Thursday, December 4, 2008

Stay close to the phone, Mary Beth


It's traditional that when a new president takes office, U.S. attorneys nationwide submit their resignations so the incoming chief executive can put his people in place, if he so desires. But Washington County's own Mary Beth Buchanan, an appointee of George W. Bush, isn't planning to step aside voluntarily. Buchanan told the Post-Gazette that if all the top federal prosecutors resign en masse, it's not good for American justice. Really? All those other attorneys in the various offices across the country, experienced people who are professionals in the law, can't keep the ball rolling until they get new bosses? Her critics paint Buchanan as one of the country's most politically motivated federal prosecutors, and she was linked to the Bush administration's political firings of U.S. attorneys nationwide. Kyle Sampson, an aide to then-Attorney General Alberto "I Don't Recall" Gonzales, said Buchanan was consulted before he carried out the whackings. Buchanan claims she wasn't involved, but there's no denying she was a lackey to Gonzales, who was arguably the worst attorney general in U.S. history, other than John Mitchell. But I don't want to be one-sided, so let's also point out one of Buchanan's great achievements during her tenure: the prosecution of stoner comedian Tommy Chong for selling bongs. Wait. Never mind. You see, that grandstanding bit of "justice" had absolutely no effect on drug use in America, except for maybe forcing a couple of potheads to buy more rolling papers. I will understand if President-elect Obama is too busy on his first day in office, what with the inauguration, etc., to attend to the U.S. attorney roster. Buchanan's firing can wait until Day Two. Then she can cry politics. Won't that be rich.

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13 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bow out gracefully and with dignity.

December 4, 2008 at 9:52 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is clear Buchanan is doing this action for publicity and personal gain. By doing what she did here, she draws a line in the sand. What would have been a normal process of the change of power, now will take NATIONAL stage due to Buchanan's unprofessional statement to the media.

Obama will replace her as he will surely replace all political appointees under the old administration. When Buchanan is handed her walking papers, she will cry foul and the right-wingers will publicize her situation.

Then watch out for Buchanan's next move. It is probable that she will attempt to run for public office since she will not be given and appointment and can not do private practice due to her polarizing nature. She even alluded to this in her statement saying "she wants to serve the U.S.".

Buchanan is going to enter the raise for Spector's senate seat. With PA being a closed primary and the majority of moderates having left the party this year and registered as Democrats, she may just win the primary.

Then we get to have Buchanan vs. Matthews. Uggghhh..

But word of advice to Ms. Buchanan, you won't have the power of the U.S. Attorney's office to utilize for your personal gains during such a campaign and the political enemies you made will make your skeletons in the closet known to all.

What ever happen to the time honored tradition of tendering your resignation?

December 4, 2008 at 11:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As an FYI for those not familiar with Ms. Mary Beth Buchanan, she makes former Senator Rick Santorum look like a liberal democrat

December 4, 2008 at 12:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Pro bono work for the rest of her life? Anybody with me?

December 4, 2008 at 3:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Her case against John C. Pettit seems to be weaker and weaker by the day, as time wears thin on her stay in office.

December 9, 2008 at 11:43 PM  
Blogger Brant said...

It does make you wonder. What are we talking about in regard to the time Pettit has been under federal investigation? Two years? I know the feds like to cross all the t's and dot all the i's before they seek an indictment, but if they had a great case against Pettit, isn't it likely that he'd be up on charges by now. Either that, or the investigation has led them into other areas that are taking much longer to probe. It'll be interesting to see if anything happens in the next few weeks.

December 10, 2008 at 8:53 AM  
Blogger Ellipses said...

Wouldn't it be hilarious if they come back on Pettit and say "Yeah, that whole confiscated money thing... and the locker full of dusty evidence... that was really the only thing he did wrong..."

December 10, 2008 at 12:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Lol, yeah, what we need, immediately, is a left-wing wacko attorney to take her place....we need a replacement who will legislate from the bench....how else will be be able to "marry" the homosexuals?

phonyfeminazi

December 11, 2008 at 11:27 PM  
Blogger Ellipses said...

It's about damn time you made it over here...

The party has arrived...

December 12, 2008 at 5:11 AM  
Blogger Brant said...

Welcome, Phony. Glad to have you over here. Just remember to be respectful. I'm sure that won't be a problem. ;)

December 12, 2008 at 10:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

More likely it will be the new US attorney that finishes the Pettit case. There is no "weakening" of the case, there is a greater need to search for facts.
Ellipses you almost sound thrilled the prospect of Pettit walking away.. If you want go out and talk to the people in various parts of Washington and ask about Pettit, you might learn why he was voted out so heavily.
The Feds are notorious in taking their time on cases. Three years in the State of California during a biker case AFTER they had the complete books of the organization showing drug selling before they made one arrest or started a grand jury. They move like glaciers.
George Retos case was ONLY resolved after the Democrats (Clinton) took office, not before. It dragged and dragged. Fazzoni dragged.

Oh and recently THREE years of investigation into Illinois Governor and they only acted because they felt the need to move now before Obama became President.

December 14, 2008 at 3:57 AM  
Blogger Brant said...

I think they felt the need to move immediately because they were pretty sure the guy was actually going to sell the Senate seat. It's just one of those things that you have to step in and stop before it happens.

December 14, 2008 at 10:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Never caused them to move in New Orleans (witnessed murdered while they listened) or Youngstown (New D.A. was shot and nearly murdered) nor the California biker case where again they only acted after a murder. Politics played more with the move on the Chi-town stuff.

December 15, 2008 at 12:49 AM  

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