Iglesias: "Rove never really understood that U.S. attorneys are not just like other political..."

[sabra]

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070517/17iglesias.htm

An 'Absentee' U.S. Attorney Fights Back

<snip>

Iglesias has said he received phone calls from Republicans Sen. Pete Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson before the elections asking about the status of a case.

That's why Iglesias's three-hour meeting Wednesday with investigators from the Office of Special Counsel should be of some concern to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other Justice and White House officials involved in his dismissal. The special counsel, Scott Bloch, is charged with ensuring that federal agencies don't violate federal laws, including the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act, which prevents discrimination against military service members, and the Hatch Act, which protects federal employees from being coerced into partisan political activity. Iglesias is a captain in the Naval Reserve, where he has served for 18 years. At issue is a handwritten note by former Gonzales aide Monica Goodling, obtained by congressional investigators, describing Iglesias as an "absentee landlord" who was worth replacing.

"I had determined that the only thing Goodling could be referring to," Iglesias told U.S. News, "is my military duty."

Iglesias realized that the calls from Domenici and Wilson and the Goodling note gave him cause to contact Bloch's office, which he did through fellow reservist James Byrne, who just happens to be Bloch's new deputy and is heading the investigation of the U.S. attorney firings.

...

"Part of this is that Rove never really understood that U.S. attorneys are not just like other political appointees," says Iglesias. "We're the only political appointees that can take away your property, take away your life, and take away your liberty, legally."

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. It's very possible Rove FULLY understood the difference

He just expected they would get in line like the rest of the political appointees.

[Fridays Child]

3. Make that not just a possibility but a certainty.

Rove understood this. It's precisely why he did what he did. Is Iglesias just being strategically naive?

[annabanana]

8. Not naive exactly. .

Just cannot bring himself to recognize the "big lie" that this administration has perpetrated on this Country. People really really really HATE to believe that someone who "seems" like a regular fellow can be a true monster.

[Fridays Child]

12. Yes, you're probably right, and it truly angers me that so many holders of the public trust...

...have failed to recognize what many of us here have seen so clearly, for so long. It's filled me with fury and dread, for going on seven years, now, but I've never refused to wrap my mind around it. Unfortunately, it's probably too much to expect the same from most of our "public servants."

[Norquist Nemesis]

9. It's hard for a person of integrity

to accept that the people in a Party he's put his faith into based on his priciples would be unethical, unprincipled crooks. It's easy to believe it from 'enemies' be they political or workplace competitors...not one of "your own".

At least that's my take on it. I think that's why it so hard to get people to accept Impeachment of Bush/Cheney is about the only solution at this point. Hell! Even I would like to believe that my government would never be so profoundly corrupted by extreme ideologues who seek to essentially overthrow our democracy in favor of permanent power; but the evidence is too overwhelming. They can't be left to go along their merry way and leave the rest of us to just 'deal with it' or 'get over it'.

[damntexdem]

11. One interpretation is that Rove never understood:

how much trouble he is GOING to get into by treating U.S. attorneys as he did.

Now there's an interpretation I like.

[Az]

One of the key issues from the start of the Bush admin was judicial turnover

That was what they offered the religious right. Sorry but this has always been a focus of this admin. Elections can be won or lost but judicial appointees stick around and make a difference for a very long time.

[Norquist Nemesis]

10. agreed! n/t

[bullimiami]

2. rove believes laws are for the stupid and weak.

the fact that he is getting paid as a government employee and he is powerful and connected is probably proof he is right.

[dogday]

4. Rove only understands that Bush is a Dick-Tator nt

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

5. Unfortunately I don't have confidence in this Bloch investigation because he's a crony.

Whitewash a comin'.

[sabra]

6. check out the part in bold... James Byrne is a fellow reservist

maybe there's hope?

[sutz12]

7. Bullshit...Rove knew EXACTLY what he was doing... nt