For too many reasons to list, I really, really admire Thom Hartmann. But wow. With all due respect, I just don't understand his latest column in which he applauds the inclusion of Rick Warren in the inaugural ceremony. Basically, Hartmann is in line with my friend Stranahan in suggesting that by including Warren, the president-elect is creating a sort of peaceful détente between progressives and conservative evangelicals. Hartmann writes:
You'd think that we'd have learned from these experiences - particularly those of us who call ourselves "progressives" - that you get your desired results faster when you embrace, engage, and nurture your "enemies" than when you physically or rhetorically bomb them.
Of course I couldn't agree more with this general idea -- but within reason. After all, we're talking about an evangelical minister who believes that my gay friends are one step removed from pedophiles (and therefore one step removed from criminals). We weren't so forgiving when Rick Santorum said almost the exact same thing. Rhetorical bombing all around. And for good damn reason.
Additionally, I thought I heard Hartmann on his show the other day declaring the shoe-tosser to be "a hero." I'm not sure how bestowing hero status upon a man who hurled shoes at the head of the president lines up with "embracing, engaging, and nuturing" those we disagree with.
Between this Warren thing and the shoe-tosser, this week has seriously sucked eggs for blogotubing.