It was you, Fredo
For several months I have considered the continuing presence of Alberto Gonzales a personal failure on my part. I had wished him gone. I had said insulting things about him to my friends. I had written things about him, although I didn't quite finish any of them. He deserved to be gone. Nonetheless he was still there.
I just couldn't believe that a man who had lied under oath that often was still the attorney general of the United States. I couldn't believe that those of us on this side of things had been utterly ineffectual at getting rid of him. What's more, I have to admit, I became almost awestruck at his ability to hang in there. Which goes for the whole crew, by the way: say what you will about George Bush (and there is almost nothing I won't), he's still president, and it's amazing how much bad stuff you can continue to do as president even if your poll numbers are below 30.
In any case, Gonzales has resigned. I wish him a happy time hiring lawyers and living off the slush fund someone will set up for him. Soon we will know why he left at this particular moment. The mind reels at the possibilities. What could possibly be even worse than all the things he's survived? At some point we'll find out. Stay tuned.
I hope he's not worried about his legacy, because he will have one, and it will be not unlike what awaits almost all the members of this administration: they will be fodder for art. Yes, art. Dick Cheney said a couple of months ago that history would be his judge, but I beg to differ: history will be nothing compared to the plays. This administration will be the subject of hundreds of plays; the playwrights will be drawn again and again to the astonishing, amazing panoply of evil and complicity the Bush Administration has provided. Gonzales will be a hilarious comic foil in most of these productions -- a jack-in-the-box who will pop out, say he has no recollection whatsoever of anything, and pop back in. Short actors will kill to play him.
By the way, I have a pet theory about Alberto Gonzales: I've always believed that the reason the President called Gonzales Fredo was that when they first met, Bush incorrectly believed that Gonzales' first name was Alfredo, and Gonzales was too much of a toady to correct him.
I meant to download that theory before it was too late, and the good news is, where this administration is concerned, it's never going to be too late.
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
He was Fredo as a reference to the Godfather, a weak younger brother who just had to be eliminated.
I wish someone would write more about your sub-theme, the "I can't believe this is going on" part. Every morning I can't believe there is an invisible war going on, one sanitized. No body bags on the evening news like there was during Vietnam. I can't believe what I can't believe. I'm thinking of Vietnam as the good old days. When a war was at least visible.
step on up baby, we'll follow you down that road.
YUP an invisible war, no blood, body bags, or body parts.
No demonstrations with impact because there is no draft, the MSM has no respect, and the administration ignores them.
"I can't believe what I can't believe."
Exactly.
This war is far more dangerous thanIraq. There is a war against Democracy, the Constitution, and the sovereignty of nations.
Iraq is just the prelude.
Whoever will be President next has to be a very smart and very tough cookie.
They will have to work very, very hard at undoing (if possible) the destruction that these people brought into being.
While doing that they also must attempt to prevent wider spread violence and chaos in "terrorism" as a backlash that we see fomenting now explodes all over the Middle East... and probably the world.
On top of that there are domestic issues that are in desperate need of attention, the infrastructure is vying for top place along with health care, energy resources
Unfortunately no matter who it is will be defamed and abused, blamed for the mess by some in both parties.
The next Presidency will be a thankless one for whoever succeeds mr.bush. When things don't go the way we believe they should, (and you can bet they won't) and leaders don't live up to the high expectations we have of them we start getting pissed, and rightly so. We expect perfection.
And God damn them when they can't perform miracles, and let us down by making human mistakes.
No matter who is President, he or she will not get it right in a perfect way that suits us all.
Let's hope they get it right enough to get us off this precipice and back to a Democracy and Constitution that is once again safe.
"You broke my heart, Freddo."
Here's more than a theory -- as widely known in Texas circles, it's fact: Bush did not call Gonzales Fredo. He called him Frito. He often used his whole nickname for him, Frito Bandito. The WH, realizing the racial implications, put it out as the homophonic Fredo, and the press, as per usual, never questioned it.
exactly
This seems by far the most interesting, if not the most plausible, explanation. Have you got any quotable source among "Texas circles" so I can gleefully spread this around with a clear conscience? I can't believe the late great Molly Ivans would have missed this if true.
My husband, a contractor, built a house for a prominent philanthropic couple in Dallas's tony Turtle Creek neighborhood. At the party celebrating the house's completion, I heard one of their neighbors saying something about "Frito Bandito" and Bush. I knew from the context of the conversation that he meant Gonzales, and I said, sort of icily, "That's an interesting name for him." And the man said, "Oh, honey, all the Bushes call him that." (This was before we had even heard of the nickname "Fredo.") The next day, I called my brother, a law student at Dedman (SMU), and he said it was common knowledge there that that was Bush's nickname for Gonzales. Hence, two completely unrelated "Texas circles."
Can Bush name a "NEW" AG in the one week that the Senate is still on break?
Look for it around next Friday, Aug. 31.
and avoid confirmation? That's my guess ... if the Reid was smart and prudent, he'd convene Congress today
he can't I don't think.
Maybe I'm wrong but doesn't current one have to be gone, which isn't till mid september.
He might be able to name but can't confirm while current one is still in office.
Of course we don't know what the next week will bring.
There is some kind of scary stuff going on out there.
highwater everywhere.
Hey, where are the trolls? there ought to be trolls... well, maybe next year.
gonna get my tinfoil hat now, i think there will be an incoming transmission soon.
LOL
I called him "Speedy" for a long time, but now I call him "the road runner".
That fits him much better!!
goll dang, girl! you have the touch.
My prediction for Fredo's next gig (two possibilities): Fredo joins the faculty at Regent University (I mean, he was the employer of last resort for 150 of the cream of that school's crop, so they ought to show him a little love), or, he joins the faculty at Pepperdine University, where, together with hacks like Ken Starr and that insipid right wing toady, Doug Kmiec, they can raise a whole new crop of anti-constitution warriors.
I always assumed Fredo was a "Godfather" reference, although Georgie Boy fits that character's profile more closely.
it's cute to watch duhbya cry about fredo being run out of town for political reasons - yes, duhbya... you are correct. your administration is the most politically malicious administration we have seen. and you gave so many reasons to stop your hypercriminalpoliticization of nearly every thing you did. even to your own party! imagine that!!!
You know what is really frightening?
The idea that they may not have a clue as to how corrupt they are. They might really believe all their BS. And that is scarier then if it was just cynical arrogance. An ideologue that committed ... well... should be.
Fredo as a misspeaking on W's part at the get go?
Hmmmmm....probably right, but I prefer to think of him as Fredo ala Godfather fame. They sent Fredo out to Vegas thinking he could do the family some good, but he just F's things up. Finally they have to off him.
Yes, if America has a national joke, it's Gonzalez and he's the worst joke in American history too. Maybe he'd make a good Letterman replacement when Letterman retires. Nah, he'd never remember his lines. Although, all Gonzalez would have to do is stand there and show his face and America would fall down in stitches.
He leaves because he can now take private money should anyone wish to indict or simply question him.
You may be right about w not being able to remember his name. I don't think so. You've done movies, right? Think Fredo and Michael. Did w kiss him goodbye?
I just couldn't believe that a man who had lied under oath that often was still the attorney general of the United States. I couldn't believe that those of us on this side of things had been utterly ineffectual at getting rid of him.
This is surprising? I swear, there is some new oath that our political leaders must take in some secret room, before taking office. This one is the real one, where they swear that nobody could hate the country more than they do, that they have nothing but utter contempt for the people, and they will do everything in their power to turn us into a third world - toilet, while making us the laughing stock of the rest of the world. Soon, we will be treated with the respect and seriousness of Kim Jong Il (sp), the leader of North Korea. (You know, the guy with Elvis hair and a bizzarre thing for '70's kitch)? Face it, Gonzales is just the beginning.
yeah they do, its at skull and bones.
Your theory is seconded.
Alberto sold his soul to the company store. The gracious guest - that didn't really feel that he fit. Replaced the truth with loyalty. Tasted power and drank from the power punch bowl.
AG bought into the virtual reality that loyal 'Bushies' preach. It's as though the public is actually a huge museum with a zoo ... and the 'Bushies' are just observing us.
This is very sad. This man born of immigrants, driven to succeed with all the trimmings. Harvard, and the highest law enforcement position in the country - and he felt that loyalty to a rude, intellectually challenged and wholly owned puppet of the oil trusts was worth postponing his resignation.
With his scores of mistakes and potentially crimes, this is the most mind-boggling. He could have left with some kind of make believe dignity, had he resigned for the mishandling of the AAGs firings. But wait ..... he really didn't have a choice.
So as you, I have a theory .... it goes like this. "C'mon Fredo ... hee hee, you an r' buds. I need you ta hang in nair for the You-Knighted States" exclaims a very sweaty President Bush as he digs out a chicken wing remnant from his tie. "We still have ta do a lil' more lawyer'n ta protect the good 'Mercans'. Merca needs you Fredo !!!" Kate Smith can be heard singing God Bless America in the background while President Bush listens to instructions in his earpiece."
yes, close to my theory.
bush not letting AG out.
I keep wondering what he has on him.
Either way.
LOL
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
