Wanted: Civil Rights Chief, No Experience Necessary
Wanted: Civil Rights Chief, No Experience Necessary
Sunday’s Washington Post reported that Bush’s political appointments in the DOJ’s civil rights division have pushed “out those who did not share the administration’s conservative views on civil rights laws.”
A quick review of the previous Bush administration civil rights chiefs shows why the department has been driven apart.
Ralph Boyd (2001-2003):
“Perversely enough, [Boyd did not have] much, if any, background in civil rights law or practice.” [Detroit Free Press, 1/27/03]
“[C]areer lawyers, congressional sources and civil rights groups have taken issue with the hiring of two conservative operatives as career lawyers and the reassignment of two top career officials in the Employment Litigation Section. Of the two political operatives hired [under Boyd], one…ran the disputed …sharply critical of preferential affirmative action policies.” [Washington Post, 3/15/02]
“His experience in civil rights is very limited.” [The Nation, 7/23/01]
Alexander Acosta (2003-2005):
“In a speech delivered to the City Club of Cleveland in April 2005, Acosta claimed that the civil rights era was over and a better era has begun—construed by some as the end of a proactive civil rights agenda within the Department of Justice.” [Watching Justice, 6/27/05, Speech to The Cleveland City Club, 4/1/05]
So, nominees with little qualification and experience for the job, and an unwillingness to do perform the functions for which you’ve been called upon. Where have we seen that before?
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Prepare for a Walmartesque rollback of civil rights..
November 14th, 2005 at 4:24 pmGod I feel bad for Americans everywhere
Make your parting question easier – where have we NOT seen that in this administration?
November 14th, 2005 at 4:27 pmthis is all starting to make sense… put your inexperienced cronies in charge of agencies you don’t like… they end up discrediting or destroying those agencies – mission accomplished!
November 14th, 2005 at 4:29 pmI like your blog a lot..Flumfi Productions
November 14th, 2005 at 4:29 pmI am pleased that I have some time on my hands, but I see that the prevailing winds of incompetence never blows far from the tree of inequity and inequality…
I see that now anything associated with our present government now involved political affiliation. To me that is a HORRIBLE stance, since it was a speech (Let’s say around INAGURATION) that someone “reached out” to ALL people of ALL races for an inclusive government…
It is INSULTING to think that we had DICK CHENEY at the Veteran’s Day Memorial Ceremony, when he ducked the draft and NEVER served one day in defense of his nation, and now this travesty by BUSH, upon the eve of the death of Rosa Parks…
As a soldier, I am viewed as camouflaged embolden with the code that I hold dear and the pledge of oath to the country I serve…
But in this instance, as a black man, it leaves me and many of my troops wondering…What do I feel for my country, and what does my country feel about me? Does the mere fact that racism and class separation still exist only when there is a catastrophe? Bush gave a speech in New Orleans and I buried my sister, her husband, and two nieces in the scorn of a right-wing conspiracy…
I am dismayed and disheartened by many who speak of patriotism but lack the moral compass to look at it with truth and conviction. My service to you is to ensure freedom and democracy…regardless of party affiliation, race, gender, creed, or religion. I see that those efforts are not reciprocated unless I am affiliated with the gang mentality of left vs. right…
November 14th, 2005 at 4:31 pmHey, maybe I should apply. I have no experience in civil rights either! I just love how this administration makes me feel like I can do anything. Even be President!
November 14th, 2005 at 4:33 pmI think David Duke is looking for work. This’d be right up his alley in dumbya’s eyes.
November 14th, 2005 at 4:35 pmThe Banana Republicans strike again.
November 14th, 2005 at 4:47 pmThe last link in this article is really informative
November 14th, 2005 at 4:48 pm…I mean a Veterinarian to lead Women’s Health…that takes a sick mind to think that that will be the same and thiese appointments are no different,
how can the administration not be accountable for this, why is no one trying to get our country lead by the men and women who are best for the job…I guess it suits us…bush is unqualified to lead, yet he got his job
I,m not a FREE thinker, Can I apply?
November 14th, 2005 at 5:08 pmGuys and Gals,
November 14th, 2005 at 5:16 pmWhy do you think Bush wants new Civil Service rules? So he can do this!
GWB – Stupid is as stupid does.
November 14th, 2005 at 5:16 pmyet another story of Bushco’s destruction by cronyism and ideology… it’s incessant… the stories of the deconstruction of the executive branch and the obliteration of every fundamental value and principle that this country stands for keep pouring in… what’s it’s taken nearly 230 years to slowly, patiently, agonizingly put together is being systematically wiped out… witness what’s happening at the justice department under alberto… this must be his idea of paying homage to rosa parks…
“Nearly 20 percent of the division’s lawyers left in fiscal 2005, in part because of a buyout program that some lawyers believe was aimed at pushing out those who did not share the administration’s conservative views on civil rights laws. Longtime litigators complain that political appointees have cut them out of hiring and major policy decisions, including approvals of controversial GOP redistricting plans in Mississippi and Texas.
At the same time, prosecutions for the kinds of racial and gender discrimination crimes traditionally handled by the division have declined 40 percent over the past five years, according to department statistics. Dozens of lawyers find themselves handling appeals of deportation orders and other immigration matters instead of civil rights cases.”
a 20% turnover… so much for running the country like a business… 20% in the business world is a neon-lit signal of bad management… for bushco, it’s time to celebrate yet another milestone in the voiding of the social contract…
http://takeitpersonally.blogspot.com/2005/11/justice-departments-20-turnover.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/12/AR2005111201200.html?referrer=email&referrer=email
November 14th, 2005 at 5:26 pmThat’s what you get in a second term REFORM. You know the CIA, CPB, Supreme COURT,Veterans affairs. Is any one suprised? Combo that with a President who apparently is too distracted by details and a power hungry opportunistic congress with now cajones for oversight and whalah! Does any one remember Dan Burton’s inqusition of the week during the Clinton administration? Thanks to Jaun Cole and Josh Marshal and the guys here at this bastion for critical rebuke. I am still glad I didn’t vote for this current resident of 1600 Penn. Ave. READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN PEOPLE!
November 14th, 2005 at 5:31 pmLUKE CHAPTER 6
39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
November 14th, 2005 at 7:27 pmThe Bible is a Great place to Start.
READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN PEOPLE!
Comment by The Fly-man
November 14th, 2005 at 7:29 pmHey, Mike Brown is looking. He has no experience at anything except being a horse’s ass.
November 14th, 2005 at 7:30 pmDavid B- Ya! Mike Brown is a democrat! Take that Brownie!
November 27th, 2005 at 6:23 pm