What!? Could it be that a President Bush-suggested government official actually approves of gay people? Wonders never cease!
During a Congressional grilling, Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey said he doesn’t “understand” why the Department of Justice continues to overlook gay staffers for vacant positions. What’s more, Mukasey sees no problem with gay groups announcing events, something they’ve been prohibited to do since Janet Reno’s reign.
Additionally, Mukasey told officials he has always insisted on gay-friendly employment practices:
When I was a district judge. I interviewed and hired without regard to any matter relating personal life of a prospective law clerk–any matter of that kind; I see no reason why there should be any different standard at the department.
HRC has yet to issue an official statement, but spokesman Brad Luna described Mukasey’s position as “refreshing”. Isn’t it just?
How about we take this to the next level?
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Read the transcript after the jump…
SENATOR FEINGOLD: Fair enough, fair enough.
Judge, as is the case in every federal agency of all three branches of government, there are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans serving honorably and effectively at the Department of Justice. The department sponsors commemorative events to recognize the contributions of various minority groups. But under Attorney General Ashcroft and Gonzales, in contrast to Attorney General Reno, it has refused to do so for the GLBT Americans. In addition, while DOJ Pride, an organization of GLBT employees, is permitted to use department space to hold events, it is prohibited from advertising those events on public billboards in department buildings, again, unlike other organizations for minority employees in the department.
Similarly, the department refuses to recruit at job fairs aimed at GLBT attorneys but sends recruiters to job fairs aimed at other minority groups. I am troubled by this. I suppose there is not much to be done about this administration’s attitude toward gays and lesbians, but as Attorney General, you would have the power to end this shameful conduct. Will you stop the disparate treatment of gay and lesbian employees at DOJ?
MR. MICHAEL MUKASEY: I don’t understand the reason for that treatment. When I was a district judge, I interviewed and hired without regard to any matter relating personal life of a prospective law clerk–any matter of that kind; I see no reason why there should be any different standard at the department.
SENATOR FEINGOLD: I’ll take that as saying that you will stop the disparate treatment of gay and lesbian employees at DOJ?
MR. MICHAEL MUKASEY: Sounds like I am going to.
SENATOR FEINGOLD: Pardon me?
MR. MICHAEL MUKASEY: Sounds like I am going to.
SENATOR FEINGOLD: Sounds good to me.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
——
PageOneQ has video.
Matt
Yeah, yeah. I’d like to see some judicial decisions from him that reflect this apparent love of the ‘mos. Otherwise it’s just another transparent bush-appointee confirmationtime conversion.
Leland Frances
Too few people are aware that, despite some major mistakes during his tenure, Bill Clinton issued an executive order in 1998 to bar discrimination against gay federal employees. When the Bush Reich took power through their Supreme Court coup [after an electoral vote tug of war that wouldn’t have happened had the “all or nothing” Nader Babies hadn’t refused to vote for Gore], his administration, as indicated in Feingold’s comments, simply refused to honor it.
Tell me again any good reason for letting the Repugs take the White House again?
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Yes, the federal employee discrimination executive order was rescinded by George Bush in 2001. Kudos to Bill Clinton for that order- followed by DOMA and DADT for centrist measure.
This old gentleman is an old style conservative Republican with a libertarian streak. When Senator Schumer gave thumbs up during the nomination process, it was clear that he was not part of the neocon PNAC crowd.
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
It seems also that the discussion with some is about the Gore election of 2000. Yes, and I remember that Joe Lieberman was the veep candidate. Need one say more.
In 2004, the story was Kerry and Edwards. Both Bush and Kerry had touched Geronimo’s stolen skull- stolen for Skull&Bones, it is said, by granddad Senator Prescott Bush of Connecticut as a student.
The Kerry concession was even faster than Nixon in 1960. Speaking of a corporate enabler, try the man who married the widow of the Heinz fortune, that is, Catholic notwithstanding, he divorced his longtime wife to marry his late colleague’s (Senator John Heinz, Rep.,PA).
dfrw
Before everyone gets excited, I would like to remind all of you that this man is apparently unable to decide what torture is and supports the government’s “enhanced interrogation” techniques. Call it what Republicans may, it is still torture, this man supports it,…and it is apalling.
matt123
Yeah, yeah. I’d like to see some judicial decisions from him that reflect this apparent love of the ‘mos. Otherwise it’s just another transparent bush-appointee confirmationtime conversion.
-http://www.findbilover.com-