Wesleyan Does it Again...
Man, I have to say, I am so proud of my alma mater!
Today's big political headline is over a federal judges ruling that White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former legal counsel, Harriet Miers can in fact be subpoenaed before congress to testify about the politicization of hirings and firings within the justice department.
For those not in the know, this scandal is pretty huge despite the little media coverage, as it implies our own Department of Justice were actively descriminating in their hirings and firings of US Attorneys based on political views and connections, with the intention of influencing investigations in key battleground states in order to favor Republican candidates. It lead to the shameful resignation of this country's first Latino US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, and a constitutional battle between the executive and legistlative branches of our federal government.
If true, this could be a bigger scandal than Nixon's Watergate. It is no surprise then, that the Bush-led Whitehouse has tried to block any and all investigations into this event, claiming "executive priviledge" so that the president's aides don't have to testify under oath.
As a passive observer, one might say - wow! How in the world are they getting away with this? Doesn't this fly in the face of the freedom and democracy we claim to protect? How would the US ever recover as the moral leader of the world if this were indeed true, and who has to power to make sure we get to the bottom of it?
It seems that person is U.S. District Judge John Bates. Who, if you read his bio, is a Wesleyan University grad ('68). That's right, folks. Wes grads are everywhere, as recently observed by my boss where I work. And they are indeed making the world a better place. If you want to know a bit about his decision and it's impact, check out analysis from another Wes grad, David Lindoff who knows much more about this than me.
I just thought I'd bring this up because while Wesleyan often shines with it's famous entertainers and athletes in a celeb obsessed world, it's cool to give "props" to a different kind of influential alumnus who is making a difference. Way to go Judge Bates.
Today's big political headline is over a federal judges ruling that White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former legal counsel, Harriet Miers can in fact be subpoenaed before congress to testify about the politicization of hirings and firings within the justice department.
For those not in the know, this scandal is pretty huge despite the little media coverage, as it implies our own Department of Justice were actively descriminating in their hirings and firings of US Attorneys based on political views and connections, with the intention of influencing investigations in key battleground states in order to favor Republican candidates. It lead to the shameful resignation of this country's first Latino US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, and a constitutional battle between the executive and legistlative branches of our federal government.
If true, this could be a bigger scandal than Nixon's Watergate. It is no surprise then, that the Bush-led Whitehouse has tried to block any and all investigations into this event, claiming "executive priviledge" so that the president's aides don't have to testify under oath.
As a passive observer, one might say - wow! How in the world are they getting away with this? Doesn't this fly in the face of the freedom and democracy we claim to protect? How would the US ever recover as the moral leader of the world if this were indeed true, and who has to power to make sure we get to the bottom of it?
It seems that person is U.S. District Judge John Bates. Who, if you read his bio, is a Wesleyan University grad ('68). That's right, folks. Wes grads are everywhere, as recently observed by my boss where I work. And they are indeed making the world a better place. If you want to know a bit about his decision and it's impact, check out analysis from another Wes grad, David Lindoff who knows much more about this than me.
I just thought I'd bring this up because while Wesleyan often shines with it's famous entertainers and athletes in a celeb obsessed world, it's cool to give "props" to a different kind of influential alumnus who is making a difference. Way to go Judge Bates.
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