Should we be disappointed at Obama?

[MeetMrsMasters]

I for one am upset about it. Just because I voted for Obama doesn't mean I am giving him a free pass. He's being "just a politician" by picking somebody like Warren. I can't understand why people are giving him a pass on this. It's like battered wife syndrome. Obama should be trying to include everyone. I'm not turning against Obama I still feel he's a great man. I'm just very disappointed.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I for one am upset about it. Just because I voted for Obama doesn't mean I am giving him a free pass. He's being "just a politician" by picking somebody like Warren. I can't understand why people are giving him a pass on this. It's like battered wife syndrome. Obama should be trying to include everyone. I'm not turning against Obama I still feel he's a great man. I'm just very disappointed.

It appears Obama is attempting to include the religious right, people who are like Sarah Palin, kwim?

btw, welcome to the DIS.

 

[DVCajun]

I discussed this with a co-worker today. I was disappointed in his choice, but not surprised. I think Obama is trying to illustrate that he is *everyone's* President. I'm sure the religious right has been unhappy with some of his decisions thus far, too. He has the difficult job of leading a nation of polarities. We (the GLBT community) are a minority in this country. We have been respected thus far by Obama and have been promised equality (ok, civil unions) and much more consideration than we've been offered in the past. I think we'd be cutting off our nose to spite our face if we turned our back at this point just because he included someone in his inauguration celebration that was not in our corner. As much as we'd like to think otherwise, it's politics. I believe our President-Elect has our best interests at heart, but we aren't his only concern. Let's try to keep it in perspective.

 

[zeitzeuge]

Surprised? No, not really. Disappointed? Maybe a little, but at least if he had to choose someone, Warren would be better then some other Fundie nutcases running around out there.

I guess that our country has SO many other things to worry about regarding the state of our economy, the world and everything else, that we find ourselves getting upset over who he asked to speak at the inauguration. We have bigger fish to fry. We know how much Obama backs us. We we're in better hands then the previous administration.

But he has to bring all sides together. He has to appease both sides to a degree and to create unity. If this act of asking Warren does that, then so be it. I'm not going to doubt Obama's ability.

Change takes time.

 

[kingLouiethe1]

Yes we should be upset. Already we're making excuses for Obama, and if we keep it up we are going to end up with another Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Obama says he wants to represent people with differing viewpoints? That's fine, but we need to really put it out there that this viewpoint is really wrong, and we're not gonna tolerate it. Why not ask the head off the KKK to speak? there's a really differing viewpoint.

Because it's not ok to think that white people are superior and that black people are inferior. You are allowed to think that, that doesn't make it ok. We need to make it the same with gay rights. You're allowed to think that gays should not have the same rights, but it should not be ok for you to think that. We should judge those people badly, and we should expect others to do the same, including not giving them a national platform like Mr. Obama is doing.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Wow! I just got an email from Equality Florida with several links to U-tube videos of the man. Close-minded intolerant stuff. Maybe taken out of context like the Jeremiah Wright stuff -- I dunno... I hope so. Glad I never bought any of his books.

 

[MeetMrsMasters]

There is nothing really taken out of context from Warreen OR Jeremiah Wright. We shouldn't make excuses for a person because he's "our guy". We can't keep yelling at Bush and other people for doing the same thing if we're going to give Obama a pass. I'm afraid he's just a politician like all the rest.

There is no justification for any man of God to preach hate nor should Obama let that man stand beside him.

 

[ConcKahuna]

There is nothing really taken out of context from Warreen OR Jeremiah Wright. We shouldn't make excuses for a person because he's "our guy". We can't keep yelling at Bush and other people for doing the same thing if we're going to give Obama a pass. I'm afraid he's just a politician like all the rest.

There is no justification for any man of God to preach hate nor should Obama let that man stand beside him.

The difference between Bush and Obama is that Bush refused to speak or listen to people who didn't agree with him. It's one of the reasons so many people hate him now, and it's a sign of bad leadership.

 

[MeetMrsMasters]

Didn't say I didn't hate Bush. ha ha. But what's worse... the enemy we know or the one who claims to support us but so far has said he's against marriage and now brings Warren along. Hell, at least I know where Bush stands. I just want Obama to make a stand against those hateful people. You can't appease them. We have to demand they accept us.

 

[zulemara]

Didn't say I didn't hate Bush. ha ha. But what's worse... the enemy we know or the one who claims to support us but so far has said he's against marriage and now brings Warren along. Hell, at least I know where Bush stands. I just want Obama to make a stand against those hateful people. You can't appease them. We have to demand they accept us.

and then piss them off, motivate the right wing evangelicals, and put Sarah Palin in office...yeah that's a good idea.

I'm just trying to present the other side. I agree with what you're saying, but demanding things isn't going to keep Obama in office. Remember when the economy is good, democrats get lazy and social issues come to the fore front of elections. In 4 years we aren't going to necessarily be in a good economic situation, but if the focus of the election ends up being based on Obama's social record and he starts going too far left too quick, we will all regret it

 

[OrlandoMike]

I am still very much under the impression that the Obama team is already looking at 2012. Lets face facts! The kids, and some of the minority voters who helped get him in this time do not have the best track record on getting to the polls. He's gonna need the middle of the road people to get a second term. It's just how it works in this country. Quite frankly, our country is a mess right now, and we may just have to take a back seat for another four years......

Obama has bigger fish to fry right now....

Do I like it? No. But it's the way our country works.....

 

[DVCajun]

"In a news conference Thursday, Obama said he is a "fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans." But he said he will build relationships with people of opposing views, and wants his inaugural to reflect that goal.

"That dialogue, I think, is part of what my campaign's been all about: That we're not going to agree on every single issue, but what we have to do is to be able to create an atmosphere when we — where we can disagree without being disagreeable and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans," he said." source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28296499/

This makes sense to me. I understand the need to balance the polarities. In his acceptance speech, Obama spoke to those who didn't vote for him, pointing out that he would be *their* president too. I think the selection of Warren speaks to that fact.

It can be difficult to navigate these kinds of waters. Personally, I am trying to learn how to deal with the fact that some important people in my life don't "get it" when it comes to how their political decisions can affect my life on a very personal level. My brother, who is very supportive of me and my wife, voted for McCain! And didn't understand why that upset me. Even after I explained the whole thing to him, he just said that he didn't make his decision based on that issue -- he made it for other reasons that were important to him. Ultimately, we let it go, and I just have to understand that sometimes you have to *live* something before you can "get it." Should I throw out the baby with the bath water because my brother supported someone who doesn't support me?

For myself, I'm trying to keep things in perspective. I can't walk away from everyone who doesn't get it completely. For most people, the issue of gay rights is a fringe issue. They have an opinion one way or another, but on the whole it doesn't define who they are.

Evangelical Christians make up a large part of the population of this country. I don't think it was inappropriate to include one of them in his inaugural lineup, and I don't think it's indicative of anything sinister about Obama's intentions towards us. Two facts: A religious leader has traditionally prayed at the inauguration; and religious leaders are not likely to be supportive of gay rights. That's why we keep harping on the separation of church and state.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Actually there are many religious leaders who support 'gay marriage' and other equal rights for LGBTQ folks, but Obama chose Rick Warren out of all the religious leaders in this country.

And as far as all other issues being more important in this country than equal rights 'n liberties for ALL Americans, hmm, let me think about that one.

Um, no, I don't think so. Gays can lose a job, health insurance 'n housing because they are gay 'n this country allows it. And this leaves out any concern for gay hate crimes.

I hope people continue to register their objections to President Elect Obama, after all, he wants to be President to ALL of us, right?

 

[jewelmicky]

I am VERY displeased with Obama's choice. There are many other popular religious figures he could have chosen who are not so vocally and publically opposed to the gay community...being from the Detroit area, Marion Williamson comes to mind. It is now about just Prop. 8, Rick Warren is opposed to our very existence!

I would not oppose an invite to the party...but to actually have him PERFORM at the SWEARING in is outraguous! This is the EXACT reason I was for Hillary in the primary. The Dems. need to STEP UP and STAND UP and stop cowtowing to the Right.

JMHO

 

[MeetMrsMasters]

and then piss them off, motivate the right wing evangelicals, and put Sarah Palin in office...yeah that's a good idea.

I'm just trying to present the other side. I agree with what you're saying, but demanding things isn't going to keep Obama in office. Remember when the economy is good, democrats get lazy and social issues come to the fore front of elections. In 4 years we aren't going to necessarily be in a good economic situation, but if the focus of the election ends up being based on Obama's social record and he starts going too far left too quick, we will all regret it

I get what you are saying but waiting for them to change their mind is moot. This is just like the civil rights movement. The issue must be pressed. I'm not really saying Obama needs to push the issue right this second, that might not be best. However, he doesn't have to pick somebody who is entirely against it to be on stage with him.

 

[Saxton]

I completely understand that Obama wants to include a broad spectrum of people and I knew from the onset that he would be more centrist than anyone thought. I could handle an evangelical giving the invocation but this choice is wrong. If Warren simply said he's against same sex marriage and left it at that then I wouldn't be happy but it would be tolerable. Warren speaks about love for everyone but then he turns around and stabs us in the back. Earlier this week he was interviewed on the Today Show and I only caught a bit of it but he commented that he had many gay friends and they come to him saying that it should be acceptable for them to have multiple partners since that's how they are programmed. He's promoting a stereotype that we're all oversexed degenerates. I also found this on an interview on NBC's site (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28335800/):



"I have many gay friends. I've eaten dinner in gay homes. No church has probably done more for people with AIDS than Saddleback Church," he said in a recent interview with BeliefNet. But later in the interview, he compared the "redefinition of marriage" to include gay marriage to legitimizing incest, child abuse, and polygamy.




Yup, I can feel the love! His underhanded messages do little to bring about a dialog of inclusion and do everything to make sure we're alienated.

 

[DVCajun]

Actually there are many religious leaders who support 'gay marriage' and other equal rights for LGBTQ folks, but Obama chose Rick Warren out of all the religious leaders in this country.

And as far as all other issues being more important in this country than equal rights 'n liberties for ALL Americans, hmm, let me think about that one.

Um, no, I don't think so. Gays can lose a job, health insurance 'n housing because they are gay 'n this country allows it. And this leaves out any concern for gay hate crimes.

I hope people continue to register their objections to President Elect Obama, after all, he wants to be President to ALL of us, right?

I didn't say there weren't other religious leaders in this country -- I was speaking of *evangelical christians,* of which there are a huge majority in this country, and saying that it doesn't seem inappropriate to me that he would include one of them in his inauguration.

I also didn't say there are other issues more important than equal rights for all -- I said that for most people, the issue of gay rights is a fringe issue.

I am only too aware of the importance of the decisions being made that affect my rights. I am hopeful that Obama will begin to lead the country down the path of equality for all. I just believe it's unrealistic to expect us to go from Billy Graham to an LGBT accepting religious leader overnight. As much as I would love to have seen that happen.

Obama's opinions aren't perfect -- we've known from the beginning that he doesn't support gay marriage. That in itself is a HUGE flaw in his thinking, and keeps us in the backseat of equality. But he's a giant step forward from any president we've had in the past.

And I'm still hopeful.

 

[DVCajun]

I hope people continue to register their objections to President Elect Obama, after all, he wants to be President to ALL of us, right?

I'd like to add that I'm doing this as well.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I didn't say there weren't other religious leaders in this country -- I was speaking of *evangelical christians,* of which there are a huge majority in this country, and saying that it doesn't seem inappropriate to me that he would include one of them in his inauguration.

I also didn't say there are other issues more important than equal rights for all -- I said that for most people, the issue of gay rights is a fringe issue.

I am only too aware of the importance of the decisions being made that affect my rights. I am hopeful that Obama will begin to lead the country down the path of equality for all. I just believe it's unrealistic to expect us to go from Billy Graham to an LGBT accepting religious leader overnight. As much as I would love to have seen that happen.

Obama's opinions aren't perfect -- we've known from the beginning that he doesn't support gay marriage. That in itself is a HUGE flaw in his thinking, and keeps us in the backseat of equality. But he's a giant step forward from any president we've had in the past.

And I'm still hopeful.

Oh please don't think I was opposing you on a personal basis or worse trying to ridicule your position, I was just adding to the thought here.

Did anyone see this?:

Kennedy answered seven of eight questions posed by Politico and her responses were brief and vague, the publication said.

Kennedy left no doubt, though, about her support for gay marriage, staking a position that is contrary to that of President-elect Barack Obama.

She "supports full equality and marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples," her spokesman wrote. Obama supports civil unions for gay couples, but not marriage rights.

Link

So maybe there is hope.

Oh yeah, let me also add this:

HOPE

 

[DVCajun]

Thanks for the HOPE link. That was BEAUTIFUL, inspirational, and .... weepy. At least for me. Kinda weepy. But in a good way.

And speaking as an artsy person, I really loved the graphics. Beautiful job.