An open letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales

Two recent Letters to the Editor in the Union Tribune concerned the dog and pony show going on in Washington, DC, over the dismissal of several US Attorneys. The writers bracket the issue neatly: US Attorneys are political appointees and serve at the pleasure of the appointing official. That should end it! It’s primarily a media event and a smokescreen diverting attention from more important matters.

During my 60-plus years as a voter in San Diego County, I have observed two of the worst Attorney Generals in our history. Many of the old-timers in Fallbrook well remember J. Howard McGrath, appointed Attorney General by President Truman. In the 1940s, McGrath filed suit in federal court against nearly every property owner in the Santa Margarita River Watershed to claim all of the water for Camp Pendleton.

Congressional hearings were held in Fallbrook at the high school. The hearings lasted a week, with many defendants testifying. Congress went after McGrath; he hung on but didn’t win the suit. The San Diego Aqueduct had come online and made the water issue a non-issue.

The next worst Attorney General was Janet Reno, Bill Clinton’s appointee, best remembered for authorizing the murder of 83 people, including many women and children at a religious commune in Waco, TX. The attack used military equipment in violation of US laws.

Local law enforcement officials said there was no reason to besiege and burn the place down because the leader, Mr. Karesh, came into town at least once a week to shop and pick up mail. Just stake out the post office and pick him up. But that wouldn’t be a suitable media event. More congressional hearings. At one point a prominent Democratic congressman called Reno’s storm troopers “jackbooted thugs.” Through it all Reno hung on.

So, Alberto, mi amigo, hang on; this too will pass. Remember, two predecessors faced the vocal storm and survived, somewhat scarred, but clinging to their desks to the end of the administrations.

Bill Hitt