From The Albuquerque Tribune
http://educate-yourself.org/cn/gonzaleswrongpick11jan05.shtml
January 11, 2005

http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/op_editorials/article/0,2565,ALBQ_19867_3461848,00.html

It would be superb to have a Hispanic U.S. attorney general. But, unfortunately, White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales doesn't appear to be the guy. Given his reported role in the prisoner abuse scandal - which even leading U.S. military officers have been severely criticizing - Gonzales likely has disqualified himself from being confirmed for such a lofty and crucial legal position.

It's that simple. If such concerns about Gonzales' role are misplaced, President Bush has the obligation to prove it - and now. The White House must provide the Senate with all documentation pertinent to Gonzales' role and it must encourage - not block - testimony from any staff members familiar with his role.

Otherwise, Bush had no business nominating Gonzales. If Bush is not prepared to completely reveal Gonzales' role in the scandal, he should withdraw his nomination immediately. No executive privilege here. This is Bush's nominee, and the president is obliged to defend him openly or abandon him.

Sidestepping international laws adopted to protect all nations' prisoners - including our own U.S. military personnel - isn't much of recommendation for an attorney general. Given what did occur on Gonzales' watch in Cuba and Iraq, it's understandable that a dozen top U.S. military officers, including former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and retired Army Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, are vocal in their opposition to Gonzales' nomination.

These officers realize how serious the prisoner torture scandal is and how - in violating long-standing laws established through the Geneva Conventions - it threatens the welfare of U.S. military personnel who themselves risk being taken prisoner.

Indeed, some would argue legitimately that rather than hearings on Gonzales' nomination, Congress would do better to investigate his role in sanctioning torture of prisoners by U.S. officials, including military personnel, presumably to obtain intelligence about terrorists. Isn't it hypocritical to prosecute, in courts martial, military personnel who implemented the torture policies of which Gonzales appears to be among the architects, while rewarding Gonzales with appointment to be the nation's top law enforcer?

Senators, both Republican and Democratic, must demand a full accounting of Gonzales' role before considering any of the other issues swirling around his nomination.

The Senate and the public are entitled to know everything pertinent about who it is that will be charged with enforcing the laws of the United States and on what basis that person has made such decisions in the past. Litmus tests aside, Gonzales' record is the issue, and we the people should know not only where he stands, but also where he stood when it really mattered.

In the alternative, we would warmly welcome another Hispanic nominee for attorney general - but one who doesn't look for ways to circumvent U.S. or international laws.