More Thoughts on Gonzales

The following is a letter to Senator Charles E. Schumer from a friend of mine that addresses the Gonzales issues discussed below.

The Honorable Senator Charles E. Schumer
Dear Senator Schumer,

While pleased that you have serious questions to ask Mr. Gonzales, many of us have reason to regret that his confirmation is already regarded as a sure thing. Getting pledges about renouncing torture as a practice is water under the bridge. This administration is clever at talking the talk and spinning the spin. The world knows that it wasn't just a few bad apples who abused prisoners. That stage was surely set at very high levels of government.

And a very high standard with regard to human rights should be obvious for anyone considered for the position of Attorney General. I think it is bad news for America that he is even nominated. ..I note that Senator Lugar does not want to see Guantanamo become a permanent location for the denial of due process.

It seems evident that the privatization of prisons and interrogators in this extended process has the effect of sanctioning a form of the Grand Inquisition. Yes, security is a great concern. Intelligence is a great concern. Do not count me among civil libertarians who oppose the need to improve our system (driver licenses) for personal identification, for example. I am Secretary of this County's Democratic Central Committee, an Army veteran, and a retired high school history teacher. The Geneva Convention is not something to trash, it was not something to unilaterally tamper with. The only real qualification Mr. Gonzales appears to have (apart from a standard resume) is total loyalty to this President.

Please consider a harder line as the Committee looks at the Gonzales record.

Respectfully,
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Elkhart, Indiana