Dr. James Holsinger may soon slide into the surgeon general chair.
Despite Congressional hesitation, the controversial “not anti-gay” doctor and United Methodist mouthpiece has been telling pals that President Bush will unceremoniously appoint him during the forthcoming legislative holiday. Frank Lockwood passes on the disturbing news:
[Holsinger] has resigned from the board of trustees of Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. The conservative school announced Holsinger’s decision in an e-mail this afternoon. Holsinger’s nomination, opposed by several leading Democrats, has stalled in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. But Holsinger is telling people the president plans to appoint him to the post anyway once the Congress goes into its holiday recess, a well-connected Wilmore source says.
Holsinger’s appointment would not only be an example of the Bush Administration’s flagrant disregard for power sharing, but would also recommit this White House’s dubious sense of moral and social justice. Why? Because of Holsinger’s past homophobia:
The anatomic and physiologic facts of alimentation and reproduction simply do not change based on any cultural setting. In fact, the logical complementarity of the human sexes has been so recognized in our culture that it has entered our vocabulary in the form of naming various pipe fittings either the male fitting or the female fitting depending upon which one interlocks within the other.
No doubt Ted Kennedy, who previously challenged Holsinger’s appointment, will have something to say about this political wheeling and dealing. And, hopefully, so will other prominent politicians. But, really, what can be done about this – and, what’s more, the election will clear the slate.
Bryan
Bush is sneaky. I would expect nothing less from him. Thankfully this man can’t possibly hold the post more than a year, when the Democrats retake the White House.
Matt
So he’s basing his “homosexuality is against nature” stance on plumbing fixtures? What a guy!
leomoore
Bryan, never underestimate the foolhardiness of the American voter. The election will be far closer, meaner, and worrisome than you might think. Between the generally very conservative nature of Americans and the ability of Democrats to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory there is no assurance of a Democrat in the White House. Never underestimate the willingness of Republicans and neocons to do whatever it takes to hold onto power, and never overestimate the political acumen of the current Democratic leaders.
Matt
I think we all need to print out leomoore’s comment and carry it around with us to read every day. Complacency is an enormous risk this time around.
WWH
No big deal. Recess appointments are routine and practiced by both parties. It’s only surgeon general. What’s he gonna do, re-write the warning on cigarette packs?
hells kitchen guy
agreed with wwh. guy’s a dick, but the abstinence-only rules for hiv education can’t get any worse.
matt123
Don’t trust anyone. Trust yourself.
http://www.findbilover.com
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Complacency is what is the C signifies in the DINO or DLC wing of the Regime. These centrists permit the neocon wing to passive aggressively gain their points when the DLC doesn’t have the votes even within their caucus, nevermind the neocons or RINO coffee clutch, to stop any nomination and so – recess appointments for theocon thugs to the judiciary, UN ambassadorial posts, and the rear admiral who heads the Health Service.
giraffegarden
This is just another example of Bush’s backroom games. I truly hope congress will make a loud noise and speak out about this type of games. This person is not qualified to be in this position because of his own agendas.
Albert Stafford
Holsinger is the brightest man ever nominated for this job. He is board certified in cardiology as well as internal medicine and had at leat two phD ‘s as well as a theology degree. We are lucky that he is willing to subject himself to the mindless knee-jerk reactions of kooks and wierdos who can’t see the world other than in a perverted view.