Alberto Gonzales, former U.S. attorney general in President George W. Bush’s administration, remains as largely vilified figure — often cited in law school’s in discussion of how lawyers can be corrupted by power to jettison basic ethical and professional values. Gonzales is widely blamed for politicizing the Justice Department, destroying its credibility, appointing substandard officials, and turning a blind eye to egregious violations like the torture and surveillance programs. That record has made it difficult for Gonzales to find a job. He recently took a political science position at Texas Tech, viewed by many as a telling choice since he acted with more attention to politics than the law in his career. Now Gonzales has been named dean of Belmont University’s nearly 3-year-old law school. He had previously accepted a teaching position at the school.
Gonzales has been teaching constitutional law courses, a rather frightening thought given his history. He has also been working for Nashville’s Waller law firm, one of the few firms willing to embrace this highly denigrated figure. Waller was criticized for its decision to hire Gonzales who personifies for many the victory of ambition over principle.
For many, this appointment looks like a provisional law school accepting an equally provisional lawyer as dean. Gonzales will not help the law school’s reputation. The school defines itself as “Belmont University is a student-centered Christian community providing an academically challenging education that empowers men and women of diverse backgrounds to engage and transform the world with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith.”
Gonzales has declared that he is committed “to make Belmont the greatest law school that it can be.” Given the fact that Gonzales took a department with a stellar reputation and devastated both its professionalism and reputation, that statement is rather chilling.
Opps, my lack of Christian knowledge is showing–I mean PTL-Pass The Loot!
o.k., to get a really swell job you need to be incompetent, pro-torture, pro-wiping of the butt with the Constitution, into cronyisim, (and being pro-Bible doesn’t hurt nothing either)! PLT!!!
The …. Always rises to the top.
Question: what do you think of the Geneva Convention? Obsolete.
Question: do you think torture is illegal? Not if we do it.
Question : George Bush great president or greatest president? Yes.
Alberto we are blown away by your legal acumen. Will you be our DEAN?
Total Recall
seamus, Lol!
At least President Obama taught con-law before he wiped his ass with the Constitution.
Keep in mind many of crimes committed (that were later made legal) by the Bush Administration were perpetrated before 9/11 – before they were made legal by Congress.
For example: Joseph Nacchio, Qwest CEO, claims felony wiretapping crimes were happening in January or February of 2001.
The other answer is doj and the potus never look back at crimes committed by friends.
In view of what has followed at the DOJ…your indictment of Gonzalez seems, shall we say…a tad rhetorical. Unless you make the effort to tie this behavior to the down hill ethical slide of the current administration, specifically the AG/DOJ that has followed, rings hollow.
“In view of what has followed at the DOJ…your indictment of Gonzalez seems, shall we say…a tad rhetorical.”
I don’t think I can agree with the argument. This kind of argument is used to suggest that it is inappropriate or hypocritical to criticize one situation unless we also criticize other similar situations.
That does not follow. There is no logical or moral reason why we have to try to criticize everything that might be objectionable. As a practical matter it is impossible to criticize everything that might need criticism.
I have objections to Gonzales and the DOJ he ran. I also have objections to Holder and the current DOJ. My objections are not the same. And the subject under discussion is not the same.
There is no reason why I should not criticize each in the appropriate way at the appropriate time.
Gonzalez is in the news. Now is the time to criticize Gonzalez and let the world know we remember and condemn many of his actions.
Because this is a nation of laws and they have not been convicted of any law violations. That was easy? Will this one be on the final?
Ross
Why do any of the torture attorneys still have a law license with their state bars?
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Sloven immunity.
Why do any of the torture attorneys still have a law license with their state bars?
BDR.
Dredd, funny! Bush amnesia syndrome, too real.
Gonzo joins the party of those whose name cannot be spoken:
No denying that Mr. Gonzales is an immensely gifted man; too bad his moral fiber does not match his intellectual capabilities.
Glad to see that America has recognized Mr. Gonzales’ lack of ethics; I was afraid that the villains of our time would escape scot free (or even prosper).
I just answered my own question, they have a full array of sport teams. That must mean they’re legit!!
But, do they have a basketball team?
Yes, but they have a really good music department.
What is Belmont thinking? Is that a Christian based school? I would loved to have been sitting in the room when he has his interview!