Political Prosecutions by Bush's DOJ under Review

Right here in River City we had our fill of politics leaking into the Department of Justice (DOJ).

First, Bush/Gonzalez/Rove fired U.S. Attorney Todd Graves for not being political enough (note, this is the first time in history that anyone - let alone a Republican - has accused a Graves of not being political enough). Then the defenders of liberty and justice bring in the hatchet man, Scholzman, to prosecute some low level folks who registering voters right before an election (which was contrary to long standing DOJ policies). Finally, the Republicans got rid of Scholzman (who later resigns under a dark cloud) and bring in a relative of Senator Kit Bond. And we wonder why people across America and the world are sick of Bush?

Tomorrow, the House will dig into the selective (and political) prosecutions by the Bush DOJ.

(Washington, DC)- The House Judiciary Subcommittees on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security and Commercial and Administrative Law will hold a hearing titled, "Allegations of Selective Prosecution: The Erosion of Public Confidence in Our Federal Justice System" on Tuesday, October 23, at 10 a.m. in room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Members will address allegations of federal selective prosecution in several cases across the country including cases in Alabama, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

WHO: House Judiciary Subcommittees on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security and Commerical and Administrative Law

Witnesses:

Former Attorney General Dick Thornburgh

Former Alabama U.S. Attorney Doug Jones

Professor Donald C. Shields, Professor Emeritus, Department of Communication, University of Missouri

WHEN: Tuesday, October 23, 10 a.m.

WHERE: 2141 Rayburn House Office Building

This hearing will be webcast at

http://judiciary.house.gov

DOJ Totally Corrupt - Scholzman Quits

OK, I'm an NPR junkie. I love Nina Totenberg. Her insight into the Supreme Court and legal issues is amazing. So, when I hear her voice on KCUR, I perk up.

I was shocked this morning to hear Nina Totenberg talking about the Western District of Missouri, our former US Attorney Brad Scholzman, our fired US Attorney Todd Graves and the corruption in the Department of Justice. Brad Scholzman is resigning, the latest in a long list of political hacks going day as the corruption scandal spreads through the Department of Justice.

Its amazing how the Republican scandals make even some Republicans look "normal." Take Ashcroft - on death's door in a hospital bed - standing up to Gonzales to stop illegal wiretaps. Ashcroft - of all the Republican radicals - appears "normal" compared to Rove/Bush/Gonzales Now, take Todd Graves - brother of Congressman Sam Graves - getting fired from being a US Attorney. Why fire Todd Graves - because he wouldn't go after Democrats and ACORN. Well, Scholzman would, so they brought him into KC, he filed charges and "It surprised me," Graves said in June. "It surprised me that they'd been filed that close to an election." Some may say that the political objectives of the Scholzman caused the prosecution of Shields. So, Todd Graves looks almost "normal."

The arrogance of the current occupant of the White House is amazing. Why fire the brother of a congressman (unless Sam Graves is hated by Kit Bond) and then lie about it? Why send in Kit Bond's relative to take over the US Attorney's Office (unless he needs his resume built up a little more so he can run for Kit's job)? Why turn one of the most respected organizations on the face of the Earth - the US Dept. of Justice - into political hacks? Why would President Bush - but for an inner party feud - take Congressman Graves and Senator Bond to breakfast at the Corner Cafe in Riverside (always ask them to bring out the biscuits or rolls first, they are great as an appetizer)? Does Bush think some scrambled eggs can fix the anger over Kit Bond quasi-endorsing Mayor Barnes in her race against Graves?