Queerty: "Obama's Secret-Gay Inauguration Concert"

[Bluebear]

Because we are already hearing that "only on DU" are people upset about this slight.

=====
UPDATED: This was supposed to be the Inauguration's make-up moment to gays and lesbians everywhere for the inclusion of the vile and reprehensible homophobe Rick Warren: Bishop Gene Robinson, an openly-gay Episcopalian minister kicking off the week with an invocation on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. And while he did lead a prayer (read it below), you'd never know it unless you were standing with the thousands at the Reflecting Pool in D.C.

HBO cut Robinson's prayer from their coverage of "We Are One: The Inaugural Concert" and attendees at the event said that the sound on Robinson's prayer cut out at one point.

There's no easy way to say this: We were hoodwinked. Cynics will say, "Well, what did you expect?", but the answer is, "We expected more." The concert itself was inspiring, hopeful and a media event, but the exclusion of Robinson once again highlights the reality that gays and lesbians sit at the back of the American political bus.

http://www.queerty.com/live-blogging-obamas-inauguration-concert-20090118/

[Bonobo]

1. Obama was sending a message to "other homophobes", right?

That's what you think, right?

He was letting all us homophobes know that he was not really pro-gay rights, right?

Just say it. Stop beating around the bush.

[cliffordu]

29. Hmm I guess my secret homophobe encoder ring wasn't working. I didn't

get the message.

Mine said "Poutrage, it's what's for dinner!!!"

[Thrill]

2. HBO cuts the prayer and they blame Obama

Thats Bullshit

[Joe the Revelator]

6. Its because there is a deeper agenda at work.

Make no doubt about that. On a micro level, watch who gravitates to this thread.

[TheWraith]

27. HBO didn't "cut" it, it simply happened before they went on the air.

Maybe you can argue that they should have extended their scheduled block, but to say they "cut" it is to imply it was specifically excluded from what they showed.

[IndianaJones]

3. haven't you heard that this is all some guy named HBO's fault? nt.

[Drunken Irishman]

4. From the article...

HBO cut Robinson's prayer from their coverage of "We Are One: The Inaugural Concert"

Weird.

[IndianaJones]

7. I wonder why they only use the guys initials. Strange. nt.

[Drunken Irishman]

9. It was all Obama!

I saw him run up to the sound system and pull out wires when he was speaking!!!!!!

[Joe the Revelator]

10. Hoodwinked!!!!!!!

[IndianaJones]

19. They're going with gold plated monster cables for Warren. just to be safe. nt.

[Bluebear]

31. Never let it be said they didn't learn from their technical glitches. nt

[rtassi]

38. Pin 3 hot? I heard they were using Mogami ...n/t

[DBoon]

18. Hussein Barack Obama?

HBO?

[IndianaJones]

22. only a fool would think that anyone connected to the admin had anything to do with this. nt.

[DBoon]

32. and only a fool would think

HBO = Hussein Barack Obama!

or didn't you know that the network ABC is really "Anyone But Cheney"?

[Drunken Irishman]

23. It's a TRAP!

[DBoon]

34. Obama has secretly used HBO as a front organization all these years

Even the initials prove it!

[greguganus]

95. Didn't you know "HBO" stands for "Homophobe Barack Obama"????? n/t

[Kalyke]

101. Hussein Barak Obama?

:shrug:


Just kidding. It made me think of BHO when I saw HBO.

[redstate_democrat]

43. OMG HBO and BHO!!111

Its a conspirisy!11!!

HBO = BHO!!111!

[Joe the Revelator]

5. He wasn't excluded as your article says...they and you are obviously trying to make something out of

nothing. Sometimes your justified in playing the victim. Sometimes it comes off as petty sillyness. I'll let you try to decide what this instance is.

[Solon]

14. He was excluded from the televised part of the event, or did you fail to read that part?

Seriously, some of the BS people come up with is really dumb.

[Joe the Revelator]

17. Who's fault is that?

Not the Reverends. Not Obama's. So is all this fresh outrage directed at HBO? Time Warner? The scheduler?

[Solon]

24. I don't know, but we should have some answers, is that too much to ask? n/t

[Joe the Revelator]

28. Unless the higher up at HBO post on DU....

I think you're barking up the wrong tree.

[Solon]

35. Why do you assume that just because we complain on DU its the ONLY place we complain?

Seriously, I'm sick of this shit, we can multitask you know.

[Joe the Revelator]

41. I just don't see the point in taking over the front page again

Last time you gathered converts, myself included, this time you just come off as bitter and silly, because you're making a big deal out of something so so so small.

[Solon]

46. The point isn't to "win over converts" its to vent...

it really is that simple, and if you see the incident as small, fine, that's your opinion, just don't complain too much about others who feel differently.

[Joe the Revelator]

47. If you're just venting, keep it in one thread then. Why start a new thread for every new blog post

you find that may agree with you?

[Solon]

51. People are free to start as many threads as they want, over as many blog posts as they want...

that's their prerogative, and to complain about it just seems petty to me.

[Joe the Revelator]

52. Its seems your in a corner. I am just as free to reply to as many of those threads as I would like

with my opinion that they are provocative bullshit by people who never wanted to support Obama in the first place.

[Solon]

56. Ahh, but you are assuming facts not in evidence for many people...

Sure, there are a few people on DU that never wanted to support Obama, PUMAS and the like, but do they represent the majority of people that are criticizing Obama over recent actions relating to GLBT issues? I think not, indeed, I've seen quite a few Obama supporters, and defenders, who are doing exactly that. Even I defended Obama on this board a time or two, particularly over the Wright Controversy.

[Joe the Revelator]

57. Sorry, I'll stop laughing in order to post a reply

Look, I'm not dumb, nor have I suffered any head injuries between the primaries and present time. During the Warren ordeal, you're right, everyone was pissed. This time there are a few dead enders from the Primary hiding behind sexual orientation in order to blast Obama with manufactured "outrage".

[Solon]

61. Actually, not everyone was pissed, that's a rewriting of history, and you know it...

indeed, you were one of the reactionary apologists, I remember, you even started an apology thread about it. Frankly, considering you were wrong then, it seems like you are wrong now as well.

[Joe the Revelator]

63. I mean everyone, as in people across the DU political spectrum and demographs were pissed

There were some who were not, but every faction was represented.


and no, you will see no reactionary apology from me this time, unless it comes out that Obama and co. were standing next to the sound board pulling out wires during this prayer.

[Solon]

75. And again, that was simply not true.

I'm not even going to bother linking back to the posts, it would take far to much time, but I'm going to say simply this, you are wrong in how you interpret what happened. Hell, the reaction of most DUers at the time was "what the fuck is the big deal?"

[Bonobo]

76. "Even I defended Obama on this board a time or two, particularly over the Wright Controversy"

That says it all.

"Even I".

Thanks for the admission that you are pre-set in Anti-Obama mode. We knew it anyway, but it is good to see it spelled out so clearly.

[Solon]

79. Oh please, don't read into that any more than necessary...

I was a big time DK supporter in the primaries, and criticized Obama over the handling of McClurkin, that's probably what people remember me for, if they remember me at all.

[yardwork]

59. Your ignorance is astounding. Pam's House Blend is considered one of the best gay blogs.

It's famous, stupid.

[Joe the Revelator]

66. I never said they weren't well written blog post

dummy.

[yardwork]

71. You have no idea who she is.

[Joe the Revelator]

77. She could be the Queen of Canada, it doesn't make it worth its own thread

over something that wasn't a slight in the first place.

[yardwork]

81. Go start another couple threads attacking gay people. It obviously makes you feel large.

What a nasty piece of excrement.

[Joe the Revelator]

84. I'll say it in every thread you make this bullshit charge in

If you want to have adult conversation thats fine. If you want to be a pouty child who hides behind charges of bigotry thats fine as well, I can easily ignore you.

The day attacking you equals attacking all gay people is the day that you have the moral right to make such charges against me.

[Name removed]

72. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

83. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluebear]

8. At least "Ignored ignored ignored ignored" is very interested!

:hi:

[Drunken Irishman]

11. Awww!

[Bluebear]

13. OK and you

lol :toast:

[Joe the Revelator]

12. Keep torpedoing your e-cred Bluebear.

Its fun to watch.

[redstate_democrat]

44. "e-cred"?

OMG yer series.

[Joe the Revelator]

58. Better duck

because all of that went over your head.


"series"

[redstate_democrat]

65. lol

I guess my "e-cred" is damaged, heh? :rofl:

[Joe the Revelator]

67. Beyond repair.

[Forkboy]

106. I damn near choked when I read that.

:rofl:

[yardwork]

60. You are the one with no credibility whatsoever. Your ignorance is on parade.

[Joe the Revelator]

68. Oh no. If I was running around wringing my hands over minutia,..

then maybe you would have a point.

[yardwork]

69. You're running around having hysterics.

[Joe the Revelator]

74. You seem to be confused

take a nap, it might help.

[meegbear]

87. So who died and made you Queen Bitch of online credibility?

And while we're on it, who the fuck are you?

[sniffa]

102. The e-cred king

[grantcart]

48. lol

[AyanEva]

85. Yeah

I'm getting a weird "conversation" here because the posts of some of the users on my ignore list aren't showing up at all so now it looks like the non-ignored (who are responding to the ignored people) are talking to themselves. LOL

[NYC_SKP]

15. Complain to HBO HERE:

Here at their web comment page: http://www.hbo.com/apps/submitinfo/contactus/submit.do?title=General%20Information&questiontype=general

:patriot:

Edited to delete "not here at DU" at beginning of comment.

[Bluebear]

16. I will complain at both places.

[NYC_SKP]

26. good!

[Joe the Revelator]

20. Nobody would know how outraged he was if he didn't post about it here

and we couldn't have that 40 hours before the inauguration.

[NYC_SKP]

25. true, good point, but now they can take it there.

I'd like to hear what they have to say.

[Balderdash]

107. Would be nice to see our "supporters" writing too.

But I'm guessing you don't support the LGBT community.
We bring things here because here is where are supporters
supposedly are.

[TheWraith]

21. Sigh.

So let me get this straight. When Warren gets to make a prayer nobody cares about, it's Earth-shattering news. Then when people find out that an openly gay bishop is saying a prayer for the inaugural celebration, it's an insult because it's an unimportant event. Now because it wasn't aired on one of the networks covering the thing, it's... what? Evidence of HBO homophobia when they were on for a clearly defined and pre-announced two hour block? Another imagined snub from the Obama team because they didn't make the event shorter in order to artificially put somebody in front of a camera? If they were really "using" Robinson the way people here like to imagine, they'd have made a VERY big deal out of him being there, as well as the gay mens' choir. They didn't.

Nobody was "hoodwinked," nobody was promised anything. HBO didn't "cut" something that happened 10 minutes before they went on the air, and the event had sound problems several times, including once during the freakin' national anthem.

[Joe the Revelator]

30. Sound problems during the anthem you say? Secret code to our enemies that Obama hates the USA

[PM7nj]

33. How is this Obama's fault? nt

[ecstatic]

36. "attendees at the event said that the sound on Robinson's prayer cut out at one point."

I've yet to hear an attendee say that. This is really getting tiresome. Really. The concert included everyone. HBO didn't include the Invocation but the concert goers got to witness it.

[Bluebear]

37. Sorry you're so tired. Here's another account. Is the Canadian paper lying too?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8104182&mesg_id=8104182

[ecstatic]

54. Well as the first act, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a bit of technical

difficulty. HBO didn't want to pay for the air time to include the Bishop. I suspect any Bishop/Pastor would have been left out of the televised portion because they were already paying 2.5 million as it was and giving away free airtime to all cable customers and Internet viewers. The Bishop spoke for the audience who attended and we were never promised to hear him live on TV. There are some parts that only attendees got to see.

[anigbrowl]

104. See #103 for an explanation

[FrenchieCat]

39. My understanding was that nothing could make up for the Warren invocation...

and so it was to my surprise that it is now being called the Inauguration's make-up moment to gays and lesbian by this blogger! That's quite insulting to put it in those terms, seems to me.

[Bluebear]

40. Oh of course it isn't this blogger. Robinson was invited strictly as a salve.

It failed, the nation couldn't hear it.

[Joe the Revelator]

42. Oh man, could you use more hyperbole?

Seriously.

[Vanje]

92. Why are you in all these threads?

Doesnt it take your time from all that inaugral happiness we're interfering with?

[FrenchieCat]

45. Robinson wasn't supposed to "make up" for Warren.....

so those who were mad stay mad......cause nothing has changed.

Bishop Robinson gave the invocation....to 750,000 people, I reckon.
HBO chose not to have an invocation televised, nor the benediction at the end either.

If you can remember who gave the invocation or the benediction on the 4th night of the Democratic National Convention, then you may have a point. If you have to google it, then it means you do not know, because you never cared before now.

I saw only the benediction at the National Convention, because the Invocation occured when no one was paying attention at the very beginning.

[Bluebear]

49. Righteo. Everything is fabulous, we know.

[FrenchieCat]

50. no, not fabulous......

Never was.

[yardwork]

62. Hint - you might want to check out "this blogger." You might be surprised.

My God the ignorance on parade on this site is exceeded only by its petty spite.

[dsc]

70. The blogger in question endorsed Obama in the primaries

and also the general election. Oh, and before you decide she is a racist she happens to be a black lesbian.

[FrenchieCat]

89. I didn't call her any names or anything.

I only stated the fact that she wrote that Robinson was supposed to make-up for Warren. I disagree with that statement. Do you agree with the Blogger that Robinson was supposed to make-up for Warren?

[Vanje]

91. Bishop Robinson's doing the prayer was a pale olive brance extended

and even THAT got fucked up.

Someone on the teams that communicate between Obama's organization, and HBO's planners screwed up big.

Or they just forgot to remember to see that Robinsons appearence was given media attention.

Or they did remember, and let Robinsons prayer go un-broadcast for some purpose, which can only be guessed at.

[treestar]

97. Exactly, I've seen that on DU about the benediction, too

Nothing Obama can do would make up for it!

He's supposed to exclude these right wingers from society the way they would do or would have done had they gotten their President McCook. Yeah, let's copy the bush and cheney method since it worked so well for them. :sarcasm:

[anonymous171]

53. How is this Obama's fault? Is he omnipotent now?

[Spectral Music]

64. A President's image is the President's responsibility. Right now, his image has taken a hit.

Bad PR and bad coverage by the PEOTUS.

[anonymous171]

80. Point taken. nt

[ecstatic]

86. Once the Inaugural committee gave HBO exclusive rights, the

footage shown was no longer up to them. It's messed up that HBO excluded Robinson, but it's all about the $$$ for them, just as with any other major corporation.

[Spectral Music]

99. HBO took its cue from the Obama administration.

And it was Team Obama that scheduled the preacher for 10 minutes before the concert.

Bad PR.

[Spectral Music]

55. Tolerance gets censored; Bigotry gets center stage, Bad PR Obama, bad PR.

Especially towards a group with more expendable income than most others.

[Neshanic]

73. Rick Warren's mike will be perfect. No mistakes there.

[Bonobo]

78. Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep.

[yardwork]

82. You'd know about creeping.

[Vanje]

93. Betcha a million dollars you're right. nt

We'll hear every word, and see every sweaty jiggle of Warrens magnificent pendulous jowels.

[anigbrowl]

103. I feel obliged to point out that Biden's mike went out briefly as well

This is why, at most events done for TV coverage, you'll see two mics on the podium or on someone's lapel - if one goes out briefly, you'll never notice because the other will keep going and and an automatic gain (volume) control will adjust the level. It's not that unusual to lose a channel briefly - through error or a loose connection or a cable that has had something rolled over it.

I noticed (as a sound pro) that they went with a single podium mic yesterday. As there was a concert going on, the company providing the sound was probably used to doing music events, where single mics are the norm. So take off that tinfoil cap, there's a perfectly normal explanation.

[Kaylee]

88. Whaaaa! What is everyone going about now!

I just got back from the concert and hanging out. Bishop Robinson's invocation was great and held everyone in rapt attention. There were cheers and shouts of agreement. Yes, the sound quality initially was iffy...hell, it was iffy for Elmo and Obama's welcome just a few minutes earlier, but you could still hear him. And there were hearty AMENS when he finished. The jumbotrons weren't at their best and still had some kinks to work out at the very start of the concert. No conspiracy, just a massive sound system fresh out the gates.

Regardless, everyone had a ball (who knew Garth Brooks was such a great performer) and we had fun dancing away in 25 degree weather. Everyone had a smile on their faces. I expected to come on DU and see posts of people happy about the inauguration...wait what was I thinking this is DU. I think I am just going to have to sign out for a few weeks, I'm tired of people pissing in my cornflakes.

[Bluebear]

90. You poor baby. Those of us at home expected to see Rev. Robinson speak on behalf of us

Sorry for ruining your special night.

[Vanje]

94. I knew!

.....that Garth Brooks was such a great performer.

He's the second hardest working (living) man in show business.
The hardest working man in show business also played at the concert.(He sang with Pete Seeger)

[marshall]

96. Did HBO even carry any of Bush's inauguration stuff?

I don't even recall any concerts, and if there were any I certainly don't recall HBO headlining it.
I am very happy with the festivities so far.

[xchrom]

98. +10

[totodeinhere]

100. As an atheist I am glad that HBO did not carry Robinson's prayer.

I hope that Warren and Lowery won't be covered either. This isn't about GLBT rights so much as it is about separation of church and state and keeping our government from shoving religion down our throats.

[Bluebear]

105. Be assured, Warren will be televised.