How To Deal With Rick Warren
Atrios has exactly the right idea.
If you're at the inauguration, turn your back on Warren when he speaks.
I'll add: if you're watching on television, turn it off or change the channel for five minutes when Warren's on.
It's a decent way to express dissatisfaction with this decision. If enough people do it and if Warren is really as thoughtful a guy as his supporters suggest then maybe the pastor will see a reason to rethink his position. People like him want us to hear him talk about spirituality, after all. We should signal to him, and all those like him, that we're not going to hear it from people who are on the wrong side of a major unresolved civil rights issue.
If you're at the inauguration, turn your back on Warren when he speaks.
I'll add: if you're watching on television, turn it off or change the channel for five minutes when Warren's on.
It's a decent way to express dissatisfaction with this decision. If enough people do it and if Warren is really as thoughtful a guy as his supporters suggest then maybe the pastor will see a reason to rethink his position. People like him want us to hear him talk about spirituality, after all. We should signal to him, and all those like him, that we're not going to hear it from people who are on the wrong side of a major unresolved civil rights issue.
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Damn straight!
December 18, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. A dignified and telling response.
December 18, 2008 7:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have not taken something said by a so-called reverend seriously for many years. Every politician has to appease the chosen ones.
I cannot do a damn thing about it. Warren is duplicious pig.
December 18, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let me just snarkily suggest you continue to at least understand what they say.
Just in case it's: "OPEN MANHOLE!!" or "SHARK!", or something similar.
December 18, 2008 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks like conservatives are equally pissed at Warren as some liberals are at Obama.
December 18, 2008 5:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't understand the point being made. Is it that Warren isn't considered a wild social conservative by wild social conservatives? If so, point taken. But I don't really care what those dead-enders think. That there are worse people out there doesn't make things a lot better.
December 18, 2008 5:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Honestly, no point being made. I just thought it was interesting.
December 18, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like one of those shunnings, like on Star Trek. Where they cross their arms vigorously across their chests, then snap off a smart turn, so their back is turned. You see a few thousand people do that, one after the other, and I think it'd be pretty hard to ignore.
I'm tired of having to pay respect, year after year, to tools & toadies, finks & flunkies, all because they worked for some business or church or school or party. And they get to wrap themselves in whatever robe that organization provided. Whether CIC or the Pulpit or Big Money.
Shunning. Bring it.
December 18, 2008 6:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's the term I was seeking. Its worth an essay Quinn!
December 18, 2008 7:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Always loved that scene in Next Generation. where Worf is shunned. Discommendation, they call it. Here.
'Course, societies have done it forever. No reason we shouldn''t, for ghe powerful who have escaped justice.
December 19, 2008 12:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
A large visible shunning with associated television closeup is perfect.
December 18, 2008 9:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't like Warren either, but considering that no one turns their back on the people who actually have sent our country down a rat-hole, killing untold numbers of people all the while; this seems like a disproportionate response.
Considering that there has only been one person in 8 years who has voted with his feet (shoes) and that person was a brave Iraqi, I think getting on a soapbox about Warren is silly.
OK, he doesn't like gays. Maybe Obama and others can actually educate this guy. He seems like someone who isn't dogmatic, and maybe can learn. Anyway, compared to the raging majority of the hyper-religious, at least he actually works for poor people and values the environment.
He has an opinion I disagree with, but he is not a toxic presence in my opinion. In fact he is probably the only evangelical who actually has opinions rather than pre-formed talking points.
Did I just defend him? No. I just think that when you consider the lack of reaction to the hateful, incompetent, selfish, destructive ogres we have yawned at for 8 years, turning our backs on someone during the Obama inaguration is out of line.
December 18, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Its reported that Obama wants us to "come together, even when there's disagreement on social issues. That dialogue is part of what my campaign is all about," Obama says... ..so does Rev WRIGHT get a front row seat at the Inauguration... my 'Hate' is better than your 'Hate'....
December 18, 2008 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
If enough people do it and if Warren is really as thoughtful a guy as his supporters suggest then maybe the pastor will see a reason to rethink his position.
You seem to be implying that Christianity teaches that the morality of a position is determined by its popularity.
December 18, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I don't imply it; I state it as a fact.Have you looked at the evangelical movement lately? It is all driven by cash -- popularity. Look at the sunday preachers -- "Send in the $$$$$$$$$ so you can be as successful and rich as I am." Morality? taught by those who don't have a moral compass themselves?
Warren at least seems to have a world view that he has taken the time to learn. He is open to new ideas. That is more than 99.9% of the evangelical elite.
December 18, 2008 9:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
The way this whole incident is being treated is a little mind boggling. First, I think PE Obama had a great baseball day yesterday, and I score him as going two for three with two home runs, but one strikeout where he never he took the bat off his shoulder. Yesterday, Obama made an excellent choice for Secretary of Labor and in doing so knocked it out of the park. On his next at bat, he hit one in the same place with the bases loaded and the lumber he chose consisted of an unprecedented meeting with Jewish leaders from every corner of the American Jewish constituency, left and right, including Peace Now and J Street folks. Nice work there, really.
But this Warren thing was a choke whiff. And I don't understand what turning one's back on Warren does. If you're upset about Warren staining the inaguration, get real and blame the guy who invited him. Warren is who he is. I think the focus on Warren is a bit of a bob and weave misfire.
We progressives cannot be afraid to criticize our guy when he does wrong. He did wrong here, but don't blame Rick Warren.
Still, 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs is not a bad day for a guy whose favorite sport is basketball.
December 19, 2008 8:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Are you going to ignore Obama's leadership? Ever considered that it may be you who needs a little attitude adjustment? Obama promised to be inclusive, he is living up to that promise. He is trying to bring the country together. If you don't like that, too bad. You elected him.
December 21, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink