Why? He tried this same kind of thing during his campaign. And it was offensive then. And it's still offensive now. It's the same situation all over again. Obama didn't 'get' it that time, and he doesn't seem to be 'getting' it now.
The Obama people are released this some talking points.
http://www.towleroad.com/2008/12/obama-camp-rele.html
My response? I agree with Hilary Rosen, who made some cogent remarks last night on CNN to Anderson Cooper.
Quote:
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"First the glibness, that, well it's just a bunch of gays being unhappy that people don't agree with them, is wrong. You know, (at) one time the Bible was used to justify slavery. If this was a preacher, out there, using more weapons against African-Americans we wouldn't even be having this conversation, so second of all, the fact that we're even having a conversation, means that this is a mistake in choice. This is a day when people are to be brought together. There are hundreds of preachers across the country with stature and thoughtfulness and other ways to bring this country together on an inauguration day for the new president. That's the choice he should have made."
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There is a disconnect going on. Having the KKK on stage would be offensive to blacks, right? So how is this any difference? Here you have a man (Warren) who believes that marriage and God's favor are reserved for straight people. The KKK believe that marriage and God are reserved for white people.
Bigotry, no matter if it is about race of sexual orientation, is- at the end of the day- bigotry!
If Obama wants to be inclusive, then he can do that behind the scenes, where this kind of thing is supposed to happen. He has his rights. We don't have ours. And for him to parade someone who doesn't want us to have our rights before the nation is not inclusiveness, it's an affirmation of the status quo.
When did our civil rights- or lack of them- become a talking point? Obama just isn't getting it here, putting out the thought we should all play nice and get along- 'you have your preacher and I have mine...what the problem?' He may think he is above all this. But guess what? This is going to bite him in the ass.
The problem Mr. President Elect, is that you have arrived at the table, and we are not happy with the scraps you can throw our way. We aren't dogs. And you aren't the master.
And we will have civil rights with or without you.