Thursday, November 8, 2007

The Nov. 4 editorial "Two for Mr. Mukasey" credited Democratic Sens. Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.) and Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) with showing "moral fortitude to defy party politics to take a stand on principle" in announcing that they will vote to confirm Michael B. Mukasey for attorney general. This is despite his refusal to recognize waterboarding as torture or illegal conduct.

So whatever principle is being upheld here is being supported at the expense of our national honor and reputation.

This is not an issue of "party politics." In 2006, the senior uniformed lawyers of the four branches of military service responded in writing to questions from Senate Judiciary Committee members regarding "the use of a wet towel and dripping water to induce the misperception of drowning (i.e., waterboarding)."

Their views were unanimous and unequivocal: Waterboarding is inhumane, it is torture, and it is illegal.

We agree with our active-duty colleagues. This is not a complex issue, and it is not a partisan political issue.

To suggest otherwise does a terrible disservice to this nation and those who fight to preserve it. The "moral fortitude" we need -- from Congress and from those who aspire to hold important positions in the executive branch -- is to understand and enforce the law.

To accept less is an affront to the law and to the core values of our nation.

THOMAS J. ROMIG

Major General (Ret.)

Judge Advocate General of the Army, 2001-05

Topeka, Kan.

DONALD J. GUTER

Rear Admiral (Ret.)

Judge Advocate General of the Navy, 2000-02

Pittsburgh