Inauguration
Since I'm incapable of being concise, this is here rather than Fred's journal :) I mostly agree that Rick Warren's invocation is a minor detail, and a gesture of unity. It's arguably better (and at least smarter) to not alienate people, and focus on what you agree on rather than disagree on, so they will not wage war against even your more moderate proposals, be more likely to compromise with you in the future, etc... but emotionally, I can't help wishing we could exclude those who try to exclude whole segments of American citizens.
My much, much bigger issue is that I don't see why Democrats have to be better people than the Republicans -- there's a certain point after which good faith is lost and I believe one should stop playing nice. After eight years of getting walked all over, the Democrats turned around and proclaimed they're since they're such a fair group, they will include everyone, including the exact same people who repeatedly refused to include them. Respecting tradition is all well and good, but game theoretically (and commonsensically!), this is never, ever going to work out well for them!! Little about our political system in Washington gets me madder than the automatic, and largely uncommented on, reinstatement of the filibuster -- as soon as the Republicans were in the minority in the Senate. (Remember the "nuclear option"? Don't ever filibuster, or you'll never be allowed to filibuster again! As far as I'm concerened, the Democrats should have *dared* them do it... then there'd be a new tradition in town.) If Democrats committed to responding in kind to Replican's tactics, maybe we wouldn't have Roberts and Alito, maybe we wouldn't have tortured people, or at the very least could have investigated, maybe Bush could now even be impeached for (and I still can't believe he got away with this) illegally wiretapping Americans! And so, so many other things that I can't even begin to think about without working up a giant dose of righteous indignation.
The above is really just for the Senate... Obama's administration is starting from scratch, and it's a good move for him to start out on good terms with everyone, until or unless they directly undermine him. Although I didn't warm to Obama at first because he didn't get mad enough, and he seemed much to willing to compromise or at least respectfully listen, I've come to realize this is a huge strength of his. I truly think he's likely to get fabulous results his way. But since I don't have to run the country, I for one intend to remain bitter awhile longer!
Although I dislike the man a great deal, I can't say I'm all that worked up about Warren -- it's more that I have a personal preference that, in an ideal world, he not be there (or anywhere in the public eye, really, but if people listen to him, what can you do?) I don't see any reason to hide my dislike and disapproval; heck, it mght even help Obama in the eyes of evangenicals if he keeps Warren despite protests. But really, lots worse would have to happen before I'd be anything but overjoyed that Obama will be our President in less than a month!! Also, of course Joseph Lowery is great -- I get the feeling that if Obama had him as the only pastor, or had only like-minded progressive preachers, he'd be making too strong and controversial a statement about his own views, so he's placing himself in a neutral spot by having both. He's been politically brilliant so far, and I'm sure he put thought into all these decisions. I'm willing to bet the unity thing will play extremely well for him -- let's hope he has a long honeymoon period!
My much, much bigger issue is that I don't see why Democrats have to be better people than the Republicans -- there's a certain point after which good faith is lost and I believe one should stop playing nice. After eight years of getting walked all over, the Democrats turned around and proclaimed they're since they're such a fair group, they will include everyone, including the exact same people who repeatedly refused to include them. Respecting tradition is all well and good, but game theoretically (and commonsensically!), this is never, ever going to work out well for them!! Little about our political system in Washington gets me madder than the automatic, and largely uncommented on, reinstatement of the filibuster -- as soon as the Republicans were in the minority in the Senate. (Remember the "nuclear option"? Don't ever filibuster, or you'll never be allowed to filibuster again! As far as I'm concerened, the Democrats should have *dared* them do it... then there'd be a new tradition in town.) If Democrats committed to responding in kind to Replican's tactics, maybe we wouldn't have Roberts and Alito, maybe we wouldn't have tortured people, or at the very least could have investigated, maybe Bush could now even be impeached for (and I still can't believe he got away with this) illegally wiretapping Americans! And so, so many other things that I can't even begin to think about without working up a giant dose of righteous indignation.
The above is really just for the Senate... Obama's administration is starting from scratch, and it's a good move for him to start out on good terms with everyone, until or unless they directly undermine him. Although I didn't warm to Obama at first because he didn't get mad enough, and he seemed much to willing to compromise or at least respectfully listen, I've come to realize this is a huge strength of his. I truly think he's likely to get fabulous results his way. But since I don't have to run the country, I for one intend to remain bitter awhile longer!
Although I dislike the man a great deal, I can't say I'm all that worked up about Warren -- it's more that I have a personal preference that, in an ideal world, he not be there (or anywhere in the public eye, really, but if people listen to him, what can you do?) I don't see any reason to hide my dislike and disapproval; heck, it mght even help Obama in the eyes of evangenicals if he keeps Warren despite protests. But really, lots worse would have to happen before I'd be anything but overjoyed that Obama will be our President in less than a month!! Also, of course Joseph Lowery is great -- I get the feeling that if Obama had him as the only pastor, or had only like-minded progressive preachers, he'd be making too strong and controversial a statement about his own views, so he's placing himself in a neutral spot by having both. He's been politically brilliant so far, and I'm sure he put thought into all these decisions. I'm willing to bet the unity thing will play extremely well for him -- let's hope he has a long honeymoon period!