Reconsidering my decision to tune into the Inauguration

The US Presidential Inauguration is this coming Tuesday…and it couldn’t come soon enough. It is clear that the problems facing the US and the world at large are very serious and we need vigorious action oriented leadership with the public’s confidence at the helm in this country ASAP.

So as we approach the Inauguration, and in light of President Elect Obama having invited gay bishop Gene Robinson to lead prayers at Sunday celebrations leading upto the Inauguration, I’m reconsidering my stand on whether I’m tuning into this historic occasion.

I still believe the selection of Rick Warren for the invocation at the inauguration was a poor one, in light of the major recent loss the LGBT community has suffered in California with the passage of Proposition 8 (and generally during the last 8 years with similar constitutional amendments having been passed in 30 states). But I am also practical enough to realize 2 things:

1.The LBGT community is hardly likely to part with the Democrats in favor of the Republican party anyone soon given the continuing strong influence of social conservatives over the Republican agenda and party. The Obama team clearly understood this and so from their standpoint and given their objectives, selecting Warren was likely seen as a relatively risk free method of bringing more political support to the table.
2.The country and the world has more pressing issues to be addressed right now, and we have to prioritize and pick our battles. In fact, the country (and President Elect Obama) need every capable individual on the ground pulling their weight and trying to drive the country forward in the right direction

So I decided I do want to participate in history….and am now planning to tune in.

I think all of us need to give our new President a chance to make an impact before judging him. In fact, some judgment errors are to be expected as the team moves forward and makes decisions. I would even go as far as to say if we don't see some (hopefully small) mistakes, it is a signal that our President and his team are not making decisions quickly enough.