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Tag(s): Afghanistan; Congress; Freedoms; Gonzales- Alberto; Guantanamo; International; Iraq; Justice; Laws; People; (more...) Prisoners; Resignations; Scandal; Surveillance; Torture; Torture; Torture; Udall-Mark; Udall-Tom (less...)
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September 18, 2007 at 09:32:48

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Congressman Tom Udall on Gonzales' Resignation

by Tom Udall, New Mexico Congressman (Posted by Stephen Fox) Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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A few weeks ago, Alberto Gonzales did something he should have done a long time ago: He resigned. While I am saddened that a public official of such high responsibility squandered the American people's trust to such a degree, I believe that Gonzales' resignation is a step toward fixing the Justice Department and healing this country. On July 31, I joined five other former prosecutors serving in the House in calling for a thorough investigation to determine whether Gonzales should be impeached. His resignation provides needed change at the Justice Department, but it does not provide the answers that the American people demand and deserve. I believe Congress still has an obligation to determine the legality of Attorney General Gonzales' confusing, conflicting and misleading actions and statements.
As Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales was bound by an extraordinary duty to seek justice in accordance with our Constitution and on behalf of the American people-a noble duty superseding any obligation of loyalty to
party or administration. Over the last few months it became obvious to all that Alberto Gonzales was incapable of fulfilling this duty, and his conduct cast serious doubts on his willingness to protect the basic inherent freedoms of every citizen.

Even before he became Attorney General, Gonzales gave America reason to doubt his commitment to the rule of law. In 2002, Gonzales wrote a memorandum arguing that the protections accorded prisoners of war by the 1949 Geneva Conventions should not apply to suspected terrorists, and that national and international laws prohibiting torture do "not apply to the president's detention and interrogation of enemy combatants." This memo provided the justification for widespread abuse of detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It undermined America's reputation in the eyes of the world and set a dangerous precedent for
violations of international treaties by America's enemies.
As White House Counsel, Gonzales showed a willingness to support the president's agenda even at the expense of common decency. Most Americans are now familiar with an episode from March 10, 2004, in which, according to
reports, Gonzales attempted to coerce a hospitalized John Ashcroft into signing off on a warrantless wiretapping program that would have gone beyond the surveillance programs already put in place by the Bush Administration. Only when top Justice Department officials threatened to resign did Gonzales agree to stop pushing his program.

This episode is made even more disturbing by Gonzales' inconsistent and confusing statements when he was questioned on this topic by Congress. As Attorney General, Gonzales presided over the politicization of the Justice Department. As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and president of the American Association of Attorneys General, I know that the Justice Department must serve all Americans, regardless of party or ideology. While the details are still unclear because of Administration stonewalling, what we do know about the U.S. Attorney scandal paints a picture of a Justice Department that served political goals at the expense of its commitment to the American people. Gonzales' behavior earned him the distrust of Justice Department staff and the American people, and it made his resignation unavoidable.
Attorney General Gonzales' resignation makes it possible to restore credibility to the Justice Department. I look forward to working with my colleagues to fully investigate Justice Department actions under Gonzales
and build a better federal justice system. As always, I welcome your input.

To contact me, please visit my website at www.tomudall.house.gov.

Very Truly Yours,

Tom Udall Member of Congress

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3 comments

84 year old liberal Democrat and atheist Married 62 years, four children, seven grandchildren. Military service (1939 through 1945) with California National Guard, 185th Inf. , Company M (pvt), USN, Patrol Squadron Eleven (y2c), and USMC (1st Lt.). Undergraduate major military science at Carrol College, Helena, Montana, and University of California, Berkeley: USC law school.Professional career, mainly sole practioner, criminal and family l...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Alden Mason84 year old liberal Democrat and atheist Married 62 years, four children, seven grandchildren. Military service (1939 through 1945) with California National Guard, 185th Inf. , Company M (pvt), USN, Patrol Squadron Eleven (y2c), and USMC (1st Lt.). Undergraduate major military science at Carrol College, Helena, Montana, and University of California, Berkeley: USC law school.Professional career, mainly sole practioner, criminal and family l...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Impeachment Oath of Office

Each and every member of the House of Representatives should read this article and publicly reaffirm his or her vow to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I am sending Representative Wu a copy and once again asking him to honor his oath to support and defend the Constitution.

My Representative is Congressman Gordon Wu. He has been reluctant to honor his oath to support and defend the Constitution when it comes to using the means provided therein to address the wrongs suffered by the People at the hands of the Bush Administration. He appears to think that it is bad politics to commit himself to a duty which he swore he would perform when he took his oath of office.

When it comes to the Constitution, if our government officials and military officers continue to ignore it, We, the People, are going to lose it.

by Alden Mason (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 29 comments) on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 8:32:25 PM

In 1980, Stephen Fox founded New Millennium Fine Art, a Santa Fe gallery specializing in Native American and Landscape, and is very active in New Mexico Legislative consumer protection politics, trying above to get the FDA to rescind its approval for the neurotoxic and carcinogenic artificial sweetener, Aspartame. [http://www.prlog.org/10070694]

In a strictly legislative context, his most important writing has been for the Hawaii Senate: http://www.prlog.org/10056715-hawaii-senate ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Stephen FoxIn 1980, Stephen Fox founded New Millennium Fine Art, a Santa Fe gallery specializing in Native American and Landscape, and is very active in New Mexico Legislative consumer protection politics, trying above to get the FDA to rescind its approval for the neurotoxic and carcinogenic artificial sweetener, Aspartame. [http://www.prlog.org/10070694]

In a strictly legislative context, his most important writing has been for the Hawaii Senate: http://www.prlog.org/10056715-hawaii-senate ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

In appreciation for your comment!!!!

Dear Outrider/ Alden Mason:

This is wonderful! Thank you! May I also recommend: You might also ask Congressman Wu (isn't his first name David?) to talk with Tom Udall IN PERSON about your concerns. There is a strong movement for Impeachment in New Mexico, even though we appear to be running out of time and fortunately the Democrat candidates are getting stronger and sharper in their comments.

The chance to cut off the spending appropriation for another $50 billion has been postponed, I believe by Congressman Murtha, for at least six more weeks, to line up Republican support.

You could also send the text of it to the Editorial page letters in your region, with the request that readers also speak with or write to or email Wu. It will take some work, but whoever said Democracy was easily discharged?

You might also bring it to the attention of Senator Gordon Smith, a cousin of Tom Udall.

Thanks again.

by Stephen Fox (80 articles, 2 quicklinks, 10 diaries, 479 comments) on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 8:51:26 PM

Eliot Gould , 52, is currently active in New Mexico's political scene. A native of Chicago,and active in Chicago politics,Gould studied the Presidency at Center for the Study of the Presidency, with extensive writings upon Lincoln and Wilson.
Eliot GouldEliot Gould , 52, is currently active in New Mexico's political scene. A native of Chicago,and active in Chicago politics,Gould studied the Presidency at Center for the Study of the Presidency, with extensive writings upon Lincoln and Wilson.

Gonzales Resignation was a Step Forward

I agree with the Congressman that the Gonzales affair being over, and substantially a self serving ( to W, to whom Gonzales was more loyal than to the duties of Attorney General)-- and that his being gone from government is a step forward. Clearly the administration is winding down. It is regrettable with all the current dialogue ( appropriations, etc) that impeachment ( and presidential rebuke) will not come about... and when W is gone good riddance-- and a prayer that the leadership of tommorrow will be able to exercise the Presidency toward peace prosperity and preparedness...and have an Attorney general who reads the Constitution rather than reads what he wants it to say.

by Eliot Gould (13 articles, 0 quicklinks, 21 diaries, 140 comments) on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 1:01:33 AM