Justice Department editorials sampler

[struggle4progress]

Another Justice hack heard from
Editorial
Thursday, May 24

~snip~ As was the case in previous hearings, a picture emerged of a Justice Department packed with unqualified political hacks and headed by the most unqualified political hack of them all, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Ms. Goodling is one of a number of graduates from the lowly regarded Regent University law school, founded by TV evangelist Pat Robertson to advocate for the integration of Biblical principles into law, to win important positions at the White House. Ms. Goodling and her ilk apparently saw no obligations to the nation, only to the White House's holy war against Democrats and anyone who stood in the path of Mr. Rove's political machine. ~snip~

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/editorials/ci_5973399

Oh, yes. She meant to.

~snip~ But now we do know that Ms. Goodling, in her words, "crossed the line" by basing hiring at the Justice Department on politics. "I didn't mean to," she added, as if anyone but the committee's Republicans would believe her. Ms. Goodling tried to say little. The less said by all those involved in the firings, the more protection for the White House. If Ms. Goodling "crossed the line," however, she wasn't alone.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2007/05/24/a20a_goodling_edit_0524.html

'That Strikes at the Core'
Monica Goodling concedes that a political line was crossed in hiring at the Justice Department.
Thursday, May 24, 2007; Page A30

WHEN HE TESTIFIED before a House Judiciary subcommittee this month, former deputy attorney general James B. Comey said he was horrified by reports that the department was examining the political affiliations of lawyers being considered for career positions. "If that was going on, that strikes at the core of what the Department of Justice is," Mr. Comey said.

Yesterday, promised that her testimony could not be used against her in a criminal prosecution, Monica M. Goodling, former senior counsel to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, admitted to doing exactly that as she screened applicants for prosecutorial positions. "I know I took political considerations into account on some occasions . . . I know I crossed the line," Ms. Goodling said. This was, for the reasons Mr. Comey suggested, a sad moment for anyone who cares about the Justice Department.

It was sad, as well, that so many Republican committee members chose to ignore this ugly fact and heap praise on Ms. Goodling. "I think you have . . . shown people who are here. . . . why people in the Justice Department thought you were worthy of your job," said Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.). "Millions of Americans now know a lot more about you, and they're proud to have somebody like you serving in government," said Rep. Tom Feeney (R-Fla.) Violating the law against politicizing the civil service is no grounds for pride. ~snip~

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/23/AR2007052301422.html

Littwin: Former aide's testimony a nail in Gonzales' coffin

~snip~ Alberto Gonzales got whacked. He may not know it yet. George Bush may not know it yet. In fact, I'm betting he's the last to know it. ~snip~

I know what you're thinking - that it sounds like Gonzales might have been coaching a potential witness. And maybe you remember, too, that Gonzales kept saying - back when he testified - the reason he couldn't remember/recall anything was because he couldn't check with other witnesses.

If that's not a smoking gun, it's only because so many guns have already been fired. ~snip~

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/news_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_86_5552453,00.html

Editorial: Alberto Gonzales' credibility hits bottom
Mercury News Editorial
Article Launched: 05/23/2007 01:31:56 AM PDT

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein will soon ask the Senate to express no confidence in U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. The resolution will be non-binding, but passage may be what's needed to persuade Gonzales to quit or for President Bush finally to force him to go.

Gonzales has been shamelessly clinging to office despite revelations that have called into question his integrity, honesty and commitment to constitutional principles. ~snip~

http://origin.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_5964984

Editorial: Gonzales must go
GHS
Thu May 24, 2007, 12:45 AM EDT

The White House had hoped that if it dug in long enough the public controversy over Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' tenure at the Justice Department would blow over. It hasn't, and it's not going to. ~snip~

Bush remains stubbornly loyal to Gonzales, but Gonzales should be bright enough to know that his continuing presence only hurts the president while compromising the effectiveness of the department. He should resign immediately.

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x1997226572

[Boo Boo]

1. WAPO: So far, no evidence has emerged to support the allegations that

"some of the prosecutors -- notably, U.S. Attorney Carol C. Lam in San Diego -- were fired for pursuing public corruption cases against Republicans."

Yeah... right. :eyes:

What we don't have any evidence of is that they were fired for any other reason.

[struggle4progress]

2. Most of the editorials have a certain mushiness in places: it may be interesting to try

to figure out what's going on. I suspect the owners are telling the editors Write whatever you like as long as you say such-and-such. There was good evidence of this in the 04 election cycle, where one saw quite a few editorials along the lines of Bush has started an unnecessary war, cried "terrorism' to erode constitutional rights, and behaves in a thoroughly corrupt manner -- so we have no choice but to endorse him.