On January 18, 2009, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, openly gay New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson's address to the nation was dissed by HBO. At first it appeared that the network had deliberately turned the cameras off. Now it seems like there was a mixup between HBO and the Presidential Inaugural Committee about scheduling. HBO's coverage didn't start until 2:30 PM, and the Bishop Robinson's address began at 2:25 PM. So the argument can be made that there was a screw-up. Still, either HBO or the PIC should apologize, especially because there are probably a lot of folks wondering what would have happened if the speaker had been anyone other than an internationally controversial, openly gay bishop.
What's more, there were also "technical difficulties" during the address, so that not even most of those attending the event live could hear what Bishop Robinson was saying. However, Propeller user david_nwpa, who posted the second story about the issue, was able to rise above in his response to Overlooked.
"The damage is now done," he writes, "and it is too late for HBO to make up for the omission. That said, I am not upset about HBO not airing Bishop Robinson's prayer. First, HBO has a considerable amount of programming related to GLBT causes. Second, HBO had a misunderstanding with the transition team regarding the time at which the broadcast should begin. Ideally, HBO will offer to rebroadcast the concert along with Bishop Robinson's prayer, and make the entire program available on DVD."
Whatever version of the story you believe, this lack of attention to detail is the kind of red flag we constituents should keep an eye out for.
The complete prayer of Bishop V. Gene Robinson on Jan.18, 2009:
For additional feedback on this story, check out Bishop Robinson's response on NPR.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1. the bible says that in he last days that evil wil be called good and god evil.homosexuallity is a sin.
Posted at 1:48PM on Jan 30th 2009 by rb_bygrace
2. rb_bygrace: prove it without using the Bible, which has not been recognized by law as an authority for anything.
Posted at 1:50PM on Jan 30th 2009 by Alexia Prichard
3. rb_bygrace: I disagree that homosexuality is a sin. I am also aware that the Bible states in Deuteronomy:
"12.10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die, because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
17.2 If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman who hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God in transgressing His covenant,
17.3 and hath gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded,
17.4 and it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it and inquired diligently, and behold, it be true and the thing certain that such abomination is wrought in Israel,
17.5 then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman who has committed that wicked thing unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones till they die."
So, you agree to stoning people to death?
Posted at 2:13PM on Jan 30th 2009 by Alexia Prichard
4. I don't think HBO would intentionally do that.
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