I have to say that an anti gay bigot in one of the most high profile cabinet positions is a problem

[dsc]

when one remembers that while DADT has been repealed, it wasn't replaced with legislation permitting gays to serve openly. The details were left to the Administration and, of course, the Sec of Defense. I think we need to find somebody else. Surely there must be someone who doesn't hate gays who can do that job.

[Zache]

1. The secretary of defense is still under the authority of the president.

He's not going to do anything Obama doesn't want.

And given his endorsement of several Democrats after he left office, I presume he was pulling an "Arlen Specter" and simply doing whatever allowed him continue as a senator in a very conservative state.

But maybe I'm a bit more forgiving to perhaps the most dovish secretary pick in a long time.

[blm]

2. That would make Bill Clinton unacceptable. Hagel has been an enlightened man the last 8 years.

And I say that as someone who would NEVER give him a break when he was in the senate. Those opposing Hagel now are doing so BECAUSE he has become less of a hawk over the years.

[dsc]

5. No Bill Clinton didn't say that an otherwise qualified Ambasador candidate was unfit to serve

simply for being gay. No, he actually appointed that candidate. No, Bill Clinton didn't oppose ENDA, he instead came within one vote from passing it in 1999. No, Bill Clinton didn't oppose the hate crimes bill, he begged the Congress to pass it. To my knowledge, Hagel has not uttered one single solitary word taking back any of those stances. It is because of Mr. Hagel that I, and any other gay person in this (not meant to be exhaustive list) of states can be fired tomorrow simply for being gay. FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, TN, ARK, MS, AL, LA, TX, OK, KS, NE, ND, SD, MT, ID, UT, AZ, and Alaska. So, no, Mr. Hagel is not the same as Mr. Clinton. On edit, his lack of hawkishness is a plus but it doesn't, without a direct, "I was wrong" apology, doesn't outweigh this.

[dsc]

15. kick

for an answer to the above.

[dsc]

16. kick

though I think Hell will freeze over before I get an answer.

[blm]

17. I expect he will walk back his past remarks. And he's less hawkish than Clinton who signed DOMA

and the Clinton who also advised Kerry to back anti-gay state measures in 2004.

Hagel has been a changed man in many ways since that helicopter downing. I think you should give him a chance to BE that changed man that some of us noticed.

[forestpath]

6. WRONG. I despise warmongers.

[Voice for Peace]

7. Hagel is far from a warmonger

cheers

[dsc]

10. He didn't say he despises only warmongers

[DonViejo]

3. Do you think the President and/or his staffers

Last edited Thu Dec 20, 2012, 11:14 PM - Edit history (1)

did not cover the subject of gays in the military when they discussed/interviewed Hagel for the Cabinet post?

[forestpath]

4. K&R I think this is a travesty.

[JI7]

8. what if his views have changed ? the comments are from the 90s aren't they ?

i do think he should be asked about it and his current position on gay rights during the hearings.

[dsc]

9. He had a 0 from HRC his entire term which was until 2008

that said, if he says "I was wrong and my views have changed" he could be considered.

[yardwork]

11. I don't understand why a Republican is being appointed to a cabinet post.

There was not a single Democrat qualified to be Secretary of Defense?

I think that this is a mistake.

[dsc]

13. I don't mind Republicans

depending on the post, but I need to hear this man say "I was wrong" before I would even consider this appointment.

[yardwork]

14. I do.

[undeterred]

12. Isn't he more of a voting machine election rigging thief?

Putting his liabilities in order of distinction. Didn't he actually steal his Senate seat?