Senate Confirms New Homeland Security Chief

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal judge Michael Chertoff, who testified against torture and preached the need to protect civil liberties, won Senate confirmation on Tuesday to head the U.S. Homeland Security Department.
The Senate approved President Bush's nomination of the former U.S. assistant attorney general to succeed Tom Ridge as secretary of the department created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The vote completed Senate action on Bush's second-term cabinet, though he still must fill some key, non-cabinet jobs -- like the newly created post of director of national intelligence.

Democrats and Republicans praised Chertoff for agreeing to give up a lifetime job as a federal appeals court judge to accept the tough task of bolstering national security.

more: http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=7639145

Does the DLC approve of Mr. Chertoff?

Every Democrat from Barbara Boxer to Joe Lieberman voted for him.

Can't say I agree with the vote, myself.

every day I feel more and more lost.

the "homeland" wording is really eerily reminiscent of Heimat/Lebensraum. Heimat being "homeland" and Lebensraum (living room / breathing space). Our modern equivalent to that is the securing of resources vital to American dominance.

I also think this choice of words is very telling because in an empire it becomes necessary to distinguish between the "homeland" and the outlying territories. Think of the various US bases and properties in the Pacific and elsewhere. It's no longer enough to say "our nation" or "this country," because our country is powerful enough to maintain its power around the globe at all time ... empire USA is not limited to the continental US, but the Homeland is.

The same guy who puts the kiebosh on the "operation Greenquest" raids investigation- gets a nod from the senate like it's one big party complete with pointy hats and folding whisltes. Anyone who doubts we are in giant trouble look no further.

In a way, it doesn't matter. No matter who bush picks, they're all as bad as the next one. It just depends upon what kind of snake you're willing to let bite you, but every one of them is poisonous.

It would at least be consistant with the administration.

Gonzales has been in office just a few days and already is seing our laws rewritten just the way he wants!

:shrug:

:shrug:

Well, at least we've got that goin' for us.

Why can't any DEM vote against these clowns?? I know he would still be confirmed but this is the guy that presided over the roundup of thousands following 9/11 based on no evidence other than their skin color or last name. Some of them are still in jail, no trial or access to lawyers. This guy is a bigger piece of shit that they last one. Shame on the spineless weasels that call themselves Democrats.

Even liberals like Barbara Boxer voted for this.