Gonzo's Last Stand

Today, Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The embattled Attorney General has a chance to explain his true role in the US Attorney Scandal and clarify conflicting statements that have been made by numerous administration officials. Gonzales faces a daunting task: clear his own name and save his job, all the while avoiding language that would incriminate his superiors (Bush, Cheney and Rove). Given the deluge of contradictions in the magically shape-shifting official administration story, this may be nearly impossible.
Via Media Matters, just some of the misinformation peddled by the administration:

1. Attorneys were dismissed for "performance-related" issues
2. Bush dismissals comparable to Clinton's '93 dismissals
3. Clinton fired Arkansas U.S. attorney to avoid Whitewater investigation
4. McKay shirked responsibility to investigate voter fraud allegations
5. Under new law, Bush still cannot appoint interim U.S. attorneys indefinitely
6. Since the president has the authority to fire any or all U.S. attorneys, the administration's only problem is a failure to be "forthcoming"

There have also been massive inconsistencies as to Gonzo's role in the UNPRECEDENTED firings: he has said at different times that he made the decision, he approved the decision, and that he was not involved in the decision-making process.

We will see how deep and probing the questions get in clarifying said role, and hopefully our Senators will not accept repeated talking points that have already been refuted. Unfortunately, something tells me that not only will the follow-up questions from most Senators be limited in calling "BS", but some will actively mimic the talking points du jour (Cornyn, Sessions).

But let us not forget: this testimony at its core is about so much more than this singular scandal. It strikes at the heart of the Bush Administration's core governing philosophy. Gonzo, aka Abu Gonzalez, has been at the core of this administration's disdain for the rule of law and the oversight role of Congress. This man has been the prime architect of the current US government approval of torture, arguing that the Geneva Conventions and other international treaties do not apply to those swine who may have *gasp* wished harm upon the United States. Needless to say, this is an untenable and hypocritical argument. He has strongly argued and acted in accordance with the concept of the Unitary Executive. No matter how much he denies involvement now, Gonzo has repeatedly advocated the need for greater Presidential power in ability to conduct foreign policy, declare war, choose when to follow or disregard laws, and appoint officials without Senate approval.

Let us hope this testimony will represent the rock finally beginning to be turned over, exposing the dark underbelly of the Bush Administration's gutting and politicization of government agencies. It started with the EPA in 2001, and has moved on to almost every agency in the nation. This damage may take at least a generation to fix; sadly, this will be the lasting legacy of the Bush Presidency.

The time to start reverse the damage has come. Let it begin with Gonzales' removal as Attorney General.