Some results from President Obama's threat to make recess appointments

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2/13/10-by Isabell James

Despite the snowpocalypse and continued Republican efforts to block presidential appointments, on Thursday the U.S. Senate confirmed two openly gay individuals to fill positions in the Obama administration, including a top job in the Defense Department.

By unanimous vote, senators confirmed Douglas Wilson to the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. This is a civilian position in the Defense Department; therefore, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT),” which prevents openly gay people from serving the U.S. military, doesn’t apply to him. During the Clinton administration, Wilson had served as the Pentagon’s deputy assistant secretary for public affairs.

I initially did not understand the significance of Wilson’s appointment until I did some research. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs acts as the principal staff advisor and assistant to the US Secretary of Defense and the US Deputy Secretary of Defense. He is responsible for providing Defense Department information to the public, United States Congress and the media. Wilson will lead a worldwide public affairs community comprised of almost 4,000 military and civilian personnel.

Additionally, the Senate confirmed by unanimous consent openly lesbian attorney Cynthia Atwood, to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the independent federal agency that regulates challenges to citations or penalties of OSHA inspections in the American workplace . . .

The Senate confirmation came after President Obama threatened to use his power to make recess appointments after obstruction tactics by Republican senators had prevented the confirmation of more than 63 nominees . . .

read more: http://lezgetreal.com/?p=26455&cpage=1


related:

Obama stares down Senate GOP on nominees
With threat of recess appointments looming, 27 nominees confirmed in one fell swoop
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/

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1. kick

nt

[msongs]

2. or he could've just done it and got the job done without making threats nt

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3. as I believe he will with those left out

. . . of the 27 he just encouraged the Senate to finally advance.

What of substance was actually lost in that exercise, in your opinion?

[Chemisse]

4. Good - start playing hard ball with these assholes! - nt

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5. kick

:kick: