what happens when an AG nominee, and the administration, waffles on water-boarding. . .

what happens. . . is that
weak-minded lawyers, in the thrall
of neo-cons, at the height of
their powers, begin to waffle
on whether the united states
code, and the eighth, and fifth,
amendments to our constitution,
really mean what they say -- on
their face.

it seemes condoleezza rice's top
lawyer is now "unsure" whether
applicable law prohibits water-board-
ing u.s. citizens. it does. and sen.
patrick leahy reminds rice of this
fact, tonight:

November 6, 2007

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Secretary Rice:

There are reports that one of your principal aides and legal advisers, a Mr. John Bellinger, is taking the legal position that he cannot say whether it is permissible to waterboard Americans and that it depends on the facts and circumstances. I could not disagree more strongly. There are no conceivable facts or circumstances that would justify waterboarding an American anywhere in the world for any reason. Our treaty obligations and domestic law make waterboarding illegal. Please respond without delay and set this matter straight.