Gonzales insists nothing improper in firing of US Attorneys News
Gonzales insists nothing improper in firing of US Attorneys

[JURIST] Writing Sunday in a Washington Post op-ed [text], US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales denied any impropriety on his part in the firings of eight US Attorneys [JURIST news archive]. Two days before his scheduled Congressional testimony on the firings, Gonzales said he had "nothing to hide":

I know that I did not — and would not — ask for the resignation of any U.S. attorney for an improper reason. Furthermore, I have no basis to believe that anyone involved in this process sought the removal of a U.S. attorney for an improper reason.

Gonzales has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans for his inability to convince legislators his actions in firing the federal prosecutors was justified. Many view the upcoming hearings as Gonzales' last chance to save his job, including Arlen Specter (R-PA) [official website], the most senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.