Letter: Rice’s opponents showed integrity

Monday, Jan. 31, 2005 | 9:22 a.m.

I am so very proud of the Senate Democrats and Independent Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont who voted against the confirmation of Condolezza Rice for secretary of state. They demonstrated the highest degree of integrity. Rice has consistently and blatantly misled the Congress and the nation with information to rubber stamp the president's plan for the preemptive war in Iraq.

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., called it right during the committee hearings when she suggested Rice's loyalty to the president was more important to Rice than dealing with the truth. As senators too old to be in the military go home each day to comfort and security, we continue to sacrifice our youth and countless Iraqi civilians in an escalating mess that worsens every day.

I applaud those elected officials who question what we are doing and do not support blind allegiance simply because this president wants a war.

To me, those who voted against Rice personify a definition of politics done right, as defined by Janet Reno, former attorney general, during an interview on public radio in 2001. She said: "Politics, done right, is one of the noblest professions. Politics done wrong totally undermines our democratic process."

PATRICIA VAN BETTEN