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Subscribe to RSSChuck Hagel, a former Republican senator and rumored top pick for the next Secretary of Defense, has apologized for his 1998 opposition to a ambassadorial nominee because he was "openly, aggressively gay."
"My comments 14 years ago in 1998 were insensitive," Hagel said in a statement. "They do not reflect my views or the totality of my public record, and I apologize to Ambassador Hormel and any LGBT Americans who may question my commitment to their civil rights. I am fully supportive of ‘open service’ and committed to LGBT military families.”
Hagel's original comment came in response to the nomination of James Hormel, tapped by Bill Clinton to be ambassador to Luxembourg. At the time, Hagel questioned how an openly gay ambassador would be effective at "representing our lifestyle, our values, our standards."
LGBT groups have critiqued Hagel for the 1998 statement, as well as for his long-time support for now-repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy towards gay military servicemembers.
The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT rights organization, praised Hagel's apology in a statement.
"Senator Hagel's apology and his statement of support for LGBT equality is appreciated and shows just how far as a country we have come when a conservative former Senator from Nebraska can have a change of heart on LGBT issues," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "Our community continues to add allies to our ranks and we're proud that Senator Hagel is one of them."
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A man of integrity is humble enough to admit his mistakes!
A man who practices tolerance & forgiveness accepts it...
Apology offered and accepted...
Time to move on to find anything else the right wing nuts can dig up to "dine one of their own"...
Hagel is toast?
Time to forgive and forget. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Let's see - that was 14 years ago. Many people have grown and matured - plus become more educated since then. Many individuals have changed their stance on gays since then. Why would he be held back by a comment from 14 years ago?
The Press Conference was just over....John Kerry was formally nominated to be the next Secretary of State.
Hillary, time to take a good break.
We want you to be the next Martin Van Buren. See you in 3 years in the Democratic primary.
Run, Hillary, Run
Welcome to the real world, Senator Hagel! I hate to say this but tolerance, acceptance, and wisdom do seem to come with age.
I know my daughter appreciates the fact that I've aged a bit! ;-)
If the HRC President has accepted Hagel's apology, there should be no issue.
Isn't this the very definition of a conservative? Someone who comes around to a position only after liberals have worked their tails off for decades to make the advance. Reminds me of the Cheneys' refusing to publically support gay marriage because they figured it would "just happen" eventually. Yeah, it "just happens" after liberals do all the work.
Sounds like he really does want the Defense job!
Hey, SeekingSanity
I think I am getting ahead of myself when you talk about Hillary Rodham Clinton [HRC] Presidency - in 4 years (of course) ...We can wait...Yes We Can.
Hillary is old news. She looks very old and haggard now. I think she is past her prime and would not make a very good president. Obama will ruin the democrat party for many years to come. Just wait and watch. He did not get a mandate....51% to 49% is not a mandate, 2 million votes difference is NOT a mandate. Time will tell and I predict we will have more of the same....FAILURE!
That's about as stupid a statement a know-nothing partisan hack can make.
Here's a clue deluded lady. If anyone would oppose the nomination of Hagel for these remarks it wouldn't be the "right wing nut jobs".
Ask Chuck!!
He said he has rehabitated. Good enough for me.
I'm impressed he used the term LGBT. Points for covering everybody's civil rights.
correction:
Isn't that the whole point of our discussion of this issue---that people's views and behaviors have evolved? And at a fairly fast pace over recent years. I give Sen. Hagel credit for a true apology, not one of those "if I offended anyone I'm sorry" lame apologies.
Steeler Fan - now......if we could only get the GNOP and NRA to be rehabilitated it would be a beautiful day! Oh to dream the impossible dream......
Jeez-louise, if we didn't evolve in our attitudes over time, we might still be walking around with pistols on our hips, ready for a shoot out...wait, scratch that.
I do believe people evolve in their attitudes towards different groups and I admire those who come forward and admit it.
I see what you did there, lol!
good analogy Ursula!!
Ursula---that is sadly too funny.
My feelings have evolved---I always supported full civil rights for LGBT people but I didn't truly understand the impact of saying that they couldn't get married. I'm glad that I have gotten to where I am today on this issue.
Defeat the vicious smear campaign: sign the White House petition in support of Chuck Hagel:
1998, 14 years ago, even America's views have evolved on the issue of gays. I applaud Chuck Hagel for admitting he was insensitive, and wrong as well as for his apology. I also applaud the LGBT community's acceptance that people's views change and recognizition that moving forward sometimes means hitting bumps in the road before reaching the destination.
Chuck Hagel, a republican, was a senator I liked and respected even if I did not always agree with him; I think he would be an excellent Secretary of Defense. What troubles me is conservatives seem hell bent on destroying him just as they did Susan Rice before he's even been nominated. There is something very wrong with too many republicans these days, it isn't about the right person for the job, they make it about obstructing and denying President Obama his choices--even though Republicans prior to January, 2009, said presidents deserve to have the people they want. Objecting to a nominee should be rare but these days, the GOP has made it the new normal and they have done so with an unrelenting meanness, and nasty, personal attacks on character.
My daughter attended private high school managed and taught by nuns. In her first year she had to write an essay about her God-parents ... they were a gay couple, one Lutheran and the other a Jew ... the good ladies of Jesus did not bat an eye but praised her with an A+. If there is a weight that keeps us down, it comes from the men of every religion.
i've always liked Mr. Hagel, and voted for him as senator long ago. i applaud his ability to take responsibility and say he was wrong. To me, that shows character (hey, its not just for novels and movies anyway).
If i held the same views as i had in 1997, i certainly wouldn't be in the situation i'm in now with a steady marriage, 2 well adjusted kids who are nearing adulthood, with things looking up instead of spiraling down.
i heard the individual Hagel slandered didn't accept the apology, saying it was only said for pursuit of the position. i understand that the guy might hold a grudge since the statement prevented his career from proceeding, but there comes a time where you have to let things go or they will eat you from inside. i learned this the hard way, and i hope it comes easier to others...
Chuck Hagel's apology has likely angered the republican/tea party leadership. They are asking How could a republican apologize for anything? Republicans never apologize for anything. Thats the impression I get out of the current republican party.
True, TeaPeople never ever apologize for anything. Never take responsibiity.....Human Rights?....In TeaPeople world, the only folks with rights are the folks that think, vote, worship and look like them.....tow the Party Line!
Diversity is only a word.....Inclusiveness is discouraged....Individual thought discouraged.
Smitty - I don't believe you can say "Republican Party" and "leadership" in the same sentence. Just sayin....
Voted you up for that one Seeking, you made me laugh out loud! :-)
Lil - thank you! Hope your holidays are very good!
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President Obama to issue a statement on the upcoming fiscal cliff in a half an hour....
And he showed us why he is our leader. He still want to work with all.
Have a very merry Christmas.
If he is able to openly acknowledge that he was wrong then he probably actually feels this way and can be an advocate for a policy of equality.
A true gentleman can admit when he is wrong and apologize. A cad, rogue, scoundrel does not.
The GOP Ripes Someone On What -- Womens Rights -- Rape -- Racism -- Voter Rights -- Sorry Gay Rights -- They Support Gay Right Now??? Hagel -- When 14 Yrs Back -- They Must Have A Time Machine! -- The Party Of The Past That Is Still Living Stuck In The Past -- By The Way Has Anyone Found The WMD's In Iraq Yet Bush -- See I Have A Time Machine Also And Have Learned From The Past But I Live In The Present!
GOP == Lean Backwards!
Too bad that Hagel didn't bother to apologize directly to Mr. Hormel. This public cleansing of his past is an obvious attempt to be tapped for Secretary of Defense. I hope that the president finds a better candidate.
If a flaming queen represents America's best they should have sent him to to represent us in a Muslim country instead of Luxembourg. Now that would be interesting!
You people want REAL enlightenment! Along with the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", we also got the repeal of long standing laws against sodomy and bestiality, which HAD TO HAPPEN so these same folks couldn't then be prosecuted for crimes against nature! Now there's REAL progress for you! What a joke! But it is touchie/feelie, so that's all that REALLY matters, right? And folks wonder why this country is falling apart? Please!
It is so nice to see a convert to the new progressive thinking. Have some pot to complete the ceremony. Also to join the progressive club you will be required to renounce basic arithmetic and send your children to college to receive a degree in participation since their will be no more final exams as established by progressive thinking Harvard.
This is to chilled.....When will You and the LIBS hold Obama responsible for the mess we are in? Four more years and we will never recover. 23 million out of work, 47 million on food stamps, homeless doubleing, african american joblessness under Obama doubleing, 16 trillion in debt, more than double under Obama, downgrading of the economy under Obama etc. etc. etc....four more years?!?!?! If this keeps up, we will be Greece times a million. Fooled not once but twice. Thanks a lot Obama Voters.....time will tell. Maybe then he will quit blaming Bush and for once take responsibility for this mess. I won't hold my breath.
Wow! eg.ltnm
Guess you weren't paying attention from 2000 to 2008. That's sad, but... projection is great. .. Hope it helps you to forget the Dubya years!
Have a safe and Happy Holiday!
An apology should be given to the one that you wronged. That has NOT happened. I don't trust him one bit. As a military man, or as a moral man. He apologized for one reason. To get the job of his dreams. He's proved nothing else by his words.