Bush Commutes Libby's Sentence

Hot off the wire, the AP reports that President Bush has commuted the prison sentence of Scooter Libby. I. "Scooter" Libby is the former Chief of Staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, he was convicted of lying to the prosecutors who were investigating a leak of the identity of CIA operative Valeria Plame in retaliation for her husband's repudiation of the Bush Administration allegation of attempts by Sadaam Hussein to purchase enriched uranium. He will forgo the 2 1/2-year prison term for his part in the CIA Leak Case. It appears that Bush will still "allow" Libby to pay the $250,000 fine and take 2 years of probation.

Statement by President Bush:

"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."

Read the entire New York Times article here.

plez sez: everyone who is surprised by this, raise your hands.

OK... i'm not seeing many hands. OK... i'm not seeing any raised hands!

i predicted this in an earlier post.

when the truth about the CIA Leak and the bogus "proof" that was used to launch our war against Iraq comes out, i'll probably be too old to care. but i'm sure a jail cell would've been all the incentive Scooter Libby needed to move that date up 50 years or so... Bush and Cheney couldn't afford to have him spend even one day in jail for their crimes... i'm sure he's loyal, but i doubt he's THAT loyal.

i'm sure that trial was enough for his wife and family... i know if it were me, i would've been singing like a canary as soon as i put on that orange jumpsuit! *smile*

all kidding aside, isn't this enough to begin impeachment proceedings against the President: he has usurped the powers of the judicial system for his own benefit.

oh, Scooter has to be on probation for 2 years (WOW!) and he still owes the $250,000 fine (didn't his supporters raise MILLIONS of dollars in his defense)... he's probably better off now than he was 2 years ago! i was expecting this (the commutation) to happen, but shouldn't there be some ramifications for the President just wielding his power as if there is no Constitution? someone please help me understand what the HELL is going on in this country!

Scooter Libby Gets 30 Months

I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison and fined $250,000 for lying to investigators about his role in leaking the identity of undercover CIA officer, Valerie Plame.

The Washington Post article continues:

"The judge sentenced Libby three months after a federal jury found Cheney's one-time top aide guilty of four felonies for failing to tell the truth to a federal grand jury and the FBI about the disclosure of former CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity. Libby was convicted of two counts of perjury, one count of making false statements to FBI agents, and one count of obstructing justice. He was acquitted of a fifth count".

plez sez: Oh, what a joke (ha ha ha... my second joke of the day)!

How is Libby guilty and neither Cheney nor Rove nor Bush were even indicted on this obvious crime? Scooter Libby is the scapegoat's scapegoat... i almost hope Bush gives him a presidential pardon!