A thread about the recent firing of 8 US attorneys

I’m starting to feel like a volleyball player who makes amazing saves, time and time again — only to have the ball spiked back into his face . . . time and time again. And to make matters worse, he learns that the player who is setting up the spikes is supposed to be his own teammate.

So consider this my open letter to the Bush Administration:

Guys:

I think the press has distorted some of the aspects of this case against you. And, for that reason, at least, I want to defend you.

But you’re making it really, really hard for me to defend you.

And I’m not your defense attorney. If I think you’re full of crap, I don’t have to defend you.

And, given that 1) at least one of you gleefully boasted that you planned to deceive Congress, and 2) I keep making arguments that get shoved back in my face based on your own actions — I’m kind of tempted to tell you to screw yourselves.

Love and kisses,

Patterico

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales approved plans to fire several U.S. attorneys in a November meeting, according to documents released Friday that contradict earlier claims that he was not closely involved in the dismissals.

The Nov. 27 meeting, in which the attorney general and at least five top Justice Department officials participated, focused on a five-step plan for carrying out the firings of the prosecutors, Justice Department officials said late Friday.

There, Gonzales signed off on the plan, which was crafted by his chief of staff, Kyle Sampson. Sampson resigned last week amid a political firestorm surrounding the firings.

Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty announced his resignation today, saying he is leaving the Justice Department later this summer to enter the private sector, officials said.

McNulty announced his plans to leave in a letter to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, citing the financial pressures of having children entering their college years, one official said.

It's Monica Goodling Day! I'm so excited...

Right. If the Deputy Attorney General of the United States of America can't afford to put his kids through college, then our country's even more fucked.

Live feed, as if anybody who is interested in watching this didn't already have it loaded and running:
http://www.cspan.org/watch/cs_cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3

Pleading the Fifth seems to be a popular approach.

Yow, a bit of shit is hitting the fan right now. Goodling was asked when she first became aware that Gonzalez' public statements and/or testimony had inaccuracies, and her lawyers wigged out. A Repub committee member tried to derail the questioning, and they're having some vote right now to see whether the questioning can proceed.

Everything leading up to lunch recess has just been to lull Goodling into a false sense of security, apparently. They're getting FUSSY with her now.

Brief recess for floor votes and then round 2.

McNulty's already hit back at Goodling. Funtime.

Link?

http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003288.php

Mukasey won't pursue charges.

That would be telling.