Obama on Rick Warren: We Can Disagree Without Being Disagreeable

[cboy4]

Run time: 02:56 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syIEoSIJHis   Posted on YouTube: December 18, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: December 18, 2008 By DU Member: cboy4 Views on DU: 928

 
You have to do better than this Mr. President-Elect Obama.

[dbonds]

1. Bigotry and hate are not just a disagreement.

Obama should know this. The bigoted side would like you to think it was just a matter of disagreement open to everyone having their own opinion on, but that is misdirection. This is about hurting people, and denying them rights everyone should have. This is not open for discussion or a simple disagreement.

[The Wielding Truth]

2. Listen to our enemies and still maintain our own views? Can we?

Honestly, can we listen to ridiculously narrow views, give those views sunlight, and not be afraid that those hurtful views would gain popularity or roots?

He does have a way to test our belief in a open government. It's a stretch that is hard to take without breaking. I am for negotiating with the opposite side, but should a platform for their legitimacy be given? I don't know. Does it make us stronger, or does it allow bad ideas to be supported?

[prostock69]

9. Or maybe this will give sunlight to the overwhelming opposing views

of Americans who are living in the 21st century and NOT allowing their lives to be governed by the 1st to 2nd century writings of ancient, uneducated men with unforgiving, intollerant, misogynistic, homophobic and racist views!!!

I see this from the cup half full and not half empty. Obama has intentionally selected a very controversial person (that he knew ahead of time would bring this sort of reaction) to bring this very volatile issue back to the surface. Now Rick Warren and his kind can see just how much of America despises and opposes their narrow-minded, hate-filled beliefs. This is great ammo for Obama to use in the future against the Christian right regarding these social issues.

I'm just sorry that so many people are hurt by this.

[musette_sf]

3. you do not have to elevate a hatemonger

to the Inaugrual dais.

PE Obama, you have lost my trust. you will have to try and regain it. you thought it was more important to pander to the worst part of America, than to appreciate them what brung you.

[FlaGranny]

4. You probably didn't mean to have this effect

BUT, damn, I am more and more impressed with this man. He really means what he's been saying all along.

[Spryboy]

10. Oh really?

Let's see him put the grand dragon of the KKK up there during his inauguration.

You know, in the interests of not being disagreeable.

What Obama is doing is a painful, horrible, repugnant slap in the face to all gay people and the people who care about them. This is beyond stupid, beyond politically tone-deaf, and beyond indefensible.

He is promting a hatemonger and a bigot as if he were a 'nice man' and worthy of praise.

This same man just attacked an entire minority, working hard to pass prop 8 to strip them of their existing civil rights.

THIS is the man Obama goes to for the invocation?

This is beyond disgusting and hurtful.

I took all my Obama'08 stickers off my car today. I will not watch the innauguration (I had planned an innauguration party for that day). Obama will get no more money from me. He's told me what he thinks of me and people like me, quite clearly now.

[Bette Noir]

12. That's exactly what I was thinking.

i love my Barack, and I worked my heart out to get him elected, but some of his recent choices are pretty hard to understand.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

14. I worked hard to get him elected as well

I believed in him and maybe being naive thought he was going to bring change to the USA. Now I am starting to believe it will be more of the same. Depressing indeed.

[Politicalboi]

5. So then I guess

Obama wouldn't mind having David Duke speak either then. You know we can disagree without being disagreeable.

[Creationismsucks]

6. I'm curious

These are sincere questions, not rhetorical ones, so please educate me instead of flaming me. I can be convinced by good argument.

When people were praising Obama for being a "uniter", and everyone was criticizing the rethugs for their "divisive", "polarizing" politics, did nobody here think that Obama was suggesting that we "unite" with those whom we disagree with? I mean, you've got a large enough group of people in the Prop 8 states, that they won on that (loathsome) ballot initiative; did you not think that "uniting" meant coming together with them? Did you just think homophobes would disappear?

What if including guys like this in such a ceremony had the effect of making them feel more sympathy toward the progressive side of the debate?

I think I understand the approach that many here at DU are advocating: when it comes to civil liberties, we should not tolerate evil or legitimate it by including a guy like Rick Warren. Sounds kind of Bush-y, but civil liberties is basic stuff, so I think I see the point.

What I'm asking is, do we only talk about "uniting" when we approve of what the other side thinks? If so, how were they ever divided from us? And why did we so strongly disapprove of Bushco's divisiveness?

[Indiana_Dem]

11. I think Bushco made our side feel like second class citizens...

like we didn't have a voice. We were basically told to sit down and shut up, it was their way or the highway, with them or against them....what did we do? We became disgruntled and organized a strong opposition. That's NOT what we want them to want to do to us while our side is in the president's seat.

What in the world did people think Obama was going to do? He is doing everything he said he was going to do. You kill 'em with kindness and you love your enemies. Bushco made the mistake of alienating us and we came back and bit him. We can't do the same. I do believe in karma.

[Creationismsucks]

13. Thanks

for the thoughtful reply.

[Creideiki]

7. I have no intention of being disagreeable

Unless by not voting I'm being disagreeable.

Obama's got every right to be as bigoted as he wants, and he's showing YET AGAIN that he's really willing to do that.

However, I don't have to vote for him next time around.

Or DeGette, my Congresscritter.

Or Udall, my new Senator.

Some things are non-negotiable. I wouldn't put up with representatives that accepted racist bigotry, sexist bigotry or hostility toward unions, either.

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. actions speak louder than words.

[jetphixer]

15. Thanks Obama

I am not gay I just need to make a remark here. I watched Jakie Roberson Play his first an and many more games with the Brooklyn Dodgers I am Sorry i will Have to Miss your Inauguration I will not watch the fat bigot Warren an his hate mongering These Jesus freaks are just to much for me. Sorry but i fell off the go Obama Band wagon I really don't care anymore what the hell he do..

[Creationismsucks]

17. This may seem nit-picky

But I really feel I should remark about the adjective "fat" around Rick Warren. Is it meant as a put-down?

If yes, then I'd like to point out that their are many kinds of "bigotry" and tying his weight to his worth as a person is definitely one of them.

If no, then why mention it?

[Ned_Devine]

16. Keep your friends close...

...and your enemies closer