It HAS TO BE incompetence when it comes to the Gonzo Justice Dept. because if it were political...

[Postman]

we're talking about a move towards fascism.

In the case of the Bush Administration, better to be known as "incompetent" than to destroy republican aspirations to hold public office as movers and shakers toward fascism.

[bryant69]

1. I'm not sure about this argument

If the firings were simply political they'd probably be ok; the question is whether the firing was to interfere with ongoing investigations (which seems to be the case).

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Lerkfish]

2. obstruction of justice. period.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

3. I think OP is saying the Bush administration, through Gonzo etc., are CHOOSING to appear

"incompetent" (all the "I don't recall" etc.) because the only other choice (the TRUE choice) is that they are attempting to illegally hijack all the machineries of government to keep their political machine in power. I don't think the OP disagrees with you, it's just the phrasing of the post.

[Postman]

4. Damn, you said it better than I did. Thanks...

n/t

[bryant69]

8. That makes sense.

And yeah I agree with that. Fortunately it doesn't seem like they are going to get their way.

Bryant

[Solly Mack]

5. Well, they much rather be viewed as incompetent than criminal

They're criminal and should be treated accordingly.

They are incompetent by any reasonable standard of expectation one would have for persons in their positions. But if you expect thugs to be thugs - then they have been very competent.

Yesterday I kind of felt as if I was watching reality TV.

[VP505]

6. Although incompetence

seems to be a good description of all things Bu$hCo, we must NOT allow the media and Republics to frame and simplify every misdeed in that way. We progressive Dem's HAVE get it across to everyone that "Conservative Ideology DOESN'T WORK". People that don't believe in Government are NOT capable of Governing, PERIOD! If we don't do that, a few years down the road when our collective memory of this Admin starts to fade we will be faced with another Admin as bad or worse than Bu$h!

[IChing]

7. A move towards fascism?

Yeah, if you are looking backwards. We already cross that bridge a while back.

http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/fasci14chars.html

[wiggs]

9. IMO you've touched on a reason why we've seen compliance from the

dc left and from some in media: to admit the real problem here (corruption and abuse of power from a rogue administration that twisted elections and democracy itself) is to diminish everyone and our nation as a whole.

This is their thinking, not mine. I would view a complete honest discussion and a thorough house cleaning as a sign of health. But to many that's a severe threat.

So I think these hearings and more over the next 1.5 years are geared toward two goals: 1) minimizing further damage done by this administration by bringing down smaller players, and 2) at the same time trying to limit damage to faith in our system and in elected officials in general. Therefore, you haven't yet seen and won't see brutal honesty from dc dems about how bad this administration really has been. You'll see criticism about a particular issue by some dems and it might be scathing...but I'll be surprised if many tie everything together in one package (as should be done) and point out that we and the world cannot tolerate another day of this administration and that these are truly desperate conditions.

[Postman]

10. I agree.

good points.