Max Cleland: Next Week ‘The Bullshit’ Stops On Hagel Nomination

[TwilightGardener]

27. Hagel wasn't even one of the 32 Repub Senators to sponsor or vote for

a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in 2006. The sad fact of the matter is, aside from the Hormel-bashing in 1998 (most likely done to please Nebraskans, as it was in a Nebraska newspaper--and extremely disappointing), Hagel has been "just not that into you" on LGBT issues at all. He was never much of a "family-values" Repub, and not a fundie at all, although Catholic. And he's certainly not the LGBT's worst enemy either, as he's being portrayed now by the powers opposed to him--you HAVE to compare him to his own party, because he is the one Obama is nominating, not a Democrat. The fact that Democratic apologies can be accepted for past LGBT discrimination, but Republican apologies are suddenly a fraud and will not be accepted, is bullshit. Here is what Glenn Greenwald has to say on the matter (an important read, BTW):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/05/hagel-liberals-gays-israel-democrats

"Given how progressives assess other politicians, why should Hagel not be forgiven or at least be given the benefit of the doubt? Look at what Democrats are willing to forgive and forget. They swoon for Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton, who in 2002 voted to authorize George Bush's attack on Iraq, surely a far worse offense than Hagel's ugly comments about Hormel. They overlook Biden's obnoxious 2006 comments about Indian-Americans and Obama's patronizing and sexist use of "sweetie" to dismiss a female reporter in 2008. They adore the top Democrat in the Senate, Harry Reid, who opposes a woman's right to choose. They even forgave long-time Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd for his past membership in the Ku Klux Klan. Where does Hagel's 1998 comment rank with those bad acts?"