There, at the lectern provided for him at the Department of Justice, began Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez’s news conference.
He came, running towards the lectern like a soul being sent to hell, stepping out into a hall flagged by many flags I could not make out but, perhaps one flag for each of the states, fifty in all, as well as a flag of the United States which he also wore in a pin on his lapel, as has become tradition with, or standard uniform for people in the Bush administration ever since 9/11.
He began not really knowing where to begin his news conference to defend his post as Attorney General and the actions of the Department in the firing of eight U.S. attorneys, or how to rescue his career from the Mack truck which has hit him and his career, by stating, “Let me tell you five things I believe in.” He continued,Of all of the things the Attorney General said in his news conference, that one, number five, is the one which has been less reported on by the mainstream media, or perhaps it has been alluded to by the mainstream media in their reporting that AG Gonzalez rejects calls for his resignation. Point number five, however, is the one that sticks with me the most,1. I believe in the independence of U.S. Attorneys. They are the face of the Department represented in our communities. They are my representatives in the communities...
2. I believe that the Attorney General and all political appointees of the department serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States. I believe that they can be removed [at any time] for any reason...
3. I believe in the role of the Senate. I do not support any effort to circumvent their oversight. I believe in our obligation to provide them with accurate information when [I appear before them or when] we are requested to do so.
4. I believe in accountability and in my responsibility to be accountable for what happens in the Department.
5. I have overcome lots of obstacles to become Attorney General. And I think Alberto Gonzalez added, or at least implied, that he would fight to retain his position as Attorney General.
“I have overcome lots of obstacles to become Attorney General,”
It is the one which points to Gonzalez’ regret at, “being caught” by the weaving web of lies in a Bush administration which does nothing more than offer lie, after lie, after lie.
Alberto Gonzalez’s face looked sour and angry at the same time. He stammered and stuttered as he attempted to expound on the Five Beliefs he had just expressed. He continued to stammer and stutter during many of his answers to the questions which followed his Credo.
He looked uncomfortable and just like the brevity and succinctness of his Credo, the extent of his news conference and the answer period he provided for the assembled press were equally brief and succinct.
The Attorney General knew then—even at some deeper level which he had not yet fully processed, or which had not yet fully revealed itself to him, that his career had been hit by a Mack truck.
He looked and sounded like a man who knew his car was about to be pushed off the edge of the precipice despite his efforts to stop the car from plunging over.
And perhaps just in that brief moment they say your life passes by you before you die, Alberto Gonzalez had come to the knowledge that honor and integrity and the standing of a good name are worth more than the garnishes of a career path wrought in lies, curtseys and rubber stamping against truth, honor and integrity.
He knew that the glib answers he had provided the Senate with, on any one of his appearances before any of the Senate’s hearing committees, had come to a head.
He knew that his cover-ups, manipulations of answers, non-answers and misstatements to the senate on behalf of George Bush had once and for all been exposed and that it was his name, his face and his career the ones which were being hit by a truckload full of rotting guacamole--not George Bush's.
He knew that the exposure of his lack of character and integrity to stand up to Bush and his crimes on behalf of the rule of law and the American people had done him in.
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