Lowery's inclusion as they are about Warren's. I'll be really surprised if there are 30+ threads if Obama selects open lesbian Mary Beth Maxwell as his Labor Secretary.

The discussion today has reminded me of The West Wing episode "In This White House" when Bartlet wants to hire Republican Ainsley Hayes as a consultant in the White House:

BARTLET
We should hire her.

LEO
What, you mean as a joke on Sam?

BARTLET
No, not as a joke, I mean we should hire her as a reality. We should hire
her.

LEO
She's a Republican.

BARTLET
So are half the people in this country.


Here's a similar discussion Jon Stewart had with John Bolton in 2007. Around 3 minutes in, they begin arguing about politicians (like Bush) listening only to people they agree with. http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=84011&title=john-bolton

[davidpdx]

39. I love when people quote The West Wing

And Ainsely was HOT too. Her character made some interesting statements about women's rights.

[enlightenment]

19. I will politely decline.

Having two religious bookends to a presidential inauguration is excessive.

I LIKE having government and religion separate. I do not like having religion 'invoked' and politics 'blessed' - but that's just me (and probably a lot of other people, too).

[NYC_SKP]

24. Thanks, and rec'd, but a lot of people just want to bitch and moan...

That's right, I said bitch and moan, call me sexist and then fucking sue me (not you zulchzulu)....

I know people who just love to complain, nothing's ever good enough, they even hate it when you point out something good, and these people can not be satisfied.

That's why I pick my friends carefully and hang out with people like you, people who know how to see the good in the world and try to share it.

I'd rec this post a hundred times if I could, I'm so tired of the complaining I've read here today.

Thanks, keep it up! :toast:

[JackBeck]

29. We are lacking leadership.

Many of those who are the loudest complainers on this website are not contributing their time to local organizations that have the ability to initiate change. They also don't even know the names of their State legislators or Congressional representatives. I'd love to hear how many times they've even contacted them, especially the ones that spend so much time typing on DU.

There are TOO many people here that "bitch and moan" about wanting change and never actually do anything about it. When it comes down to going out into the community and doing something about it, certain posters have the misguided belief that their complaints registered here actually account for participation in influencing 'change'.

[TankLV]

28. Ahhh - that would be a "NO"...

we've been shit on one too many times by obama...

and, if you think this is "bitching and moaning", then you've got an awful lot to learn...(and there is a few choic words I have for you who think that...and they aren't pretty)

[TreasonousBastard]

31. But it feels so much better to complain...

and letting on that there might, just might, be something positive in all this would be admitting weakness.

Better to be on the side of truth, justice and all that by joining the bitchin' bandwagon.

[Divine Discontent]

35. because you've never complained about a politician, right? EOM

[Hekate]

32. KnR, Zulchzulu.

Thanks.

Hekate

[firedupdem]

33. Thanks! I had heard his name but didn't know much about him.

I'm glad he will be a part of the ceremonies.

[Danger Mouse]

37. I'm glad Obama has chosen this guy.

...I am still upset about Warren.
I'm really conflicted, though.
:(

[Bodhi BloodWave]

38. personally i wish more people would celebrate the fact that

the Lesbian and Gay Band Association is going to be marching in the inaugural parade, since it will be the first time such a group has done that.

[jbnow]

43. That is worth celebrating! nt

[jberryhill]

44. The band and Lowery should decline their invitations and boycott the Inaugural /nt

[zulchzulu]

40. Likewise...

As I have mentioned, I'm no fan of Warren's stance on gay marriage, although I appreciate his efforts on AIDS awareness, climate change, Darfur and pissing off the Religious Right will his alliances with Obama on AIDS issues.

Lowery will be a fantastic person to do the benediction and will certainly (hopefully) make a point that this country needs to work on equal rights for ALL.

It is conflicting and complicated...

[MarjorieG]

41. Warren gets national accolades and chooses social action on poverty as better message than Dobson.

Politically moves the crazy fundies more to where they need to be. There are other symbols like Lowery, gays marching, etc, to make the day inclusive.

Anything that undercuts Dobson is a plus.

[zulchzulu]

42. Wow

Someone did their homework.

:thumbsup:

Warren does drive the fundies nuts with his efforts on climate change, AIDS awareness, Darfur and even is on record stating he's for equal rights for ALL... including gays. Yes, he's stuck on the marriage crap, but he is a lot better than most of the evangelicals...

[zulchzulu]

47. So did Rachel Maddow do her homework and mention that Lowery would speak too?

I missed her show (was at a party with my gay congressperson) and heard she was trashing Obama... did she fail to mention Lowery?

I'm guesssing... no.

[mondo joe]

48. And let's congratulate FOX for having put Colmes on with Hannity!

[marimour]

55. equating Lowery with democrat-lite Colmes is ignorant.

With all the commotion about blacks and Prop 8 you would think that Obama's decision to put a pro gay marriage black minister (and civil rights icon) would have people singing from the rooftops. It makes a bold statement and I bet that Lowrey will use that benediction to talk about civil rights for all. But I guess its easier to see the glass as half empty.

[AZBlue]

50. Kick

Although sadly this will have little to no effect on little, bitter minds here at DU.

[zulchzulu]

51. I would appreciate people being consistent on their tirades

If Obama is somehow considered a homophobe because he chose Warren, the he certainly isn't with his choice of Lowery as part of the ceremony.

If I were REALLY taking it to the correct level, I wouldn't bitch about Warren. That gives him more credibility than he deserves. I would interject PROUDLY that including Reverend Lowery is a GREAT MOVE.

Giving any unneeded attention to Warren only helps him. I say ignore him.

It's time to mention that Reverend Lowery is for gay rights, gay marriage and equal opportunity...

[Honeycombe8]

52. Kudos to Obama. He is making a point. Inclusiveness, even when another's ideas are not yours.

But I note that Warren is not being given the opportunity to "express" his controversial views. That's not what either is there for.

As Obama has said many times in the past....he doesn't concentrate on where he differs with others; instead, he looks for the areas on which they DO agree. And he agrees with Warren's pro-environmental, anti-poverty stances and work.

[malik flavors]

54. I congratulate him on this choice.

[mzteris]

56. maybe it's symbolic

Warren starts - representing the OLD - and Lowery ends - representing the NEW.