I sat on this at first, but the more I thought about it and the closer we approached America's celebration of Independence Day, I felt I needed to say something...Scooter Libby was found guilty of lying to a grand jury in the CIA leak case and sentenced to jail time by a judge in a court of Law. But Bush didn't like that. So he stepped in and removed the jail time sentencing, leaving only a $250,000 fine and 2yrs probation (so no more lying under oath til 2010, Libby!). Bush said the jail time was "unfair" to Libby. Its a real shame that the president feels the American Judicial System is so flawed that he must come in and make changes. I wonder if he will do this for all cases, or just those that involve his friends. Bush also said he would not rule out an entire pardon for Libby. I find this to be very upsetting, disappointing, dispicable and shameful. And it burns that much more on the eve of our Independence Day celebration. How we have fallen.
Also, White House Spokesman Tony Snow was asked by a reporter if anyone in the administration would ever apologize for what led to the entire investigation. "Yeah, it's improper to be leaking those names," Snow said. Pressed on whether someone in the administration owed the American public an apology, Snow said, "I'll apologize. Done." Hmmm, ok, make that TWO Douchebags of the Day.
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*This post edited. Thanks, Dano!
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5 comments:
first of all.. Libby did not commit treason. Libby refused to cooperate with an investigation. this is an offense that has been committed by beltway boys from many different administrations(most notably the former democratic one).
Richard Armitage releasd the name of Valerie Plame, not Scooter Libby.
Libby indeed did deserve jail time, i'm with you on that, but two and a half years is excessive by any standard. Martha Stewart lied to investigators repeatedly about a crime that she, herself committed and she got five months.
Libby should have gotten 6 to ten months jail time, but the trial was politically tainted. remember, the jury did not hand down the verdict, the judge did.
Libby is styill a convicted felon and will have to deal with that for the rest of his life. he should have gotten jail time, but he he also should not have been serving five times a reasonable sentence for making a false statement to investigators.
Washington is a boys town and if you think this is an egregious miscarriage of justice, i urge you noit to look into the previous presidents record for pardons(especially the one where he commuted the 27 month sentence of a man convicted of making false statements).
I would have liked to have seen Libby get some time, but i'd be as outraged if he had to serve two and a half years over this idiocy.
You are correct, Dano. In my haste for humorous jabs, I inadvertantly blurred the lines of facts. I do apologize for that (and I changed my post a bit to compensate). Apologies.
However I will say that because past presidents have behaved in similar shitty behavior, it should be ok with Bush to do it, too. None of our presidents have been saints, despite what our history books say, right?
Whether or not 2and1/2 years was excessive is debateable (some say way too much, some say not enough - don't you love politics?heh)... but to have zero jail time is ridiculous. 6-10 months, like you said, would have been SOMETHING atleast.
Bush is also hinting at a pardon, which, if it happened, Libby would be scot free. Bah!
I grew up in D.C. so believe me I know how shaddy Washington and how "Justice" is really played out.
To quote The Joker in Tim Burton's Batman, "What this town needs is an Enema!!"
Thanks for the great comment posting! :)
i'd just like to add one more time that the man deserved some jail time.
(because re-reading my post makes me cringe because i sound so right wing)
i just remember reading that the sentence was 30 months and thinking "dammmmn thats harsh." so it didn't surprise me when it was commuted.
don't ask me why i keep tabs on the prison sentences for lying to investigators. you wouldn't like the answer. no, really - you wouldn't....
Never mind guys - the winner of the Nathan's Hotdog Eating Competion is American. 66 hotdogs (and buns!) in 12 minutes - forget Liberty, it's good to have a skill.
What you fail to mention is the judge in this case, Walton, is a Federal Judge appointed by BUSH, one of his first appointments. He was appointed in 2001 because of his "toughness" and has been a judge for over 25 years.
For Bush or anyone to come in and say this judge doesn't know what he's doing, and the sentence is too harsh is indicitive of the arrogance that plagues this administration.
It is also important to note that Judith Miller spent 85 days in jail protecting Libby as her source, so for him to get off without serving jail time is beyond comprehension..
makes me sick to my stomach.
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