Opposition to Gonzales Confirmation Comes From an Unexpected Corner

[struggle4progress]

BY LUIZA Ch. SAVAGE - Staff Reporter of the Sun
January 26, 2005

WASHINGTON - Human Rights First, a human rights group headed by a campaign donor to and former business partner of President Bush, has decided to oppose the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales to the post of attorney general.

The president of the group is Tom Bernstein, co-founder and president of the sports and entertainment facility Chelsea Piers, and he was one of the principal owners of the Texas Rangers baseball club in the ownership group led by Mr. Bush.

Mr. Bernstein's business partner is Roland Betts, a close friend and confidant of Mr. Bush's since their college days at Yale, who regularly meets with the president at Camp David. <snip>

Human Rights First has vehemently criticized the administration's detention policies in the war on terror. In a statement, the group said it was "compelled" to oppose the confirmation of the president's legal counsel because he "has helped to steer America away from its commitment to human rights under law." <snip>

http://www.nysun.com/article/8231

[Nite Owl]

1. They are doing the right thing

which is good but what I don't understand is how they can be close friends to * and make contributions to his campaign and the RNC. That just doesn't make sense. Do they really think that they can change these people, I don't see that happening at all. I mean how can they be close to someone with blood on his hands?

[Nothing Without Hope]

3. He used to be a well-connected party boy. NOW he has blood on his hands.

It took some courage for them to make this stand. You can be sure the blivet** will try to make them pay for it, and they know him enough to see that coming and have made this stand anyway.

[Kerrytravelers]

2. I agree. How can you be friends with * and believe in human rights?

Well, I'll take backing where we can find it. Seems even the rethugs can draw a line to loyalty somewhere. This guy can kiss his medal of freedom (or whatever) away. He dared questions "the leader."