The last few weeks, the happenings in Washington have created quite an interesting situation. It has been exposed that some attorneys from across the country have been 'let go' of their positions by Bush's attorney general. The motivation behind these actions has been officially stated as the fact that these individuals were not amply filling their positions. However, recent weeks have exposed e-mail messages that indicate these firings have been solely based in Republican political agendas'not in the efficiency of these individuals with regard to their careers. E-mails were not the only thing indicating political foul play'an attorney in New Mexico was contacted by phone by an elected Congressional official and asked to drop a case that investigated Republican misdealings in his jurisdiction.

The twist to the situation is that the attorney general of the U.S. is legally able to fire these individuals. However, the problem is that earlier statements cite the firings were in no way instigated by political motives. In recent days, subpoenas and testimonies have been requested by officials and individuals to investigate whether there were political motives and whether a recent change to the Patriot Act was meant to make these firings by Republican political motives occur with greater ease.

All of this has led Democrats, and even some Republicans, to call for Gonzales, the U.S. attorney general, to step down. After all, even if the firings are completely legal and were motivated by justified and legitimate causes, this whole situation has been handled incorrectly. Bush vows that he will not be forced to resign. A similar statement was made by Bush's administration just days before then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was forced to resign.

Most could probably agree that justice needs to be served. However the road to this justice is being muddied by some. Many people have been asked to testify voluntarily by those investigating this case to speak. Unfortunately, many have denied voluntary testimony, but subpoenas have been issued that, in essence, will force them into testimony. This is unfortunate because it makes the road to justice just more of a hassle for prosecuters and investigators. It also gives off the impression that some involved with the issue may not want justice. Impeding or making justice a hassle is naturally wrong; America was founded around the principle of justice and it needs to be upheld.

The fact that the firings may have been motivated by political motives is also morally wrong to some, but the fact that the public, including elected, respectable government officials were told that the motives were not political is disgraceful! The current administration needs to do something'a large percentage of the American people already have a bad taste in their mouth with Bush because of the war, and to now have this possible scandal come along just drains further respect from the administration. This is just another thing that disgraces the administration and leads people to lose faith in our government. Republicans in Washington need to shape up and openly and continuously support the seeking of justice. These actions may be undesirable to some but it needs to happen. People need to have faith in their government's ability to function. This scandal is just doing the opposite in the eyes of too many citizens.