Outside Reading #6

Minneapolis Officials Question Obama's Choice of Warren
President elect Barack Obama has choseen the well-known author (of "The Purpose Driven Life" ) and religious leader Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2009. Many of the elected officials of Minneapolis are disappointed by his decision to include Pastor Warren in the inauguration ceremony due to his controversial views on topics such as homosexuality. About two dozen Minneapolis officials have joined forces with the Minnesota Democratic State Senators Dibble and Clark to write a letter to Obama explaining their opposition to his appoinment of Rick Warren for the invocation. They stated in their letter to Obama that Warren's highly honored role in the inauguration will lead to division amongst Obama's supporters, rather than unity. They explained that since many people disagree with Pastor Warrens' views, particularly on homosexuality, he is a controversial figure that defeats the purpose and idea of bringing the nation together. Apparently Obama responded to the letter from the Minneapolis elected officials stating that his decision to nominate Rick Warren for the job of performing the invocation was based on his stance that diverse viewpoints must be heard.
Needless to say, the Minneapolis officials and State Senators are not pleased. It will be interesting to watch the whole inauguration ceremony and then see the reactions different communities throughout the nation will have.
Traudes, Cristof. "Minneapolis Officials Question Obama's Choice of Warren." Southwest Journal. 12 January 2009: A5.