Political bias at the US Department of Justice.
Posted 23 weeks 1 day ago byToday the US Department of Justice released its report after an investigation of allegations of politicized hiring in the Department of Justice Honor program and summer law intern program ( SLIP).
The findings are once again damaging for the Bush administration and show, one more time, a pattern of favoring people sharing the same political and ideological views as opposed to hiring public servants based on competence and merit .
This is one of the conclusion of the report:
" We found that in 2006 the Screening Committee inappropriately used political and ideological considerations to deselect many candidates. We determined that a disproportionate number of the deselected Honor Program and SLIP candidates had liberal affiliations as compared to the candidates with conservative affiliations. This pattern was also apparent when we examined the data for membership in the liberal American Constitution Society compared to the conservative Federalist Society for SLIP candidates and when we compared applicants with Democratic Party affiliations versus Republican Party affiliations for both Honor program and SLIP candidates."
To read the complete report go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/opr/oig-opr-investigation-hire-slip.pdf
Note: I am a French filmmaker/photojournalist based in the US since 1983. To view my main photo/editorial web site got to : http://www.digitalrailroad.net/Mercier .
Thoughts
Amazing
Submitted on November 29th, 2008 by AnonymousIts amazing what people will post in these forums, some of it is quite brilliant!
Mathman,
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by HamiltonWatch TV, Barack Hussein Obama is a perfect example of “wacked out liberal or whatever it was I said, lol.
B. Hamilton Langrehr:
The Hamilton Post: www.thehamiltonpost.blogspot.com
yep
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by John 2000Bush made the mistake of by not replacing all of them right out of the gate, like others do. Keeps it neat, clean, done, and accepted with mumblings.
Usually, these political appointees have their bags packed well before inauguration. Just proves what a dummy wingnut Bush was for thinking the Dems might work with some bipartisanship.
Sounds terrible
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by MathManHow can you recognize a “wacked out political opinion?” I certainly don’t want those running around in my government.
Oooops
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by John 2000another administration accused of political bias in appointees, etc. Shocking.
Anyway, welcome back, Mercy. I did miss you.
Any follow-up opinions on Myanmar? This Justice Department stuff is old news. Besides, I know it is the published #1 strategy to attack Bush even if he is not running, so it gets a little boring and transparent.
MERCY
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by Skye RiversGlad to have you back! Also adore reading your posts.
My question would be this? Why is anyone surprised.
Alberto G
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by rom12921Timing was peculiar, but the act itself is usual and customary as you correctly pointed.
I still like Alberto, mainly from state politics. I wish he would have just said, "yeah I did it and this is why"
I would have respected a straightforward honest answer?...made myself laugh on that one
Right wing talking points again?
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by Bull MooseWhen a new President takes office, it is his right as Reagan,Nixon,et al did, to fire all those he chooses in the DOJ.
Righties alway's use this straw man when trying to justify Gonzales firing well liked and qualified Justice attorneys.
Firing them in the middle of a Presidents term in mass is peculiar to Bush, and Bush alone.
But keep trying rightie, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.
Thanks Mercy,
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by HamiltonFor the kind words, I think I may have forgotten to tell you in my first post, but I believe you finally got this one right. There seems to be little doubt that individuals were excluded from jobs because of their wacked out political opinions, and even I understand that’s a very bad thing. I always look forward to working and trying to disprove the radical liberal agenda apparent in your articles. It fun for me and for you as well, I hope. I’m glad you are a frequent participant here at RBA, I look forward to the political and intellectual challenge you always supply. Without debate and dialog between different ideologies our country would be a dismal place to live. So…let’s go and keep having fun, I’m positive there is a lot we can argue about.
B. Hamilton Langrehr:
The Hamilton Post: www.thehamiltonpost.blogspot.com
the American Way
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by rom12921"where only loyalty and identical political ideology get rewarded...not competence or merit. That makes for very bad government"
Excellent summary of the way government (and business) works in varying degrees in this country. The Bush Administration doesn't do anything different than any other Administartion or city hall.
Haven't you heard 'it's not what you know, but who you know'?
Some may say you are pointing out the obvious.
To Bull. I'd rather have Alberto Gonzales than Janet Reno.
Mercy, Hamilton can't handle the truth
Submitted on June 25th, 2008 by Bull MooseEvery factual post that he disagrees with you can count on this rightie to challenge. He will no doubt challenege Charles Black's wish that the terrorist would attack us before election day, in order to help Republicans win elections. SICK
As far as your subject of the post allow me to add some other facts. There is a Pat Robertson school called the ACLJ,American Center for Law and Justice.
Alberto Gonzales infested the Justice Department with "graduates" from this "school",the Queen Bee being Monica Goodling, the person charged with vetting new hires to Justice.
When Goodling refused to testify unless given immunity, she admitted "she may have crossed the line letting political affilliation factor in her hiring decisions".
Just more proof the Bushies are religious delusional who think God speaks through them.
To think the Justice Department is full of unqualified political hacks whose diplomas are no better than mail order ones available anywhere.
And just for the record, all the clowns Bush hired at the DOJ have not won 10% (generous) of the terrorist cases they have brought to trial.
You are a fast reader...
Submitted on June 24th, 2008 by MercyphotographyDear Hamilton,
Congratulation on your new blog venture....it sounds a lot like the Huff....post.
As far as " serving at the pleasure of the president", it is more like " Serving at the pleasure of King...George" where only loyalty and identical political ideology get rewarded...not competence or merit. That makes for very bad government.
Okay Mercy
Submitted on June 24th, 2008 by HamiltonI read the whole dang thing, they alleged two individuals had used information concerning political affiliations as a reason not to invite said candidates, or as they termed it, deselected; to be part of two DOJ programs. One is the SLIP program the other the HP program.
The investigation claims that Esther Slater McDonald and Michael Elston are the only two accused and Elston by his silence as opposed to deeds. The investigators also praised the rest of the appointed and career employees for their fairness and dedication to following the rules.
So two, out of all the DOJ employees and they were prejudice against left wing radical lunatics. I just don’t see the problem or the controversy.
Just for the record Mercy: 2006 participating organizations involved with and sponsoring the SLIP program,
29 Liberal organizations
6 Conservative organizations
2006 participating organizations involved with and sponsoring the HP program:
86 Liberal organizations
7 Conservative organizations
If you really want to spend millions investigating something; that sounds like a real controversy
Whatever happened to serving at the pleasure of the president?
Didn’t Slick Willie fire like 106 conservative lawyers?
B. Hamilton Langrehr:
The Hamilton Post: www.thehamiltonpost.blogspot.com