you da man.

WASHINGTON

12/18/2008 3:13:47 PM

President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday defended his choice of a popular evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration, rejecting criticism that it slights gays. The selection of Pastor Rick Warren brought objections from gay rights advocates, who strongly supported Obama during the election campaign. The advocates are angry over Warren's backing of a California ballot initiative banning gay marriage. That measure was approved by voters last month.

But Obama told reporters in Chicago that America needs to "come together," even when there's disagreement on social issues. "That dialogue is part of what my campaign is all about," he said.

Obama also said he's known to be a "fierce advocate for equality" for gays and lesbians, and will remain so.

Warren, a best-selling author and leader of a Southern California megachurch, is one of a new breed of evangelicals who stress the need for action on social issues such as reducing poverty and protecting the environment, alongside traditional theological themes.

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights organization, said Warren's opposition to gay marriage is a sign of intolerance.

"We feel a deep level of disrespect when one of the architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination," the group said in a letter to Obama, asking him to reconsider.

Obama's selection of Warren is seen as a signal to religious conservatives that the president-elect will listen to their views. During the campaign, Warren interviewed Obama and Republican John McCain in a widely watched television program that focused on religious concerns.

Gay rights advocates say they are troubled that Obama would give Warren such a visible role at his swearing-in. "By inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table," the letter said.

Obama, however, pointed out that a couple of years ago, he was invited to speak at Warren's church, despite their disagreements on a number of issues.

The president-elect said a "wide range of viewpoints" will be presented during the inaugural ceremonies.

and they say we Repiblicans are anti-gay.

LMAO!

JonR

JonR.- I never said that, I know a couple of gay Republican's, one keeps a good beat.

"I know a couple of gay Republican's, one keeps a good beat."

Hmmm Was you the one in the Airport Bathroom Stall when he got arrested? Keeping a good beat going eh?

Toe Tappin!

Is that where he was caught Hog, which airport?

which airport?

Hell I thought you'd tell us? LMAO!

I'm not the kind to kiss and tell.

^ LOL...

you strike me as a footfetsh type a fella...

Yea right old ugly 60 something old man feet. Wow

^ ya really don't need to give the ages of yer BF's here DWD...

besides you said you don't kiss & tell two posts back...

Yer Tellin!

Balif Yank his Man Card!

You don't have to worry Hog, there's plenty enough in Washington for you.

LMAO... be a long while before I make it back to Washington...

ya got my permission to keep'em all warm for me tho...

Thanks, I gave Larry your adress, and told him your lonely, he's on his way. You don't need to thank me, you two make a great cou[le.

Well Bless your poor little leftwing nutjob heart DWD.. don't know how to ever thank ya..

I'm sure I can think of somethin though... ;0)

Oh, no thanks needed, Larry was gettin kinda old, my wife was gettin suspicious, really no trouble at all.

Hope his heart can take the toe tappin trip all the way from Washington an all...

I'll get a cardboard box with a candle all set up fer him...

He can hang out like we Veterans do.. thanks to the Washington Politics!

Maybe you can find him a little carpet, and a towel for his head, and he's gonna need to know what way East is, for his prayers, to Washington. You thought I was going to say Mecca, didn't you?

Well from where I'm at Washington and Mecca are both do East.. so ya can't miss it when the sun comes up...

course where most poor leftwing or rightwing nutjobs keep their heads.. they never see sunshine.. ;0)

Mecca is in the same direction as hussein's kenyan homeland.

Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Barack Obama shouldn’t have selected Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation because the evangelical pastor has made offensive comments about gays, said Representative Barney Frank.

“Giving that kind of mark of approval and honor to someone who has frankly spoken in ways I and many others have found personally very offensive, I thought that was a mistake for the president-elect to do,” said Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, today on CNN’s “Late Edition.”

Frank, who is openly gay, made the comments after Obama stood by his selection of Warren for the Jan. 20 inauguration. Obama, speaking at a Dec. 18 news conference, said he doesn’t share Warren’s views on gay rights and wants to create an atmosphere “where we can disagree without being disagreeable and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans.”