So .... tell me why, specifically, this guy is hunky dory with you.

http://nyblade.com/2005/11-18/news/religious/RIBS-Warren,-Rick.jpg
Smug motherfucker/man of gawd, Rick Warren

He's just another megachucrh snake oil salesman.

"Purpose driven life"? How about "Personality driven life"?



Tell me how this guy is acceptable to you.

Absofuckinglutely not.

with a firecracker in his butt and a dunce cap on his head.

Although it would be a small step in the right direction...

The mental picture of that is hilarious!

Please.

but I think I see Obama's strategy in choosing him--it is to de-fang the religious right, which is now telling its members that Obama is the anti-Christ. Obama thinks that by having Warren say the invocation, that will show the fundies that he can't be as evil and mean as they have been led to believe. I also think this strategy will backfire on him. I don't think it will change any fundamentalist's minds or have them back off their agenda. And it is obvious that the choice is highly offensive to most folks on the Left.

Obama is always thinking 3 steps ahead of his opponents.

My thought is that the choice of Warren will mute, for the time being, the claims by fundamentalist churches that Obama is the anti-Christ. I don't know that having Warren mumble a few words will stop this nonsense coming from the pulpits, though.

How do you think Obama plans to use this choice to his advantage?

Many independents and moderate republicans will be impressed with Obama's reaching across the aisle, and give him the benefit of the doubt on a lot more political issues.

You can get a more progressive agenda passed when you have the center of the country supporting you.

And the political costs of having him at the inauguration is zero, because it is a purely symbolic gesture. Rick Warren actually affect Obama's policy positions, but will help Obama gain support.

I see where you are going. I think you are right on Obama's thinking. My only worry is that the right wing won't back down and will somehow use the opportunity to bite Obama on the behind. But to the average independent voter who doesn't know much about Warren or care much about specific issues, it could be viewed as "reaching across the aisle". But I still worry, because I don't trust the right wing, especially the right wing fundamentalist preachers.

He will face a huge backlashes if he undermines Obama, especially after Obama reached out his hand in good faith.

Unless Obama saves us (which I think he will), the sheeple will believe whatever their preachers tell them to do. Warren has a lot of power because of this.

I do hope you are.

But, if you are, then it's politically craven in a way that I find repugnant. And I have a high tolerance for craven behavior when committed by Democrats.

See, this is history being made. January 20, 2009 is going to be a day unlike any in our nation's history, and it galls me without cessation to know that that fat fuck is going to be made part of our nation's history now, thereby rendering him so terribly legitimate and acceptable.

That's what I find repugnant. There are other ways that Obama could have embraced him. I found his showing up for that "debate" at Warren's church during the campaign so offensive, but I knew he was doing what he had to do.

Imagine, in our country, the one founded up liberty and freedom of and from religion, political campaigners answering the summons of a self-made "holy man" who decided these candidates must answer his questions. Imagine that in any other democracy on this planet.

We're so fucked up where religion is concerned.

They serve no purpose other than to steal money from the sick & the elderly. Blatantly used to push political agendas into the community. There is nothing spiritual about them.

:nuke:

He's a bigot, a fraud, a fake, I like Obama as much as anyone else on here but why he decided to pick this bozo is beyond me.

ass-wipe for when I have diarrhea

It's not like he's been made secretary of state.

The Chief Justice of the Supremes is already going to be on stage. He's a pig.

So what?

it's the people being given power that I'm concerned about.

It's the FISA bill that pisses me off.

Some medicine man shaman with his head up his ass doesn't much bother me.


Salazar as Sect. of Interior is scary though

It's the invocation. It'll last 2 minutes and be immediately forgotten. It has NO bearing on policy. It has NO bearing on governance. If they wanted to throw a bone to the evangelicals can you think of a more meaningless, less important gesture than this? I'm having trouble doing it.

But oh no... here at DU everything is a precursor to Armageddon if it doesn't happen exactly how we want it to. Cripes I'm tired of this crap.

Sid

These evangelists don't represent all people & should not be given one symbolic, inaugural moment of attention.

This guy has shown aweful moments on a particular sect of our community.

HOWEVER, he may very well fool you on his willingness to bless the dying gay son of one of his church members. As horrible as he may seem, he may have a decent bone in his body. He may even surprise you and be as loving towards the GBLT community as he is others IN SPITE of his strong views against non-traditional sexual relations.

NONE OF US are actually as shallow as people of irrationally strong opinion,...as those who are OBSESSED with simplifying complexities of human existence and life to enable THEIR position as as dictator in matters of thought and heart.

Certainly, the community upon which you seek to call their passions understands the foregoing fundamental premise,...far better than you. So, maybe, you would better "help" by resisting being an OCD advocate for that which you do not comprehend.

Chill.

..... bite me.

and the mmore I find out about the prick, the less likely it'll be that I';ll watch the fucking inauguration.

If it's true about his church - that women are to be subjugated to men . . .

Then fuck him.

Great - bring the Born Again Christians into the 'fold'.

And piss off the Unitarians (I'm one). Oh, and I converted in a church with a female Pastor and we are an open and accepting community. I'm upset.

I was planning on taking the day off to watch coverage. No way. No how.

I'll be ignoring if he'll be 'preaching'.

What's next? A Medal of Freedom for Britney Spears?

:shrug:

Johnathan Edwards, Dr. Phil, Rick Warren....

So many sheep to fleece...

So little time...

I'm not gay but this certainly seems to be a symbolic slap in the face to them and coming from the first minority POTUS in history it is particularly hurtful.

Symbols are important, putting an open bigot in the national spotlight lends legitimacy to the cause he advocates for.

Obama has shown he is anything but ignorant of symbols and symbolism, this is obviously meant to send a message.

The message I get from it is this:

SUCKERS!

all inclusive, after all.
nary a peep out of them when I asked.
nada.

n/t