The Two Challenges Posed by Dr. King As is perhaps appropriate, the press, the pundits, and our political leaders often turn at this time of year to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech” as the touchstone of discussions of his life and work….
Barack Hussein Obama is Human Barack Hussein Obama is human–he is also a young and ambitious politician that likely already has his eye on a second presidential term. This all may sound self-evident, but listening to the expectations Americans and much of the world have…
LGBT Community Upset That HBO Didn?t Air Bishop V. Gene Robinson?s Invocation Last week, progressives cheered the news that the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church in New Hampshire and the first openly gay priest ordained by a major Christian denomination, would be delivering the invocation at President-elect Obama’s opening ceremony. Yesterday, however, viewers watching HBO — which had exclusive coverage of […]
Last week, progressives cheered the news that the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church in New Hampshire and the first openly gay priest ordained by a major Christian denomination, would be delivering the invocation at President-elect Obama’s opening ceremony.
Yesterday, however, viewers watching HBO — which had exclusive coverage of the opening ceremony — didn’t get to see Robinson’s invocation; the network never aired it. Pam Spaulding of Pam’s House Blend wrote:
Remember, this was the supposed salve on the wound to the LGBT community for the upcoming high-profile appearance of Rick Warren at the actual inauguration on Tuesday, which will be seen by millions and will float out there on YouTube in perpetuity. I had no illusions that Robinson’s appearance would reach the same level of exposure as Warren’s, but damn — no broadcast of it at all?
The site AfterElton.com contacted HBO yesterday, regarding the omission of Robinson from the network’s broadcast. HBO responded (via e-mail): “The producer of the concert has said that the Presidential Inaugural Committee made the decision to keep the invocation as part of the pre-show.” Michael Jensen of AfterElton wrote that it was unclear “as to whether or not that meant that HBO was contractually prevented from airing the pre-show.”
Robinson’s address yesterday was also marked by protesters from a group called “Brother Ruben and the Official Street Preachers” who shouted phrases such as, “Jesus doesn’t love homosexuals.”
Pam’s House Blend has a round-up of reaction from LGBT bloggers here.
Podesta: ?Let Barack have his Blackberry.? In today’s Los Angeles Times, Obama transition co-chair John Podesta writes of his unique experience from being a keen eyewitness to Barack Obama’s decision-making over the past few months. “[Obama’s] politics are interactive, solutions-oriented and open to the citizens,” Podesta writes. He adds that Obama’s Blackberry enhances his decision-making by helping him reach outside his […]
In today’s Los Angeles Times, Obama transition co-chair John Podesta writes of his unique experience from being a keen eyewitness to Barack Obama’s decision-making over the past few months. “[Obama’s] politics are interactive, solutions-oriented and open to the citizens,” Podesta writes. He adds that Obama’s Blackberry enhances his decision-making by helping him reach outside his inner circle. “Let the man have his Blackberry,” Podesta told senior staffers. “An off-line Obama isn’t just bad for Barack. It’s bad for all of us.” He concludes:
Today, thousands of reporters, pundits and bloggers will produce instant analyses of the president’s swearing-in. By dawn Wednesday, there will be a comprehensive document in President Obama’s in-box summarizing the reaction, highlighting key opinion makers and linking to original sources across the Internet. Obama will surely flip through them.
But I know that he will have gotten his first feedback hours earlier, from a friend, far beyond the Beltway. On the Blackberry he’s keeping. And knowing that gives me hope.
Obama recently told CNN that it looks like he’ll be able to “hang onto” his Blackberry. “I’m still clinging to my BlackBerry,” he told CNBC. “They’re going to pry it out of my hands.” As Matt Yglesias argued recently, if the legal interpretation of the Presidential Records Act prohibits Obama from using a Blackberry, “then that means you need a new law.”
Obama’s Moment Arrives Barack Obama takes office today with a realistic prospect of joining the ranks of history’s most powerful presidents.
Susan Rice Confirmation Hearing SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MASS.): Thank you very much, Senator Dodd. It’s my pleasure, on behalf of the entire committee and the Senate, to welcome you here, Dr. Rice. We’re really pleased to have you here today.
Bush Commutes Sentences of Ex-Agents Reserving his last acts of clemency for his final full day in office, President Bush yesterday commuted the sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions in 2006 for shooting a Mexican drug dealer sparked a passionate debate over the rights of illegal immigrants.
The Hollywood Liberal is an anti-war, anti republican, from right here beautiful Hollywood California.
This site was originally started to help get The Worst President Ever G.W. Bush Jr. Out of office. Now that we have accomplished that
the goal is to get Obama to start acting like a Democrat, and not an butt kissing Republican Wannabee. We will continue to fight for that goal
. Thanks H.L.
Today, thousands of reporters, pundits and bloggers will produce instant analyses of the president’s swearing-in. By dawn Wednesday, there will be a comprehensive document in President Obama’s in-box summarizing the reaction, highlighting key opinion makers and linking to original sources across the Internet. Obama will surely flip through them.
