Daddy, Papa and Me

For the most part, Obama's choices for his cabinet have been what I expected, liberal-centrist, highly qualified, smart. There are a few I'm not particularly happy about, Vilsack for Agricultural Secretary for example. He's a huge supporter of corn-based ethanol, a technology that raises food prices, is not technologically sound and there are better choices out there. Luckily, his choice for Energy is Chu, a nobel-prize winning scientist who _knows_ his stuff (I've met him, if only briefly, a couple times). Chu strongly opposes corn-based ethanol, as most scientists would, it just doesn't make scientific or economic sense. So, there will be 'discussions' in the cabinet.

One of his lesser choices, one that really will mean nothing substantial, but will will be symbolic, is the man who he chose to give the inauguration prayer. Rick Warren. Here's a man who believes that homosexual relationships are crimes equal to incest and child rape.

Well, given the first paragraph (opposing points of view on the same cabinet), I see what he's doing in the second paragraph. But really, it's very very difficult sitting figuratively at the same table with a man who thinks your family is akin to child rape and incest. He says he not a homophobe, but if that view isn't hateful, what the hell is? We 'sit at the table' with family and friends who think are family is inferior and, indeed, sinful (though perhaps, I'm not sure, they don't think it's as bad as incest and child rape), so I guess I grit my teeth and bear it.

But there are two things for certain. I will be turning off the prayer when watching the inauguration, and I, and my friends, will NOT be silent.