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]

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]

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

[FredChase]

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]

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]

Thank you.

[JimR]

Agree.

[1dogs2]

My sentiments exactly.

[burndtdan]

Exactly. I still support gay rights, and I still care for the LGBT community as much as ever, but the anger and divisiveness of the reaction of some really turned me off. You can't solve hatred with more hatred.

[zippywpinhead]

I have been appalled by the extremely nasty reaction of a small, but disproportionately vocal part of the LGBT community. There's been a group who've camped out on nearly every thread related to this story here on HuffPo who feel the need to attack and insult everyone who makes the mistake of not agreeing with their blind zealotry. It's a microcosm of the combative, rigid thinking that has made its way into the MSM and has threatened to spoil what otherwise should be an historic day. The truly sad part is reading pages of comments such as yours trying to warn of the dire consequences of their actions only to be attacked and ridiculed, being told MYOB and how anyone who won't support their insane desire to spoil the inauguration and have Rick Warren's head on a spike is "a fair weather friend" or worse. Even sadder has been the racial overtones, as these fanatics have sought to usurp every struggle for civil rights as their own.

Responding to hate with more hate is not the answer, nor intolerance to intolerance. Refusing to talk to the other side, or to find common ground and enlightenment is a recipe for more of the same- nothing has ever been solved by demonizing the other side and refusing to even consider their POV. I hope these people let go of the anger they are wrapping themselves in before this opportunity to actually make positive change is lost to acrimony and stubbornness...

[PippiLongstocking]

Wonderful post!

[SethBLiNK]

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]

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.