You Can't Handle The Truth

When you think the administration cannot screw up any more than it already has, another low is revealed. Allegations are surfacing that the firings of eight DOJ attorneys in 2006 were politically motivated and originated in the White House. What's more, the original plan was to fire all 93 DOJ attorneys. Harriet Miers, the same completely unqualified woman nominated for the Supreme Court, suggested that all chief district prosecutors (people with years of prosecuting experience) be asked to resign. Brilliant! Speculation is that the firings were intended to open up spots for up-and-coming young Republicans, allowing them a two-year stint to burnish their credentials. The reasons, or lack thereof, given for the firings are also under review.

There were apparently three unofficial grades assigned to the attorneys, based on an internal email between Harriet Miers and Kyle Sampson (Gonzales' chief of staff). Top performers demonstrated loyalty to the administration. Weak performers were "weak U.S. attorneys who have been ineffectual managers and prosecutors, chafed against Administration initiatives, etc." The third category was "no opinion". Two of the fired attorneys, Iglesias, whom the movie "A Few Good Men" was partially based on, and Ryan, had consistently been given strong evaluations during their careers. Another, McKay, was awarded the Navy's highest award for a program he spearheaded, a regional law enforcement information-sharing network, known as LINX.

This is utterly ridiculous. Gonzales is an activist AG who has already pushed the boundaries of the executive office too far.