talent

Rick Warren?

Rick Warren hates gays, women who chose choice, and probably a few other groups of people. But that's not the real problem with him. The problem is what he preaches - a philosophy that gives individuals and churches the authority (presumably from God) to meddle in other people's lives, take power in Government to wield it as God's power, and circumvent the law to enforce what they interpret as "God's law."

Check out his website. It's basically an eight point treatise on why the church should be in power rather than the government (as well as how it can accomplish this). Point number six, which covers the authority given to individuals by the church (to "take on" leadership) is really really troubling. Using the church to save the environment, fight disease and poverty, etc. is great. But using the church to enforce semantic based rules on people's lives, or enforce the saving of someone else's soul based on something they don't even believe in is completely at odds with everything our government stands for.

Can good things come out of religious people in the government? Absolutely. But Rick Warren preaches divine authorization and divine administration of people's lives. He is less than a step away from theocracy, and now Obama is inviting him to the steps of Capitol Hill. Can Obama justify this to his loyal following? Andrew Sullivan actually has a great suggestion. Personally, I hope Rick Warren gets booooed so loudly from the audience that no one can hear what he has to say.

Scared Christians Can't Say the Word "Gay"

An article in the LA Times today says:

"Leaders of the new Anglican Church in North America said they took the extraordinary step to unify congregations and dioceses that had fled the American Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada over issues of Scripture."

The issue is sexuality, not scripture. Why can't anyone say the word "gay?"

Congressional Whine

Congress is angry that the Treasury Department doesn't have enough oversight over the use of the bailout money.

Well, congress approved what many called a 'blank check.' Now they're whining because they didn't have the foresight to realize the Bush Administration wouldn't properly spend taxpayer money.

Hey Congress, remember the last eight years??

HRC - Prom Queen, not Valedictorian

HRC just released their Buyers Guide - a survey (loose term at best) of gay-friendly companies which social equality-minded people should patronize. BP and Chevron are both year-long Silver sponsors of HRC, and Shell is a Bronze sponsor. All 3 companies and their subsidiaries* are highlighted at the top of the guide with perfect scores. As part of their criteria for the scoring of companies, HRC includes the vague term "external practices." In other words...funding HRC happy hours, cocktail parties, yearbooks, popularity contests, pep rallies, etc... How much of the BP, Chevron, and Shell money went to fighting Prop 8 in California? Considering HRC spent only $3.4 million on Prop 8, I'm guessing the oil money didn't make it past the bar.

In 2006 (the most recent data I found) the HRC spent twice as much on "Membership Mobilization" (mail postage, phone calls, premium member events/galas) than they did on fighting Prop 8 this year. It's easy to see why HRC has become a non-factor in the civil rights movement.

*correction made from original post, where I thought the subsidiaries were actually competitors not receiving equal treatment.