Pink triangulation

by kosnomore, Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 05:49:13 AM EST

Pink triangle:

"The pink triangle (German: Rosa Winkel) was one of the Nazi concentration camp badges, used by the Nazis to identify male prisoners in concentration camps who were sent there because of their homosexuality."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_triang le

Triangulation:

"Triangulation is the name given to the act of a political candidate presenting his or her ideology as being "above" and "between" the "left" and "right" sides (or "wings") of a traditional (e.g. UK or US) democratic "political spectrum". It involves adopting for oneself some of the ideas of one's political opponent (or apparent opponent). The logic behind it is that it both takes credit for the opponent's ideas, and insulates the triangulator from attacks on that particular issue. Opponents of triangulation[who?], who believe in a fundamental "left" and "right", consider the dynamic a deviation from its "reality" and dismiss those that strive for it as whimsical."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangulati on_(politics)

Pink triangulation:

"Obama defends choice of gay-marriage opponent Rev. Rich Warren to deliver invocation - Calling on Americans to "come together, even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues," President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday defended his choice of conservative evangelical Rev. Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration, a choice that had angered supporters of Obama who see the minister as intolerant to gays."
http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_1 1267466

Are you really surprised that a campaign which took off after the gospel tour with Rev. Donnie McClurkin in South Carolina concludes with Rev. Rick Warren in Washington, D.C.?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_McCl urkin

By the way, Obama never lied about his position on marriage equality. Joe Biden stated it very clearly at the vice presidential debate. If you're disappointed, it's only because you were hoping Obama was lieing.

FarRightDemocrat.blogspot.com

Tags: Barack Obama, donnie mcclurkin, joe biden, Rick Warren (all tags)

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DFTT n/t

by Koan 2008-12-19 05:56AM | 0 recs

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Re: Pink triangulation

It's not just triangulation on gay issues. It's triangulation on the entire so called culture war. And anyone to whom this wasn't blindingly obvious by late 2007 was never paying attention. Andrew Sullivan shouldn't be surprised either, he knows Obama better than anyone.

by Beet 2008-12-19 06:00AM | 0 recs

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Re: Pink triangulation

What, you know that Sullivan knows Obama better than anyone? Oh please!!

by venician 2008-12-19 08:16AM | 0 recs

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Here's the salient bit

Opponents of triangulation, who believe in a fundamental "left" and "right"

What's interesting is that by that definition one is either a triangulator or a purist. What's even more interesting that there are exactly two points on the ideology continuum where you are NOT a triangulator.

In short, a triangulating approach best represents a Party's center-of-gravity, even if it pisses off those in the outlying "tails".

BTW, I did you the courtesy of ignoring your first paragraph. There is a reason Godwin's Law is so oft-used as a standard, ham-handed Nazi references far outnumber clever ones. Despite what authors think.

by Neef 2008-12-19 06:26AM | 0 recs

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On the contrary - -

I'm not violating Godwin's law because I'm not accusing anyone of being or comparing anyone to the Nazis.
In fact, the pink triangle, like many other prejoratives for sexual, ethnic and racial minorities, has been given the Lenny Bruce treatment, i.e., de-fanged and adopted by it's former intended victims as an emblem of self identification and pride. Take a walk through San Francisco or Greenwich Village / Chelsea during pride week. Those pink triangles you see do not indicate support for the Nazis.

by kosnomore 2008-12-19 06:42AM | 0 recs

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Re: On the contrary - -

Whether you intend it or not, your association of the 'pink triangle' with someone who is not within the community carries and implication of replicating NAZI oppression. It may have been some attempt at wit or irony. But its more irresponsible than playful here. There is a big difference between members of a marginalized group subverting the symbol of their marginalization and a non-member using that symbol to paint another non-member as that group's opponent.

It's really not that subtle. I would think you'd be able to see it. Or do you think it's unfair for black people to use the 'n-word' and maintain its inappropriateness for others to do so?

by Strummerson 2008-12-19 07:27AM | 0 recs

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Those symbols aren't de-fanged

they are re-directed.

I suppose I could walk around with a Black Pride pin that showed a tree and a noose. It's certainly a rather militant statement.

by Neef 2008-12-19 07:54AM | 0 recs

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Re: Here's the salient bit

Funny that kos also calls himself a "far right democrat" LOL

by venician 2008-12-19 09:04AM | 0 recs

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Re: Pink triangulation

Once again, I will make my prediction - Rick Warren's prayer will irritate few (equally divided between fringes right & left), please most of the people who listen, and fit perfectly with the themes of Obama's inaugural speech.

And GLBT rights will have the best four years in recorded history, thanks to Obama. Women, the working class, the sick, the poor, immigrants, and Veterans will also be beneficiaries of the changes being prayed over by Rick Warren.

I might even bow my head while he delivers it, and watch C-Span so I don't have to hear the runny commentary about how the Left is fuming over the presence of Rick Warren on the stage.

by QTG 2008-12-19 07:24AM | 0 recs

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Re: Pink triangulation

This is also my hope. I think it's a reasonable hope. In the mean time, I think it is totally appropriate for people to object.

On the other hand, using this to argue that Obama is fundamentally indifferent to gay rights, civil rights, social and economic justice, health care, motherhood, puppies, rainbows, music, love, and ice cream, is patently loony and annoying.

by Strummerson 2008-12-19 07:30AM | 0 recs

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Re: Pink triangulation

One minor correction:

The best eight years in recorded history. (Followed by another eight for Obama's Democratic successor.)

by mistersite 2008-12-19 07:34AM | 0 recs

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An excellent point

about many on the Right being annoyed by this.

by Neef 2008-12-19 07:52AM | 0 recs

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Re: An excellent point

The poor Cornerites forgot to read this diary.

On Obama and Same-Sex Marriage [Ed Whelan]

Defenders of marriage shouldn't be conned by President-elect Obama's selection of evangelical pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inauguration. Although Obama claims to be against same-sex marriage, his opposition to California's Proposition 8--which overturned the California supreme court's invention of a state constitutional right to same-sex marriage--shows that he is content to acquiesce in judicial imposition of same-sex marriage. Further, it's a safe bet that Obama's appointees to the Supreme Court will support the invention of a federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage. (As illustrations, consider the records of two of the leading contenders for appointment, Harold Koh and Deval Patrick.)

Emphasis added.

Heh.

by January 20 2008-12-19 09:10AM | 0 recs

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Re: Pink triangulation

Someone refresh my memory: did Billy Graham's role at Bill Clinton's inauguration get this kind of reaction?

by Jess81 2008-12-19 08:52AM | 0 recs

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Billy was always more apolitical

It really was a different era when Billy came up.
In the '50's and 60's and 70's, politically active clergy tended to be liberal on civil rights and the Vietnam war.
At that time, conservative clergy were still adhering to traditional Baptist priciples of church / state separation. People in the modern politicized Baptist church (starting with Anita Bryant et al in the late '70's) forget - - Southern Baptists used to be FOR church / state separation.
None of this is to say that Billy didn't have opinions, but he never campaigned for sides or issues ala Falwell or Robinson or WARREN.
Billy prided himself on being the president's pastor, whoever it was at the time.

by kosnomore 2008-12-19 09:33AM | 0 recs

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I saw a snippet of his interview tonight

but could not stomach watching him and mostly I refuse to be part of giving him the ratings to promulgate his hate agenda.

Thanks to Obama, he's been put in the spotlight, once again, by selecting Warren, he validated him as a person worthy of giving his invocation, therefore, giving him a platform to propagandize his divisive hate mongering. Had Obama not invited him, he would not have had a 2hr interview, in prime time on a major network, most likely spewing his continued hate using religious values as an excuse!

by suzieg 2008-12-19 07:02PM | 0 recs

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Don't bring Clinton into this argument. We knew

exactly who we were getting when we voted for him unlike Obama. Stating that Clinton also did wrong, therefore, it should be acceptable for me to watch the swearing in ceremony of a democratic president, who openly validates the rhetoric of bigotry and hate on the day of his inauguration, is way beyond the pale. If you felt so strongly about Graham, as I do for Warren, then it goes without saying that you should be more demanding of Obama, so spare me the indignation! If you're so willing to accept this affront to the GLBT community, it really doesn't speak well of your character.

Secondly, you've confirmed my impression of your lack of compassion by responding that, as long as the perpetrator of overt bigotry is a best selling author it's okay for you to have him in a prominent role at the ceremony! Might I remind you that Hitler and Mao also wrote best sellers....

by suzieg 2008-12-19 10:19PM | 0 recs

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Yes.

Barack Obama is a horrible human being.

by thatpurplestuff 2008-12-19 10:43PM | 0 recs

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What's amazing

Is that you admit you don't hold them to the same standard.

"I voted for one shameful person because I KNEW he was shameful. I didn't know this one was shameful, so I'm appalled".

It sort of undermines your argument.

by Neef 2008-12-20 12:12PM | 0 recs

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Re: I saw a snippet of his interview tonight

What you fail to understand is that like you, now millions of people can see what a hypocrite he is. In the end this will diminish his standing with moderate christians. But then again you don't realize that Obama is playing politics as chess and you are stuck playing checkers.

by venician 2008-12-20 12:06PM | 0 recs

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lol wut

"Is AIDS a judgment of God?" - Billy Graham

by JJE 2008-12-19 07:45PM | 0 recs

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See my previous response - I stand by it!

by suzieg 2008-12-19 10:21PM | 0 recs

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Re: See my previous response - I stand by it!

I see that you're an apologist for homophobes. Am I missing something?

by Jess81 2008-12-20 12:01AM | 0 recs

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Re: Pink triangulation

Graham was far less homophobic in his preaching. Also Clinton then went on to put his head on the block to push for gay rights within his first 100 days. Let's see if Obama goes so far to support GLBT rights in his first term.

by swissffun 2008-12-20 03:48AM | 0 recs

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Oh good

Now Billy Graham is being rehabilitated in the service of the anti-Obama cause. Try Nixon next.

by JJE 2008-12-20 04:20AM | 0 recs

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Re: Oh good

Who signed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?

by QTG 2008-12-20 07:31AM | 0 recs

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Re: Oh good

it's what the Powell military, wingers and fellow Democrats in the Senate forced him into. were you paying attention in the 90's?

by swissffun 2008-12-21 04:43AM | 0 recs

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Re: Oh good

criticizing an Obama decision is not 'anti-Obama'. graham being as bad as warren was put out here as somehow justifying the choice. i'm not a fan of either, but to put them on equal footing is plain wrong. and i'm NOT rehabilitating graham by stating the simple fact that he was less vile than warren in his homophobia.

by swissffun 2008-12-21 04:41AM | 0 recs

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you're lying about it

because Graham was just as vile. And your purpose in doing so is to slam Obama. Thus my comment was completely accurate.

by JJE 2008-12-22 07:29PM | 0 recs

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Re: you're lying about it

hyper sensitive. if Obama does something I disagree with, and I comment on it - that makes me overall slamming Obama. how rude of you to belittle valid concerns as being nothing but slamming Obama. get over it.

by swissffun 2008-12-29 01:28PM | 0 recs