Bush overturns court order - in short order
By Libby Spencer
It's no surprise that Bush commuted Scooter Libby's sentence, although the speed with which our Feckless Leader subverted the will of the courts is a bit dizzying. But it's a savvy political move. His ratings are already in the dumper so he only stands to gain a little bump among the dead-ender loyalists who insist a consenual blow job should be a hanging offense but breaching national security to avoid being exposed as liars is just aokay with them.
Frankly, I don't care that Scooter will never have to worry about living up, or down, to his name in the prison showers. This administration has already made such a mockery of the judiciary and the rule of law that this is just one more tiny cut, not a major blow to the jugular vein of justice. It's not that he doesn't deserve it, it's just that by rights it should have been Cheney and Rove doing the perp walk and we have too many people in jail anyway.
In fact, I like Bush's reasoning on this. He says he communted the sentence because he considered it excessive. Since it fell pretty much in the middle of the guidelines he and his pet AG Fredo are insisting should not only be kept intact but enchanced and more fully enforced, maybe he could explain why he won't also commute the sentence of every person incarcerated under those arbitrary guidelines.
Via Radley, here's a list of people whose cases could use some similar presidential mercy and there's thousands more where those came from. I've given up on seeing Cheney held to account out of this travesty. I doubt the press will now put the focus on why Libby lied in the first place, as it should have been right along. But if the commutation at least throws the spotlight on the horrendous practice of mandatory sentencing, it will be worth it in return for Scooter's skip.
(Cross-posted at The Impolitic.)
It's no surprise that Bush commuted Scooter Libby's sentence, although the speed with which our Feckless Leader subverted the will of the courts is a bit dizzying. But it's a savvy political move. His ratings are already in the dumper so he only stands to gain a little bump among the dead-ender loyalists who insist a consenual blow job should be a hanging offense but breaching national security to avoid being exposed as liars is just aokay with them.
Frankly, I don't care that Scooter will never have to worry about living up, or down, to his name in the prison showers. This administration has already made such a mockery of the judiciary and the rule of law that this is just one more tiny cut, not a major blow to the jugular vein of justice. It's not that he doesn't deserve it, it's just that by rights it should have been Cheney and Rove doing the perp walk and we have too many people in jail anyway.
In fact, I like Bush's reasoning on this. He says he communted the sentence because he considered it excessive. Since it fell pretty much in the middle of the guidelines he and his pet AG Fredo are insisting should not only be kept intact but enchanced and more fully enforced, maybe he could explain why he won't also commute the sentence of every person incarcerated under those arbitrary guidelines.
Via Radley, here's a list of people whose cases could use some similar presidential mercy and there's thousands more where those came from. I've given up on seeing Cheney held to account out of this travesty. I doubt the press will now put the focus on why Libby lied in the first place, as it should have been right along. But if the commutation at least throws the spotlight on the horrendous practice of mandatory sentencing, it will be worth it in return for Scooter's skip.
(Cross-posted at The Impolitic.)
Labels: Bush, scandals, Scooter Libby
posted by Libby Spencer at
8:04 PM
3 Comments:
OH man! You know, that was a very reasonable response to the reality of what this story means on its own merits. I can not help being angered by the double standards of justice and accountability that surrounds this administration, however. While Scooter may in fact be the fall guy this pass will only go on to embolden the administration and their minions. I'd have preferred to see Scooter held accountable.
By
cwilcox, at 11:57 PM
I'd prefer that he had spilled the beans and forced Bush to commute Cheney's sentence.
I don't think Scooter ever feared going to jail and the money to pay the fine will find its way into his pockets soon enough, if it hasn't already.
By
Capt. Fogg, at 9:45 AM
I'm angry red hog but I'm also practical and as a practical matter, we call rail about until doomsday and Scooter still won't see a day in jail. I'm just looking for the proverbial silver lining and it seems judging by today's response in the media, that sentencing is indeed becoming a side issue out of this this. That can only be a good thing.
Fogg - That would be been my preferred outcome as well.
By
Libby Spencer, at 10:06 AM
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