Video of Robinson invocation; Inauguration Committee nixed broadcast on HBO

I've seen that sign on the left before.

Now, was the decision to make Robinson part of the pre-show made by Obama or a subordinate acting without direction?

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by: Bachalon @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 04:00:43 AM CST

it had to be someone relatively high up & with direction

because this is a pattern and, in a sane world, Obama's people would be super careful about glbt issues right now because of the Rick Warren/12 years ago situations. Obama's team is too smart, too scripted and too on message to ever make this many screw ups in such a short span.  

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by: RyansTake @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 04:30:18 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Doesn't Matter.

If Obama was willing to leave that kind of decision to someone else, if he wasn't willing to make sure that Gene Robinson's prayer was shown on HBO, it shows how little regard he has for LGBTs. There is no way Obama can have been so blind or out-of-touch with reality over the last few weeks that he was unaware of the furore over Warren's inclusion tomorrow, and the significance of Gene Robinson's inclusion today in defusing that particular time-bomb. To my mind this is even worse: you tell someone you're giving them a bone, then change your mind at the last minute? Eternal shame on you Obama!

____________________________________
Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum.

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by: tavdy79 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 04:54:16 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Whoever blacked out the Bishop, same old heterosexual supremacy at work!

My husband and I, together in Love 33 years, are not HBO subscribers; now we would never be. The blackout of Bishop Robinson's prayer at the kick-off event is a disgrace to the Bishop, and to President Obama, who invited him to pray for our new President at the inaugural kick-off event. HBO's blackout disgraces every American who is LGBT, or loves or respects an LGBT - it mostly disgraces HBO, if they were to care at all. We doubt HBO would have blacked-out Warren's inaugural prayer tomorrow had they also been given exclusive coverage of that event. We emailed HBO our objection to their disrespectful blackout of the Bishop. It appears HBO also wishes the Gay Men's Chorus could remain invisible. But without making invisible the presumed heterosexual soloists in front of the chorus, the worst HBO could do, which added to the disgrace, was to render the distinguished chorus anonymous. Shame on HBO for not overriding the committee, if that's where the problem really is!

Rev. Earl David Ball,
Easton, PA

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by: TwoHusbands @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 16:34:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

ugh

I talked about this last night on a blog post, which I updated because of this story, but that was before I knew that HBO definitely didn't do it. I suspected as much, being a veteran of several campaigns, but wasn't 100% sure. The fact of the matter is that message work is so critical and so controlled that it was beyond apparent that none of these things were accidents, especially coming from people as smart and talented as Obama's people. Not Rick Warren, not shushing Robinson yesterday and not even stripping Garth Brooks's pro-equality lyrics. These actions were done with clear intentions and purpose - and someone high up in Obama's team is fueling them, afraid of showing gay people in any position of prominence.  

I'm very nervous with this administration now. Time will tell, but if there isn't real reform - and soon - there's going to be massive protests and possibly even outbursts across the country. I honestly think Obama has weeks, not months and certainly not years, before the glbt community's patience is completely worn thin - if it isn't already too late after today's events.  

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by: RyansTake @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 04:28:23 AM CST

I don't think so

I don't think there will be massive protests and I don't even think there will be massive outrage.

If we protest one of the most popular incoming presidents in history in large numbers based purely on the message we're perceiving from his administration and not his actual policies, the rest of the country won't understand it.

We need to push Obama, and we need to push him seriously, but we need to pick our battles in a smart way.


I'm only a click away.

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by: JulieWaters @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 05:02:50 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Smart -- that's the word here, Julie ...

... and I couldn't agree more.

  The thought that this was a mistake is silly. Or that the Warren pick was a mistake or a thoughtless act.  There hasn't been very many thoughtless acts (if any) from the Obama camp, its crazy to think they're having so many now.

 Yes, let it be known when we dislike something, but the reactionary sort among us, those who jump up and pull their hair out hysterically at every turn only make us all look small.  IMHO, they are to LBGT equality what evangelical nuts like Fred Phelps are to 'upstanding Christianity'.

   We know Obama is smart.  We should at least be willing to wait 'til he's been in office and set new policies that are clearly to our detriment before we throw fits.  Well, any more fits.  

... where Same Gender Love rules.

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by: TaylorSiluwe @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:05:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

yeah, right ...

" We should at least be willing to wait 'til he's been in office and set new policies that are clearly to our detriment before we throw fits."

That's it! Wait until we're truly fucked, and THEN protest!

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by: rx7ward @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:19:31 AM CST

[ Parent ]

isn't that why everybody said we lost prop h8?

Because we waited until after we were screwed to protest?  And now that is being suggested as a plan of action?  Thank you rx7ward, for your anger and comment.  I am right there with you.

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by: Tom P @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 10:45:42 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Screw You

If it wasn't for those who jump up and pull their hair out hysterically at every turn you wouldn't have the rights you currently enjoy.  I and those like me do not appreciate your assinine comparrison of us to Fred Phelps.  I have been fighting for GLBTQ equality for over 20 years, having come out in the 80's in conservative Fresno, California as a college student, who spoke to Human Sexuality classes about being gay in the early 80's.  Actions that put my very life at risk on more than one occassion.

If we hadn't thrown a fit about Warren, then noone outside a few blogs would have any idea that there is a pattern emerging and one that needs to be addressed NOW, not tomorrow.

Sorry, I don't procrastinate and wait until the damage is already done.  If we wait until he screws up the actual policy, where does that leave us?  Actually screwed.

The trollish sounding blogger formerly known as BURNSEY

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by: R.K. Wright @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 11:38:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

EXACTLY.

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by: ggw59 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:18:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't agree with you here

I definitely don't agree that there's anyone supporting gay rights who's anything remotely like our version of Fred Phelps.  That's actually a very offensive thing to suggest.

We need people to yell and shout and put themselves on the line from time to time.  We need them to yell and shout, however, about things that will connect with the public.  I don't see how this particular case would do so.  

We also don't need to wait for him to set policies.  We definitely need to be part of the conversation and we need to be part of the conversation now.  What we need, however, is for our objections and battles to be about policy and not about whether or not we feel snubbed.

I'm only a click away.

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by: JulieWaters @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 14:09:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You do understand politics, right???

If one doesn't speak out when publicly humiliated or slighted, then when the policies get hammered out in PRIVATE you get the full shaft because you didn't speak out.

You can pick your battles and fight them when YOU choose to, and i will pick mine and fight them when I choose to.  That's the great thing about such a large and diverse group, we can fight more than one battle at one time.  

The battle may not be important to you, but I have fought for the last 10 years to get my husband to become involved in politics and voting and being active, and along comes this crap, more and more each day around us and religous apeasement, and he now no longer wishes to vote.  Today he said screw them, they are no different than Bush.  

I prefer to try and keep people like my husband from becomming disenfranchised because of stupid mistakes like this.  Is it worth the loss of newly activated voters, for us to sit and remain silent?  Maybe for you, but not for me.  

The trollish sounding blogger formerly known as BURNSEY

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by: R.K. Wright @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:27:10 PM CST

[ Parent ]

oh come on. . .

Unfortunately, the Phelps gang gets more media attention, so no . .I don't see anything offensive from taking a page out of the fundie playbook, you fight fire with fire.

Yell and shout "from time to time" . . . what?  . .only when it's comfortable for whom? Just where has that gotten us?

Apparently "God Hates Fags" connects with the public.

Part of setting policy is having a seat at the table. My seat looks more and more like a scene from the Marx Brothers . . .beautiful chair, offered by handsome men. . . .but then the collapsible legs are HILLARIOUS.

Our new President can envoke the words "gay and straight, disabled or not" another thousand times, but we will not be part of the conversation unless we stand up for ourselves  . . .vocally  . . .and with our bodies on the streets.

Are we really just upset over a snub? . .NO . .this is much more than just a snub, it's a slimy kick in the ass to the integrity of a beloved religious leader who was brought onto the international stage as a symbol of unity and inclusion . . .only to devolve into a quagmire of more of the same "change we can believe in (unless you're a fag)".

I'm an athiest, and I still believe that Robinson deserves an apology. . . .shamefull.

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by: ggw59 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:39:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

No

Apparently "God Hates Fags" connects with the public.

Not even remotely.

I'm only a click away.

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by: JulieWaters @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:44:36 PM CST

[ Parent ]

No

You take the meaning of my post in wrong context.

As reprehensible as it is, the term "God Hates ____" has become a brand. . .Fred and his brood could easily trademark the phrase.

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by: ggw59 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 17:19:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

But it doesn't "connect with the public"

I'm only a click away.

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by: JulieWaters @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 18:28:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

you misunderstand

our problem isn't with the public. Actually, the public is already on our side with most of our needs - especially things like ENDA, but even legally recognized partnerships at this point.

what we need is the pols in DC to realize that. What we need, actually, is for them to be a little afraid of us, like they're constantly afraid of the evangelical base. If they were as afraid of our movement as they are Rick Warrens, we'd have had marriage equality in the freaking early 90s.

Everything else you say, I agree with - including not waiting for Obama to set the policies. But we have to be on him because if he pushes them and makes them an actual priority, they'll pass in no time. Heck, as Commander in Chief, he could get something like DADT repealed in no time, making the case that it's hurting our defense and intelligence efforts (true stories).  

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by: RyansTake @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:45:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I agree that our problem isn't with the public on the issues, but...

...what I'm saying is that whether or not Gene Robinson was broadcast over HBO (or anywhere else) is not an issue that will click with anyone but us and if we focus on non-issues such as that, we're not going to make as much progress as we are just waste our energy.

Sure I'm pissed off about the Gene Robinson thing.  But in the big picture, it's irrelevant.

I'm only a click away.

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by: JulieWaters @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 17:16:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

no we need to focus on these kinds of issues, as well as others

We're not making a public plea, we're making a personal one to Washington, D.C.

I don't need to convince America that a mistake was made, I need to convince Obama and national Democrats that if they keep on this course, they'll regret it - losing gay dollars, volunteers and support. Given that we're some of the biggest dollars in the party and most active volunteers, and vote at the highest rates (rates that determine MANY elections), the party should be scared. Very scared.

But we've been polite over the years and they've been confused. Time to end that confusion. It's our way or the highway. We've waited long enough. No public appeals. Just ruthless politics.  

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by: RyansTake @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 17:34:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Gene Robinson is not a "non-issue".

Robinson is a person deserving of our pride and support, regardless of religion.

Robinson has stood up for You and Me in the face of bigotry for years.

Robinson has been the subject of much worse hate and bigotry than just what happened yesterday.

Robinson was thrown onto our national stage once again as a bone to appease and offset the inclusion of "purpose drivel"Warren, and yesterday, the treatment was abhorrent.

Does Robinson get an apology from ANYONE?

I apologize to Gene Robinson REGARDLESS OF FAULT.

YES, It's an issue.

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by: ggw59 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 17:56:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Gene Robinson would be the first tell you...

...that he is not the issue here.

I'm only a click away.

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by: JulieWaters @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 18:28:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

so let me get this straight

you a) recognize that these slights weren't likely mistakes and b) don't give a damn?

Obama has shown that he'll take the easy way out. If we don't get moved into action now, he's not going to put his prioritized efforts into passing our bills if it'll come at the cost of spending his efforts on, perhaps, funding faith-based initiatives. Anything for the Rick Warren crowd, right?

Seriously, the remainders of our movement who haven't grown a backbone ought to do so soon or stay out of the way. Otherwise, too many mixed signals and they'll ruin it for everyone in the movement.

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by: RyansTake @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:40:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Remember suffrage??

The democrats held majorities in both houses of Congress.  The president was a democrat.  WWI was raging.

And still the unpopular suffragists stood in the freezing cold in front of the White House demanding attention.

The time to make a stink is not when the scandals begin or when the President has a chance to consider his options.  

We need to raise hell starting January 20 or we are behind the curve.  

Do you think anyone else is going to be polite?

Lets stop strategizing ourselves into a corner for once.

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by: Patrick @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 11:19:32 AM CST

[ Parent ]

it is smart

sharing the same opinions and priorities are two vastly different things.

If we continue to try to be polite to the political establishment, they'll continue to think it's okay to crap on us and show us little to no respect.  

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by: RyansTake @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:36:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

ROBINSON

Anybody who thinks Robinson did not make the HBO cut because of homophobia is kidding themselves.
It's clearly an entertainment decision.
This show was beautifully scripted merging Lincoln, King and Obama.
Robertson's long political prayer was in no way connected to the sheer joy of the spectacular celebration that followed. Let's face it - the prayer was pretty much a downer.
If HBO had included it, 90 percent of the TV audience would have switched to something else before that fabulous brass fanfare began.

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by: rudyinbama @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 05:57:13 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Plausible enough

I don't have HBO and didn't watch their coverage.  I did, however, read the transcript of VGR's speech.  Given the content, I agree that it is  plausible that non-LGBT-related objections to the content of the speech formed a major part of the motivation for not trumpeting it.

However, if the other posters here are correct and the the Obama team had a hand, if not the final say, in not broadcasting the speech, then I must disagree about what those other objections were.  If CNN decided not to show this, I can believe that the decision was sbout entertainment value.  If Obama did, it seems more likely to have been because he would rather have fawning and non-critical admiration than challenges and reminders of ills needing redress broadcast at his inauguration.

Not that I would blame him for that, of course.  He is a politician, after all.

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by: pgraydon @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:25:36 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Correction

I don't blame him for not wanting to see challenges and ills discussed at his inaguration.  I do think that this largely negates whatever value adding Robinson to the list of speakers had as an olive branch to the LGBT community following Warren’s selection.

I am still angry about the Warren selection.  I will reserve the real shouting-in-the-streets reaction for later, after he has been in office long enough to judge him on his acts and not symbolism.  (Although that’s going to be hard enough, as most of the LGBT community’s demands and his promises focused on legislative goals that he can’t achieve on his own.)

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by: pgraydon @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:39:58 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Spectacular performance

Although I feel left out because no recognition of LGBT family members, but let's face it.  Robinson was a dull priviledged white man and the crowd was secular, giggling, snapping photos, ect..  Didn't look like anyone was praying to me, not even Robinson standing at a podium.. It was more a speech than prayer.  That god of many understandings must be laughing it's ass off.   America is becoming secular and used to being entertained at church, the god stuff isn't that important and I hope it stays that way.  Entertainer Reverend Wright would have gotten HBO's attention but he is the only clergy I could imagine would  at that event.  

Same-Sex Marriage is good for the economy.

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by: CharlesMerrill @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 09:29:55 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Excuse me?

Obama invited Bishop Robinson. If he didn't want a "dull privileged white man," he shouldn't have been invited. Inviting him and then insulting him is totally uncalled for. That's is why I think Obama gets off on slapping gays around.

The "God of many understandings" makes the prayer universal instead of praying to Jesus.

In fact, that's something I've noticed: Every person I've seen on the list of clergy is Christian. We have lots of people in the U. S. who have faiths other than Christian.

After the huge insult of inviting anti-civil rights activist Warren to give the invocation at the inauguration, Obama invited Bishop Robinson to give the invocation at the Lincoln Memorial, and then humiliated and slapped him.

As for HBO: HBO broadcast the event. They didn't produce it. It was Obama that put Robinson earlier than 2:30 so that he wouldn't be included in the HBO broadcast.

It appears to me that Obama thinks the "We" in "We Are One" means "heterosexual Christians."

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 09:59:16 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Episcopalians are Christian

As you know, the Anglican (Episcopal) Church broke off with the Catholic Church because Henry VIII wanted a divorce.  Just because Bishop Robinson was in an AA recovery program and indoctrinated into a "higher power" concept of god, doesn't mean that he is not viewed as a Bishop in a Christian religion by President Elect Obama.  He was a gay drunk Bishop believing in Jesus.  Now that he is sober he believes in the nonsense of "god of many understandings".  Still an unreasonable supernatural explanation of the origins of the universe.

Same-Sex Marriage is good for the economy.

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by: CharlesMerrill @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:35:14 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You are sadly ignorant of the origins of the Anglican Church.

There was just a teensy bit of power politics involved in it.  You need to do some reading, Charles.

As for Robinson not invoking Jesus, good for him!  He was making an effort to include all Americans in that prayer, not exclude non-christians.  And rightly so.  It is truly ironic that he actually lived up to Obama's "We Are One" rhetoric but was the one Obama silenced.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:42:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The main cause of split

Right out of the history book:
"1534 - The Anglican church split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534 CE. The main cause was a dispute between King Henry VIII of England and the pope over the king's need to annul his marriage. The Anglican Church became the state church of England. It now ...The Anglican church split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1534 CE. The main cause was a dispute between King Henry VIII of England and the pope over the king's need to annul his marriage. The Anglican Church became the state church of England. It now consists of many affiliated provinces (national churches) across the world, such as the Episcopal Church, USA and the Anglican Church of Canada. During the past two centuries, there have been efforts made to reunify the two ..."
 

Same-Sex Marriage is good for the economy.

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by: CharlesMerrill @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 16:15:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

your history book is naive.

yes, the divorce thing was a convenient happenstance to trigger a divide.  but the real motivations wasn;t the desire for a divorce, it was the desire of henry and the church of england to be independent of the bishop of rome.  in other words, local power versus capitulating to remote power.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 19:59:29 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Lurleen you are rude

Shouldn't call people you don't know ignorant.

Same-Sex Marriage is good for the economy.

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by: CharlesMerrill @ Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 21:27:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't agree

Seems like you are being an apologist...

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by: Tom P @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 10:47:58 AM CST

[ Parent ]

weeks??!! try days!

With evidence mounting to implicate the Obama team in the str8-washing of We Are One broadcast, on top of the Warren pick and the clarity of Obama's shift away from marriage equality, he and his administration will have days--maybe only hours--to re-validate themselves as friends of LGBTQ Americans.  Of course, the sycophants at HRC will toe the line in support of the new president, but they will quickly find themselves in the minority among Queer Americans and, I hope, be forced into the rubble pile of history in the process.  

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by: greatwhitebear @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 07:31:11 AM CST

[ Parent ]

thread thin

and We're afraid the thread has been through the wash a few too many times.

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by: ggw59 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:57:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Major gaydar raging on that photo

Oh girlfriends you'd better get rid of the goatees and shaved head look. MAJOR 'motential there. Hyper macho guys usually, when really shitfaced, can go 'mo real easy. Puhleez...is that more than one fabric you're wearing? Leviticus says that we should stone you to death.

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by: bostonian queer in dallas @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 05:59:38 AM CST

Why is it

that these pictures always show people who have no chance of getting laid?

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 06:04:26 AM CST

Huh?

That polar bear (blue jeans, black beanie hat & coat, "Trust Jesus" in red on his tee) could probably get some attention if he wanted. Of course he'd have to find himself a new heart, his current one is frozen solid.

____________________________________
Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum.

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by: tavdy79 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 06:52:46 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I agree Rainbow ...

... there is nothing in that picture I'd want to see gyrating in a g-string.  If one of those guys came onstage at my favorite strip bar, I'd find a new strip bar. ;-)  

... where Same Gender Love rules.

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by: TaylorSiluwe @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:13:21 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Let's see

How Brian Bond spins this.
And, for an unrelated observation, what's the world coming to if TEH GHEYS, of all people, are edited out because we're not entertaining enough?  

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by: hardcorps80204 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 07:30:27 AM CST

HBO Free

Here is the broadcast most who don't get HBO missed.

http://www.hbo.com/weareone/

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by: Wes @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 07:42:05 AM CST

We are what?

The theme was We Are One, but where does that leave us?  I guess we're one-half.

The following report from the NYT is deeply ironic without the writer even realizing it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01...

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:20:51 AM CST

It's time to boycott HBO

I'm glad Barack Obama will be our president in many, many ways, but I am very disappointed in how he has catered to some of the worst elements of American Society.  This act is worthy of the Bush Administration.

I have no doubt that it was a mutual decision, not simply the Obama campaign.  I would be willing to bet the Episcopal Church had a lot to do pressuring both entities.

If you have HBO, cancel that part of your service. (I don't have it, and I sure as heck won't be getting it now.)  Next...let both HBO and President 2B Obama of your strongest disappointment in this act of theirs.  

We really cannot boycott a president...but we can let him know how upset we are.  As sad as I am to say this, I will not be watching the election.   This is too damn much for for me.

I really, really want so many of the changes in America that he has promised.  I really, really want to share in a nation with the "Audacity of Hope." All the right wing folks have ever offered this country is a "Mendacity of Hope" or even a "Paucity of Hope."  I am so sorry that this has happened; please, please, please don't bring on even more of a fight for our rights.

Hate stops a beating heart.

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by: KarenS @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:34:28 AM CST

It isn't HBO

Obama, or his team made the decision.

HBO wasn't hired to produce the program - only to broadcast it.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:54:00 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I sorry...

but I don't buy it that HBO didn't at least have input.  It's a little hard for anyone to say with precision, though, unless they were there.  I was not.

That said, I fully hold the Obama team responsible for deciding to um, de-emphasize Bishop Robinson's role in the inaugaration celebration.  

Hate stops a beating heart.

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by: KarenS @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 09:31:58 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Timing

HBO's broadcast was scheduled to start at 2:30, Gene Robinson started at 2:15. Scheduling was arranged so that he would speak before the broadcast started. It wasn't the fault of HBO.

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by: JoshMich @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 14:04:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

HBO has lots of good GLBT movies

And they have been supportive of our goals in the past.  Calling for their boycott, because they followed their contract with the producers of the event seems silly, if not misguided.

The trollish sounding blogger formerly known as BURNSEY

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by: R.K. Wright @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 11:44:16 AM CST

[ Parent ]

We're leaving for DC in about an hour

I'm going to DC with my husband and grandchildren to protest Obama's inauguration.

We had decided we would only protest Warren, but after yesterday, we will be protesting Obama.

The only way to get anything out of Obama is to make it politically expensive to attack gays and politically easier to support equal rights for all people.

I think that brute force is the only thing he understands and we must apply it.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:48:35 AM CST

Inauguration Slap in the Face

I can't tell you how low I think this betrayal is.

This is a really bad sign concerning what all progressives can expect from this Administration, all along the agenda.

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by: Gaius Sempronius Gracchus @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:53:16 AM CST

We Are One - NOT

It's "We Are Straight"

or maybe

"We Are NOT Gay"

or

"We Are One Except for the Fags"

It is most definitely not

"We Are One"

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 08:58:41 AM CST

HBO didn't identify the Gay Men's Chorus either

no announcement, no subscript on screen.

We were included, but no one is supposed to know that.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 09:14:33 AM CST

[ Parent ]

If this decision was made by the Obama team too,

then that clinches it.  I'm awaiting confirmation (if any comes) that this wasn't HBO's decision any more than the marginalizing of Robinson was.  If that confirmation comes (and why do I feel sure it will?), only the most dogged Obama lovers will keep trying to defend him.

(I also want to hear what the collaborationist bishop thinks of all this.  Wanna bet he'll have lots of [feeble] excuses for it?)

I just love the clowns who keep telling us to "wait till he's actually in office."  How clear do the signals have to be for these people?  Denial is human and understandable.  Willful denial is just plain stupid.  If someone pulls a knife on you, and is holding it at your throat, and the tip is puncturing your skin, what sense does it make to say "Let's wait to see if he actually stabs me before we do anything"?  Like, let's wait to see if we get more in the vein of DADT and DOMA?  Sure, that strategy makes sense.  Right.

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.  -Archbishop Desmond Tutu

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by: QScribe @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 09:37:03 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Nor other groups

Yes, I wish they'd been identified. But, except for the Naval Academy Glee Club, I don't believe any choruses were identified (not even the bunch of cute schoolkids in blue or red windbreakers).

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by: S1 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 09:42:46 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You're right

I watched the whole thing and there was no slap in the face aimed at that Gay Men's Chorus--most of the choral groups were not identified in any way.

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 11:50:29 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Did anyone else notice...

that it appears as though the "Official Street Preacher" on the far of the picture has misspelled "Official" in the website's url (i.e. "offical") on his sign?  It could be the angle, but I suspect otherwise.

Hate stops a beating heart.

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by: KarenS @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 09:42:50 AM CST

I thought that, too--

--but the web site spelled correctly does show up on Google.


"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 11:38:45 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Here's My Two Cents:

Latest FaBlog: Barack Obama's Structuring Absence

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by: David Ehrenstein @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 09:47:45 AM CST

The totally sad part is

The sad part is that Obama didn't have to invite Warren to give the invocation to reach out to Evangelicals.

I'm sure there are Evangelicals who would not have been offensive to anyone. Unfortunately, Obama didn't choose one of them. Instead he chose Warren, knowing full well it would cause protestations and anger.

Obama isn't even sworn in yet and I'm ready for the next election.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 10:08:22 AM CST

I saw this coming...

I didn't vote for president this year...the first year ever I didn't vote for a Democrat...I just voted for everything else, and then left that blank.  

After the South Carolina Homophobic Road Show, I felt Obama had decided he didn't need my vote.

I had decided that I would wait to see how he would treat gays once in office, and then maybe vote for him in 2012...but now, I'm glad I didn't vote for President in '08, and I won't be voting in 12 unless something changes.  

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by: Tom P @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 10:59:16 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Not cool

The thing about Gene Robinson and the Gay Men's Chorus really bugs me. It's almost as if someone on Team Obama is trying to figure out the absolute minimal amount of gay that they can include (in the inauguration, administration, etc.) and still make the gays happy, or at least shut up.  

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by: halloweenjack @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 10:16:05 AM CST

well it ain't a workin'

This "bare minimum" definitely didn't make the gays happy or satisfied...except those who are looking for any reason they can to still accept that Obama is pro-equal rights.

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by: Tom P @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 10:56:53 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Not even to make LGBT people happy.

I think the goal is to give enough coverage (or the impression of coverage) to keep sympathetic cis-gendered heterosexuals on board.  He's not pushing for my vote (he'd rather keep his slice of the evangelicals on board), but he still wants to keep my mother's vote.

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by: M @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 12:12:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Yep...

...he's showing Democrats that our rights are not a "real" issue for the party.  We're just a special interest group that needs to be gestured toward occasionally--in a way that doesn't "detract" from the "important" things.

"Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain" -- Iowa state motto

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by: Sportin' Life @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 16:45:06 PM CST

[ Parent ]

If someone has a contact to Brian Bond ,Obama's so called LGBT liason please post it

I have somethings to say DIRECTLY to him.
If no one else at that damn team should know what an affront and disrespect this not airing Bishop Robinson's speech, and how hot the BLOWBACK would be Bond SHOULD HAVE.
So either he is treated as a mere token who has no advisory position, or he isn't doing his job.

CNN was showing Rosa Park's lawyer, and the handwritten notes of Dr King, and mentioned this was about 10 people working and meeting in Dr King's home who launched nearly the entire Civil Rights movement...it made me think.
Dr King was an annoyance in many ways pushing Kennedy and later Johnson to not just give lip service but to actually DO SOMETHING. Bishop Robinson may be MORE the fulfilment of Dr. King than Barack.  

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 10:38:37 AM CST

If some of you are suprised by this

...I really don't know why....didn't you all see the "presidental debate" on LOGO...Obama had no qualms about marriage equality not being on the table...No qualms of stating to the target LGBT audience that "god was in the mix" when it comes to civil equality.

The only thing I'm left "hoping" for now is ending the war in at least Iraq...Afganistan is a mess and likely to remain so.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 11:28:10 AM CST

The Invocation itself

The text was very stirring, so I was surprised to watch the clip and find myself unmoved, thinking, "Why is his delivery so flat and uninspiring?" Has anyone heard him in another venue? Is that just his typical style?

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 11:40:30 AM CST

These fellows (bad actors) are not acting in a Christian manner.

Christ taught love of neighbor.

Christ taught us that if any would not accept the message of love that "dusting off your heels" as a rebuke was the remedy.

Well their message to their neighbors, all of us, isn't loving and signs and bullhorns aren't dusting off you heels.

So in the end these guys are acting in an anti-Christ way designed to discredit the real messages of Christ.

Christ is open to all who seek Him.  He loves you and you and you too, all of us.

This is why Rick Warren is so wrong.  He claims to be Christ like and Christian but bars the way to heaven for anyone who doesn't walk the way he thinks they should.  By putting this bloated pretender on a national stage Obama makes him the de-facto religious leader of the country.

And he's not even as liberal as good old anti-Christ Billy Gramm.

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by: mike mid city @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 12:00:02 PM CST

we are TWO

   http://img.villagephotos.com/p...

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 12:01:51 PM CST

Well, on the plus side

at least this gives us more ammo for when it comes time to force Obama to do something policy related.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 12:06:48 PM CST

more ammo?

a) we can't wait for "when it comes time" we need to make it the time now

and b) it's only ammo if we use it and it's explosive. So far, there's far too many people in our community asking us to be polite - and the ammo has been totally disrespected by the Obama administration. We need to show that it's explosive. Pronto.  

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by: RyansTake @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:58:11 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It's not time yet

because he's not in office yet.  

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Tue Jan 20, 2009 at 02:07:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

religous inclusion?

do i think a christian fascist nut job had something to do with this unfortunate episode? YES.
do i think obama was personally in on it? NO
i am getting concerned that we are becoming a high maintenance group for obama. he doesn't need this now. and i am not willing to spend our 'political capital' on religious inclusion. i am sorry for gene robinson, but we have bigger fish to fry folks.

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by: horus @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 12:21:04 PM CST

High maintenance?

i am getting concerned that we are becoming a high maintenance group for obama. he doesn't need this now. and i am not willing to spend our 'political capital' on religious inclusion. i am sorry for gene robinson, but we have bigger fish to fry folks.

So, um, just a couple of questions here.

1) Since when did expecting to be treated like citizens become "high maintenance"?

2) What political capital? So far I've seen no evidence that he thinks we have any.

3) What makes you think he'll even bother to show up if we do stage this hypothetical fish fry of yours? He's been notably MIA for everything else.

Cause any fool knows, a dog needs a home; a shelter from pigs on the wing

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by: QueerInSoCal @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:36:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Sports Nuts?

They're an abomination too now?  I guess that makes me 3 for 5

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by: shaz4005 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 12:23:59 PM CST

Take This As An Opportunity

What may have been an attempted erasure of the Rt Rev Gene Robinson's invocation has become another opportunity to raise our voices and act for justice.

One thing we did in our household was to learn more about Bayard Rustin.  As one of the architects of the Civil Rights movement in the US he gets little recognition because he was Gay.  A year before his death in 1987 Rustin said:

"Twenty-five, thirty years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian."

Here's a link to a film by Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer called: "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin" -
http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2002...

And yes, we plan to do what we are led to do by God, to help the Obama administration live up to their promises.

kw

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by: Kizziewrites @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 12:35:31 PM CST

as i said on my blog

as i said on my blog, if it was shown on showtime, alice pieszecki would have been standing behind the reverend flashing her boobies.

"blogtopia - yes! i coined that phrase!"

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by: skippy @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 12:55:51 PM CST

Pam quoted on Southern Voice about Bishop Robinson

   http://www.southernvoice.com/t...

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:15:30 PM CST

i wrote Rachel Maddow asking her to mention the media blackout of the prayer

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:16:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]

OMFG!

Those protesters get around!  Those are the same guys that protest all of the Southern California pride parades!

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by: SisterIona @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:23:59 PM CST

Jason Linkin's column from HuffPo

   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

thanks Jason

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:34:39 PM CST

Leah McElrath Renna's Huff Po column too

   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...

"Sources contacted at the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) have not yet responded with official comment or explanation"

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:40:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Heterobigots

My husband and I made out in front of these DBs not once but twice--once when coming into the event and once when leaving.

On the way out, as we started to get freaky, several straight couples gently pushed us forward with the encouraging words, "get your cuddle on right up front."  And so we did.

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by: JTW @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 13:51:34 PM CST

Same old, same old

This is just more of a pattern.  Obama seems to think he is smarter than everyone else.  His hubris will be his downfall.

He has made it clear he neither understands, nor respects the LGBT community (if by "community" you mean a group of bickering, angry, self important, "leaders".).

To those who say WAIT  --  just remember, "Silence = DEATH"

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by: tsokol1 @ Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 15:09:59 PM CST