Posted on 01/14/2009 5:44:39 PM PST by SJackson
Apparently, it pays to complain to President-elect Barack Obama.
Despite his protestations to the contrary, Obama clearly felt a bit burned by the outcry over his selection of Pastor Rick Warren, an evangelical preacher with a nasty track record when it comes to respecting the rights of lesbians and gays, to deliver the invocation at his inaugural.
So Obama has tapped the Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson, the only openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, to deliver the invocation at the inaugural concert to be held at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, Jan. 18.
The New Hampshire bishop had this to say:
"I am writing to tell you that President-elect Obama and the Inaugural Committee have invited me to give the invocation at the opening event of the Inaugural Week activities, 'We Are One,' to be held at the Lincoln Memorial, Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. It will be an enormous honor to offer prayers for the country and the new president, standing on the holy ground where the 'I have a dream speech' was delivered by Dr. King, surrounded by the inspiring and reconciling words of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. It is also an indication of the new president's commitment to being the president of ALL the people. I am humbled and overjoyed at this invitation, and it will be my great honor to be there representing the Episcopal Church, the people of New Hampshire, and all of us in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community."
Here's the word from National Gay and Lesbian Task Force executive director Rea Carey:
"President-elect Obama has made a stellar choice in selecting Bishop Gene Robinson to offer the prayer at the Lincoln Memorial to kick off the inaugural festivities. Bishop Robinson is an inspiration to millions worldwide because he lives out the ideals of courage, humility and truth speaking. This is certainly a good sign that our nation is indeed moving forward.
"President-elect Obama's wise choice of Bishop Robinson, as well as that of Rev. (Joseph) Lowery (who will give the benediction at the presidential inauguration on Tuesday, Jan. 20) and Rev. (Sharon) Watkins (the first woman ever asked to deliver the sermon at the post-inaugural National Prayer Service on Wednesday, Jan. 21), continues to add to the historic nature of this inaugural celebration. For the first time in history, an out gay man will lead the nation in opening the transfer of power from one administration to another -- and every person watching in the U.S. and around the world will have seen it. That, alone, is change."
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese says:
"Bishop Robinson models what prayer should be -- spiritual reflection put into action for justice. It is encouraging that the president-elect has chosen this spiritual hero for all Americans to lead the nation in prayer at the Lincoln Memorial inaugural concert."
True statements all. But the spiritual highlight of the Lincoln Memorial concert may come from another source.
The rumor -- as yet unconfirmed by the Obama transition team -- is that Bruce Springsteen will appear.
Imagine how the pedophiles must feel not being represented at Obama’s Inaugural Extravaganzza.
Well said!
Well, if Michelle’s cool with her man tapping the bishop, who am I to say anything? All’s I can say is wrap before... (word has it Robinson gets around!)
You're right, I forgot about them. NAMBLA needs representation too.
>>The rumor — as yet unconfirmed by the Obama transition team — is that Bruce Springsteen will appear.<<
Didn’t Springsteen just get finished saying he was a Republican?
ping
These evil perverted baby killing communist sons of bitches don't waste much time.
There will be a backlash.
Lets march on DC and tell the marxist HUSSEIN from Kenya and the rest of the DC politicians to get their godammned hands out of our pockets
SAY NO TO SOCIALISM.
Great. Fags nags and hags.
Great. Fags nags and hags.
“That alone is change”.........No it isn’t. It is a political gesture. Idiots.
Do you mean to tell me that Obama is "tapping" the gay bishop? Does Michelle know?
I wonder how Rick Warren feels now about the Obamamessiah now that he and his beliefs have been thrown under the bus?
I'm guessing they feel well represented by the new administration.
Maybe the NAMBLA drum and bugle corps and silent drill team will be invited too....
Personally I’m praying for lightening to strike as the pray is read.
“....standing on the holy ground where the ‘I have a dream speech’ was delivered by Dr. King...”
How does he figure the ground there to be holy? MLK was an inspiration for many, but holy he was not.
Oh look, another attempt by this loser to bask in the glory of real men that DID THINGS.
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