So, will there be an orchestrated effort to Boo over Warren

[Laura PourMeADrink]

at the Inauguration?

[Hanse]

1. No doubt.

[Forkboy]

2. Hope springs eternal!

[Swamp Rat]

4. Forkboy!

:hi::hug:

[Forkboy]

6. Swampie!!!!

:woohoo:

:hi:

[sniffa]

3. Hopefully it just comes naturally

There should be no need to make an orchestrated effort for that.

[IndianaGreen]

5. There ought to be

I remember Medea Benjamin, a delegate to 2004 Democratic Convention, being dragged out of the floor for daring to unfurl a pink peace banner.

[Skittles]

7. I fucking hope so

[Fearless]

8. Well at least someone's come up with an idea.

[merh]

10. Other organized efforts have been posted on the board

the thread has been ignored -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8041868&mesg_id=8041868

[firedupdem]

11. I kicked it when I saw this one...I can't believe it keeps sinking! n/t

[merh]

12. thank you for kicking it

hopefully folks are going to take the time

[Uzybone]

13. Threads about doing something usually sink.

Threads about outrage and requests for recommendations are all the rage.

[merh]

14. sadly, it appears that you are not exaggerating.

:(

[Fearless]

16. People tend not to like leaving their comfort zones until it behooves them to.

Clearly it has yet to do so... I can't see why what with all that's been going on these past couple of months.

[merh]

24. I'm not sure I follow.

Actively participating, is that leaving a comfort zone?

[Fearless]

30. Sure.

For instance, if there was a draft, people would have been a whole lot more interested in the war. Of course, there are those who were/are, but as a whole, this nation has been able to ignore it. The same goes with everything in politics. If we can ignore it, we won't do anything about it. I'd say it is human nature.

[merh]

31. But how do you account for those who claim to not be ignoring.

the ones running around here upset that others don't consider the issue important, yet they ignore the organized efforts to speak up?

That is what has me confused, all pixels and no action is as discouraging as it is frustrating.

[Fearless]

33. Well...

To be frank, it's not the most important thing to Americans today. Don't get me wrong. It is important. But people tend to look to their own problems before they look out for others. There are a lot of people hurting financially in this country now and therefore it seems that economics will be seen as the biggest issue over the next couple of months. Why? Simply because it affects more people and not because it is of any greater or lesser value than any other concern. In the same right, it's the reason why electing the first Black (1/2 Black granted) president is also taking a back seat across the nation. People are afraid that their livelihoods are disappearing and for many they really are. Fear dictates how we act and how we respond. It can narrow our vision, as it will this inauguration to economics, because logically speaking the best way for the most of the species to profit is to focus on the issue that is ill-affecting the most of us. Survival of the fittest I suppose. Sad but seemingly true.

[cliffordu]

37. Couldn't have said it better myself....

[elfin]

9. Probably -- but I will MUTE the TV during his

homily and then resume my tears of hope and gratitude that our founders laid the foundation (flaws recognized) for this monumental event.

Former American History teacher speaking here.

I HATE that Warren is the choice for this paramount symbolic role, but retain hope that the pragmatic realist residing in Obama will free us from "faith based" approaches to our horrific problems.

Just finished "The Reluctant Mr. Darwin" and recommend it to all who are pragmatic realists among us.

I fear for Obama , I rejoice in Obama -- he is the right person for our troubled times. I only hope it is not too late, given the destruction wrought by Bush/Cheney and their accolytes.

[muntrv]

15. I think Obama should stand next to Warren wearing an "I'm With Stupid" t-shirt.

[Tesha]

89. Warren was *HIS* choice. Perhaps Obama is the one who's stupid.

But more likely, he's just reminding the left of what he and his buddies
think the left's place ought to be.

Tesha

[whistler162]

98. Or Obama is trying to get it through to people

that as he said, HE IS GOING TO BE PRESIDENT of all the United States unlike Bush.

[Tesha]

102. If he were really *MY* President, he wouldn't pander to Reich Winger Fundies while...

...pissing on my ideals. He's clearly not doing this to prove
that he's going to be everyone's President; sorry, try again.

Tesha

[rucky]

17. count on it. n/t

[riderinthestorm]

18. Oh K and fucking R! I love this idea.... nt

[ecstatic]

19. I don't know. It seems tacky

Why stoop to Warren's level? :shrug:

[zulchzulu]

28. I agree

Turn your back. Raise a sign.

But booing? That's friggin' stupid. It's not fair for those who want to hear as well as is a thuggish thing to do.

Turning your back (which I will do) is much more dramatic and visual than heckling.

[SeattleGirl]

34. Agreed.

People will remember the disruption, but not necessarily know WHY the disruption happened.

I think turning one's back to him in silence, and not applauding or booing or hissing or anything would send out a louder message, especially to him. If he gets up there expecting an enthusiastic response, but finds a less-than type of response, I think that could deliver a bit of a gut punch to him.

I won't be in DC, but I will mute the TV when he's speaking.

[Luminous Animal]

47. Do you even know what you are saying?

Not fair to those who want to hear a bigot? Why are you so willing to give a platform to someone who actively works to deprive your fellow citizens their civil rights? Why are you so afraid that people would hear that disruption?

You are throwing us to the wolves. Totally throwing us to the wolves. Abandoning us to accommodate a bigot who represents bigots.

[Barack_America]

55. Very tacky.

A visual protest would be better, such as the suggestion below for rainbow flags.

[tbyg52]

59. I'm not going to tell anyone what he/she ought to do

and I'm still furious about this, but if the objective is to make a statement, I'd worry a little about how booing would be perceived. I like the back-turning, or signs, myself.

I sure hope *something* happens though. I'd take booing in preference to people just standing there like nothing was wrong. And I greatly appreciate the people who will be there and do *something*.

[IndianaGreen]

65. Obama stooped to Warren's level by inviting the bigot to give the invocation

Since Obama is tone deaf, it is up to those attending the Inaugural to embarrass the fat Christofascist when he gives his very sectarian invocation, offending Jews and all other non-Christians.

[backscatter712]

81. I'm more than happy to be tacky in the service of civil rights!

We need to send a message that intolerance of anyone, including the GLBT community, is no longer acceptable. If sending that message means we have to get tacky, classless or rude, then to hell with it, let's do it!

[bdamomma]

95. it would be tacky, but I am sure no one will stay quiet.

[cliffordu]

20. I sure the fuck hope so.

A small victory would be better than the bitter pill of Warren and his 'invocation'.

[Captain Hilts]

21. I sure will!!!

[mitchtv]

22. I fear for the wellbeing of those that do

From what I read on DU. I posted a thread a week or week or two back. The cooler head want to turn their backs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=221&topic_id=101838. ( I am not one, but would)

[EFerrari]

39. Something quiet but visible like turning around would be my choice

if I were going.

[biopowertoday]

44. Yes, --turning of the backs would be very symbolic.

[Critters2]

105. Symbolic and completely ignored by the media. nt

[gblady]

23. I hope not.

[rug]

25. If the Spirit moves us.

[PBS Poll-435]

29. Whoa

:spray:

:rofl:

[zulchzulu]

26. I'll be there at the Inauguration and will turn my back when he speaks...

Hopefully there will be a lot of people doing likewise. I probably won't boo though. The symbolism of turning one's back is enough to show that there is resistance. Booing just makes it unfair for those who want to hear.

I'm polite for the most part and think turning one's back is very visual and is also civil.

[madamesilverspurs]

106. On behalf of our gay brothers and sisters

I'd be humming "We Shall Overcome" while standing with my back turned.

[valerief]

27. SHOES!!!! A BLIZZARD OF SHOES!!!!

A good friend of mine cried at Bush's first inauguration. She doesn't want anything to spoil Obama's. Well, it's already spoiled, so WTF. Shoes at Warren would send a great message.

I told my friend that I don't care about the pomp and circumstance of the inauguration. I want the good stuff to happen after that nonsense. If I want to see a good show, I'll rent Idiocracy again.

[CTyankee]

80. Please re-think this. Any threatening gesture will be treated fairly harshly by

security people. The ruckus a shoe throwing attempt would make would overshadow the real message and make lots of people, including me, angry. It is not smart.

Wear the white knot and get as much calm but firm publicity about the symbolism out in the press as you can. Turn your backs on Warren, which doesn't disrupt but does send a powerful message.

Bring the issue of gay marriage equality before the American public in a calm rational way again and again. Make the case tirelessly. Anyone who supports this cause, whether gay or straight, has an obligation to be vocal supporters in their personal interactions with others who may become supporters if they know the facts.

Those are all ways I can see that we can all do something for this cause that we care about.

[Bragi]

32. Something visual is needed

Booing would be bad form.

Turning of backs would be good, and should be done, but it lacks visual oomph, and is easy for TV to ignore.

How about colorful placards with a "W" and line through it, to be raised only during his invocation?

[zulchzulu]

35. From what I've read, there is going to be a lot of security not allowing signs...

Believe me, when the media knows that people will be turning their back to Warren's invocation, they will have the cameras searching the crowds.

Perhaps raising an arm and turning the back would be more visual and something where security couldn't check your bag for.

[Lisa0825]

36. What about Rainbow flags?

They may not allow them with a handle, but if it were essentially a rainbow piece of cloth with no handle, they could not really disallow that under the rules I have read, could they? They could be held up for the duration of the invocation.

[zulchzulu]

54. That is a fantastic idea!

Perhaps even stickers as well... and of course, white ribbons...

[AyanEva]

58. Where can I find one?

:shrug:

Maybe make one, I guess. Sharpies and some white cloth shouldn't be too hard to come by. I'm more comfortable with the flag idea than I am with booing.

[Lisa0825]

74. Here are some....

http://www.glbtpridestore.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=44

and

http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/flags.html

[csziggy]

90. Does anyone sell rainbow bandanas or scarfs? Wear them in, then hold them up at the right time

Signs or anything that could be construed as a weapon will not be allowed. But tens of thousands holding rainbow articles of clothing would be a great visual and non-violent. And would also be a sign to others of the support for the cause.

A quick search found at least one place that has rainbow bandanas 21" square for $1.25 - cheaper if they are bought in bulk. 50 cents for 600 or more. Probably made in China, though.

[Connie_Corleone]

38. Booing would backfire big time.

[Chulanowa]

40. How so?

Do you have any diagrams?

[Metric System]

41. Indeed. Let's hope there's a rousing round of applause for Pastor Warren.

[akbacchus_BC]

50. I hope not!

[democrattotheend]

96. Why not just be quiet?

I don't expect anyone to applaud but I really hope people don't boo.

[mitchtv]

64. What? they won't like us anymore?

They hate us already LGBT can only become intolerable to the Power, until they relent. Being a meekling buys nothing

[CTyankee]

82. The haters will be the ones who will relish the booing!

The people that will be angry will be Obama supporters, who are, well, people like us! Why on earth would you want to piss them off and please the gay haters?

[jberryhill]

104. It won't be seen as an LGBT thing....

Outside of the politically addicted, few are aware of the Warren controversy.

It will simply be seen as people booing prayer.

Most folks will think it is radical atheists or something.

[Teaser]

42. It's worth a shot, but...

I don't think it'd be audible over all the other noise of the day.

[akbacchus_BC]

48. Never ever trust a politician! They say what it is imperative to get

elected. Some how, I know Obama will come through for Americans. But he has no fucking idea who to deal with Isreal and Palestine!

Thank Goodness Biden is VP!

[biopowertoday]

43. PE Obama has turned his back on some of us citizens with

his choice of Warren. I think it would be apropo for those who are able to attend to do the same when Warren is speaking. It will take courage but it will be public.
Jan 20 is a day for ALL citizens. But with Warren it will be a day of exclusion for many. It was wrong for Obama to give Warren a national stage on this important day.

[ColbertWatcher]

62. Beautifully put. Welcome to DU! n/t

[biopowertoday]

73. Thank you. I hope that those who attend the

ceremony will have the courage to do something visibly symbolic.
Best.

[akbacchus_BC]

45. I hope so. PE Obama made a real shitty choice to have that asshole

saying a frigging prayer at his inauguration!

[akbacchus_BC]

46. Politcis as usual, eh? PE Obama should be ashamed to ask a

bigot to say a prayer, even if it is one minute. The Bigot is gonaa get two minutes.

Americans, same shit, just another person!

[Chulanowa]

51. Do you remember November 4th...

Or were you too baked to find your front door, much less a polling place?

For that matter, do you have any recollection of the last eight years? 'Cause claiming Obama's no different than that kind of tells me your memory might be a little impaired, at least at the moment. Either that or you're young and just getting into politics - I remember having such profound insights myself, after all :)

Rick Warren is a bad call on Obama's part. But there's a loooooooooong, longlongLONG way to go before someone can compare him to Bush's shittiness. Doesn't mean Obama's perfect, but it does mean Bush dug that hole pretty fucking deep.

[akbacchus_BC]

49. Laura, who gives a shit if Warren is booed? Perhaps the asshole

who picked him should be booed!

[BeFree]

53. Great idea!

Let's all boo Obama. Why, that will show him who's boss.
^><^


Me? I'll say a prayer asking the united mass consciousness to alter the consciousness
of all those who would deny equal rights.

And then start working to end wars, feed the hungry, get jobs for the unemployed, change the way health care is paid for, control air pollution, save the whales, birds, polar bears, etc. etc.etc.

[1776Forever]

52. For those who haven't seen this - Protest Rick Warren - wear a white knot

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/21/183048/75

Protest Rick Warren - wear a white knot
by MikePhoenix
Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 04:08:36 PM PST

Like most progressives, I was very disappointed by our president-elect's decision to have homophobe Rick Warren give the invocation at his inauguration. I am not going to be at the inauguration, but if I was able to do so I would want to somehow protest this decision. There are probably a great number of people on this site who are planning on attending and would like to protest Warren.

If you are one of those people, then this diary is for you. I heard about this on Air America's "Politically Direct" show hosted by David Bender.

MikePhoenix's diary ::

One of David's guests suggested that it would be great if the cameras panning the audience saw everybody wearing a white ribbon tied into a knot. This is a symbol of the White Knot Campaign, a movement committed to marriage equality.

.........

There is a poll on the website where you can vote on if you think this is a good idea or not - so far 68 for it out of 112 votes.

I won't be there and if you want to know the truth I will not be watching it - I am so disappointed in this that I will catch the speech later without Warren "introducing" me to my next progressive President. I pray that President-elect Obama gets the message about how Rick Warren is not just against gay marriage but GLBT and women rights in general. If you have been watching my posts I have given many references on how Warren promotes women staying in abusive relationships and how the African church proteges are spreading this hate filled message and where he has set up Rwanda as his 1st "purpose driven nation" for his Dream PEACE Plan, then it does make one wonder how much faith-based money he will get from the Obama Administration if no one opens their ears to the truth!

Here is a link to one of my posts if you want to see the quotes and references:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8036345&mesg_id=8037256

And this one I did this morning on Coretta Scott Kings quotes for equality for all:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8044726&mesg_id=8044892

[Phx_Dem]

56. That would be beyond tacky.

And make the gay community look totally classless. It will splash right back on you, but it's your reputation so go for it. Make fools of yourself over a 3 minute prayer. Then see how many regilous folks come out to support the next gay initiative.

[Enrique]

57. boo a pastor?

doubtful.

I think people there will be caught up in the moment of this great event, not want to diminish it.

[tbyg52]

60. Booing would not be my first choice for a means of protest, but

he doesn't stop being a jerk just because he's a pastor.

[mitchtv]

63. He deserves a loud, noisy embarassing scene

He is an abomination and an insult to many of the people who voted for obama. Turning your back will be dutifully missed by the media

[Enrique]

71. they might not care about embarrassing Warren

but I wonder if the people at the inauguration will want to embarrass Obama, the guy they're there to celebrate.

[AZBlue]

61. What an ASININE idea.

There's a smart way to protest and a dumb way, and this is the dumbest.

[mitchtv]

66. yup don't make a scene

AND IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, IF YOU'RE GOOD, THEN MAYBE.....

[AZBlue]

103. That's not at all my point, but you go ahead and wallow in your hate and stupidity.

Have at it. Meanwhile the rest of us will take an intelligent approach to protest, one that will educate others, gain support and produce positive results.

[noamnety]

67. I think it would have been far more respectful and effective

if the shoe thrower had simply refused refused to look Bush in the eye and worn a very small Iraq pin on his lapel.

[Brooklyns_Finest]

68. There won't be any booing

It is not like you can get a 100 tickets for all of your friends and have your own peanut gallery for support while you try to make a scene. The Inauguration ceremony will largely be filled with random people or couples ecstatic to see their guy take the oath. I imagine you will have individuals booing or turning their backs, but no more than that.

It is also enormously tacky to make a scene during a benign spiritual speech.

[Yukari Yakumo]

69. Unlikely

Tickets are probably invite-only.

Even then, such a stunt is a massive bad idea. You don't want to give Faux News any ammunition that might actually work.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

70. maybe Warren won't make the inauguration

maybe he will get the flu.

[donheld]

72. Tacky, Just have everybody moon him

:D

[xchrom]

77. brilliant! nt

[DainBramaged]

75. I called for people to turn their backs on him and was soundly chastised

by the correctness police here.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

78. LOL - I love that. this is funny - I wasn't even condoning anything

with this post - just asking if people thought it would happen. I personally think it will.
I think it will be a spontaneous, natural implulse to groan or boo. I probably will

[Balderdash]

76. I'm not for booing

I think it will be a lot classier if enough people wear the white knot and turn their backs
or maybe wave a rainbow flag.

[backscatter712]

83. I am.

Class goes out the window when civil rights and tolerance are at stake.

Bring the tomatoes and rotten eggs if you can sneak them past security!

[IndianaGreen]

79. Booing, cat calling, jeering are demonstrations of the popular will

Booing, cat calling, jeering are demonstrations of the popular will, and they are quite common in British politics!

[Laughing Mirror]

84. Laugh when he's up if you don't want to Boo

Hysterical sustained laughing for the duration of the invocation. Drown the clown out.

[AntiFascist]

85. I think a loud, resounding chorus of farts would be appropriate....

after all, it stinks.

[sampsonblk]

86. Booing a prayer would be disastrous

There are other ways of showing disagreement. Whoever does this will hurt their own cause.

[fortyfeetunder]

87. Booing is for lousy sports....

This is not a game, it's an inauguration! Booing is inappropriate in this event.

Showing signs of unity of tolerance (like rainbow signs, the white knots) would be a better option.

[EFerrari]

88. Sports? As you say, this is not a game. n/t

[Lilith Velkor]

91. I hope so.

[yardwork]

92. I think that everyone turning their back would be a more elegant solution.

[SKKY]

93. Very tacky, in my opinion.

And pretty disrespectful to Obama on his big day. The inaguration should be a celebration of his presidency, or the beginnings of it. It doesn't seem to be the time nor place to make this kind of a statement like this. But, having said that, if people want to exercise their constitutional right to protest, have at it. What good is a right if it's not used? I just wish a more "elegant" form of protest would be used. This seems very "least common denominator" to me.

[Madison knows]

94. ...and immature as well.

But children often cry when things don't go their way.

[AntiFascist]

99. How condescending of you n/t

[Hansel]

97. Agreed. Even though I have argued that it isn't the time or place

to reach out to Warren and that Obama has made a political blunder with this choice, I have to also argue that this is not the time or place to voice protest.

This would be disastrous and counter-productive for gays and potentially the progressive movement in general. It won't just be painted as a protest against Warren's despicable remarks about gays. It will be spun as proof that liberals are heathens and validate the meme that marginalizing the left has been the appropriate move.

Progressives have consistently shown themselves to be on the correct side of every issue over the past 8 years, but that has been ignored. Now is our chance to be heard, but it has to be done in a way that totally shatters the mythology the right has spun about the left. It's not time to commit "voice" suicide by not understanding the correct place and time for politics any better than those who chose Warren in the 1st place.

I don't think embarrassing Obama or the inevitable 24/7 loop of footage of "those anti-American despicable heathen liberals" will do much to move gays rights or the progressive movement forward. On the contrary, it will become a rallying cry to resuscitate a nearly dead Republican party. Keep that powder dry for a time when we can get a direct hit on the target without causing any collateral damage from "friendly fire". There will be a time to get Obama's undivided attention on the subject, but this is not it.

[AntiFascist]

101. What if Christian protestors began loudly reciting the Lord's Prayer...

in order to drown out Warren?

I feel Obama deserves some public embarrassement since he publicly endorsed Warren's views specifically on marriage equality, and this public endorsement furthermore led to the victory of Proposition 8.

[Luminous Animal]

100. Throw eggs at Warren's car...

when Michael Moore showed the clip of an egg hitting Bush's 1st inaugural limo (an event that the corporate news conspicuously did not report) in F911, the audience let out a huge cheer!

Though, I suppose, some folks would have thought that tacky.

[fed_up_mother]

107. I hope we can let this president have a dignified inauguration - without BOOING!

Why not protest the day before? Or the day after? Or any other day?

[gblady]

108. I so agree....

this is the Obama's day....
one that they have worked tireless for...

I would hate to see anything mar the occasion.

[MasonJar]

109. I would say that it is highly likely and certainly appropriate.

[EraOfResponsibility]

110. Imagine if the first 50 or 100 rows of people on the Mall all held up rainbow flags

during the invocation...that would make A HUGE IMPACT, much bigger than booing. TV Cameras all over the world would film it and it would be seen everywhere.