Scooter Libby Has Sentence Commuted

[oldbetang]

What does Susan McDougal have to do with anything.......

She was a significant figure in the Whitewater investigation.

 

[oldbetang]

Before I was kind of unsure of impeachment, but given the myriad of disrespect for the law and the constitution I will be sending all three of my representives smoking e-mails insisting they settle for nothing less.

Impeachment on what grounds?

 

[oldbetang]

Personally, I would love to see the Democrats in Congress initiate impeachment procedures against the President.

 

[MachZer0]

Personally, I would love to see the Democrats in Congress initiate impeachment procedures against the President.

They haven't been able to accomplish anything they promised, so I don't see why we should fret that they could accomplish anything they promised not to do.

 

[JoyJuice]

Impeachment on what grounds?

By not upholding his commitment to protect and uphold the constitution and it's commitments to treaties in light of thinking "it's only a piece of paper".

 

[JoyJuice]

Personally, I would love to see the Democrats in Congress initiate impeachment procedures against the President.

That makes two of us, and quickly before he makes another middle east stupid move with Iran.

 

[oldbetang]

By not upholding his commitment to protect and uphold the constitution and it's commitments to treaties in light of thinking "it's only a piece of paper".

What's with the quoted remark? Please tell me that you're not going to hold up CapitalHillBlues as a reputable source.

Give examples of where Bush has failed to uphold the constitution.

 

[oldbetang]

Jesse Jackson Jr.: Bush Actions 'Crime Against Constitution'

”Since the president has intervened in this process, it is now the Congress’ obligation and responsibility to intervene in the executive process and begin an inquiry into these very serious crimes against the constitution of the United States,” said Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Chicago).

Jackson says this time the president went too far. After word that Bush commuted Libby’s sentence Jackson plans to call on House Democrats to start impeachment proceedings.

“I certainly hope Nancy Pelosi will withdraw her initial remarks that impeachment is completely off the table,” Jackson said.
​

LOL! The nut sure doesn't fall far from the tree.

 

[JoyJuice]

What's with the quoted remark? Please tell me that you're not going to hold up CapitalHillBlues as a reputable source.

Give examples of where Bush has failed to uphold the constitution.

Bush violated UN charter, as called illegal by Anan, which is essentially a treaty by illegally attacking Iraq.

The constitution stiplifies that it is congresses duties to write laws, but rewritting laws through some 750 signing statments he is violating the constitution.

Illegal search through his mulitple survillence programs.

Ignoring the Geneva Convention treaty treatment of prisoners.

E.O. allowing religious discrimination against the constitution.

..that's a start and Lord knows what we will uncover when the supenas really start flying.

 

[HumbleMan]

And If I provide a case where the President issued a pardon to a fugure that played a central role in an investigation into the administration, would you then confess that this case with Bush and Libby is an acceptable use of Presidential power? I don't want to do the research just to have you poo-poo it as not relevant.

No, I really want to know. I don't think this use of the law (or misuse) is acceptable in any circumstance. I don't care who does it.

 

[HumbleMan]

Susan McDougal was never convicted of a crime relating to an official government act or policy, or even being accused of using any official office for gain for herself or others. She was not acting in an official capacity when convicted.

She served her time, and was pardoned in 2001, when Clinton was on his way out.

 

[mayfly]

This seems bad. Lying under oath is punishable by death in the Old Testament. He did not have to lie to protect Bush and Cheney from a democrat witchhunt. They did nothing wrong.

His misguided zeal led Libby to do wrong, and he should not be pardoned. On the other hand, the President has every right to pardon him. After all, look at the constitution. It is the President's choice. I respect it.

As for the fine, no problem. Libby has generous friends and he can raise megabucks on the speaking circuit and by consulting. Perhaps the most important message sent by the pardon is that Libby is still an insider and worthy of being a lobbyist for big business. Now that is going to make paying the fine easy.

Just my thoughts... Never tell a lie. Always tell truth.

 

[HumbleMan]

Except it wasn't a democratic witchhunt. Every step of the process was overseen by a republican appointee.

 

[Sphere]

His misguided zeal led Libby to do wrong, and he should not be pardoned. On the other hand, the President has every right to pardon him. After all, look at the constitution. It is the President's choice. I respect it.

Yes, you are right. It is the presidents choice. Unfortunately for the GOP, it also happens to be the public's choice of who they want in office, and who they want as president. As the 2006 Election results(which didn't occur all that long ago..) have shown. I just hope they(republicans) are not arrogant enough to assume that this will be forgotten.

Because come the 2008 elections, it will be played up to no end in favor of the Democrats. They already have a huge advantage, as their candidates are way ahead of anyone the GOP can put forth. A pardon to libby or his sentence being commuted is pretty much the last nail in the coffin of the GOP's hopes in a Presidential election in 2008.

The silver lining, if you can call it that at this point, is that Bush has handed the White House over to the Democratic Party. There will be no contest now.

Republicans cannot, with any credibility, claim to be anything close to a "law and order party."

The only label they can legitimately claim now is "Soft On Crime."

Unfortunately that label is two fold. Both parties equally share the mistakes and problems with the criminal justice system. The left could be called "soft on crime", just as the right can be called "stupid on crime". As the policies both parties attempt to push through have really nothing to do with solving crime in America(in regards to actual studies, the mandatory arrest for domestic violence is a huge example), but rather they both(democrats and republicans) run with feel good policy that is politically salient. In other words, neither party has any clue as to what they're doing.

 

[ChaliceThunder]

Wtihout.
a.
doubt.


Well maybe not most corrupt but certainly feels it is beyond the laws reach and cna bend the law to suit there needs. I think Patrick Leahy's comment summed it up nicely.


“Accountability has been in short supply in the Bush administration, and this commutation fits that pattern. It is emblematic of a White House that sees itself as being above the law.”





and hey chalice! How bees you?

superfine, dear sistah - thanks!

(and your leahy quote is BANG on the mark!)

 

[StawberryCough]

Just my thoughts... Never tell a lie. Always tell truth.

Except when you need to generate sympathy for Christians, and hatred for non-Christians.

 

[oldbetang]

Bush violated UN charter, as called illegal by Anan, which is essentially a treaty by illegally attacking Iraq.

Annan was not the final arbiter of what is legal or illegal under the UN Charter.

The constitution stiplifies that it is congresses duties to write laws, but rewritting laws through some 750 signing statments he is violating the constitution.

Bush hasn't issued anywhere near 750 signing statements. Try 147. Signing statements are nothing new, They been used since the Monroe presidency and Bush's predecessor issued his fair share of them himself. In fact, his DOJ issued a memo defending the use of signing statements.

Illegal search through his mulitple survillence programs.

Too vague. Offer some specifics please.

Ignoring the Geneva Convention treaty treatment of prisoners.

The Geneva Convention pertains to the treatment of POWS, not enemy combatants.

E.O. allowing religious discrimination against the constitution.

Religious discrimination does not inherently violate the constitution

.

 

[jamesrwright3]

By not upholding his commitment to protect and uphold the constitution and it's commitments to treaties in light of thinking "it's only a piece of paper".

Umm he has the right to do this under the Constitution whether you like it or not

 

[jamesrwright3]

]Bush violated UN charter, as called illegal by Anan, which is essentially a treaty by illegally attacking Iraq.

Then Congress, including Hillary and John Edwards should also be impeached since they gave him authority to use force without UN approval.

The constitution stiplifies that it is congresses duties to write laws, but rewritting laws through some 750 signing statments he is violating the constitution.

Then other Presidents have violated the Constitution as well.

Illegal search through his mulitple survillence programs.

They were not illegal

Ignoring the Geneva Convention treaty treatment of prisoners.

Non-uniformed combatants who do not have a central command are not subject to the provisions of the Geneva Convention

E.O. allowing religious discrimination against the constitution.

Huh?

..that's a start and Lord knows what we will uncover when the supenas really start flying.

I am guessing nothing since nothing has been uncovered in about 6 and a half years

 

[Nathan Poe]

Umm he has the right to do this under the Constitution whether you like it or not

Fair enough, but even Bush isn't stupid enough to offer up a pardon.