Because if we don't worry about ourselves how can we expect others to worry about us.

It just seems to me that Obama could have picked somebody who wasn't SO far to the extreme. There are countless ministers out there he could have selected who don't harbor such extreme views (or is at least smart/savvy enough to voice them publicly or written in his books and website).

The choice wasn't that all surprising to me personally. Those of us who have followed Obama from the beginning of his run know that he is an inclusionary, not exclusionary as Bush. That is to say while he may not, and does not agree with Warren in many views, it is his style to bring someone with an opposing view to the table to begin a dialogue. I think he understands that by refusing to accept anothers point of view just because you disagree with someone, closes the dialogue. This is how he operates, and I expect more of the same style of thinking and actions from Obama. I don't care for Warren any more than anybody else here and couldn't disagree with him more, but I totally get WHY Obama picked him. I have read many. many stories about Obamas record of gay support from many who know him extremely well. The stories are documaneted in articles written in the Advocate. Obama may not be supportive of gay marriage just yet, but he is totally supportive of gays and lezbians, and always has been.

Openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson will offer a prayer @ an inaugural event. This is good news considering the natl & intl attn he's been getting, both pro & con.

This is important:

In some ways you have to feel sorry for Obama, what with every minority group needing to be appeased in some way. And when you make one group happy, you make another angry. But certainly the Gene Robinson announcement is a positive sign.

I'm Catholic, and I'm not offended in the least. Speak for yourself, hater Bill Donohue. Jesus would welcome this news with open arms. Deal with it.

Huh? What "restrictions"? A snippet of Bob Casey Jr. speech has frequently been featured on political shows since the Democratic Convention. Remember, he was the one who called John McCain George W. Bush's "sidekick." And yes, he supported Obama before many other Democrats did.

CC, I always read your posts and really respect you. So don't take this as criticism, but sometimes you do repeat stuff that comes straight out of the right. The Democrats have never "banned" any anti-abortion Democrats from speaking at their conventions. Bob Casey Sr., who's always cited as the example of this, refused to commit fully to Bill Clinton and Al Gore. That is why he did not speak at the convention. Not because he was anti-abortion.

In fact, isn't the Majority Leader of the Senate, Harry Reid, anti-abortion? I believe he is, and he received one of the lowest ratings of any Democrat from NARAL. The Democrats get on my nerves a lot too, but let's not believe the right-wing frames and lies about them.

The feeling is mutual, believe it or not.



I must confess that sometimes I intentionally will play Devil's Advocate because I see so many people not just here but in many places who often sound like Kool-Aid drinkers and can never get past some blind ideology. Maybe that's why I presently am just so ambivalent toward the major political parties. I dunno.



Truthfully, I'm having a hard time believing anything any politician says right now.

I'd add, "What part of inclusion do you not understand? Inclusion is UNCONDITIONAL Mr. Donohue!"



I'm sure you know but that is also the case w/ those on the right (especially the far right). They, too, drink tons of Kool-Aid.

I never said it wasn't. However, I don't hang out or socialize on right-wing sites, so I don't see as many of them as I do of us here.

I figured that kiddo!

You would argue with someone who stated that the sky is blue.

You twist everything around to your own interpretation- which is fine- but you also never take the time to listen.

As a previously committed born-again Christian--who now identifies as a recovered born-again Christian--I beg to differ!

There are some things that only right-wing radio hosts talk about, and Bob Casey at the convention is one of them.

That's what listening to AM radio will do to a guy. Before you know it, you start involuntarily reciting talking points on obscure issues like card check, the Fairness Doctrine, and ACORN, and using the term "liberal Democrat" as a slightly naughty pejorative. In advanced stages of affliction, one begins to replace "Democratic" with "Democrat" as an adjective, declare that Sarah Palin just might have been a decent president, and other assorted sillinesses. Stay away from Sean Hannity, my friends.

Fantomas I know what you're saying, but I don't like the word anti-abortion because NO ONE is pro abortion. The Republican mantra that Democrats support killing babies is so black and white and doesn't recognize the circumstances around it. I'm pro choice but I'm certainly not pro abortion. I simply believe that the law should not dictate what a woman does with her body when no one knows the circumstances behind it. Now these women who use abortion as birth control I vehemently disagree with, but I'm not going to be pro life for all the rest of the women who do it for a variety of other reasons such as health of the mother, rape, incest, or whatever other reason. And, even if a woman does use it as a form of birth control its none of my f*cking business. She will have to live with the moral consequences and medical difficulties to her body with repeat abortions.

Here's a question: why does Bill Donohue get to speak for more than 67-77 million Catholics in the country? Why does anyone give this nut the time of day? He should have been ignored after he stirred up people over the Sensation show at the Brooklyn Museum and completely misrepresented Chris Ofili's painting "The Holy Virgin Mary."



Mdterp, I hear you. But I have a serious problem with the term "pro-life," because it only applies to anti-abortion folks, many of whom show little concern whatsoever for other "life" issues, like the suffering of millions of already born human beings who are in war zones, or starving, or on death row, and so on. Our anti-abortion president launched a war against a nation of people based on a lie, and even joked about this on more than one occasion. Is that "pro-life"? The term loses all meaning under the circumstances.

And actually there *are* people who are "pro-abortion." Not for all women all the time, but for themselves. They believe in it. I consider myself pro-choice and pro-women's reproductive rights and choices. But I would also rather that every single woman have access to truly affordable reproductive health facilities, counseling and contraception, funded by the government no matter what, and safe abortifacient drugs if they need them.

Well you make a good point about the term "pro life" as well fantomas.

Yes, I have always raised the issues, that fantomas raised, to "pro-lifers." I often argued that if you are truly pro-life--in a literal/strict sense--then you'd be against war & the death penalty too! Most support both.

Dang! This weekend up until the 20th DC is gonna be hopping! I can't wait.

The boyfriend and I just arrived in Georgetown for the weekend's festivities. We are staying with a couple we know who recently moved here. There is going to be so much going on this weekend starting tonight and its going to be virtually non stop between tonight and late into Inauguration night. I'll be watching the AFC and NFC Championship games from my phone because the We Are One Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial is at 230pm on Sunday and thats the one with Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder, and Shakira just to name a few.

Here is a link for many of the festivities this weekend.

Inauguration Calendar

For anyone coming down, enjoy it...soak it up....cherish the moment. It is truly an amazing moment in history. Have a great weekend all.

Wow did I love the Obama inauguration concert today at the Lincoln Memorial. For those who didn't catch it on HBO, it's a great show and packed with a 'whos who' list of artists. The most moving part of it for me was seeing the DC Gay Men's Chorus performing with Heather Headley and Josh Groban in front of the hundreds of thousands gathered there and the millions watching on TV. To see a gay chorus singing at an inaugural concert for a black president on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was very moving. It was terrific and gave me chills! Here's the YouTube clip.

DADT or Don't Ask, Don't Tell is something I'd like to see go away. I know a few in-the-closet gays who work in the Armed Forced and are on active duty at the moment.

It's a pity bishop Gene Robinson's opening prayer was not included in the broadcast from the inaugural concert. At least it wasn't shown in the live version we saw here in Finland. I heard he was on ten minutes before the televized portion started.

I caught that segment after it had started-- did the choir had their name shown on screen? It seemed like they didn't announce the singers, but showed their name on screen. Perhaps because I was flipping channels, but there were a number of times when there was a choir singing backup (such as with Garth Brooks) that I didn't see who they were.

Re: Gene Robinson's invocation
AfterElton.com says:

Here's the text of what Robinson said.

Yeah! When we were watching the concert yesterday, I said to my bf & sis "Hey! I think that must be one of the Gay Men's Chorus, probably DCs." My sis was heartened by it.

Also, I was disappointed that Bishop Robinson's prayer was not part of the show or at least would have gotten more coverage. Based on the linked text on here, however, it was a VERY nice prayer.

Gotta love all of the readers/performers gleaming smiles. I especially loved Bono's enjoyment of the historical moment.

Finally, also gotta REALLY love a prez that can "get down!"

The choir didn't get its name shown on TV. There were many choirs during the show, and none of them (except for one) had their name shown. The only choir that had its name shown was a military choir. Some of the individual performers also didn't have their names shown. I'm not sure why. Other than that, the production quality was remarkable for a live event. That's one show that is going to pick up a slew of Emmy nominations this fall.

The only real screw-up I noticed was when some Army guy singing the national anthem messed up "...and the home of the brave." He stopped briefly, paused and restarted. I'm sure that was pretty embarrassing for him. Jamie Foxx was blah but there were some great moments. Garth Brooks was terrific and got the crowd really into it. John Legend and Jennifer Nettles were great. Really I think everyone was outstanding, especially doing it live in freezing conditions and in front of millions. I had to replay the DC Gay Men's Chorus performance with Josh Groban and Heather Headley a couple of times today already.

I am just so happy this day is finally here. I really thought we'd never make it, after all the crap that has gone on in this country for the last 8 years. Thank God Almighty, free at last. What wonderful words.

The news is already showing hundreds of thousands of people standing in the cold Washington darkness (at 6am!), jockeying for position. At my work (in Toronto) they will be showing the innauguration in the boardrooms today for any employee that wants to go and watch.

AMEN to that Millerbeach. Our LONG national nightmare has FINALLY come to an end!!!!!

Garth Brooks was amazing, and Beyonce did a great job, too. But the star of the show was Mary J. Blige in her knee-high snakeskin boots...awesome!!

Congratulations, USA, for the new era just begun!

I am humbly grateful for being able to witness this historic & wonderful moment. Hallelujah!

More kleenix please. I have been balling for about 45 minutes now. I am so proud to say I am an American right now.

And now let's see what actually changes.

Thanks for sharing. most of us were bawling, but whatever works for you.

The process of democracy is quite majestic, isn't it?

John Roberts = idiot. You're just gonna wing it while administering the oath of office? What a tool.

Those Obama daughters are so damn cute!

Why? Because he corrected Obama's flub of the oath? Because he and Obama both had a mis-step? Puh-leeze. Get over yourself and your childish behavior toward the Chief Justice. I'm sure both gentlemen are a tad embarrassed that the oath wasn't flawlessly delivered; and I'm sure both gentlemen don't think the world is going to end because of it.

Umm... you're incorrect. Roberts screwed up.

From the AP:

I thought it was amazing that Obama realized Roberts got it wrong immediately at such a momentus point in his life personally...I would have already been hysterically blind at such a time. Just more grace under pressure for Obama and a sign that we got it right this time.

I don't think Roberts did it on purpose....he just made an epic fail. It's what? 35 words?

Uh, no I'm not. The point I made is that they both made a gaffe. Big deal. It was the first time for both, who were probably nervous.

Did you pitch such a hissy fit when Feinstein said "oaf" of office rather than "oath" of office? I doubt it.

Such is the price we pay for being human. As they say, these things happen. We should simply chuckle a bit rather than start calling someone an idiot because he's not as perfect as TheOtherFSU is.

I had a problem with the gentleman preaching about tolerance and then praying (this not an exact quote) "Let black get back,let brown be around,let red get ahead,let yellow be mellow and let white finally do what's right"
This mixing racial discord with religion is getting old.

He actually forgot one Eddie:

or



Btw, can someone please tell me what the Rev. meant by some of his so-called ryhmes...Some parts can be construed as racist...Just sayin. ie, "Let yellow be mellow." Huh?

Damn HBO blocking this!!!!! UGH!

Where I work (in Canada) they combined 4 boardrooms, set up 4 large screens, and well over 100 people watched CNN's coverage of the swearing in and Obama's speech. It was a historic event and I'm glad that I was able to see it live.

There were some laughs at a few points: the flubbed oaths; when they showed people watching in other places and somebody in Pasadena (I think) yawned; at Aretha's hat. On that note, I've read more than a few things on the Internet about people saying, "Aretha, what were you thinking?" Actually, given the Queen of Soul's taste in clothes (from enormous feathered and sequined ball gowns to enormous furs), I thought it was quite restrained, and not inappropriate or funny. As someone else said, it gave her a church lady look. You work that crown, girl!

Just found this on the Internet: Aretha Franklin -- who has rocked her fair share of amazing headgear over the years -- wrapped her head in a crystal studded bow. The $179 hat, customized with Swarovski crystals, came from Mr. Song Millinery in Detroit where Luke Song has been making ladies dress hats for 25 years.

LOL! Get out of me! I thought, "Looks like something she'd wear for church."

Text of Obama's Inaugural Address. Word cloud:


As a "non-believer," I did like that he mentioned us. ("We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers.")

That is giving her way tooooo much credit. Anyone remember what she wore to the Super Bowl here in Detroit- I have blocked it from memory, but just remember hideous!!!

Loved the coat and gloves, but she could have worn a more intelligent headpiece! A big bow? C'mon! LOL

You mean this:

I certainly enjoyed Beyonce's rendition of "At Last" for the Obama's first dance at the Neighborhood Ball. Nice choice.