I got this BS response from Sen. Salazar about his vote for Gonzales. [View All]

[El Supremo]

Before I sent Ken Salazar a letter of concern signed by 48 Arapahoe County Democratic Central Committee persons (and before his vote), I sent him a regular e-mail and a form-mail from his web site. This is his response to the form-mail I just received.

Nowhere does he say what he or Gonzales believe what constitutes the definition of torture. And is Salazar saying that what Gonzales did is forgivable?

See you at the War Protests!


Dear 'El Supremo':

Thank you for contacting me regarding the nomination of Judge Alberto Gonzales to be the next United States Attorney General.

I voted to confirm the nomination because Judge Gonzales, in communications to me:

· Disavowed the use, and acknowledged the illegality, of torture;

· Agreed to work on revisions to the Patriot Act to protect civil liberties;

· Stressed his understanding and appreciation of the independent role of the Attorney General as the chief lawyer for all of the people of the United States, and;

· Supports equal opportunity for all Americans.

Judge Gonzales wrote the following to me:

“I do not condone torture in any form. I confirm to you that the United States of America does not condone the torture of anyone by our country or by anyone else. The laws of the United States and the international obligations of the United States prohibit torture in all its forms. These international obligations include the Geneva Conventions, which I consider binding upon the United States. I reaffirm to you that, if confirmed as Attorney General, I will enforce these laws and international obligations aggressively to prohibit torture in all its forms.

“I pledge to do so for two reasons. These are the laws of the United States, and I am obligated to uphold these laws. And, secondly, any action by the United States that undermines the Geneva Conventions threatens the safety and security of our troops.”

Thank you again for your comments.


Sincerely,

Ken Salazar
United States Senator

Please do not respond to this email. To send another message please visit my website at http://www.salazar.senate.gov and fill out the web form for a prompt response. Thank you.