During the recent controversy over reactions to the death of "Reverend" Jerry Falwell, another Bush administration scandal may have been overlooked. Recent testimony by then-attorney general John Ashcroft's number two demonstrated yet again the complete lack of shame, ethics and common decency on the part of this administration.
Former deputy attorney general James Comey, appointed by President Bush, told Congress of actions by Andrew Card and Alberto Gonzalez (then White House chief of staff and counsel, respectively). Actions that are pathetic even by this administration's virtually non-existent standards of integrity.
This issue in question was certain provisions of the National Security Agency's domestic spying program and attempts to reauthorize it. Justice Department lawyers had found it illegal unless changes were made. In a rare nod to the Constitution, Ashcroft himself sided with the lawyers' interpretation.
But then, Ashcroft was suddenly hospitalized and Comey became acting attorney general. According to testimony, Card and Gonzalez pushed Comey to overrule Ashcroft's decision. Comey refused. So then, the top White House officials went to the hospital to try to manipulate the ailing Ashcroft, who was drifting in and out of consciousness.
The situation was so serious that Comey threatened to quit. Though he stayed on, he is reported to have influenced the course of events that lead Bush to adopt the necessary changes to give the program a masquerade of legality.
Gonzalez, who is now attorney general and thus the nation's top law enforcement (cough cough) officer, might be in even more hot water as a result.
On Wednesday, in a letter to Gonzales signed by three other Democratic senators, [NY Sen. Charles] Schumer reminded Gonzales that he had testified last year that "there has not been any serious disagreement" about the National Security Agency program and asked about the apparent contradiction. On Wednesday, Senator Chuck Hagel, Republican of Nebraska, joined the calls by lawmakers for Gonzales to quit.
In October 2001, President Bush said the following:
"Let me say a few words about important values we must demonstrate while all of us serve in government. First, we must always maintain the highest ethical standards. We must always ask ourself not only what is legal, but what is right. There is no goal of government worth accomplishing if it cannot be accomplished with integrity."
Since Bush's people clearly can not follow his own professed expectations, it's long past time he and they all resigned.
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