Day: December 21, 2008

Beyond the Surface of Obama’s Choice of Rick Warren

Trish

In one of his earliest and most successful attempts to piss off the world and connect Iraq to the 9/11 attacks, Pres. George W. Bush labeled Iraq, Iran and North Korea the “axis of evil,” and imposed sanctions intended to isolate them. Subsequent Bush-Cheney-Rice “diplomacy” has consisted of further punishing states with which they disagree by refusing to talk to them.

It’s classic Obama to include those with whom he disagrees

To say this policy has been an utter failure for the United States, leaving us with fewer friends in an increasingly polarized world, would be an understatement. Rather than crippling our alleged enemies, Iran and North Korea have only grown more defiant and closer to nuclear armament. And we all know the destruction and loss of life that resulted when Bush decided to halt the now proven United Nations weapons inspection program and invade Iraq instead.

Barack Obama examined the Bush cold shoulder policy and rejected it. He was derided by both Republicans and some Democrats — notably Hillary Clinton — for saying during the debates that he would be willing to talk to our opponents, including leaders of Iran. But history has shown that Obama’s path of holding friends close and enemies closer is wise.

Which brings us to Obama’s invitation to Pastor Rick Warren to provide his inaugural invocation. Gays are appalled that Warren, a man who unapologetically opposes gay marriage, was chosen. Why, they ask, would someone who helped pass anti gay marriage legislation be honored with a spot on this day of triumph for progressives?

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After a Tough Week, Jerry Brown Steps Up for Gays on Prop 8

Jon Ponder

The news cycle last week presented something of a see-saw ride for gays and their supporters in California and the nation. First came the devastating news that Barack Obama had invited Rick Warren, one of California’s most prominent advocates of anti-gay Proposition 8, to give the opening prayer at his inauguration next month.

“Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification.”
— Cal. Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown

Prop 8’s passage was a real buzzkill for gays and civil rights advocates on Election Day. Giving a bigot a prominent spot at the ceremony has voided the historical significance of inaugurating the country’s first African-American president for them, too.

But on Friday came news that California’s attorney general, Jerry Brown, filed a legal brief urging the state Supreme Court to void Proposition 8:

In a dramatic reversal, Brown filed a legal brief saying the measure that amended the California Constitution to limit marriage to a man and a woman is itself unconstitutional because it deprives a minority group of a fundamental right. Earlier, Brown had said he would defend the ballot measure against legal challenges from gay marriage supporters.

But Brown said he reached a different conclusion “upon further reflection and a deeper probing into all the aspects of our Constitution.”

“It became evident that the Article 1 provision guaranteeing basic liberty, which includes the right to marry, took precedence over the initiative,” he said in an interview Friday night. “Based on my duty to defend the law and the entire Constitution, I concluded the court should protect the right to marry even in the face of the 52 percent vote.”

He also said:

“Proposition 8 must be invalidated because the amendment process cannot be used to extinguish fundamental constitutional rights without compelling justification.”

Brown’s office would normally be tasked with defending Prop 8 in the litigation before the Supreme Court this spring. But Brown is saying Prop 8 is indefensible, and so his staff can’t defend it.

Brown is said to be considering running for governor next year. If he and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome, a truly fierce advocate of gay rights, both run, California gays, their supporters and civil rights advocates will have a tough time deciding whom to support.