No Jail Time For Scooter Libby

[Rico]

WASHINGTON - President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case Monday, stepping into a criminal case with heavy political overtones on grounds that the sentence was just too harsh.

Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case. That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new 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.

Full story: http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/...nce/index.html

[CC1]

I obviously could never serve in government since these guys get convicted because they can't remember every sentance that was discussed in meetings three or four years ago when they have dozens of meetings a day.

I can't remember what I did yesterday! It was a travesty that he was ever indicted in the first place.

With these kinds of witch hunts it is going to be harder and harder to get good people to devote their lives to public service.

Oh, not to mention that Sandy Berger committed real crimes by stealing documents from the National Archives and stuffing them down his pants and socks and hiding them in a nearby construction site, yet he got off scott free with no jail time!!!

[SDG]

It's good to know the right people.

[pelathais]

When it turned out that Richard Armitage was the "leaker" (and not someone within the Whitehouse) the prosecuter said he was not going to file charges against Armitage because it turns out that "leaking" Plame's name wasn't a crime after all.

So my question, "How could Libby have 'obstructed a criminal investigation' if the subject of the investigation was not a crime?"

It's all just a failed coup attempt by Clinton appointees within the CIA and State Department who should have been replaced by the President in January 2001.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by pelathais

When it turned out that Richard Armitage was the "leaker" (and not someone within the Whitehouse) the prosecuter said he was not going to file charges against Armitage because it turns out that "leaking" Plame's name wasn't a crime after all.

So my question, "How could Libby have 'obstructed a criminal investigation' if the subject of the investigation was not a crime?"

It's all just a failed coup attempt by Clinton appointees within the CIA and State Department who should have been replaced by the President in January 2001.

Well, he was convicted of lying to authorities and obstruction. That just means he got in the way of the investigation.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by pelathais

When it turned out that Richard Armitage was the "leaker" (and not someone within the Whitehouse) the prosecuter said he was not going to file charges against Armitage because it turns out that "leaking" Plame's name wasn't a crime after all.

So my question, "How could Libby have 'obstructed a criminal investigation' if the subject of the investigation was not a crime?"

It's all just a failed coup attempt by Clinton appointees within the CIA and State Department who should have been replaced by the President in January 2001.

I agree. I think the Prez made a mistake back in 2001 when he thought he could reach across party lines so he kept some key people from the Clinton admin in power at State and in the CIA.

[chaotic_resolve]

I'm glad the President had the guts to grant clemency to "Scooter." The prison sentance was ridiculously excessive. I'd even argue that the house arrest or supervised whatever be lessened from 2 years to between 12 and 18 months, depending on good behavior.

Now if the President would do the same for the 3 Border Patrol Agents who have been jailed or imprisoned for doing their job, I may get warm fuzzies for the President again.

But he won't . . . cause he wants an open border and doesn't want the BP to enforce the law.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Rico

Well, he was convicted of lying to authorities and obstruction. That just means he got in the way of the investigation.

Yes, however, it was not a criminal investigation as the charge that went to Libby's jury read. Otherwise, why didn't they charge Richard Armitage with a crime? He was they guy everyone was looking for the whole time. Supposedly he was the guy Libby "lied" to "cover up."

Of course, as it turns out even Libby didn't know Armitage was "the source." All Libby did was forget the exact date when he had lunch with Tim Russert two years prior. Remember, in Grand Jury testimony you can't bring in any notes - everything you say has to be just off the top of your head.

It was a game of political "gotcha." People should not be sent to prison for political crimes in the U.S. This whole thing smacks of the gulag system.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by CC1

I agree. I think the Prez made a mistake back in 2001 when he thought he could reach across party lines so he kept some key people from the Clinton admin in power at State and in the CIA.

... and in the Justice Department. That's also biting the president right now with the Attorneys General firings.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Rico

"I respect the jury's verdict," Bush said in a statement. "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."

There have to be thousands of excessive sentences all throughout America...it stinks to high places, where the wickness is, that he commute this sentence. Bill Clinton was guilty of the same. This is why so many people don't trust politicians in general