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 With Friends Like These, Who Needs Judges?Posted on Jul 6, 2007WASHINGTON—I harbored no personal desire to see I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby spend a long time in prison for his perjury and obstruction-ofjustice convictions. People who know him tell me he is a thoughtful and interesting man, and I have no reason to doubt them. Yet when I learned that President Bush had commuted Libby’s 30-month sentence, I was enraged although not surprised. Rage should not be a standard response to political events (though avoiding it has gotten harder in recent years), so I had to ask if my anger was justified. Here’s the case for getting mad, and staying mad. The core point is that “equal justice under law” either means something or it doesn’t. In this case, all the facts we know tell us that Libby received far more than equal justice, evidenced by the irregular way his commutation was handled. President Bush’s rationale for commuting Libby’s sentence was based precisely on arguments that have been, as The New York Times reported on Wednesday, “routinely and strenuously opposed by his own Justice Department.” “Given the administration’s tough stand on sentencing,” the Times’ Adam Liptak wrote, “the president’s arguments left experts in sentencing law scratching their heads.” Advertisement Bush said Libby’s sentence was excessive. But as Ron Fournier of The Associated Press reported, “the 2 1/2 years handed Libby was much like the sentences given others convicted in obstruction cases.” In fairness, Fournier also pointed to a certain inconsistency on the issue of perjury on the Democratic side (Bill Clinton and all that). Ed Morrissey, a staunch conservative who runs the influential Captain’s Quarters blog, also went after the Clintons, but Morrissey’s own sense of consistency wouldn’t allow him to embrace Bush’s decision. “I’m not convinced that the administration should have intervened at all,” Morrissey wrote. “The sentence fit within the sentencing guidelines championed by Republicans for years as a bulwark against soft-on-crime federal judges, even if it was on the long end of the guidelines by some interpretations. The underlying crimes go to the heart of the rule of law, and those who commit perjury and obstruction should go to prison.” If Bush had been confident that the law was on his side, he might have sought input on the decision from his Justice Department. He did no such thing. As Michael Abramowitz reported in Tuesday’s Washington Post: “For the first time in his presidency, Bush commuted a sentence without running requests through lawyers at the Justice Department, White House officials said. He also did not ask the chief prosecutor in the case, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, for his input, as routinely happens in cases routed through the Justice Department’s pardon attorney.” Again: This was a one-time-only ticket for one guy. Bush purported to be seeking a “third way” (forgive me, Tony Blair) between an outright pardon and allowing the law to follow its course. “I respect the jury’s verdict,” the president said. “But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. ... The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant and private citizen will be long-lasting.” But if Bush truly meant that, he’d declare that a full pardon for Libby is out of the question. The day after he commuted Libby’s sentence, Bush explicitly refused to do so. Moving back to stonewalling, the president said, “As to the future, I rule nothing in or nothing out.” Notice the pattern: When the heat was on in the CIA leak case, Bush issued a strong pledge to fire anybody involved in leaking. He didn’t. When Libby was indicted, Bush ducked any comment until Libby was at prison’s door. Now, by keeping Libby free, Bush can conveniently postpone a full pardon until after the 2008 election. In the meantime, Libby has no incentive to tell prosecutors anything new about what happened in this case. As liberal blogs have noted, since he was not pardoned outright, he can use the pending appeal of his conviction to avoid testifying before Congress. It’s an airtight cover-up made possible by the administration’s willingness to bend the law. We spent months talking about Clinton’s pardon of the fugitive financier Marc Rich. This commutation is an even greater outrage because it involves the administration taking steps to slip accountability for its own actions. Are we just going to let this one go by? E.J. Dionne’s e-mail address is postchat(at)aol.com. © 2007, Washington Post Writers Group  Previous item: The Supremely Disappointing Court Next item: Gore Vidal Sounds Off on Solar Power Caper CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment |
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By GodSend, July 12, 2007 at 3:28 pm Link to this comment
ardee:
One man’s ‘schizophrenic paranoia’ is another’s man’s enlightenment. Since you are spiritually blind, you have absolutely NO IDEA of what you saw!
But don’t give up - eventually, you, too, might learn to SEE!
Report thisBy ardee, July 12, 2007 at 2:15 pm Link to this comment
Thank you Godsend, I have never before been so clearly shown such textbook paranoid schizophrenia, thanks again…
Report thisBy Skruff, July 12, 2007 at 1:24 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
by GodSend on 7/12 at 1:11 pm
“Now Skram, Skruff!”
No, don’t think so… having too much fun.
Report thisBy GodSend, July 12, 2007 at 1:11 pm Link to this comment
Skruff:
You can say anything you like - but that doesn’t mean anyone will believe you! You SEE, ‘Deception’ is the keyword - and there are lots of Zionists who say they are Jews. Some Zionists even say they could care less about Israel. They say whatever they think you want to hear - devious little imps, aren’t they!? Ever hear of ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ and Little Red Riding Hood and the big, bad wolf?
Now Skram, Skruff!
Report thisBy Skruff, July 12, 2007 at 5:28 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
86156 by GodSend on 7/11 at 10:33 pm
“You may discover that youre not a real Jew after all but a Zionist! Eating bagels with cream cheese and lox all your life and having a Jewish mother is just not good enough any more!”
Wow! real racism, never felt that before.
No, I doubt if I am a Zionist, although one can never tell what they are anymore… we’re all defined by the “folks who know” in various different ways.
I do have a question for you however. Is it possible to be a zionist, and not give a rat’s ass about what happens in Isreal?
Just wondering
Report thisBy GodSend, July 11, 2007 at 10:33 pm Link to this comment
Here’s what to do, Skruff:
Buy Alan Hart’s book “Zionism: The Real Enemy of the Jews” and read it. In addition, visit the Neturei Karta website and read all about the difference between a Zionist and a real Jew. You may discover that you’re not a real Jew after all but a Zionist! Eating bagels with cream cheese and lox all your life and having a Jewish mother is just not good enough any more!
Here’s another way you can tell if you’re a Zionist (not a Jew): if you love folks like Olmert, Sharon, Peres and think they’re doing a lovely number on the Palestinians, you’re not a Jew but a Zionist 
My guess is that you HAVE met a Zionist - look in the mirror!
Report thisBy Skruff, July 11, 2007 at 2:57 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
85955 by GodSend on 7/11 at 10:45 am
“Could that be the Zionist school of legal thought, perchance? Plenty of lawyers in that school!”
I’m such an ignorant sot! Been Jewish all my life, and never met a Zionist! Wouldn’t know one if they were right in front of me. Must be my sheltered upbringing!
Report thisBy GodSend, July 11, 2007 at 10:45 am Link to this comment
Skruff:
Could that be the Zionist school of legal thought, perchance? Plenty of lawyers in that school!
Report thisBy Skruff, July 11, 2007 at 6:37 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
85780 by GodSend on 7/10 at 7:02 pm
“That only leaves the next president to pardon Bush and Cheney.”
There is a school of legal thought which believes Bush could pardon himself!
Report thisBy GodSend, July 10, 2007 at 7:02 pm Link to this comment
Hey, Todd - WAKE UP! These are not an anti-Semitic rants. We’re trying to protect the Jews from the next Zionist-inspired holocaust! See Alan Hart’s book: “Zionism: The Real Enemy of the Jews”.
And, Libby is just one of the MANY Zionist dots that are finally being connected. Here are some more dots that are also connected: Abrams, Feith, Perle, Chertoff, Zakheim, Pipes, Greenspan, Bernanke, Wolfowitz, Murdoch, Bush, Cheney, Pelosi, Clinton, Lieberman, Barack, Olmert, etc. - you get the idea!
You think, maybe, 9/11 and the Mossad are 2 other dots-to-be-connected to Zionism? You betcha! 
How many of the above will also receive a presidential commutation or pardon? How about: ‘As Many As Necessary To Get Every Zionist Criminal Off The Hook’. That only leaves the next president to pardon Bush and Cheney.
Does your mouth hanging open mean you’re finally awake? - or do you intend to stick your foot in it with your next post? (that’s a rhetorical question - but you can make me a prophet with your next post!)
Report thisBy Todd, July 10, 2007 at 3:07 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Not only was Scooter the lawyer for Marc Rich, but the prosecutor that was fighting for the pardon not to be granted was, in fact, Mr. Fitzgerald himself. It is quite plausible that Patrick Fitzgerald specifically went after Libby to, as he himself stated, fix things right.
This is not digging research, all this has been out in the public domain for many many months, by many who were trying to defend Libby.
And I agree, how in the world did this back and forth of comments become an anti-semitic, illucid, maniacal, uneducated rant?
Report thisBy GodSend, July 9, 2007 at 8:30 pm Link to this comment
An anonymous post at desertpeace.blogspot.com:
At 10:34 AM, July 08, 2007, Anonymous said…
Israel was a mistake! Tens of millions have died because of these demons. Now that they have taken control of the US, the US has become a pool of demoralized scum. When will the world wake up and deal with this tiny little cancer that causes so much suffering?
Report thisBy GodSend, July 9, 2007 at 8:12 pm Link to this comment
PS Here’s an appropriate slogan for creating a new America:
“We’re mad as hell - and we’re not going to take it any more!”
Report thisBy GodSend, July 9, 2007 at 7:50 pm Link to this comment
the 1Sgt, et al:
The tragedy is that the cancer was detected a long time ago - but was and is still being ignored, until it has now spread to the entire body (and not just the body politic but all organs of society!) and has finally become life-threatening. Thinking of the deaths and suffering and the rivers of blood and tears that have already flowed as a result of our collective indifference and failure to hold the criminals accountable, patriotic Americans must resolve to end this horrible nightmare, whatever the cost and sacrifice. The stakes are America’s future and that of our children. The interests of a rogue foreign State are not worth the heartless waste of any more American blood or treasure - or the blood of other innocent victims!
What should be our motto, going forward? How about “NEVER AGAIN!”? In the words of Thomas Jefferson, the time has come to “water the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants and patriots”. The Constitutional ‘checks and balances’ have been destroyed, the Courts have been stacked against ordinary Americans and the foul odor of dictatorship is getting stronger.
Report thisBy gogs, July 9, 2007 at 5:02 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Funny you should mention friends. I was just reading how the US doesn’t seem to have many these days ~~ not anywhere.
Report thisBy the 1Sgt, July 9, 2007 at 4:24 pm Link to this comment
” As any knowledgeable doctor will tell you, when surgically removing a cancer, its VERY important to get all of it! - otherwise itll just grow back and most likely kill you!”
=================================================
Well put Godsend. Might I add it is always better to change one’s ways so as to not get the cancer in the first place.
[smile]
Report thisBy GodSend, July 9, 2007 at 4:11 pm Link to this comment
Alejandro:
Very well put! You are entitled to be outraged. Just remember that the Bush Administration is controlled by Zionists (also called Neocons). Israel (Zionist leaders) is the nasty little tail that’s feverishly wagging the big American dog.
Eliminating Bush and his devilish Administration will not have lasting value if the next Administration (Republican or Democrat) cows to the same master and their local agents - primarily the Israel Lobby (AIPAC, ADL, ZOA, etc.) - there are MANY such organizations and they are supplemented by individual agents.
As any knowledgeable doctor will tell you, when surgically removing a cancer, it’s VERY important to get all of it! - otherwise it’ll just grow back and most likely kill you!
Report thisBy Alejandro, July 9, 2007 at 8:47 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I am outraged at this president for his latest thumbing of our criminal justice system and at our Constitution. The treasonous behavior of the administration is without parallel. Is there any one among our legislators with the courage to go beyond the usual rhetoric? Are you listening? Perhaps you don’t get it because your children and grandchildren are safe. Mine aren’t! The Constitution was written to protect people like me from the tyrants that will occupy my House from time to time. That is why we have co-equal branches of government. The two branches of government that are not the Executive are to check the Executive so that the abuses by a tyrant, will thru due process of law be resolved. How much more can we the people endure? Articles of Impeachment are part of due process of law. Nancy Pelosi and Senator Reid remind me of the cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz. They were all brave enough before the Nov. Elections! They have shown that they lack the courage that is needed to lead our Nation out of this abyss where we find ourselves today, because of the nefarious administration that has our country by the throat.
Report thisAlejandro Quinonez
By 127001, July 9, 2007 at 3:05 am Link to this comment
There is no “equal justice under the law.” That has been eliminated by the legal system itself: the lawyers, but particularly by the judiciary!!!
Perhaps it would be helpful for Truthdig to take a look at the atrocities of ALL of America’s courts, from the lowest to the highest, and the kleptocracy of America. The reasons for this kleptocracy are different from different sources, including the issues pointed out here, but it is there and real and already has essentially destroyed this country.
An excellent article to read is from the following link, which are comments on the 9th Circuit’s Pro Se Task Force Report. Finding out how corrupt and unequal the system is until you are already confronted with it at any level will mean it is too late.
The link is at: http://www.judicialaccountability.org/articles/9thcircuitreportprose.htm
American standards and values are no longer in the courts and have not been for some time. This is why Bush was able to do as he pleased, and why every citizen in this country is at risk for their freedom AND safety, and why decisions like this one will only get worse.
I urge everyone to read this.
Report thisBy GodSend, July 8, 2007 at 11:25 pm Link to this comment
ardee:
I don’t think you ‘get it’. You adamantly fail to distinguish between Jews and Zionists, even though I pointed you to several websites, authored by Jews, predominantly Neturei Karta, that make a very clear distinction between them. On my website, you will find a photo of black hat Jews, holding up a sign that reads: “Zionism is Nazism”. That’s the truth!
I pointed out Alan Hart’s book: “Zionism: The Real Enemy of the Jews”. There is also a website about the book and the author. Read it and read the Hart interview.
Many Jews are in denial about the true nature (Evil!) of Zionism, for the same reason that you give: they have yearned for a (their?) ancient homeland for a very long time BUT true Torah Jews don’t believe they are entitled to one until Yahweh clearly ends their exile - Neturei Karta Jews are VERY clear on this critical point. Longing for a homeland and dreaming about it (like Theodor Herzl did) is not good enough for Yahweh’s Chosen People. The creation of Israel was an act of rebellion against Yahweh and this point has been obfuscated by Zionists. Not only that, the creation of Israel (just prior and thereafter) was accompanied by a bloodbath of innocent Palestinians who were unjustly displaced, intimidated or murdered. That strategy continues to this day! I could go on to prove these statements but I don’t think you really want to know the gory truth about what a bunch of devilish murderers Zionists (primarily Israel’s leaders) were and are. There is a MOUNTAIN of evidence to support this allegation. Israel has become a Rogue State which defies the rest of the world, the UN and basic standards of human decency. It’s basically a conglomeration of criminal activities or immoral activities - both in Israel and abroad.
The Jews have been bamboozled into letting this happen by a bunch of cutthroat criminals and Satan worshipers. Maybe Herzl wasn’t one of those but he started the nightmare rebellion against Yahweh and then the demon-possessed fanatics took over. And now they’re trying to take over America and use its resources (people, weapons and $$$) for their grandiose “Greater Israel” and NWO agenda.
You should have donated your money to plant a tree in Brooklyn, instead!
Remember, JEWS will be the principal victims of the coming Holocaust - and Zionists will be responsible for that! As Alan Hart says in his book, the Jews must get their act together and destroy Zionism - ideally by peaceful means or by any other means. Even if they don’t succeed (and I don’t think they will) - by trying, the deception can be exposed and many Jewish lives can be saved!
That’s the situation, like it or not!
Obviously, the Bush Gov’t is just as Evil as the Israeli Gov’t - they serve the same master - Satan! Zionists come in several flavors - American, Israeli, German, Canadian, British, etc.
Personally, I think you’re a Zionist shill (Sayanim) and not the naive ‘friend of Israel’ you pretend to be. Anyone with only half a brain can figure out that Zionism and Zionists are Evil and deceptive. Their master is the “Great Deceiver” - fits right in with the Mossad motto
It’s all explained on my website! - in living color, even
You may live to SEE! it happen.
Report thisBy ardee, July 8, 2007 at 4:30 pm Link to this comment
GodSend
You are scaring me…...well not really but I come here to discuss politics with sane and rational folk. Arent you going a bit off the deep end here?
I would imagine that you are not a Jew ( some stretch huh?) so you simply cannot understand the feelings that many who are have for the “homeland”, yearned for for a couple thousand years in fact.
As a child I remember sending my dimes to plant trees in Israel, and those folks who take support for Israel beyond the realm of common sense do so, not due to some fanatical adherence to a militant Zionism, but due to that pride at finally seeing the restoration of a home for the wandering jew.
All this does in no way exempt them from the wrong they cause but it in no way follows the silliness of your conjectures. Oh and by the by, our own government, dominated by white anglo saxon protestants also:
“they murder, torture, assassinate, entrap, blackmail, out and perform all other manner of disgusting and disgraceful and treasonous acts to promote their agenda”....what are you gonna do?
Skruff[b/]
My wife, at the behest of my parents, converted, Mikvah, Bas Mitsvah and all…...The religion follows the mother, I guess all the rapes of jewish women were decimating the population of hebrews so they made all descendants of the mother automatic members…..
Report thisBy GodSend, July 8, 2007 at 9:47 am Link to this comment
ardee:
You must learn to look behind the veil (instead of under your bed) to discover the mysteries of the ‘invisible hand’ (and other mysteries). Things (and people) are not as they seem (to an unSEEing eye) or to an eye which is peering as through a glass, darkly.
I know you’ll find this hard to believe but Zionists (who claim to be Jews but worship in the “Synagogue of Satan”) have an agenda for America and for humanity and that agenda is DIABOLICAL! Besides that, they murder, torture, assassinate, entrap, blackmail, ‘out’ and perform all other manner of disgusting and disgraceful and treasonous acts to promote their agenda. How do they manage to get away with all this? They infiltrate (infest is a better word) their victim (in our case, America) - especially the political apparatus and the MSM (Mainstream Media) so that they can do whatever they want and call ‘Black’, White. You should read George Orwell’s “1984” and that’ll give you a much better idea of where those Zionists aim to take America (we’re almost there, give or take another 9/11 - or more).
You can get the complete picture at http://novalight.org
Also, don’t forget to check those other websites that explain Zionism: nkusa.org ziopedia.org and MANY others. Have fun!
Report thisBy The Condor, July 8, 2007 at 7:57 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
It is amazing that a column on Bush’s commuting the sentence of a former member of his administration and the analysis of why he did it can result in posted comments that are off subject and purely anti-semitic. What sad, uninformed lives these people must lead.
Report thisBy Skruff, July 8, 2007 at 7:28 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
by ardee on 7/07 at 4:12 pm
“Are you aware that the Hebrew religion never solicits converts? One may convert of course but the jew is an insular sort basically. Maybe it comes from thousands of years of stupidities towards it…....?”
Actually, until “Jewish reform” one couldn’t “convert” anymore than French folks could convert to “Irishism” The Semites are a race, and from oldendays, the race coveted their religion. Now of course anyone can be a Jew… Hassidics won’t accept it, but they are dying off anyway.
Report thisBy ardee, July 8, 2007 at 7:14 am Link to this comment
I have heard of AIPAC, as well as AARP and any number of other lobbying groups. Do you think that there is a conspiracy of senior citizens because AARP is the biggest lobbyist in the nation?
If you want to use AIPAC as an example of what is wrong with our system, about the undue influence of lobbyists and money on our legislative process I will not argue.
If you want to discuss the abysmal policies of the Israeli government towards the Palestinians I will agree and support that contention.
If you want to twist the discussion around to the “jew” and the mythic 12 Rabbis who rule the world in secret or some other thinly disguised anti semitic rant you can go wink at someone else….perhaps a mental health professional.
Report thisBy GodSend, July 7, 2007 at 5:13 pm Link to this comment
ardee:
Have you heard of AIPAC, the Israel Lobby and a boatload of Zionist organizations that promote the interests of Israel (ahead of US interests) and financially support candidates from all political parties who promise to put Israel’s interests first, once they are ‘elected’ by hook or by crook? Don’t look under your bed to find them
Look at Ziopedia, Neturei Karta International, ‘Jews against Zionism’, ‘ConspiracyPenpal’, ‘What Really Happened’ and many more websites that catalog all those Zionists and Zionist organizations.
Maybe there was a time when Zionists could fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time - but they’re not going to fool ANYBODY for much longer, if at all! Now that’s GOOD NEWS! You should be able to get a Zionist Party card-carrying member list from AIPAC - or just call Abe Foxman.
You can also get a pretty good idea from ‘Jew Watch’ - some of those Zionists like to hide behind the ‘Jew’ label. Don’t be fooled - you can tell them by their fruits: goy blood and tears and suffering (and even some real Jewish blood and tears - Zionists are cannibals). Disgusting, isn’t it!
Report thisBy ardee, July 7, 2007 at 4:12 pm Link to this comment
Actually I know that there are Democrats, Republicans and Independents of varying degrees of competency, but, as hard as I look under my bed each evening, I have never found any Zionists…..Unless you tinker enough with the definition to include anyone who displays any support for the State of Israel as such, I do not.(Oh and I never found one of them under there either)
The negativity connected with the term ‘Zionists’ stems from an antisemitic book, “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion” published in Tzarist Russia to justify the slaughtering of all those Jews. The Zionist movement was designed around obtaining a homeland for all those persecuted European Jewry and has come to be a pet word among antisemities of every stripe, not that I would label you as one offhandedly.
There are, to be certain, many in our Legislature who support Israel when they should be attempting to curb her worst excesses towards the Palestinians, as well as those , both within and without our government who see the strife as prelude to the apocalypse which they yearn for so stridently.
Are you aware that the Hebrew religion never solicits converts? One may convert of course but the jew is an insular sort basically. Maybe it comes from thousands of years of stupidities towards it…....?
Report thisBy peedeecee, July 7, 2007 at 1:10 pm Link to this comment
*Blush*
My apologies, jbart - I was way, way out of line.
Report thisBy Phil Latham, July 7, 2007 at 10:41 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Although issues such as these are compelling, they do serve a purpose for the perpetrators. They provide a smokescreen that shifts debate away from the really big problem. The fact that this country has been on a path leading to global, economic and military domination is, for the most part, ignored. How the present administration has chosen to proceed down this path is fairly obvious to anyone who chooses to gather information from sources outside the ones that are in our face on a daily basis. These stories give the impression to the casual observer (the vast majority of the American “news” consumer) that our news media are doing a heck of a job. We’ll be rid of Bush soon enough but who will take his place? Probably someone who will perpetuate the status quo; massive military budgets, insignificant social program spending, you know the kind of government that steals from the poor and gives to the rich.
Report thisBy Dale Headley, July 7, 2007 at 9:54 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Cover up! Cover up! Cover up!
Report thisWatergate! Watergate! Watergate!
Impeachment! Impeachment! Impeachment!
Prison! Prison! Prison!
By GodSend, July 7, 2007 at 8:19 am Link to this comment
ardee:
The Republicans are bad, the Democrats are bad, the Independents are bad - but if you could identify the ZIONISTS among all of the above, they are the WORST! In fact, they are a political party that supersedes all other political parties, even though you can’t register as a Zionist.
Scary, huh?!
Report thisBy GodSend, July 7, 2007 at 8:13 am Link to this comment
Here’s a Blog worth reading on the America:Israel “friendship”:
http://holocaustnow.blogspot.com
Who is David Sifrey (Zionist CEO of Technorati) and why is he trying to conceal this Blog?
America needs to know what’s going down!
Report thisBy ardee, July 7, 2007 at 7:37 am Link to this comment
I just gotta…...
Look folks, Bush speaks out of both sides of his mouth on almost every issue and noone, noone in power, no one with access to the public ear, noone takes him to task.
When he calls legislation that weakens environmental protections,“clean air and clean water bills” who speaks out?
When he rants on about strict sentencing guidelines
(remember Carla Fay Tucker?) and then maneuvers and sets aside a fair and reasonable punishment for one of his own, whether to protect his VP and himself or not, where is the Congressional outrage?
When he refuses to give over subpoenaed documents or allow testimony under oath, all violations of the law of the land, where is the follow up?
Any reasonable human being can see the difference between those 140 pardons Clinton handed out (though Im not a fan of such actions frankly, common though it is, or a real fan of Clinton either) and the action in the Libby case, if you cannot then you are an agendised Bushista and just dont use the brains Gaia gave you, pity that.
This nation was set up with a series of checks and balances essential to the protection of our democratic processes. When these internal checks break down so do our basic rights and freedoms. It is the obligation, no the duty, of the opposition to oppose. The Democrats, in my (quarrelsome) opinion are far the worse problem than is the GOP.
Report thisBy jbart, July 7, 2007 at 6:32 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
#84655 by peedeecee on 7/06 at 6:14 pm
(24 comments total)
Why is it that true patriots like jbart are always hate-filled and practically illiterate. Hm. Red state, I guess
FYI -
Report this#1 I’m not hate-filled, only hating people who, either don’t “get it”, or are too blind/stupid to “see it”.
#2 I’m not illerate but, in my defense, I “lose” it and type with one finger. When frustrated, I just bang away on my keyboard. And I attempt to get people upset& passionate enough to see things as I do. (i.e. bad things are happening)
#3 Born and raised in a Blue state (NY) and now reside in another (CT).
#4 My politics are simple enough. I’m against:
illegal immigrantion
the outsourcing of American jobs
Corporate America
RED States
political campaign contributions,PACS,lobbyists
disparities in the taxation system
Bush I & II
Cheney
Rove
Wolfowitz
Libby
Reagan
Nixon
Johnson
And,I believe that 9/11 was perpetrated by our Gov’t
I just wanted to set the record straight, peedeecee.
Whew, now I feel much better.
By Skruff, July 7, 2007 at 5:58 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
And folks, Bill Clinton hasnt been in the White House for over 6 years now; get over it.
No, history is not something one (at least an educated one) “gets over. People either learn from history or it is repeated.
The “law” about which folks here are talking is a law of precedent today’s law works or does not based on the precedent (what others have done before) so saying that folks have no business discussing law-related incidents of what went before, like other pardons is equivelent to telling folks discussing cake that they may only discuss the flour.
anyway, isn’t this supposed to be a “digging” site?
It is my contention that Bush, Cheney, et al are not the CURRENT problem facing this nation. I believe that in view of our chain of substandard officials (for about the last 40 years) that the system is broken. To prove a broken system, one must measure and compare damage done by a number of individuals.
Finally, in case no one has noticed, Hill-the-business-shill and her honey are running for president, that makes their (joint) actions of the past even more relevant. I question the motives of people who tell me not to mention them.
Report thisBy Skruff, July 7, 2007 at 5:19 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
84632 by jbart on 7/06 at 4:42 pm
“Skruff,
May you, and all like you, experience the worst suffering imaginable. You are not part of the solution, you ARE the problem! We, the true citizens of America, need you to disperse & separate. Just go away, you slimey bastards. Once we get your sorry asses out of the way of workable solution(s), maybe we find our way back to our countrys goals/ideals. People like you piss me off because you dont give a rats ass about the well being of our country. You only care about your own little sphere/placed within the societal structure that benefits your sorry ass. I have only distain for you, and yours are a blight on humanity. You & them are a major reason we are where we are. Idiots, with an agenda, that is not in line with the best interests of America.
Please do us all a favor defend yourself, while maintaining a sense of defending America, in your response. My personal belief is you cant so, come on sucka, lay it out. Clearly. I DARE you.”
Gee, what did I say to deserve this? Was it my comment on Bush’s toilet training?
Delighted to tell you, I’m having a wonderfull life, the best imaginable… and, I plan to continue in the same vein
Report thisBy cyrena, July 7, 2007 at 5:15 am Link to this comment
#84747 by Marjorie L. Swanson on 7/07 at 3:47 am
Most people that have reached maturity have stopped trying to excuse their actions by pointing out that someone else did the same thing. My mother never bought that one and anyone with the intellectual capacity of sand wont either.
I love this. It is just doesnt work does it? Still doesnt keep em from trying.
Libby was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. He should go to jail. Otherwise just stop bothering with little details like courts, trials, juries and judges.
It almost seems like thats pretty much where we are. None of these juries or courts, or trials, or judges made one iota of difference, in what was already the planned outcome. Dick and george just let all of that play out, with the hope that it would never get to this point. Once it did he fixed it.
Meantime, I heartily agree with your last comment as well
And folks, Bill Clinton hasnt been in the White House for over 6 years now; get over it.
This is the same thing I keep telling them .it really is long past time to move on, and it might help the denial.
Report thisBy the 1Sgt, July 7, 2007 at 3:55 am Link to this comment
#
#84561 by FedUpMore&More;&More; on 7/06 at 12:14 pm
(Unregistered commenter)
My kids have served but despite a long history of our familys patriotism, I will do my best to see that my grandchildren do not serve. It is not worth it.
These creeps are ruining everything.
==============================================
Having recently seen the news on Scooter Libbys commutation for his 30 month sentence, I cant help but wonder if I live in the United States anymore, where people are accountable to our laws, even a US president. How are we any different today than any banana republic? The head of state pardons one of the people involved in protecting the head of state?
Justice is only for us little people.
This president will do with this nation as he pleases. He has complete disregard for us as a people. He ignores our laws, starts wars against people who have done us no harm and even after making mistakes, he does not admit them.
Nope, my children won’t be contributing either. If only we could get all these warmongers to send their own children. Unfortunately, that’s not in the plan. The idea is to use other people’s children.
Report thisBy Marjorie L. Swanson, July 7, 2007 at 3:47 am Link to this comment
Most people that have reached maturity have stopped trying to excuse their actions by pointing out that someone else did the same thing. My mother never bought that one and anyone with the intellectual capacity of sand won’t either. Whatever Clinton did or didn’t do is not in question. What did Bush, Cheney, and the whole corrupt administration do? Libby was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. He should go to jail. Otherwise just stop bothering with little details like courts, trials, juries and judges. And folks, Bill Clinton hasn’t been in the White House for over 6 years now; get over it.
Report thisBy ~B~, July 6, 2007 at 10:54 pm Link to this comment
/agree Cyrena
Nice point Ardee! That’s something a true “journalist” creature should have picked up…do those exist anymore? Must be on the endangered species list…and you know our record with those!
to Skruff: I don’t even want to get into the travesty that is family court and/or juvenile court. Just another story of lost focus.
Where to start? Judicial, Legislative, Executive ?
Now that self-interest is more important than national interests we can all stop paying taxes right? Now that justice is justforshow we can do anything we want right?
We are about as Democratic as the U.S.S.R. was. They held elections too.
B
http://b-political.blogspot.com/
Report thisBy cyrena, July 6, 2007 at 9:11 pm Link to this comment
#84621 by ardee on 7/06 at 3:44 pm
sidebar alert:
The lawyer who defended Marc Rich, and arranged for his pardon, was….trumpets please…..I. Lewis Libby!
Ardee!!! This IS worth the trumpets!!! I had no idea. What a find.
The sad thing is, its like weve come to not even be surprised or scandalized by these continuing revelations.
Report thisBy peedeecee, July 6, 2007 at 6:14 pm Link to this comment
Why is it that “true patriots” like jbart are always hate-filled and practically illiterate. Hm. Red state, I guess.
Report thisBy jbart, July 6, 2007 at 4:42 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Skruff,
Report thisMay you, and all like you, experience the “worst” suffering imaginable. You are not part of the solution, you ARE the problem! We, the true citizens of America, need you to disperse & separate. Just go away, you slimey bastards. Once we get your sorry asses out of the way of “workable” solution(s), maybe we find our way back to our country’s goals/ideals. People like you piss me off because you don’t give a “rat’s ass” about the well being of our country. You only care about your own little “sphere/placed” within the societal structure that benefits your sorry ass. I have only distain for you, and your’s are a blight on humanity. You & them are a major reason we are where we are. Idiots, with an agenda, that is not in line with the best interests of America.
Please do us all a favor… defend yourself, while maintaining a sense of defending America, in your response. My personal belief is you can’t so, come on “sucka”, lay it out. Clearly. I DARE you.
By ardee, July 6, 2007 at 3:44 pm Link to this comment
sidebar alert:
The lawyer who defended Marc Rich, and arranged for his pardon, was….trumpets please…..I. Lewis Libby!
The commutation instead of a pardon was a stroke of genius ( this is not, repeat not, a defense of the damn thing). A pardon would allow Libby to testify in further hearings on the subject of the treasonous outing of Valerie Plame for political revenge, the commutation keeps him from doing so.
It does seem rather obvious that a pardon will be given as Bush scooters out of office…..
Hello Democratic Legislators, hello, are you out there??????
Report thisBy GodSend, July 6, 2007 at 1:46 pm Link to this comment
With Friends Like These (Israel) - Who Needs Enemies?
“Scooter” Libby (ex-Mossad agent - can there be such a thing as an ‘ex’ Mossad agent - unless they’re dead, of course!); USS Liberty; 9/11 - just for starters! Is Chertoff really an Israeli citizen? Does America send Zionist criminals-on-the-run to Israel to ‘extraordinarily rendition’ them? What other criminals (Russian Zionist oligarchs, perhaps?) are being harbored in Israel? What is Israel? - the new American East? Have nukes, will travel?
What in the world are we doing, aiding and abetting a rogue nation bent on milking us of our precious bodily fluids (blood and credit) and bent on our destruction? Aren’t we party to the genocide of Palestinians by handing Israel arms and billions? Who is responsible for all of this?
Bush and Cheney, you say? Did someone say ‘Israel Lobby’? Are they receiving instructions from God or from the Devil? Did Someone say that we’ll know them by their fruits? So if the fruits are rivers of blood and tears and they leave a trail of death and destruction just about everywhere (including Iraq and Afghanistan), who are they taking their orders from, pray tell? Hmmm….......THINK ABOUT IT!
Report thisBy FedUpMore&More&More, July 6, 2007 at 12:14 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
We need a new “first” in this country.
Here it is… chin-chin for sure, and probably bushy as well, to jail with them - for a long time.
I am GD serious.
My kids have served but despite a long history of our familys patriotism, I will do my best to see that my grandchildren do not serve. It is not worth it.
These creeps are ruining everything.
Report thisBy Skruff, July 6, 2007 at 11:42 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Mike Mid-City on 7/06 at 9:49 am
“#84482, S(K)ruff.
One difference is the number of dead.”
Maybe, but when you know the one dead, numbers make little difference.
Scooter murdered no one, Istick by my post.
Report thisBy THOMAS BILLIS, July 6, 2007 at 11:29 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Don’t you just love it a guy who ran as the antithesis of Clinton is using Clinton as a rationale for his actions.I guess even for republicans Clinton must have great President if he is the what you shoot for in office.If Scooter wanted George Bush to do a strip tease in the Capital rotunda he would have.Scooter has the goods on this administration from the inside.They have thrown better people than Scooter under the bus.Why doesn’t George Bush let Scooter redeem himself by going over to Iraq and teaching the Iraqi parliament how government works.Oh they already know how to lie.
Report thisBy Eric L Prentis, July 6, 2007 at 11:12 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Commuting Mr. Libbys prison sentence to save his own butt is the last straw, the Bush administration is so slimy you just want to flush it down the toilet along with all the neocon turds.
Report thisBy steve, July 6, 2007 at 11:08 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Excellent article and comments, really there is nothing much new i could add other than it seems the civil rights and civil liberties in this country have really changed like never before. Many on this site talk about how bad President Bush is. The worst of all the Presidents. Maybe not. Consider this. Historians may well consider President Clinton to have been our last President, under our older and original constitution, and the Bush coup and Bush presidency as some totally new era in American politics. Bush II may well be the first president in some new era in American history, politically and culturally, that has yet to be defined. And unfortunately for our children, an era more closely resembling Russia with its rather limited freedoms and liberties.
Report thisBy Chaseme, July 6, 2007 at 8:51 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
“I harbored no personal desire to see” OJ Simpson “spend a long time in prison for his” murder “convictions. People who know him tell me he is a thoughtful and interesting man, and I have no reason to doubt them.”
Although there are no real distinctions between the Libby case and the Simpson case, in our minds we somehow can make these distinctions.
And, although there are no real distinctions between the Clinton decision and the bush decision, in E.J.‘s mind he somehow made the distinction. Unfortunately, he has been known to present himself as being not “too liberal.” Whatever that means?
I guess it is the same as being the opposite of a racist. Of which, there is no such thing. Either you are, or youre not.
Therefore, E.J. in your attempt to present yourself as being not too liberal you have failed miserably according to Webster, because unlike the word Racist, the word Liberal has an antonym. According to Webster that antonym is narrow-minded.
Report thisBy Skruff, July 6, 2007 at 8:46 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
To: ~B~
“Justice is dead. Has been dead. Will remain dead. This nation has always been a nation of laws - for those not in power(or in control of power) to follow.
We have a system of Justice that punishes the victims of crime. We have a system of Justice that imprisons people for health issues (drug abuse). We have a system of Justice that allows the worst crimes to go on unabated. We have a system of Justice?”
“...Sounds like hypocrisy if nothing else”
If you want to see REAL hypocrisy, witness a juvenile court….oops, You can’t those people work in secret. Take my word for it, the justice the poor recieve in adult court SHINES when compared to the kangaroos jumping around in Juvie!
To: QuyTran
“Are his parents proud of him or are they just looking down with shame and dishonor ?”
His parents are EXACTLY like him. GWB is a product of Prescott, and GHW Bush, and too much praise from Barb when he was toilet training.
Report thisBy 127001, July 6, 2007 at 8:45 am Link to this comment
The legal and judicial system in this country is corrupt from the smallest of claims to the highest levels of the supremes.
Say thanks to those infamous trial lawyers: Joe Jamail, Gerry Spence, and the Houston lawfirms that supported people like bush (he was a mail clerk at Baker & Botts by the way).
When the judicial system is broken, there will be violence in the streets.
Its broken. Look for more violence.
Report thisBy GW=MCHammered, July 6, 2007 at 8:25 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Court-appointed George W. Bush degraded the world’s most sterling position of responsibility to one of foul street-corner unaccountability. He betrayed America’s trust and now awoke her ire. ‘Do not tread on me one more day’ must be her redeeming motto.
Report thisBy ~B~, July 6, 2007 at 8:06 am Link to this comment
My apologies to Pink Floyd but it’s just another brick in the wall.
Justice is dead. Has been dead. Will remain dead. This nation has always been a nation of laws - for those not in power(or in control of power) to follow.
We have a system of Justice that punishes the victims of crime. We have a system of Justice that imprisons people for health issues (drug abuse). We have a system of Justice that allows the worst crimes to go on unabated. We have a system of Justice?
Doesn’t sound like it to me. Sounds like something else being called Justice. Sounds like hypocrisy if nothing else.
Our entire “legal system” needs a ground up overhaul.
B
http://b-political.blogspot.com/
Report thisBy QuyTran, July 6, 2007 at 8:00 am Link to this comment
GWB is champion of spitting out then sucking back !
Report thisHow lucky we are when having such a damn president like him ? And how lucky is his family having such man ? Are his parents proud of him or are they just looking down with shame and dishonor ?
By Jkoch, July 6, 2007 at 7:59 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
The Plame outting is barely an icicle on the tip of the iceburg. The real story is the wholesale contrivance of allegations of WMD and 9/11 connections. Who sourced and vetted the fake “yellowcake” letter?
Interesting that Nixon fell because he obstructed investigation of his staff’s role in the Watergate break-in. Bush allowed Libby to face trial for perjury, commutes the sentence, gets friends to pay the fine, and may eventually pardon him. If Nixon had used the same strategy, perhaps he would have survived.
Of course, Nixon resigned before facing impeachment. Ford pardoned him, but might in fact have spared us a lengthy trial. Clinton, meanwhile, was impeached for (dear heavens) prevaricating about his activities with a woman, whereas his greatest sin was probably the pardon or Marc Rich.
Report thisBy Skruff, July 6, 2007 at 7:45 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Clintons pardon of the fugitive financier Marc Rich doesn’t bother me, nor does Bush’s commutation of Libby’s prison sentence. Just personally (not legally) I’m opposed to prison sentences for folks who have not committed a violent act. I believe in money sentences for money crimes, and disbarment and impeachment for abuse of power crimes. There probably should be a “disbarement/impeachment without possibility of ever serving in government again” clause, but that won’t happen.
It makes me laugh when the pundents come out after an act like Ford pardoning Nixon, Bush I pardoning Elliott Abrams, and tell us as in Dionne’s piece; “.” Oh Pleeze what poor person ever got “equal treatment” in a US courthouse. The one thing proven by the trial of OJ Simpson, and trials of John Gotti (until the Federal Judge ruled thet Mr. Gotti could no longer be represented by Bruce Cutler who continually got him off scott free) prove, is that if you can hire a Johnny Cochran, or a Bruce Cutler you walk, if you depend on legal aid….well bring a bunch of condoms to your sentencing.
One other item continues to gnaw at my craw.. these same pundents always talk about the injustice of a Marc Rich pardon, but almost never cite the pardon of the FALN group. The FALN did kill people and engaged in what we now refer to as “terrorism” Over 80 bombs in the New York area one killing four people at a popular watering hole, and another killing a security guard.
Clinton and his wife Hill-the-Business-Shill (who requested the FALN pardon so she could corral the hispanic vote in her first Senate race)should be made to answer as to why they believe letting out violent accomplices to murder is on a higher moral plain than a partial Scooter Libby commutation.
Then again, the victims of the FALN blasts were just some lower and middle income schmucks…I guess the core point is that ‘equal justice under law’ either means something or it doesnt.
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