TresSugar

Does Choice of Gay Bishop Prove Obama's Inclusivity?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:00:47 -0800

When Barack Obama chose prominent pastor and traditional marriage advocate Rick Warren to deliver the traditional blessing at the inauguration ceremony, Obama deeply upset many in his base. While the move appeared to be an olive branch to conservative Americans, many felt that Obama lent legitimacy to Warren's non-inclusive and sometimes inflammatory positions on homosexuality.

Now, Obama appears to have tried to right (or left) the ship. Gene Robinson, an Anglican Bishop who also happens to be openly gay, will kick off the inauguration weekend with an opening prayer at a star-studded nationally televised event on Sun. Jan. 18.

When Obama came under fire for his Warren pick he said: "It's important for America to come together, even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues." Now that he chose prominent representatives for both sides of the gay marriage debate has he swayed you toward appreciating the representation of all viewpoints?

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Rick Warren To Give Inaugural Invocation - Righteous Choice?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:43 -0800

Prominent evangelical Pastor Rick Warren will deliver the traditional blessing at Barack Obama's Inauguration. While selecting Rev. Jeremiah Wright would have created many more waves of outrage, the choice of Rev. Rick Warren has caused some ripples of disappointment among Obama's more liberal supporters.

Rev. Warren, who hosted a non-debate between Obama and McCain at his Saddleback Church, publicly supported California's successful gay marriage ban Proposition 8. But he's also tried to widen the social conservative agenda to include causes like global poverty, human rights, and HIV/AIDS.

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McCain and Obama Share the Stage For the First Time Tonight!

CitizenSugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 13:00:39 -0700

Who thought the presidential campaign would steal the oldest beauty pageant trick in the book? Obama and McCain are set to make their first joint appearance tonight at mega-pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Southern California - but they won't be on stage at the same time. Remember the isolation booths that beauty queen finalists would hop into so that they wouldn't hear the final question before it was their turn to answer? The Q&A tonight will be just like that, give or take a tiara.

Warren is going to ask what he calls tough "heartland" questions to both, and in a move I actually really like for comparison's sake, both candidates will get the exact same batch. The one-hour slots will focus on questions that Warren says don't allow for a lot of wiggle room, "but I do want to know how they handle a crisis, because a lot of the things in the presidency often deal with things you don't know are going to happen, that we don't know will happen in the next four years . . . There are a lot of different things you can deal with in the life of a leader that will tell us more about the candidate than some of the typical questions."

To see how the evangelical vote plays in and when and where to watch, read more.

The move to have the first forum at a mega-church could be seen as unusual, but Warren says his flock contains all shades of political views and it's a perfect venue. As to whether McCain has an advantage with the evangelical voters, Warren says, "they're not a monolithic bloc, as the press frequently tries to make them out to be. I think that for many evangelicals, they're not convinced that either of these men is an evangelical. They may be believers in Christ, they may be Christian, but they want to know, for instance, their world view. And they want to hear it out."

You can watch the event tonight on CNN at 8 p.m. EST or you can watch it online. Are you in?

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The National Mall Becomes a Sea of Humans and Hope

CitizenSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:30:09 -0800

While only ex-presidents, first daughters, and powerful lawmakers got the front-row view of Barack Obama's inauguration today, I watched the events on the jumbotron in the shadow of the Washington Monument. In the minutes leading up to noon, the millions of people gathered, citizens of the country and the world, stood on the freezing lawn anxious to witness history.

There were resounding cheers for Bill and Hillary Clinton, and even more for Sasha and Malia. Around me the bright mood dimmed a bit during Rick Warren introduction and more during George W. Bush's. But soon my neighbors' faces filled with expressions of suspense right before Obama was sworn in, hope during the speech, and relief once the transfer of power was complete.

On the way out, the human gridlock tested everyone's goodwill, but luckily I managed to get out safely, walking on eerily car-free highways and past countless Obamabilia vendors. Now it's time to sit back and enjoy the parade!

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Briefing Book! Bernard Madoff Skips Past Jail

LibertySugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:00:25 -0800

Madoff: Is the judge mad(off)? Judge lets Bernard Madoff stay in his Upper East Side apartment, after prosecutors argued that he should go to jail after mailing $1 million worth of items to friends and family. - Talking Points Memo
Commander(s) in chief: Bush and Obama join forces on bailout. Bush asks Congress for $350 billion at Obama's request. - Politico
First Chef: Obama's to keep the Bush's White House chef. - YumSugar
Gaza: War crimes or not? Another perspective on Gaza. - Good
Gay Bishop: A homosexual Episcopal bishop will open Obama's Inauguration events on Sunday with a prayer, while conservative Rick Warren will give Tuesday's invocation. - Huffington Post

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Briefing Book! Mom Blogger in Gaza Shares Tales

LibertySugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:20 -0800

Blogging From Gaza: Laila El-Haddad is a Palestinian journalist, mother, and a blogger who is sharing her take of what's happening on the ground in Gaza. - Good
It's Only Billions: A recap of 2008's biggest scandals in the world of finance and business. - Huffington Post
Looking Ahead: It's never too soon to wonder who will challenge Obama in 2012? - Donklephant
Inauguration: Still more reasons to boot Rick Warren from the inauguration. - Slate

Briefing Book! Families Fill Up NYC Homeless Shelters

LibertySugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:38 -0800

Homeless: No home for the holidays? The number of homeless families in NYC shelters has hit an all-time high. - Gothamist
Law: How are you using Bush v. Gore in your daily life? Apparently the Supreme Court's decision did a whole lot more than just let Bush rule. - 23/6
Religion: Change you can believe in? Rick Warren scrubs anti-gay language from website. - Huffington Post
Condi: What a hilarious way to waste money: Arab leaders shower Condoleeza Rice with $300,000 in jewels that no one will get to keep. - Gawker

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Briefing Book! Caroline Kennedy Is No Sarah Palin

LibertySugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:00:51 -0800

Politics: Caroline Kennedy is no Sarah Palin? Conservative Kathleen Parker seizes up Caroline Kennedy in comparison to Sarah Palin, concluding that you need less experience to be a senator than VP. - Huffington Post
Inauguration: Is Rick Warren the least of progressives' problems? Find out why some people are going to be even more furious when they find out the full day's schedule. - 23/6
Globalization: Diet for a small planet? Check out how globalization is affecting the way we all eat. - Good
Sex: Did you know yesterday was the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers? Check out pictures from a demonstration in San Francisco. - SFist

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