The Gutting Of The Justice Department

CBS News.com Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen Says U.S. Attorney Firings Reveal Deeper Departmental Flaws

(CBS)  Attorney Andrew Cohen analyzes legal issues for CBS News and CBSNews.com.

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If the scandal over the firing of eight U.S. Attorneys came upon the nation like a bolt of lightning, the concerted effort by the White House to undermine the professional class of lawyers at the Justice Department has been rumbling like thunder for years. The immediate crisis concerning the federal prosecutors will be over soon enough. The Administration's forced brain drain at Justice threatens its stature and effectiveness for years to come.

Thanks to the spotlight's glare on how and why the Justice Department and White House conspired to fire eight loyal U.S. Attorneys last year, we now are hearing about how career professionals at Justice — nonpartisan federal lawyers who make up the backbone of the department — have been squeezed out or otherwise marginalized over the past few years by ideological (and in many cases underachieving and intellectually weak) attorneys chosen more for their partisan views and political connections than for their ability to offer unbiased and sharp stewardship over the nation's federal laws.

Some of the folks who are feeling the pinch are beginning to speak out. Emboldened by the fatally weakened Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the good guys are starting to make waves. In Minnesota last week, three top attorneys in the U.S. Attorney's office rebelled and demoted themselves to regular line prosecutors rather than work directly with the newly appointed U.S. Attorney there. The development was alarming enough to Justice Department officials that they promptly dispatched to Minneapolis a special envoy whose diplomatic mission apparently failed to persuade the rebels to recant.

The newbie who is causing the heartburn there is a woman named Rachel K. Paulose, a 34-year-old crony of the attorney general and his deputy, Paul J. McNulty. The Washington Post reported last week that "Paulose has drawn complaints from taxpayer advocates for an allegedly lavish 'investiture' ceremony held last month to commemorate her confirmation as U.S. Attorney, although Justice officials say the cost to the department was only $225. Paulose has also gained attention for her aggressive efforts to obtain 'righteous sentences' in child pornography cases."

Speaking of righteousness, the Boston Globe this weekend offered a fascinating angle on the unfortunate depopulation of nonpartisan career lawyers within the department. Reporter Charlie Savage focused upon Monica Goodling, the senior official at Justice who helped choreograph the firings of the eight prosecutors. On Good Friday, when Goodling resigned from the department, she wrote to Gonzales of her hope that God would "bless him richly" as he continues to try to hang on to the job of the nation's top lawyer (while he practices in private for his appearance next week before the Senate Judiciary Committee).

Goodling’s religious-toned resignation letter should come as no surprise. It turns out that she is an alum of Regent University School of Law, a Christian institution founded by televangelist Pat Robertson which is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 136th-best law school in the nation (other rankings are only slightly more kind). Savage reports that Regent became a feeder school for executive branch positions after the Bush administration in 2001 "picked the dean of Regent's government school, Kay Coles James, to be the director of the Office of Personnel Management — essentially the head of human resources for the executive branch."

One year later, Savage reports, in 2002, then-Attorney General John Ashcroft — who led prayer meetings at the Justice Department, remember — changed the hiring rules at the Department to make it easier for ideological candidates (and for candidates with unimpressive academic credentials) to be selected to serve as career lawyers. Our government, our Justice Department, no longer seeks only the best and the brightest from our nation's law schools. Instead, it allows itself to be overrun with fourth-rate lawyers (Regent was ranked in the fourth tier of law schools) whose political views and loyalties are convenient and useful to implementing the administration's policies.

"This Administration's decision to forego traditional selection processes that have been used by both Republican and Democratic administrations is a reflection of the White House's determination to politicize, to change, an agency where lawyers of all political stripes have served in a non-partisan way for years," former deputy attorney general Eric Holder, Jr. told me via e-mail on Monday. Another former Clinton official at Justice, Jamie Gorelick, offered this via e-mail: "To politicize the selection of this corps of professionals, to ignore their advice, to make decisions without bringing to bear their experience and values is to risk undermining the rule of law." Legal historians agree and so do other Washington insiders, including Republicans, all of whom hearken for a return of the professionals to the Justice Department.

Why does this matter to you? Here’s just one example. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week ordered the immediate release from federal prison of a state employee named Georgia Thompson. She had been sent there last fall by a Bush-appointed federal prosecutor (and a jury of her peers) after she was convicted of fraud in connection with a public travel contract she allegedly steered to a firm that had contributed to the political campaign of Wisconsin's Democratic Governor Jim Doyle. The indictment, trial and conviction were big political news in the state during the run-up to the election — the Republicans made much hay of it during their campaign.

Problem is, there was no evidence to support the case. So little evidence, in fact, that the 7th Circuit, not exactly known for a bleeding-heart makeup, set Thompson free on the day of oral argument because of the complete lack of proof supporting the conviction. It's not just the weakness of the Thompson case and the fact that it got as far as it did (during an election season, no less) that is potentially devastating to the rule of law. It is the appearance of prejudice and bias on the part of the U.S. Attorney's office in Wisconsin (and in other places recently) that has the potential for serious long-term ramifications. This is no less true because the federal prosecutor involved in the Thompson case, a fellow named Stephen Biskupic, is not one of the new breed of Justice Department hacks.

The White House and Justice Department, under the reign of attorneys general Ashcroft and Gonzales, have encouraged over the past half decade an atmosphere that sullies the coin of the realm under our rule of law — the perceived legitimacy and authority and objectivity and neutrality and professional competence of the men and women who are tasked with enforcing our laws uniformly, fairly and without fear or favor. Without that legitimacy, the legal system devolves down into Third World status, perceived by those within and without it as subject to manipulation for political purposes.

When you populate an office with ideologues and partisans and underachieving talent, you get an ideological and partisan office with underachieving results. And if there is any department in our federal system that can least afford to be ideological and partisan and underachieving, it is the Justice Department. This sorry state is true today, regardless of how and when the scandal over the firing of eight U.S. Attorneys is resolved. Of all the dismaying legal legacies left by this administration, this one surely ranks near the top.

[sissy_8]

Regarding the Wis. case, Georgia Thompson who was released the very day that the case was heard on appeal. What was done to her was astonishing. This career employee lost her job, her life savings, her home and her good name. What was even more egrigious was that the prosecutor (or perhaps we should say persecutor), demanded more jail time because she wasn't repentent enough.....you think? I have contacted our state senator, Russ Feingold to look into this matter and I would like to see the Bush appointed prosecutor, Steve Biscupic by name, leave Wis. on the next plane out.

Judy Brownrigg,
Lodi, WI

[dblbar]

now if we can just get them to "gut" the whitehouse as well.......

[roach9703]

The problem is that BOTH Clinton and Bush corrupted parts of the Justice Department.
The appointment of Janet Reno was a bad joke. Daughter of Allegator Wrestler, she NEVER tried a case, let alone had meaningful prosecutorial experience.
Then, we had Tricky *** Nixon and his exploitation of the I.R.S. and the Justice Department, Nixon had to resign, but not Bill Clinton and now,not George Bush.
The Congresses of the past 15 years or so have been a rubber stamp for administrative tryanny.
Remember Travel Gate and File gate? Nothing was really done there, either.
So before Clinton people have their angst about the Justice Department, maybe it took two at least to tango, George Clinton.

[docadams3]

Why is anyone surprised?

[piratecafe]

What about Gonzales' inaction regarding the Texas Youth Commission and their confirmed use of some of the kids as their personal s*e*x toys? Why did the DOJ pass on prosecution? Election year politics as usual?

[jffinky-2009]

Someone once told me that Second Class people hire Third Class people but First Class people hire First Class people. Maybe that says something about the Attorney General.

[inventagod]

Our Justice Department has been out of control since before the Kennedy administration. Nixon used the department to get even with enemies, Johnson used them to deny due process during the VietNam era. The Republicans used the department to impeach Clinton. Nothing new here, they just got careless...

[jn122736]

As I remember, bush vacated the long followed practice of having the national bar association screen all supreme court nominees when He took office too.
This and many other thengs were in planning well before he took over.

What other administrations did in the past notwithstanding, This administration is by far the worst ever. It is literally corrupt/rotten to the core and.

Anyone who doesn't think they were capable of instigating 911 for their long planned invasion of Iraq are fooling themselves.

[thebob-bob]

This is not news. The only requirement for employment in the Bush-league administration was opposition to Roe v Wade, voting for Bush and a belief that JC wanted GW in the WH. As a result we have the most incompetent Federal Administration of all time. CPA, FEMA, DoJ, EPA, the list goes on. And where has the so called Liberal Press been this whole time? Asleep at the wheel, lapping it up at the feet of the powerful, leaving it to a comedian, a Jester, to speak truth to power at the Washington Press Corp Dinner. Shame on the SCOTUS for installing this clown, shame on those who voted for Bush, shame on the Press for not hounding them out of town. As far as I'm concerned, all Bush appointee's are incompetent until proven otherwise. We are so screwed.

[canyoutellme-2009]

The appointment of Janet Reno was a bad joke. Daughter of Allegator Wrestler, she NEVER tried a case, let alone had meaningful prosecutorial experience.

Posted by roach9703 at 06:02 PM : Apr 09, 2007

Where did you get these FACTS from? Janet Reno was a state attorney for Florida... and then was re-elected as such FIVE TIMES. All this before serving as Attorney General. In fact, she was very well known for prosecuting dead-beat dads and forcing them to pay child support. There are a HOST of other things she did. Where did you get your talking points from? Anywho, i agree with the rest of what you said tho'.

[cruzn66]

Once again, we find ourselves dragging out the past to try to justify the present. At what point does the American public say,"Enough is enough!!!!!". The tremendous amount of damage that is being done to this country in the name of public apathy is appalling. We have a President who serves himself, a Congress that is more worried about fundraising and sound bytes, and a Supreme Court that couldn't decipher the meaning of a fortune cookie, let alone the rights and responsibilities guaranteed by the Constitution. Whatever happened to the American social consciousness that public service was to help all Americans, not just a select few? Whatever happened to compromise for the sake of the common good? Left Wing? Right Wing? as we all continue to draw the partisan battle lines, America suffers. How can we be a beacon to other nations to draw strength from, when our own house is in total chaos? Somewhere, our founding fathers weep for the opportunities lost!

[tom_gwynn]

Hey, hands off Janet Reno. Say what you will about some of her decisions, she did her best to fairly and honestly enforce the law in a non-partisan way. This is the woman that gave Ken Starr the authority to persue the Lewinsky case, because she felt that lying (or misdirecting) under oath was a crime, even if the culprit was her boss. Can you imagine a lickspittle like Gonzales doing that? She followed the law even when it was politically inconvenient, like the Elian case, or potentially explosive, like in Waco. The hacks in the JD now aren't fit to shine her shoes.

[sasi1-2009]

2008 elections cannot come soon enough to offset the tremendous damage done to this country by the present administration. It is time to impeach Bush and Cheney. They should never have been elected, and the majority of people now realize this. I'm sick and tired of hearing the Bushies criticize the Clinton administration. Clinton was sexually promiscuous, but he didn't emasculate this country; it took an idiot like Bush to accomplish that.

The Iraqi citizens are now demonstrating to get the U.S. military out of their country. We, as a country, have done irreparable harm through this war. Bush thinks he's God, and it's time to show him he's not.

[nearl4511]

Well written article with plenty of factual back-up to the arguments.

When this comes out in committee, the game is over.

Hopefully, this will not be forgotten by the next election.

[chasemonster]

Incompetence is the trademark of these Republican christian wackos.
Everything they touch, they ruin.
And, by calling themselves christians, these Republican freaks have turned christianity into the biggest joke of a religion on the planet.

[spacengin]

The politization of the Justice Department and the degradation of the rule of law was generated by Gonzales and Karl Rove, who is Mormon. What if Mitt Romney (a Republican Mormon) was elected President and Karl Rove transferred over as political consultant? The degradation of the Justice Department and the rule of law would continue. Optimistically, my intuition leads me to think that Romney's integrity would not permit that. Nevertheless, it appears that conservative religious groups that control the Republican party have a hard time separating faith from facts, which is bad for justice and fairness, but good for their pocketbooks. In the case of Gonzales, it is like watching a dog pander to his owner: how to make the system and laws bend to meet the owner's objectives. Bow-wow, sniff-sniff.

[feelfree1]

Andrew Cohen,

It is rare to find anything in this section worth reading.

Good report.

[bluestardad]

IMPEACH BUSH! Does anyone believe this Administration is running at its own direction?

[johnpatrick9]

The handwriting was on the wall in 2001 with the right wing coup that put these creeps in charge. Nations die from within and the American public and its leaders allowed these semi fascists to take over. Never point the finger at Germany again for it almost happened here as well. God or pure luck must be with us as finally the dummies have awakened and we as a People are beginning to realize what a disaster and a shame this religious-corporate clique has brought to our beloved land. Time to impeach and for those who stupidly supported bush to cover themselves with ashes.

[formrusmcsgt]

"When you populate an office with ideologues and partisans and underachieving talent, you get an ideological and partisan office with underachieving results."

It is truly a sad state of affairs when ideology trumps competence. We've seen the same approach used in recruiting for Iraq's reconstruction.

Administrators were selected who had no experience at all in the field they were supposed to administer, but they had "the ideology". That's what counted most in the administration's mind.

We can all see what a resounding success that approach has produced.....

[cadmantwo]

No surprises here. It's been obvious since day one of Dumbya's administration that there is a concerted effort to convert the entire executive branch into a cadre of right-wing, pro-business, "christian" zombies under the control of the Republican machine. Just look at the FCC, FDA, Dumbya's judicial appointments and so forth. Why would anyone expect them to overlook the justice department. Wake up america! They're stealing your country, your freedoms and your future!

[afmca]

All this manure needs to be dredged up prior to 2008 so loyal patriotic Americans who believe in the Constitution will realize what these pseudo-christians have been trying to do. Their goal is the overthrow of our constitutional government with the Saudi model taking its place. The rich, powerful and morally bankrupt run the country (the capitalist shieks) and become wealthier; while the religious fanatics (the christian mullahs) rule society and force us into religious intolerant lemmings. Does anyone believe there is not a larger objective that the "prophet for profit" James Dobson planting his church right outside the Air Force Academy? All coups start with gaining control of a branch of the military. The terrorists are not the Islamic extremists, but the christian wackos using them as a distraction from their real agenda. Bush isn%u2019t christian %u2013 he%u2019s just good at playing the part.

[skyk-2009]

Since my day's in college, my entire life, I have fought the Religious Reich. I have seen first hand the pure hatred they have for anyone who dares differ from their beliefs. I have seem first hand the Terror they will bring upon people who dare to deny they are right. If you folks think the Taliban is terrible well you ain't seen nothing yet. LOL A Good and Honest Man in Texas found himself hunted day and night by death threats because he dared contact the ACLU about a religious matter. A woman in Alabama had her home distroyed by vandal's not once but FIVE times and each time the message about her Religious Beliefs was given LOUDLY by bright red paint on her buildings. I could go on here for hours but then it's all available to anyone who wants to find out.

[mcvet]

So what do you think America? For the first time since the 60's America finds itself face to face with Southern Fascism and they seem to have the same impression that we had then. This slime dog, Bush, sold his soul to the devil that is the Religious Reich and the payment hasn't changed since the days they rode around with their Hoods and Sheets. American's are stunned to find their Justice Department, the Department that has consistently through both Democrat and Republican Administrations held to the highest standards, being staffed not by the best and brightest but by people so disgusting in their views that they can only get admitted to a 6th rated school created for ONLY to force narrow Religious Views on the rest of us. Welcome America to what so many have been fighting so long... Welcome to Southern Fascism. Sieg Heil Y'all. LOL

[toldyouso21]

I wonder if it is possible or legal to not only impeach Bush but to remove from office, every single appointment or hire he made, on the grounds that anyone connected to him (on a national or state level) must be dint of appointment party to the same corrupt cabal and must be removed to decontaminate the process. That includes Supreme Court appointments.

We could mandate a "do over" of the entire 2 terms---in that we must cleanse the government of suspect officials.

[toldyouso21]

Bush isn%u2019t christian %u2013 he%u2019s just good at playing the part.
Posted by afmca at 08:23 AM : Apr 10, 2007


Actually, most real Christians never bought into Bush--the zombie Christians are not real Christians, many join to "get rich" and then do (and think) whatever the 15 pastors and co pastors tell them to. Bush was never good at playing a true Christian, the cursing, vindictiveness and lying has no place in a Christian person--but according to the bible, they are the hallmarks of Satan's children.

[omega39-2009]

We the people need to turn off American Idol and pay attention, the putrid smell coming from our "Democracy" is indicative of a society that is rotting from the inside out.

[jjp735i]

Nazism started out the same way. Follow the leader or else. Remove any and all who do not fall in line or face prison or later, death.

We do not have a King as some like to call Bush. We have the Nazi Party.

[grumpas]

Actually, this has been going on with the Christian Right since Reagan (well over 20 years now). He is the one who invited them into the party and gave them special priviledges. That is when I began to see the Republican Party taking a sharp turn to the right with all the so called moral issues (I stopped voting for them too)! It was only with George W Bush did they finally reach their long sought after goal of having someone in the White House who would force religion down American's throats. But, don't make the mistake of ever kidding yourself they aren't like Muslim Extremist's! Given half a chance they would indulge in the same terror tactic's Moslems are. In fact, on occasions they already have. The only way a fascist government can be installed is to remove all opposition and replace them with clone's who have the same ideology! These people are a bigger threat to our freedom than any terrorist is! They have proven that time and time again! American's had better wake up to the threat from within!

[aaabee-2009]

We could mandate a "do over" of the entire 2 terms---in that we must cleanse the government of suspect officials. Posted by toldyouso21 at 09:05 AM : Apr 10, 2007

This is where the dumbing down of America is at its most effective. We the People cannot fight them with their own tool, our governmental Constitution, because so few of us want to work at understanding it. Those that threaten to take over our government know exactly what the constitution says and how to use it or change it to their advantage. The only thing between a two-party democracy and a one-party dictatorship is that piece of old paper, which is being deliberately undermined today.

We the People spend our time slaving at a job, then want to go home, put our feet up and have a few beers. Nothing wrong with that.
But not everyone is so limited in their energies. Some are working diligently to learn how to manipulate power and how to divert that power for themselves. And everyone today is under the impression that they are good people, doing the right thing, preserving their personal comfort and security.

Luxuries and comforts have eroded the American depths to very shallow levels, making us feel we deserve all our luxury. Should someone abruptly take those luxuries away, we are very apt to join with the powers that be to regain them. We are in a very dangerous cage right now.

No matter how dictatorial our government becomes, there will always be people willing to do its work, no matter how bad it gets.

[omega39-2009]

The only way a fascist government can be installed is to remove all opposition and replace them with clone's who have the same ideology!...Posted by grumpas

Interesting, I was watching an episode of the World at War this past weekend and they talked about Hitler's rise and how he silenced the press, did away with labor unions, eliminated Civil rights and had the German people living in a constant state of emergency. all actions have been recreated to some extent by Bush himself.

[gunownerdan]

"Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom."
-- President John F. Kennedy, January 29, 1961

It is time our leaders begin to obey that oath they took to protect and defend our CONSTITUTION.

[j-whitman]

GunOwnerDan,, Where do I sign up ??
Here's how Bush supports our military & families... Today's Bush daily lie:

Medical Budget Cuts Hit: The surgeons general of Army, Navy and Air Force have criticized defense officials for imposing $650 million in phony %u201Cefficiency wedges%u201D on their medical budgets which will not produce real efficiencies but will only mean cuts in on-base medical services for beneficiaries.

http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,130518,00.html

[changeit4]

2008 elections cannot come soon enough to offset the tremendous damage done to this country by the present administration. It is time to impeach Bush and Cheney. They should never have been elected, and the majority of people now realize this. I'm sick and tired of hearing the Bushies criticize the Clinton administration. Clinton was sexually promiscuous, but he didn't emasculate this country; it took an idiot like Bush to accomplish that.

The Iraqi citizens are now demonstrating to get the U.S. military out of their country. We, as a country, have done irreparable harm through this war. Bush thinks he's God, and it's time to show him he's not.
Posted by sasi1 at 10:36 PM : Apr 09, 2007

I just had to post it again. It says it all, succinctly.

[omega39-2009]

http://www.military.co
m/features/0,15240,130518,00.html
Posted by j-whitman

J-whitman, thanks for sharing this. It is disgusting how they claim to be pro-military but stab veterans in the back every chance they get.

[aaabee-2009]

It is time our leaders begin to obey that oath they took to protect and defend our CONSTITUTION. Posted by GunOwnerDan

I agree. But how can we do anything to preserve "freedom", when it is being queitly dismantled from behind moral posterings, patriotic slogans and liberal-bashing slurs of a caliber that frighten people into silence?

It is the manipulation of the people's minds that is so destructive. Brain washing of the Limbaugh and O'Reilly and Hannity and Savage caliber tells the people in so uncertain terms that if they don't believe This Way, if they disagree with this administration, then they are against it, they hate America, they aren't patriotic, and they are as bad as them a**hole liberals who are trying to destroy this country By God!

But who is it really that is trying to destroy this country? Who blames everyone but themselves?

[gkc99]

Nothing new here--Repubbies have had corrupt AGs for some time--think John Mitchell, a convicted felon after a stint as Nixon's ("the silent majority") AG. Ed Meese, darling of the neocons, helping Reagan's corruption and dealings with terrorists. John Ashcroft, the "Missouri moron" who pandered to the Christo-fascists and assorted holy rollers called the "Christian right"--and now Bushit's little Mexican chihuahua who showed that a$$-kissing WILL get you ahead when you work for a fascist.

[fascistusa]

Our Mainstream "News" is Government Propaganda under the direction of The American Elite and Israel/AIPAC.

The Christain Church is FASCIST.

The School System is FASCIST.

Our local, national, and Federal Government is run by FASCISTS.

ALL IMPORTANT JOBS HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH FASCIST CLONES.

BUT WE'RE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[morrisray001]

Where did Mr. Cohen come from? This whole process with the Justice Department is nothing more than a politically motivated process and Mr. Cohen knows that. He makes big news out of the Administration firing eight (8) lawyers - when we all know that President Clinton and his administration fired all ninety-three (93) U.S. Attorneys when the Democrats took office in the early 1990's. What is his point here?

[terrapin78]

Another and one of the best reason that we should IMPEACH this Administration IMMEDIATELY!

[marcodele]

Breaking news on MSNBC is that Gonzales has been served with a subpoena. Do you suppose he'll know what that is?

[shingles1]

"When you populate an office with ideologues and partisans and underachieving talent, you get an ideological and partisan office with underachieving results."

You could say the same thing about the pseudoconservatives that post here.
They couldn't argue their way out of a paper bag.

[aaabee-2009]

Antillo99,

Are you posting on the correct story, the same story the rest of us have been following for weeks? Your post is so bazaar it doesn't make sence.
moralizing? Who was??
needless criminal cases? What??
no political savvy? Who??
streamlined? What????

Come on you can admit it, you haven't even read the article/s on this story and just wanted to jump in with some regurgitated Limbaugh speak, didn't you. Now get out of here and let those who have watched this story for weeks have the posting room. Sheesh.

[tucano2]

How just throw Gonzales and Rove in jailcells adjoining Ramos and Compion? Seems poetic justice. Of course the afternoon of the day the two mega-sob's enter jail Ramos and Compion ought to be let out of jail, each with a certified check for no less than 100 million dollars to help ease the pain Rove and Gonzales have caused.

[tom_gwynn]

morrisray001 writes:

"He makes big news out of the Administration firing eight (8) lawyers - when we all know that President Clinton and his administration fired all ninety-three (93) U.S. Attorneys when the Democrats took office in the early 1990's. What is his point here?"

You know, we get really tired of these regurgitated Limbaugh talking points, but we have to confront and correct them, or some idiot will think they are the truth;

It is *normal* for an incoming president to replace all the attorneys with members of his own party. Reagan did it. Bush Sr. did it, Clinton did it, and Dubya did it with Clinton's picks too. No one raised a fuss then because it is *normal*. What is not normal (and indeed is unprecedented) is firing only those attorneys that refuse to prostitute their offices and the public trust for your political ambitions. These attorneys were fired for refusing to file false charges against democrats in the last election, and for filing real charges against Republican cronies. When confronted with this, Gonzales and the Bushies tried to cover-up and lie.

[ne_patriot7]

When the democrat president is sworn in in January, 2009, the first order of business should be to fire any and every person hired into the government since January 2001...

It's the only way the stench can begin to be removed from our government..

[r9119111]

There are so many comments to read, I hope the voice of the people will never be silenced. I'm scared. One of our constitutional freedoms is supposed to be "Freedom From Fear." Are we there yet?

[adian1-2009]

And to recall that that Mr. Feingold, one of the two senators from Wisconsin, was one of the supporters of Ashcroft, the Pentecostal ex-attorney general who started the fundamentalist politization of the Department of Justice. And then we have this Gonzales! Quo vadis, America?

[adian1-2009]

Believe it or not: we are under the government of Falwell, Robertson and the others in the huge industry of religion. Only in America religion becomes the driving force in politics, and hence in money! The separation of government and religion exists only in theory in our country. The whole thing has been corrupted. And to make matters worse, there is no end in sight.

[r9119111]

For those who were wondering -- from the Internet:

What Really is a Madrassah? (part one)
These days we are hearing a lot about the Madrassahs (a.k.a. Madarasa, Madrasa, from Arabic). They are labeled as terrorist training camps that harbor hatred and intense religious fervor. Unfortunately that's what has happened to the great Islamic institution of Madrassah today.
A Madrassah is simply a traditional Islamic school of higher learning. Till the western forces destroyed (18th Centuty) the indigenous systems of education like the Gurukuls, the Ghatikas, and the Madrassahs, they were the only formal means of education in the medieval sub-continent. A Maqtab (a.k.a. Makhtab ) was a primary school in the Islamic world while a Madrassah was like a high-school or college of today. In the medieval Islamic world, there were many Madrassahs as big as the universities of the twentieth century, complete with libraries, display museums, and visiting scholar programs.
Great scholars and teachers devoted their lives in the Madrassahs for the study of Islam, the Farsi language, and most importantly, to spread knowledge among common people.