This is the same Heather Wilson who allegedly had improper contact with David Iglesias over a pending case, no?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/04/todays_must_read_324.php

Posted at September 9, 2008 5:42 PM in response to Indictment: Heather Wilson's Office Tied to Abramoff

So who exactly was charged and convicted due to Abramoff's co-operation? Inquiring minds want to know.

Posted at September 5, 2008 1:33 PM in response to Abramoff Sentence Means He'll Do No Extra Time

I think any consideration that Abramoff gets for his help should come after indictments have been filed against those other Republicans he's supposedly implicated. Remember, this is an era where the Attorney General can pontificate that not all things against the law are necessarily criminal. Though it's beginning to look like those ubiquitous IOKIYAR Get Out Of Jail Free cards are nearing their expiry dates.

Posted at August 28, 2008 12:56 AM in response to DOJ Lax on Jack; Seeks Reduced Sentence for Abramoff

I always thought of habeas corpus as the right that protects all others. It's certainly the right without which all others are moot.

Posted at August 22, 2008 5:14 PM in response to Obama Camp Responds to Spakovsky's Hiring at Civil Rights Commission

Here's an idea for mister Conyers. Put in an official request for say, the arrest of Harriet Miers for contempt of Congress. A judge has already ruled that Miers had no legal precedent for her refusal to appear.

The next day, if Miers hasn't been arrested, put in a formal request that the DoJ investigate Mukasey himself - for obstruction of justice. Repeat as necessary, with similar indictments against KKKarl Rove, Monica Goodling, Kyle Sampson and others. Make it clear that being part of the Bush D.O.J. does not come with a get out of jail free card.

Send a message that if you want to be part of a criminal conspiracy you should be ready to sit in the defendant's box. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

Posted at August 13, 2008 10:57 PM in response to Conyers Criticizes Attorney General For Ruling Out Charges in Hiring Scandal

Mukasey: "the people hired in an improper way did not, themselves, do anything wrong."

...YET. But that is in essence what they were hired to do - interpret the law in an unfair manner that helps Republicans and hurts Democrats. IOW, 'the program' was an effort to obstruct justice by a thousand tiny cuts. Compare the experience of Don Siegelman with that of any of dozens of more corrupt Repukes if you don't believe me.

They were not merely hired improperly, they were hired as part of a criminal conspiracy to taint the entire system of justice. And you can bet that any future efforts by the Democrats to level the playing field will be fought tooth and nail and decried as partisan interference.

Don't forget that whether the Republicans are in power or out radically changes the rules of the game.

Posted at August 12, 2008 10:38 PM in response to Mukasey to Bar Association: "The System Failed"

I disagree. It's people that resent being corrected that are the jerks. One of the characteristics of intelligent people is that they are much more willing to admit it when they are wrong. That's known as learning.

Posted at August 1, 2008 6:59 PM in response to Conyers Tries to Talk Rove Down from Ledge of Contempt Proceedings

OK, my comment was just going to observe that Gonzales is like that Hogan's Heroes character, Sargent Schultz, "I see nothing. Nu-u-u-thing!"

But that would be unfairly letting Gone-z0 off the hook. The fact of the matter is he expanded her powers of hire/fire dramatically through an 'unpublished' (read 'secret') memo. From Wikipedia:

" Goodling's authority over hiring expanded significantly in March 2006, when Gonzales signed an unpublished order delegating to Goodling and Kyle Sampson, his then chief of staff, the power to appoint or dismiss all department political appointees besides United States attorneys (who are appointed by the President). The delegation included authority over interim United States attorneys (who are appointed by the Attorney General) and heads of the divisions that handle civil rights, public corruption, environmental crimes and other matters. "

Also, from the same Wiki article:
" Goodling worked alongside Tim Griffin as an opposition researcher for the Republican National Committee during the 2000 presidential campaign. " - that's as partisan a position possible even for somebody who's job is completely in the party, not the government.

Finally, Goodling's title at the time was White House Liaison. Even putting aside the issue of partisanship, Gonzales should have had an affirmative duty to maintain the independence of the Department of Justice. There was an impropriety in just giving that much power to someone with close ties to the administration. No way can you say that Gonzales, with his own ties to George W. Bush, didn't know exactly what he was doing.

The Sgt. Schultz defense just doesn't cut it here.

Posted at July 30, 2008 5:31 PM in response to Gonzales Was Oblivious To Politicization At DOJ: IG

How about 'a blanket demand that all these flunkies resign?' That would make more sense. (*sheepish grin*)

Posted at July 28, 2008 4:36 PM in response to Conyers Considers "Criminal Referral" For Gonzales, Other DOJ Officials

" Any criminal referral would be passed on to DOJ, which has so far refused to appoint a special prosecutor for the matter. "

Well Conyers had better remind DoJ that every damned referral that's not acted on will be treated as an obstruction of justice charge come next January. In fact, I would have those referrals drawn up already, and send them through the same channels as the first.

And a blanket demand that all of these flunkies demand would be a good start at correcting the corruption that they're all guilty of.

Posted at July 28, 2008 4:31 PM in response to Conyers Considers "Criminal Referral" For Gonzales, Other DOJ Officials