Go To Jail, Go Directly To Jail, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200 . . .
Psych!
As the Valerie Plame incident began to wind its way into the mainstream media, President Bush was quoted as saying, "If there's a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of."
I had long thought the President a liar on this point. Little did I know that he was telling the truth. Literally.
While most of us assumed that he was speaking about prosecution or ejection from the cozy confines of his administration, apparently in Bush-ese "taken care of," means well protected and cared for. So, instead of a 30 month sentence, Mr. Libby is instead relieved of the nasty burden of incarceration. How nice for him. There was a time when treason and crimes related to treason received sentences of death or, years, if not decades in prison. But in Mr. Bush's estimation, "the 30-month sentencing was severe." And he has not ruled out the future possibility of a pardon.
I guess they just don’t do treason like they used to!
The move is certainly a crafty one. With Libby still convicted and actively appealing it, the chance that he'll talk about his case is slim. If subpoenaed, he'll likely invoke his 5th Amendment rights. A silent Scooter means greater protection for the Bush inner circle particularly, for Vice President Cheney and Karl Rove. Though within his right as President to commute Mr. Libby's sentence, or to outright pardon him, the President's action raises the question of whether he's engaged in a cover up.
For those of us who have long opposed, and long commented on, the conduct of the Bush Administration, this is just one more drop in a very deep bucket of lawlessness. We shouldn’t really be surprised. The President has consistently shown the same level of respect for the Constitution as he might for a role of toilet paper. The true surprise would be if Congress finally showed the courage and fortitude to hold him accountable. It’s a long shot, but we can hope.
If you’re like me though, you know that political change is a lot like birth control: Hope is not a method.
So perhaps tomorrow in between the cookout and the fireworks, you'd like to celebrate Independence Day with me by calling Congress and demanding action.
202-224-3121
Operators are standing by . . .
As the Valerie Plame incident began to wind its way into the mainstream media, President Bush was quoted as saying, "If there's a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of."
I had long thought the President a liar on this point. Little did I know that he was telling the truth. Literally.
While most of us assumed that he was speaking about prosecution or ejection from the cozy confines of his administration, apparently in Bush-ese "taken care of," means well protected and cared for. So, instead of a 30 month sentence, Mr. Libby is instead relieved of the nasty burden of incarceration. How nice for him. There was a time when treason and crimes related to treason received sentences of death or, years, if not decades in prison. But in Mr. Bush's estimation, "the 30-month sentencing was severe." And he has not ruled out the future possibility of a pardon.
I guess they just don’t do treason like they used to!
The move is certainly a crafty one. With Libby still convicted and actively appealing it, the chance that he'll talk about his case is slim. If subpoenaed, he'll likely invoke his 5th Amendment rights. A silent Scooter means greater protection for the Bush inner circle particularly, for Vice President Cheney and Karl Rove. Though within his right as President to commute Mr. Libby's sentence, or to outright pardon him, the President's action raises the question of whether he's engaged in a cover up.
For those of us who have long opposed, and long commented on, the conduct of the Bush Administration, this is just one more drop in a very deep bucket of lawlessness. We shouldn’t really be surprised. The President has consistently shown the same level of respect for the Constitution as he might for a role of toilet paper. The true surprise would be if Congress finally showed the courage and fortitude to hold him accountable. It’s a long shot, but we can hope.
If you’re like me though, you know that political change is a lot like birth control: Hope is not a method.
So perhaps tomorrow in between the cookout and the fireworks, you'd like to celebrate Independence Day with me by calling Congress and demanding action.
202-224-3121
Operators are standing by . . .
posted by John Fracchia at 4:20 PM
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