In February 2008 during the democratic primary, in response to criticism that he was more about words than substance, Barack Obama gave a speech in which he extolled the power of words. In that speech, Obama recited the now famous line borrowed from Deval Patrick, “Don’t tell me words don’t matter.” Obama was correct, words do matter. In fact, words can be very powerful. Given his understanding of how much words matter, it is difficult to comprehend how Obama selected Rick Warren, the pastor of the Saddleback Church, to give the invocation at the inauguration. Rick Warren was a strong supporter of Prop 8 in California and recently said that in his view the relationships of gays and lesbians are equivalent to incest, pedophilia and polygamy.

Last night I listened to the debate regarding Obama’s choice of Warren. Obama supporters said that the choice was one of inclusiveness, spiritual bipartisanship and that there is room for everyone under the big tent. These are the same arguments they made last fall when Obama had the anti-gay, ex-gay gospel singer Donnie McClurkin emcee a large public fundraising event in South Carolina. Defending their inclusion of McClurkin, Obama’s camp stressed their vision of ...   more »

Contact any or all of the following. Tell them that Rick Warren must be dropped from the inauguration and that Mr. Obama must publicly apologize for his aggregious attack on the civil and human rights on American citizens!

Phone the Obama Transition Team at 202-540-3000. press “2,” to register your complaint with a person. Be sure to make them write down your information and agree to forward it to Obama.

Write a letter to the transition team using their webform at http://change.gov/page/content/contact

Write to Parag Mehta, Obama’s LGBT liaison on the transition team at parag.mehta@ptt.gov.

Contact members of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies:

Sen. Dianne Feinstein

Sen. Harry Reid

Sen. Bob Bennett

Rep. Nancy Pelosi

Rep. Steny Hoyer

Rep. John Boehner

In the face of this egregious error in judgment by the President -Elect and his transition team, I do believe that our community cannot leave the Rick Warren issue un-commented in the Public Forum of Ideas. Many actions are currently underway to protest the decision to have Rick Warren on the Inaugural platform, and most of them are lobbying and petition-based strategies, which may not be visible to the public-at-large.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT Events to be held today, which were to bring the Rick Warren issue to the public, may not happen in all areas of the country as originally planned, due to the severe weather conditions that have left large potions of the Northeast and Mid-states buried in snow. A great teaching opporunity missed due to Mother Nature; But she might be wise in having us stay our hands.

A suggestion for wide distribution and consideration: BRING THE WHITE KNOT CAMPAIGN TO THE INAUGURATION. As many here within JTI are offended by the symbolism of having such a hate-monger as Rick Warren being given a National platform with the seeming approval of the Nation's new leader, I do believe that a silent eloquent SYMBOL of Our commitment to ...   more »

STAND & TURN YOUR BACK: Protesting Warren @ Inauguration
by panamaniaco Wed Dec 17, 2008 at 04:37:19 PM PST

People aren't going to boycott the inauguration; even if many were, it wouldn't be a very effective form of protest. And it's still a day for us to celebrate. But we've got to do something. And I think we've really got to do something from the inside, that shows what a slap in the face this decision is to true dems, obama supporters, campaigners, etc., oh yeah, and to anyone who actually believes in equal rights under the law.

I feel like a total chump. And I feel that Barack is a compulsive conciliator -- a condition which leads him to cede important ground, whether symbolic or concrete, when it's neither even necessary nor moral to do so. In addition to being gay, I work in wilderness conservation. Because of Salazar alone, I was already disappointed and angry today. No policy decisions had been made yet, however, so it wouldn't be fair to assume the worst based on that selection, etc., etc... but this Warren thing is just ridiculous. RIDICULOUS.

So. I've been speaking to some family about how hurt and ...   more »

Here are a few things you can do: