Another reason to vote out the corrupt Republicians

[telcoman]

This is much worse than Clinton receiving a favor from Monica that the right has been #itching about for the last 9 or 10 years. At least we had a qualified leader.

Justice Department Report on Hiring Finds Violations E-MailPrint Save By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPublished: July 28, 2008WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new Justice Department report concludes that politics illegally influenced the hiring of career prosecutors and immigration judges, and largely lays the blame on top aides to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Monday's report singles out the department's former White House liaison, Monica Goodling, for violating federal law and Justice Department policy by discriminating against job applicants who weren't Republican or conservative loyalists.

The 140-page report does not indicate whether Goodling or former Gonzales chief of staff Kyle Sampson could face any charges. None of those involved in the discriminatory hiring still work at Justice, meaning they will avoid any department penalties.

However, Justice investigators said that Goodling, at least, may lose her license to practice law as a result of the findings.

Gonzales was largely unaware of the hiring decisions by two of his most trusted aides. The report said his aides' decisions weeded out Democrats and that Goodling also rejected at least one lesbian job applicant.

The report marks the culmination of a yearlong investigation by Justice's Office of Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility into whether Republican politics were driving hiring polices at the nation's premier law enforcement agency that is expected to be above partisan politics.

The investigation is one of several that examine accusations of White House political meddling within the Justice Department. Those accusations were initially driven by the firings of nine U.S. attorneys in late 2006 and culminated with Gonzales' resignation under fire as attorney general last September.

The man who replaced Gonzales, Attorney General Michael Mukasey, said he is "of course disturbed" by the findings.

"I have said many times, both to members of the public and to department employees, it is neither permissible nor acceptable to consider political affiliations in the hiring of career department employees," Mukasey said in a statement shortly after the report was released Monday morning. "And I have acted, and will continue to act, to ensure that my words are translated into reality so that the conduct described in this report does not occur again at the department."

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Telcoman

[skylndrftr]

yea saw that...

nice to know that some college kids career is being destroyed for political gains.

Slate actualyl just did a nice vendiagram of all the major Bush scandals I'll have to dig up a link

[Cold_Zero]

Bawhhahaaaaa, Telcoman. All Republicans are corrupt because of this news article and allegations? Ha!

You are comparing this to the Lewinski Scandal? Let see, President of the United States perjured himself under oath during an investigation compared to not hiring people for their political affiliation. Don't see the connection.

When the Bush Administration got slammed for firing the Federal prosecutors in the Justice Department and some of the firings appeared to be politically motivated, I loved how NO ONE mentioned that the Clinton, Bush and Reagan Administrations did the same thing. To be honest, if you are that wide eyed and naive about this you all need to come back to reality. Unfortunately, this is the status quo and has been this way for a long time. You dont think that your own home States do this? It doesnt matter if they are Prosecutors, Clerks that work in the State House or all State Workers, when administrations change positions are filled or changed with political affiliation in mind. Sorry guys.

[skylndrftr]

If oru going to play the clinton card lets consider what is worse...

lieing abotu a BJ

or

outting an undercover CIA operative

This is a valid article to psot. The title is no less inflammatory than the anti Obama smears being posted.

[Cold_Zero]

Lying under oath - what other things has he lied about? I would point out that I was not the one who brought up Bill Clinton.

vs.Outting a CIA Agent- Is George W. Bush accused of outting Valerie Plame? No and if GW outed a CIA Agent would he go to jail? Since he is the commander in chief of this country, I would think not.

Again, I didnt not bring up Slick Willy Clinton. Telcoman did. But its nice to know now you are Telcoman's apologist. You WILL have your hands full with that job.bud

[telcoman]

Lying under oath - what other things has he lied about? I would point out that I was not the one who brought up Bill Clinton.

vs.Outting a CIA Agent- Is George W. Bush accused of outting Valerie Plame? No and if GW outed a CIA Agent would he go to jail? Since he is the commander in chief of this country, I would think not.

Again, I didnt not bring up Slick Willy Clinton. Telcoman did. But its nice to know now you are Telcoman's apologist. You WILL have your hands full with that job.bud

Bud

Some of us just want to be sure that those that live out in the boonies receive all the news and not just what the Bush administration want you to know.Eventually you'll thank us.

Telcoman

[Cold_Zero]

Dont worry about poor little old us. Indianapolis is the 13th largest city in the United States (+795K people) and the metro area is (1.7 million). I would point out that Indy (proper) is bigger than Newark and Jersey City.

And I believe we got the news that the Boston Red Sox finally won a World Series (two I hear).bud

[skylndrftr]

Lying under oath - what other things has he lied about? I would point out that I was not the one who brought up Bill Clinton.

vs.Outting a CIA Agent- Is George W. Bush accused of outting Valerie Plame? No and if GW outed a CIA Agent would he go to jail? Since he is the commander in chief of this country, I would think not.

fair enough I missed the line on the top of his post, but Bill is still largely irrelevant unless we want to use his conduct as a benchmark.

Bush isn't being accused of anythign because he either A) passes the buck (e.x. Scotter Libby) or B) refuses to talk about it. (e.x. Karl Rove). If nothign else, he should be impeached for his refusal to give out any information on what they are doing. He is in charge, and if executive privlege is used to cover it crimes, then its his butt on the line. As for being the commander in chief, well treason is treason, doesn't matter if you citizen l or the president.

The report is pretty damning...Quote »dered a candidate’s political or ideological affiliations when decidingwhether to approve details of career attorneys to positions in EOUSA,OLP, and the ODAG, or whether to extend existing details in theseoffices. In these examples, the candidates were qualified for the detailsand supported by the leaders of those offices because of theirqualifications and ability. However, Goodling’s review focused on theirpolitical or ideological affiliations and she often rejected candidates basedupon these affiliations, or her perception of these affiliations, some ofwhich were inaccurate, without regard to professional qualifications.Senior officials in these offices sometimes objected to Goodling’sdecisions, and argued with her about the quality of these candidates.Sometimes their appeals were successful, but more often they were not.Even candidates personally offered positions by the Deputy Attorney60General were required to be interviewed by and receive the approval ofGoodling before they could begin their details.Goodling’s decisions were particularly damaging to the Departmentbecause they resulted in high-quality candidates being rejected forimportant positions. For example, in one of the most troubling instancesan experienced terrorism prosecutor who had received the AttorneyGeneral’s Award for Exceptional Service was rejected by Goodling for adetail to EOUSA to work on counterterrorism issues because of his wife’spolitical affiliations. Instead, EOUSA had to select a much more juniorattorney who it believed was not qualified for the position. This use ofpolitical affiliation prevented an experienced career attorney fromassuming important counterterrorism responsibilities, and insteadresulted in the assignment of the duties to a less qualified candidate.[/quote]http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/special/s0807/final.pdf

This report was written by and for the Department of Justice. If we cannot trust the departtment of justice to fairly and appropriately implement its on policies, and be blind to political affiliation then we are truely lost. Your arguement that this is par for the course is misleading and unsupported by fact. While their are political appointees that work in DOJ, there are many many more non-politicdal civil servants that dedicate their lives to serving the people of this coutnry and providing us Justice. Saying that this always happens is not only a lie, it is insulting to the many people who spend their lives working there. The worst part is that if we had somebody with less moral fiber than Obama (I've said elsewhere I'm not a huge fan but I do find him trustworthy) this could easily swing the other way over the next 4 years and it would truely be a disaster for this coutnry.

we shoudl be voting the Republican's out because they were comlicit in this and many other crimes against this coutnry and its constitution. There has been no investigation of any of these things, nothign nada zip. The one special prosecutor was denied access to just about anything needed to so his job. You want a list? try this: http://www.slate.com/id/2195892/

[skylndrftr]

CZ do you have a comment on this?

[themadscientist]

If all the corrupt politicians were gone there would be a lot of congressional parking spaces open, like, all of them. Politicians are scum, reality check guy

[skylndrftr]

Politicians are scum, but theres a difference between being that scum and forcing that scum on people who for many many years have been (nearly) above reproach. The DOJ was near holy ground, and has never been subjected to this level of disatorous interference. The workers at the DOJ were never politicized...until now.

[Marenta]

What I think is laughable is how this only applies to "Republicans" and not to "Democrats." Weird, because I thought all politicians were vile sea beasts with forked tongues.

Lies are lies, regardless of the spinsters that weave the tale or the pattern that unfolds. Each side lies, and when they do, the public gets pissed off and votes in the other side until they lie. How about instead of the candidates flip flopping, the American population stops flip flopping and we actually stick with our guns and back our leader? Kinda like how you never fight in front of the children kinda thing?

[skylndrftr]

How about instead of the candidates flip flopping, the American population stops flip flopping and we actually stick with our guns and back our leader? Kinda like how you never fight in front of the children kinda thing?

[Cold_Zero]

CZ do you have a comment on this?

My point was never that we could not trust the DOJ. My point was merely as far back as I can remember growing up from the Bush Administration through Reagan, appointments, hiring and firings have bee politically motivated. I find it interesting of your selective amnesia in not mentioning William Jefferson Clinton's firing (cleaning house) of the majority of the US Attorneys during his administration. What was interesting is that one of the US Attorneys was getting ready to file charges against Rep. Dan Rostenkowski for the Congressional Post Office Scandal. But then again, when Speaker of the US House of Representatives Thomas Foley (Democrat) received the official report of corruption he kept it silent, I am sure in hopes that it would all blow over. None of you talk about:1. Obama's link to Tony Rezko who was convicted of Fraud and Bribery. Sure you guys can probably talk all day about Abramoff, but probably dont even know who Rezko is!2. William Jefferson (D-LA) who commandeered National Guard Troops during the Katrina disaster to go to his house and extract a refrigerator full of cash!3. After Nancy Pelosi won the Speaker of the House Position and promised to clean up the party, she nominated Jack Murtha to be the House Majority Leader. Jack Murtha who has been involved in the Abscam scandal and other bribery scandals. I am glad that steny Hoyer won the position over Murtha.4. There was talk during the nomination process of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence that Alcee Hastings would be named for the position. Nancy Pelosi was one of the Representatives that voted to impeach and remove Hastings from his Federal Judge position. Why would you nominate a removed jude for Perjury and Bribery to a position as head of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence?But hey, I guess corruption is only a Republican issue.

Let's not get into a pissing contest over this. For every corrupt Republican you come up with, I can come up with a Democrat. It is really insane on both sides of the aisle how corrupt and Congress people and Senators are. It is truly sad.

[ishkabibble]

I loved how NO ONE mentioned that the Clinton, Bush and Reagan Administrations did the same thing. To be honest, if you are that wide eyed and naive about this you all need to come back to reality.

Who's naive? All you are doing here is just parroting a right-wing talking point that is a flat out lie.

The other administrations did not do the same thing. They cleaned house during the administration changeover, they didn't persecute employees mid-term for not being "loyal Bushies"

[Cold_Zero]

If I was parroting the right wing talking points, I would have left out Bush and certainly Reagan to make it look like Bill Clinton's administration was the sole source of evil in the ... blah blah blah

I remember the Clinton Administration (not so fondly) and all the political persecutions and politically motivated moves in the Federal Government. You are just plain wrong either that or have a very selective memory. Kind of like a woman.

BTW ask Vince Foster and Ron Brown what they ****ing think of the Clintons. That's right they are dead.

[ishkabibble]

Show me where the exact same thing has happened before (DOJ employees being kicked out midterm for not doing the administration's bidding).

If you can't do that, then at least let me borrow one of your dresses sometime.

[smockers83]

Some of us just want to be sure that those that live out in the boonies receive all the news and not just what the Bush administration want you to know.Eventually you'll thank us.

I live out in the boonies and I get all the news you get just as fine as you do. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has a population of just over 300,000 and is roughly 16,500 sq mi for just under 19 people per square mile. Put differently, the UP is about 1/3 of the state of MI in land size and only 3% of it in terms of population. 1/3 of the population fits in the Big House's stated capacity, the U of Michigan's football stadium.

According to the 2000 census (which counted 317,258 people in the UP), only 91,624 people live in the twelve towns of at least 4,000 people, covering 96.5 square miles. Only 114,544 people live in the twenty-one towns of at least 2,000 or more people, which cover 123.7 square miles—less than 1% of the peninsula's land area.

So no, I don't have to thank you. Oh and yes, we have paved roads, electricity, and modern plumbing, even 3G and broadband internet! We don't need you city people to worry about us, we do just fine.

[AZhitman]

Show me where the exact same thing has happened before (DOJ employees being kicked out midterm for not doing the administration's bidding).

I fire people all the time for not complying with the requirements of an agency head who reports directly to a [very partisan] Governor.

Oh the humanity.

Perhaps they should have made themselves more valuable to the administration.

[AZhitman]

I live out in the boonies and I get all the news you get just as fine as you do.

Yeah, but you're clinging to your guns and religion. You're not TRULY informed.

[smockers83]

Yeah, but you're clinging to your guns and religion. You're not TRULY informed.

I knew I liked you haha.

I think I'm going to go have a glass of Australian cabernet sauvignon now.

*edit* And maybe I'll treat myself and some others to a champagne breakfast this Sunday.
Modified by smockers83 at 9:38 PM 7/29/2008

[skylndrftr]

If I was parroting the right wing talking points, I would have left out Bush and certainly Reagan to make it look like Bill Clinton's administration was the sole source of evil in the ... blah blah blah

I remember the Clinton Administration (not so fondly) and all the political persecutions and politically motivated moves in the Federal Government. You are just plain wrong either that or have a very selective memory. Kind of like a woman.

So lets see when the Department of Justice itself stepped in and said what had been done was illegal

Think about what is required for the police to investigate another cop. Its gotta be REALLY bad.

many people on both sides of the aisle (hell outside the aisle as well) are definitely corrupt. However personal corruption is far different than what was done here. $50k in cash in a freezer is dispicable, but this...well this is equivalent of wiping yourself with the constitution.

[skylndrftr]

Perhaps they should have made themselves more valuable to the administration.

I'm guessing your joking...even if you are though, I think that is an insulting statement to make about a group of civil servants who have done huge amounts of good for this country. AZ you of all people should be ashamed.

[ishkabibble]

Perhaps they should have made themselves more valuable to the administration.

By unethically, selectively prosecuting the administration's opponents right before elections liked they were asked to do?

"Conservatives" would be crucifying the "libbies" for the same thing, but the neocons get a pass?

[AZhitman]

I think that is an insulting statement to make about a group of civil servants who have done huge amounts of good for this country. AZ you of all people should be ashamed.

Nope. I'm a civil servant too.

I didn't say by doing anything unethical.

In all my years with the Supreme Court, I knew I was lucky to have gotten my foot in the door. I made myself invaluable to my administration by knowing more than they knew, studying the issues a week before they did, getting briefed on situations they'd have to make decisions on, offering to review / proof / edit documents they were about to send out, etc...

You'd be amazed at how many BAD decisions I was able to intercept in those few years - And I always made sure they knew it somehow. Didn't take long to get some recognition as someone good to have in your hip pocket wherever you went.

[skylndrftr]

You'd be amazed at how many BAD decisions I was able to intercept in those few years - And I always made sure they knew it somehow. Didn't take long to get some recognition as someone good to have in your hip pocket wherever you went.

But what your implying there is that those bad decisions could be intercepted. In fact the opposite was true.

You should realy read the report. Its frankly disgusting. Quote »In sum, the evidence showed that Sampson, Williams, and Goodling violated federal law and Department policy, and Sampson and Goodling committed misconduct, by considering political and ideological affiliations in soliciting and selecting IJs, which are career positions protected by the civil service laws. [/quote]As a civil servant how would you feel if correcting those bad decisions would cost you your career?

[Cold_Zero]

So lets see when the Department of Justice itself stepped in and said what had been done was illegal

The DOJ stepped in because the Office of Special Counsel was not doing their job or is complicit in this case. It is the jurisdiction of the OSC to investigate and prosecute such matters.

[Cold_Zero]

Show me where the exact same thing has happened before (DOJ employees being kicked out midterm for not doing the administration's bidding).

If you can't do that, then at least let me borrow one of your dresses sometime.

No worse it is one thing to be denied a job, its another thing to wind up dead (shot in the head in a DC park or shot down.. I mean plane crash) like Vince Foster and Ron Brown. You probably dont remember File Gate where the Clinton Administration had in its possession numerous FBI files, in the range of 4000-7000 FBI, of people who worked in the Reagan and GHW Bush Administrations. Now sure, HR Clinton and WJ Clinton were exonerated by Ken Star's probe, but what were members of the Clinton Administration doing with these files? Seriously that **** doesnt happen by mistake.

This investigation centers on the hiring practices of Federal Prosecutors and Immigration Judges based on their Political Affiliation. You will probably see more investigations or litigation about people denied promotions or job placement due to their sexual orientation and/or political affiliation.

[rn79870]

Show me where the exact same thing has happened before (DOJ employees being kicked out midterm for not doing the administration's bidding).

If you can't do that, then at least let me borrow one of your dresses sometime.

Ish, It's time to knock off this type of posts. This is the second thread I've found you adding little insults to your posts. The other one blew up and I spend some time cleaning it up. This doesn't help with the free discussion we are after here. Bud doesn't deserve this at all.

[wingFeather]

I agree - time to vote out corrupt politicians.

Let's start with the worst: liberals & Democrats. Senator Obama should be first on the hit list, followed by Senator Clinton.