Iglesias Op-Ed (LA Times): "'Cowboy up,' Alberto Gonzales"

[npincus]

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-iglesias23may23,0,2188119.story?coll=la-opinion-center

WHAT HAPPENS in a presidential administration when loyalty, to borrow a phrase from "Star Trek," becomes the "prime directive"? What happens when its all-encompassing fog obscures all other values — such as fealty to the Constitution, the rule of law or simple humanity?

What happens is that terrible decisions are made, repeated and then justified by this shibboleth. That's just one of the lessons that has emerged from the U.S. attorney scandal.

This week, the Senate is threatening to vote on a resolution of no-confidence in U.S. Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales. Today, the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear testimony from Monica Goodling, the attorney general's former aide, who will be asked why at least eight U.S. attorneys, including me, were put on a list to be forced from office.

What has become clear already is that the "loyalty uber alles" mentality has infected a wide swath of the Bush administration. Simple notions like right and wrong are, in their eyes, matters of allegiance, not conscience.

more....

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. Great piece, but it's quite obvious from Goodling's testimony this morning, she has no plans

to give any info up FREELY and Gonzo isn't going anywhere. He CAN'T. The house of corruption would tumble. A vote of no confidence from Congress will mean NOTHING to the thugs in the WH and DOJ. Gonzo will be AG for as long as the psycho tells him to be.

[lovuian]

3. The Justice Department has no credibility

None a bunch of liars thieves and kiss butts

[blogslut]

2. hee hee

Iglesias is a geek. "Cowboy Up" is an X-Files reference. :)

[nolabels]

4. Iglesias fails to see Alberto R. Gonzales as the worm that he is.

Of course one must remember people with an (R) in front of their name most always think they and their party are infallible :shrug:

[kenny blankenship]

5. the "loyalty uber alles" mentality has infected a wide swath of the Bush administration.

He says this as if it just recently happened.
These people came into the White House as Fascists, they ruled from Day One like Fascists, and hopefully they'll go down like Fascists.