Posted on 01/26/2005 7:57:29 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
(CNSNews.com) - The Senate Judiciary Committee is meeting Wednesday to vote on the nomination of Alberto Gonzales to be the next U.S. attorney general; and with Republicans controlling the committee, Gonzales' nomination is sure to proceed to the full Senate for final (anticipated) approval.
But it won't happen without dissent -- from Democrats and even from some conservative gun owners.
As with the confirmation of Secretary of State-nominee Condoleezza Rice, the full Senate is expected to debate Gonzales' nomination - in full glare of the TV cameras -- before voting some time next week.
The criticism, mostly from Democrats who oppose President Bush's agenda, is expected to focus on the Iraq war and the treatment of prisoners at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.
Gonzales' liberal critics accuse him of setting the stage for the scandal at Abu Ghraib by arguing that the Geneva Conventions (protections for prisoners of war) did not apply to terrorists captured in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In a January 2002 memo to President Bush, Gonzales said the war on terrorism was "a new kind of war" -- one that "places a high premium" on the "ability to quickly obtain information from captured terrorists and their sponsors in order to avoid further atrocities against American civilians."
Gonzales concluded, "In my judgment, this new paradigm renders obsolete Geneva's strict limitations on questioning of enemy prisoners and renders quaint some of its provisions."
Gonzales' critics have pounced on that memo to suggest that he condones torture.
"I think that a man who gave the legal advice to the president to allow this (Abu Ghraib) to take place is someone that deserves to be talked about on the Senate floor," Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada was quoted as saying on Tuesday.
At his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Gonzales said he "absolutely" does not approve of torture.
In his Jan. 6 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Gonzales said he was deeply troubled by the photographs of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib; and he said he shares President Bush's resolve "that torture and abuse will not be tolerated by this administration."
He also said he would honor the Geneva Conventions "whenever they apply."
Gun ban concerns
Of greater concern to some conservatives, Gonzales has said he supports the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act -- as well as an extension of the now-expired ban on "assault weapons."
In an email alert to its members, Gun Owners of America, a Second Amendment group, warned that Gonzales not only supports President Bush on reauthorizing the federal assault weapons ban - but Gonzales also has indicated that gun control is a "heart-felt position of his own."
GOA notes that at his confirmation hearing, Gonzales "spoke of his brother, who is a Houston SWAT officer, and said, 'I worry about his safety and the types of weapons he will confront on the street.'"
"Hence, he (Gonzales) supports a prohibition on semi-automatics that, in truth, only amounts to a ban on ugly guns," GOA told its members.
"GOA activists are certainly aware of the fact that President Bush has repeatedly trumpeted his support for the Clinton semi-auto ban, which expired last September. But every time Bush has opened his mouth on this issue, GOA activists have led the way in bombarding the White House."
It's time to take President Bush to the "political woodshed" once again, GOA said in the email.
"No, we probably won't change his mind on this issue. But if we barrage his office with phone calls, faxes and e-mails, it is very possible that we will increase his reluctance to push the ban," the email said.
"So please make sure you contact President Bush," the email concludes. "While some might think that an anti-gun Attorney General is limited in the amount of damage he can inflict upon the Second Amendment, we can be sure that his position on critical court cases could affect our gun rights for generations to come."
Gun Owners of America is urging its members to express "outrage" that President Bush "would nominate an Attorney General who supports a federal ban on semi-automatic firearms."
The email message includes a "pre-written letter" that GOA members can send to President Bush, reminding him of their opposition to any gun ban - and reminding him that he was re-elected "in large part, because gun owners opposed the cockeyed positions of your opponent."
Depite the criticism of Gonzales, even Democrats predict that he will become the nation's first Hispanic attorney general.
The Republicans well remember what amounted to bloodbath when the Democrats lost the house because of the AWB. No one touched it when it expired last year.
Ok he better "splain" himself. There is no excuse for this anti-second amendment stance.
At least ashcroft put forth the proper position on individual rights within the second amendment.
"prohibition on semi-automatics"
From my cold dead hands.
I don't know about you guys, but I don't exactly trust my government enought to give up my guns.
Someone tries to take my gun...make my day.
This is what happens when you have a DOJ only pool of potential appointees.
"From my cold dead hands"
Exactly!
I think Gonzalez, who has his "La Raza" problems too, is going to have his leash yanked on this issue.
"It's time to take President Bush to the "political woodshed" once again, GOA said in the email. "
Well said, but good luck. Gonzales is NOT fit to be attorney general. He couldn't polish Ashcroft's shoes. And there is more to him than this. He also opposes strong measures against illegal invaders.
/Gun owner
So I guess that means that if everyone used revolvers and single-shot rifles instead, the gun-ban crowd would leave us alone?
/neutronium weight sarcasm
Damned Straight, there is no room for discussion here, You are for Us, or against Us!
We are stuck, on this forum, with a couple of weak kneed specimens,are We sure that all of Us realy belong here?
There is no legimate way to discuss My second amendment Liberty, unless You are a liberal with a wild assed imagination!
If you are on this forum, and can deal with jack booted thugs, of any persuasion, Fooking about with the absolute rights I received from My God, best I can suggest for You is to sign up on the DU site!
"Let's get going on the enforcement of the laws already on the books. And thin out the number of laws - the country has WAY too many already."
You're fairly new here, not that I'm a seasoned veteran...
But, you obviously have been paying attention!
You could be me, with your statement.
It's not a problem of not enough laws.
The problem is LACK OF ENFORCEMENT.
PERIOD.
Try to take my gun and he will be Gone-zalez!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.