Victory? You betcha!

From the moment I heard about the Rick Warren controversy, I knew he would never be pulled off the program. That being said, when planning a community action, or reaction, the two most important components are to personify the opponent and to have a clear path to victory.

The personification part is easy in this case. Warren. Case closed. (For our purposes is he is a a far greater choice than directing the attention to Obama.)

The victory part is a bit more complicated, yet just as important. Is victory defined as getting Warren off the program? If that is the case, then why enter a battle that cannot be won? If we are smart, we won't. Instead, let's look at what we have accomplished with this story so far and highlight the victories. And, yes, there are victories:

• The very fact that we are having this discussion elevates LGBT issues to the national stage. TV's, Radio, newspaper, all highlighting issues of importance to our community. That is a victory.
• Saddleback did change their site. I am NOT praising Saddleback; I am recognizing that our voices caused them to change. That is a victory.
• In less than 24 hours, our community took an issue and put it in living rooms and on kitchen tables across America. That is a victory.

Remember, it's not about swaying our hard-lined opponents, it's about talking to those in the middle. That is done with composure and, more importantly, respect. Notice how I never attack the religious beliefs or church membership policies (those are no win arguments on TV). Instead I talk about his divisive political activity. I think I caught my debate opponent a bit off guard.

Like a Victory Garden, the results we seek require a start with small seedlings planted and tended in the soil. Each small victory like the ones above creates a bounty of voices for change. Voices that over time cannot be ignored.

Comments

[dumitch]

04:02 PM on 12/24/2008

Will the language return after the Inaugurati­on? I suspect it will. This has also been a big victory for Warren. He will sell a lot more books now. Like most people with a bit of power this just strokes his ego.

[ponderingmuch]

03:27 PM on 12/24/2008

Your demeanor, so low key and polite is what was so fabulous in this. Congrats!

[FredChase]

02:06 PM on 12/24/2008

I fully get the fatigue of this issue. And I do feel that way at times. Yet i can't help wondering, if this had been the dimantling of marrige between a white women and a black man, like Obama's parents, the outrage would be greater and without question. If we can hold accountabl­e divisive language toward Gays, Women, and other minorities­, while embracing the Rick Warren's as a human being, we could see each sides point and then create the change we are looking for. I'm a gay man and I still fight the homophobia within me. Rick Warren has caused pain no doubt about it. But he can't see the pain he has cause if we attach him personaly. We must speak to his actions not who he is.

[karela]

11:25 PM on 12/23/2008

If the point is to win over moderates, then the LGBT is making a serious miscalcula­tion. I am a moderate Independen­t who has actively supported Obama and have also supported gay rights as a part of the larger picture of freedom and equality for all. When California allowed gay marriage, I was very happy for people. When propositio­n 8 passed, I was sorry. But when the gay community went after Obama so viciously over his choice of who would give a prayer at his inaugurati­on, I shook my head in wonder at the political gaff it represente­d. And when that attack kept going on and on and on I began to feel very irritated. Obama has broad shoulders, but he has an awful lot to carry on them. If LGBT is hoping that moderate support will grow, then it might be wise not to drive a moderates away. I care very much. BUT, I am getting majorly turned off with what's going on over Warren. Mr. Rogers in the above tape seems to think that just getting national and internatio­nal news coverage is good for the gay community. He forgets that Mr. Bush has had lots of that and it hasn't been good for him. The idea is to win hearts and minds and this issue is causing the reverse of that with myself and many others. Please stop. I don't want to feel this way.

[hlhicks]

02:17 AM on 12/24/2008

Thank you.

[JimR]

08:03 AM on 12/24/2008

Agree.

[SethBLiNK]

10:18 PM on 12/23/2008

Congratula­tions. You got a victory.

Why not be a little more inclusive and agree that PE Obama's invitation to Rev. Warren opened the door for this exchange and this victory? As for your invitation­, I have yet to see Warren turn down any invitation­, so if it's sincere, I bet he agrees.

Near the end, it seemed you implied that you wanted this meeting to take place before the innaugurat­ion and you might want to vet his speech.

I doubt that will happen. But if your goal is conciliati­on and not creating a "gotcha" moment, that should be fine.

Warren decided, without being forced, to remove the language. See how much is accomplish­ed when you open a dialog?

[Davwbaird]

09:27 PM on 12/23/2008

Of course all is going as planned. Keep up the good work, the founders are proud. We have so far and the latest video at Warren's site reveals much.