Reply #4: The Gonzales appointment sends the wrong messages [View All]

[Martin Eden]

Regardless of the degree of responsibility Gonzales bears for the torture of prisoners, he is at the center of this contentious issue. His appointment as our nation's highest law enforcement officer sends a message to the world that the U.S. government is standing behind its policy of torture rather than holding accountable those responsible for a scandal that has brought shame on our nation.

It also reinforces the more odious provisions of the PATRIOT ACT, which Gonzales adamantly supports. Bush is sending a message to the American people that his administration intends to continue its erosion of Constitutional liberties.

If it is in any way possible for the United States of America to descend into fascism, we are witnessing its beginnings.

As a side note, Senators Durbin and Obama make me proud to be a lifelong resident of Illinois. If we can only regain control of the House, the blemish of Dennis Hastert can be removed from Illinois.