I don’t dislike Barack Obama. I am not unwilling to concede that he was a brilliant campaigner, and through his use of technology he built a machine unmatched by the Clintons and the Republican Party. He’s really good at reading off the teleprompter, and he has a very signature “please stop clapping wave”. Sometimes you just can’t help thinking that he’s a really nice guy. His wife, Michelle “I’ve never been proud of my country” Obama, has nice taste in clothes. And as the liberal media insists on reporting daily, she is very Jackie O.

Ever since the beginning of his presidential campaign, the US has enjoyed a long love affair with the president-elect, his family, and his story. But we are approaching the end of campaigner Barack and beginning a new chapter. Obama will cease to be only a celebrity and become a leader. No longer will we care about the new puppy he has for his daughter-a national issue which made the cover of The New Yorker. CNN will stop asking Michelle when she was “sold on” Barack. And MSNBC will hopefully consider reporting on other issues besides Obama’s golf game and comparing his swing with Tiger Woods.

On January 20th, Barack Obama will be forced to make real decisions with controversial outcomes. As predicted by General Petraeus, his time-table for removal of American troops from Iraq will likely have grave effects for the region, undoing much of the progress of the War on Terror. But before Obama sits down at his desk to address his lofty plans for economic renewal, universal health care, and winning (or withdrawing from) 2 wars, he will have faced controversy number one. This, of course, would be Barack’s choice of pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration.

Members of the “inclusive” and “tolerant” left are up in arms. Huffington Post Editor, Hilary Rosen, considers the selection, “A kick in the stomach…and an outrageous mistake.” Andrew Zimmerman, Democratic Strategist and Democratic National Committeeman, says, “Warren is a divisive, bigoted, and ignorant leader. This is about individual respect for humanity and human decency and Warren’s comments (and stance on the marriage issue) disqualify him from that. He uses politics to preach fear.”

Now more than ever, it seems that America’s honeymoon with Barack is about to end. For the sake of his administration, he’s probably going to shy away from the farthest left and try to appeal to moderate Americans- as displayed by the Rick Warren selection. If his enamored base turns against him for his choice of pastor at the beginning of his inauguration, it is going to be a long four years.

But I still just can’t fathom how this has inspired such hatred and hostility. Why make a mountain out of a molehill? Especially for a group, that preaches the value of diversity and togetherness. He chose a pastor who is acclaimed for his leadership and service in Africa, who leads one of the largest and most popular mega-churches in the country, and authored The Purpose Driven Life, which sold over 30 million copies and is arguably the best selling non-fiction hardcover of all time. Warren has donated 90% of his royalties, giving millions to both secular and faith based charities. He doesn’t exactly fit my definition for “divisive, bigoted, and ignorant”. But there’s one catch… He does not support gay marriage.

For some reason, the left insists that this is the end all be all. When a certain Reverend refers to his country as the “the US of KKK A” and shouts proudly, “God Damn America!!” The American public must be silent. We cannot pass judgment upon Jeremiah Wright’s “frustrations”. This is permissible, but if you don’t support gay marriage you have no right to contribute or participate.

The left wants you to believe that if you are anti-gay marriage then you must be a homophobe and a bigot. In fact, I’ve been told this many times around the lunch table. But defining marriage as between a man and a woman is a position held by the majority of the country-30 states now have bans on same-sex marriage, including California. Even Germany, France, and the UK have insisted upon a traditional definition for marriage.

People for the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert told CNN she was "deeply disappointed" with Obama’s selection of Warren. She said that because “his ideas are radical, the position should have been offered to someone who is "consistent with mainstream American values.” Unfortunately for Kolbert, support for homosexual marriage is not “mainstream” at all. It seems, in fact, that the thirty states who have banned it spoke quite clearly. As such, it would appear that Pastor Warren is an appropriate representative of the American public’s views.

Regardless of his other merits, liberals deem that because of his stance on this one issue he should be prevented from participating in the public square. To defend Warren, is to defend bigotry and hatred. But why should his position on same-sex marriage carry such great ramifications-especially when his views are in line with the American public?

I’m left marveling at the ridiculousness of that claim. Either their name-calling is delusional and ridiculous or the rest of the world is at fault…

Tabby T. is an American high school student, expressing her conservative thoughts via an alias, for her own protection from the vindictive liberal academic professoriate.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 12th, 2009 at 9:06 am and is filed under Election 2008, Politics, Tabby T.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.