The Minnesota Independent

inauguration - Latest Stories

Pawlenty to GOP: Give Obama some space

By Andy Birkey | 01.20.09 | 9:05 am

Gov. Tim Pawlenty told MSNBC on Monday that Republicans need to allow President Barack Obama to carry out his agenda, particularly with regard to fixing the economy.
“We need to give him a lot of latitude,” Pawlenty said.…

Injunction to stop prayer at Obama inauguration fails

By Andy Birkey | 01.16.09 | 10:31 am

Separation of church and state advocates lost their injunction to stop prayer and references to God at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The Minnesota Atheists were among several groups that brought the injunction as part of a…

Minnesotans join suit to stop religious events at inauguration

By Andy Birkey | 12.30.08 | 11:38 am

The state’s largest group dedicated to separation of church and state has joined a lawsuit to stop religious services at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. The lawsuit, now joined by Minnesota Atheists, is being initiated by Michael Newdow, a separation of church and state advocate.

At issue are the scheduled events involving the Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, a prominent civil-rights pastor, and the Rev. Rick Warren, whose statements about same-sex marriage and abortion have created an uproar among progressives.

Obama responds to critics over Rick Warren as outrage from gay community grows

By Andy Birkey | 12.18.08 | 2:02 pm

The fallout from the decision by President-elect Barack Obama to select evangelical preacher Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration continues as Warren explains his incendiary statement, Obama explains his decision, the pundits weigh in on what…