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Former Justice Official Blasts Gonzales
As Senate Democrats press Republicans to support a no-confidence resolution against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales tomorrow, a former senior Justice Department official says the attorney general ran the department like “a political arm of the White House.”
Daniel J. Metcalfe, the former director of the Justice Department’s Office of Information and Privacy, said he resigned in January because he could no longer tolerate the “sheer political expediency, avoidance of individual responsibility, defensive personal aggrandizement, irresponsible ‘consensus’ decisionmaking (and) disregard for longstanding practices and principles.”
And that was before the controversy erupted over the firing of nine U.S. attorneys last year.
Metcalfe, who worked for the department during the the Nixon administration’s infamous “Saturday night massacre,” said the dismissals had been handled like nothing he has ever seen before.
“I think the way in which the firings themselves were handled was abominable, the way in which the ensuing controversy was handled was abysmal, and the way in which Gonzales has handled himself is absolutely appalling,” Metcalfe said. “As a long-term Justice Department official, I am embarrassed and increasingly incensed that he is still in there.”
Extensive excerpts from the interview are available at www.coxwashington.com
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By evie
June 11, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
I hope and expect to see Mr. Metcalf making the rounds on all of the news channels and the Sunday talk shows. The maddness must end. I cannot think of one department of our government which has not been overrun with bush vermin. The enrichment of corporate entities at the expense of the American public will be left for another post.
By Zola Daniels
June 11, 2007 11:52 AM | Link to this
We know that the Republicans will not do what is right for the people because they work for Bush and only do his bidding. GOOD!!!!! When the big day of elections come VOTE THEM ALL OUT OF OFFICE!We must let them know we do not like DICTATORS!!!!!! A NO CONFIDENCE VOTE JUST SHOWS THE PEOPLE THAT GONZALES IS A BUSH PEON AND HAS NEVER SERVED THE PEOPLE! Gonzales is a disgrace!
By JNagarya
June 11, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
One of the greaater losses to the DOJ — and justice — are the career professionals who have left the DOJ in droves — willingly, or forced out — because of the flood of political hacks pretending to be professionals of some other kind.
Worse, the same is the reality at all other Federal entities, the purpose being the subversion of gov’t as servant of We the people to the means to establish Rove’s “permanent Republican majority”. The latter can only be done by falsely charging Democratic candidates, protecting Republicans from the consequences of their corruptions, suppressing minorty votes (ultimately overturning civil rights legislation), and stealing elections.
When will the media put the whole picture together an report it, instead of quoting Bush, et al., without critique, as if credible, despite the fact that they lie when there is no purpose to it except practice.
By C****
June 11, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
The issue here goes beyond the fact that Gonzales is a crooked little punk! That he lies whenever his lips move! And, has aided the criminal Bush administration in enacting crimes against the constitution! These are well known facts. The real issue is that the congress is not doing anything about stopping the criminal activity! By doing nothing, congress is in violation of the oath they took to uphold the constitution! The entire Bush Crime Family needs to be removed from office, and thrown into prison! The voters are aware of this lack of action by the congress, and will vote accordingly in 2008.
By Alan Roebke
June 14, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Press Release: Does Gerald Tumbleson, Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association manage the family farm structure missing, in today’s farm policy debate? The Data says “yes”, based on the latest EWG.Org farm subsidy report and the production reality Mr. Tumbleson speaks of as a farm leader and modern farm owner! EWG.Org shows that in 2005 he received $148,541 in subsidy payments!
As President of the NCGA he lead the campaign “Taking Ownership of Grain Belt Agriculture.” Where he stated: “Those who prosper in this future agriculture must adjust to a rapidly changing environment and be willing to challenge their traditional comfort zone. Growers must be willing to sacrifice independence for interdependence. Farmers, policymakers and agribusiness leaders must be willing to create competitive advantages rather than protect old ones.”
We bring Mr. Tumbleson’s farm to national attention all based on the many public statements he has made on his highly successful crop, livestock and value added farm operation. Which we believe would be a great model for Congress to track and understand how present policy actually works, while addressing the future economic needs of today’s productive farms.
For Mr. Tumbleson has stated his farm raises “Lots of Pigs”. So with the 2006 data showing 70% of our hogs are now raised under vertically coordinated marketing contracts. And 20% of our hogs are owned and slaughtered by the meat packers. This suggests that only 10% of our hogs are now negotiated sales when they reach market weight, referred to as spot market sales. When in 1993 87% of all hog sales came in the spot or traditional family farm sales for marketing hogs. Which brings the question, who really receives the benefits of subsidized corn production, the actual corn grower, the landlord or the contract hog coordinator?
Then Mr. Tumbleson states he is a major value added investor, investing in three of Minnesota’s Ethanol coop’s which he likely delivers corn to. For in Minnesota the ethanol coop’s have shown great financial success and also receive subsidies from Minnesota taxpayers. For Mr. Tumbleson stated “we have a legislature in Minnesota that was so brilliant to almost build our ethanol plants for farmers.” When he stated: “$3 million a year for ten years, for $30 million, for plants that only cost $38 million to build”. Which brings the question; is Congress subsidizing crops that can earn good profits on their own? Do today’s farmers, only need inventory control to address cost of production issues, needed for price stability without continued subsidies? Meaning farm business net worth also needs to be explored because of subsidies of many types for years.
Truepolicy.com believes Mr. Tumbleson’s modern productive family farm would be a wonderful barometer to address the present and future needs of our 21st Century family farms. Which leads to the question: Does any of the farm bills offered by Secretary Johanns, Congressmen Peterson or Senator Harkin address the needs of Mr. Tumbleson’s farm. Or would the numbers show farm policy has over addressed the financial needs of his operation? For Truepolicy only tracks the numbers and believes the real financial picture has clearly been kept from podium. So a simple audit or policy analysis of Mr. Tumbleson’s farm would be a real eye opener for Congress and weary taxpayers. www.Truepolicy.com Analyst Alan Roebke (rebkey) Chaska Minnesota
By Alan Roebke
June 14, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Press Release: Does Gerald Tumbleson, Chairman of the National Corn Growers Association manage the family farm structure missing, in today’s farm policy debate? The Data says “yes”, based on the latest EWG.Org farm subsidy report and the production reality Mr. Tumbleson speaks of as a farm leader and modern farm owner! EWG.Org shows that in 2005 he received $148,541 in subsidy payments!
As President of the NCGA he lead the campaign “Taking Ownership of Grain Belt Agriculture.” Where he stated: “Those who prosper in this future agriculture must adjust to a rapidly changing environment and be willing to challenge their traditional comfort zone. Growers must be willing to sacrifice independence for interdependence. Farmers, policymakers and agribusiness leaders must be willing to create competitive advantages rather than protect old ones.”
We bring Mr. Tumbleson’s farm to national attention all based on the many public statements he has made on his highly successful crop, livestock and value added farm operation. Which we believe would be a great model for Congress to track and understand how present policy actually works, while addressing the future economic needs of today’s productive farms.
For Mr. Tumbleson has stated his farm raises “Lots of Pigs”. So with the 2006 data showing 70% of our hogs are now raised under vertically coordinated marketing contracts. And 20% of our hogs are owned and slaughtered by the meat packers. This suggests that only 10% of our hogs are now negotiated sales when they reach market weight, referred to as spot market sales. When in 1993 87% of all hog sales came in the spot or traditional family farm sales for marketing hogs. Which brings the question, who really receives the benefits of subsidized corn production, the actual corn grower, the landlord or the contract hog coordinator?
Then Mr. Tumbleson states he is a major value added investor, investing in three of Minnesota’s Ethanol coop’s which he likely delivers corn to. For in Minnesota the ethanol coop’s have shown great financial success and also receive subsidies from Minnesota taxpayers. For Mr. Tumbleson stated “we have a legislature in Minnesota that was so brilliant to almost build our ethanol plants for farmers.” When he stated: “$3 million a year for ten years, for $30 million, for plants that only cost $38 million to build”. Which brings the question; is Congress subsidizing crops that can earn good profits on their own? Do today’s farmers, only need inventory control to address cost of production issues, needed for price stability without continued subsidies? Meaning farm business net worth also needs to be explored because of subsidies of many types for years.
Truepolicy.com believes Mr. Tumbleson’s modern productive family farm would be a wonderful barometer to address the present and future needs of our 21st Century family farms. Which leads to the question: Does any of the farm bills offered by Secretary Johanns, Congressmen Peterson or Senator Harkin address the needs of Mr. Tumbleson’s farm. Or would the numbers show farm policy has over addressed the financial needs of his operation? For Truepolicy only tracks the numbers and believes the real financial picture has clearly been kept from podium. So a simple audit or policy analysis of Mr. Tumbleson’s farm would be a real eye opener for Congress and weary taxpayers. www.Truepolicy.com Analyst Alan Roebke (rebkey) Chaska Minnesota
By Dan Metcalfe
June 14, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
“Resigned,” no; “retired,” yes. Though at this point … the distinction seems to be less.