According to the New York Times, former attorney general Alberto Gonzales can’ find a job after been rebuffed by law firms who are not eager to add a name now synonymous with incompetence and blind partisanship – not to mention torture. Still, these would be some interesting “ding letters”: “Dear General Gonzales, our lawyers were very impressed with your interview and resume. However, every year our firms receives countless applications from former attorney generals . . . .”
Generally, attorney generals clean up in lucrative deals with firms or businesses. However, Gonzales was not only viewed as incompetent but untruthful in his performance as White House Counsel and Attorney General. He left amidst calls for his prosecution and impeachment, click here. Moreover, he appeared to create a Justice Department in his own image — bringing in incompetents like Monica Goodling and others.
Of course, John Ashcroft was able to make a killing, but did so by creating his own firm and securing controversial deals some other subordinates still in government, as discussed here.
It is probably too much to hope that law firms will continue to refuse Gonzales. Yet, to add Gonzales, is to embroil a law firm in on-going criminal investigations and controversies. It is also a strange image-boasting decision: associating your firm with a man who was widely viewed as a mere shill and empty suit.
In the meantime, Gonzales is not starving. He is making money through speeches. The New York Times reports that “Washington University in St. Louis, Ohio State University and the University of Florida have paid him about $30,000 plus expenses for appearances” while business groups are also filling his cup. Pomona College had the sense to decline such a speech. It is not I believe that universities should only hear from majoritarian “approved” or popular figures. Yet, Gonzales is accused of being more than a partisan hack, which he demonstrably was, in office. He is accused of lying under oath, facilitating torture, supporting unlawful surveillance and a host of other bad acts. I would have considerable concerns about my school giving such a man $30,000 to hear his “views.” I would have no problem with his appearing on campus without such a fee from the school, of course.
For the New York Times article, click here.
Mo
Yes, it’s attorneys general, not “attorney generals.” And you don’t address an attorney general as “general,” Jon. They aren’t generals. The word “general” is attached to “attorney” because the AG is the attorney for everyone, i.e. the “general” or “public” attorney.
I know I will once again get some heat on this, but you’ve got to brush up on your English.
glad i don’t contribute to my alma mater Wash U. why on earth would they pay $30K to have a freakin’ liar speak? ughhhh.
JR:
“ATTORNEYS GENERAL”
*****************************
Do you know that when affable, old Jim Gilmore was AG here in Virginia, he insisted that all the other subordinate attorneys in the Office call him “General” Gilmore. Decidely pompous and very un-Virginian.
Small quibble, JT:
ATTORNEYS GENERAL
That is all. 🙂
Truely,
If they really thought they were going to get a McCain administration, I doubt the OMB would have acted thus.
So soon, those hideous pictures of our Leader and his appointee(s) will come off the walls in hallways and offices all over Washington and the far precincts of federal power, and we will put up the new pictures and life goes on… Desks will be emptied, and the new occupants will find old flag pins and business cards and zantacs. All the debris of a rapacious and predatory era….
As for the administration, they will retreat into the private sector like 17 year cicadas into hibernation, and then burst forth in hideous numbers once the reactionary winds blow warm again.
deeply:
Boy, they really have folded the tent here. Shows you just how ephemeral all that talk was about changing government and restoring integrity post-Clinton. I guess like every confidence man they know when to fleece the suckers and make a fast get away.
No, he will just withdraw into the shadows along with the rest of the government-in-exile and if we don’t prosecute these devils, will surely return years hence to plague us again when the public’s amnesia once again allows the republican faction control of the government.
As for now, it is all over for them:
http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=39758&dcn=todaysnews
No surer proof than this that they are a broken force. The budgets are the ur-tool of political power; they have cast down their swords…..
I agree with Mespo that Gonzo would be perfect for a regime that tortures its prisoners. He would be a perfect yes man for some 3rd world boss man. Maybe Raul Castro needs some help.
Yep the Grey Lady is wrong. Millions of job offers have come Fredo’s way. Soon as his SMLS is cured he will take one.
“I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king
I’ve been up and down and over and out and I know one thing
Each time I find myself layin’ flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get back in the race
That’s life (that’s life), that’s life and I can’t deny it
Many times I thought of cuttin’ out but my heart won’t buy it
But if there’s nothin’ shakin’ come this here July
I’m gonna roll myself up in a big ball a-and die”
JT:
I would think there would great demand for his services and rapier-like legal mind in many places– China, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. Documented torturers all, and certainly in need of legal justification from an expert on the topic.
Uh, did you miss that this was the PLUNGING STOCK PRICE & GOING BROKE & LIBERAL NEW YORK TIMES writing this garbage?
Uh, did you miss that this was the GOING BROKE LIBERAL NEW YORK TIMES writing this garbage?
Uh, did you miss that this was the LIBERAL NEW YORK TIMES writing this garbage?
Uh, did you miss that this was the NEW YORK TIMES writing this garbage?
Have Gun Will Travel. Wire Paladin San Francisco.
There is nothing new about Bush Justice Department lawyers selling their “views” for a price. The Washington Post reported on Nov. 20, 2004, page B-1, that the House Aadministration Committee paid Viet Dinh $25,000 for his opinion on “The Authority of Congress to Enact Legislation to Provide the District of Columbia with Voting Representation in the House of Representatives.”
JT later testified, several times, that Dinh got the legal arguments wrong.
I believe that he will be looking for a defense lawyer sometime soon. He needs to make some more money in order to be able to pay a retainer to a Bill Bennett type. He will need a heavy hitter to try to explain away his lies!
http://jonathanturley.org/2008/04/13/firms-say-no-to-bush-yes-man-alberto-gonzales-having-difficulty-finding-full-time-job/
Morning-you want to link these two articles.