The Troubling State of Cabinet Confirmations

Condoleezza Rice spoke in her Senate confirmation hearing of the need to bring democracy to Iraq. However, holding elections in the midst of violent chaos is, at best, a very poor example of “democracy.” A more immediate need in fostering democracy in the Middle East is for the U.S. to bring its full diplomatic resources to bear in creating a Palestinian state. That would do more to bring about Middle East democracies than the effort in Iraq. Rice should set an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty as her top priority.

Scott R. Hansen

Irvine

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Knowing that there are hundreds of persons more qualified to be secretary of State and attorney general than Rice and Alberto R. Gonzales, but also knowing that these two are probably as good as any other nominees the White House would put forward, many senators are simply shrugging and letting these confirmations go forward. It must be very troubling to them.

Al Robertson

Redlands