The Jurist reports that Human Rights Watch has broken with its tradition of not weighing in on Cabinet nominees by opposing the confirmation of Alberto Gonzalez. Also opposing the nomination is a lawyers group Human Rights First, which has sent a letter signed by several Hispanic law professors to the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Arlen Specter.

It looks as if it's getting more and more difficult for Senators to go on record in support of Gonzalez. Of course, if his nomination fails, it will be through pure cowardice on the part of the Republican Senators, but cowardice definitely has a role to play in politics.

Calls to your Senators may be made through (202) 224-3121. Please advise them that you will be thinking of them when they vote on the Gonzalez nomination, since it just won't do to have him confirmed. They hate attention.