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John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales

By Jeralyn, Section Other Politics
Posted on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 04:40:37 PM EST
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Sen. John Kerry (via e-mail):

"I will vote against the nomination of Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General. As Counsel to the President he committed grave errors in formulating the administration's detention and interrogation policies which have put American troops in greater danger. American presidents for decades have believed in the Geneva Conventions because they protect American troops captured by the enemy. It's a mistake to choose as our nation's chief law enforcement officer someone who called these protections 'quaint' and opened a Pandora's Box that has tarred America's image in the world and placed our troops at even greater risk.

"Some of America's most distinguished retired military officers share my concerns. [lists of names and positions omitted]

"Judge Gonzales' confirmation hearings were a golden opportunity to reassure the country that as Attorney General he would uphold and enforce laws which for decades have protected our troops and advanced America's interests in foreign policy. Instead he gave evasive answers which raise doubts about his commitment to the rule of law and reflect an unwillingness to exercise independent legal judgment on critical issues.

"It is for these reasons that I will oppose the nomination of Judge Gonzales to serve in that post."

< Alberto Gonzales Confirmed as Attorney General | Prisoner Strangled on Bus, Returning From Court >

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    • John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales | 22 comments (22 topical)
    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 05:01:25 PM EST
    He voted for Gonzales before he boted against him.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 05:33:34 PM EST
    C-Span2 is currently replaying the Senators' "minority" speeches vs. Gonzales--Senators' Christopher Dodd and Barack Obama (who is currently speaking in the playback). These speeches are important for every American to watch/hear/read. The fact that Gonzales was confirmed was a fait accomplis due to the Republican majority; however, the reasons for not confirming him will not go away just because he's been confirmed. Now he needs to undo the damage that he has already done. This confirmation further darkens already-bleak political landscape in America. And "time" just "ran out" for the voices of the "minority" in the Senate! The "majority" voice (now speaking) following is appalling. "Integrity" my foot.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 07:09:16 PM EST
    Kerry is doing the right thing, but it will not work, Gonzales is needed by bush for the coming work of homeland sec,meaning camps, if you think Alberto would not order a million waco's for bush, you don't understand what is happening at all.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#4)
    by DonS on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 07:37:31 PM EST
    Bush will indeed need detention camps in the future for political opponents who he will need to silence as the RW tightens its grip on the government. Dissent will not just be objectionable it will be forbidden. Gonzales is just the man to fill the bill; providing the legal cover. Fantasy? There will be no independent media to say otherwise. My country right or wrong, etc. Only, by then "my country" will be a mere illusion.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#5)
    by ras on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 08:18:15 PM EST
    John Who? Oh yeah, the guy who ran for that fringe party. Now I remember him. Kinda.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 08:57:05 PM EST
    Don S., proof please. Anything. Just a smidgen. A mere morsel. Relax, open a bottle. Take it easy. Go out tomorrow and make the world better.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 09:45:38 PM EST
    The argument that our soldiers would be protected by the Conventions through our conformance has somehow been lost on the enemies we've faced since.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 10:07:21 PM EST
    Who would John Kerry nominate? Perhaps some ACLU jerk. Boy would I feel safe.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Thu Feb 03, 2005 at 11:23:06 PM EST
    At least "Troll" is honest about what it is this time.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#10)
    by DonS on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 04:58:54 AM EST
    Proof? Have we not had a foretaste inthe detention of American citizens by writ? Is the stonewalling on Gitmo for years not a clue? Does the rubber stamping of the Patriot Act mean protection from excess? How were "communist" dissenters dealt with in the 50's and 60's? Camps? You bet. Oh, you weren't aware of that?

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 06:08:20 AM EST
    DonS - "How were "communist" dissenters dealt with in the 50's and 60's? Camps? You bet. Oh, you weren't aware of that?" Hmmm. Funny, I am not aware of "camps." And I lived through that. Perhaps you can provide us a link to some proof? I mean besides blogs. You know, just some MSM reporting.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#12)
    by DonS on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 06:47:09 AM EST
    You just made my point Jim. I lived throught the period, and I am aware of the camps. BTW I'm tired of doing research for folks who never find "proof" adequate that does not conform to their worldview.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 06:56:00 AM EST
    TalkLeft is a great blog. I appreciate getting news from the left instead of just the pablum the mega media spits out these days. But lately, it seems TL is not policing its trolls very well. Every post has sarcastic and insulting comments from the right-wingers. It's very tiring reading it. Not every space needs to give every person a voice. I thought TL was a place for the left to get together. TL's credibility isn't diminished if the left has the dominant voice on it. We are drowned out nearly everywhere except the blogosphere. Have you changed your policy? Anywy, thanks for all you do. Great blog.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#14)
    by DonS on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 07:17:03 AM EST
    memesq, TL has a very generous troll policy, but makes it very difficult to "take them on" due to her also strict policy on, shall we say, demeanor. A troll can skate areound the edges of the editorial policy, yet make it very tiresome for those of us who would prefer a haven from such harassment. Your're right its a great blog but not a left-friendly place overall. Perhaps you are aware of other progressive blogs that are not vulnerable to troll presence, e.g., Steve Gilliard.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#15)
    by kdog on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 07:54:03 AM EST
    I for one don't want a left-wing circle jerk. TL practices it preaches, giving all who obey the rules a voice. Besides, the right wing trolls usually just make me realize my views are on the right track. Regarding Kerry, I'll save the praise, he's doing what he is SUPPOSED to do.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 08:30:05 AM EST
    Why the long face, John????

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#17)
    by Dadler on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 08:55:19 AM EST
    kerry, like most failed candidates and former administration officials, finds his passionate voice now that it doesn't matter. i can only imagine what a solid president he would've made had he ever been comfortable in his own skin and had he not let the opposition define him so entirely. 'tis a shame.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#18)
    by jondee on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 09:48:59 AM EST
    Ras - You remember him - he's the one whose every word,"thought", tick,or,nuanced fart youre NOT obligated to uphold by repeating as if it originated with you.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#19)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 04:02:04 PM EST
    "Posted by Jim: "He voted for Gonzales before he boted against him." Har, har, but another lie from you Jim. "Posted by dadler: "kerry, like most failed candidates" Failed? The election was STOLEN. Kerry won Ohio, but the FBI under Aschroft/Gonzales won't investigate the affidavits -- we are in the middle of a coup. Mark your scorecards better, dadler.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 08:24:40 PM EST
    "opened a Pandora's Box that has tarred America's image in the world..." Metaphor alert. Maybe Kerry should smoke more. Perhaps he isn't getting enough "tar"! p.s. enjoy your psychosis, Paul.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#21)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Feb 04, 2005 at 10:47:27 PM EST
    Facts in EVIDENCE, 'doktor.' You are the one with a delusional complex, based on fantasies of being right, with NO audit, no investigation, no evidence at all. It must make it easier to be a traitor, eh? We have the affidavits; we CAUGHT THEM REDHANDED. And the bell will ring, as I'm glad it has for Katherine Shelley, Dem CA SecState, who illegally put Governor Vote-Fraud of Austria into our governor's mansion. 27 more Katherines to go.

    Re: John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales (none / 0) (#22)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Feb 05, 2005 at 07:58:26 AM EST
    You can talk the talk. Paul. Now walk the walk. (Or shut up.)

    John Kerry's Statement on Alberto Gonzales | 22 comments (22 topical)