The pencil gambit

After hearing that Joe Gerardi penciled in Alex Rodriguez' name for tomorrow's Yankees game, I decided to pencil in Pope Francis' name on my gay agenda: tomorrow, 3pm, espresso at my place. I hope he's not sleeping at that time. I hear they keep strange hours in Italy.

Hmmm. I think I'll offer him ladyfingers with his espresso. Once he's had his fill, I'll straighten him out about the whole gay marriage thing. I'm glad Joe Girardi suggested this.

Still irritated

In an updated NYT/AP story about the anti-gay pastor stepping down, there's a lot that's irritating. For instance, these were "Reverend" Louie's blessed remarks when he bowed out:

The Rev. Louie Giglio of Passion City Church in Atlanta said in a statement he withdrew because it was likely that the "prayer I would offer will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration." 

"Their agenda." How sweet. He feels a pressing need to attack gays, even in his withdrawal statement. Way to go, Louie. We can see you're a true man of god.

And then there's the aggravating statement from the White House:

"We were not aware of Pastor Giglio's past comments at the time of his selection and they don't reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this inaugural," Whisenant said in a statement. 

Indeed. So what was the excuse at the first inauguration? Celebrating "the strength and diversity of our country" wasn't important at that time?

Obama faced a similar uproar in 2009, when he chose prominent pastor Rick Warren to give the inaugural benediction as an olive branch to evangelicals, who overwhelmingly vote Republican. Warren had compared gay relationships to incest and pedophilia. He had also urged congregants at his Saddleback Church in California to support the Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage on the 2008 state ballot. 

Twits.