“When Obama defends Warren’s words by calling them an example of the “wide range of viewpoints” in a “diverse and noisy and opinionated” America, he is being too cute by half. He knows full well that a “viewpoint” defaming any minority group by linking it to sexual crimes like pedophilia is unacceptable.
It is even more toxic in a year when that group has been marginalized and stripped of its rights by ballot initiatives fomenting precisely such fears. “You’ve got to give them hope” was the refrain of the pioneering 1970s gay politician Harvey Milk, so stunningly brought back to life by Sean Penn on screen this winter. Milk reminds us that hope has to mean action, not just words.
By the historical standards of presidential hubris, Obama’s disingenuous defense of his tone-deaf invitation to Warren is nonetheless a relatively tiny infraction. It’s no Bay of Pigs. But it does add an asterisk to the joyous inaugural of our first black president. It’s bizarre that Obama, of all people, would allow himself to be on the wrong side of this history.”
— New York Times columnist Frank Rich, on Obama’s first blunder.
dvlaries
Like any self-respecting gay man, Frank Rich is no new name to me. His fresh columns are usually up by 10 p.m. Saturday night on the New York Times website, ready to be eagerly devoured by any of us who crave brain food.
We’ve also got a fine friend in Anna Quindlen of Newsweek ( new columns every other weekend), and Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald (when he’s back from vacation, he’s usually Sundays and Wednesdays). And let us never forget sweet, handsome and funny Mark Morford of San Francisco Gate.
hardmannyc
Great editorial per usual from Mr. Rich, our Honorary Gay.
jbw
Frank’s column here is exemplary even in comparison to his regularly astute work. It is good to know of our supporters that it is not just the “decency” of the common man, but also the sharp, incisive, intellectually reflective and reasoned clarity of minds like Rich.
Hat’s off to ya, Frank.
Well said, and high time somebody said it.
Michael W.
Now there’s an argument I can accept. That was a very well rounded editorial from Frank Rich.
Notice his condemnation of the irrational cries of bigotry from the gay community. He was also able to criticize Barack Obama’s decision without discarding his track record as a fighter for LGBT civil rights. He voiced his displeasure without writing off the next four years of Obama’s presidency weeks before he’s even sworn in. No silliness about “falling out of love” with Obama, no premature antics about getting back his campaign donations.
That’s how it should be done. If we (collectively) had responded in such a manner then maybe we wouldn’t look like a bunch of overreactive babies right now.
Kit Fair
Hooray for Frank Rich, he’s absolutely right. I find it ridiculous when someone says that gays and lesbians should find a common ground with those who accuse them of being no different from perverts and child molesters. That’s just bonkers.
Charles J. Mueller
@Michael W.:
“Notice his condemnation of the irrational cries of bigotry from the gay community.”
Umm…I re-read the above post by Frank Rich, not once, but three times looking for the “condemnation” you allude to. Is there more to this post that was printed above or did I just simply miss something?
Would you be so good as to show me where he said that and put it in quotes for the edification of my feeble brain?
proph8tisgay
@CHARLES
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/28/opinion/28rich.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
it was linked.
Nick
@Charles J. Mueller:
Yeah me too.
Damn I hate being human and having emotions.
Why can I respond always in calm, intelligent, rational non personal, paragraphs?
Paul
If team Obama does not want to be labeled bigots, then they should stop behaving like bigots. If the shoe fits, then wear it.