VinylBoy,
I know Obama's reaching out to a lot of people of differing viewpoints (that occasionally don't mix -- like gays & evangelicals).
But - goshdammit! - I see this as the glass being half-full, not half-empty.
Gays have gotten the shaft ever since we started openly coming out of the closet in the early '70's. Obama regularly talks about gay equality (and so does Michelle, who goes so far as to compare the african-american struggle with gay struggle for equality). What other president and first lady speak comfortably about gays & gay issues? (Bill and Hillary do now, in 2008/2009, eight years out of office -- but they weren't so ready to extend their hand to the gay community while in office).
I'm totally fine with Obama. I have his back. If he wants to be conciliatory & invite a Rick Warren for the evangelicals, I still trust the guy! Gays have never had it so good as now. We need to slow down, remember that there are strong, organized, opposing viewpoints to the homosexual lifestyle, and trust that Obama has our back.
What the gay movement has got to do is to make sure all homophobic laws are changed and off the books. Man-to-man sodomy (anal sex, even oral) was stilla crime in many states all the way up until 2003 (the U.S. Supreme Court decision "Lawrence v. Texas" changed that, a 6-3 ruling). Things won't change overnight. But we got a guy in the white house that is on our side now. Once the laws are changed (discriminatory laws, marriage laws), the evangelicals can bitch and moan all they want, which is their constitutional right, but then they can't hurt us.
I agree with you willtom. I think Obama will continue to reach out in an attempt to bring people together in order to reach a common ground. Problem is that, just as with Clinton having to compromise with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," I wonder what we will end up with Obama.
As much as "equal rights" for GLBT's has been preached from the Democratic pulpit since the primaries, not only are gay rights not an issue with him right now (maybe in his 2nd term?) due to the economy and MIddle East but also, Obama does not believe in gay marriage and that is what CA's Prop 8 and AZ's Prop 102, etc. were for, to not allow gays and lesbians to to have state constitutionally recognized marriages.
Obama going with Warren was an attempt to appease the Religious Right and get them to think about stepping on board to begin to listen to him despite the fact that Warren's staged interview with him was, IMO, purposely intended to support McCain and catch Obama off guard and it succeeded in that.
If Obama wants to fully support gay right's causes, he needs to do it when the momentum is on his side which is now. Politics works by sneaking stuff in and that is how it must be done.
Realistically though, gay rights, like abortion rights, will be decided in the Supreme Court. If Obama compromises on the next SC appointments, we're sunk. It is still congress that has to approve and getting a far left wing appointment is unlikely.
As for the reports that the bishop was choice #1, this whole thing sounds fishy to me *however* like you say, these guys are just saying prayers and have absolutely nothing to do with the presidential cabinet nor with any other office. Obama is smart and he knows that and inviting Warren was just a symbolic olive branch of peace to which the far left, mis-interpreted and over-reacted. IOW, who the hell cares who prays, politicians don't really care about religion because politics is their religion. When they go to church, it is only for "show."
Finally willtom, you look way too young *and* too HOT to have remembered the '70's! That's a compliment dude! :smile: