For many Republicans, the first term of Gov. Mike Pence has been one continuous series of letdowns. Today's announcement from his office that he has appointed former IMPD Chief Rick Hite as the executive director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission has to rank pretty high in his list of bad appointments. "Rick Hite is a man of integrity and a dedicated public servant, and I am proud to announce that he will serve an integral part of my administration as Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission," said Governor Pence. "Rick’s proven track record of upholding the law and building consensus will serve Hoosiers well, and I’m honored to welcome him as a member of my Cabinet." Words couldn't possibly do justice to what I think of this appointment so I will just leave it right there.
17 comments:
"Bad appoinment" is putting it mildly.
Applying the wisdom of Walt Disney's Thumper, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all."
The gay rights debate in the Indiana General Assembly this year is over. After meeting privately, Senate Republican leaders decided T to kill legislation that would have protected gay Hoosiers from discrimination under Indiana’s civil rights laws. They did so without a full debate or vote.
Senate leader David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said the legislation didn’t have enough support from Republicans to warrant further discussion.
The failure of legislation this session means lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Hoosiers can still be legally discriminated against in most of the state. A person's sexual orientation or gender identity can be used as a reason by a landlord who turns them away from housing, an employer who fires them from a job, or a business owner who refuses to serve them.
The end of the debate marks a huge win for religious conservatives, who have been battling a changing cultural tide on gay rights issues. It also relieves political pressure on Republican Gov. Mike Pence, a born-again Christian who questioned the need for such legislation, as he seeks re-election.
Still, Long pledged to revive the issue next year, and said he thinks LGBT rights in Indiana are inevitable. “It just depends on when,” he said.
He said apprehensions from Pence and House Speaker Brian Bosma over advancing gay rights factored into his decision to stop pursuing legislation. It was a swift death for the gay rights proposal, which would have put a modern face on traditional civil rights in Indiana, which mostly protect only black and disabled from Hoosier discrimination.
It has been a long road. Governor Joe Kernan issued an Executive Order in 2004 protecting state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation as well as gender identity and expression. In 2005, Governor Mitch Daniels added the terms "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the list of protected categories in state employment covered by the state's Equal Employment Opportunity policy.
The counties of Marion and Monroe, along with the cities of Bloomington, Evansville, Indianapolis, New Albany, South Bend, West Lafayette,and Carmel prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
The counties of Lake and Tippecanoe and the cities of Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Michigan City, and Terre Haute prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation only.
Hoosiers should amend the Indiana Constitution giving the State Senate the ability to vet nominees and approval.
Good God. Rick Hite?!? Seriously??? Sue Ellspermann in pants. Way to go, Mikey P.
Hite was a disaster for the City of Indianapolis and he is now elevated to Indiana Civil Rights Commission? Why? What credentials? Are you kidding me? Like Pence, Hite is a poster guy for The Peter Principle.
Gary, you are so right that Mike Pence's administration has been one disappointment after another. I don't even know how to respond to a lunatic appointment like this makes-no-sense appointment. Mike Pence proves beyond a shadow of a doubt he has been living under a rock since assuming the governor's chair and most likely he's been under that boulder long before.
Keep at it, Kevin Warren, because you were so right about Pence all along! Sell more signs because it is Pence himself who makes me shout, "PENCE MUST GO"...
This man is nothing if not for race. he sued the city of Baltimore 2 dozen times for racial issues when a member of the Baltimore PD and the Black Police Officers Assoc. He put people in unqualified positions on IMPD for only race reasons. The state is now gonna get screwed.
Pence probably thinks a high profile black appointment will show his commitment to diversity and help sway some black voters his way. Its the same mentality that might induce the Obama administration to appoint a Republican Governor from Nevada to the Supreme Court. They call it reaching across the aisle. Bridging the gap. It used to be the way things worked. Hite is qualified enough. Too bad he doesn't have a new gay inclusive civil rights law to work with; it would broaden his own base. About half his case work will be discrimination against the disabled, which, believe it or not, is a disgusting fact of life in Hoosierville. The other half will be black discrimination cases at work and in apartment qualification. The big law firms are all interested in the disability cases. And the black discrimination cases are just awful to prosecute. He ought to use half his time pushing for the addition of gays to the laws. He'd get national coverage that way.
This appointment urged by Mike Pence's BFF Jeff Cardwell? Or is Mike Pence really just that stupid?
Wait anon 449. Are you talking about that realtor with signs in a school zone?
This guy knows nothing about civil rights...he has a documented history of racism going back to Baltimore when he was leader of the Vangard Justice Society. His actions appear to show all actions are race-based, not equal. The pick is a terrible appointment, and reflects bad judgement.
It's official Pence is now Mitch Daniels Jr! Hope Pence enjoys humiliation! This is one Republican who prays he gets creamed next year!
The nice thing is the federal government has a no competitive clause when it comes to Civil Rights violations in Indiana. A person can request the Federal not the state to investigate Civil Rights violations in Indiana. DOJ is just slower but the HHS or HUD or DOJ itself can bring justice for the victim.
Hey, Anon 8:45, there are more of us Republicans thinking of/storming Heaven with prayers for the very same thing. Pence WILL know more humiliation. With Hite, it's a given.
Next up for a non-competitive, no qualifications needed, must-be-connected-to-get, high paying/benefit loaded "government" job? The Corrupt Greg Ballard, perhaps?
It's just too quiet out there...
Rather disingenuous
Wow. I used to like Mike Pence. There is no way I can defend this pure stupidity. I am going to have to tell my friend he is right. Pence is a fool.
While we are discussing ineptitude, does anyone have an update on the erstwhile David Coatie, former? IMPD chaplain? Is he still under investigation for taking bribes? I keep picturing the dancing, side-stepping governor from "The Best Little Whore House I Texas"! Don't be transparent. Be like Texas!
Mike - You made a great choice. There are so few men of character in this city. I applaud you for being a leader who has a real conscience to make decisions inspite of the great pool of so called leaders who have nothing left to offer than moral depravity. Continue to stand tall and strong.
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