Alberto Gonzales - No Del Voto

I'm feeling pretty political today since this is my third political post in an hour. Like most of America, not to mention the Bush Administration, I was no fan of outgoing Attorney General John Ashcroft. Remember how he couldn't beat a dead person in his 2000 senatorial election?

So he leaves and everyone is happy. Now this guy Alberto Gonzales has been nominated and should be America's next top lawyer. After viewing part of his confirmation hearings, I am extremely disappointed with this choice. While Gonzales does not have a religious morality chip on his shoulder, it appears he had no problem with green lighting torture and harsh interrogation techniques that were on display at Abu Ghraib and other places.

You don't need me to tell you that what happened at Abu Ghraib was vile and has seriously undermined our efforts in Iraq throughout the world. It doesn't matter that we still treated our prisoners better than Saddam Hussein did -- Gonzales intentionally skewed the Geneva Conventions and made us appear no better than the deposed dictator.

The FBI and the military investigations have said these techniques Gonzales greenlighted were improper. The Supreme Court has ruled indefinite detention without a trial or right to counsel is wrong. Whoever approved these changes has no business enforcing the Constitution of the United States.

I didn't see the entire Senate hearings, but Gonzales gave poor answers to easy questions, even from Republicans. He condoned torture but made no excuses for his misjudgements before. Is this the person we want representing America to the world, especially if we have extensive diplomacy to accomplish during the next four years?

Gonzales is certainly not a bad candidate -- his rags to riches story is inspiring and Hispanics should take great pride in his nomination. If he is confirmed, he will further enrich the most racially diverse Cabinet in American history. But a vote for him is a vote for the techniques that were on ugly display in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. I'm not a senator, but I will be writing both of mine and telling them I cannot approve of his nomination.