NEWSFLASH: It’s His Choice!
Written by: Kim Sawyer
Okay, so here I am writing about President-Elect Obama again. I had told myself that I wouldn’t write anything about him for a while simply because I wrote so much about him during the election. But, this post is important, so let me just dive right in. I think the gay/lesbian community is getting downright pushy! They are upset because Obama has chosen Pastor Rick Warren (author of the Purpose Driven Life and an advocate of the California ballot initiative banning gay marriage) to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.
Hello! It’s his choice! But, it seems just because the gay/lesbian community voted for Obama, they feel they have a right to tell him who he can choose to pray for him! In fact, here’s what the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay rights organization, wrote to Obama about his selection of Warren, “By inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table.”
You know what I have to say about this? Get over it! A slew of people voted for Obama, from various backgrounds, but you don’t hear them making ridiculous demands of him! Just think, what if Black people, who came out in droves for this man, started making demands of him? Can you imagine the list?! Here’s what you, the gay/lesbian community, have to realize: President-Elect Obama is the president for everyone, not just for select groups of people. Please let this concept sink in – you’ll feel much better and less stressed! Now, in the infamous words of one of 7DayBuzz’s faithful commenters: that’s all, I’m thru, pray my strength in the Lord.
Tags: Human Rights Campaign, President-Elect Obama, Rick Warren
December 19th, 2008 at 7:19 am
http://7daybuzz.com/political-buzz/barack-obama-cannot-be-a-black-president/
Similar to the article linked above, Obama must be a president for everyone. It would really be in the best interest of everyone if his tenure was a balanced one. On a much, much, much, much smaller scale, I know what he is going through. It isn’t good when someone constantly questions (what seems like) every decision you make. He will have to get used to this because I have the feeling this will happen often.
If he wants to show some integrity, he will do what’s best, not what the people who voted for him want.
December 19th, 2008 at 10:55 am
His country to run, his choice! Surely, one day, that group will at least admire him for his integrity to do what’s right for him.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:30 am
It does seem like a betrayal of the Gay and Lesbian community, though.
Most Americans didn’t vote for another 4 years of conservatist Bush style “family values” policies which is just code for discrimination against people who wish to pursue alternative lifestyles.
Pursuit of the so-called American dream is not just for Christians. It’s for all Americans, including homosexuals and their right to pursue happiness even if religious groups morally disapprove of their lifestyle choices.
Separation between Church and State became blurred under the Bush Administration, and I was hoping that Obama would make a clear distinction. By inviting an openly anti-gay pastor, he is sending the wrong message to gays and a message that he intends to continue the discrimination against homosexuals to the rest of the world.
Not a very auspicious start for him.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Hey Richard, say it ain’t so that you believe a particular group should have a say so in who Obama chooses to let pray for him! That’s a personal choice – it has nothing to do with policies that may or may not affect people in their daily lives. If that’s the case, Black people can begin to cry foul that he’s not appointing enough Black people to his cabinet. Richard, come on – I count on you to be one of the reasonable voices on 7daybuzz.:–)
December 19th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
@Kim: I agree that Obama has a right to his personal choice. He can choose whoever he pleases, however, his choices are now in the public spotlight and every little thing he does is nuanced.
Being a public figure means he can’t choose a dog without that choice being discussed.
His choice of pastor sends out a not so subtle message to Americans and to anyone watching in the world. The gay community is understandably unhappy with his choice. He chose someone who is anti their political agenda to secure more rights for gays in America. Imagine for a moment if he got some pastor who in the past has been guilty of making racial slurs against black people. Not that he would, but just imagine that he did. That would make many Americans unhappy.
I’m sure every political appointment he makes will receive similar scrutiny. It’s all about who you are and what your personal agenda is. It’s tough to be president, I don’t envy him his job, and I hope that he makes more appropriate choices in future. Everyone is watching him for the changes he promised. I think he made a mistake this time.
December 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
As elated as I was that Obama was elected, I told somebody right away, I feel for him due to the criticisms and persecution he will endure with every decision he makes! i.e. – THIS! But… to be the President of these United States, your shoulders must be broad.
I want prayer for me offered by someone I trust and believe can pray a prayer that will reach heaven! The person who confronts God on behalf of Obama, at the onset of this magnificent job, should be someone Obama feels confident in! Although he is set to run the country, this decision should be his and his alone. Golly….
December 19th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
For starters let me hear an Amen! that Obama didn’t select his long time Pastor Rev Jeremiah Wright.
“Hello! It’s his choice! But, it seems just because the gay/lesbian community voted for Obama, they feel they have a right to tell him who he can choose to pray for him! ” My response: Just as it’s his right to make that choice it is indeed their right to speak out against his choice. Frankly I don’t blame them for having an issue with this, If I was a member of their community I would feel a bit insulted and hurt.
“A slew of people voted for Obama, from various backgrounds, but you don’t hear them making ridiculous demands of him!” – My response: Give it time Tom, Obama made so many promises that he stands no chance of keeping that many more of his supporters will undoubtedly start making demands as his promises prove broken.
“By inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table.” – My response: I honestly see their point but the gay and lesbian community needs to realize one thing, Obama has never supported gay marriage which was painstakingly obvious during one of the debates. Let’s be real, gays and lesbians voted for Obama not because of his stance on gay marriage(obviously) but because he’s not a republican who are VERY vocal about being against gay marriage.
“President-Elect Obama is the president for everyone, not just for select groups of people. Please let this concept sink in – you’ll feel much better and less stressed!” My response: I’m not like one of those idiot Hollywood celebs who state that the president (Referring to Bush) is not my president. I’m a realist and unfortunately Obama will indeed be my president as well. That thought has sunk in and trust me I don’t feel better about it, I actually feel worse. So I will be strapping on a five point racing harness and holding on for dear life because we are headed for a very bumpy ride.
Ryan Kazinecs last blog post..nicolefeaturecolor.jpg
December 19th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Hi Ryan! I know you’re loving this! I just feel your elation through your comment. I thought time would have healed your wound:–)
December 19th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
@Richard and Ryan: In the infamous words of the Godfather movies — “it’s not personal – it’s just business.” OR something along those lines……
December 19th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Kim,
I’m afraid my wound has become seriously infected but don’t worry I’ll be okay. lol. In all seriousness you know I think you guys are great.
Disagreement brings forth a better understanding of whats being discussed. My developer/good friend and I don’t agree on hardly anything when it comes to politics which has made for some great discussions and is probably to thank for the very unique design and functionality of our website. You guys keep doing what your doing, your blog is great and I love disagreeing with you all. lol
Sincerely,
Ryan Kazinec
Ryan Kazinecs last blog post..12 iPhone Apps That Would Dominate (pt. 2)
December 19th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I’m a Brit, and a Wiccan, so I guess I can take a doubly detached view of what is going on over the pond. I have taken a lot of interest in this election. As a baby boomer, I wonder if JFK and Martin Luther King had not died, this day might have come a great deal sooner.
I can understand how some marginalised communities might feel about this issue, but hope these thoughts are appropriate.
Obama must be a president for all US citizens, but IMO he cannot do that with integrity, without being true to himself. He has to show that he can go beyond what he personally believes and ensure that the human rights of everyone are respected.
And isn’t it possible, that by giving Rev. Rick Warren this task, President Elect Obama might also be giving him a profound message that a) maybe he is wrong to dictate his homophobic views to others but b) at the end of the day, he has freedom of belief to think what he wants and to live his own life by his beliefs.
I don’t agree with everything my friends believe or do, but they are still my friends.
All Obama needs to do, is to put those sentiments into a statement. It won’t only pour oil on troubled waters, but will also set a style and a statement of intention for the future.
Jenny Fletchers last blog post..Anger over possible mistakes in my medication
December 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Hi Jenny. Welcome to 7daybuzz. I agree 100% with your statement: “I don’t agree with everything my friends believe or do, but they are still my friends.” I think everyone should begin to embrace that philosophy, especially as it relates to Obama, seeing as how every little step he takes is under a microscope.
NOTE: Did any of you Bobby Brown fans catch the reference to one of his songs in this comment?
December 19th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Here’s an interesting url I found about Obama and his stance on gay rights:
tinyurl dot com/3dkhum
Here’s some quotes from that web page:
Barack Obama believes we need to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. His campaign literature says, “The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve.”
I agree with that fully. Members of the British military, for instance, take part in gay parades in uniform to show that the Royal Armed Forces don’t discriminate based on sexual orientation.
Barack Obama believes gays and lesbians should have the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
Agreed.
Although Barack Obama has said that he supports civil unions, he is against gay marriage. In an interview with the Chicago Daily Tribune, Obama said, “I’m a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman.”
Barack Obama did vote against a Federal Marriage Amendment and opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996.
He said he would support civil unions between gay and lesbian couples, as well as letting individual states determine if marriage between gay and lesbian couples should be legalized.
I think that this is where Obama cops out and fails to follow his previous arguments through logically.
For starters, marriage has nothing to do with religion or morality. Marriage is a legal contract enforced by the government, not by any religious organisation.
Religious ceremonies which surround SOME marriages are mere window dressing. They are not the substance of marriage. If you allow religious arguments to be entertained, then that leads you logically to the place where those heterosexual couples whose marriages do not involve religion are rendered null and void.
Marriage and religion have nothing to do with each other. Marriage is a contract between two people to make a life together. Even the sharing of property is no longer an essential part of the marriage contract.
Whatever marriage used to be it is no longer that. Modern marriage is very different from “traditional marriage”.
March 1st, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Im in the US Army and I have to say the words and discussions i have seen about the military are completely disgusting. The way you talk about the people who serve YOUR country, the people who put THEIR live on the line, they are doing it for people like you. Some of you have no appreciation to these people who dont even know who you are but are willing to give up family, friends, loved ones, and their own lives so that you can see another day in peace in this country. Instead of talking down about homosexuals, why don’t you see all that they are giving you. They are giving you their LIVES. And in return this is what you give them? A life of secrecy and self denial to make YOU PEOPLE happy?! Get over yourselves! this is so selfish when they are doing something 100% selfless, this just goes to show that gays in the military have alot more ball$ than many of you do here. Why dont you go over to the sand box live their life and back at home