Another Bush mistake

What is it with Bush sending unqualified ideologues to do the jobs that professionals should be doing?

This time it’s his nomination of an anti-gay ideologue, James W. Holsinger, to be US Surgeon General, a position responsible, among other things, for public health. In that capacity he could very easily have a negative impact on the lives of GLBT people.

Holsinger founded a church in Kentucky with an “ex-gay” ministry, and has spoken out against equality for gay and lesbian people. He apparently believes in and supports the scientifically discredited and condemned “conversion therapy” designed to “turn” GLBT people in heterosexuals. His church considers homosexuality a “lifestyle” and not an orientation.

Blasting the nomination, Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen said,

Holsinger is an ideologue whose medical views on gay and lesbian people resemble sorcery more than sound science. The last thing America needed was another deplorable nominee who isn’t up to the job, but this is exactly what Bush delivered.

I couldn’t agree more. In general, TWO (an organisation dedicated to countering the “ex gay” ministry scam), was far more forceful in its condemnation of Holsinger than the Human Rights Campaign. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force hasn’t yet posted a statement as I write this.

In a poorly-edited statement, HRC’s President Joe Solmones is quoted as saying:

Dr. Holsinger has a record that is unworthy of America’s doctor. His writings suggest a scientific view rooted in anti-gay beliefs that are incompatible with the job of serving the medical health of all Americans. It is essential that America’s top doctor value sound science over anti-gay ideology.

I agree with that, too, but only TWO added this:

Holsinger’s nomination will go before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, chaired by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) Presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) sit on this committee.

TWO’s statement quotes Besen adding,

It is clear that James Holsinger is to medicine what Alberto Gonzales is to justice. It will be interesting to see where the presidential candidates stand on this troubling nomination.

Indeed it will be interesting. All three of those Democratic presidential candidates have spotty positions on GLBT issues. This is their chance to prove they’re real Democrats, and not “Demopublicans” by working to ensure that Holsinger’s nomination is rejected.