Reply #13: I have emailed both of my Senators. My email went a little something like this: [View All]

[Tatiana]

Dear Mr. Durbin (Obama),

I would like to preface this message by stating that I rarely contact my elected officials. However, I feel compelled to write to you regarding the nomination of Robert Gates to become the next Secretary of Defense.

I strongly urge you to reject this nomination.

Gates was nominated to become the Director of Central Intelligence in 1987. He withdrew his name after it became clear the Senate would reject this nomination due to questions regarding his role in the Iran-Contra scandal. The Senate had good reason then and still has reason now to reject his nomination, though the position may be different this time around.

In 1984, as deputy director of the CIA, Gates is on record as advocating the bombing of Nicaragua (and other means short of direct military invasion) to remove the democratically-elected Sandinista government.

Lawrence Walsh's Final Report of the independent counsel for Iran/Contra matters states in Chapter 16:

"At most, the evidence showed that Gates was in and around meetings where the content of George and Fiers's testimony was discussed, and that he participated in two briefings that helped lull congressional investigators into believing that the CIA was not involved in facilitating private resupply flights. The evidence shows further that Gates was aware of at least general information suggesting involvement by North and Secord with the contras, and that Gates did not disclose this information -- or argue that it should be disclosed. For Gates, the CIA's task in October 1986 was to distance the CIA from the private operation, in part by locking North into statements that cleared the CIA of wrongdoing."

Indeed, according to Allen, when Allen first discussed rumors of a diversion with Gates on October 1, 1986, Gates told Allen he "didn't want to hear about Central America" and "I've supported Ollie in other activities . . . but he's gone too far." (Allen, Grand Jury, 1/4/88, pp. 31-33.) See also Gates, SSCI Testimony, 12/4/86, pp. 18-19 (confirming that he told Allen that he "didn't want to hear anything about funding for the Contras")."

Like Clair E. George, Gates should have been indicted. However, Walsh concluded that in his professional judgment, there could be room for reasonable doubt - hence, Gates was not indicted.

It is obvious Gates, at the very least, was a passive participant in the Iran/Contra scandal. We should not reward his treasonous actions with the Secretary of Defense position simply because he has connections with the Bush administration.

We need an ethical person of good character, who has loyalty to the American constitution, its citizens, and our laws - not someone who is primarily loyal to corporate or neoconservative interests.

Since the salient facts have not changed in the past two decades, I would urge you to heed the wisdom of our U.S. Senators in 1987. Do not vote to confirm Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense.

Many thanks for your consideration,

Tatiana Rodriguez