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August 27, 2007
What A News Day
The typically quiet week before Labor Day has begun as anything but quiet. From national to local news, Monday, August 27, 2007 will go in the books as a huge news day. Now to the headlines.
Gonzales Goes
In today's biggest national story, embattled U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales finally called it quits. Democrats have long been after Gonzales for his role in the approval of controversial (to put it mildly) Bush administration policies, including warrantless wiretapping of Americans, secret foreign prisons, and torturing prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. His overall politicization of the Justice Department, culminating in the firing of a number of U.S. attorneys, drew even greater ire from Congressional Democrats, who, having regained control of both the House in Senate in the 2006 election, availed themselves of the ability to call for official investigations. The heat was turned up on Gonzales, likely making his situation untenable.
Interestingly, Gonzales was hardly beloved by conservatives either. While some, like Republican Senator Arlen Specter, questioned his competence, many suspected he was not a true conservative believer and didn't trust him. Gonzales instead relied on the unwavering support of President George W. Bush, his fellow Texan and longtime political benefactor, who famously values loyalty above all else. And loyal Gonzales was, right up to falling on his sword today.
Michael Vick Pleads Guilty
In perhaps the most-covered story of the day (hey, this is America), Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick pled guilty to a conspiracy charge today in a Richmond, VA federal court in his much-publicized dogfighting case. Vick was clearly contrite and apologetic for his actions, though we found his characterization of his behavior as "immature" rather than more apt terms such as cruel, inhumane and sadistic, a bit lacking to say the least. Vick will likely go to jail for at least a year, and it is unclear whether or not he will ever again play NFL football.
Astros Fire Garner And Purpura
In locally focused news, the Houston Astros fired there manager and general manager today, with 31 games remaining in a very disappointing season. Just two years removed from going to the World Series for the first time, the Astros are hovering near the basement of one of the weakest divisions in Major League Baseball. Professional sports is a results-oriented business, and the results for the Astros have been lousy. Both Garner and Purpura seem like hard-working, decent guys, but when the team stinks somebody's gotta take the fall. As far as we're concerned, it was time.
In other news, Houston State Representative Rick Noriega garnered some key endorsements today in his nascent campaign to unseat John Cornyn as Texas' junior United States Senator. Way to go Rick!
And we'll finish with yet another delicious morsel of Republican irony. From the party that brought us family values, we have yet another example of a GOP stalwart practicing the opposite of what he preaches. Yes, Larry Craig, the good GOP U.S. Senator from Idaho, was arrested in a Minnesota airport men's restroom, for attempting lewd conduct with an undercover male police officer. And to think, Craig had just recorded a video for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign celebrating Romney's family values. We couldn't make this stuff up if we tried.
Posted by houtopia at August 27, 2007 09:49 PM
Comments
Close Guantánamo
It is now over five years since the first detainees were transferred to the detention camp at the US Naval Base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba
Despite widespread international condemnation, hundreds of people of more than 30 nationalities are still there: without charge, and with little hope of obtaining a fair trial.
Enough is enough!
Guantánamo Bay is a symbol of injustice and abuse and it must be closed down.
Carlos Menendez
http://www.creditomagazine.es
Posted by: creditos at August 28, 2007 10:12 AM