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Marcy asks:
With this unanimous decision, that makes two more Republican appointees who think Scooter should probably go to jail. How many more Republicans, coming out in favor of incarceration for Libby, will it take to quiet the raging Libby Lobby?
If your primary source of information is cable news, you are probably under the impression that support for a pardon for Scooter is virtually 100% in this country. Dissenting opinions which hold that Libby owes some kind of debt to society for his crimes are virtually unheard of whenever I'm flipping chanels.
I wonder what the majority of people sitting at home in their living rooms watching this stuff, who have managed to successfully pass 8th grade civics and understand the concept of "trial by jury," think of these people. The air they breathe is awfully thin and the contempt they have for the American judicial system is palpable. What must they think of these shreiking divas who believe that justice is something that brahmins like themselves should never be subject to? Ann Coulter bristles about "illiterate jurors" as if the great, unwashed masses are just too stoopid to be trusted with decisions of such weight.
It would be nice if they all just came out and admitted that democracy wasn't their cup of tea because deep down, the notion really seems to repel them.
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UNBELIEVABLE
Impeach, already.
CNN called it an “elegant” compromise.
Impeach!!
dammit!
arggh!
Probably not first, but close!
Ashamed to be an American? You betchum.
Impeach!
Just in from NPR: Bush has commuted the jail portion of Libby’s sentence.
And, his sentence is commuted.
Anyone surprised?
Go, Jane!
If your primary source of information is cable news…
Or the WaPo editorial page.
Scooter is not going to jail. The president is now a sentencing guidline DECIDER? There is no justice….
NOOO!!!
I can’t express how angry this makes me.
A commutation isn’t what the Libby Lobby wanted. They wanted a full and complete pardon. Once again, by splitting the baby, President Chimpy McFlightsuit may have pissed everybody off pretty royally.
Good timing…Bush commutes Libby’s sentence.
Enough is enough! Impeach the SOB!
BULLSHIT!
Pelosi just got an engraved invitation to put impeachment on the fucking table.
I am so furious I am shaking.
THAT SON OF A BITCH !!!!!!!!!!
BOTH OF THEM.
***BREAKING NEWS***
According to AP, Boosh just commuted Libby’s sentence.
Bush commutes Libby prison sentence
It IS an “elegant” compromise.
Impeach!!!
What a travesty of justice. I am beside myself over this.
so libby’s sentence is commuted by “the decider”
great
Eureka Springs @ 155
that’s the theme and we need to pound and pound
now here’s what I think happens next;
I think the cia has something over bush for there to even be an investigation
I expect some crap to hit the fan fast…if I am correct get ready for some real fireworks
let’s hope I am right
Christy, I posted a link on the lieberman thread that net neutrality has lost, now that we have congress we need to pass laws
we’re in tons of trouble if they can choke sites like this, we will all be subjected to the propaganda that comes from the fascists that own the media
I hope we can do something
How. Can. This. Be.
??????????????
With the felony conviction standing will he at least be disbarred?
I actually feel sick — both about the commutation, and about the media spin on it.
Great point, Teddy. Let’s hope that is the case.
is there any doubt as to who really is running the country?? cheeny told bush he’d best pardon his aide and do it NOW! meekly bush did as he was told……..
Schuster is kicking Tucker’s ass.
Scooter gets his sentence commuted? I am in no way surprised by this. The President simply has no moral compass. It’s simply ” he’s one of us… so he gets a pass.”
Time to write the congresscritters again.
It should be illegal to pardon or commute the sentence of anyone who worked for you - otherwise it looks like a payoff, plain and simple.
I want to hear real outrage from every Dem in Congress, and every USA and AUSA who hasn’t been bought off.
(CNN shows its colors again: GOP.)
Poor babies. Just goes to show you how powerless Pelosi and Reid really are . . .
mh @ 18
But Nancy Pelosi doesn’t think it would be politically expedient. What happened to the leaders we thought we had and when will we get the leaders we need?
TeddySanFran @ 16
Bingo!
Gee, even Paris had to spend a few days in jail — oh, but then she’s a girl, isn’t she.
I thought the judge should have marched Libby off to jail right from the court room. I figured that was the only way Libby was going to spend even a few minutes behind bars.
Nice to know that Scooter will be “spending more time with his family” while assuming those onerous duties at the RW think tank of his choice.
-S
Tony Blankley on CNN said that, even though he personally donated to Scooter’s defense fund, he feels kinda funny about Bush commuting Scooter’s sentence, seengs as how he was convicted and all.
Then Mort Zuckerman (I think) started talking about special prosecutors running amok, and actually used Starr as an example of it!
My head is spinning. Bush sent out this press release just in time for him and all his associates to get on planes, and hence be unavailable for comment.
Christy, talk me off the wall here.
TeddySanFran @ 16
I’m pretty sure this was the plan from day one TEddy. I’m waiting for the legal analysis from our friends here, but only in this manner does Libby avoid waiving his 5th amendment rights.
It’s been ugly for Bushco, but less ugly than the truth.
Dover Bitch @ 31
And Tucker STILL didn’t get it
Jeff Toobin, CNN legal analyst reporting this as special privilege for Libby; others would die for this special treatment.
Lots of people in jail for this, but they’re not commuted. Only 19% of public in poll supported pardon.
I’m going to scream BUSH IS OBSTRUCTION JUSTICE.
CNN’s Toobin is asked if the sentence was excessive? No. this was within the guidelines, and judge stayed within the range; by any legal standards, this was not excessive. Toobin is doing great.
P J Evans @ 33
Scooter covers up for the Administration, the Administration covers up for scooter.
Helen @ 41
Tuckers dad is on Libby’s legal fund’s board. Of course Tucker never mentions this.
You know what, I want someone like Gravel or some other fringe Democratic candidate say that the commute was a great move, and that they are looking forward to having a democrat in the WH that can do the very same thing for their henchman. THAT WILL SCARE THE BEEJESUS OUT OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO SUPPORTED THIS.
Listening to Toobin was easier than Schuster…because of the lack of the Tucker noises in the background.
I’m thoroughly disgusted.
Bush’s statement
I’d like to see some numbers on how many people have gone to jail in the past few years for the exact same thing Libby just got away with.
Helen @ 41
If you wait for Tucker to “get it,” you will become old and bitter, like me. OK, I’m not really so bitter, just pissed. Hell, Tucker’s so far off base his reincarnation probably won’t even get it, either.
lemma @ 35
For Immediate Release July 2, 2007
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today rejected Lewis Libby’s request to remain free on bail while pursuing his appeals for the serious convictions of perjury and obstruction of justice. As a result, Mr. Libby will be required to turn himself over to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his prison sentence.
I have said throughout this process that it would not be appropriate to comment or intervene in this case until Mr. Libby’s appeals have been exhausted. But with the denial of bail being upheld and incarceration imminent, I believe it is now important to react to that decision.
From the very beginning of the investigation into the leaking of Valerie Plame’s name, I made it clear to the White House staff and anyone serving in my administration that I expected full cooperation with the Justice Department. Dozens of White House staff and administration officials dutifully cooperated.
After the investigation was under way, the Justice Department appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald as a Special Counsel in charge of the case. Mr. Fitzgerald is a highly qualified, professional prosecutor who carried out his responsibilities as charged.
This case has generated significant commentary and debate. Critics of the investigation have argued that a special counsel should not have been appointed, nor should the investigation have been pursued after the Justice Department learned who leaked Ms. Plame’s name to columnist Robert Novak. Furthermore, the critics point out that neither Mr. Libby nor anyone else has been charged with violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act or the Espionage Act, which were the original subjects of the investigation. Finally, critics say the punishment does not fit the crime: Mr. Libby was a first-time offender with years of exceptional public service and was handed a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury.
Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable. They say that had Mr. Libby only told the truth, he would have never been indicted in the first place.
Both critics and defenders of this investigation have made important points. I have made my own evaluation. In preparing for the decision I am announcing today, I have carefully weighed these arguments and the circumstances surrounding this case.
Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.
I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.
My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.
The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby’s case is an appropriate exercise of this power.
Buchanan says good on Bush - he spanked Scooter good. JEBUS F.
Yeah, he suffered….right onto the board of Halliburton. Man, the 4th of July is really only about fireworks and a day off this year.
This is the moment to call for impeachment. This is our best shot. We should take it.
When is it acceptable to hang the flag upside down? Isn’t this country in true distress?
Is it time for another declaration of independence?
This tells me Bush is terribly worried about Libby talking to Fitz. The closer Libby got to real jail time, the more concerned that made Bush about Libby possibly reconsidering his reluctance to cooperate. With the Appeals court throwing out the latest Team Libby nonsense, Bush felt trapped.
Bush is betting that the heat from a commutation like this is less than the problems a talkative Scooter would have given him. It’s a helluva choice, but that’s what Bush chose.
Grrrrr. . .
On the other hand, this anxiety could be a sign of things to come. Senator Leahy, Congressman Conyers, and Congressman Waxman, it seems you have a very, very nervous White House to deal with. A White House with lots to hide. A White House whose options are shrinking by the day.
That makes me smile.
Go get them, and tell them that We, the People sent you.
Scarecrow @ 55
AMEN!
Peterr @ 57
impeach for obstruction of justice.
N=1 @ 57
Wednesday.
to repeat;
I am HOPING the CIA is INCENSED, I am HOPING they let loose with some LONG OVERDUE INFORMATION that they were keeping handy for just such a time where the president of the United States of America told the WORLD it is OH KEE DOH KEE if you want to expose assets vital to our national security
Commuting sentences to the Founders was meant as a way to grant “justice” for those wrongly accused, or the lack of decency or fairness in a trial necessitated the executive to intervene. IT WAS NOT MEANT TO GET YOUR BUDDIES OFF OF THE HOOK.
New thread upstairs.
Mark Rich, represented by Libby, Clinton pardons.
HILLARY BETTER GET OUT IN FRONT OF THIS, IF SHE STAYS SILENT I THINK SHE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO FUCKING TASLK
I wonder what the folks in the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney think about Bush’s respect for the system. (Emphasis added below)
All requests? Did Scooter file papers with the DOJ for this?
Get Tough @ 64
I think we need to contact her
we need to contact EVERY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY
our cnadidates MUST talk about this the way it is;
THE PRESIDENT COMMUTED THE SENTENCE OF A COVICTED FELON, CONVICTED OF COVERING THE TRACKS OF TREASON
and THAT’S the way they need to discuss this, they need to POUND the republican candidates and
CHALLENGE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES TO AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT
when they do our candidates need to be INCENSED that they forgive the actions of this traitor
MAKE THIS THE ISSUE REPUBLICANS ARE FORCED TO BACK AWAY FROM THE PRESDIENT
it’s EASY to do,
Again.. again and again and AGAIN AND AGAIN! BUSH DOES IT TO AMERICA AGAIN! PATHETIC, APPALING, DISGUSTING TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE!
This whole darn thing started over the yellow cake intel. Joe Wilson did a good job in Afrika. He found the link to Saddam and the Bush Administration twisted around all the intel to make it look like Valerie sent Joe to Afrika. Valerie told Congress hey I did not send JW to Afrika but the CIA lied and said yes you did. I think Libby should go to jail for not remembering the facts in his case because he wasn’t even the one who told Novak.
Scooter has something on Dicky and Dickey has something on Georgie it’s obvious and everyone supporting this farce of justice has their own nasty little secret. This house of cards needs only another breeze to blow them away the winds of change are beginning, A Nor’easter is in progress.
Get Tough says: “Commuting sentences to the Founders was meant as a way to grant “justice” for those wrongly accused, or the lack of decency or fairness in a trial necessitated the executive to intervene. IT WAS NOT MEANT TO GET YOUR BUDDIES OFF OF THE HOOK.”
I don’t know the history of pardons and commutation, and the intent of the founding fathers, but I do recall that President Clinton let buddies off the hook at the end of his term. And I don’t see the Libby outcome being any more (or less) repugnant than the Sandy Berger outcome.
We either have to be honest about how this stinking aspect of politics works and demand it change (for all who practice it), or else just look the other way and mush on.
I think this shows that Scooter never really left the White House. This was understood all along–a conviction, at worst, for Libby, followed by commutation or pardon. No jail time.
Did the White House Counsel’s office communicate with the Libby legal team on matters of strategy? Were they acting as a joint defense on the theory that Cheney was the invisible defendant?
A vote for Bush_Clinton_Bush is a vote for Libby and War On Everything.
Ron Paul 2008, or liberty may be lost.
I hope we don’t lose sight of the details here. We must stay focused on Cheney. This is his chief of staff getting pardoned here. Who surely is privy to mucho that we the people need to know…….for our safety goddammit.
Bush made this decision with the advice of “just a few close advisers”………do you all remember back as far as, oh let’s see, last week? And the Cheney expose in the WAPO? Which adviser is last in line before decider guy decides? Are the American people stoopid? Not sure, but don’t think so. Brainwashed? Jane already answered that one. “We are in the midst of the greatest brainwashing campaign in history” Seattle Representative (and psychologist) Jim McDermott, at the Oct. 2002 antiwar rally in Seattle.