Take a look at Attorneygate. And you know that spins off into other matters beyond simply firing 8 U.S. attorneys. There's the issue of way too much influence exerted by White House staff. There's the issue of deliberately attempting to suppress the vote in the 2006 elections, there's the issue of the constitutionality of domestic spying and wiretaps, the apparent suspension of habeas corpus, the issue of torturing prisoners, and there's the issue of extra-ordinary rendition, where the U.S. outsources the torturing of prisoners, or terrorist "suspects." (And when you think about Americans missing in Iraq, or anywhere else for that matter, the torture issue becomes pretty important. )
No wonder poor John Ashcroft resigned his post as Attorney General and went home to re-launch a career with his Barbershop Quartet. Imagine for a moment this guy being really sick in the hospital with a fever, and IVs, doped up with painkillers, fresh out of surgery, barely conscious in a darkened room, and suddenly, you, the guy he appointed to handle things while he was gone, come racing into his hospital room, squawling like a scalded cat.
Because you've just informed the White House that what they wanted to do with wiretaps is unconstitutional. Illegal. No legal standing. They cannot do it. You will not cover up such actions under the shredded cloak of legality. You will not provide them any cover on it. And you were just forewarned that the President of the United States, himself, was sending some goons, ( his Chief of Staff, Andrew Card. Think Tom Hagen here, and his General Counsel, Alberto "Torture is Good!" Gonzales. Think Lucca Brazzi) to the hospital with documents they will insist the real AG to sign off on.
They aren't going to deal with some low life surrogate toad! They want the REAL Attorney General, the legally recognized, Constitutionally- mandated Officer in Charge, to follow legal procedures, and sign off on allowing them to violate the law. And when they arrive, only moments after you, they ask him, John Ashcroft, to sign off. They tell him they need the AG's signature. And in a pain-clogged voice, he raises his trembling hand, points to you and says, "He's the AG right now. Deal with it!"
Of course you can tell Congress this chilling tale now, since you don't work there anymore. Tell them about that rare moment when you stood up to the thuggery in this White House, that respects no law. It makes you wonder. How many other horror stories like this are out there. Like kids who suppress memories of abuse by their parents, will the flashes of memory, these nightmares of post traumatic stress, cause more Congressional confessionals?? One can hope!
(Copyright,2007)
