Scooter Libby has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison, “a victory for prosecutors.” Libby “stood calmly in the packed courtroom, where a federal judge said the evidence overwhelmingly proved Libby’s guilt.”

UPDATE: He also faces two years probation after his prison term.
UPDATE II: Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald had requested that Libby receive a sentence of 2 1/2 to 3 years, while Libby’s lawyers had asked for no prison time.
UPDATE III: CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin: “This is a long prison sentence in a white-collar case. … Judge Walton really threw the book at Scooter Libby.”
UPDATE IV: The AP reports that “Walton did not immediately address whether Libby could remain free pending appeal.” Toobin notes that if Walton grants bail, Libby could remain free for another year. Otherwise, he will have to report to prison in a couple of weeks.
UPDATE V: Libby received 30 months for obstruction of justice, but he received 15 months on other charges. The sentences will be served concurrently.
UPDATE VI: Walton has set a hearing for 1:30 pm on Thursday to decide whether Libby gets to remain free pending appeal.
UPDATE VII: Emptywheel at Firedoglake has a summary of the sentencing.
UPDATE VIII: Joe and Valerie Wilson’s reaction is HERE.
Don't drop the soap...
June 5th, 2007 at 11:48 amJUSTICE!!!
June 5th, 2007 at 11:48 amJustice Has Prevailed.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:48 amLOL so 30 months at Camp Cupcake prison with Tennis Courts.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:49 amBye Scooter.
maybe you'll find time to write another dirty book while in prison -- you could call it "My Bush Years."
June 5th, 2007 at 11:50 amThey're going to love Libby in prison.
All night long. Every night.
LOL!!
June 5th, 2007 at 11:51 amI won't be happy until I see him in an orange jump suit and flip flops!
June 5th, 2007 at 11:51 amSoes anyone know if Libby's attorney asked for release on bail pending appeal?
June 5th, 2007 at 11:51 amNot nearly as severe as the suggested retribution in "The Sentence Scooter Contest."
For all the latest Libby/Plamegate news, documents, legal developments and other essential materials, see:
June 5th, 2007 at 11:52 am"The Plamegate Scandal Resource Center."
Libby is obviously a flight risk and should be denied bail.
Send that traitor to prison. Today.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:52 amMay I go with him?
love,
June 5th, 2007 at 11:53 amTurdblossom
I think he's a flight risk.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:54 amThank God there's at least one non-corrupt judge in this country.
Of course he'll still be out of jail for some time I'm sure there's still a lot more lawyering to be done.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:55 amYes!
June 5th, 2007 at 11:55 amJeez, it would be a real shame if that traitor got shanked to death in prison.
Yup, a darn shame.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:55 amBye Scooter.
maybe you’ll find time to write another dirty book while in prison — you could call it “My Bush Years.â€
Comment by Zooey
Or "My Tush Years".
June 5th, 2007 at 11:56 amTruth matters.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:57 amThanks Fitz!
I see those love letters did him a heckofalotofgood. He may want to get (sing it foloks!)"a little ky jelly just south of the belly" before going in, prisoners don't always spit and spear (it is supposed to be PUNISHMENT)
June 5th, 2007 at 11:57 amNot nearly as severe as the suggested retribution in “The Sentence Scooter Contest.â€
For all the latest Libby/Plamegate news, documents, legal developments and other essential materials, see:
“The Plamegate Scandal Resource Center.â€
Comment by Angry One
I won Third Place. And I've never won anything before. Thank you, thank you, hold your applause.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:57 amFive Friedmans. Isn't that equivalent to about ten years for the neocon-breed used to doing whatever it wanted, whenever it wanted?
June 5th, 2007 at 11:57 amOr “My Tush Yearsâ€.
Comment by shane — June 5, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Ouch!!!
June 5th, 2007 at 11:58 amThank God there’s at least one non-corrupt judge in this country.
Of course he’ll still be out of jail for some time I’m sure there’s still a lot more lawyering to be done.
Comment by Texas Democrat — June 5, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Just heard them say he could go to prison as early as next week if the judge doesn't let him stay out pending appeal.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:59 amExcept Chimpy to sign off on some more amnesty any day soon.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:01 pmOr “My Tush Yearsâ€.
Comment by shane — June 5, 2007 @ 11:56 am
Ouch!!!
Comment by jules
Well at least their won't be a horny bear in his cell. Too bad really.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:01 pmOf course, he will only serve his sentence until his pardon from GDumbya comes through.
I suppose he is now hoping for an early (impeachment-threat-induced) resignation ahead of schedule so that he can get out even sooner.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:02 pmTurdblossom and Gonezales :
You both are next.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:02 pm30 months? That's a joke!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:03 pmStart singing Scooter, and you could be out before the 2010 mid-terms.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:04 pmSoes anyone know if Libby’s attorney asked for release on bail pending appeal?
Comment by Zooey
Of course. That will take years. He has a better chance of dying of old age before he serves any time behind bars.
Good thing he isn't a poor black or out of work blue collar white guy or his tired ass would have went straight to f***ing where he belongs.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:04 pmHahaha! One of Bush's closest advisors and friends is carted off to prison. Seems that Bush likes to surround himself with criminals.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:04 pmThe fact that he wasn't charged with leaking proves there was no underlying crime.
Valerie Plame worked at a desk.
Bill Clinton said Saddam had WMDs too. So did John Kerry.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:05 pmYou what guys, the guy committed a crime, he was convicted and sentenced. He will do his time. Do we really have to wish rape on the guy? I've always been curious why people feel so justified wishing rape on people who are convicted of a crime. Shouldn't we be hopiong they will use the time to reflect and come out of a prison a better person?
I know that many people loathe this guy for many reasons other than lying to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. But we really should try to rise above the desire for homosexual rape of the guy. I think those of you that are promoting that idea, should be ashamed.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:05 pmGood thing he isn’t a poor black or out of work blue collar white guy or his tired ass would have went straight to f***ing where he belongs.
Comment by Joe Sixpack
If that was the case, Scooter would have been cuffed immediately upon sentence.
I see my question has been answered in Update IV.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:09 pm30 months on an obstruction of justice?
and 15 on other charges, served together. Bah can we get a little more fluffy with them?
Maybe I am too harsh of a bastard, but I'd say that requires at least 5 years before parole is even an option.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:09 pmHurry up and deny his bail and send him to prison.
I want Libby to spend at least one night in prison before Chimpy pardons him.
Even one night will be enough. Libby will be walking funny for months.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:09 pmAs the judge said, the purpose of obstructing justice is to make it so the prosecutor doesn't have enough to prosecute the original crime.
And Valerie Plame travelled overseas in her UNDERCOVER CIA job. Her cover company, Brewster-Jennings, was also undercover and outed at the same time. They were the CIA's main asset for investigating reports of WMD's in Iraq and Iran.
It figures the Repuke troll would try to say nothing wrong happened. Repukes are all criminals, liars and TRAITORS.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:12 pmCrump's Brother so this is justice like when Bill Clinton lied to a grand jury and got nothing ? no this is Democrat justice by a partisan judge with a grudge and axe to grind . I am willing to bet there will be a pardon and without the donation to Bush's Presidential library like there was when Bill Clinton pardon the on the run fugitive Mark Ritch
June 5th, 2007 at 12:12 pmI think the sentence is appropriate. That said, I also believe that if he is allowed to remain free while appealing his case, that he'll never spend a minute in prison as he'll be pardoned at the end of Bush's term. If, on the other hand, the judge orders him to start serving immediately, that will present a more difficult decision for the decider.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:13 pmwell if and when Libby goes to prison he will not be there as long as william jefferson : )
June 5th, 2007 at 12:14 pmValerie Plam was not a CIA Agent she sat at a desk in lagnley doing the top secret work of a pencil pusher and blowing her boss. you people are funny
June 5th, 2007 at 12:16 pmMaybe I am too harsh of a bastard, but I’d say that requires at least 5 years before parole is even an option.
Comment by Tundra
I agree with you, Tundra. Consider that this is the powerful, white upper class we're dealing with....
June 5th, 2007 at 12:17 pmwell if and when Libby goes to prison he will not be there as long as william jefferson : )
Comment by Harry Truman — June 5, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
Or Tom Delay :)
June 5th, 2007 at 12:18 pmThis whole thing is a joke. Obstructing an investigation of a non-crime.
Sounds familiar, right guys? Isn't this the same thing as Clinton lying about sex?
Complete waste of time and money -- not to mention that Libby will lose 30 months of his life.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:18 pmValerie Plam was not a CIA Agent she sat at a desk in lagnley doing the top secret work of a pencil pusher and blowing her boss. you people are funny
Comment by Harry Truman
Wrong. Plame's covert status has been estabished in Libby's court file.
Your position is debunked. Move along...
June 5th, 2007 at 12:18 pmHey tom 3 shut up and finish blowing my dog . he is waiting for you
June 5th, 2007 at 12:19 pmFinally. Well, it just goes to show you, you can lie to American people day after day and year after year, as long as they are not federal officers.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:20 pmWith all the republican corruption convictions I think libby will have an easy time in prison. His gang will be thhere ahead of him and have their portion of the prison yard staked out. The Enron guys will have their portion, the world com guys theirs, the republicans theirs etc... The lowly day traders in prison will be on their own and have to tread carefully and watch for signs of danger whilst traversing the prison yard.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:20 pmValerie Plam was not a CIA Agent she sat at a desk in lagnley doing the top secret work of a pencil pusher and blowing her boss. you people are funny
Comment by Harry Truman
_______________________
The "suck" stops here.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:21 pmLibby will appeal,and in a year and half time,and when Bush about to say 'good bye' to his presidency, Libby will probably be pardoned..
Bush,Sr. pardoned people were involved in the Iran- Contra.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:21 pmBush,Jr. will do the same.
Harry Truman,
"so this is justice like when Bill Clinton lied to a grand jury and got nothing?"
Unfortunately, no. If he had been tried and convicted of that crime, Clinton should have done the time. That's my feeling on that issue. No one is above the law.
"no this is Democrat justice by a partisan judge with a grudge and axe to grind"
Do you have any eveidence that this judge was motivated by politics? I doubt it. Further, Libby was convicted by a jury of his peers. Not the judge. THey found that there was sufficient evidence to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Libby had lied to investigators. That's not on the Judge. The judges sentence mathces current guidleines for a crime of this sort. We cannot allow people to lie to investigators. Regardless of how much we like their politics.
"I am willing to bet there will be a pardon and without the donation to Bush’s Presidential library like there was when Bill Clinton pardon the on the run fugitive Mark Ritch"
While you have a legitmate beef with this particular pardon, may I remind you of all those who have been pardoned recently by Republican Presidents. Richard Nixon to name the most obvious who should have faced the music. And the whole treasonous Iran-Contra crew who were pardoned by pappa Bush.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:22 pmUPDATE VI: Walton has set a hearing for 1:30 pm on Thursday to decide whether Libby gets to remain free pending appeal.
Since the hearing is set so soon, my guess is that the answer will be no bail pending appeal. Just a guess, of course.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:23 pmWow! Those CNN commentators are hot!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:23 pm#37 "Judge Reggie B. Walton assumed his position as a United States District Judge for the District of Columbia on October 29, 2001, after being nominated to the position by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate. In May 2007, Chief Justice John Roberts appointed Judge Walton to serve as a Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which is a 7-year appointment. Judge Walton was also appointed by President Bush in June of 2004 to serve as the Chairperson of the National Prison Rape Reduction Commission, a two-year commission created by the United States Congress that is tasked with the mission of identifying methods to curb the incidents of prison rape. Former Chief Justice Rehnquist appointed Judge Walton to the federal judiciary's Criminal Law Committee, effective October 1, 2005. Judge Walton previously served as an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia from 1981 to 1989 and 1991 to 2001, having been appointed to that position by Presidents Ronald Reagan in 1981 and George H. W. Bush in 1991. "
More information located at http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/walton-bio.html.
Doesn't sound like 'Democrat justice by a partisan judge with a grudge and axe to grind' to me.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:24 pmRoboTroll 3010 - go back to your padded room.
"Valerie Plame worked at a desk."
There is no debate about this anywhere other than the whistling gap between your ears. If she wasn't covert, Fitz never would have been appointed to investigate. God you f**kers are dumb.
"Bill Clinton said Saddam had WMDs too."
Well, Clinton didn't go start a war, completely f**k it up at every single step, and cause the deaths of 3500 Americans, now did he? If you'd put down swank magazine and read some books sometime, or even read a newpaper, you might know this.
"So did John Kerry."
Yeah, but unlike Bush, he managed to realize his mistake and say he was wrong. If you want to find out the value of this realization, wait until November 2008.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:25 pmDoesn’t sound like ‘Democrat justice by a partisan judge with a grudge and axe to grind’ to me.
Comment by dh — June 5, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
I bet their kicking themselves in the ass about now huh?
June 5th, 2007 at 12:27 pmLibby is such a violent criminal.
Please, I've seen rapists get less time. There are a backlog of violent criminals that are worth using tax dollars to imprison.
"Libby don't drop the soap" That's the statement coming from the crazed left, they all support harmless prison inmates "dropping the soap." And I was called the freak in the other thread.... More Libetrolls getting their freak on!
Sorry, not a just sentence. PARDON please. The president has the right to do it and should immediately do it.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:27 pm#37 MARC RICH?? Rich was a Rapeublican...
Yup, SCOOTER LIBBY was his LAWYER!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:28 pmCrump's Brother, why are you even engaging "Harry Truman"? He's obviously a third-string troll at best, not even up to the standard set by Patrick1 or m12 (who may be the same person). And that's a pretty low standard to meet.
Look at the facts:
Harry Truman claimed that Valerie Plame was not even a CIA agent. I mean, the regressive claim that she wasn't covert has been pretty thoroughly debunked, but this troll tries to go even further and claim she never even worked at the CIA.
Then, of course, there's his promotion of bestiality... at leats he's honest about what turns him on, but still, is this someone you shold be talking to?
June 5th, 2007 at 12:28 pmLibby will file an appeal and drag this out for the rest of Bush's term in office, then Dubya will pardon Scooter on orders of Darth Dicky Cheney.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:29 pmThanks for your input Rusty #54. Unfortunately, there's not much I can do about your concerns, as my messaging in set and programmed at RNC headquarters. Please direct your concerns to them.
Thank you.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:30 pmKRank,
Your totally right!!
I guess I'm sucker for our right wing dumbasses. I keep deluding myself into believing that if shown the truth, they will accept it. I'm not sure why I'm still so optimistic that my more conservative countrymen will come around. I should know better by now.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:30 pmSorry, not a just sentence. PARDON please. The president has the right to do it and should immediately do it.
Comment by CompTROLLER V-1 — June 5, 2007 @ 12:27 pm
From your lips.....As the VAST majority of Americans are agaist this pardon, I really wish Chimpy would do it. A Dem will just waltz into the WH come January 2009. All of these idiotic repugnuts in Congress associated with Chimpy will be out on their collective asses and we can get some semblence of America back!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:34 pmMan, talk about your bad luck!
Libby gets a crooked, partisan prosecutor; a crooked, partisan grand jury; a crooked, partisan trial judge; and a crooked, partisan jury!
Just like Tom Delay! And Bob Ney!
I mean, what are the odds?!?
I'll tell you, those Republicans occupying high government offices are just so gosh-darn unlucky!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:35 pmA victory for the American Justice system. Yeah Right! That victory will only last until Bush takes out the already drawn up pardon papers and signs them to set Scooter free.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:36 pmI guess I’m sucker for our right wing dumbasses. I keep deluding myself into believing that if shown the truth, they will accept it. I’m not sure why I’m still so optimistic that my more conservative countrymen will come around. I should know better by now.
Comment by Crump's Brother — June 5, 2007 @ 12:30 pm
I hear ya, Crump's Brother. It's a powerful temptation and I fall prey to it daily. I believe it's a flaw in progressive thinking -- the confidence that facts and logic will persuade a reasonable person. What do you suppose is missing in that equation with trolls like "Harry"?
June 5th, 2007 at 12:37 pmThought the penalty for Treason was death...
June 5th, 2007 at 12:39 pmConcurrent setences is a GIFT considering what he and the rest of BushCheneyCo have done. Now the question is: will he actually see the inside of a prison cell? If he's free-pending-appeal, he won't because he'll be pardoned before stepping foot in the prison system. Let's hope he gets what he deserves.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:40 pmScootie should start talking about . . . three months into his term.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:41 pmI'd say if he's got the story, he has bargaining power, with immunity !
After sending his Aunt Dick to jail, he'll have enough money to hide.
James Carville wrote a letter to the judge, for Libby, to let him go free, so Carville has set himself on fire and is finished in the Democratic Party. He can thank his wife Mary for becoming stupid.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:43 pmCompTROLLER V-1,
"Sorry, not a just sentence. PARDON please. The president has the right to do it and should immediately do it."
So when you say it isn't a just sentence, are you saying that people shouldn't punished in this manner for obstruction and perjury. I tend to agree with Pat Fitzgerald when he says that these crimes are of the utmost importance because they are ones that insure the faith in our justice system. All the federal guidelines for sentencing in this matter were followed very well. It is just.
I'm sure that if Bill Clinton had gotten convicted and sentenced in the same manner, you would have felt it justified.
Read here: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/04/1648/
June 5th, 2007 at 12:44 pmHe can thank his wife Mary for becoming stupid.
Comment by Jay Randal — June 5, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Why blame his wife? No, this he did on his own!!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:46 pmjules > Mary Matalin has been a bad influence on her husband James Carville. He is a worthless advisor for the Democrats now.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:49 pmKRank,
"What do you suppose is missing in that equation with trolls like “Harry�"
It's called blind faith. And it is unfortunate.
Of course now here comes the troll to tell us that we are the ones who suffer from it, not them. I'm guessing it will be troll President Clinton/valiantthehater.
The really wierd thing is that in their worldview, government needs to be destroyed as much as possible. So what do they do? They run and elect people who are so bad at governing, that it becomes a self-fulfileld prophecy or sorts. They have so inept doing the job of governing a forward leaning nation, that they can then say, "see, government is bad for you. Vote for us" It's delusional really.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:50 pm"Ooopsie!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:50 pmSorry 'bout that, lil' Scooter... hey, at least I didn't shoot ya' for bein' so stupid and gettin' caught!
Drop by Dubai when you get out, we'll pop a couple of Millers (he he!) and shoot (just kidding!) the breeze!
Love ya lil buddy, thanks for takin' one for the dickster!"
Why blame his wife? No, this he did on his own!!
Comment by jules
I second that. Geez...
June 5th, 2007 at 12:51 pmOne agent of Israel down, hundreds more to go...
AIPAC on Trial
The lobby argues that good Americans spy for Israel
http://uruknet.info/?p=m32722&s1=h1
http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/1599/1/
Reveal the entire truth of the conspiracy.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:57 pmComment by Crump's Brother
Never have I stated anywhere that Bill Clinton should have gotten tossed in the slammer for his Obstruction of Justice/Perjury offenses. Never said it. I did advocate conviction, but I was mixed on even removal from office since he did have high approval rating.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:57 pmjules > Mary Matalin has been a bad influence on her husband James Carville. He is a worthless advisor for the Democrats now.
Comment by Jay Randal — June 5, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
What is he 5? He is a grown man. If he cannot make up his own mind on matters of such import then he does not have the intellect to be a progressive. Good riddance to bad rubbish!!!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:58 pmHollyweirdo/lobbyist Fred Thompson could pay Libby's fine out of his Cuban cigar money.
June 5th, 2007 at 12:59 pm$250,000 fine?
That's chump change to the Repub elites.
I did advocate conviction, but I was mixed on even removal from office since he did have high approval rating.
Comment by CompTROLLER V-1 — June 5, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
Approval rating should dictate whether or not a criminal is punished? In that case this whole administration better watch out.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:00 pmI bet Carville is in shock the judge released his letter. This is a nail in James' political coffin now.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:03 pmWhy blame his wife? No, this he did on his own!!
Comment by jules
I second that. Geez…
Comment by Zooey
I basically agree but I do think he let the heat of his d*ck melt his brain.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:03 pm#31. "Bill Clinton said Saddam had WMDs too. So did John Kerry."
Critical thinkers don't believe everything these two say.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:04 pmPresident can waive the 5-year requirement and immediately pardon libby. These are non-binding guidelines. The Chief Executive of the United States can choose to disregard them.
Every president can have his dose of "controversial pardons."
June 5th, 2007 at 1:04 pmNow that we got Libby, time to go after Bill Clinton for doing the same thing.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:07 pmI basically agree but I do think he let the heat of his d*ck melt his brain.
Comment by shane
Possibly, but he's still responsible for his own d*ck -- and himself.
Blech....
June 5th, 2007 at 1:07 pmEvery president can have his dose of “controversial pardons.â€
Comment by CompTROLLER V-1 — June 5, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Not this president and not at this time. He is so unpopular this will be the final nail in the republicans coffins. They will lose the presidency, they will lose the house and they will lose the senate. Even Chimpy cannot be this stupid. But to dream!!!!
June 5th, 2007 at 1:08 pmComment by jules
Well, I can't claim that punishment should be linked to popularity, but I believe a censure/conviction/congressional fine would have worked best and allowed the country to move on, as it did regardless.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:09 pmSo is BNN still reporting that irving lewis was convicted for "allegedly" lying to the FBI
June 5th, 2007 at 1:10 pmHe should not be free while appeals go through the system. He must serve his time just like anyone else and wait his appeal in a cell, or the whole system will be exposed as unjust.
Hell, he may even flee the country to Israel.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:11 pmCompTROLLER V-1,
"Every president can have his dose of “controversial pardons.â€"
True enough. They can all pardon every offender in the country if they so choose, they have that power. I personally think they should not have that power.
I think we should amend the Consitution to only allow pardons by the President only up to the week before the general election of the office of the Presidency. That would effectively put an end to these kinds of pardons. If those doing the pardoning, and by effect their party, were to suffer the political consequences of purely politically motivated pardons, it would effectively put an end to those kinds of pardons.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:11 pmSo is BNN still reporting that irving lewis was convicted for “allegedly†lying to the FBI
Comment by klyde
They don't listen to themselves.
BNN?
June 5th, 2007 at 1:12 pmJUSTICE!!!
Comment by Crump's Brother
Justice Has Prevailed.
Comment by Tom3
If this were justice richard bruce cheney, kkkarl rove and a slew of others would be in the dock with irving lewis libby.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:13 pmNow that we got Libby, time to go after Bill Clinton for doing the same thing.
Comment by CaptainMantastic
Statute of limitations, fool.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:16 pmklyde ,
While I personally believe you are right, the fact is those guys were not tried and convicted of any serious crime.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:17 pmComment by jules
Should Mr. Bush decide to pardon Libby, he would wait until his last day in office and make no hint of it beforehand, at least a few months after the 2008 Elections. Whatever he chooses to do, you right: A non-Republican president will likely be installed in the White House in 2009. I have to admit that given the country's wear and tear, that seems likely.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:17 pmYES!!
Suck on it, Bushwhore scumbag!
June 5th, 2007 at 1:23 pmNow that we got Libby, time to go after Bill Clinton for doing the same thing.
yeah......
you DO that...
tell us how you make out....
Marc Rich was a RAPEUBLICAN, and his lawyer was SCOOTER LIBBY!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
June 5th, 2007 at 1:24 pmROSTOCK, Germany — President Bush feels "terrible" for the family of I. Lewis Libby but does not intend to intervene now in the case of the former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney who was sentenced to prison Tuesday, the White House said.
Bush was informed by aides of Libby's sentencing in Washington two 2 1/2 years in prison after he got on Air Force One Tuesday to fly from the Czech Republic to Germany for the G-8 summit of industrialized nations.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:26 pmComment by Crump's Brother
Rule changes aren't a bad idea. Over the years, I never imagined the President having such broad powers including those. Since the Justice system is a separate branch, maybe the rules should only allow a pardon or stay of execution (for federal cases) from the Chief Justice. If the president can have the power, the Chief Justice should first approve the reason, or maybe we can just forget about the Chief Justice and go straight to the Senate.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:26 pmA non-Republican president will likely be installed in the White House in 2009. I have to admit that given the country’s wear and tear, that seems likely.
No, a Democratic president will be ELECTED by a CLEAR MAJORITY of the American public.
And Bush and Cheney will be arrested as WAR CRIMINALS soon after!!
For the MURDER and TREASON TO THE USA they have committed.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:26 pm#84 Comment by CompTROLLER V-1 — June 5, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Every president can have his dose of “controversial pardons.â€
So do you think this presidential "dose" is good or right or best? Do you think it should be changed?
I am against all pardons of convicted persons, regardless of party affiliation. Convicted persons should go through the normal appeals process. Pardons thwart justice and promote unfairness by rewarding unworthy friends. I would welcome the revocation of this right to pardon by what ever means necessary.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:37 pmchairman of the joint chiefs of
staff writes a letter SUPPORTING
obstruction of justice and perjury!
general peter pace!
i am fairly certain that, if this
June 5th, 2007 at 1:47 pmaccurately reflects gen. peter pace's
ability to judge character, we may safely
assume that nothing in iraq is going to
improve significantly, without a change
of administrations. that is to say, if he
feels that serving "the united states govern-
ment extremely well on national security
issues" includes perjury, and obstruction of
justice [note that the letter is dated after
scooter's conviction!] -- then i am reasonably
certain gen. pace is unfit for his current role.
UPDATE VI: Walton has set a hearing for 1:30 pm on Thursday to decide whether Libby gets to remain free pending appeal.
Since the hearing is set so soon, my guess is that the answer will be no bail pending appeal. Just a guess, of course.
Comment by Zooey
There was a pretty good segment on Morning Edition today, which included someone's analysis of the judge in the case. According to this guy, the judge (Bush appointee) is very law & order and very respectful of a jury's decision. In other words, if the jury says he's guilty, the judge isn't about to counter that decision with a light sentence (in spite of how poor Scooter has suffered and "already been punished" blah blah blah). Based on the sentence, the analysis sounds accurate.
The analyst didn't think the judge would be inclined to grant a long appeal but would be more likely to send Scoots to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. The Libby apologists, of course, are figuring he can hold out until January 2009 and get his pardon on GWB's exit (always assuming GWB ever gives up the throne).
Fingers crossed that this doesn't happen, and the judge packs him off to start serving his time. Now.
June 5th, 2007 at 1:57 pmThe more I read the works of the posters here the more my gut turns. People pretend to want peace but yet if you read the posts it is clear that many of the posters condone violence. Libby is a criminal and based on what happens in court may go to prison. In that regard if he spends time in jail and serves his sentence than he is supposed to be considered to have paid his debt to society.
Posters believe that “shanking†Libby (stabbing) is reasonable along with condoning prison rape. He should not drop the soap or, “Wow are they going to have fun with him†are all harsh indictments on the citizenry of the USA and not on Libby. We live now in a culture of violence and even prison inmates are reduced to more violence.
Even if we subscribed to the Code of Hammurabi (eye for an eye) your recommended additional punishments exceed Libby’s crime! Shame on you we are supposed to be better than these fools in our government. We should be grateful that justice has been served and hope that Libby learns his lesson in 2.5 years of incarceration. Wanting him to be “shanked†or raped makes us worse than him and we learn to feed off of violence.
June 5th, 2007 at 2:06 pmusually traitors are shot.
June 5th, 2007 at 2:09 pmZooey, BNN/CNN=Bush News Network
June 5th, 2007 at 2:14 pm# 104 best concern troll evah
June 5th, 2007 at 2:16 pmLibby is a member of the PNAC traitors who occupy MANY positions in Bush's CRIMINAL ADMINISTRATION.
So are Rummy, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Perle, who were all signatories of "support letters" for such a "patriot".
They are ALL TRAITORS and WAR CRIMINALS.
When a Democratic president is ELECTED in 2008, their FIRST act should be to ARREST the above and Bush.
The SECOND act should be to open ALL of Reagan and Bush's records, revealing that this line of TRAITORS has 30+ years of TREASON.
Bush sealed those records using 9/11 as an EXCUSE...
June 5th, 2007 at 2:24 pmZooey, BNN/CNN=Bush News Network
Comment by klyde
I should have known. :D
All I could think of was Bozo News Network.
June 5th, 2007 at 2:27 pmfredomrings #104
I totally agree. I said the same thing earlier in the post!!!
June 5th, 2007 at 2:27 pmThe rethug defense of irving Lewis libby in three words: But but Clinton.
Rethugs, the party of smear and fear (and abject failure)
June 5th, 2007 at 2:36 pmfredomrings and Crump's Brother: I'm glad I'm not the only one who's been thinking that. I want to get to know progressive positions, but it's hard to get past the profanity and hate. Sometimes, it makes my heart hurt.
June 5th, 2007 at 2:37 pmFor connoisseurs of corruption: the most corrupt administration in American history--until this one--was Ronald Reagan's. The Reagan administration was the first in history to have over 100 of its members charged with crimes. Vive le Republican Revolucion!
June 5th, 2007 at 2:47 pmIs it that republican's are more corrupt, or that democrats are so much more interested in charging corruption then doing the countries business.
June 5th, 2007 at 2:53 pmDear freedomrings - Just remember two names - William "Freezer" Jefferson and Randy "Duke" Cunningham. One of these crooked "public servants" you will read about here at TP (along with Scooter Libby) and the other is a non-issue. Please don't take the crazed ranting of the "Progressive Left" for anything more than the evidence it IS.....(I like to think visiting the "Think (?) Progress" playground much in the same way as I view visiting our local zoo.....it's interesting to watch the freaks and socio-paths roar and grunt. And they digustingly manage to fling their own feces....which is about the time I choose to leave the 'fling fest".)
Many are people whose mission in life is easily explored in the agenda page of the Democratic Socialists of America website. DSA positions are mirrored here - and I am NOT surprised. Funny thing, the hypocritical self-proclaimed "elites" are just looking for an "issue" to make themselves feel involved and far more important than they are.
Toooodles.......have fun!!
June 5th, 2007 at 3:09 pmPrisoner Libby meet your new cell mate, Ben Dover
June 5th, 2007 at 3:13 pmRight about now, the censors at TP must be REALLY busy......
June 5th, 2007 at 3:14 pmToooodles?
June 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pm#119 - Pssst....better questions might have been "William Jefferson WHO?", "feces?", "DemS*cialists of America?", "elites?" .......
Busy day.......enjoy the zoooo.....
June 5th, 2007 at 3:31 pm# 116 - Comment by valiant venus — June 5, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
"Dear freedomrings - Just remember two names - William “Freezer†Jefferson and Randy “Duke†Cunningham. One of these crooked “public servants†you will read about here at TP (along with Scooter Libby) and the other is a non-issue."
virulent venus, you lying sack of sh*t! The TP post on Rep. Jefferson's "temporarily" stepping down from his Small Business Committee chairmanship after being indicted on 16 charges, including racketeering, solicitation of bribes, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice, violating the foreign corrupt practices act, and conspiracy, was posted at 11:55 am (immediately after this topic, posted at 11:46 am). You had PLENTY of time to know you were lying; you just lied ANYWAY, because that is you NATURE!
You are a clone of our current, lying, corrupt, criminal president.
You will say ANY lying crap to derail the subject of this thread:
Scooter-Rooter, the President in Charge of Vice's illicit love interest, is GOING TO JAIL!
He lied to Federal Officials, because he, like you, is a LYING SACK OF SH*T!
June 5th, 2007 at 3:37 pmWell, I guess Judge Walton can kiss that sweet FISA Judge deal goodby.
Good for him. I wish that he could have given Libby a longer sentence. The man is a traitor. We executed the Rosenbergs during the communist scare era for being traitors, but we don't even prosecute people who out a covert CIA agent. Personally I think that Fitzgerald did what he was told to do, not what was right.
June 5th, 2007 at 3:46 pm#121 Comment by Katie — June 5, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Personally I think that Fitzgerald did what he was told to do, not what was right.
Who do you believe told him what to do?
June 5th, 2007 at 3:50 pmWhat "was right" in your judgment?
#120 - Hysteria, You might admit (if you were an honest prog) that William Jefferson is not covered extensively here at TP because this site promotes a Leftist agenda.
And the fact that freedomrings noted the viciousness of progressive "wishes" for Scooter's incarceration prompted my response. You should know by now I view your ability to capitalize ("LYING SACK OF SH*T!") as a cute trick much like jumping through a hoop, pawing the groung or clapping in hope of being thrown a dead fish. But thankfully, I could duck when you started your "flinging feces" 'trick'....
Gotta run......
June 5th, 2007 at 3:50 pm"Funny thing, the hypocritical self-proclaimed “elites†are just looking for an “issue†to make themselves feel involved and far more important than they are."
Toooodles…….have fun!!
Comment by valiant venus
Yeah, private schooled MA, who lives in an elitist enclave, simply hates "elites" that are self proclaimed - it makes it harder for her to hear the pearls of wisdom dispensed by her white-collar crook neighbors.
So, how's the pickings in Boesky/Millikenland, MA?
Conned any seniors out of their life's savings today?
June 5th, 2007 at 3:53 pmBarf-ly - Which public schools did the Kennedy, Kerry, Edwards, and Clinton kids attend???
Later.....
June 5th, 2007 at 3:57 pm#120 - Hysteria, You might admit (if you were an honest prog) that William Jefferson is not covered extensively here at TP because this site promotes a Leftist agenda. MA
Breaking: Indicted Jefferson To Drop His Only Committee Seat
A Democratic congressional aide tells ThinkProgress that Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) has informed Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) by letter that he is “temporarily†stepping down from his only committee assignment, on the Small Business Committee, until his legal matter is resolved.
ThinkFast: June 5, 2007
... Freshman Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI) issued a statement calling on newly indicted Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) to “consider resigning for the good of Congress and for the good of the nation.â€
They all look alike to Fox News.
Fox covers the indictment of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) by showing images of Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), who also happens to be African American.
Boehner will try to force Jefferson expulsion.
“House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) moved quickly to force the expulsion of Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) from Congress following his indictment Monday on federal corruption charges.
CBS: Rep. Jefferson indicted.
“Sources tell CBS News that Congressman William Jefferson (D-LA) has been indicted on more than a dozen counts involving public corruption.
Naughty And Nice 2006
... NICE: William Cullen, for inventing the refrigerator. NAUGHTY: Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA), for using his refrigerator to store $90,000 in cash.
House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
is “expected to stand by her decision to permanently remove†Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) from the powerful Ways and Means Committee, National Journal reports.
109 Reasons To Dump The 109th Congress
... Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) hid bribe money in his freezer.
ThinkFast AM: July 11, 2006
... †A federal judge ruled yesterday that the controversial seizure of records from Rep. William Jefferson’s (D-LA) legislative offices was legal.
ThinkFast AM: June 19, 2006
... A federal judge “signaled that he was inclined to rule against Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) and a bipartisan group of House leaders as they challenged the constitutionality of an FBI raid on the Louisiana Democrat’s office last month.
Breaking: Democrats strip Jefferson of committee seat.
The House Democratic caucus voted tonight to strip Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) of his seat on the Ways & Means Committee.
Bartlett Falsely Claims Bush Supports Full Investigation of ‘Any Allegation of Public Corruption’
Dan Bartlett, senior counselor to President Bush, appeared on CNN this evening and was asked where the President stood with regards to the FBI raid on Rep. William Jefferson’s office.
Pelosi Calls on Jefferson to Resign From Ways & Means Committee
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has called on Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) to resign his seat on the House Ways & Means Committee.
ThinkFast: May 22, 2006
... †A Virginia businesswoman whom Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) allegedly tried to scam was an FBI informant.
ThinkFast: May 18, 2006
... Bob Ney (R-OH) and William Jefferson (D-LA).
Right.
June 5th, 2007 at 4:03 pmBarf-ly....Goood job!!! (I "wondered" about that blank space to the left of "Search"....LOL!!) Now clap your flippers twice for the freshly dead mackerel.......
June 5th, 2007 at 4:09 pmWhere is JHendler when you need him?
June 5th, 2007 at 4:18 pmWhen Tom DeLay's indictments were announced I mailed to him at his office 2 tubes of KY jelly with a note saying he might appreciate having this around in jail. I was tempted to do the same thing today when the great news about Scooter's sentence came out. Then I thought differently and figured it would be more of a punishment if Scooter had to do his time with no friction reduction.
June 5th, 2007 at 4:50 pmvirulent venus is a lying. Like it it lower case, you lying sack of sh*t?
The fact is that you lied about TP's lack of coverage of Rep. Jefferson (#126 just shows the tip of the iceberg of TP coverage).
Your lies does not deflect the topic of this thread, which is Scooter-boy is head for jail as he so richly deserves.
I repeat: virulent venus is a lying troll. Anything virulent says on this thread (or any other thread) is a lie, because virulent is a liar.
And I also repeat: Scooter-boy is head for jail as he so richly deserves.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:50 pmIs it that republican’s are more corrupt, or that democrats are so much more interested in charging corruption then doing the countries business.
Comment by CaptainMantastic — June 5, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
countries business? that's country's business - You can't spell it, and the NeoCons haven't done it since 1994. The business they have done is for their Pimps: the global conglomerates and war profiteers.
To answer your rhetorically dumb question, the NeoCons are more corrupt, but not as corrupt as you, MAsturbating troll, virulent venus, Jake-off, and the rest of the lying trolls.
I repeat: Scooter-boy is head for jail, as he so RICHLY deserves!
June 5th, 2007 at 8:00 pmif fitzgerald is saying that a cloud still hangs over cheney,then when will dr. evil have his day in court?
June 5th, 2007 at 8:04 pm1) Hysteria, You might admit (if you were an honest prog) that William Jefferson is not covered extensively here at TP because this site promotes a Leftist agenda.
2) Funny thing, the hypocritical self-proclaimed “elites†are just looking for an “issue†to make themselves feel involved and far more important than they are.
Toooodles…….have fun!
Comment by Vile Vermin
1) Please tell us how many times TP has covered Jefferson compares with how many times RedState or Ann-thrax Coulter's or Michelle Malice's blogs have covered Bob Ney, Duke Cunningham (the Congressman you originally voted in), Mark Foley, etc.
June 5th, 2007 at 8:40 pm2) Are you talking about yourself here, Ms. private school-educated lawyerette wannabe, with the hired gardeners and housekeeper?
When Tom DeLay’s indictments were announced I mailed to him at his office 2 tubes of KY jelly with a note saying he might appreciate having this around in jail.
Comment by Ben Dover
Thanks for the laugh. I hope the Bugman gets a chance to use your gift.
June 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pmHe'll NEVER do a day...
...unless his masters are "REPUDIATED", indicted, and IMPRISONED TOO!
June 5th, 2007 at 8:45 pmIf Libby was found guilty of espionage I would imagine that the punishment would be greater to include possible capital punishment. If this were the case then even then prison rape or shanking should never be acceptable conduct. We have to look at the reality that you are hoping that another man forces a part of his body into this man. Hence RAPE! I was not aware that there was a new “rape sentence†that the courts now use? The Code of Hammurabi called for an eye for an eye as punishment. So I suppose that what you guys are recommending is that the punishment does not need to fit the crime?
You condone brutal murder by other men in the same prison. You condone violence. You condone rape. Those are great morals for a sadist. Enjoy trumping the bottom of the barrel!
June 5th, 2007 at 8:46 pm