Breaking the judicial branch

By Libby

Forget impeachment and resignations. It's time to indict a few people. Dan Eggen at The WaPo reports that immigration judges have been selected on the criteria of political loyalty for years before Monica Goodling arrived, a practice that was only halted last December "after objections from department lawyers," one supposes in response to the escalation during Goodling's tenure.

A number of the judges appointed over the past two years have strong Republican or Bush administration ties, including former senior Justice officials and a former GOP counsel on Capitol Hill, records show.

One judge appointed in 2005, Garry D. Malphrus, was associate director of the White House Domestic Policy Council from 2001 to 2004, records show. Another, appointed last year, Mark H. Metcalf, is a former Justice and Defense department lawyer who unsuccessfully ran as a GOP congressional candidate in Kentucky.

The LAT adds to the list.

The new jurists include a former treasurer of the Louisiana Republican Party, who was a legal advisor to the Bush Florida recount team after the 2000 presidential election. There is also a former GOP congressional aide who had tracked voter fraud issues for the Justice Department, and a Texan appointed by then-Gov. George W. Bush to a seat on the state library commission.

One thing missing on many of their resumes: a background in immigration law.

No immigration knowledge but plenty of experience in voting issues. How convenient for an administration whose strategy for maintaining Republican party power rests on disenfranching Democratic voters with sham allegations of voter fraud. I don't how it could be any more clear that the White House has illegally corrupted our entire justice system, not to mention the numerous instances of top officials lying to Congress that have been revealed in testimony during the various investigations.

Somebody gave the orders for this policy and I don't think it was Goodling, or Sampson or even Gonzales. I'd bet it was Rove or Cheney, but either way it's time for Congress to stop dicking around and follow the chain of command. Someone was in charge and it's time for that person to be charged with a crime.

Understanding that nailing either of the chief malfeasants may be impossible, then at least their chosen sacrificial lambs should be indicted. It may not stop the malevolent masterminds, but at least it might give the mindless minions some pause before they blindly follow their overlord's orders.