An openly gay Secretary of the Navy?

[Huckleman2000]

From the Washington Times, of all places:

Gay man backed for Navy secretary
Stephen Dinan (Contact)

Some top retired military leaders and some Democrats in Congress are backing William White, chief operating officer of the Intrepid Museum Foundation, to be the next secretary of the Navy -- a move that would put the first openly gay person at the top of one of the services.

The secretary's job is a civilian position, so it would not run afoul of the ban on gays serving in the military, but it would renew focus on the "don't ask, don't tell" policy as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office.

"He would be phenomenal," said retired Gen. Hugh Shelton, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001, pointing to Mr. White's extensive background as a fundraiser for veterans' and military causes.

Retired members of the Joint Chiefs have contacted Mr. Obama's transition team to urge them to pick Mr. White, and members of Congress said he would be a good choice for a service secretary.

"He's very capable," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler, New York Democrat, whose district includes the Intrepid Museum, a retired aircraft carrier berthed on the Hudson River in New York City.

Mr. Nadler said Mr. White has become a friend of the military, and particularly the service members and their families, both through the Intrepid and through Fisher Houses, which offer a place to stay so families can be close to military members who are receiving medical care.

A spokeswoman for the Obama campaign said they won't comment on personnel decisions.

Others are in consideration, such as Juan Garcia, a former naval aviator who was defeated for re-election to his seat in the Texas House. Mr. Garcia is friends with Mr. Obama from their Harvard Law School days and was chairman of Mr. Obama's Texas campaign.

Democratic members of Congress from Texas sent a letter to Mr. Obama earlier this month supporting Mr. Garcia for the position.

A spokesman said Mr. White would not comment.

If Mr. White were nominated, he likely would face questions during a Senate confirmation hearing over how his nomination would square with the military's policies on gays.

In 1993, President Clinton signed into law a ban, and White House and congressional leaders settled on a new policy known as "don't ask, don't tell." Under it, gay service members must keep their sexuality private or face expulsion. About 12,500 people have been discharged under the policy.

Supporters of the ban said nominating Mr. White would send the wrong signal.

"It's a matter of judgment, and I think that would be very poor judgment on the part of the commander in chief," said Elaine Donnelly, president of the Center for Military Readiness, which opposes gays serving in the military. "It would be very demoralizing to the troops."

But Mr. Nadler said the military policy that says gays are a threat to unit cohesion is "nonsense," and it shouldn't apply to Mr. White anyway because as secretary "he's not in the foxhole, he's not on the ship."

Gen. Shelton called Mr. White's work at both the Intrepid Museum and the Fisher House Foundation "legendary."

"He has always been a staunch advocate of our men and women in uniform," Gen. Shelton said.

 

[rgraham666]

He sounds good to me.

And if his appointment makes the heads of Ms. Donnelly and her ilk explode, so much the better.

 

[fieryjen]

He sounds good to me.

And if his appointment makes the heads of Ms. Donnelly and her ilk explode, so much the better.

That's kinda what I was thinking too. He seems to be very qualified, so he should get the job.

 

[Stella_Omega]

If this man is as good as these quotes make him seem to be, then yes, he just might be the right man for the job.

I didnt see anyone calling his abilities into question.

 

[shereads]

I'm still reeling from the Rick Warren announcement.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Retired members of the Joint Chiefs have contacted Mr. Obama's transition team to urge them to pick Mr. White...

Last time I checked the JCS (retired or active) wasn't full of a bunch of screaming liberal homosexuals, so maybe, just maybe, he is the best PERSON for the job! What a freaking novel concept!

You also should have added a vote choice of : What fucking difference does his sexual orientation have to do with him being able to do the job!

 

[Safe_Bet]

I'm still reeling from the Rick Warren announcement.

Not real happy about that one myself!

 

[Liar]

I'm still reeling from the Rick Warren announcement.

Who dat?

 

[Safe_Bet]

Who dat?

Rick Warren .... <------ Homophobe, metally wacked, Fundie preacher!

 

[fieryjen]

Rick Warren .... <------ Homophobe, metally wacked, Fundie preacher!

What happened that had to do with him? I'm missing something.

I also totally misclicked and picked the wrong poll choice. My mouse-skills aren't up to scratch.

 

[Liar]

Rick Warren .... <------ Homophobe, metally wacked, Fundie preacher!

And what did he announce?

I'm on the other side of the planet, so some news slip me by.

 

[fieryjen]

And what did he announce?

I'm on the other side of the planet, so some news slip me by.

I'm on the right side of the planet for this and the news slipped by me too.

 

[Safe_Bet]

And what did he announce?

I'm on the other side of the planet, so some news slip me by.

Enjoy!

 

[Darkniciad]

Warren = Throw a harmless bone to the right. Warren tosses out a prayer, and a few moderate righties feel better about Obama. Y'all blow a gasket about it, that advertises it and spreads the word.

In the end, it's political capital for Obama, so fume away

 

[Elianna]

Ummm... Is he the pastor doing the Inauguration? I think that's what I heard on NPR this morning... right before I turned the Christmas station back on.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

And just what does the Center for Military Readiness know? They're all too old to be in and they only talk to each other. Stoopidheads.

 

[rgraham666]

Enjoy!

Um. Okay.

I'm now thinking somewhat less of Barack Obama.

 

[Guest]

Rob, the author of that article, John Cloud, is a supporter of Ann Coulter.

'Nuff said.

http://www.cjr.org/the_water_cooler/john_cloud_responds_to_his_cri.php

 

[rgraham666]

Rob, the author of that article, John Cloud, is a supporter of Ann Coulter.

'Nuff said.

http://www.cjr.org/the_water_cooler/john_cloud_responds_to_his_cri.php

Ah. I did not know that. My bad.

 

[Guest]

I don't know William White. But quite honestly, straight, gay, black, white, yellow, red, Christian, Jewish, Muslem -

Who gives a shit?

Is he qualified or not?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Um. Okay.

I'm now thinking somewhat less of Barack Obama.

Rob, the African-American Christian community is deeply social conservative. It always was. That's what passed the damned Prop 8 in California. Just because they believe in justice for them says diddly squat about justice for anyone else. Understand that. Want to know what drives the high homicide rate in the U.S.? Inter-minority violence caused by resentment of what the "other" has or may take away from another. White American crime is exactly comparable to White Canadian crime. No one ever wants to say this but look at the numbers.

 

[rgraham666]

I think I'm going to pull another moratorium on politics.

I'm getting sick of them. Again.

 

[Safe_Bet]

Rob, the author of that article, John Cloud, is a supporter of Ann Coulter.

'Nuff said.

http://www.cjr.org/the_water_cooler/john_cloud_responds_to_his_cri.php

Surely you aren't trying to say Rick Warren isn't a homophobic, mentally wacked, Fundie preacher???

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I think I'm going to pull another moratorium on politics.

I'm getting sick of them. Again.

Good move. I second the motion.

 

[Guest]

Surely you aren't trying to say Rick Warren isn't a homophobic, mentally wacked, Fundie preacher???

Warren's an ass. He disgusts me.

But I agree with Darkniciad. "Warren tosses out a prayer, and a few moderate righties feel better about Obama." End of story.

But John Cloud writing about this, giving his opinions of Obama? What a laugh. He is very biased and his articles should be taken with a truckload of salt.