WASHINGTON - President Bush commuted the sentence of former aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case.Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, according to a senior White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been announced.
Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case. That decision put the pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.GOI: Impeccable timing Mr. President. This is clearly a legal move but he has zero political capital right now to back this decision up. I heard on CNN of a poll that showed some 70% of Americas are against a pardon of Scooter Libby. This, of course is not a pardon but I would imagine the same amount of people are against a commutation as well.
His declaration today simply piles on to the image of this White House being a criminal one. I'm not the least bit surprised that the Bush Crime family sides with a traitor over our national security. These guys are nothing but snakes in the grass and history will judge them as such--of that I am quite convinced. This historian being one of them.
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6 comments:
I am so mad I am spinning. Using the "I" word is nearly a waste of breath. The only way that is possible is with a solid majority. Republicans are not going to smear the party this close to an election. If the tides had ever been set to impeach they already would have. The problem isn't just the office of the president. The administration and many members of the legislative branch republican and democratic alike need to be gutted start from scratch. Incompetence and malice should be treated with the same angst. This is truly a travesty to the system the keeps Americans safe from foreign threats.
What happened to the leakers will be "prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law". Prosecuted but not held accountable.
The next thing I want to hear from this administration is that they are releasing those people in Guantanamo that aren't involved in any terrorist activities, not just those that their governments will accept.
Right after that I want President Bush to come out and pardon the jail portion of a sentence for a wife of a Drug Dealer that is convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice so she can spend time with her kids because what she did wasn't that bad.
I know. I'm dreaming with those two wants, but that is exactly what I want.
Lord:
He and his buddies think they are above the law. Sure the president had the right to do this but just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should do it.
Bush claims that the sentence was too harsh--but then why not reduce the sentence instead of commuting it altogether. Then again that would require a consciousness.
What happened to the leakers will be "prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law". Prosecuted but not held accountable.
Exactly and well said.
Brent:
I want to hear those things too. As well as commuting the sentences for Border Agents Ramos and Compeon.
It's like Syndrome said in the Incredibles, "Lame! Lame! Lame! Lame! Lame!"
There is another component to this move:
Well, George did it. Made sure that Scooter wouldn't flip rather than do jail time. He commuted Libby's sentence, guaranteeing not only that Libby wouldn't talk, but retaining Libby's right to invoke the Fifth.
That's right. Because Libby is still appealing he can't be compelled to testify to Congress.
Fashion Girl:
Very lame.
Lynne:
Excellent point!!
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