Vancouver Secrets

An Obama Appointee Who Paid His/Her Taxes

Obama continues making all sorts of “firsts”.

For Amanda Simpson, America’s first openly transgender presidential appointee, the job in the U.S. Commerce Department is an honor and the culmination of a career dedicated to understanding military technology.

President Obama recently named Amanda Simpson to be a Senior Technical Advisor to the Commerce Department. Simpson will monitor the exports of U.S. weapons technology.

But what gnaws at her, she says, is the fear of being labeled a token who was hired because of her sexual identity rather than on her merits.

“Being the first sucks,” she told ABC News.com. “I’d rather not be the first but someone has to be first, or among the first. I think I’m experienced and very well qualified to deal with anything that might show up because I’ve broken barriers at lots of other places and I always win people over with who I am and what I can do.

She has 30 years in the industry but can’t escape the feeling that some will see her appointment as a political maneuver.

“[There will be] questions like: Is this a token? Are you here to do a job or just to fill a quota or appease other people? In that regard it makes it a bit more difficult,” she said. “I’m sure I will have to do and intend to do a far superior job than any other person. But I’m sure I will always be second guessed.”

Weighing in…What a freak show this presidency is.

Seems the trade has its share of transgendered stars:

How many Rocket Scientists with 30 years experience in defence areas, who have degrees in both Engineering and Business Administration, as well as Physics?

• Professor Lynn Conway, former head of the Defence Strategic Computing Initiative transitioned some time ago.

• Dr Stephanie Langhoff, Chief Scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Centre transitioned too.