SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2007 | TomHarkin
The successor to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will face a number of tough challenges, but none of them will be as critical as restoring our Constitution and the public’s confidence and trust in the rule of law.
That is why I am calling on my colleagues in the Senate to only confirm a nominee for Attorney General who among other items, shows his or her commitment to upholding the rule of law and restoring fundamental rights and freedoms by supporting efforts to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
By continuing to isolate detainees on Guantanamo Bay without bringing charges against them, we have forfeited our moral leadership and hindered our ability to rally support in our fight against terrorism. Closing this facility is our single best opportunity to rally our allies in a more effective fight against terrorism and to reduce the risk to Americans traveling abroad.
In May, I introduced legislation that would require President Bush to order the Department of Defense to close the prison at Guantanamo, to resolve the legal status of detainees, and to transfer those accused of a crime to maximum security prisons in the United States.
The chief responsibility of the Attorney General is to enforce the rule of law and uphold the Constitution of the United States. It is irreconcilable for any current or future holder of this office to both enforce the rule of law and to condone indefinite detention at Guantanamo Bay.
That’s why I believe the next Attorney General must support efforts to close down the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. And I call upon the Senate to only confirm a nominee for this position who will do so.
Thank you for your support.
Senator Tom Harkin
On September 5th, 2007 at 12:11 PM, Deborah SB wrote:
closing Gitmo is NOT enough. IMPEACHMENT must happen and it can’t happen soon enough. watch the movie America: From freedom to Fascism… it is online free. Zeitgeist also explains allot.
On September 5th, 2007 at 01:05 PM, Cheryl B-D wrote:
I’m happy to have signed the petition. Nothing is more important than restoring our Constitution. That said, I do believe impeachment of Bush and Cheney are the most important steps toward that end. Thanks, Sen. Harkin, for this petition as a start.