Surgeon General to be...or not to be?

WKBBronx@aol.com wrote:
> Surgeon General to be...or not to be?
>
> Dr. James Holsinger's nomination to be surgeon general colored by questionable deaths at a VA hospital where he was Chief Medical Officer, along with his record of homophobia and involvement in a questionable Kentucky land deal
>
> Bill Berkowitz, June 17, 2007, Media Transparency
>
> http://www.mediatransparency.org/story.php?storyID=198
>
> While the George W. Bush administration didn't invent cronyism -- handing over administration jobs to friends, funders and longtime supporters -- it certainly has put its own unique stamp on the concept. When the history of the Bush Administration is written, "cronyism" will be writ large with Bush's paean to former FEMA chief Michael Brown, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job," leading the way. The hiring -- and ultimate firing -- of "Brownie," however, is only one example of how the uninformed, the unprepared, the prejudiced, and the unqualified have made their way to administration posts.
>
> And that's just about where President Bush's nomination of Dr. James Holsinger to be surgeon general comes in.
>
> Most of the early stories about Holsinger have talked about his controversial history of anti-gay remarks, decisions and communications, particularly through his work with the United Methodist Church. A deeper look, however, reveals a controversial tenure as chief medical officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a Kentucky real estate deal gone sour.
>
> Here is how White House spokesperson Emily Lawrimore described him: "Dr. Holsinger has dedicated his life to the care of others and public service and his respect for all is evidenced by his actions and his career. On numerous occasions, he has taken up the banner for under represented populations and he will continue to be a strong advocate for these groups and all Americans. Dr. Holsinger is a highly respected, well-qualified physician and educator. His impressive medical background, which includes leading one of the Nation's largest healthcare systems, decades of service in the armed forces, along with his commitment to combating childhood obesity, will serve him well as Surgeon General. We urge the Senate for a swift confirmation."
>
> When the Bush Book of Cronies is written, wll Holsinger receive a full chapter or merely a passing mention?
>
> http://www.mediatransparency.org/story.php?storyID=198

I realize that none of us are perfect and we all have things in our past that we'd rather not have under public scrutiny, but... they all seem to be covered in slime.