We'll Have Nun of That

The Washington Post reports on the latest in the US Attorney purge (that's purge, not surge), Justice Department Fires 8th U.S. Attorney, with the forced resignation of US Attorney Margaret Chiara. The paper reports:

U.S. District Judge Robert Holmes Bell, the chief judge in Michigan's Western District, said in an interview yesterday that Chiara has an excellent reputation in Grand Rapids.

"This is a very classy, distinguished, highly regarded public servant," said Bell, who was appointed to the bench during the Reagan administration. "She's one of the best United States attorneys we've had in this district, and all of my colleagues agree. . . . To have her suddenly disappear without warning catches us all flat-footed."

See also, Prosecutor Purge: Number Eight?

As All Spin Zone, US Attorney Fired for Not Loving Death Enough, explained: "It appears Ms. Chiara, who studied to be a nun earlier in her life, was asked to resign because she holds a different personal opinion about the death penalty than does the Bush Administration." Jeralyn Merritt of Talk Left, AG Gonzales Terminates 8th U.S. Attorney, concurs:

So, why are these U.S. Attorneys being fired?

Nearly all of the dismissed prosecutors had positive job reviews, but many had run into political trouble with Washington over immigration, capital punishment or other issues, according to prosecutors and others. At least four also were presiding over high-profile public corruption investigations when they were dismissed.

The prosecutors' views on the death penalty may be a factor:

Chiara -- who had once studied to be a nun -- is personally opposed to capital punishment....Another of the fired U.S. attorneys, Paul K. Charlton of Phoenix, also clashed with Washington over the death penalty.

An ex-nun who opposes the death penalty because of religious beliefs? As I mentioned in my last post, Onward Christian Soldiers, Alberto Gonzales has introduced a new program to protect religious freedom. This is just the sort of case that the Department of Justice's new "First Freedom Project" is looking for! And Gonzales can have the honor of prosecuting it against himself.

The irony is just too delicious. God just has to have had a hand in it.

Tags: Civil Liberties, Religion, Law, News