posted on May 18, 2007 07:01:59 AM new
Well Ron Paul is being punished for not towing the party line...wonder what'll happen to Norm(Sprinkler Boy) Coleman ? Did he decide that carrying bush's watering can is just not the best career move ?
Heffelfinger listed to be fired; Coleman calls for AG ouster
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman became the fifth Republican senator to call for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Thursday, after learning that former U.S. attorney for Minnesota Tom Heffelfinger was on a list of prosecutors to be considered for dismissal.
Coleman cited both the Heffelfinger revelation and testimony this week by former deputy attorney general James Comey that Gonzales tried to get his predecessor as attorney general, John Ashcroft, to approve Bush's eavesdropping program as Ashcroft lay in intensive care.
"I don't have confidence in Gonzales," Coleman told reporters on a conference call. "I would hope that the attorney general understands that the department is suffering right now, and he does the right thing, and that is allows the president to provide new leadership."
The state's other senator, Democrat Amy Klobuchar, had called for Gonzales' resignation in March. On Thursday, she asked the Justice Department and the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate the efforts to remove Heffelfinger.
A January 2006 e-mail from Kyle Sampson, who was chief of staff to Gonzales at the time, to then-White House counsel Harriet Miers, lists seven U.S. attorneys that "might be considered for removal and replacement."
Three names have been redacted, but a congressional aide who saw an unredacted copy told The Associated Press Thursday that Heffelfinger was one of those names redacted. The aide spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation. He also declined to identify the other two names that had been redacted.
The four U.S. attorneys whose names were not redacted from the list were ultimately fired.
Heffelfinger announced in February of last year that he would resign, and has maintained that he was not pressured to leave.
Coleman called Heffelfinger a "first-class prosecutor" and said he found it disturbing that the Justice Department had identified him for possible dismissal.
"The Comey testimony only further raises more clouds of suspicion over the actions of the Justice Department - over Attorney General Gonzales," added Coleman, a former prosecutor in the Minnesota attorney general's office. "I don't believe that Gonzales has the ability to provide the type of leadership the department needs."
But Coleman declined to join Klobuchar's call for an investigation, saying, "I don't think it accomplishes anything."
Over a two-year period, the department listed as many as 26 prosecutors for possible dismissal, a senior government official familiar with the process said Thursday. That list was first reported by The Washington Post.
In a telephone interview, Heffelfinger said he wasn't particularly surprised at this point that his name was on a list.
"It is new and somewhat surprising that Kyle Sampson had apparently targeted more than one-quarter of the U.S. attorney community, which had he been successful in doing so, could have been devastating to the effectiveness of the Department of Justice," he said.
Heffelfinger said again that he had no idea when he resigned that he had been targeted for possible dismissal.
"As late as early fall of '05, I had a private meeting with the attorney general related to Native American issues, and Sampson was present at that meeting," he said. "Had they had concerns about my performance, (Gonzales) had the opportunity to raise them and didn't. So I could reasonably conclude that he didn't have a problem with my performance."
In testimony before the House Judiciary Committee last week, Gonzales said that Heffelfinger "was identified as someone that perhaps there may be issues with," but added, "I don't know the source, why Mr. Sampson had that particular view."
Sampson oversaw the review that drove the firings. He resigned in March as a result of the department's botched handling of the dismissals of eight U.S. attorneys.
Heffelfinger was replaced as U.S. attorney by Rachel Paulose. This year, three lawyers in her office resigned their top management posts, amid concerns of her management style. She declined to comment Thursday on Heffelfinger being targeted for dismissal.
In a statement, Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said that the department would not confirm whether a particular U.S. attorney was on a list.
"These lists, some drafted long before the December resignations, reflect Kyle Sampson's thoughts for discussion during the consultation process," he said. "Many names on these lists which have been shared with Congress, clearly did not represent the final actions or views of the department's leadership or the attorney general."
Klobuchar called on the Justice Department to disclose why Heffelfinger was targeted.
In a telephone interview, she said she worked closely with Heffelfinger as Hennepin County attorney, and there was "nothing but trust" from the first day. She said she had no idea why Heffelfinger was on a list but was determined to find out.
"There was never any question about his performance in his job," she said.
In a Senate speech, Klobuchar reiterated her call for Gonzales to resign, saying the Justice Department has let politics get too close to the legal system.
"The consequences are simply unacceptable," she said. "Good prosecutors, like Tom Heffelfinger, who by all accounts were just doing their jobs, upholding their oaths, following the principles of their profession, we found out were targeted for firing." Klobuchar said that Heffelfinger should have never been put on any list.
posted on May 18, 2007 07:12:37 AM new
The repug OINKER who replaced Heffelfinger :
Rachel (Bible verses on the job? PUHLEASE!) Paulose
She worked in private practice after 2002 with the Williams & Connolly law firm in Washington D.C until 2003, where her work focused on health care litigation and business[1]. Work also included defense against class action suit demanding slavery reparations.
She was with the Dorsey & Whitney law firm in Minneapolis from 2003 until December, 2005.[1] Work included successful representation of Republican party in election lawsuit; defense of faith-based health care programs. [2]
[edit] Appointment as U.S. Attorney
In January 2006, Paulose returned to the Justice Department where she served briefly as Senior Counsel to Acting Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty and she was the Department’s Special Counsel for Health Care Fraud. She was a special assistant to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.[1]
The following month, on February 17th, [3], she was appointed to serve as interim US Attorney for the District of Minnesota. The incumbent U. S. Attorney, Thomas Heffelfinger had announced his resignation effective February 28th.
On February 17th, 2006 Rachel Paulose's appointment was announced "under a controversial provision of the renewed Patriot Act that allowed Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to indefinitely appoint "interim" U.S. attorneys."[8].
On August 3, 2006, while serving as interim U.S. Attorney in Minnesota, [5] Paulose's nomination was sent to the U.S. Senate by President George W. Bush [4]. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a voice vote [5] on December 9, 2006, the last day of the 109th Congress. [6].
The confirmation occurred without a hearing or vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee, but was moved out of committee as part of a rarely used [9] "discharge resolution." [10] Paulose was sworn in as U.S. Attorney on March 9, 2007.
Paulose has pledged to fight child pornographers, and has stated that they are becoming:
“ more graphic, more heinous, and frankly appalling. ”
She has spoken out against urban crime, stating that it threatens the American way of life, and noted that public officials should be held accountable for their actions.[1]
[edit] Controversies
[edit] Swearing-in ceremony
Paulose's investiture was held before 300 people in the atrium of the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, MN on Friday, March 9, 2007. Subsequently, Minneapolis television station KSTP ran a piece likening it to a "coronation", showing a program that referred to a "processional" and included a U.S. Marine color guard, professional photographer and choir, which was shown singing. Raju D. Kunjummen, Th.M., Paulose's uncle and Associate Professor at Michigan Theological Seminary, offered the invocation.
Swearing-in ceremonies for U.S. Attorneys are normally modest affairs held at the appropriate federal courthouse.[11]
Paulose has dismissed the criticism, saying the program KSTP based its report on was inaccurate and had been discarded long before the ceremony, although the color guard and choir were indeed present. She also added that the cost to taxpayers was minimal since the school donated the use of their atrium (which they normally rent for $1,500) for the investiture ceremony at her request, she paid for everything and the total government cost of the ceremony was only $225,[11] less than half the $500 she was budgeted.[12] Representatives of government watchdog groups said the donation was inappropriate and that the money spent didn't include the cost to taxpayers of event planning by Paulose's employees.[11]
In addition the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported that it was unusual that "the former U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Thomas Heffelfinger, was not invited" to the ceremony, Paulose's spokesperson, Jeanne Cooney,said "It was a public event. Anybody who wanted to go could have gone."[13] The article speculates that Heffelfinger, a moderate Republican, could have been a candidate for a purge list, had he not stepped aside to make way for a more conservative candidate.
[edit] "Problem" press
While interviewing Paulose, a reporter with Kstp.com, a local ABC affiliate, stated that he was in possession of a six-page single-spaced document from the U.S. Attorney's office that "identified 'problem-reporters.'" [14] Paulose only denied producing this list, but when asked whether she was "aware" of the list, she only replied that "I don't know why you are asking me this." [15]
[edit] Staff problems
On April 5, 2007, three of her top administrators — First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marti, second in command; civil division head Erika Monzangue and criminal division head James Lackner — voluntarily resigned those positions, reverting to simple assistant U.S. attorney status, reportedly in protest over Paulose's management style. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, she was noted for dressing down underlings and quoting Bible verses on the job.
The resignations occurred after a visit from a representative of the Executive Office of the U.S. Attorney in Washington. [16] A later report said that the visit had been a last-ditch attempt by the Bush administration to persuade the three not to resign, and that a fourth official declined to comment on whether he had resigned or not.[17] Paulose's defenders say that three simply had trouble changing their ways to accommodate an aggressive young prosecutor determined to bring the office more into line with the Attorney General's policies, and it has nothing to do with politics.[18]
The St. Paul Pioneer Press later reported that the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee would probably be investigating the resignations.[19]
[edit] US Attorney Dismissal Controversy
On April 17th, the AP reported that Ms. Paulose had been contacted for voluntary questioning by the US House Judiciary Committee in relation to the "firings of 8 U.S. federal prosecutors"[20]
posted on May 18, 2007 09:14:10 AM new
I see you are still clueless. Norm Coleman was the Senator that originally called for an investigation into our state AG's office. He noticed a problem in the system and is taking action.
Only then, did that idiot Amy Klobachar speak up. And now she is a media hog.
Get your facts straight mingopig. Facts are both our Senators are stating the Gonzalez needs to go. But yet Hefflefinger states it wasn't Gonzalez's fault. See the non-biased thread called "Heffelfinger doesn't believe firing list was Gonzales' idea"
posted on May 18, 2007 09:51:03 AM newThe FACT is he had already RESIGNED WAY before it was common knowledge that he was being considered as one of those who might be let go.
This is nothing more than making a mountain out of a mole hill....once again.
posted on May 18, 2007 01:58:58 PM new
linduh, you made a fool of yourself in your own thread on Planned Parenthood by not even reading (or COMPREHENDING?) your own post.
You continue to be an amazement of blundering ahead with no comprehension whatsoever.
Your: ...."This is nothing more than making a mountain out of a mole hill....once again.
It's the progressive MO. tsk tsk tsk ""...
...indicates you couldn't understand the first paragraphs of the OP !!!!!
Here it is...read slowly but try not to move your lips:
"" Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman became the
fifth Republican senator
to call for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Thursday, after learning that former U.S. attorney for Minnesota Tom Heffelfinger was on a list of prosecutors to be considered for dismissal.
Coleman cited both the Heffelfinger revelation and testimony this week by former deputy attorney general James Comey that Gonzales tried to get his predecessor as attorney general, John Ashcroft, to approve Bush's eavesdropping program as Ashcroft lay in intensive care.
"I don't have confidence in Gonzales," Coleman told reporters on a conference call. "I would hope that the attorney general understands that the department is suffering right now, and he does the right thing, and that is allows the president to provide new leadership."
The state's other senator, Democrat Amy Klobuchar, had called for Gonzales' resignation in March. On Thursday, she asked the Justice Department and the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate the
posted on May 19, 2007 03:32:59 PM new
YOUR problem is YOU REFUSE to believe FACTS.
You need to take HIS statements - what HE said. [bear already posted HIS words]
You making things up won't change a thing.
He HAD resigned BEFORE.
It's not a matter of comprehending what ONE article says.....lol...lol....but taking ALL that has been written on ANY issue....and getting a MUCH different picture than what YOU want others to read.
That's why you spend so much time talking to yourself....and following me around all day long. Others can SEE your bias....and unwillingness to ALSO accept what others have said.
Especially Heffelfingers OWN words. ;-D
But....nope that's not your MO. That makes it YOUR problem....no one else's. LOL
posted on May 19, 2007 03:45:15 PM new
linduh drools , ""and following me around all day long."
You're posting in a thread I started ....how is that "following you around" ????? You poor confused old thing.....
She then speaks for someone else..."Others can SEE your bias""
Again proving those great big DOUBLE STANDARDS she has
How do you know what others see, linduh ???
Now, I NEVER said he didn't resign before....the article stated he did, everything I've heard elsewhere says he did. THAT is NOT the issue, NOT the problem.
He is involved because his name was on the list to be fired. Can you understand that great big FACT ?
Now , after you couldn't even read and comprehend your OWN OP (Planned Parenthood thread) LOLOL!!!... you question MY ability when you didn't read what I said either!???
I address ANY thread I wish to address. Has NOTHING to do with you.
LOL...no surprise you'd think it's ALL ABOUT YOU. LOL LOL LOL LOL
And I'm NOT 'speaking for others'....I'm reminding you of what THEY'VE posted here...saying the same thing.
But...again...to expect an abnormal person to recognize the truth of what OTHERS have ALSO said about you devoting ALL your attention, on a DAILY basis, to me...would be expecting too much.
It's there for all to see. Even in threads where I'm posting on topic and you come in and start some off topic garbage, directed AT ME....not the topic...ME.
I don't go around speaking FOR you either, sybil. As you do constantly with me.
You're OBSESSED with me and ALWAYS seek out MY attention....every where. You followed me to OTWA....and when I was banned from there...you FOLLOWED ME back here.
And continued on with your DAILY 24/7/365 MO - SEEKING my attention - referencing ME....calling out my name when I don't respond to your nonsense. LOL
Again....no surprise you can't see your own obsession. But others CAN and HAVE.
And the FUNNIEST thing is even hellen tried to get you to stop. But you just couldn't.
posted on May 19, 2007 04:54:35 PM new "And the FUNNIEST thing is even hellen tried to get you to stop. But you just couldn't."
Actually, that was a mistake on my part. I had a fantasy that if everyone left you alone, that maybe you would spend less time here. I have reconsidered that possibility and decided that NOTHING can discourage your obnoxious presense anywhere....If nobody responded to your obnoxious posts, you would respond to yourself.
Yes, helen, you told others that ignoring me wouldn't work. Then you went on and on explaining how you and your ILK that don't support the FREE SPEECH of others who don't share your world views....had already tried that...and you were unsuccessful lol.lol..
If you want a board where ONLY liberals can post their positions...you always have otwa's crossfire. There conservative speech is VERY MUCH limited....just as you and your ilk like it.
But in the REAL world.....and with those of us who don't LIE like you do.....our voice WILL be heard.
It's the American way. Who's WAY do you support helen? Chinas?
posted on May 19, 2007 05:20:55 PM new
No, Linda, I don't lie. Opinions are not lies.
And I don't want a board in which only liberal posters may post. I know Republicans and conservatives personally that I admire and get along with very well. Unlike you, they are courteous and reasonable.
posted on May 19, 2007 06:19:05 PM new
LOL....really?????? LOL
Gawd, your total DENIAL is even WORSE than what I've always recognized it was. lol
Go back and read your statements before the one you wrote to LD. THEN read the statement you made to ld....in WHICH you out and out LIED by accusing ME of OMITTING part of the article I posted in the OP.
I hadn't...and my link PROVES that, helen.
But you've always been great at DENYING any truth that others can read for themselves.
LOL LOL
How typical....such STRONG denial of EVERYTHING you just can't admit.
edited... to add the FIRST of many FALSE accusations that you LIED about helen
"Linda, when you copy pasted the article you failed to include the following lines. Such selective omissions should be noted when you copy paste an entire story."
AND: then another time:
helenjw posted on May 18, 2007 08:19:34 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's the SAME article with the SAME headline written by the SAME author of the SAME news service on the SAME day and hour.
The only difference between this article and the one that you posted are the quotes that you left out."
====
LOL....PERHAPS YOU can explain to all of us how that and many other posts you made weren't ALL FALSE accusations. LOL LOL LOL
I omitted nothing hellen....as you accused me over and over....tried to smear me in your post to ld.
and NOW....lol lol....you're claiming you didn't LIE.
Then go to that thread, USE MY OP from MY link and show me where MY OMMISSION took place. LOL
You may fool some of the people, some of the time helen....but you'll NEVER fool me.
I've got your number, and I've had it for YEARS.
GAWD helen LIES about LYING. LOL LOL LOL
Well....that's not really funny....it's very PATHETIC.
posted on May 19, 2007 06:55:08 PM new
My gawd! linduh is just SO obsessed with Helen !!!
linduh the ONLY time you start yammering about me being obsessded with you is when I prove you lied, show you to be the fool you are , or otherwise back you into a corner. You COULD ignore me but YOU CHOOSE to respond....can't you control yourself ???
LOL!
posted on May 19, 2007 07:58:59 PM new
LIE LIE LIE
Linda_K
posted on May 19, 2007 10:04:28 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mingotree
posted on May 19, 2007 08:49:44 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'd prefer Communism over RACISM and FASCISM."
AND:
mingotree
posted on May 19, 2007 09:37:38 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gee linduh, you're pretty active in here...trying to avoid the 'cross dressing" thread where you advocated racism ?
Haven't answered any questions there.....??????
"And YES I PREFER Communism OVER YOUR racism and Fascism.....SO?"
Now...I guess you'll start doing what you always do.....lie...lie...lie....deny...deny...deny. Pretend you didn't say what you have.
You've done if from day ONE.....even when other posters have pulled up the LINKS and proven things to you....you LIVE in your denial.
tsk tsk tsk
[ edited by Linda_K on May 19, 2007 10:09 AM ]
[ edited by Linda_K on May 19, 2007 10:10 AM ]
mingotree
posted on May 19, 2007 11:01:34 AM edit
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I won't deny what I posted linduh, why should I ?
At least here you didn't OMIT part of the quote to suit your twisted needs like you did in the "Good Morning" thread.
Helen was SO right about you and your convenient "omissions".....same as a lie !
linduh, "even when other posters have pulled up the LINKS and proven things to you"
posted on May 19, 2007 08:04:43 PM new
sybil....take your meds....you're getting more and more delusional....and it's hard to watch you falling apart AGAIN.
I post the relevant parts of posts you liberals made....that's not lying.
ismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy.
