NM Ping
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Posted on 06/26/2009 12:37:53 PM PDT by greyfoxx39
Diane J. Humetewa, the first female Native American U.S. attorney in history, will soon be out of a job – and not because she’s doing a bad job, either. Instead, she will become a casualty of the political appointee process that comes with each new presidential administration.
Humetewa took the oath of office to become a U.S. attorney from Arizona in December 2007 and was formally sworn in a month and a half later.
Indian country found big reason to celebrate.
Not only was the longtime tribal justice advocate breaking a glass ceiling, she was rising to the heights of a system that had recently experienced the controversial firings of several U.S. attorneys by the Bush administration and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Many of the fired U.S. attorneys happened to be strong in the area of tribal justice, so Humetewa was seen to be filling a big void – and she was doing so under the Bush administration, which wasn’t exactly known for going out of its way to promote Indian faces to positions of power.
Humetewa would ultimately oversee a plethora of tribal justice issues in her state, and she made it part of her agenda to highlight Native safety and justice concerns on the national level, too.
In an interview with Indian Country Today in June 2008, Humetewa noted that she had previously served as a tribal liaison under former U.S. Attorney Paul Charlton, and once she was promoted to the position herself, she joined the Native American Issues Subcommittee, made up of U.S. attorneys who have Indian country jurisdiction.
-SNIP-
Democrats who had ties to Obama’s campaign and transition team said in mid-June the replacement would likely be Dennis Burke, a former top aide to former Gov. Janet Napolitano, who now serves as Obama’s homeland security chief.
Burke is not widely known to be well-versed in Indian justice issues.
When asked why Obama would replace a history-making Native American tribal justice official – when the president himself has noted the need for more American Indians in top political positions – White House officials noted that it is not unusual for presidents to want to fill political appointee positions with allies.
It may be a political reality, but it is not one that sits well with those who know Humetewa and her work.
-SNIP-
“It’s unfortunate that the political appointee process is going to remove a really qualified U.S. attorney.”
Still, Heffelfinger noted that it would have been unusual for a Bush appointee – even a Native American U.S. attorney – to hold on to the job.
I bet the AP will be all over this one. /sarc
Hopi Change?
I wonder sometimes, what Mr. Obama thinks about anything.
He seems to lack any kind of emotional IQ; or political IQ for that matter.
Oh no, he’s a great candidate, that’s for sure. Even Nancy Reagan was impressed with his 2008 campaign.
But running the nation’s government is a lot tougher. He seems totally unprepared for any executive position. Well, he IS unprepared. My God, what am I saying!
NM Ping
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Is it expected that an Indian would serve as US Attorney for Arizona? I hope there isn't some sort of Republican quota system.
More racism from the most racist administration since Andrew Jackson.
The Native Americans learn that Big Chief Dances With Bullsh*t speaks with major forked tongue.
Just more Hopi changee.
Not expected, and no Republican quota system, but if a Republican prez had fired an Indian and replaced him/her with a white, it would be front-page news.
Dems: “It’s OK when WE do it!”
I like the empty chair imagery...I’m pretty sure there will be a lot of empty chairs in the next four years for a lot of folks.
Haven't heard much lately about how that worked out for the Marxist 'RATS. I did hear last week that Renzi's lawyers were asking to have the case dismissed. Haven't heard anything since.
Dems: “It’s OK when WE do it!”
So now they admit that US attornies serve at the ‘pleasure of the President’?!?
Oh, the irony!
Wish I'd thought of that one, LOL!
Beatcha!
Diane Humetewa is whole lot easier on the eyes than Hussien’s wife. Yup, Bozo in Chief is gonna do what he wants, ennit.
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