UPDATE #2: As suggested by a number of commenters, you can email Parag Mehta - his email address is: parag.mehta@ptt.gov - with your opinion. He is Obama's LGBT liaison on the transition team. - noweeman
UPDATED: After years of lurking, and just my 15th diary, thanks so much to everyone for getting this to the Rec List. Now if only Obama would read this, and respond - noweeman
Anyone stumble upon this little doozy yet today?
Aretha Franklin and Dr. Rick Warren, an author and leader of the Saddleback Church, are among the select group of people who will participate in Barack Obama's inaugural swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20.
Rick Warren? Are you kidding me?
Why in the name of, well ... God, would Obama choose someone whose outspoken beliefs are substantively no different from the James Dobson's of the world? There's a thriving progressive religious community in every faith, and many believe the religious left is ascendant.
So, why has this man been tapped to deliver the invocation at Obama's inaguration?
The folks over at Right Wing Watch captured my reaction well:
It seems that no matter how many times people, including us, point out that Rick Warren is really just a friendlier version of James Dobson, his media-driven reputation as some sort of "moderate" evangelical preacher continues to win out and, as such, Barack Obama apparently thinks he's just the right person to put front and center at his inauguration.
If a republican had been elected, I would understand choosing a right-wing zealot to give the invocation. I'd be disgusted, but I'd understand. But, a republican did not get elected, and I expect better.
I expect the usual "there should be no invocation!" and "separation of church and state!" commenters - valid, fine. But, assuming for a moment that there is going to be an invocation, would anyone care to join me in letting the president-elect know how disappointed you are in the choice of Rick Warren?