Change has come

I really do identify with what Michelle Obama said, that this time, I really feel proud to be an American.

Regardless of what side you're on, you can't deny that this was truly a historic election and a historic inauguration. I watched the inauguration, and I was really crying when Obama gave his speech. Obama's story is one that many people can relate to, a lot more so than the previous Presidents! Barack really had to work hard to get his education and his jobs. He formed alliances with community groups such as churches and social services, ones that many ordinary Americans also are a part of. He wasn't born clutching a silver spoon, and he didn't get to be president by pandering to special interests. This was an election that everyone was excited about, and it wasn't some unrelatable gray-haired guy versus another unrelatable gray-haired guy. This campaign and election were energetic, dynamic, and upbeat.

And my post about my concerns over Pastor Warren giving the invocation? As wrong as wearing socks with sandals or getting worked up over Y2K! Yep, even the revel can be wrong at times! Warren's speech was actually pretty classy. I was pleasantly surprised. The guest speaker I was most impressed with was Senator Feinstein. She really knows how to please a crowd! But, of course, the star was the President. Not President-"elect." President Obama. It sounds good. It is good. I'm excited about seeing what he does during his time in office.

Oh President Obama, what WERE you thinking???

Maybe it's not particularly nice or appropriate to make a judgement based on one stupid decision. No one is perfect, but...this just goes TOO FAR!

Apparantly President Barack Obama has selected Pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation speech at his inauguration. For those of you who don't know, Pastor Warren is affiliated with the Saddleback Church of California. He's been a preacher for a long time, has a large following, and is considered a charismatic figure who can speak well and work a crowd.

HOWEVER...

Pastor Warren stands for a lot of things Obama's supporters are against and vice versa.
He supported Proposition 8, which denied gays the right to marry in California (after they had recently won that right this summer). He's compared gay marriage to incest, which is just an awful metaphor and not at all true.
He's anti-choice. Obama and his supporters are pro-choice.
He supports the use of torture.

While I'm okay with a politician being bi-partisan (and in fact am all for being bi-partisan), I think there would've been better choices than Warren for the inauguration. And apparantly Aretha will sing after Warren's talk. The combination of a liberal president, liberal musician, and bigoted preacher leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I mean, Warren is like the anti-Obama. It's like having the late Jerry Falwell be the grand marshal at a gay pride parade. Or Phyllis Schafly speak at a NOW or Feminist Majority event. Or, if you would like to turn the tables, having Robin Morgan address the Concerned Women for America (actually, Morgan did do a speech in front of a similar conservative group, and it was so scathing that they were appalled and asked her to leave. But what were they expecting when they invited her?).

Well, maybe I might be overreacting. Maybe Warren will just do a simple speech and work the crowd, and he might make it non-religious in nature. Sometimes people can surprise. I mean, McCain's concession speech was surprisingly classy (can't say the same about his audience). Guess only time will tell. And if Warren's speech is unlistenable, then at least the Aretha performance will be enjoyable.

I still believe

Well, I've been out on the highway.
I've seen the damage done,
I've seen the pain and I've seen the hunger
In the eyes of everyone.
Yeah, I know that tomorrow
Will be cloudy and it's all in vain.
They say nothing's gonna make any difference.
It will just be more of the same.

But I feel something turning in my heart.
I feel something about to start.

Call me a fool,
Just call me blind.
I do believe this is our time.
I still have hopes.
I still have dreams.
Call me a fool,
But I still believe.

We've been out in the wasteland,
So many years goin' by.
There's been so much war, so much greed
And so many lies.

Cryin' out in the wilderness,
Hopin' for some relief,
Fearing like something is never gonna change--
It will just lead to sadness and grief.

Well, what's the point of living if you're just giving up?
I ain't drinking anymore from that hopeless cup.

Call me a fool,
Just call me blind.
I do believe this is our time.
I still have hopes.
I still have dreams.
Call me a fool,
But I still believe.

It all comes down to me and you.
The whole world's watching what we do.

I'm going down to my dorm lounge
Take a ballot in my hand
I know when I put it in the ballot box,
We will be one step closer to the promised land.

It's not coming tomorrow,
It's not coming today,
But I know when we all make our voice heard,
Some things will not be same.

I feel something turning within my heart.
I just know something is about to start.

Call me a fool,
Just call me blind.
I do believe this is our time.
I still have hopes.
I still have dreams.
Call me a fool,
But I still believe.

Call me a fool,
Just call me blind.
I do believe this is our time.
I still have hopes.
I still have dreams.
Call me a fool,
But I still believe.
--Bill Harley

Yes we can? Yes we DID!!!