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Story:
Politics Topples Attorney General Gonzales , 08/29/07
Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. Who is the attorney general and why is he in the news this week?
2. How did President Bush respond to Gonzales' news?
3. What is the attorney general's job in the government?
4. Why was Gonzales criticized even before he became attorney general?
5. When did Gonzales lose the confidence of Republicans? What happened?
Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. Should Alberto Gonzales have resigned from his position as attorney general? Why or why not? 2. According to the article, the job of the Justice Department has shifted to include more anti-terrorism enforcement. Do you think this is a good idea, why or why not? 3. Research the wiretapping program and legal proceedings at the Guantanamo Detention Center. What role did Alberto Gonzales play? What other decisions and policies was he involved in? What do you think his legal legacy will be? 3. Much has been made about Alberto Gonzales close ties to President Bush. Look back in history to other attorney generals and the presidents they served. Are there similarities between them and Gonzales? What does this tell you about the role of the attorney general in the executive branch? Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra (extra@newshour.org). Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |