03
The Decider Decides
Posted by newscoma | Posted in Asshats, George Bush, News, Politics | Posted on 03-07-2007
So Scooter Libby got a pass. I think we have just witnessed that our judicial system no longer matters in this country as long as George Bush is at the helm. No, he didn’t pardon him but he did commute his sentence. Only five hours after a federal criminal appeals panel said Scooter couldn’t delay heading to the pokey any longer.
Yeah, Bush and Co. say that Libby’s reputation is ruined and yada, yada, but the thing that bothers me the most about that is that with commuting the sentence, The White House basically just said, “Hey, a jury said this, judges said this, but I don’t like it so I’m gonna change it.”
This is not out of character for this administration. Citizens don’t matter anymore unless you are buddies with Cheney and Bush. Then, apparently, you can do anything you want to do. Sharon Cobb might have the right idea here.
This case goes back to 2003. Here’s the background on everything that’s happened in an article from 2005.
And, Atrios has a run down on what the democratic candidates for president said late yesterday about this development.
This is some unsavory business with Libby, Bush and his clan. For a guy that was tough on criminals while he was governor of Texas, he sure has changed his tune, hasn’t he?
And if our elected officials (or the ones I elect anyway) don’t start throwing some accountability checks out there, I’m voting them out of office. I do have one vote.
Seriously, my only recommendation on this is for everyone to read this crazy document that applies this week.
Wait, Bush said in December, 2005, and I quote “Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” he screamed, “It’s just a godd**ned piece of paper.” Here’s more.
Indeed, George, you are proving you meant that when you said it. Everyday.
Feh.
I don’t know why he doesn’t just walk around with both middle fingers extended upward. Because his every action says that, every day.
And to think a man was impeached because he lied about a sorry little trollop. But a man who curses the Constitution, nah.
[...] Newscoma So Scooter Libby got a pass. I think we have just witnessed that our judicial system no longer matters in this country as long as George Bush is at the helm. No, he didn’t pardon him but he did commute his sentence. Only five hours after a federal criminal appeals panel said Scooter couldn’t delay heading to the pokey any longer. [...]
Bush commuting Libby’s sentence made me the angriest that I’ve been in a long time. Bush has shown publicly that his friends are more important than justice and that it only cost $250,000 to shame and deface the lives of a detractor on the war and his wife.
And what checks do the other branches of government have on this power? None. Everyone in America gets to stuff their thumbs up their butts, smile, and ask for more punishment.
I am less than American because I’m not friends with the President.
[...] has a few words: This is some unsavory business with Libby, Bush and his clan. For a guy that was tough on [...]
Whatever happened to “Do the crime, serve the time”?
Anyone know the answer to that.
The Bush bunch’s sense of righteousness is out of control. Way out of control.
It’s past time that they got called out for their indescretions.
Newscoma, I just don’t get you guys. Libby was questioned in an investigation that never should have happened. Fitzgerald knew that this case didn’t meet the statute but he continued on a fishing expedition. If you believe that Bush and Cheney are criminals, then have them tried for whatever crimes you think they are guilty of, but applauding a miscarriage of justice, just because you think the guy is guilty of some other things and just an all around bad guy, just isn’t right. Almost none of the statements being made by Democrats are true. It was Richard Armitege of the State Department who first told a reporter that Plame was in the CIA. Armitege is a Powell guy and no friend of Bush. Still though, Armitege did not even commit a crime, yet the Special Prosecutor continued investigating. Why?
Can any of you, at least one of you, have some principle here? Good grief. He wasn’t even pardoned. He still is a convicted felon who has to pay a fine.
You guys appear to be so situational as for as your morals are concerned. “Do the Crime, serve the time”. Give me a break. Is that what you all said about Mark Rich and Clinton’s brother? Presidents have the right to pardon whoever the hell they want to. Washington did it, Jefferson did it, Lincoln did it. Unbelievable.
Glen, I know I’m all liberal and stuff and I respect your position although I really don’t get your side either. But I’m willing to talk about it with you.
But my concern comes from the fact that a jury convicted him. And I get very irritated about that fact.
Now as for principle, come on Glen, it’s a difference of opinion. And as for morales, Glennnnnn, ***sigh***
I did think Rich and Roger needed to do the time but I didn’t blog back in the day.
Next time, don’t assume, sweetie.
Newscoma, the special prosecutor knew from day one that it was Armitege who leaked her identity. He also knew that per the statute, no crime had been committed. But he continued investigating. Does that not seem like a fishing expedition?
He never should have been charged, but more than that, he never should have been questioned. This whole thing is stinky, regardless of how bad and evil Libby is, he never should have been in a position to commit perjury.
Is this what we have come to, applauded stuff like this because it sticks it to political enemies?
Btw, I apologize for grouping you with the rest, and I love it when you call me sweetie
Newscoma,
I respect your position and I love reading your blog. But, I’m going to have to agree with Glen Dean on this one. Even Democratic strategists agree with Glen Dean’s point of view. Scooter Libby was simply a scapegoat of the whole Plame issue. Indeed, it is true that the special “independent” prosecutor knew who the leak was…Why, even Valerie Plame’s husband paraded her around, introducing her as “my CIA wife”. Libby still has to pay a $250,000 fine (a LOT of money no matter who you are) and is under a two-year probation. He wasn’t pardoned; he was granted clemency.
Oh, and one other thing. Bush didn’t grant a pardon because he agreed that Libby was guilty of lying; he had an issue with one other person’s opinion – the judge. Since we have had a rash of rogue judges and prosecutors lately, I’m glad Bush saw that the sentence was a little excessive. There has to be an accountability of those individuals who take justice to the extremes, such as Mike Nifong and the judges in Vermont who let child molesters get away with little or no prison time.
That’s cool.
I like it when you guys come over here. I want there to be a dialogue.
This is all food for thought. And we can prove in the blogosphere that a dialogue can be had.
Now Eric, I never said Libby was pardoned.
(And I like both of you guys blogs too.)
P.S. Glen, I love calling you sweetie. Eric, I’ll call you darling. As I’m at work, I’ll pontificate a bit more later when I’m not on the man’s dime.
[...] a very interesting discussion of these events, go here and join in. I already [...]
Newsoma,
Yup, it is all food for thought! Nothing like a good discussion of current events.
And you’re right…you never said he was pardoned…:)
And, I do like it when you call me darling
What about the EIGHT juries, Bill Clinton voided with his pardons? More than his three predecessors combined.
“Citizens don’t matter anymore unless you are buddies with Cheney and Bush.”
Marc Rich, Roger Clinton, Susan McDougal, on, and on, and on.
Where was the left’s concern for us little old citizens then?
I’m all for admitting that this is a dirty part of the gig that none of us like, but lets put aside the mock indignation.
To me is is less about the Bush and more about the Dick. The Bush was only being a good puppet. The Dick was the real probe. I will be glad when the Dick is spent!
Lane, Thanks for commenting but, you know, if you’ve read this blog over time, I think all politicians are screwy and although I lean left, that doesn’t mean that we BOTH have an opinion on politics. That was ten years ago and I wasn’t groovy with it either. As I said above, I didn’t have a blog when Clinton was president and I don’t like ANY president or governor that goes on this wagon. I’m glad you admit it’s a dirty part of the gig that no one likes.
Tennessee Jed, Dick is running this country. I think that’s evident and I don’t like it one bit. I’ll be glad when the “Dick” is spent too.
P.S., I said ten years ago, I guess I meant during Clinton’s administration. I don’t remember the dates for these. Just adding.