Anonymous US attorney speaks of attorney purge:

[babylonsister]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/012796.php

I'm an Assistant United States Attorney in <*******>, and am, of course, outraged by the U.S. Attorney purge, as most AUSAs are. I appreciate all the work you've been doing on this story.

My own sense is that this purge has to be viewed as part a much larger story on the devastating impact of this administration's policies on the institution of the U.S. Attorney's Office.

From a fiscal perspective, the administration has essentially abandoned the U.S. Attorney's Offices. That has led to a precipitous drop in the numbers of federal prosecutions, particularly in larger districts like Los Angeles. The effects of the budget crisis at U.S. Attorney's Offices across the nation are well documented.

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/whitecollarcrime _blog/files/usao_ltr_final.pdf. True to form, Alberto Gonzales has virtually ignored these problems, despite congressional inquiries.

Likewise, from a policy perspective, the administration's War on Terror (TM) policies and practices have undermined the sacred foundations of the work we do as federal prosecutors. I strive every day to make sure that the Fourth Amendment rights of evn the worst criminals are scrupulously observed, only to learn that the folks I work for view those rights as disposable, inconvenient anachronisms. I operate in a criminal justice system properly designed to maximize due process for even the worst criminals, only to watch the administration kick and scream when forced to provide even the most basic due process rights to suspected terrorists.

And now the purges. So they've slashed U.S. Attorney's budgets, trashed rights we have sworn to uphold, and now, tried to toady-up the ranks of our leadership by firing some of our best and brightest, apparently to make room for wingnut-annointed political hacks. Folks who do stuff like this deserve to get caught.

One final note: U.S. Attorneys are referred to as the top law enforcement officers in their districts -- even the FBI answers to the U.S. Attorney because the FBI can't bring cases without the U.S. Attorney. Can you imagine if the administration had treated the FBI the way they've treated the U.S. Attorney's Offices? Of course not -- they wouldn't dare. Because the public understands all too well what happens when the FBI's integrity is undermined or its leadership politicized (see J. Edgar Hoover's tenure).

The very same dangers lurk here. Thanks for helping to bring them to light.

[Double T]

1. The Constitutional Crisis continues with corruption and malfesence.........

by bushco found throughout the entire federal government. Congress needs to continue their hearings, then start the indictments against these blatant criminals.

[babylonsister]

2. And this is just one attorney: I wonder how many more

feel the same way? It's good to hear someone speaking up, if only anonymously.

[Double T]

3. Congress needs to keep digging for evidence from the other fired attorneys;..........

the firings have the stench of the WH all over them.

[babylonsister]

4. I found this little tidbit this a.m.; more fuel for the fire.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3147930&mesg_id=3147930

[Double T]

5. WH smear jobs and character assassination threats could be expected..........

but under oath, before a Congressional hearing/investigation regarding the attorney firings there would be some cover and protection for the fired attorneys to tell all they know and to tell the truth.

[slipslidingaway]

6. Thanks and do not forget Frederick Black

The White House's "How To" On Shutting Down An Investigation

http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/08/the_white_house.php

"Today, the Los Angeles Times reported that the White House had demoted Fredrick Black, a US Attorney that was investigating Bush pioneer Jack Abramoff's relationship with the Guam Superior Court, where he earned over $300,000 as a lobbyist.

...The transactions were the target of a grand jury subpoena issued Nov. 18, 2002, according to a copy obtained by The Times. The subpoena demanded that Anthony Sanchez, administrative director of the Guam Superior Court, release records involving the lobbying contract, including bills and payments.


What was the White House's response to this attorney attempting to root out corruption? Demote him, of course.

A day later, the chief prosecutor, U.S. Atty. Frederick A. Black, who had launched the investigation, was demoted. A White House news release announced that Bush was replacing Black.The timing caught some by surprise. Despite his officially temporary status, Black had held the acting U.S. attorney assignment for more than a decade."

[formercia]

7. Thanks for lurking.

At least we have a voice. Many are dying who have no voice at all.

[bonito]

8. K&R n/t

[Trillo]

9. I suspect that the Contitution's writers never imagined

that the government would become so corrupt that Attorneys would need their own Branch in order that Justice would remain Blind.

They probably figured that the people would never allow the corruption to go so far. They probably couldn't imagine a day when most people's every waking moment would be spent paying bills; they probably couldn't imagine a world where the vast majority of 'the people' were no longer independent, where most would indeed be dependent upon the very crooks that provide them with a job.