Please read this letter I received this evening from Senator Barbara Boxer regarding the Condoleezza Rice confirmation hearing today. I have signed her petition, and urge you to consider likewise. It's time for us all to speak up and be counted for the democratic values of our great country.
Dear Deborah,
This morning I entered the Senate hearing room with a wonderful feeling, knowing that over 40,000 of you stood behind me as I sought to hold Condoleezza Rice accountable for her many actions leading up to the war in Iraq and beyond. I talked about your support during my opening statement. And knowing you were with me gave me the energy I needed to keep fighting for the truth.
I hope you had a chance to watch some of Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearings today. Because if you did, I'm sure you'll share my feelings.
I'm disappointed and I'm frustrated, because I don't think Dr. Rice has been forthcoming in our quest for the truth. Time after time, Dr. Rice had the opportunity to set the record straight on many issues. And, on issue after issue, she failed to do so.
She failed to set the record straight on the hyped-up nuclear threat leading up to the war on Iraq; she failed to do it on the total number of trained Iraqi security forces, which is key to the Administration's exit strategy there; she failed to do it on her misstatements about Al Qaida operating in Iraq; and she failed to do it on the U.S. policy regarding torture. This last issue is the most troubling one, as it was clearly demonstrated that while Dr. Rice speaks out against torture, she actually personally intervened to kill an anti-torture provision in a recent intelligence bill.
So, I'm not going to back down -- I'm going to keep asking the tough questions, illuminating the many inconsistencies, falsehoods, and disturbing revelations in Dr. Rice's previous statements about Iraq, the war on terrorism, and the use of torture -- holding her accountable for the failures of our foreign policy.
Now, in these final hours before our committee votes on Condoleezza Rice's confirmation, you have one last opportunity to make your voice heard in this process. Demonstrate to Dr. Rice and the United States Senate your dissatisfaction with her lack of candor. Help me demand the truth and hold Condoleezza Rice accountable.
Tell your friends, family, and colleagues to sign my petition today -– in these final hours before the confirmation hearings conclude.
Thank you so much for standing with me in this fight for the truth. I can't tell you how much I value your friendship and support.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer,
U.S. Senator
P.S. Please encourage everyone you have to sign our petition in these final hours before Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearings conclude!
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