I am writing about two concerns.

1. The confirmation of Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General will be a dangerous mistake. The man lacks the legal experience and expertise. Also his attempts to circumvent the Geneva agreement and to create special categories of suspected terrorists is a chilling prelude to mass violations of human rights.

2. The continued politicization of the CIA. A number of career agents are resigning. Although I have had little confidence in the CIA, I feel a CIA which rubber stamps the right wing’s preconceived notion of the world will expose us to more terrorism not less. Also, I wish Democrats in Congress would pursue the outing of CIA agent Valerie Palme.

I realize the Democratic party will be outvoted on all of these proposals. However, the Democratic party needs to develop its own agenda, and it needs to expose Republican initiatives for what they are. It needs to make its opposition heard loud and clear.

Yours truly,

William Joseph Miller