Fired attorneys say apologies are in order

[Judi Lynn]

Fired attorneys say apologies are in order
POSTED: 8:34 p.m. EDT, March 13, 2007

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- One of eight U.S. attorneys fired in a controversial Justice Department shakeup said Tuesday that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should rethink the dismissals, and two others said apologies were due.

"I think the attorney general at least took a first step toward acknowledging his errors, but I was extremely disappointed that he has not called into question the firing of the U.S. attorneys," said John McKay, who in December lost his post as the top federal prosecutor in Seattle. "He said he stands by them, but I don't think he even knows the reasons."

Gonzales announced Tuesday that his chief of staff, Kyle Sampson, had resigned over the firings and admitted that "mistakes were made." But he said all the prosecutors were political appointees who could be removed "for any reason," and he stood by the firings.

"My question is, if he fired the guy who fired us, why is he standing by the dismissals?" McKay asked.
(snip/...)

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/13/fired.reax/index.html

[Quakerfriend]

1. Gotta love McKay's point. Also, there is NO evidence

that any of the eight were, in any way, poor (or even mediocre) performers.

[anotherdrew]

2. ya know, beat them overthe head about it, but it'll be our turn soon

and we must clean house all over the place to get the bush shitheads out...

If they want to call them political appointments than can be fired for any reason any time, let them dine on their words in two years. THEN change the system a little to something slightly more reasonable.

[aquart]

3. Fire Gonzales. Rehire the eight.

Ask really intense questions of the attorneys who were NOT fired...like why they brought every damn case in the last six years...and why some cases were resolved in favor of ...heavens... Republicans.

[tanyev]

4. Hmph. Impeachment is in order.

[bearfan454]

5. Give them their jobs back

This is setting up 08 elections with yes men US attorneys.

[peaches2003]

6. Always the same crap

These Bushbots always say "mistakes were made and they are taking responsibility'. What a joke. They never admit what the mistakes were and the only ones who 'take responsibilty' are the underlings who they fire. Gonzalez is just a Bush flunky who should lose his law license.

[Solly Mack]

7. "My question is, if he fired the guy who fired us, why is he standing by the dismissals?"

That part is easy.

You sacrifice a person in hopes that ends the matter.

Much in the same matter "I take responsibility" can end any further inquiry in government (like uttering those words means anything), the sacrifice makes it all just go away.

Sometimes the right people resign/ get fired..and the matter really is closed.

However, all too often in government, the sacrifice is nothing more than a tactic to appease critics in hopes the matter just ends.

Someone has to pay..somebody's head has to roll....that kind of thing...to protect the larger crime and or scandal..

When the people ask, what did you do about this or that...politicians can then say ..well, I took responsibility or so and so resigned or was fired....and for a lot of people that's good enough - I'm not one of those people...but what happens along the way is the bigger corruption is then covered up

Seriously, how many parents teach their kids that if they would only just say "I take responsibility" - for stealing the car, breaking the window, stealing money - that all consequences are just thrown out the window?

Yet people accept that from their government all the time.



They make statements like at least he/she was big enough to admit their mistakes and take responsibility...yeah, like that changes anything...or even begins to cover the repercussions and consequences that were the result of those "mistakes"

Wanting an apology from government is much the same thing. Like an apology is going to change anything. All an apology does is allow government to get off easy.

I'm just sick of government ,and those in government, getting away with it all.

[twiceshy]

8. Once hired do Fed Attorneys have some kind of tenure?

I'm having a hard time getting a handle on this one. It appears that they can be fired at the beginning of a presidential term, but from the things people have been saying they cannot be fired after that point? I don't buy it, I think they serve at the prerogative of the executive branch and can be hired or fired at will. That's just politics and why we have elections. If a member of your "team" opposes your agenda, then you have the right to get rid of them. Plus I have a hard time getting excited about a lawyer fired - what do you call a cruise ship with 100 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean....

[Solly Mack]

9. I don't hold/ share in your contempt for lawyers

There is a difference between agreeing with a Presidents policy and trying to pre-determine the outcome of justice by removing prosecutors that go after people like Abramoff and replacing them with sycophants that will allow government corruption to flourish. Federal prosecutors are supposed to be apolitical in office.

But I get the feeling that doesn't mean anything to you.

If you find that comment insulting, I don't care.

[twiceshy]

10. Hey just asking an honest question.

The stuff about lawyers is a joke, remember those? Everyone loves their own lawyer (well except for the bills).