Trick Dick sez:

"Shit, even I'm embarassed by this.

If you can read this and see nothing wrong, then look no further.

You. Are. The. Problem.

(emphasis not just added but slathered by me)

February 26, 2007
Editorial Observer

Why Have So Many U.S. Attorneys Been Fired? It Looks a Lot Like Politics

By ADAM COHEN
Carol Lam, the former United States attorney for San Diego, is smart and tireless and was very good at her job. Her investigation of Representative Randy Cunningham resulted in a guilty plea for taking more than $2 million in bribes from defense contractors and a sentence of more than eight years. Two weeks ago, she indicted Kyle Dustin Foggo, the former No. 3 official in the C.I.A. The defense-contracting scandal she pursued so vigorously could yet drag in other politicians.

In many Justice Departments, her record would have won her awards, and perhaps a promotion to a top post in Washington. In the Bush Justice Department, it got her fired.

Ms. Lam is one of at least seven United States attorneys fired recently under questionable circumstances. The Justice Department is claiming that Ms. Lam and other well-regarded prosecutors like John McKay of Seattle, David Iglesias of New Mexico, Daniel Bogden of Nevada and Paul Charlton of Arizona — who all received strong job evaluations — performed inadequately.

It is hard to call what’s happening anything other than a political purge. And it’s another shameful example of how in the Bush administration, everything — from rebuilding a hurricane-ravaged city to allocating homeland security dollars to invading Iraq — is sacrificed to partisan politics and winning elections.

U.S. attorneys have enormous power. Their decision to investigate or indict can bankrupt a business or destroy a life. They must be, and long have been, insulated from political pressures. Although appointed by the president, once in office they are almost never asked to leave until a new president is elected. The Congressional Research Service has confirmed how unprecedented these firings are. It found that of 486 U.S. attorneys confirmed since 1981, perhaps no more than three were forced out in similar ways — three in 25 years, compared with seven in recent months.

It is not just the large numbers. The firing of H. E. Cummins III is raising as many questions as Ms. Lam’s. Mr. Cummins, one of the most distinguished lawyers in Arkansas, is respected by Republicans and Democrats alike. But he was forced out to make room for J. Timothy Griffin, a former Karl Rove deputy with thin legal experience who did opposition research for the Republican National Committee. (Mr. Griffin recently bowed to the inevitable and said he will not try for a permanent appointment. But he remains in office indefinitely.)

The Bush administration cleared the way for these personnel changes by slipping a little-noticed provision into the Patriot Act last year that allows the president to appoint interim U.S. attorneys for an indefinite period without Senate confirmation.
Three theories are emerging for why these well-qualified U.S. attorney were fired — all political, and all disturbing.

1. Helping friends. …

2. Candidate recruitment. …

3. Presidential politics. …
…

There is a saying that goes, when the facts are on your side, argue the facts.

If you find you can’t win on the facts, argue the law.

If you can’t win on the facts or the law, set the building on fire.

To which we can now add, if you’re the Preznit and you can’t win on the facts, the law, or distraction, then just sack opposing council.

Of course instead of the “Monday Morning WhoGivesAShit”, when Richard Nixon moved to fire a powerful attorney for selfish, venial, and purely political reasons they came to call it the "Saturday Night Massacre".

That was in October of 1973, when Nixon started sweating that special prosecutor Archibald Cox was getting too close to the cancerous, criminal rot at the heart of that Presidency. So he ordered his Attorney General (Elliot Richardson ) to fire Cox.

Richardson – a Republican – refused, resigned, and it fell to the Deputy Attorney General (William Ruckelshaus) to do the dirty work.

Well Ruckelshaus – also a Republican – also refused, and resigned, and so Nixon had to fall back on all-purpose GOP stooge and then-Solicitor General – one Robert Fucking Bork – to rid Nixon of his meddlesome priest.

But that was all a million years ago.

Back when Baby Jesus roamed the Earth solving crimes while riding a brontosaurus.

Back when Presidential lying about important matters, illegal wiretapping, tampering with the check and balances of the United State government and attempting to sabotage the workings of the judiciary were actually each considered and outrageous and impeachable act and not just another four things on Dick Cheney’s weekly “To Do” list.

Back when it is alleged that several Republicans possessed consciences. However it is now generally accepted that tales of the “Scrupled Republican” are just another fanciful legend of a mythological creature – like the Chimera or the Basilisk – plucked from the pages of the Bestiary of Imaginary Political Critters.