Freedom Rant via Email

I finally wrote my freedom rant--the last straw finally landed on the camel's back today with a couple of news stories, for instance, this story at the NYT. Instead of writing a blog post, I wrote my senators. Then I sent the same message to all the members of the Senates listed on senate.gov as members of the Judiciary committee. Here's what I said:

Re: Confirmation of Alberto R. Gonzales

Senator _______:

I strongly oppose the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General of the United States.

Recent news reports indicate that as early as 2002, he sought legal justifications that would authorize or condone the use of torture in interrogating terrorism suspects.

I hope that torture is a bipartisan issue in our nation. Torture by members of Federal agencies or the U.S. military is not acceptable. It is abhorrent.

When I read about the abuses at Abu Gharib--realizing fairly early on that they were part of a pattern of behavior condoned by higher levels of authority, and not the misbehavior of a few individuals--I was sickened.

For the first time in my life, I was truly ashamed to be an American.

If we make the world safe for democracy, who will keep the world safe from us?

I urge you and your fellow Senators not only to vote against the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales, but to vigorously oppose it. I also urge you to take strong measures to prevent future abuses by federal agents and military forces.

With respect,

Elizabeth [my last name]
[my town], WA