How Obama's reaching across the aisle was used to further anti-gay legislation

[noamnety]

When Obama agreed to do the Warren debate, some people said this was a bad idea that gave legitimacy to homophobic bigots. They were dismissed, we were told it was somehow magically going to bring the fundies into the debate and sway them to the side of human rights.

I just want to point out that on his own website, Warren has a video up bragging that he used the debate to bring to the forefront that both McCain and Obama oppose gay marriage. He further goes on to use that moment of his in the spotlight to legitimize support of Prop 8. He's very explicit that Obama's participation in that forum in his church - and the responses Obama gave to Warren's questions - should give fundies the go-ahead to vote against gay rights.

http://saddlebackfamily.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentid=1502

I am bringing this up for those who somehow believe that a two-minute speech ends there, or that reaching out to bigots by helping to put them on a national stage as a "spiritual leader" we should respect somehow furthers the cause of human rights or in some way moves them to the left.

[jody]

1. Good point, Warren's invocation for Obama's inauguration can mean millions of dollars in donations

to Warren's church.

[Lost-in-FL]

2. Full separation of church and state...

would have saved everyone from this hatefest.

[gollygee]

3. I got to give the first rec!

I'm tired of hearing that it doesn't matter, it doesn't give him any credibility, etc. It seems very obvious that it does.

[noamnety]

4. Yep, Warren tells us on camera

that Obama's participation in his church forum makes it okay (necessary, even) to vote for Prop 8.

He VERY CLEARLY understands that Obama's willingness to give him the spotlight can be used to further his anti-gay agenda - even if others don't get that.

[xchrom]

5. recommend

[Hydra]

6. The arguments supporting this choice of Religious Reprisentative ring hollow

No good can come of this, and the Media is crowing about how Obama is taking a strong stance against "The Far Left."

I love how politicians get points for ignoring the sane people but they get hammered for telling the militant right wing to go stand in the corner.

[AtomicKitten]

7. RoboCalls were directed at black Californians using Obama's words from that forum.

Unfortunately his words OPPOSING Prop 8 sort of fell by the wayside.

As a Californian who phone-banked against Prop 8, I firmly believe the resistance to the Mormon-backed Prop 8 was tepid and did not reach out to other Californians arguing the crux of this issue - civil rights.

And while the inclusion of Warren in the inauguration ceremony was a tone deaf insult, it pales in comparison to policy (DADT, DOMA, Prop 8) that actually affects the lives and freedom of the LGBT community.

That said, Calif Atty General Jerry Brown has filed a brief questioning the constitutionality of Prop 8. The resistance to the nonstop maneuvering to limit the rights of Americans must be firm and constant vigilance.

[Cults4Bush]

8. K&R for the reality of it all. nt