12/22/2008
As Obama Bakes, Rick Warren Controversy Simmers
Above, the shirtless Obama shot that's been making the rounds all day from his vacation in Hawaii. The Washington Post calls it "Pec-tacular".
And the Rick Warren controversy continues to simmer.
Lesbian Rep. Tammy Baldwin was named an honorary inauguration co-chair this afternoon. Is this just a bone being thrown to the gays as the Warren flap grows? Honorary co-chairs don't do anything. They're simply honorary.
The OC Register reports that Warren is to be the keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church on the day before the Inauguration. How's that for some civil rights irony?
Americablog reports that anti-gay language which said "someone unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle would not be accepted as a member at Saddleback" has been removed from the church's website:
Aravosis asks: "So does Rick Warren now welcome gays, all gays, as members of his church? Or is he simply embarrassed of his views - embarrassed of God's views, per Warren's own admission? And if Warren is embarrassed of God's views, then what is he doing as a public spokesman on religion? And whose idea was it to remove the anti-gay language? Warren's, or Obama's?"
In the Huffington Post over the weekend, Hilary Rosen looks beyond Rick Warren.
And Barney Frank, who said again on Sunday that it was a mistake for Obama to invite Warren, is suffering from "post-partisan" depression.
Clip AFTER THE JUMP...
Said Frank to 'Late Edition' on CNN Sunday: "Mr. Warren compared same-sex couples to incest. I found that deeply offensive and unfair. If he was inviting the Rev. Warren to participate in a forum and to make a speech, that would be a good thing. But being singled out to give the prayer at the inauguration is a high honor. It has traditionally given as a mark of great respect. And, yes, I think it was wrong to single him out for this mark of respect."
Posted 7:06 PM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Hawaii, Inauguration, News, Rick Warren | Permalink
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Oh Jason, honey. That's not why we were laughing at you.
Posted by: crispy | Dec 23, 2008 9:23:00 AM
if i weren't so pissed at obama for his stupid selection of rick warren for the invocation, i would be drooling over him right now: fit, sexy, handsome, and (almost) always smart.
[good one, CRISPY.]
Posted by: nic | Dec 23, 2008 9:35:34 AM
Enlightened, so you're a buddhist, good for you. Please spare us your proselytizing. It's no different. Just substitute christianity with buddhism. See no difference.
Posted by: Mr. E | Dec 23, 2008 9:45:58 AM
we're all missing the real issue here:
SHOULDN'T WE BE WORRIED THAT THE PAPARAZZI CAN HIDE IN THE BUSHES AND SNAP PICTURES OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT?!?!
What if that were more than a camera he/she was pointing? Rick Warren aside, someone isn't doing their job if the paps can get this shot.
unless it was staged by the Obama camp to show off his man-tits.
Posted by: Dan B | Dec 23, 2008 9:53:35 AM
"Oh Jason, honey. That's not why we were laughing at you."
CRISPY, only Susan Saradon in "Thelma & Louise" could read that sentence the way it should be...next to you, of course.
(I'm still laughing, and I'm Christmas spending broke, honey)
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Dec 23, 2008 12:21:52 PM
Good point DAN B.
As for his looks, nothing is more unattractive than a man who backs a bigot.
Posted by: patrick nyc | Dec 23, 2008 1:38:38 PM
@PATRICK NYC,
of course you are right.
Posted by: nic | Dec 24, 2008 8:17:46 PM