Bush planning to use recess appointment for Homophobic Holsinger?
Is Bush about to have another recess appointment? Back in July, Bush's Surgeon General nominee James Holsinger appeared in front of the Senate. Three months later, the committee is still waiting for his questionnaire with a due date of August 10. In case you missed the controversy surrounding this nomination, Think Progress did a summary:
Holsinger founded Hope Springs Community Church, which “ministers to people who no longer wish to be gay or lesbian.” Holsinger said that he sees homosexuality as “an issue not of orientation but of lifestyle.” [Lexington Herald-Leader, 6/1/07]
In serving on the United Methodist Judicial Council — the “court” that resolves “disputes involving church doctrine and policies in the nation’s second-largest Protestant denomination”. Holsinger “opposed a decision to allow a practicing lesbian to be an associate pastor, and he supported a pastor who would not permit an openly gay man to join the church.” [Lexington Herald-Leader, 6/1/07] In the early 1990s, Holsinger resigned from the United Methodist Church’s Committee to Study Homosexuality “because he believed the committee ‘would follow liberal lines.’” He also warned “that acceptance of homosexuality would drive away millions of churchgoers.” [Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 5/26/07; Time, 6/24/91]
The delay in action seems to point to Bush making another recess appointment, which would allow Holsinger to serve as surgeon general until the end of the current Congress next year.
Recess appointments have been one of Bush's favorite tools. Throughout his stay in the White House Bush has filled 105 full time positions with recess appointments - at the same point in his presidency Clinton had filled 42.
Recess appointments happen - the Senate is not in session all year long. The problem is when an appointment is delayed, such as Holsinger's, because it is obvious his appointment would cause controversy. Holsinger is very loud and very proud about being homophobic - making curing homophobia one of his main missions. Such a man has no place as Surgeon General, and Bush's delay in order to use a recess appointment is disgraceful.
Bush, homophobia, Holsinger, recess appointment, surgeon general
What does his viewpoint on homosexuality, as deplorable as I may find it, have to do with his capability in executing the duties of the Surgeon General? The best I can think of is the christian nutbag link that implies what he'd put forth on sex-ed and such, but I wouldn't think that'd be enough to hold up the nomination considering the time left in Bush's term and the fact that if they pull any shit now, it'll only provide fodder for the race at hand.
What does his viewpoint on homosexuality, as deplorable as I may find it, have to do with his capability in executing the duties of the Surgeon General? The best I can think of is the christian nutbag link that implies what he'd put forth on sex-ed and such, but I wouldn't think that'd be enough to hold up the nomination considering the time left in Bush's term and the fact that if they pull any shit now, it'll only provide fodder for the race at hand.