Ashcroft: U.S. Attorney Scandal Has Not Damaged The Justice Department
Ashcroft: U.S. Attorney Scandal Has Not Damaged The Justice Department
Yesterday, former Attorney General John Ashcroft spoke at the National Association of Attorneys General conference in Atlanta. When approached by a reporter about the U.S. attorney scandal, he claimed that it hasn’t hurt morale at the Justice Department:
Former US Attorney General John Ashcroft said today that the scandal surrounding the firings of 8 federal prosecutors has not damaged the Justice Department. [...]
Asked by The Associated Press if the firings had hurt the Department’s integrity or reputation for independence, he responded simply, “no.” Ashcroft then walked away, declining to elaborate, and took no additional questions.
Despite being ignored and disrespected by the White House on the wiretapping program, he’s still shilling for President Bush.
In reality, the attorney scandal has jeopardized many convictions won by federal prosecutors. Defense lawyers are “raising questions about the motives of government lawyers who have brought charges against their clients…citing the furor over the U.S. attorney dismissals as evidence that their cases may have been infected by politics.”
Additionally, the morale of career professionals at the Department is plummeting, which even Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has “acknowledged.” Some examples:
“There has been a very substantial decrease in morale. There’s no doubt about that. The other 93 U.S. attorneys don’t know who is up next.” [Sen. Arlen Specter, 4/22/07]
“I’ve talked to several U.S. attorneys since this broke, and they confirm that morale is bad: They’re figuring they are no longer wearing white hats.” [Ousted U.S. attorney David Iglesias, 5/10/07]
“Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales endured blunt criticism Tuesday from federal prosecutors who questioned the firings of eight United States attorneys, complained that the dismissals had undermined morale and expressed broader grievances about his leadership.” [New York Times, 3/28/07]
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62 Responses to “Ashcroft: U.S. Attorney Scandal Has Not Damaged The Justice Department”
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Ashcroft could be a hero in this DoJ scandal, but he chooses to be a cheap whore.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:40 pmit should read - it has not damaged the justice department - anymore.
I don't believe it could get any lower. Torture memos, spying and the like - the complete destruction of the rule of law....at the justice department!
If we just followed the constitution, we wouldn't have wars, torture, spying, lying, empire and the rest.....
"We Must Return to Our Constitution"
June 21st, 2007 at 12:41 pmhttp://www.populistamerica.com/we_must_return_to_our_constitution
Let the eagle soar!!!! Like it's never soared before!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M789kRvbziM&mode=related&search=
June 21st, 2007 at 12:43 pmZooey,
What is up with that talk radio post? 2300 plus responses. Is topped reading yesterday around 3:00. WOW!!! They didn't like that one did they?
June 21st, 2007 at 12:43 pm"Let the Beeeeeee-Esss soar.......like it's never soared before...."
June 21st, 2007 at 12:45 pmAshcroft has to keep his mouth shut because he is up to his neck in criminal activity that hasn't come out yet. Powell did his part of lying and is now trying to ride on the shirt tail of Senator Obama to get back. Ashcroft needs the money and is willing to protect the White House because they Americans will find out what criminal acts were taking place while he was Attorney General.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:46 pmf*cking unreal
these people are worse than orwellian
hey heres one:
9/11 didnt damage the world trade centers
the dollar hasnt fallen 65% against the euro in last 5 years
were not 10 trillion in debt!
hows that?
i can lie too
June 21st, 2007 at 12:49 pmYeah that talk radio post is going nutso. I seriously think someone has a software program throwing posts up on there. It's adding like 10 post every minute. Nearly all of them are right wing whack jobs!!
June 21st, 2007 at 12:49 pmAschcroft could keep a finger on his own pulse let alone the pulse of the DOJ.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:50 pmPeople reveal themselves through the choices they make, and they are always capable of surprising us.
Ashcroft had an opportunity to stand up for the integrity of the DoJ and he punted. He chose to toe the BushCo line and failed to surprise anyone who has been paying attention for teh last six years.
What a schmuck.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:50 pmcorrection: Aschcroft Couldn't keep a finger on his own pulse........
June 21st, 2007 at 12:50 pmAshcroft is suffering from the chronic disease of the neocons. The has a severe rectal-cranial insertion.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:51 pmZooey,
What is up with that talk radio post? 2300 plus responses. Is topped reading yesterday around 3:00. WOW!!! They didn’t like that one did they?
Comment by Crump's Brother
Isn't that hilarious!? Talk radio threads always bring out the whackos. One of their sites must have linked to the TP story.
It seems like they're happily trashing we poor liberals, and talking to themselves. Whatever..... :D
June 21st, 2007 at 12:51 pmAshcroft is suffering from the chronic disease of the neocons. The has a severe rectal-cranial insertion.
Comment by Clyde the Ripper
Bless his heart, there seems to be no cure.....
Hi Clyde!! Doing well?
June 21st, 2007 at 12:53 pmOMFG - the "mighty eagle" is definitely not soaring.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:54 pmZooey,
I'm sure all the righty talk radio nut jobs talked about it, and linked to it. It's kind of unreal, if you look at the posts, nearly every single one is a different poster. No one is actually having a conversation. There posting once then bailing out.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:55 pmI think this proves one thing: that the only time that neo-cons understand the importance of our holy Constitution is when they are hopped up on drugs and on their backs in the dark. Wait a minute, I just thought of Rush Limbaugh. . .never mind.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:55 pmThe discipline of the right is remarkable.
I've not decided if it means that they really, truly believe in the rightness of their cause or that they want power and will do whatever it takes. And whatever it takes seems to be the abandonment of any sort of moral compass.
I'd guess that it's a combination of the two; the former being used to give a righteous gloss over the naked power grab.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:56 pmLOL, Mr Ashcroft should stick to songwriting and speaking in tongues.
There isn't an American in this country, or an official, who doesn't KNOW that the Attorney scandals has practically destroyed the image of the DOJ.
What a complete liar he is.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:57 pm"Just say no".
June 21st, 2007 at 12:58 pmOf course, in all fairness, maybe Mr Ashcroft was thinking in relative terms.
Maybe he felt that the Attorney scandals have not done near as much damage to the DOJ, as his tenure did.
That I could see.
June 21st, 2007 at 12:59 pmBy now we all should now:
If they say it's black ... it's actually white.
If they say it's up ... it's actually down.
So when Ashcroft & Simpson says it has not damaged the DOJ.
The reality is that the scandal HAS damaged the DOJ!
Gosh, I can't believe we still have one more year to deal with these clowns! Even the ones that are gone are still morons!
June 21st, 2007 at 1:02 pmZooey,
I’m sure all the righty talk radio nut jobs talked about it, and linked to it. It’s kind of unreal, if you look at the posts, nearly every single one is a different poster. No one is actually having a conversation. There posting once then bailing out.
Comment by Crump's Brother
I just didn't care enough to look that closely. :D
June 21st, 2007 at 1:03 pmdont worry ASSCROFT, you are as guilty of treason as the rest of the other bushies.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:03 pmlet the eeeeeeeeagle sooooar.......
Like he's never "soared befooooooooorrre....
From ROCKY coast, to golden shooooooorrrrrrre....
Let the mighty eagle soooooooooooaaaaarrrrrrr.......
June 21st, 2007 at 1:03 pmFeh. They got rid of people who wouldn't pervert justice for the White House, the same White House that thinks it can rewrite the law.
This means that the people they DIDN'T fire are suspect. After all, the White House wouldn't keep people around who put professional standards above party loyalty.
Get ready for appeals and more embarrassment, for years to come.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:03 pm.
I just didn’t care enough to look that closely. :D
Comment by Zooey
I guess it looks to much like a train wreck to me. I can't look away. Wow are they angry!!
June 21st, 2007 at 1:04 pmCB and Zooey: I just went and checked out the talk radio thread and Yowzaa! Lotsa "howler monkeys flinging poo" in there. It looks like the grounds after Woodstock '99.
Some right-wing sites must have linked to it. Too bad they couldn't have sent some soldiers with a bit better command of the language. We got stuck with the illiterates.
(And yes, I admit I stole the howler monkeys line. Don't remember which poster came up with it but damn it fits so well.)
June 21st, 2007 at 1:06 pmCaption Contest:
Thats not a real eagle, is it?
Also, the Scandal hasn't hurt the DoJ the Democrats have by pursuing the scandal. Once again, they put themselves before America, and now there's a chance that convictions will get overturned, and the morale of the department is crumbling. Way to go Democrats.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:08 pmYou gotta remember that repukes put PARTY LOYALITY before COUNTRY....just look at some of the posts from Jake, VV, MAF54, M12, Exlax, all are traitor scum.
IGNORE THE TROLLS - Debate good, Trolls suck
June 21st, 2007 at 1:11 pmCaption:
"Let The Eagle Poop"
June 21st, 2007 at 1:13 pmI guess it looks to much like a train wreck to me. I can’t look away. Wow are they angry!!
Comment by Crump's Brother
We can look at it as a way to gauge the thinking of the most twisted of the right. The few I read were toward the end, and they weren't even on topic anymore, just frothing at the mouth about fascist nazi liberals. Heh.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:13 pm"I prefer not to"........ Barltebee
June 21st, 2007 at 1:13 pmCaption contest:
"well, we originally wanted a Stuka, but our PR folks said it was too much...."
June 21st, 2007 at 1:13 pmThe Bush-GOP Scandal Document Library has been expanded to include the latest news, key reports, document releases and other essential materials surrounding Bush administration and GOP wrong-doing. From the U.S. attorneys purge, Plamegate, and illegal NSA domestic surveillance to Iraq intelligence manipulation, torture scandals and the ongoing Jack Abramoff fall-out, it's all there:
For more, visit the Bush-GOP Scandal Document Library here.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:13 pm...he’s still shilling for President Bush.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:14 pmYes, they are so damned guilty for their own abuses of power, for their own lies, for their own willful destruction of the Constitution, for covering up for their own kind in this corrupt administration -- of course he is still shilling for Bush.
Those who wash their hands of Bush&Co, are shunned, ostracized, humiliated, and are made the butt of jokes; Ashcroft can't stand up to all that, so he becomes a sell-out, a prostitute.
What is so totally amazing to me is that they justify their aiding and abetting a White House and Administration that is so corrupt, while they themselves proclaim their religious superiority.
CB and Zooey: I just went and checked out the talk radio thread and Yowzaa! Lotsa “howler monkeys flinging poo†in there. It looks like the grounds after Woodstock ‘99.
Comment by spit take
Very appropriate. :D
I think I'll stop by and see the latest.....
June 21st, 2007 at 1:15 pmthey must have something on him.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:16 pmAshcroft is still an asshat and a Republi-Liar
June 21st, 2007 at 1:17 pmWhen one thinks to ask an opinion, or a question of someone known to be a serial liar, and knowingly enabled a war without any reasonable cause,
June 21st, 2007 at 1:17 pmyou don't expect an answer or statement that has anything to do with the truth.
perhaps someone will indict this person for bribery soon, or another minor crime like treason?
Congratulations are due to squegeeboo in post #29 for coming up with the most inventive variation of the "It's Clinton's fault!" talking point.
Keep up the good work! There will be an extra something in your pay packet this week - a coupon good for dinner for two at the Olive Garden!
June 21st, 2007 at 1:18 pmWhoops, there goes that teeny, tiny shred of respect I'd mustered up for him, after the whole hospital bed thing.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:24 pmAshcroft is the idiot who thought that the tits on the statue of Justice were a threat to America, but that terrorism wasn't.
Just another drooling superstitious freak from the right who can't handle the real world.
Oooh, look! A calico cat!
June 21st, 2007 at 1:24 pm.
I think I’ll stop by and see the latest…..
Comment by Zooey
The talk radio post was linked by Drudge today.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:25 pmCongratulations are due to squegeeboo in post #29 for coming up with the most inventive variation of the “It’s Clinton’s fault!†talking point.
Three more and he gets his own bleach-blond. No more sticks poking in his cage, no sir! Nothing but opportunity in the Wingnut Welfare System. up, Up! UP!!!
Yum, more talking points [gargle gargle gargle gargle]!!!
June 21st, 2007 at 1:29 pm.
The talk radio post was linked by Drudge today.
Comment by Crump's Brother
Yeah, I saw several mentions of the name Drudge. That's the reason for the insanity. I did notice that very few of the names were repeated. Bizarre.
We're gonna get a whole new crop of trolls out of this one.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:29 pmmaybe the reporter should've asked ashcroft that question when he was in the hospital.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:31 pmWe’re gonna get a whole new crop of trolls out of this one.
Comment by Zooey — June 21, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
That's my fear too, Zooey. Oh well, at least Jake, m12, Mr P and Congressman Foley will all retain their seniority, right?
June 21st, 2007 at 1:34 pmRNC Troll Dept.
Keep up the good work! There will be an extra something in your pay packet this week - a coupon good for dinner for two at the Olive Garden!
OOohhh, all you can eat bread sticks!!
June 21st, 2007 at 1:35 pmProbably because there is no scandal.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:55 pmThat’s my fear too, Zooey. Oh well, at least Jake, m12, Mr P and Congressman Foley will all retain their seniority, right?
Comment by spit take
Yep, they've got that name recognition thing going, so I can scroll right on by....the new ones will get a few reads before I spot them, unfortunately.
June 21st, 2007 at 1:57 pmOOohhh, all you can eat bread sticks!!
Comment by squegeebooo
And salad..... :)
June 21st, 2007 at 1:58 pmZooey,
Doing quite well thank you!
Get better every time I talk to the malpractice lawyer.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:11 pmZooey,
Doing quite well thank you!
Get better every time I talk to the malpractice lawyer.
Comment by Clyde the Ripper
As you should, Clyde, as you should.
You and Granny should brace yourselves, cuz insurance company lawyers can be real killers....
June 21st, 2007 at 2:16 pmAshcroft will go to his grave being Bush's poodle. But, he will be joining a lot of his friends in that special place in hell that is reserved for the Bush Crime Family.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:30 pm"I’ve not decided if it means that they really, truly believe in the rightness of their cause or that they want power and will do whatever it takes. And whatever it takes seems to be the abandonment of any sort of moral compass."
I think you got it with the power part of your statement. But you also have to add money to the equation because for Republics, money denotes power. They have no moral compass. All they care about is themselves and what they can do to make themselves more money and gain more power. They think "I got mine now piss on the rest of you". The good news is that the American public is waking up and seeing the Republics for who they really are. I know several people who were once Republics. I am not sure what they are now, but they sure don't admit to being a Republic any longer. A couple have told me how ashamed they are of what their party has become. I suspect there are many more like my acquaintances out there.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:34 pmLast month, former Deputy Attorney General James Comey exposed Alberto Gonzales lying under oath regarding the Bush administration's internal debate over the legality of its NSA domestic surveillance program. Now, former Attorney General John Ashcroft in closed door testimony today before the House Intelligence Committee confirmed that Gonzales once again lied to Congress.
For the story, see:
June 21st, 2007 at 2:39 pm"Ashcroft Contradicts Gonzales' Testimony on NSA Program."
And they wonder why so many Americans no longer trust and no longer believe them.
I think the neocons picked up some embarrassing information with their illegal wiretaps that now cause him to do even more enbarrassing things.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:45 pmHe's a liar.
June 21st, 2007 at 3:39 pmAshcroft is probably thinking either:
a) the lawyers at DOJ investigating HIM seem pretty happy, or
b) no one seems quite as glum now as they did when he first went to Congress and refused to testify about the torture memo, but went back and held a "hey, we're a state sponsor of torture now" pizza party.
June 21st, 2007 at 3:46 pmClyde the Ripper
June 21st, 2007 at 6:31 pmGlad to see you back!
You all are a bunch of looney left wing coolaid drinking asses!You just cant get over the fact that Bush beat that dumb ass Gore and his sissy want to be VP Edwards! All you can do is cry over some stupid cia leak when in the big picture you have no solutions to any problem it's just blame Bush! blame Bush! How about grow some BAlls Try inforcing immogration laws telling other countries we will not allow them support terrorism, keeping taxes low for all.Tell people who abuse wellfair to get off their asses and work, Start exacuting more of these worthless people who kill other people! You think we can find someone who can put the politics aside and do what about 80% of americans want? You show how pathetic you are when you blame one Guy for all the worlds problems.
July 9th, 2007 at 3:28 pm