In a move that's infuriated some rights activists and other supporters, President-elect Barack Obama has chosen an evangelical minister opposed to same-sex marriage to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.The controversy over the selection of Pastor Rick Warren, reported by Politico.com, threatens to put something of a damper on the inauguration festivities. Warren is the senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California, and he supported a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
Joe Solomonese, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, described the selection of Warren as a "genuine blow" to gays and their supporters. At a news conference Thursday, Obama defended his choice of Warren, saying he wanted America to "come together," even when there's disagreement on social issues.
Warren's selection may also anger conservatives who object to Warren's more liberal views on what the government needs to do to fight poverty. Political Machine reports that some "traditional conservatives" see Warren as an opportunist.
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Other details about the Jan. 20 inauguration are starting to emerge. The Associated Press reports that the day will feature performances by singer Aretha Franklin, as well as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Itzhak Perlman.
Security will be tight with more than 11,000 U.S. troops on hand for the ceremonies.
Get the full story on the Warren flap at Politico.com.
1 comment:
Well, I am not sure I would have chosen who Obama chose, and I voted for Obama. I don't think if it was back in the 60's that Obama would have someone bring Invocation from some one that would think Blacks were not as important as whites, even if he was trying as he puts it to bring the people together. I am sure that is how our brothers and sisters that are gay feel about this choice.
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