Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Linda, Salt Lake City Utah — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:38:14 GMT

Is this really a surprise to anyone? George Bush has systematically destroyed our justice system (as well as the Bill of Rights and the Constitution)these past 7 years. These people are PATHETIC and a danger to us all.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

j. allred — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:04:55 GMT

Cheers to these people for attempting to keep to DoJ free from socialist influence. Leftism is a tumor that alters the apropriate function of an organization to further policies such as "social justice" and amorphis terms for liberal ideology. The screening commitee was just the scalple used to remove them.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Rodney Lamprey, jr. — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:13:53 GMT

What now? A slap on the wrist for Ashcroft, Gonzales, Elston, McDonald, Goodling, and other political operatives in DOJ that violated federal law? They corrupted the government, legal system, and prosecuted innocent people for political reasons. They all should be disbarred at the least, and prosecuted (by competent attorneys, not the ones that they hired for DOJ).

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Rich Fine, Chicago, IL — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:16:44 GMT

Once again the administration ignores the law, rules and regulations established to assure fairness and to remove "politics" from areas that should be free of improper influences, and no one is held accountable.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

les sielski amherst ny — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:25:11 GMT

there are too many liberal lawyers in the justice dpt when president bush entetered office.they were hold overs from clinton. president has right to appoint lawlers of his own phlosophy the people have so spoken

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Carolyn, Baltimore, MD — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:34:44 GMT

Why in the world would anyone be surprised about this? There is nothing too low for the Bush administration to do. It's a corrupt administration and we can only hope that Mr. Bush is tried for war crimes and other atrocities he performed to our country

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Rodney Lamprey, jr. — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:35:02 GMT

One problem is that this report should be on the front page, not hidden on "deep background blog". Bush should resign in shame, or be impeached for the depth of corruption that he has brought to the government and DOJ. How can Bush criticize Mugabe, when he runs his administration the same way.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Jonathan Perkins, Harbor City, CA — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:38:38 GMT

Surprised? How could anyone be? Will Congress do anything about Bush administration crimes? Hardly. What a joke we have become.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Spot Rogers, Raleigh NC — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:59:16 GMT

What is the big deal about putting like minded folks in place when you run the department. Now I am certain that has never been done before. Give me a break.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

MikeinPhilly — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:07:28 GMT

Here's our message to the Bush supporters in '00 and '04: WE TOLD YOU SO!!! The unethical cancer started in the oval office, and metastasized to all corners of the Executive Branch. Happy Fourth of July. In the immortal words of Dick Cheney: "Go f-ck yourself" American citizens!

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Ned Campbell, South Haven, MI. — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:09:21 GMT

What happpened was wrong. Will anyone be punished - no. Will the criminals be rewarded - yes. Our country is no longer a democracy or a ruled by laws. The radical right-wing of the republican party and bush and chaney have re-established the tyrany of the elite our founding fathers fought the war of independence to get rid of.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

W(notGeorge), Ft.Myers, FL — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:09:23 GMT

Read the report AND the appendix. Look at the lists compiled of "liberal" organizations vs. "conservative" organizations. Were lawyers really blackballed for doing work at legal aid societies?!? This is not the country I believe in.
Note - although the link in this artcle does not work, you can find the report at
www.usdoj.gov/opr/oig-opr-investigation-hire-slip.pdf

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Karl, Cheshire, CT — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:14:45 GMT

I wondered where someone like Esther Slater McDonald might come from. Googling her name took me to a brochure for Pensacola Christian College. There Ms. McDonald is featured as a success story: BA English/History P.C.C. '00, J.D. Notre Dame Law '03.

The brochure also includes this quote: "Other Christians...who seem very religious and useful, may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it; and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent."

Time will tell about that. Meanwhile, is there a story here about the role of Christian Colleges as feeders providing eager future penitents for the actions of the current administration?

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Ron Sanders, San Diego, CA — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:17:06 GMT

I am going to watch the network 6:00 news this evening. If this story is not one of the lead stories, there is no hope for NBC. Nothing the Bush administration does surprises me. I am afraid this will pale in comparison to what would happen under a McBush administration.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Jason, Rochester Hills,MI — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:26:35 GMT

My question is not, "Is anyone surprised". My question is,"What is going to be done about this"?

America has become a laughing stock. No moral high ground left to stand upon.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Ziggy, Joliet, IL — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:28:15 GMT

This is exactly what happens when the populace is beaten down with the "you're either with us or against us" line of BS coupled with the 24% of the population that would follow the RNC straight off the cliff. These 24%, and a few of them posted comments on this blog, aren't intelligent enough to understand that it's their rights being denied and trampled on, but why would you expect anything different, they're not smart enough to realize they've been had by Bush and his cronies, instead they're stuck on stupid.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Les Morgan, Richmond, Va — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:40:48 GMT

This comes as no surprise to those who knew Bush was not the right man for President. He has destroyed the trust of the people he swore to serve & protect. Bush & Cheney both have conspired behind closed doors to rule the USA as dictators for their own personal gain & selfishness. They have made a complete mockery of the Constitution & what it stands for. Impeaching both of these self serving crooks is a must. It will take 25 years or more to undo the harm these two people have caused to the American People. I am so glad I did not vote for either of them but I will vote to have them impeached or better yet, imprisoned for life. They have committed TREASON against the citizens of the United States of America.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Scott, Los Gatos, Ca — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:41:47 GMT

Polls show Bush is the most unpopular president in American history. This is just one more reason why.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Jennifer, Las Vegas, NV — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:48:14 GMT

"president has right to appoint lawlers of his own phlosophy the people have so spoken"

Uhh, no. The law says that political affiliation of candidates for these positions is to have no effect on the hiring process. These are not cabinet positions. And the people elected Gore, not Bush.

It is significant that conservatives see nothing wrong with warantless wiretapping, fishing expeditions, etc. Conservatives have so little regard for the Constitution except when it helps them politically.

Why is this hidden on msnbc instead of up front with a banner headline? Why does the media keep hiding this President's wrongdoing? You would think the Plame fiasco would have been enough, but no. You're still doing the Pres' dirty work.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Mark, Anna, Tx — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:49:47 GMT

Another travesty executed by Bush & boys. And, nothing will be done until folks like you and I stop venting our steam in a back-page blog - and put it in a letter to elected officials and the media.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Nancy — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:49:47 GMT

To J. allred and les sieiski aka knuckleheads,
What the Bush administration, Ashcroft, Gonzales, McDonald, and Elston did in blackballing liberal lawyers and legal candidates is ILLEGAL. It's AGAINST THE LAW!!! That's the point of this article.
And that's a HUGE problem with the radical right - legality, morality, ethics, truthfulness, and principles on the part of right-wing enforcers of judicial, congressional, and executive bodies seem to be perfunctorily thrust aside by these idiots in favor of achieving their short-range, lunatic-fringe goals. It’s just the sort of "ends justify the means" twaddle practiced by fascists and corrupt regimes throughout history.
That’s another problem with these yokels; they don’t seem to know anything about history or the lessons it has to teach! Throughout the history of this country, our greatest leaders have had some grasp of historical events and the pitfalls to be avoided by being conversant in the lessons taught by a thoughtful reading of history.
This country is in real danger of losing even more of its basic rights and civil liberties while these pompous pontificators spout platitudes and defend the actions of the criminals that are running the country.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Ross S., Washington, DC — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:53:42 GMT

To J. Allred & Les Sielski: these individuals broke Federal Law and should be prosecuted for doing so. This is not an issue of whether the prospective hires are too liberal or too conservative to serve in DOJ; Federal law prohibits such viewpoints from being used as the basis for deselection. In short, grow a brain.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

bcap, Little Rock, AR — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:58:48 GMT

I am sure those of you who do not find this practice distrubing in the least would come unglued if the ideology being banished were your own. You can't have your cake and eat it too. There is simply no place for this in our justice system.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

lynne newman, chambersburg, pa. — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:01:03 GMT

I agree with Mr. Perkins. we are a joke. Congress abrogated its responsibility to the people and allowed this administration to do what it wanted.
why? In the beginning because Republicans followed blindly. and after the Democrats took over, because they were afraid of the Republican attack machine.
I am ashamed of my government and ashamed of this administration.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Tom Robinson, Kansas City — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:14:00 GMT

No big surprise here. The current administration and their "control" of the Attorney Generals office is obscene. Justice and law should never be drawn across political lines!!! That is the root cause for most of the problems facing the United States at this time. The whole lot should be drawn and quartered!!! They are a disgrace to our government and country. What would Thomas Jefferson or Benjiman Franklin have to say about this? This is not the way our founding fathers set out to make this country what it used to be. We as a whole should be ashamed of our actions and inactions. This country was based on the belief that government was to be for the people, by the people. Not a select few to put forth their twisted views into policy and decision making for the whole.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Rick Brogden — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:23:14 GMT

It's interesting that some comments on here praise the DOJ for doing something that is clearly against the law. I'm sure if asked these are the same people who would want to make sure that strick constructionist judges are appointed to the bench...that is so long as being strict and constructionist follows their beliefs.

I've had a few friends talk about how they liked Huckabee (who I like too) for these reasons. It was amazing to watch their faces when they were informed that at a gathering of supporters Huckabee said we don't need to change our views to meet the constitution, we need to change the constitution to meet our views.

Out views being his view, of course.

How strick or constructionist is that with our laws?

We are a nation of laws, right? Or is that only the laws we think should be there.

And I ask that of both sides.

See what it's like when the world's not black and white?

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Lola, Atlanta, GA — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:38:19 GMT

Now the next question --Will Seyfarth Shaw continue to employ Ms. McDonald? Shame on them if they overlook her prior acts.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

H R Coursen, Brunswick, Maine 04011 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:45:56 GMT

Another episode in the history of a criminal administration. Grant, Harding, and Nixon -- paragons compared to this group of thugs.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Phil, not a Michael Savage playback machine — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:21:51 GMT

J. Allred---nice post...you conservatives got anything substantial to argue about or do you always just scream socialism and communism at the top of your voice when confronted by a differing viewpoint. I note that you dissagree with people on the left but would rather corruptly silence them than have the checks and balances that were intended for our government. Deffinately a model "patriot" aren't you?

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

John Voorhees, Richmond, Va — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:39:18 GMT

I wouldn't hire a liberal lawyer either!

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Palgrave, Monroe, LA — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:41:44 GMT

For those voices suggesting that Bush was merely redressing an imbalance, you clearly don't understand what the DoJ is. It's not for particular political leanings. It must defend ALL the people. Party affiliation is completely irrelevant And how odd to hear conservatives argue this when they are against affirmative action arguments. Yet here we have precisely an affirmative action argument, but simply couched in "fair and balanced" terminology. What hypocrisy.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Steven Seagram — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:32:20 GMT

Will there ever be any accountability with this criminal administration? This should be on MSNBC's top front page, but we the people won't hold our breath. I suppose accountability will take affect this Nov. when we throw Republicans and their comprehensively dishonest and destructive ideology out of office.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Curata Et Industria, Pea Ridge, AR — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:49:42 GMT

I am not suprised that the GOP is retaliating for the way the Dems have thwarted democracy and justice by refusing to confirm over 300 qualified canditates to be confirmed. Serves the Dems for not being able to take what they dish out.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

George, Harlem USA — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:54:46 GMT

It has been commonly known for some time

that the Bush Administration has favored

stacking the deck in favor of a conservative

DoJ.

An argument can easily be made that the

conservatives have never been overly interested

in the Executive branch. They have always

wanted to control the Judiciary branch. Perhaps

it stems from the 1960's civil rights movements

and the safe harbor it afforded so many

participants during litigation, civil disobedience,

and anti-violent protest leading to strategically

overcrowding our nation's jails to draw

attention to the bigotry and divide that plaqued

our Nation.

What ever the reason, conservative law makers

have abused our system of justice by selecting

Judges exclusivley skewed with prosecutorial

experience. This is in sharp contrast to qualified

attorneys who have advocated as defense

counsels. Defense counsel are considered more

liberal.

As a Nation, we should remember that

prosecutor and defense both and equally have

an obligation "For The People" to enforce the

state's rights as well as protect the defendent's

rights. It is not a zero-sum game. The two are

not mutually exclusive. the penduleum has

shifted throughout the years for political

posture and self aggrandizement for

promotions. Vapors of this obligation still exists

during pre-trial discovery. The need for this

obligation and balance is needed more today

than in years past, given the high ratio of Judge

alone cases, plea-bargening duress for

defendants sacrificing a harsher penality for
exercising their Constitutional rights of a trial

by jury should they loose.

Our Justice Departmt cries out as a manifest

injustice, particularly for the poor. There are so

many lost souls locked away in our federal and

State jails detracting us away from being

globally competitive and costing our taxpayers

huge resource, and mostly for political reasons.

A NASCAR race driver knows that he can never

win his race by operating with only 4-cylinders

in an 8-cylinder machine.Why don't the

conservatives see that?

Bush and his cronies should be held accountable

and accept responsibility for the unequival

havoc they have instituted on all of us, The

American People. No one individual or group of

individuals are above the law of our Country.

In closing impeachment proceedings would

seem to be in order for the Bush-Cheney

operatives for,
1.Warrantless wire tappings of

Americans.
2.Declaring War without the consent

and approval of our Congress as mandated by

our constitution.
3. Exposing the identity,safety and security of

CIA officials for political punishment.
4. Fiduciary irresponsibility with Tax Cuts to Corporations and running our Surplus into the Red.
5. Discrimination against qualified attorneys who are members of organizations that promote the spirit of balance in our system of justice, against the current Tyranny of the Majority.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

aberger NJ — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:05:11 GMT

Do you think this started with Bush? Where was Clinton's Cigar? If you want to talk about the law then know your facts! I can almost feel most on this forum want something for nothing! It's the new American way...

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

MikeinPhilly — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:12:36 GMT

Lynne Newman -- yes!

Spot Rogers: "What is the big deal about putting like minded folks in place when you run the department." It's a big deal because the justice department is supposed to be even-handed and not politicized. It's the JUSTICE department. It is not supposed to be used as a tool to achieve a president's political aims or settle his scores, as Bush and Cheney used it. Because the former Republican congress was just as bad, they approved scum-of-the-earth Gonzales as Attorney General. It's like having Don Corleone's brother run the FBI.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Jumbo Jim — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:26:45 GMT

As if the same thing wasn't done in the previous administration! Give me a break.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

tradamerica, smalltown, MI — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:01:29 GMT

Imagine you're a journalist for NBC (with all the extreme left ideological baggage that implies) and you decide you want to apply for job where fair and balanced reporting is the rule...

There should be NO liberal or conservative lawyers. But considering what the so-called legal profession has done to America I can't imagine any temperate person hiring a "liberal" lawyer.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Clay White, Phoenix, AZ — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:51:55 GMT

Well done Bush administration. Well done. We don't need another 9th Circuit Court working
within the Justice Department. If you question this logic, I refer you to the most recent Gitmo decision by the Supreme Court.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Witheld. — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:05:42 GMT

Well I worked at DOJ in the civil division and OSG during these times. I don't know about this screening committee and I don't know about individuals, but I know who I worked with and who hired me.

All but one of the six people I worked with in very high level positions at DOJ were liberals. And the 6th was a moderate. And two of the three people that hired me were liberals and the two other people that hired me were moderates, if not liberals.

This is being blown way out of proportion.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

NueNue — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:54:49 GMT

You gained a new reader today, I find your blog very interesting.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Chris H, Richmond, VA — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:46:35 GMT

George from Harlem, I completely agree with you!
And true, this "stacking of the decks" may have been going on for many past administations, but to have it be this obvious as with the Bush administration is a blatant slap in the American peoples face.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

NueNue — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:18:22 GMT

You gained a new reader today, I find your blog very interesting.

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Cash Advance — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:57:02 GMT

You have a wonderful blog here! I'm going to add you to my feed for sure!

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

larry — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 03:24:32 GMT

its not just the judicial system bush and cheny has ruined in this country..its giving the rich or excuse me the corprations tax breaks so the stock holders could pay the co more salary and still get overseas labor to work cheaper..its the out of control spending.. its the deal he got when his father was president..the exclusive right to drill for oil in some country..only there wasnt any oil so his company went bankrupt..its the tourture of people that we hanged people for in the past...its the ruling with fear instaed of leadership ... its a thousand other things this administration has done to us the american people that we should not stand for a second longer

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

John M, Blue Ridge, Georgia — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:38:34 GMT

If ya ask me I believe every president since Carter should be arrested and charged with crimes ranging from drug distrabution to war crimes...Bush sr adminisstration brought more cocain into this country through Texas...(hmmm who was governor of Texas then) than the drug cartels themselves...

Justice Department blackballed liberal lawyers, report says

Progressive — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:58:43 GMT

You gained a new reader today, nice post!