Here’s the letter I wrote to Senator Schumer this morning:

Senator Schumer,

Yesterday, you were quoted as saying:

”When Judge Mukasey came before the Senate judiciary committee last month he refused to state waterboarding as torture. That was unsatisfactory, that was wrong. That will be a blemish on judge Mukasey’s distinguished career for as long as he lives. But he has made it clear that if Congress passed further legislation in this area, the President would have no legal authority to ignore it…”

Your confirmation of Mukasey was unsatisfactory, wrong. This will be a blemish on YOUR distinguished career for as long as YOU live. There’s no ambiguity about waterboarding as torture, nor need for new law–legal precedent has been set for decades. You have abandoned reason and morality. You have abandoned your duty to provide checks and balances to the Executive branch by choosing to overlook Mulasey’s position. You have abandoned America, Senator.

Of course you know all this. Why then, have you allowed his confirmation?

Since when does an admonishment provide an adequate substitute for the rule of law, checks and balances, and morality?