Gay man backed for Navy secretary

Washington Times, for Pete's sake, do your job as journalists. All this article did was push the shock button on the reader, but didn't provide any information as to Mr. White's credentials, qualifications, or life story allowing a reader to better determine his suitability for Secretary of the Navy. His peccadilloes are of some interest since it would tend to indicate he is pro-sodomy, notwithstanding the UCMJ, but that doesn't settle the matter --- more information should have been given on Mr. White. What's revealed is that he's a gay guy who raises money for veterans' causes and helped make the Intrepid into a museum, and that a lot of liberal politicians think he's terrific. I'm sure that, if he is being considered for such an important national security position, Mr. White must have more in his background than that. Does he have extensive prior military experience; is he a national security, foreign policy or government acquisitions expert; has he held a national security policy making position; has he published material on defense or strategic issues in nationally recognized academic journals; or has he worked as an executive in the defense industry? Does he currently or has he ever held a security clearance, and, if so, to what level? Does he have any personal or business connections that could compromise national security or create a conflict of interest if he was selected as Secretary of the Navy? These would be good things to know about Mr. White, beyond his bedroom proclivities. Based on the facts you gave, it doesn't show much there supporting such Mr. White for such an assignment, but a more thorough article covering Mr. White's biography and education would made have allowed your readers to make a much better informed decisions.

. Yeah ... that's right, Jaeger. Morality is not important in our leaders.

Perfect. I really don’t need the answers to a bunch of questions. This would be a really superb way for the new Commander-in-Chief to let our men and women in harm’s way know how greatly he respects them, the discipline expected of them, and their many sacrifices for our national security. After the appointment of an openly gay man to a military post, so what if it’s a civilian position, at some point we can expect a greater level of understanding within the new Administration of the causes and dynamics of mutinous behavior. This is a good thing. Right?

CMPark, morality is important especially in leaders in national security positions. From reading the article, I'm still not clear on why a former Chairman of the JCS, Gen. Shelton, and some top retired military leaders would think that Mr. White would be a great Navy Secretary. That position obviously is a very demanding one worthy of only the very most highly qualified persons so I'm not seeing why these retired officers would see fundraising and running a museum foundation as sufficient background to run the Navy and the Marine Corps. I'm wondering if the Times simply did sloppy journalism, and omitted the rest of Mr. White's biography simply to make him look like a lightweight in which case they engaged in New York Times' brand of journalism. If Mr. White's experience is this limited, then his lack of qualifications for Secretary of the Navy are as much of a concern as his sexual morality. In addition, this also calls into question the judgment of some top retired military officers in their recommendations to the Administration for the high level DOD and service secretary positions.

Sorry, but the issue is not that complex. The complexity is introduced to obscure what this is all about. It's government by polls, consensus, whatever - but not leadership.

This is his full bio - sounds remarkable and like a true advocate for our nation's military. http://intrepidmuseum.org/About-Us/About-The-Museum/Museum-Executives/President-s-Bio.aspx

This is ridiculous. Is this a Secretary of the Navy issue or a gay issue? What are his qualifications and who are the other candidates? If he wants to pay back the gays, have Obama place him on his staff, but this is national security issue and you don't do political paybacks unless the guy is qualified. This seems to be indicative of Obama's attitude toward the military. Do what you are told guard dog. Just a reminder to Dinan - we are a nation in which civilians dictate policy to the military. Your statement: "The secretary's job is a civilian position..." is shallow and patronizing, attempts to normalize the gay issue and does not deal with real issue, the mans qualifications.

If the man is qualified, his sexuality should be a non-issue. However the writer doesn't show whether he is or not. It is true that since it is a civvie post, the DADT won't apply, but maybe it can help turn over the homophobic policy.

please dont let this happen, please

Juan Garcia attended Harvard? Another Mexican AA beneficiary?

To those who don't want this man to be appointed because he's a gay guy (despite his obvious experience for the job), I need to tell you that we have a name for such thinking. It's called B-I-G-O-T-R-Y.

. Agreed,Jaeger. Morality is a very important component in the leadership qualifications of a person. A person's ultimate values will influence their decisions and behaviors. Your concerns regarding White's true qualifications are mutually shared here. After reading the BIO provided by HOPE2008 below, I am even more troubled. Mr White appears to be nothing more than a homosexual socialite who is highly skilled in fund raising and promotions. He appears to have become a poster-Token for the homosexual politically correct agenda. Even though Secretary of the Navy is a civilian position, it should not be forgotten that it is a civilian position controling decisions made relating to an important branch of our military. Also, the position is elevated enough that White's appointment is intended to send a very particular message from the new Commander-in-Chief-elect.

. Liberals love to sling around libelous labels, don't they NewVoyage?

When the labels are correct, CMPark, they aren't libel. Your attempt to dress up your bigotry as a concern for "morality" is laughable. You have as much idea about what this man's morality is as you do any heterosexual's morality.

I'M GAY AS HELL AND SERVED 12 YEARS IN THE MILITARY My sexuality had no affect/effect on my performance I left with: AAM ARCOM MSM 3 Bronze Stars Served in Desert Storm, Mogadishu, and Bosnia supported Missions. I even worked for 2 Generals at one time. I left the military as a SSG who earned SSG in less than 5 years in the Allied Health MOS Series. This appointment will show that POTUSE Obama is serious of lifting DADT. It needs to be. It's time for Change.