Lawyers, Guns and Money

To quote Warren Zevon:

“I was gambling in Havana
I took a little risk
Send lawyers, guns and money
Dad, get me out of this, ha”

Eastern Kentucky is not a Banana Republic, although sometimes politically it’s hard to tell the difference.

In today’s Courier Journal there is an article about the newly nominated U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky

“WASHINGTON -- President Bush has nominated Amul R. Thapar, an assistant federal prosecutor in Cincinnati, to be U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky….

"President Bush has selected an exceptional individual," said Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky….

"Aside from being a talented and experienced attorney who has already served with distinction, in my conversations and meetings with Amul he is honorable and has great character," (Sen. Jim) Bunning said in a statement.”

Having McConnell and Bunning praise a Bush appointment is hardly news worthy, but let’s assume that Amul Thapar can legally walk and chew gum at the same time. The question them becomes what other qualifications did he have for position. Here are few facts not mentioned in the Courier Journal article:

Lawyers:

Thapar was also an original Director of the Conservative Forum, a group of young northern Kentucky Republicans.

The other originating directors were Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, Paul Alley, Dave Hatter, John Nalbandian, Lisa Raterman, Shad Sletto, Jeff Smith, Steve Smith, John Stanton, Kelly White, and Marc Wilson.

Guns:

Paul Alley is also the incorporator and President of the Kentucky Riflemen. (I know you were wondering how I was going to work that one in.)

And Money:

Amul’s wife Kim Thapar according to Kentucky Board of Election Finance has contributed to Republican’s Trey Grayson, Damon Thayer and Ernie Fletcher.

It would appear that Amul is qualified legally and politically.