OK, the anger for me has devolved into a slow burn... I think it's time to move on

[JanMichael]

to thinking about what we can actually DO to put the heat on Obama to NOT have that sorry assed jackass at the inauguration.

There is still time for Obama to feel the pressure to lose this dumbass from the inaugural line up.

Ideas? I think there are plenty of people that would be willing to put some time in to this over the next couple of weeks---

[HEyHEY]

1. Petitions, letters....

Something classy but serious.

[JanMichael]

6. OK, that's a thought

What about a temporary website devoted to educating people about this man?

Petitions. I like that. Aren't you a writer? I think there is a dialog here-

[HEyHEY]

10. I'd write something if you want.

Can't put my name to it, though. As a reporter I don't sign petitions... weird, I know.

[JanMichael]

14. no that's completely understandable

Wonder if Skinner would allow a petition to be pinned to the top of the DU page?

[JanMichael]

32. OK, thinking about this, and brainstorming

Can you write a petition that Skinner would be willing to pin to the top of DU? It could also be sent to MoveOn, UCC churches, Episcopalian churches-- GLBT organizations--- who else?

I think that's a perfect start.

Do you need research on him? Talking points?

[Critters2]

38. The UUA, the Metropolitan Community Churches, Reform and Humanist synagogues. nt

[HEyHEY]

47. PM me what you think should be said... talking points and such

I'll add mine....anyone else reading can do the same and I'll smooth something out.

[JanMichael]

49. Will do. Maybe this should be a seperate thread

too.

There are so many people here with excellent ideas...and having a professional writer is perfect---

[Critters2]

2. I'm feeling the same way. Obama just seems to be shrugging off the hurt

this has caused. How can we make him feel something about it, take it seriously? I have no ideas, yet. But I'll think about it. There's still time for this to change.

[CTyankee]

8. There probably isn't any way to get him to disinvite Warren but I think you SHOULD

let his people know about the pain he has caused you. He should hear from people, esp. gay people, about that. Even if he is sincere in thinking he is advancing the cause of gay rights, he needs to know the price being paid in your tears. Perhaps he will address that...

[Creideiki]

61. I have no illusions

that He's concerned in any way about whether or not He has advanced the cause of gay rights.

[JanMichael]

11. There is still time.

even if that ass clown is still on the podium, voices will be heard.

This is NOT going to be shut up. NOT. I have really just damned had it.

[offog]

56. I have an idea.

Ref. mycritters2:
"I'm feeling the same way. Obama just seems to be shrugging off the hurt
this has caused. How can we make him feel something about it, take it seriously? I have no ideas, yet. But I'll think about it. There's still time for this to change."

How about making the point that homophobia/gay-bashing is just like any other prejudice? I consider gay-bashing to be the same thing as racism, only more socially acceptable. It's one thing to reach out to the opposition, but another to have a bigot as "guest of honor". Obama would never choose someone for this job who publicly made racist remarks, or ran a campaign based on hate and fear of blacks or hispanics. Can you imagine the fuss you'd get if Obama had picked some Jesse Helms clone to do the inauguration? So how come it's okay to pick a gay-hater?

In Canada, our Charter of Rights doesn't actually mention protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. But we did get a Supreme Court ruling that basically said discrimination against gays is still discrimination. That's the right idea! It's time for people (including Obama) to recognize that hatred of GLBT people is no different from other forms of bigotry.

[Jamastiene]

62. ...

:hug:

[ronnykmarshall]

3. Well I'm hoping for Prop 8 to get overturned.

Jerry Brown our AG has filed with the court to overturn it.

The only backlash could be the bigots trying to recall Jerry and the Supremes. (I always have to throw in a "Supremes" comment.)

[pinto]

23. Yeah I could see the (R) extremists going after Jerry. Yet, something tells me,

he can take the heat.

[makinguphumans]

24. You just keep HOPING that.

[pinto]

33. The legal argument Brown's layed out is, in this layman's view, a strong one.

"Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification," Brown said in a statement.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/12/20/2008-12-20_california_attorney_general_jerry_brown_.html

[CTyankee]

67. That sounds a lot like the argument used in our CT state supreme court decision.

It absolutely tore apart the other side on "compelling justification." And it challenged each one of the "compelling justifications" that the other side raised specifically, not just in broad terms.

Sometimes I really like living in a state with these flinty, stiff necked CT yankees who stubbornly refuse to mess around with the Constitution! Or other people's private lives, for that matter...

[davidinalameda]

41. has anyone told you that you're so gay!

:evilgrin:

[ronnykmarshall]

54. as a birthday table cloth!!

and PROUD of it!!!

[Jamastiene]

63. Well, Jerry Brown did just say, Stop! In the name of Love...Prop 8 is discrimination.

:D

[Taverner]

4. would it be wrong to say the effort and anger should be spent on overturning 8?

[JanMichael]

9. no. But, I think we could do both

Look-- he has insulted women, gays, Episcopalians ( :) well, he did)

I think there is enough outrage to spread around effectively.

[Taverner]

13. I'm pissed, but was much more pissed about H8

[Critters2]

15. What'd he say about Episcopalians?

And did he take any shots at the UCC? If so, let me at him!!!

[JanMichael]

19. heh.

There is a thread on this forum re: the Episcopalian Bishop from D.C., response to the Warren pick.

believe me, they WILL be and ARE pissed about the gay bashing of this trashy "preacher."

[QC]

22. He has done quite a lot to interject himself into the controversies in our church.

First off, he's been playing Akinola's press agent for some time now.

He has accused mainline Christians of practicing Marxism in the guise of religion.

And he went to Uganda, one of the most viciously homophobic places on earth and home of Henry Orombi, one of the primates working to destroy the Episcopal Church, and said that homosexuality must not be tolerated--which is nothing short of an incitement to violence in that setting.

Frankly, I wish that Warren would devote himself to the problems with evangelicalism--like that movement's issues with rampant divorce, or the dominionist and prosperity gospel heresies--and leave us alone.

[mitchtv]

5. ideas? an embarrassing scene at the event

It could make an otherwise sorry day

[JanMichael]

7. Well, yeah--- but, why not try to stick with the message of "hope"

and find a way to pressure these assholes to get him off the line up?

[mitchtv]

20. that is not gonna happen

he's gon.na use the Donnie McClurkin scenario again " I don't agree... blah blah blah

[TomInTib]

12. Only if you have time and energy to burn. It's a done deal.

It is sheer fantasy to think that any amount of anything (except that maybe the guy will be struck by lightning or something) will serve to remove him from the deal.

Put your energies into a cause that might actually benefit from them, for you will be shouting into the wind on this one.

[JanMichael]

16. Fortunately it's Christmas time.

I have nothing BUT time and energy to burn. Sure as hell don't have any money. Might as well use the time, energy and internet to make some real noise.

[Critters2]

17. Obama said he would never end his relationship with Wright and Trinity UCC,

about a month before he ended his relationship with Wright and Trinity UCC.

Never say never.

[JanMichael]

18. bingo

nt

[TomInTib]

26. Pretty mercurial, eh?

Hell, maybe he was lying about everything else, as well.

Personally, I have never trusted the guy. I think he is a product, a tool.

No one gets that far, that quickly, in Illinois politics without being bought and paid for.

[QC]

31. I pegged him as a cynical, triangulating pol back in the fall of 2007,

when he ran this same scam on us the first time.

"He's only going to sing one song!"

[Jamastiene]

64. Exactly, and I think we can agree that

this being Christmas time, whether a person is a believer or a nonbeliever, good things CAN and DO happen this during this time of year.

Well, ok, I think that, anyhow. I realize others may not feel that way.

Still, Never say Never is my motto in life, because I saw too many times where I had to eat the word, "Never" before I learned to quit using it. :D

[davidinalameda]

43. so in other words

shut up and sit down

no thanks

tried that before and it doesn't work

[TomInTib]

51. That's not it at all.

But if one is going to pick one's own fights, pick the one you have (at least) a chance of winning. The last thing we need is this crazy divisiveness. It serves no purpose but to strengthen the Enemy.

[Neecy]

57. We didn't pick this fight

Obama - carefully and deliberately - picked it. He knew the timing was poor viz Prop 8, knew that this guy considers us pedophiles, and asked him anyway.

We might not win it - or we might. Take a look at change.gov and the thousands of posts from individual Americans begging him not to do this thing. I'm sure the inbox from his GLBT transition coordinator is full as well. If he continues with this, despite the public furor, then he's completely shameless and if nothing else, I'll know that.

[davidinalameda]

59. how do we know what fights that we can win

who knows if we can win this fight

and it wasn't the GLBT community that started this "crazy divisiveness"; it was the Obama people who picked a homophobe

I'm going to keep yelling and even if we don't win; I know that we fought

[makinguphumans]

21. How do we contact Warren himself? We can ask him to DISinvite

himself. Hand written letters from all of us who are concerned.


Can someone fill in the address please.


thanks in advance.


xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[QC]

25. Why would Warren do that? He's in the catbid seat now.

For years he's been campaigning to be Billy Graham's successor, and now a Democratic president has handed him the job.

Jan. 20 will be Warren's victory lap.

[makinguphumans]

29. Not saying he would disinvite himself. But it

can't hurt to let him know how so many are so hurt of Obama inviting him.

and you are right --he has been on the move to be the next Billy Graham. This is only adds insult to the would. damm.

[Critters2]

27. The man is just one huge ego. I don't see him doing it,

but you're welcome to try.

[Kahuna]

28. He will not change his mind. Just sayin'...

:shrug:

[Critters2]

35. That's what he told Jeremiah Wright.

He ain't exactly the Lord High Commissioner of Consistency.

[meowomon]

30. We should picket the inauguration

I am ready for some civil disobedience. Stonewall!!!!!!

[pinto]

34. I think folks ought to let the Obama team know their POV's, directly. fwiw.

From what I've heard, clear and concise handwritten letters are more effective, individually, than an email.

[JanMichael]

36. agreed

we need to get the address of where his aides receive mail.

(I know, Google is my friend... ;) )

[Critters2]

37. I've sent a message via change.gov everyday since this was announced.

And will send one a day until he's either dropped or the thing happens. Don't know that they're being read, but they're being sent.

I invite you to join me.

[JanMichael]

39. I think it's time for more than that

I think we need to get folks organized and start a blitz campaign to do that. AND a letter writing campaign, along with a petition.

[Critters2]

40. Oh, I agree. That's the bare minimum. Give me addresses and I'll write letters.

I'll sign all the petitions you can put in front of me.

[JanMichael]

Believe me, this is going to get off the ground

Facebook groups, everything you suggested, and we were also thinking of meetups and drinking liberally.

[Critters2]

45. Great ideas, all! I know I could get a meetup going here in the Ilinois Valley. nt

[JanMichael]

50. Do it!

I am starting a Facebook group right now just to get it "out there."

Thinking of "remove Rick Warren from the Inauguration"

What do you think of that name?

[Critters2]

53. I like it! nt

[crappyjazz]

42. We need to get Hollywood and big names involved

don't laugh ...

No one is going to make a dent in this except money folks

I've already started posting on Melissa Ethridge's site. If more of us start writing and phoning those with influence to come out and publicly denounce what Obama is doing in choosing Warren, the more he will hear us.

He doesn't care about us per se, but he will care when his financial supporters start seeing what's up.

I've got a small get together organized for tomorrow to raise money to help against this. We are VERY small and not sure how or where we go, but we're going to discuss this and hopefully figure out soemthing good.

[JanMichael]

44. Believe it or not, I think I know someone that is best friends

with Chad Can't Think of His Last Name that the advocate wrote up as a person of the year.

I am going to call her.

[Critters2]

46. There was a thing on CNN the other night about celebs who are planning to attend

the inauguration. The only names I remember are Samuel L. Jackson and Sharon Stone. They could be contacted, either to publicly announce they won't attend or other activities.

[JanMichael]

48. excellent idea. We need to find their publicist's contact addresses

thanks for this! Totally awesome!

If you have time to work on it, post that here, and we will find a way to create a central database of ideas-

[Critters2]

52. I need to go do some other work for now, but I'll work on it when I can. nt

[JanMichael]

55. This weekend and until Christmas

should only be used for "fact finding" and creating a database. On the 26th, we should be prepared to start sticking the screws to this stupid Rick Warren thing. We might not be effective by the time of the inauguration, but by God we will be heard.

[Zomby Woof]

58. If he does away with 'Don't Ask/Don't Tell'

And fully allows Gay/Lesbian service in the military unconditionally, that will be a start.

Then move on to other forward strides for equality.

Multiple actions in favor GLBT equality will negate Warren's presence at the inaugural quite effectively.

I don't think Obama will rescind the invitation. He is determined to have members of the opposition participate in his administration, and he will see this through.

So I say, let's put the heat on to get positive action on the legal and policy fronts. THAT is where the real 'change' will occur. If Obama does not act on these human rights issues once in office, then we forget the slow burn, and go all out.

One more point on edit:

Even if we could persuade him to rescind the Warren invitation, our victory would be short-lived and empty without legal and policy progress on behalf of LGBT equality.

[Jamastiene]

65. That sounds like a great Second Wave of Activism.

You may be right that he won't rescind the invitation, and you are definitely right about the long term policies being VERY important. We have decided NOT to let Prop 8, and the other measures stop us this time.

The action you are talking about on the legal and policy fronts is definitely in play too.

:hug:

[MNBrewer]

60. Has Obama actually DONE anything with regard to advancing GLBT rights?

Being the "fierce" advocate that he is...

[NMMNG]

66. Why bother?

Seriously. He was begged not to use McClurkin but he did anyway. Apparently appeasing a certain group was more important than causing hurt and damage to us. So why would he listen to us now? He already got votes from some of us, and he apparently thinks he can get something out of putting that bigoted, hatemonger, theocrat up there for his inauguration. He's just not that into us and has neither the motivation to listen to us or give a damn what we think or what his actions cost us.