Hagel Nominated to Be US Defense Secretary

After a lot of speculation and negative commentary from American conservatives and some liberals, President Obama has nominated Chuck Hagel, former Republican Senator from Nebraska, to be the next US Secretary of Defense. Hagel's comments from tbe period when he was a Senator- referring to the "Jewish lobby" and suggesting he would not support its positions - has upset many Senators and ordinary Americans who feel a strong attachment to Israel. He also voted as a Senator against unilateral sanctions against Iran while supporting international penalties on the Iranian regime. He also criticised the open discussion of a military strike by either the US or Israel against Iran. In addition, he upset gay rights groups over comments, including his opposition in 1998 to President Clinton's choice of James Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg. He referred to Hormel as "openly, aggressively gay." Hagel recently apologized, saying his comments were "insensitive." As one would expect, Democrats are flocking to Hagel's support, with the exception of several who are sitting on the Senate committee which will vett him. They point out that Hagel served in Vietnam as an enlisted soldier (eg, not an officer), was wounded, decorated with a Purple Heart as is every wounded combatant, and knows about war from the bottom of the hierarchy. The President even mentioned this as one of his goals in nominating Hagel. Numerous opponents say his expressed views are dangerous in someone who would head the US military, causing Israel further discomfort beyond that already existing because of President Obama's hostility toward Israeli prime minister Netanyahu. They also point out his "soft" attitude toward Iran and its posed nuclear threat. There is no doubt that Hagel is an extremely controversial choice to be Defense Secretary. That President Obama chose him seems to indicate that the President is willing to risk losing, or at least undergoing a bitter confirmation process. History suggests that Hagel will be confirmed after he is taken to task for his past and warned to be careful with his future. Be that as it may, what troubles me, dear readers, is the idea that somehow, in the new world Obama is trying to create, foot soldiers with no professional training in military affairs are to be considered qualified to lead the world's largest and most technically advanced military. I have great respect for ordinary soldiers. They are, in fact, in no way ordinary. Their trained discipline, bravery and devotion to duty keep America and the world safe. But, answer this question. If you needed open heart surgery, would you opt to let an operating room nurse perform the surgical procedure? I know your answer. So, if Hagel is to be confirmed, let it be because he has the required qualifications, not because of faulty logic that makes of honest soldiers what they do not pretend to be themselves.