Supreme Ignorance

Attorneygate as many have thankfully refrained from calling it got a new wrinkle this week. The attorney-firing scandal that has caused some serious investigation over the last several months is back with a bit that should be interesting to everyone, but will likely not get noticed/will get buried behind lesser headlines.

You know what I’m talking about, right? Attorney General Alberto Gonzales authorized the firing of several federal attorneys, in the middle of high-profile cases, for what they described as ‘performance reasons’. These same attorneys, which were supposedly inept, had successfully prosecuted and convicted either big business or Republicans. At the same time, the White House is caught with its respective pants down when it is revealed that they have put in a litmus test for federal judges that makes, not only conservative thought, but White House approved, neo-conservative, pro Bush White House ideologies that will impair their ability to try cases fairly. That scandal.

The Washington Post yesterday revealed that the special prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, who successfully convicted of former Vice Presidential aide Lewis “Scooter” Libbey in the CIA leak investigation, was on a similar list. It said:

[A] former Gonzales aide had placed Fitzgerald's name on a list of prosecutors who had 'not distinguished themselves' in March 2005, just after Fitzgerald had indicted former GOP Illinois governor George Ryan and as he was investigating the leak of the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame.

“[N]ot distinguished [himself]”? Are you kidding me? This guy is top-notch and super-professional. He is also nowhere near a liberal. His track record was stellar and garnered high praise from all circles. All circles but the White House, which meant, not the Attorney General. The man’s boss. The guy that is in charge of prosecuting for the country. The guy who sees to it that bad men go to jail and good men remain free. This guy.

You may not see this as a big deal: I’m sure CBS won’t. But the truth here is the proof in AG Alberto Gonzalez’s politicizing and improper conduct. In any other sector, in any law firm, or in any state government in this country, Gonzalez would have been fired, blacklisted, and then prosecuted and convicted. Except that he gets to choose to stay, and as the President’s former personal lawyer, he will have the (limited) protection that Bush can offer him.

So, here is yet another example of the depths this administration is willing to go. This is another injustice that this White House will get away with. This is reason enough for impeachment. But instead, we’re probably just going to wait it out. Wait and hope that the next one doesn't take advantage of us.

Fat chance. Bush has set the new standard, and the Supreme Court is siding with him. The executive will only get more powerful now.