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Solution for Obama's Invocation Problem
President Elect Obama should do what President Bush did when with respects to religious groups --- give the opportunity for ALL religions to give their version of Invocation. Jewish, Hindu, Catholic, etc... He might also include white, black, female, male, gay or straight. Give them all 2 minutes to speak.
I believe Bush did this after 9/11 - praying for those American's killed on 9/11.
I believe Bush did this after 9/11 - praying for those American's killed on 9/11.
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How 'bout we just not allow religious affiliations of any kind at governmental events? Solves all the problems.
December 18, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just let his pal Reverend Wright do the invocation. We could all use another GOD DAMN AMERICA!!
December 18, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
But seriously coonsey, that's one of the dumbest suggestions I've ever heard. How is that practical? What if he forgets to invite someone? Like Koreans, or Irish, or Trans-gender??
And to compare his inauguration to 9/11 is shameful
December 18, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
How about the dozens upon dozens of religions/cultures/segments of the US stand around Obama while he says a prayer. Trying to give each group a voice will backfire, because someone will say "what about me?". It's getting really ridiculous - I just read an article where Obama was blasted because he has not appointed enough openly-gay people to his cabinets. Last week it was where were the "true" Progressives?. The week before that it was where are the Latinos?, two weeks before that Obama was ignoring women. Obama will not and cannot please everyone. No human being is able to do that. I'm not annoyed with you Coonsey, I'm just so fucking tired of the all the expectations being placed on Obama. I don't go to church, but I think I may have to set apart time everyday to pray for this man.
December 18, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
What if Obama just sends an open invite to everyone, during the prayer, to say whatever prayer they want, in whatever language. 2 minute limit. Maybe have a timer, so those long winded ones can see when to stop. And the non-religious will know when to take their fingers out of their ears.
December 19, 2008 12:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
If balance were enough to satisfy people here, then the pro-gay-rights preacher giving the benediction would count for something. But nobody seems to care about that, so I don't see what tossing even more religions in there would accomplish other than making things even more unhappy for people who don't see why we need religious blessing at a secular political event to begin with.
December 19, 2008 12:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was NOT comparing the inauguration to 9/11. People from all different religions died during 9/11, therefore Bush had somebody from 'most' religions say something during the memorial event.
I just felt that if Obama wants to be completely OPEN to the other guys/gals religious beliefs -- then perhaps he should try doing what Bush did (just this once) and if gays and right wingers are upset about this guy doing the invocation, perhaps they'd be more agreeable if ALL sides were represented.
December 19, 2008 8:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
I do think it's rather odd what the PEOPLE will rise up for. When the FISA bill was being discussed taking our human privacy rights away -- most sat on their rears --- when one man's opinion is mentioned they all rise to fight a war.
December 19, 2008 8:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, now I was ranting on the FISA issue for days. But that did wake me up. Obama is just another politician making one expedient choice after another and you can't tell at this point if there is any issue he cares enough about to take a risk to fight for it.
December 19, 2008 8:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I suggest we each come up with a blessing for Obama. We can each say it during the inauguration. Or we can have a blog where we write the blessing we would confer. And I'm talking about it having to be a religious blessing. But this man needs all the blessings he can get. And instead of arguing over it, let's enlarge it. Let's all bless him - each in our own way! (I reserve the right to do a blog on this.)
December 19, 2008 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Feel free to put your blessing here:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/therap/2008/12/offer-your-own-blessing.php
December 19, 2008 11:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
CORRECTION! In the comment above, fourth sentence should read:
And I'm not talking about it having to be a religious blessing.
December 19, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Um.. blessings are by definition religious.
December 19, 2008 4:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I beg to differ. People often seek someone's blessing before an undertaking. It's like giving someone your agreement and well-wishes. As in he or she "has my blessing" to do that.
December 19, 2008 4:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
So you want people to go over to your page and give Obama permission to do things, as in he has my blessing to do something?
December 19, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jim Wallis would've made sense. Rick Warren just doesn't. Personally, I'd drop Warren for Wallis, but I know that caving in to us gay-commies might not be in Obama's interests for a variety of reasons, some of which I'm sure I'd understand. Obama has a mess a here- it had to happen sooner or later, though I wish it would've been later.
December 19, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and I'm with Loki first and foremost, just drop the prayer entirely, I offer Wallis as a pragmatic choice.
December 19, 2008 4:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama doesn't have an invocation problem. Some people who run or comment on blogs have a problem with the guy who's been chosen to give the invocation.
December 19, 2008 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink