While people are right to howl about the arrogance, corruption and unfairness that George W. Bush’s commutation of Lewis Libby’s sentence entailed, from a strategic standpoint this is another political embarrassment for Republicans, who hav…

Check out May 29, June 6, June 10 and June 12

http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Plame_Leak_timeline

Armitage ‘outs’ Plame on June 13 to Woodward, who is also a gossip – since it was deemed to be ‘unintentional,’ there was no IIPA violation.

However, Rove’s confirmation of Armitage’s carefully orchestrated ‘re-outing’ on July 8th to Novak WAS intentional – Rove knew that Novak was doing an expose that would name Wilson’s wife and her job, and call the trip a boondoggle.

Bush’s arrogance is not to be surpassed but it seems to be growing when he will announce that he is considering a full pardon in light of the outrage and uproar his commutation has/is causing.

Thankfully, Wolfowitz is available now to help as well.

Cozumel @ 203

Bush: “I made a calculated considered judgment. “

I’d like to see the goods they’re holding over his head see the light of day. Of course, I personally couldn’t watch.

Yes Bush evaluated the cost of having Libby squealo (and the loss of his support by the “true-believers”…vs. commuting Scooters sentence and holding their support…but losing the 75% of the rest of the country.

The calculus is pretty simple, actually.

The 25% is better than it dropping down below that if Libby squealed about Cheney and Bush’s involvement.

And even the Repugs in Congress know that their only chance is to hold up the charade…if Libby said that Cheney/Bush deliberately outed a covert CIA officer…they’d have even greater losses than if they try to spin on the head of a pin.

So we are going to see folks like David Brooks, Richard Cohen, and endless other apologists making the most absurd contortions of logic about how perjury isn’t all that important to punish and that the President does this sort of stuff all the time to every perjurer and individual who reveals national security information inappropriately to journalists ;-)

AnnieW @ 78

Last comment for Cranky Mom (who should know better, even from the blogs she regularly frequents), I didn’t say it was right….but as you well know, the way the law was written you have to do the deed intentionally.

BTW, How did Armitage come by this information? Hmm?

I don’t know how Armitage came by the information. Did he ever testify under oath as to how he happened to be in possession of the tidbit he told Novak?

I don’t know how many times Armitage “testified”. He was interviewed by the FBI and by Fitzgerald. He volunteered the information that he had spoken to Novak. Apparently, Armitage’s story panned out, didn’t have inconsistencies.

Armitage learned about Plame by a freakin’ memo that Scooter put out to the State Dept. disclosing Wilson’s wife worked over at the CIA.

Even though that it was a classified memo that should have not been leaked, it was still pretty reckless for Scooter to keep letting more and more people (especially inveterant gossips) know of Wilson’s wife. Nobody at the State Dept. needed that info any more than reporters did.

SFWill @ 197, Bush cannot pardon Libby if Bush and Cheney are impeached. Another good reason for impeachment.

I, too, am tired of the money grubbing of the Democrats every time democracy takes a hit. What would it cost to do what these jokers were elected to do? I once e-mailed Reid after his plea for bucks that money is not the answer. Ha ha. Addressing Reid is an exercise in futility.

Had a call a few days ago asking for a $100 contribution for one of the candidates. Just like that. In what world do these people live?

As stated above, Wilsons are the best investment in democracy.

Not sure of that…but impeachment would preclude Libby and any other impeached individual from serving in government ever again, and remove any “emoulement” of office (pension, staff, even the title of their former job) that they would be able to use or obtain otherwise.

It’s the one thing that is the RESPONSIBILITY of Congress to do when an individual acts unethically. Given his conviction Libby, and other individuals within the Administration, would be ripe candidates for impeachment.

Bush can’t overturn, commute, or pardon someone for an impeachment conviction.

“The history of the present King [George}… is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
…

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

[George’s signing statements and his arbitrary remission of Libby’s sentence despite it being in accord with all laws and the judgement of a jury, the sentencing judge and several levels of appelate courts and judges]

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

…For protecting [his agents that violate the laws], by a mock Trial …”

theExile @ 158

…

I think all Americans should be REQUIRED to read the Declaration of Independence tomorrow….. especially the part:

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.…

This was read and re-read on public radio (and other stations) during the Vietnam war. It was quoted in the newspapers. Even conservatives were deeply concerned about the government not representing ALL the people and going its own way. The only people I remember supporting the government position of secrecy on the War in Vietnam was Ayn Rand’s Objectivists. I received their publications and it advocated an imperial government run by an elite few.