Along with the conservative Dem Dianne Feinstein, my Senator Chuck Schumer has shown himself to be another spineless Democrat who apparently condones waterboarding. The debate that continues to rage in the Senate over Mukasey's confirmation as the next Attorney General is now headed to the floor for a vote, and we have Chuckie to thank for it. Schumer is the epitome of what is wrong with the current crop of Democrats in office.
From The Huffington Post:
"This is an extremely difficult decision," Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement, adding that Mukasey "is not my ideal choice."
In announcing her support for Mukasey, Feinstein, D-Calif., said "first and foremost, Michael Mukasey is not Alberto Gonzales," referring to the former attorney general who resigned in September after months of questions about his honesty.
True, Mukasey is not Alberto Gonzales and definitely not anyone's ideal choice on the left. Regardless, those excuses are not even close to being good enough to give this guy a pass. Feinstein and Schumer are dead wrong in their votes. Many other Democrats understand why Mukasey has no right to be the next AG, because he is unwilling to respect the rule of law. His dodging and weaving during Senate testimony makes that clear.
Mukasey will not admit that waterboarding is torture, even though it is. If he did admit it, he would have to prosecute his boss for condoning and ordering acts of torture against dozens or even hundreds of prisoners that felt as if they were drowning. When an ex-Bushie, Mark Levin underwent the procedure, he knew in an instant that he was being subjected to an act of torture. For his efforts and not toeing the Bush line, he was promptly fired.
Schumer isn't a stupid man, he clearly knows what the stakes are in this case. Why he has bowed down to the Bush Administration is a question many New Yorkers should be asking, and for that matter, Californians should be looking at Feinstein as well.
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