Amidst all the responses about Obama's choice to invite Rick Warren to pray at his inauguration, it seems Obama does know what he is doing. Today, Rick Warren's church removed anti-gay rhetoric from their site and replaced it with more inclusive language. It may be merely lip service, but it's a step in a better direction. It proves that by treating people with respect we can actually shine a light on their mistakes and give them encouragement to change. I'm not sure that would happen if we simply berate and belittle these kinds of people.

I'm as disgusted as anyone about Rick Warren's comments and his theology, but Obama is simply doing the kinds of things that he promised he would do. Obama took heat for declaring his intentions to speak with bad people BEFORE they come around to his way of thinking. While the Bush administration consistently takes the "pay before play" approach of political negotiations, Obama invites his adversaries to "belong before they believe" in hopes that having a seat at the table will help change their perspective. Obama believes in a better way to handle conflict. In this particular battle Obama appears to be right. Maybe next time we will give him the benefit of the doubt.