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January 26, 2005

Just say no

Today's easy confirmation of former National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice comes after some scrutiny from some Democrats who seem to have found that their spine does indeed exist.

Rice's confirmation hearings and vote have set the stage for Alberto Gonzales, Bush's nominee for Attorney General. Gonzales' nomination was approved today by the Senate Judiciary Committee with a 10-8 vote along party lines.

From my perspective, no citizen of good conscience can support the nomination of Alberto Gonzales.

Gonzales has asserted to the Senate Judiciary Committee that there is a legal rationale for the use of "cruel, inhuman or degrading" tactics for nonUS citizens captured abroad.

Gonzales is also the culprit who was sent this memo by then Assistant AG Jay S Bybee (who now serves on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and who noteably had this memo kept from his own confirmation). The memo was used by the Bush team as a guide for actions with prisoners. Gonzales tried to distance the White House from the memo. During the confirmation hearings, he tried to flip flop on his stance, at first essentially embracing the memo and then later repudiating it.

Gonzales may also have helped Bush keep his DUI quiet when Bush was Governor of Texas, in order to duck jury duty. Gonzales denies helping Bush on this matter, but judge and other lawyers in the case dispute Gonzales' statement.

This week, I will be contacting both of my senators to encourage a no vote on the Gonzales confirmation. There is much too much troubling information on this gentleman to allow him to be Attorney General of the United States.

Posted by Carla at January 26, 2005 02:37 PM