Word of the Day

Word of the Day for Thursday, December 18, 2008
hackneyed \HAK-need\, adjective:

1. used too often; commonplace
2. habituated; experienced

Special sense of "one who writes anything for hire" led to hackneyed "trite" by 1749.

Well, gee, I didn't need dictionary.com to decide my ego for the day. Thanks a lot, Interwebs ...

Sometimes you gotta compromise

Obama Defends Invocation by Conservative Pastor

Washington Post
updated 11:18 a.m., Dec. 18, 2008
By Jacqueline L. Salmon and Debbi Wilgoren

President-elect Barack Obama this morning defended his choice of evangelical megapastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at next month's swearing-in, saying that while he differs with the conservative pastor on social issues, he wants to have diverse voices at the ceremony.

"I am a fierce advocate of equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something that I have been consistent on and something that I intend to continue to be consistent on in my presidency," Obama said at a morning news conference to announce several financial appointments. "What I've also said is that it is important for American to come together even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues."

Gay rights advocates and progressives denounced the decision to associate with Warren, an outspoken opponent of abortion rights and same-sex marriage, immediately after inaugural organizers announced the lineup for the ceremony yesterday.

The Human Rights Campaign sent a blistering letter to Obama (D) in which it called the choice of Warren "a genuine blow" to gay Americans, who supported Obama overwhelmingly in his race against Republican nominee John McCain.

The letter noted Warren's vocal support of California's Proposition 8, a ballot measure banning gay marriage in the state that was approved by California voters last month. "By inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table," the letter said.

Warren will offer the opening prayer at the inaugural ceremony, which will be followed by a closing benediction offered by Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, a civil rights icon who founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

"During the course of the entire inaugural festivities, there are going to be a wide range of views considered," Obama said. "And that's how it should be. That's what Americas all about."

Warren, a bestselling author and founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., hosted a presidential forum at his church last summer at which he questioned Obama and McCain on a variety of faith-related issues.

Warren has been credited with helping to broaden evangelicals' focus on such social issues as gay rights and abortion to include global warming, poverty and the AIDS epidemic. He drew criticism from many evangelicals when he invited Obama to his conference on AIDS in 2006.

But he has earned the ire of liberals with his opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage and stem-cell research -- stances that are well in line with his faith as a Southern Baptist preacher.

Obama told reporters that he appreciated Warren's invitation to speak at the his church "despite his awareness that I held views that were entirely contrary to his" on gay rights and abortion. "Nevertheless, I had the opportunity to speak," Obama said. "And that dialogue has been part of what my campaign is all about."

I understand this upsets a lot of people, and perhaps rightfully so. Personally, I'm not thrilled over Christian prayer being said over the swearing-in of anyone presiding over a country that is supposed to be religiously neutral, but I recognize it's a tradition. As far as Obama picking Warren, all I can say is I'm a pragmatist, and I see it as him trying to show yet again that he intends to govern the entire country, not just liberals or those who think like he does. Frankly, it's a fairly benign way - IMO - to recognize his opponents on the evangelical right and say "Look, I don't agree with a lot of what you espouse and you probably won't be very happy with me over the next 4-8 years, but I'm not actively trying to piss you off."

Besides, I like the idea of this sort of compromise - maybe it'll inspire some of the evangelical-political crowd to exercise the same thought process toward those of us they see as their enemies. *shrug*

The computer is offline ...

Gene Roddenberry widow - and sci-fi producer and actress in her own right - Majel Barrett Roddenberry died today at age 76, after being diagnosed six months ago with leukemia.



Rest in peace, Christine ... Lwaxana ... ship's computer ... patron, icon, and generally awesome woman with an attitude. (She's someone you'd think of wearing purple with a red hat.)

HALLELUJAH!

apiphile has given me permission to link to her short, but well-explained, treatise on the portrayal/writing of female characters in fanfic (to which I was originally linked by venusinchains a few days ago).

Especially: At no point am I to mention PMS because that's stereotyping but women's moods and strengths do shit with the menstrual cycle but if I write that she's in touch with her inner moon phases I will want to stab myself in the eyes.

AMEN. I'm sorry - I don't regard my monthly bleed with very much affection at all (sorry, men). WHY would I want to wax poetic on a continuing source of pain for 40 years of life, that I just wish would go away, already? LOL

ETA: Sorry, guys. The mods at metawank metafandom, in their continuing infinite wisdom of regarding all private journal public posts as public domain, linked to her post and turned it into flamebait - their usual M.O. So, she locked the entry. Can't say I blame her, but it still frustrates me. It was a good POV, and I'm frankly sick of women who don't like the literary equivalent of constantly gazing into a mirror at their own pussies being bullied by fellow women.