# That CRAAAAAAAAZY conspiracy theory: the mass firings of US Attorneys **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 6, 2007, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824 "2007-03-06T17:45:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/421 "2007-05-23T21:00:25Z")
Here’s [_The Nation’s_](http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat?pid=198563) analysis of Goodling’s testimony. > [@](#): > > Goodling went on to: > > • confirm that former DOJ Chief of Staff Kyle Sampson had compiled a list of US Attorneys who would be fired – apparently for being insufficiently partisan in their inquiries and prosecutions – and that Gonzales had been aware of the list and involved in meetings about it, > > • place White House political czar Karl Rove in a room where the firings were discussed, > > • acknowledge that, as early as 2OO5, there was talk about forcing US Attorneys out to make way for White House favorites and > > • explain how US Attorneys were “rewarded” for helping to promote and defend the Patriot Act, at a time when that law was under attack as an assault on basic liberties. > > The former White House liaison for the DOJ told the committee she never attended meetings with top White House aides involving the areas for which she was responsible. At several turns, Goodling portrayed herself as a strangely disconnected and powerless underling who was left out of meetings, told to stay in the shadows, sent away from important sessions in taxis and otherwise neglected, dismissed and overlooked. Yes, she may have had the title of Director of Public Affairs, but, “no,” Goodling told the committee, she was “not a decision-maker.” Rather, she at one point presented herself as a sort of departmental cheerleader who would send out e-mails to political appointees asking “Hey, who wants to go up to the White House…?” ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/422 "2007-05-23T22:19:19Z")
While a mere footnote in this continuing soap opera, the Congressman for the western and more primitive districts of Iowa, a firm advocate of shooting all immigrants not originating in Northern Europe and who are members in good standing of the Dutch Reform Church, Steve King, is having trouble figuring out the difference between a graduate of Harvard Law School and a graduate of Ms. Goodings alma mater since both have religious roots. In all fairness, Harvard was founded to produce Congregational preachers but it has been a fair long time since that was its primary function ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/423 "2007-05-23T22:37:54Z")
If nothing else, the GOP appears to have a monopoly on beautiful yet evil blondes. I wonder if anything will ever come of this. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/424 "2007-05-25T01:23:04Z")
Tangentially relevant news: Senator Mitch McConnell [is proposing an amendment to the immigration bill that would require **everybody** to present government-issued ID before voting in any federal election.](http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4595) [The League of Women Voters is furious.](http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8699) ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/425 "2007-05-25T01:25:24Z")
Harvard folks tend to pass the Bar. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/426 "2007-05-25T01:31:09Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] [The League of Women Voters is furious.](http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8699) [/QUOTE] I seriously love “The Lady Voters”. I really think the republic was better served when they ran the presidential debates, as well. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/427 "2007-05-25T01:59:23Z")
[Rove and Fielding pay mysterious visit to Capitol](http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0507/Rove_Fielding_pay_mysterious_visit_to_Capitol.html). Wonder what that meeting was about? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/428 "2007-05-25T12:51:41Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Tangentially relevant news: Senator Mitch McConnell [is proposing an amendment to the immigration bill that would require **everybody** to present government-issued ID before voting in any federal election.](http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4595) [/QUOTE] I trust your papers are in order, Herr BrainGlutton? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2007, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/429 "2007-05-26T00:22:30Z")
Your papes are perfectly in order, Herr Brainglutton. Why are your papers in order, Herr Brainglutton? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/430 "2007-05-26T01:45:20Z")
Goodling is starting to crumble. Gotta do somethbing to distract the media. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2007, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/431 "2007-05-26T07:01:03Z")
[QUOTE=Evil Captor] Goodling is starting to crumble. Gotta do somethbing to distract the media. [/QUOTE] Is she? All I’ve seen and heard is, “Gosh, I don’t know. Wasn’t me. Wasn’t the White House. Musta been someone else.” -Joe ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/432 "2007-05-29T00:33:22Z")
Update: One of Rove’s top aides, WH political director Sara Taylor, is [resigning.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/27/AR2007052700896.html) Taylor [has been implicated in the firings.](http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Top_Rove_aide_implicated_in_Attorneys_0528.html) ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/433 "2007-05-29T00:39:47Z")
[QUOTE=marshmallow] If nothing else, the GOP appears to have a monopoly on beautiful yet evil blondes. [/QUOTE] I can’t think of a second one. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/434 "2007-05-29T00:51:19Z")
[QUOTE=marshmallow] If nothing else, the GOP appears to have a monopoly on beautiful yet evil blondes. I wonder if anything will ever come of this. [/QUOTE] _Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs!_ ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2007, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/435 "2007-05-29T00:53:42Z")
[QUOTE=Fiver] I can’t think of a second one. [/QUOTE] Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2007, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/436 "2007-05-30T13:08:56Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham. [/QUOTE] To that I say “eww!” Especially regarding the former. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2007, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/437 "2007-05-30T14:00:55Z")
[QUOTE=Fiver] To that I say “eww!” Especially regarding the former. [/QUOTE] Well, yeah, but there’s no accounting for conservative taste. I’ve certainly heard quite a bit of “Yeah, HAWT!” talk about her from some guys. I have no basis for comparison, though, not being in the habit of evaluating feminine pulchritude… ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/438 "2007-05-31T01:21:41Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Update: One of Rove’s top aides, WH political director Sara Taylor, is [resigning.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/27/AR2007052700896.html) Taylor [has been implicated in the firings.](http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Top_Rove_aide_implicated_in_Attorneys_0528.html) [/QUOTE] I thought that Goodling said, over and over, that the White House wasn’t involved? -Joe ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/439 "2007-05-31T01:31:49Z")
[QUOTE=Merijeek] I thought that Goodling said, over and over, that the White House wasn’t involved? -Joe [/QUOTE] IIRC, she said over and over that **she** wasn’t involved (but did admit to vetting job applicants based on their politics). ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824/440 "2007-05-31T03:12:10Z")
Hell, its been conclusively proven that _no one_ was involved! Its a kind of political parthogenesis. Shit happens, it just _happens!_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-craaaaaaaazy-conspiracy-theory-the-mass-firings-of-us-attorneys/394824.md?page=23)