Friday, the House Judiciary Committee held a faux impeachment hearing.

Last year, Common Cause called for the (genuine) impeachment of then-Attorney General Gonzales.  We cited the politicized hirings and firings of attorneys in the DOJ.

Sometimes, it's painful to have your views of the world confirmed.  Today, the DOJ's Inspector General issued a report citing possible criminal violations by DOJ political appointees in the hiring "process" for DOJ attorneys. 

The conventional wisdom is that August is a slow month in Washington, DC. Of course, the conventional wisdom is also that the Department of Justice serves to administer justice for all. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales turned both of those norms on their respective heads (see below). So it's been a bit livelier than usual lately, and after an absence, we bring you the latest in Common Cause news from around the country....

• North Carolina Senate passes public financing bill
• Pennsylvania Common Cause leads fight for budget deadlines and fines
• Common Cause Georgia reports on serial tardiness in filing campaign disclosure reports
• Senate Passes Sweeping Ethics Reform
• Gonzales gone!