Injustice in the Justice Department?

In defining Justice, the French political philosopher Baron de Montesquieu said:

"Justice is a relation of suitability, which actually exists between two things. This relationship is always the same, by whatever being it is perceived, whether by God, or by an angel, or finally by a man.”

Justice is after all the pillar upon which our laws are based. These laws in turn, determine the extent and limitations of our personal freedoms. I am not here to lecture judge Alberto Gonzales on the philosophical or practical meanings of Justice for he is far more adept at explaining it than I could ever be. However, looking at the current situation in the Justice department, one has to wonder how much justice and fairness is still left unpolluted by the heavy dark cloud of dishonesty that lingers around the attorney general. A cloud that has thickened after eight US prosecutors were recently let go.

US Attorneys serve four-year terms coincidental to the presidency and are retained or dismissed at the end of their terms at the pleasure of the President of the United States. It is not unusual for the US attorney general to clean house when a new administration takes over. It is however, unprecedented to oust eight US prosecutors after a disastrous mid-term election. What makes this firing more suspicious is a succession of contradictory statements from judge Alberto Gonzales himself.

First the judge said that the firing were performance related. We later find out that all eight US attorneys had no blemishes on their performances. One of victims of this purge is Mr. Iglesias. He was actually ranked as a high performer by the none other than the White House. Second, We are told that the judge was never involved in the decision making process. Emails from the department show that he attended a meeting that started the firing process. Third, we are told that the White House never knew about the firing nor was it involved. Emails and records contradict that statement as well. Last, we are told the firing were not politically motivated. But when we learn about the Republicans senators and the influential party members who have complained about these US attorneys to the White House, we can easily deduce the main reason behind the firing.

Montesquieu also said:

“Men are capable of unjust actions because it is in their interest to do them, and they prefer their own satisfaction to that of others. They always act with reference to themselves -- no one is gratuitously wicked; there must be a determinant reason, and this reason is always a reason of self-interest.”

It is factually obvious that the Justice Department has been politicized to support the causes that are near and dear to the Republican Party. Furthermore, these facts have eroded people’s faith and respect for this judicial institution. It is time to let judge Gonzales go because this country needs a credible attorney general who has the confidence of the American people and the backing of the House and the Senate.