While we have the right to be mad, angry, sad, pissed, numb, etc about the Warren pick, there is something we are overlooking:
Rick Warren is not the only person appearing at the inauguration. There IS a counter-balance and a VERY strong one!
Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, a historical hero of the black civil rights movement
Joseph E. Lowery is a real civil rights legend! An inspirational and powerful national black leader who has always insisted that gay rights are important. Given the blame that so many placed upon the "black community" for Prop 8, isn't having a pro-gay black preacher give the benediction incredibly powerful?
Remember when he called outhe bashed Bush during the Coretta Scott King funeral and got flack for it Bush during the Coretta Scott King funeral and got flack for it?
He, along with King and others who truly believe in civil rights for all, has spoken against the Federal Marriage Amendment and has called for full married rights and benefits for gay people.
"When you talk about the law discriminating, the law granting a privilege here, and a right here and denying it there, that's a civil rights issue. And I can't take that away from anybody." Joseph E. Lowery (ABC News, 03/13/04)
I am upset that Rick Warren will be speaking, but I also realize that Obama is a pragmatist who tries to find common ground. Warren being there doesn't mean that Obama agrees with his opinions. Is anyone doubting that Obama is now anti-abortion because of Warren's selection? No, we're just upset about the gay thing, but it's silly to think that somehow this says something about Obama's own political opinions.
In MANY ways, Lowery is a VERY GOOD thing and sends a POWERFUL gay rights message to diverse communities.
I doubt Warren speaks anything hateful, but I bet Lowery is very inclusive in his language and speaks of true change.
Update: Thanks to drDemocrat for noticing this:
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.