James Hormel

James Pinkerton, in his opinion regarding James Hormel and the GOP (Commentary, July 9), needs to be set straight on one thing regarding what the Bible says about homosexuality. Pinkerton points out that "Jesus never even mentions the subject of homosexuality," leaving the reader with the impression that Jesus either approved of homosexual relations or he didn't care. Wrong! Jesus teaches us that the standard for intimate, sexual relationships is between a married man and woman (Matthew 19: 4-6)

A few days ago there was speculation that President Obama would introduce two Cabinet nominees last week -- Sen. John Kerry for secretary of State and former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska for secretary of Defense. But Kerry stood alone with Obama on Friday. Does that mean that the president is caving to criticism of Hagel from supporters of Israel and, more recently, from gay-rights supporters offended by comments Hagel made in 1998 about a gay nominee for an ambassadorship?

A Senate vote on James Hormel to be the nation's first openly gay ambassador was "not practical" this year, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said. Lott, who opposes Hormel's nomination to be ambassador to Luxembourg, said that with time running out in this session of Congress, the Senate must concentrate on passing fiscal 1999 spending bills.

Attorney general nominee John Ashcroft's attitude toward gays emerged as a new and potentially damaging point of attack for his opponents Thursday, as a Georgetown University professor charged that Ashcroft had opened a 1985 job interview by asking him whether he had "the same sexual preference as most men." Paul Offner, a research professor of public policy, said it was the first of only two questions that then-Gov. Ashcroft asked him during a brief interview for a top health post in Missouri.

James Hormel was sworn in as the first openly gay U.S. ambassador after a two-year delay caused by fierce opposition among conservative lawmakers and some Christian groups. Hormel took the oath of office to serve as ambassador to Luxembourg before Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at a Department of State ceremony attended by many supporters, including his former wife, Alice, his five children and his partner, Timothy Wu.

Even though this hasn't been a notably busy or productive year for the U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Trent Lott has decided that there simply is no time available to vote on the nomination of James Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg. Never mind that Hormel's confirmation has been pending since last fall, that hearings on his fitness have long since been completed or that Lott early on declared his unshakable belief that Hormel should not represent his country abroad because he is a homosexual.

A few days ago there was speculation that President Obama would introduce two Cabinet nominees last week -- Sen. John Kerry for secretary of State and former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska for secretary of Defense. But Kerry stood alone with Obama on Friday. Does that mean that the president is caving to criticism of Hagel from supporters of Israel and, more recently, from gay-rights supporters offended by comments Hagel made in 1998 about a gay nominee for an ambassadorship?

President Clinton named San Francisco philanthropist and gay activist James C. Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg on Friday, sidestepping Senate Republican leaders who previously had blocked the nomination. Clinton used special appointment powers available when Congress is in recess to bypass the Senate confirmation process and tap Hormel, 66, as the first openly gay U.S. ambassador.

Attorney general nominee John Ashcroft's attitude toward gays emerged as a new and potentially damaging point of attack for his opponents Thursday, as a Georgetown University professor charged that Ashcroft had opened a 1985 job interview by asking him whether he had "the same sexual preference as most men." Paul Offner, a research professor of public policy, said it was the first of only two questions that then-Gov. Ashcroft asked him during a brief interview for a top health post in Missouri.

To court their conservative base, key Senate Republican leaders are digging in their heels on an issue that does not seem ideological at all: Who should be the next U.S. ambassador to a tiny European country most Americans could not find on a map?

James Hormel was sworn in as the first openly gay U.S. ambassador after a two-year delay caused by fierce opposition among conservative lawmakers and some Christian groups. Hormel took the oath of office to serve as ambassador to Luxembourg before Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at a Department of State ceremony attended by many supporters, including his former wife, Alice, his five children and his partner, Timothy Wu.

Kudos to President Clinton for appointing gay activist James C. Hormel ambassador to Luxembourg during the Senate recess (June 5). The action of a very few but vocal Republican senators had prevented the appointment from going to a floor vote, in spite of an overwhelming approval of Hormel by the Foreign Relations Committee. Hormel's opponents cite his appearance at gay rights parades and support for San Francisco's Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as evidence of his unfitness. The last time I checked, this was still a free country where, among other things, people could attend legal gatherings without fear of being photographed and later attacked and could poke harmless fun at religious organizations without serious retribution.

President Clinton named San Francisco philanthropist and gay activist James C. Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg on Friday, sidestepping Senate Republican leaders who previously had blocked the nomination. Clinton used special appointment powers available when Congress is in recess to bypass the Senate confirmation process and tap Hormel, 66, as the first openly gay U.S. ambassador.

Even though this hasn't been a notably busy or productive year for the U.S. Senate, Majority Leader Trent Lott has decided that there simply is no time available to vote on the nomination of James Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg. Never mind that Hormel's confirmation has been pending since last fall, that hearings on his fitness have long since been completed or that Lott early on declared his unshakable belief that Hormel should not represent his country abroad because he is a homosexual.

A Senate vote on James Hormel to be the nation's first openly gay ambassador was "not practical" this year, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said. Lott, who opposes Hormel's nomination to be ambassador to Luxembourg, said that with time running out in this session of Congress, the Senate must concentrate on passing fiscal 1999 spending bills.

To court their conservative base, key Senate Republican leaders are digging in their heels on an issue that does not seem ideological at all: Who should be the next U.S. ambassador to a tiny European country most Americans could not find on a map?

Sen. Don Nickles, the Senate's second-ranking Republican, says a homosexual philanthropist nominated by President Clinton for an ambassadorship is unqualified because anyone who promotes "immoral behavior" should not represent the United States. Nickles' denunciation of Californian James Hormel on "Fox News Sunday" drew immediate criticism from gay rights groups. "He has promoted that lifestyle and promoted it in a big way, in a way that is very offensive," said Nickles (R-Okla.).