As talked about in class, many democrats are livid with Obama’s choice to have evangelical pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inaguration.  Rick Warren is an evangelical paster at Saddleback Church with very conservative beliefs regarding gay rights and was a huge proponent of California’s Proposition 8 banning gay marriage.

Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solomnese sent Obama a letter asking him to reconsider what they say is a show of “disrespect” and a “genuine blow” to the gay community.  “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,” Solomnese wrote.

However, in his speech Thursday Barack Obama made no apologies for his appointment and noted that he had previously been invited by Rick Warren to speak at Saddleback Church.  “We have to disagree without being disagreeable and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans.”

Rick Warren has been praised by Obama for many of his humanitarian efforts which is the main reason why he was asked to speak at Obama’s inauguration.

Although I can see how liberals and gay rights activists are upset with the choice out of dislike for Warren, Warren’s views on Gay rights is in no way a representation of the Obama administration and will not be reflected in his inaugural blessing.  Rick Warren has an opinion, an opinion that every American is entitled to have.  Liberals constantly say that they are the party of tolerance; tolerant of everyone from all walks of life.  However when people voice opinions different from their own they seem to become enraged more times than not and this is a perfect example.  Rick Warren has done many great things and is a great proponent of humanitarian efforts.  He has not acted out in any way against his country and will not be  doing nothing other than blessing his president and his country– not voicing his opinions, though he is entitled to have them.