WE THREE DINGS. The three U.S. attorneys gathered in Seattle on Wednesday also gave nod to other federal prosecutors who while not among the eight dismissed in December have been bearing the brunt of political pressure from the Department of Justice and the White House.

"I know that our former colleagues, and I'm going to name several, are hurting because of what very senior people in the DOJ have done," said John McKay, the ousted attorney for western Washington.

McKay went on to name Glenn Suddaby in Syracuse and Steve Biskupic in Wisconsin as two attorneys still seated who are suffering from political pressure. McKay also named Debra Wong Yang, the former U.S. attorney in Los Angeles whose abrupt resignation last October is now drawing attention in light of reports that then-White House council Harriet Miers asked her to step down.

"People are now asking, if you're a good U.S. attorney, why aren't you getting fired?" quipped McKay.

--Kate Sheppard