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Loading ...Robinson Invocation Supposed to Be Included in HBO Broadcast
Crowds attending the concert at the Lincoln Memorial
(AFP/Robyn Beck)
concert organized by the Presidential Inauguration Committee to start the inauguration festivities — said they were not to blame for the exclusion of Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson’s prayer delivered just before the concert started.
The Presidential Inauguration Committee just issued a statement saying, “We had always intended and planned for Rt. Rev. Robinson’s invocation to be included in the televised portion of yesterday’s program. We regret the error in executing this plan – but are gratified that hundreds of thousands of people who gathered on the mall heard his eloquent prayer for our nation that was a fitting start to our event.” — PIC communications director Josh Earnest.
I’m also hearing that Robinson’s invocation might be broadcast tomorrow on the jumbotron screens placed around the mall for the inauguration ceremony. That would be a smart gesture by PIC and would go some ways toward making up for this.
PIC’s statement doesn’t exactly come out and say the whole thing is their fault, but it does seem to verify HBO’s comments yesterday that they had nothing to do with Robinson’s (pictured, right) exclusion from the broadcast. The network was in touch with us today and again reiterated this by saying, “It was not an HBO omission. We merely televised the show beginning at 2:30pm. Had the PIC told us upfront that this was to be part of the telecast, it would have been.”
HBO has also given PIC permission to post Rev. Robinson’s prayer on their website. An edited version of the HBO broadcast — which will include Robinson’s prayer — will air on the jumbo screens on the mall tomorrow.
As for the people helming Obama’s PIC, their claim that this was simply a miscommunication and that Robinson’s prayer was meant to be included is impossible to verify.
The only thing for certain is that they have stepped in it again and made many in the gay community (and some in the straight community) ever more skeptical of this administration’s attitude toward gay people.
As much as this frustrates me, I am still willing to wait and see the changes that the new administration brings to the daily management of the country. I would like to see a similar message come from the main-stream news outlets, since their silence on the matter comes across as conspiritorial, regardless of the actuality.
Based on the proposed reitteration of Rev. Robinson’s comments/prayer during the Inaugural service, I am willing to give the new president the benefit of the doubt. If this is true, I think we can see the responsiveness of his administration is higher than that of both of the previous administrations.
I’m waiting and holding my breath.
I am dismayed but not surprised by this “error.” PIC has sought from the beginning to minimalize the impact of their decision to include R. Warren in the official inaugural event, and their incredible statements about the timing of the invitation to Bishop Robinson to open Sunday’s event.
Now a ‘convenient’ misunderstanding accomplishes what they wished to accomplish from the beginning: elimination of conspicuous LGBT presence at the inauguration events in order to pander to the right-wingnuts. The only thing left is for the bus for the Gay marching band to break-down preventing them from getting to the parade.
As I read this back I am amazed that I sound like a nutty conspiracy theorist whom I would normally dismiss, but the coincidence of the failure to broadcast Bishop Robinson combined with the lies about his invitation make a compelling case.
The PIC is either a group of incompetent bumblers or skilled liars — and I don’t know which I’d rather they be.
One word “BULLSH!T”.
This Democractic party-sponsored event is beginning to sound like the Republican Party’s. There’s a bigot in this new administration who is about to ruin Obama’s paltform of inclusiveness of ALL Americans. That coward who screwed it up needs to explain what happened. Unless, (s)he was told higher up to exclude Bishop Robinson. Then all that talk about “change” is just bs.
And I feel sorry for the GLBT’S, no change so far, but same old thing.
It just goes to show how much they didn’t care about it. Did anyone really think having Robinson there meant anything? He was just a bone to throw to the gay people in light of Warren and Lowery’s anti-gay marriage issue.
This such a crap, how about a full apology.
How about asking our community what would put things right with us to make up for this (MISTAKE)!
The time for apologies are over,done, finished, no more brushing us aside, or under the bus, talk is cheap.
I want to hear specifically, what they plan to do about this, or better yet, what we want them to do for us for a change.
First the slap, then the token, then this “mistake”, LIES, LIES, AND MORE LIES.
I want more than an a apology, enough!
I am surprised it happened. It looks like what the Republican Party would so. Bishop Robinson was asked to “patch up” the mess created by inviting Rick Warren. I was furious as did the rest of the GLBT community of that choice. Now I’m beginning to see that this the “plan” all along. So much for that promise of change and inclusiveness. Bigotry and inequality are alive and well. How sad indeed.
This such a crap, how about a full apology.
How about asking our community what would put things right with us, how to make it to us for this (MISTAKE)!
The time for apologies and mistakes are over,done, finished, no more brushing us aside, or under the bus, their talk is cheap.
I want to hear specifically, what they plan to do about this, or better yet, what we want them to do for in this matter us.
First the slap, then the token, then this “mistake”, LIES, LIES, AND MORE LIES.
I want more than an a apology, enough!
Is anyone surprised by this? Bet you they don’t skip (p)rick!
There was another omission in the broadcast. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington performed as the backup singers for Josh Groban and the group was NOT identified on-air or anywhere else as far as I can determine. Other groups that sang back up to the main performers were named on-air. Just another snub in what is turning out to be a long line.
I thought it was supposed to be there AND I don’t think it was an accident! I agree — it is bullshit!
Anyone who truly believes these are all errors is extremely naive. They know exactly what they are doing and it is being done purposely. Wake up and get ready for a 4 year brawl. I hope we have the stomach and backbone to fight. Believe me they will be looking for our money and votes in 2 years. Lets not get fooled anymore it is embarrassing.
A hot steaming pile of a lame excuse.
Knew it!!! – not surprised one bit by it. Better get used to it. It’s not like this is the first time this has happened during Obama’s long journey to the White House. If youre not one of the Kool Aid drinkers you had to see this one coming.
“but are gratified that hundreds of thousands of people who gathered on the mall heard his eloquent prayer for our nation that was a fitting start to our event.” — PIC communications director Josh Earnest.
I have lost count of the reports from those present yesterday. What about that mysterious malfunction in one of the main speaker towers that “malfunctioned” just long enough for the Reverend to almost completely finish his prayer! PIC? Anything?
It was a big disappoiintment and very painful given all the surrounding politics.