Libby pays $250,400 fine.
By on Jul 5th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Libby pays $250,400 fine.
Convicted former White House aide Scooter Libby has paid “a fine of $250,000.00 and a $400 special assessment” left in place after President Bush commuted his jail sentence. The U.S. District Court “posted the canceled check on the docket this afternoon.”
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And that leaves $4,500,000 in his defense fund!!
What ever will he do????
July 5th, 2007 at 2:34 pmYeah, but check this out!
Fitzgerald To Investigate ‘Just About Everybody’ In Valerie Plame Identity Leak On the heels of President Bush’s decision yesterday to commute the prison sentence of former White House aide I. Lewis ”Scooter” Libby, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald announced today that he would begin investigating “just about everybody”, to find out if they had ever discussed Valerie Plame’s CIA position with any of their friends, neighbors or family members.
“Scooter Libby may have been the second or third person after Richard Armitage to discuss Valerie Plame’s CIA status ,” Fitzgerald said, “But I’m sure there are millions of other people who’ve discussed this very same topic with their friends and family members. And I plan on nailing every single one of those….. more here
July 5th, 2007 at 2:35 pmand somewhere in the Caymans, 250k has been moved from Halliburton to Libby.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:39 pmI wonder how much of the quarter of a million dollars actually came from Scooter. Not many people have that much cash available. I am sure that his friends were more than willing to donate to the cause.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:39 pmNice to see Scooter had to scrape, beg, borrow and steal to finally come up with that fine.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:40 pmRichard Armitage outed Valerie Plame’s CIA status.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:40 pmLibby is paying his dues, we should all be proud of him.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:40 pmCT_V1,
“Libby is paying his dues, we should all be proud of him.”
We should be proud of a guy that obstructs justice and perjures himself in front of a grand jury?
July 5th, 2007 at 2:41 pmWhy would he pay the fine before his appeal is exhausted? Does this mean he’s no longer going to appeal the decision?
July 5th, 2007 at 2:42 pmFull Pardon Mr. President.
Do the Right thing!!!
July 5th, 2007 at 2:42 pmScooter Libby outed Valerie Plame on july 8, 2003. 2 days after Wilson’s oped and 6 days before Novak’s article that made Plame’s identity public.
Official court testimony. Flaco, you are wrong.
Libby gave Miller Plame’s name and identity. It’s a fact and a crime.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:43 pmFlaco.
Scooter was not tried for leaking Plame’s name.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:43 pmHe was tried for lying to the Grand Jury/FBI and obstruction of Justice.
“Full Pardon Mr. President.”
Yeah, sink your party’s future electoral prospects. Go to it, George.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:44 pmLOL since Scooter is able to pay this fine like water, then make him pay 250 million bucks.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:44 pmI hope he is as efficient removing his name from the McLean, VA voter rolls since felons cannot vote.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:45 pmBREAKING NEWS: Scooter Libby Has Gone on a Perjury Spree
It has been confirmed that Lewis “Scooter” Libby, freed from the threat of prison by President Bush, has broken probation and gone on a perjury spree, lying to prosecutors in multiple states and obstructing their investigations of high-profile non-crimes.
“I was in the middle of investigating whether a local man had murdered the mysterious bigfoot,” said Oregon prosecutor Fitz Messenger, “then Lewis Libby came by on his little scooter and said the state capital is Portland. That’s simply not true.”
“I was looking into whether a family had imprisoned Prince Albert in a can,” said Illinois prosecutor Les Spurgeon, “and there zipped by Lewis on his Razor scooter shouting, ‘Nickel melts at only three hundred degrees Fahrenheit.’ I looked that up on Wikipedia and it ain’t so.”
Numerous prosecutors across the country have reported similar stories. Democrats say this only confirms their worst fears. “We warned you!” said Senator Harry Reid in a statement to the press, “By getting that madman out of prison, President Bush has doomed this entire country. Dooomed! DOOOOOOMED!! He needs to get our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and have them focus on capturing Scooter Libby.”
President Bush looked visibly shaken in his impromptu press conference. “I only commuted Scooter Libby’s prison sentence so he wouldn’t tell anyone how I murdered that hooker, but now I realize I have destroyed our republic through my selfishness. Then again, none of this would have happened if you let me give amnesty to all the Mexicans.”
The last contact from Lewis Libby was a taunting letter sent to the police stating, “You had your chance; now you’ll never catch me! If you want to try, though, I’ll be at the base of Olympus Mons on Mars.” Astronomers are currently looking for Libby on the red planet, but some think that may be another lie.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:45 pmLOL since Scooter is able to pay this fine like water, then make him pay 250 million bucks.
So much for equal protection under the laws.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:45 pmNow you can show your children the document that ended the United States of America next to the one that started it
July 5th, 2007 at 2:45 pmThe fine is supposed to put you out. That function clearly does not apply here.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:46 pmHey! Look at me! I’m introducing a completely irrelevant topic! It’s almost a non-sequiter! As a matter of fact, it IS a non-sequiter! Later I’ll respond to my own comment to give this new irrelevant topic the illusion of life.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:46 pm“Why would he pay the fine before his appeal is exhausted? Does this mean he’s no longer going to appeal the decision?
Comment by sbs — July 5, 2007 @ 2:42 pm”
That is interresting isn’t it?
I bet this is part of the plan….. After all, just look at the trolls bragging about him making the payment.
No one actually makes payments until their appeals are over…… Looks like butt boy has been told to pay the fine so that the base can use this in their talking points and later when he is pardoned he can say “see I at least paid the fine”…..
July 5th, 2007 at 2:47 pmFull Pardon Mr. President.
Do the Right thing!!!
Comment by Flaco — July 5, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Absolutely, Mr. President! Free Scooter Libby to testify before Congress without the protection of the Fifth Amendment!
July 5th, 2007 at 2:48 pmComment by Crump’s Brother
For paying his dues, Mr. Brother. Read: I am proud of Mr. Libby for paying his debt to society for the crimes which he has been convicted of.
Who dat, Crump? Who dat?
July 5th, 2007 at 2:48 pmYEAH, SORRY, BAD LINK THERE.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:48 pm“Fitzgerald To Investigate ‘Just About Everybody’ In Valerie Plame Identity Leak ”
http://politicalhumor.blogspot.com/2007/07/fitzgerald-to-investigate-just-about.html
So much for equal protection under the laws.
Comment by m12
Actually, the decision will aid in that. Others in prison are already using this commutation to claim they aren’t being treated equally. If judges take Bush’s precedent at face value, it will mean reviewing hundreds of similar cases. Congrats.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:49 pmAre those Cheney’s notes in the bottom of the check?
July 5th, 2007 at 2:50 pmSo much for equal protection under the laws.
Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Oh, your president already took care of that quaint little notion when he commuted Scooter’s prison term but left Victor Rita’s sentence stand.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:51 pmComment by CT_V1, Dean of Dissent — July 5, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Indeed, CT.
He is honoring the system that failed him.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:51 pmCT_V1, Dean of Dissent,
Be honest my man. Say that your proud that he kept his mouth shut and didn’t roll over.
On January 26, 2007, Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff reported that Libby was going to undertake an aggressive defense of his own role in what may be revealed as a larger criminal conspiracy centered in the White House. In essence, his defense would be that he was merely a low-level grunt, a “scapegoat†(â€patsy†was the term used by a previous generation) for crimes committed by those above him:
White House anxiety is mounting over the prospect that top officials—including deputy chief of staff Karl Rove and counselor Dan Bartlett—may be forced to provide potentially awkward testimony in the perjury and obstruction trial of Lewis (Scooter) Libby. Both Rove and Bartlett have already received trial subpoenas from Libby’s defense lawyers, according to lawyers close to the case who asked not to be identified talking about sensitive matters. … Cheney is expected to provide the most crucial testimony to back up Wells’s assertion, one of the lawyers close to the case said. The vice president personally penned an October 2003 note in which he wrote, “Not going to protect one staffer and sacrifice the other.â€
Libby’s lawyer, Theodore Wells, explicitly told the jury in his opening statement:
“Mr. Libby, you will learn, went to the vice president of the United States and met with the vice president in private. Mr. Libby said to the vice president, ‘I think the White House … is trying to set me up. People in the White House want me to be a scapegoat.’â€
When Fitzgerald got Cheney’s current number two guy, David Addington, on the stand, he grilled Addington about what Cheney had written, one implication being that the outing of a CIA officer and her counterterrorism operation, Brewster Jennings Inc., was a crime that originated not just with the Vice President, but as a criminal conspiracy that originated with the President himself.
Wells handed Addington a copy of the note Cheney had written in September of 2003 and pointed out that the original handwritten text hadn’t said:
“not going to protect one staffer and sacrifice the guy that was asked to stick his head in the meat grinder because of incompetence of others†but, instead Cheney had written:
“not going to protect one staffer and sacrifice the guy this pres asked to stick his head in the meat grinder because of incompetence of others.†(emphasis added for clarity)
Libby’s lawyer, Wells, ran Cheney’s assistant, Addington, through the memo:
Wells: “Can you make out what’s crossed out, Mr. Addington?â€
Addington: “It says ‘the guy’ and then it says, ‘this Pres.’ and then that is scratched through.â€
Wells: “OK, let’s start again. ‘Not going to protect one staffer and sacrifice the guy …’ and then what’s scratched through?â€
Addington: “T-h-i-s space P-r-e-s, and then it’s got a scratch-through.â€
Wells: “So it looks like ‘this Pres.?’â€
Addington: “Yes sir.â€
So here was the defense’s case: The President and Vice President of the United States conspired to cover up their own outing (through the proxy of their underlings) of a CIA officer and her undercover operation, damaging the intelligence apparatus of the United States and intimidating CIA officers worldwide, purely for political payback against Wilson and to intimidate CIA officers who may think of speaking out (or anybody related to a CIA officer who may think of speaking out).
Former President George H.W. Bush had once famously said: “I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors.â€
But now that Libby’s defense team had suggested in open court that this conspiracy to expose the name of a CIA source had originated with his son, the former President was conspicuously silent.
Half a year – from May 2006 to late January of 2007 – went by filled with reports that Libby’s lawyers were going to put Cheney under oath on the witness stand. Even Cheney himself said in a January 2007 interview with Wolf Blitzer: “I’m going to be a witness in that trial within a matter of weeks, I’m not going to discuss it.â€
And then the third bomb dropped.
Suddenly, in the second week of February, 2007, Scooter Libby decided to lie down and let the steamroller of the criminal justice system roll all over him.
He wouldn’t ask Rove or Cheney to testify.
He wouldn’t call other witnesses from within the White House.
His lawyer wasn’t going to bring up the Cheney memo again.
Libby wouldn’t even take the stand in his own defense.
And it all happened just about the time Rove and Cheney would have been forced to testify in court under oath.
Coincidence or conspiracy?
The press was stunned. As reporter Andy Sullivan reported for Reuters on February 13, 2007:
U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney will not testify as expected in a former top aide’s perjury trial that has exposed White House efforts to counter Iraq-war critics, the aide’s lawyers said on Tuesday. Defendant Lewis “Scooter†Libby, Cheney’s former chief of staff, likewise will not take the witness stand, his lawyers said as they abruptly prepared to wrap up their case on Wednesday.
From a legal defense point of view it made no sense. It was almost as if Libby didn’t care if he was convicted or not. He smiled a lot, and friends raised over $5 million for him. But he wasn’t going to offer a defense. Not even a word to the jury in his own defense.
In Sullivan’s Reuters article, he quoted George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley:
“Most jurors expect defendants to testify, and the failure to do so can lead to silent presumptions against them on credibility questions.â€
The possibility that Libby’s decision not to bring Cheney or Rove to the stand but instead to simply roll over and legally die troubled many. Along with others on the radio and in print, I speculated at the time that in exchange for Libby not going forward with a defense – a virtual assurance that he would be convicted and sentenced to prison – Cheney and Bush had promised him a presidential pardon.
Such an explicit quid pro quo would, according to most constitutional scholars, represent a clear criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice, a felony and an impeachable offense.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:51 pm“So much for equal protection under the laws.
Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 2:45 pm”
I see you don’t understand the reasoning behind fines…..
They are suppose to provide a burden so that you think twice next time you are going to commit a crime.
When someone can write a check the next day, they don’t have any burden!!!!
“Equal protection” should take into account your standing. Otherwise you have a bunch of rich people committing crimes with no REMORSE or BURDEN because they can afford the crime……. Is this the America you enjoy living in???
This is NOT “equal” under the very sense of the word.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:52 pmWow, that must have hurt. I guess Scooter must be completely broke and homeless now.
Now all he has to do is not obstruct any investigations into the leaking of a covert CIA operative’s identity whose husband was asked to confrim or deny a major justification for the launching of an illegal $400 billion-plus war and occupation that has killed and maimed hundreds of thousands–for the next two years. Now that’s going to be tough!
Still here’s hoping he gets through it– it won’t be easy meeting all those criteria.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:52 pmThe White is Rotten and has been decades.
THanks for putting a new coat of slime on it Shrub.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:52 pmFull Pardon Mr. President.
Do the Right thing!!!
Comment by Flaco — July 5, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
———————————————————
In due time, it shall be done.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:52 pmComment by Mr. President
Moral equivalency from a “conservative?” Perish the thought!
July 5th, 2007 at 2:52 pmComment by RemoveBush
It doesn’t matter how fast someone can write the check, the point is that the fine is paid. Your definition of a “burden” is anti-Republican, at best. It’s not equal protection.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:54 pmChump change for this mob………….
And, oh, can anyone tell whose signature is on the check?
July 5th, 2007 at 2:56 pmDoesn’t look like “I.Lewis Libby to me”
Oh the suffering of Scooter Libby. Now on to the American Enterprise Institute for a fellowship and perhaps Regent University for a professorship and then the tell all book from Regnery.
-GSD
July 5th, 2007 at 2:58 pmWe’ll see if he “just writes a check” to the Plames. Their suit will be for millions of dollars – perhaps tens of millions. And anything brought out in discovery, or in open court, is fair game for Fitz and federal prosecutors. So enjoy the momentary victory – the Plame trial will take place during the next campaign season, a sure bet to keep “conservative” hypocrisy front and center for all the electorate to see.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:58 pmHow the hell does one “secure” a $250k cashier’s check same day when the commutation was announced in the afternoon??
Pretty much clears up any confusion that this was pre-arranged and the defense team knew in advance it was coming.
July 5th, 2007 at 2:58 pmBut doesn’t a long appeals process help the administration cover its ass? If Scooter drops the appeal, doesn’t it become easier for Congress–or Fitz–to immunize him?
July 5th, 2007 at 2:59 pmAnd to think tht King Jesus George has lost the batte of good and evil
on this very day he he blaspemised the bibible anf the great white house by condoning sich evil things. I once looked up to George as Christ reborn. now I see the devil has fooled him and taken his soul
Your a bad bad bad man Mr Bush.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:01 pm“It doesn’t matter how fast someone can write the check, the point is that the fine is paid. Your definition of a “burden†is anti-Republican, at best. It’s not equal protection.
Comment by CT_V1, Dean of Dissent — July 5, 2007 @ 2:54 pm”
Actually it does matter……
What has this done to BURDEN him???? What has this done to make him think twice about committing another crime????
It’s just like me getting a $10 ticket vs. a $3000 ticket….. If I get the $10 one, I probably will head very little concern over performing the ILLEGAL act again. But if I receive the $3000 dollar fine, you can bet your socks that I am going to think twice before I do that again….
Thank god that I’m not a Republican, as I don’t have to worry about it being “anti-Republican”.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:02 pmWhen was the last time that a Vice President’s right-hand man was convicted of multiple felonies??
The Republican culture of corruption marches on.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:03 pm“But doesn’t a long appeals process help the administration cover its ass? If Scooter drops the appeal, doesn’t it become easier for Congress–or Fitz–to immunize him?
Comment by sbs — July 5, 2007 @ 2:59 pm”
Yes, but that was not the intent…… The reason for doing this is so that they could say…… “see, he paid his fine”.
It gives them something to grab onto!!!!
Of course they will continue with the appeals, until Bush pardons him that is.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:05 pmSo much for equal protection under the laws.
Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
It would be equal in percentages. And that’s really equal!
July 5th, 2007 at 3:06 pmHe didn’t pay a red cent. His legal defense team foot the fine.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:07 pmI love listening to Repug scum talking about the hardship of the $250,000 + $400 court costs fine that Libby got. Such a hardship that it took hours to draw up the check. Can the rest of you say that you could gather $250,000 in an afternoon if it was a hardship?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:07 pmTypical King George BS talking to his either stupid, or just don’t give a shit base.
sbs
Long appeals on this kind of shitstorm stay in the press. It is overall better for Bush if Libby quietly goes away, rather then remains a constant reminder to America that the Republicans are dirty treasonous snakes.
It was their best out – Do something that looks really bad now rather then have a progressively uglier fight going on into the future and staying fresh in America’s often short memory.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:08 pmWhat would the neocons like to see happen with all that money raised for Libby’s defense now that it won’t be necessary.
Is Libby entitled to a gov. pension?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:10 pmOlympus Mons
Comment by Frank J — July 5, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
I laughed at this :)
July 5th, 2007 at 3:11 pmWell, just like I thought would happen. $250,000 to a man connected into the Republican machine so thoroughly that he got his prison sentence overturned by the effin’ President of the United States? Chump Change. That’d be like fining me $25 bucks. ‘Cost of Doing Business’, anyone?
The Trolls obviously don’t get it, but the rest of the US will. $250,000 out of the pocket of a man who only has to smile and nod, and millions of dollars fall into his lap. $250,000 to a man who has the President’s ear. $250,000 to a man who with but a phone call round up _MILLIONS_ of dollars to his defense fund. We saw what part of the sentence got negated. The part that would have been the most inconvenient to him. Why not negate the probation and/or $250,000 fine and leave the jail term in tact.
Probation from what? Not lying to the government again? Pshah. Bullocks, I call. Two years for him to say, “Oh, I was watched by the police and I didn’t do anything!” while rolling in cash from his buddies.
And the fine? Paying it the day after he was pardoned in virtually every way (and in the only way that really matters) shows this is NO inconvenience to him. “Oh, $250,000 plus two years of police supervision. Awe shucks, the cost of doing my Master’s bidding. But at least I won’t be in jail.”
Jail was the sentence the judge handed down. Jail was the sentence that Bush reversed. And for us Independants and the Democrats, and those Republicans that have a soul and conscience, THIS is what they will see.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:17 pmPerish the thought that Libby’s handlers wait even a week to pay the fine out of the slush, uh, Libby Defense Fund. A cashier’s check ,
July 5th, 2007 at 3:18 pmeven for such a sum leaves millions. Libby was promised everything but 70 virgins to shut him up. Fred Thompson hardly broke a sweat , along with Cheney zanies to raise the money. Indirectly, of course, since they all got rich on taxpayer money, we are indirectly footing the bill. Only in America.
Long appeals on this kind of shitstorm stay in the press. It is overall better for Bush if Libby quietly goes away, rather then remains a constant reminder to America that the Republicans are dirty treasonous snakes.
Comment by Bruce Gorton
Agreed. But again–is it clear from this that Libby is dropping his appeal? Why only the check and no accompanying legal paperwork? If we assume that the WH didn’t telegraph the commutation to L’s lawyers, how did they have time to produce the check and (apparently) come to the decision to drop the appeal so late in the day of the announcement of the commutation?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:19 pmOlympus Mons Comment by Frank J
that is pretty funny, thanks!
July 5th, 2007 at 3:19 pmRichard Armitage outed Valerie Plame’s CIA status.
Comment by Flaco — July 5, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
…..and who/what was Richie’s source?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:19 pmexcuse me, but i’d say a $250,000 payment from an unemployed man who last held a government job is the EXCESSIVE part.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:20 pmFrank J and Flaco, stupider than ever.
Keep it up guys, you prove you are pathetic wretches with everything you post. By the way, have either of you freaks ever crawled out of Mom’s basement to share your twisted, deluded version of reality with other members of the human species? I bet you will get some pretty interesting responses if you do.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:22 pmComment by Remove Bush
The fine is in accordance with the crime committed, not the total balance of the defendant’s bank account, as it shouldn’t be. This is different than the determination of bail, where it’s possible to see that money returned.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:22 pmJeralyn clears up why the fine is being paid now:
http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/7/5/152443/7945
July 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pmFor all those who believe that Fitzgerald overreached and wasted taxpayer money, if this was going to be the forgone conclusion that it is, why did bush wait until now to commute and have all that taxpayer money wasted?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pmThe next headline will be Libby receives a $1 million dollar advance for his new book, “If I did it, here’s how it happened” and donates the remainder of his defense fund to the GOP candidates.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pmptf > lol Libby is not a poor person, so $250,000 is nothing to him. This money was paid out of a slush fund for him with a few million bucks in it.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:24 pmNancy Peolsi, lead, follow or get the hell out of the way. I would like to see Mr. Ryan of Ohio or Mr. Meeks of Florida, as the speaker and the majority whip, in any order. Those two gentlemen will impeach bush’s ass.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:25 pmexcuse me, but i’d say a $250,000 payment from an unemployed man who last held a government job is the EXCESSIVE part.
Comment by ptf — July 5, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Riiiight. He was one of those rank and file working stiffs.
*Watches while the Clue Bus(tm) runs ptf over, then backs up, and runs him over again*
CLUE TIME, ignoramus. Libby’s supporters worked to raise money in vast amounts for this guy. They aimed for $5 MILLION dollars. $250,000 is NOTHING to these people. And seeing as he cut a check within DAYS of his appeal failing, and within a DAY of Bush’s … ahem, ‘commutation’ of his sentence, at least the part that he COULDN’T get someone else to take over, I’m sorry. I call BULL$#!+ on ‘$250,000 from an unemployed man who last held a government job’.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:29 pm15
I hope he is as efficient removing his name from the McLean, VA voter rolls since felons cannot vote.
Comment by PTF
July 5th, 2007 at 3:31 pm—————————————————————-
Who says felons can’t vote?
Democrats vote all the time and often.
They even had a dead Democrat vote twice in a recent Chicago election. Hehe:D
65 – {SNARK} And we know all democrats are felons. {/SNARK}
July 5th, 2007 at 3:32 pmLet me put it this way, Mrs. Peoplsi, if you will not impeach bush, move out of the way and let someone else be the speaker of the house. We the american people told you in nov 06 we wanted bush impeached
July 5th, 2007 at 3:33 pm…Indirectly, of course, since they all got rich on taxpayer money, we are indirectly footing the bill. Only in America.
Comment by Jo-Ann
July 5th, 2007 at 3:34 pm—————————————————–
you talking about Bill Moyers right?
Comment by Flaco
I get the feeling that felons are smarter than demmiecrauts.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:35 pmCT_V1,
OUTSTANDING MY MAN!!!
You said – “The fine is in accordance with the crime committed”
As was the prison sentence!!!!!
Hypocrite much?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:38 pmI get the feeling that felons are smarter than demmiecrauts.
Comment by CT_V1, Dean of Dissent — July 5, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
Your post is proof that everyone is smarter than a GOP crook like you.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:41 pmHey, Bush finally got to the bottom of this investigation, only to realize that he prefers his friends be loyal criminals, than loyal americans.
GOP loyalists are traitors to the nation.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:42 pmI want to know who gave Libby the 250,000 pieces of silver..
July 5th, 2007 at 3:44 pmWhose signature is on that check?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:46 pmJG sez:
Then look in a mirror. That’s taxpayer money he used.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:48 pmActually, the decision will aid in that. Others in prison are already using this commutation to claim they aren’t being treated equally. If judges take Bush’s precedent at face value, it will mean reviewing hundreds of similar cases. Congrats.
There is no legal precedent for the actions of the President to have any effect on the preceedings of the judicial branch.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:49 pmComment by Crump’s Brother
Mr. Crump,
I’ve stated before in previous threads that Libby’s prison term was FAIR according to sentencing guidelines. The president decided to commute the sentence, which you can choose to debate. I, however, don’t care much to get involved.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:50 pmOh, your president already took care of that quaint little notion when he commuted Scooter’s prison term but left Victor Rita’s sentence stand.
That is his right.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:50 pmHe was like that growing up. I’m always right. Sheesh
July 5th, 2007 at 3:52 pm“Equal protection†should take into account your standing. Otherwise you have a bunch of rich people committing crimes with no REMORSE or BURDEN because they can afford the crime……. Is this the America you enjoy living in???
I must say, you have a very odd definition of equal.
Perhaps we should extend that theory and give women longer sentences than men. After all, they tend to live longer lifespans, so the burden is less.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:54 pmThat is his right.
Comment by m12
You are right that a president can pretty much legally commute the sentence of whoever he wants. The problem is it seems possible that, in commuting Libby’s sentence, Bush is simultanously obstructing justice. I don’t know how someone would go about proving that, but Bush committed a crime if, as seems likely, it is true that is what happened.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:00 pm“I must say, you have a very odd definition of equal.
Perhaps we should extend that theory and give women longer sentences than men. After all, they tend to live longer lifespans, so the burden is less.
Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 3:54 pm”
I see…….
So you think it is “equal” for a person who can write a check the next day in full and a person who is lucky to see 250,000 in 6 years of hard work, to have to pay the same penalty????
It’s not after all a speeding ticket…. ITS A FELONY!!!! This means that the person should FEEL the burden of his/her crime.
Like I said before….. If I was to get a $10 fine vs. a $3000 fine, I sure as hell won’t give any thought to doing the crime again for $10. If I have to suffer a bit, then by god I will think about it the next time.
THIS IS EQUAL!!!!
I guess in your world, being able to feed your baby and not are equal? So I guess there is no famine in the world because hell all babies can be fed because some are fortunate enough to be able to eat.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:02 pm“I must say, you have a very odd definition of equal.
Perhaps we should extend that theory and give women longer sentences than men. After all, they tend to live longer lifespans, so the burden is less.
Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 3:54 pmâ€
Or suppose m12 and I were both sentenced to have an inch chopped off our manhood. I would still have plenty left while m12 would have a deficit.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:06 pmm12, you really don’t get it, do you.
A woman may live longer than a man. A rich man DEFINITELY can pay more than a poor man. A woman’s extra 10 years come later. A rich man can shoe away a $250,000 fine within 2 weeks of being told he must pay, and within a day of actually getting his jail sentence removed.
Money is a commodity to the rich. $250,000 here? $250,000 there? How much effort does that take. For me, $250,000 would represent 17,692 hours, or 2211 8 hour days, or 6 years back to back working, with only leap day off. To Scooter? A phone call. Several people who honestly believe he did nothing wrong ponying up the cash. At worst, turning in some stock, giving up some savings, but I seriously doubt he even touched a cent of his own money.
Your red herring does nothing to dispute this. If somehow, you could bank up days to serve jail, maybe it would, but just because a woman MAY live longer than a man (and a healthy person _may_ live longer than a sick person for that matter) means nothing. In the end, YOU must serve your time in jail, and that’s time that is taken from you for certian out of an uncertain amount of time. A rich person has a certian amount of money, so he can weigh whether or not he can afford to commit the crime. I definitely would be screwed in Libby’s shoes, but he obviously can afford that…
July 5th, 2007 at 4:07 pmEgreggious the child. Yawn
July 5th, 2007 at 4:08 pmI have heard neo-cons argue that Scooter’s sentence should be mitigated (is that the right word?) because “he is a family man” or “he is a good civil servant”. This doesn’t sound like equal treatment to me, in the strict sense being advocated here.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:13 pmA fine doesn’t change the fact he should be in jail. And according to the judge who sentenced Libby, Bush can’t commute a sentence until the convicted(LIbby) spends some time in jail.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:18 pmA fine doesn’t change the fact he should be in jail. And according to the judge who sentenced Libby, Bush can’t commute a sentence until the convicted(LIbby) spends some time in jail.
Comment by aaron — July 5, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
I heard that the judge was going to hear arguments on this point. Has he actually made a ruling? I’m not trying to argue with you here, I’m just curious.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:21 pmLibby paid a significant fine, people. The check is cashed, let’s move on. If he paid just $25,000 I wouldn’t feel the need to complain.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:24 pmAnd the Neocon’s Straussian game to coup this democracy races on….and according to the “plan” with Bush’s commutation of Libby’s criminal behavior – essentially, flagging his nose at our system of law and order. Ah, well….this IS a “government BY DESIGN” and definitely Not “by chance”, that’s becoming clear.
Google Leo Strauss if you really want some insight. He was the “godfather of this Neocon Brand of Fascism” – not Karl Rove. Karl Rove is just a “gopher” without the intelligence to even comprehend the neonazi concept of this german jewish philosopher. In fact, Allan Bloom, a protege of Leo Strauss was Wolfowitz’s prof at University of Chicago….talk about apples not falling far from their source!!
July 5th, 2007 at 4:26 pmLibby paid a significant fine, people. The check is cashed, let’s move on. If he paid just $25,000 I wouldn’t feel the need to complain.
Comment by CT_V1, Dean of Dissent — July 5, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
And, if Scooter wins his appeal, he’ll get that money back anyway.
Or when W grants a pardon.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:27 pmNow the trick is to get to the “bottom of this contaminated pit by tracing the dots back to 911″ – and “pre 911″ to the AEI and PNAC….to Iriving Kristol (William Kristol’s grandfather) and Prescott Bush (Shrub’s grandfather)….
July 5th, 2007 at 4:27 pmLibby’s fine for this corrupt slob with his offshore accounts is a mere “pisshole in the snow”, folks!
July 5th, 2007 at 4:28 pmThe wheels are in motion to censure Bush for this as well as an investigation about bush’s use of commutation to cover his own wrongdoing. For that, he can be summarily dismissed from his office on the mere “suspicion” of complicity in that which he is pardoning (commutation) another for. I think this is the slippery rope which will ultimately be the end of the Bush reign. As they say: Give a criminal enough rope and they will eventually hang themselves. The wheels are in motion right now for that to occur…
July 5th, 2007 at 4:31 pmwe all knew this would be an easy part of the “punishment” for Libby to handle…
July 5th, 2007 at 4:32 pmYep…methinks that Bush stepped out on his own on this one – didn’t consult legal authorities – and will now be his undoing. Certainly it will also mean the undoing of ALL Republicans in office right now as well as any aspiring to office in 08 and 12!
July 5th, 2007 at 4:32 pmI don’t think anyone would argue that the fine was a burden. If nothing else, Scooter will make the money back on his book deal. And the book will be ghost-written (one can hope, we don’t need any bears being prodded again) so it’s no sweat for Scooter at all.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:32 pmIn the next few days, watch for the frightened Rethugs to be flipflopping on everything from the war to the illegal spying…..they realize that their bud, Bush, has thrown each and every one of them under the bus this time. He cares nothing for their political futures, that’s painfully clear to each of them now. They’re all expendable (collateral damage, as he so frequently calls the casualties of this amoral, illegal war of his and the blood he has on his own hands). He has no concern or allegiance for any of them and will throw them under the nearest bus when it distills down to them or him. That’s what they’ll all get for their Bushie loyalty before all this is over. It’s occurring now.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:35 pmSuch ignorant, sycophantic Bushies! Ah, yes, they are learning the difficult lessons of lockstep blind faith in one who is an empty puppet…..the clone of the Straussian Neocons!
July 5th, 2007 at 4:36 pmIn the next few days, watch for the frightened Rethugs to be flipflopping on everything from the war to the illegal spying.
Comment by veritas — July 5, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
But, as usual, I’m very disappointed in the MSM’s coverage of the commutation. It’s like it’s being treated as a “comical” aside to the goings-on in DC. I have to wonder if most of America cares about this, or if the fourth estate would even try to make them care.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:40 pmOr suppose m12 and I were both sentenced to have an inch chopped off our manhood. I would still have plenty left while m12 would have a deficit.
If you say so.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:47 pmThis is supposed to be a nation of laws, not a nation of men. I fully agree with Keith Oblerman when he stated that if Mr. Bush had any shred of decency he’d resign for the good of the country. That would be a brave and selfless act that would truly be for the good of the country. That’s why I know we’ll never see it. Impeach Bush and Cheny, save the Constitution.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:48 pmSo you think it is “equal†for a person who can write a check the next day in full and a person who is lucky to see 250,000 in 6 years of hard work, to have to pay the same penalty????
It’s not after all a speeding ticket…. ITS A FELONY!!!! This means that the person should FEEL the burden of his/her crime.
Like I said before….. If I was to get a $10 fine vs. a $3000 fine, I sure as hell won’t give any thought to doing the crime again for $10. If I have to suffer a bit, then by god I will think about it the next time.
He does. You falsely assume that Scooter earned some sort of monetary benefit for committing this crime.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:49 pmCNN;
January 2001:
Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff testified Thursday he believes prosecutors of billionaire financier Marc Rich “misconstrued the facts and the law” when they went after Rich on tax evasion charges.
The testimony from Lewis “Scooter” Libby, who represented Rich dating back to 1985 but stopped working for him in the spring of 2000, came during a contentious, hours-long House committee hearing into former President Bill Clinton’s eleventh-hour pardons……
The fix was in – it is payback time for Scooter to collect!
Hypocritical republicans.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:52 pm“He does. You falsely assume that Scooter earned some sort of monetary benefit for committing this crime.
Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 4:49 pm”
I don’t “assume” anything…..
It is in the FACTS!
Your gonna tell me that the AVERAGE American could have written a check within 24hrs?????
Where did I say he “earned some sort of monetary benefit for committing this crime”?????
I said it did not hurt him because he has the money to cover this dollar amount….
IDIOT, learn to read.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:53 pmTo Egreggious, You are correct. The judge for Libby is going to hear arguments on the case. But my point is the Bush people as usual didn’t think this out properly, and apparently didn’t care if it was legal or illegal. Sooner or later somebody in our justice system just has to say STOP! You’re not going any further! You’ve crossed the line one too many times.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:55 pm#105
When did I say the fine hurt him? Who said the fine is supposed to hurt him?
That is what the jail and probation are for.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:56 pmScooter also loses his law license. With his higher income, that results in greater amounts of lost wages.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:57 pmThe judge for Libby is going to hear arguments on the case. But my point is the Bush people as usual didn’t think this out properly, and apparently didn’t care if it was legal or illegal.
Comment by aaron — July 5, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
I hope the judge rules against W/Scooter on this. Would this set off another one of those Constitutional crises this Administration has a habit of provoking?
July 5th, 2007 at 5:00 pmI weep for poor Scooter and his financial woes!
July 5th, 2007 at 5:01 pmI hope the judge rules against W/Scooter on this. Would this set off another one of those Constitutional crises this Administration has a habit of provoking?
He would be ignoring Supreme Court precedent dating back to 1866, when Andrew Johnson pardoned the Civil War sympathizers.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:05 pm“Scooter also loses his law license. With his higher income, that results in greater amounts of lost wages.”
Comment by m12 —
He’ll be getting his wages garnisheed, after he loses the Plame civil suit. That verdict will take into account his friends’ ability to pay for any judgement, and it will be punitive, meaning made to hurt, financially. I would guess $50 million. He’ll be like a white OJ.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:05 pmWhat’s a Civl War sympathizer?
July 5th, 2007 at 5:06 pmLet’s all push for a full pardon for Scoot very soon. Then he can be brought before the Grand Jury and under immunity and dump his load about Darth, PudgeBoy Rover, Gonzo and Dubya. That will be one fine performance to witness. Assuming he lives that long….as Darth might just get drunk and get his shotgun out…. and we all know what that means!
Another thing this little incident has caused is for almost everyone with obstruction of justice and perjury cases under trial or already convicted, are now open to judical review thanks to Dubya’s statement about the jail time being “excessive”. This is TOO PHUCKIN’ FUNNY!!!
July 5th, 2007 at 5:14 pm>He would be ignoring Supreme Court precedent dating back to 1866,
>when Andrew Johnson pardoned the Civil War sympathizers.
>Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Except Libby hasn’t been pardoned (yet. ;) ), his sentence has only been commuted. But of course, we’d love to see the court rule that Libby has to serve some portion of his sentence before Bush can pardon him. Granted, from my impromptu research, Dubya SHOULD wait 5 years, but doesn’t have to.
>He’ll be getting his wages garnisheed, after he loses the Plame
>civil suit. That verdict will take into account his friends’ ability to pay
>for any judgement, and it will be punitive, meaning made to hurt, >financially. I would guess $50 million. He’ll be like a white OJ.
>Comment by barfly — July 5, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
We can only hope. However, I think what’s more likely is that he’ll have a huge legal team with lots of Top Secret(tm) Evidence that the Plames can’t look at that says “We get off scott free!” I seriously doubt the people Libby covered for will leave him out to hang over the Plamegate affair, no matter how much we’d like to think they’d turn on eating their own.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:15 pm#113
Former confederates who had supported the South.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:15 pmHe’ll be getting his wages garnisheed, after he loses the Plame civil suit. That verdict will take into account his friends’ ability to pay for any judgement, and it will be punitive, meaning made to hurt, financially. I would guess $50 million. He’ll be like a white OJ.
Something like that, yeah. They won’t actually get much money, though…Scooter’s pension and certain other funds are not garnishable.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:19 pmExcept Libby hasn’t been pardoned (yet. ;) ), his sentence has only been commuted.
Comment by Jeremy — July 5, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
Thanks, Jeremy. I’ve just been googling Andrew Johnson and commutation and not having much luck. If it’s a pardon that m12 is referring to as having set a precedent, that doesn’ seem to have much relevance.
Of course, Johnson’s pardon fueled the fire for his impeachment. A parallel might be drawn there.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:19 pmI will grant that Johnson’s pardon was probably the right thing to do. The animosity between the North and South is bad enough even yet. It would be even worse if Johnson had not pardoned the “Civil War sympathizers.”
July 5th, 2007 at 5:31 pmAny luck, Egreggious? But then again, I’d love this to drag out. Not even my own father (Rush Limbaugh Listenin’, Librul Hatin’, Democrats can Do No Right and Republicans can Do No Wrong personified) has abandoned Dubya. Damn, I think Bush’s approval rating took another hit…
July 5th, 2007 at 5:31 pmI’ll bet the fine was or will be covered in one of dubya’s earmarks.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:32 pmI was expecting the signature on the check to be that of Halliburton’s CEO.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:35 pmIf Libby’s 30 month sentence was “excessive” and required being reduced to zero days in jail, what the hell would you call the 10 -12 years Ramos and Campeon got?
Where the hell is Bush’s “concern” for them?
Shooting a drug dealer fleeing across the border in the ass, is a a worse crime, than obstruction of justice and perjury?
I guess when your testimony can put the president in jail, you move higher up on the pardon/commutation list, than if you “technically” commit a crime while defending the country’s border!
July 5th, 2007 at 5:36 pmIf Libby’s 30 month sentence was “excessive†and required being reduced to zero days in jail, what the hell would you call the 10 -12 years Ramos and Campeon got?
Comment by criticalthinker — July 5, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
W is not exactly known for finding sentences excessive. It kinda throws into doubt his explanation for the commutaton.
Nor does it seem like W commuted Scooter’s sentence just to appease his base. Ramos and Campeon would have been better subjects to accomplish that task.
So maybe W had some other reason. Hmmm. What could it be?
July 5th, 2007 at 5:43 pmm12: “You falsely assume that Scooter earned some sort of monetary benefit for committing this crime.”
Within days of resigning his Whitehouse position, Scooter was given a $160K a year position at a right-wing thinktank. You probably missed that one. And, that salary IS garnishable.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:48 pmHe would be ignoring Supreme Court precedent dating back to 1866, when Andrew Johnson pardoned the Civil War sympathizers. Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Yet in the 200+ years of the country, no president has used the pardon to stop an investigation process into its own criminal actions. So there is no precedent for this – st*pid wingnut. What *federalist* bullsh*t site did you pull this crap from?
Something like that, yeah. They won’t actually get much money, though…Scooter’s pension and certain other funds are not garnishable. Comment by m12 — July 5, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
BAHAHAHA, yeah, sure… What federalist bullsh*t lawyer told you that?
Care to back up your whiny ignorant claims? Of course not. The best you can do is copy and paste (plagiarize) someone else’s words, from some wingnut ignorant site. You’re a dumb little b!tch!
July 5th, 2007 at 6:00 pmIn fact, the only significant dissent the framers argued about with respect to the ability to pardon and commute came in the objection to the possibility that a President could pardon or commute members of his own administration who were involved in treasonous activities. I believe it was George Mason who refused to sign the Constitution he had a hand in crafting because of this objection.
But, it’s painfully clear that modern conservatives have little use for American values and institutions.
July 5th, 2007 at 6:05 pmIn other news… Libby receives a $500,000 check as a speaking fee at some rightwing nut job organization.
July 5th, 2007 at 6:22 pmI guess they wouldn’t take a 3rd party check from Mary Matlin.
July 5th, 2007 at 6:58 pmI will grant that Johnson’s pardon was probably the right thing to do. The animosity between the North and South is bad enough even yet. It would be even worse if Johnson had not pardoned the “Civil War sympathizers.â€
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9116918/Document-Andrew-Johnson-Proclamation-of-Amnesty-and-Pardon-for-the-Confederate-States
The pardons themselves are not as noteworthy as the case that followed, which specifically detailed the Presidential pardon power as absolute and unable to be constrained by Congress.
Whether it was the right thing to do or not, it killed his popularity. Alexander Hamilton realized that while one man might buck public opinion to do the right thing, a body of men (the Senate) is far more likely to sway to popular opinion.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:22 pmWithin days of resigning his Whitehouse position, Scooter was given a $160K a year position at a right-wing thinktank. You probably missed that one. And, that salary IS garnishable.
That’s not a pension. OJ simpsons gets a 6 figure NFL pension that his victims’ relatives cannot garnish. I don’t know if it is by US or Florida law though.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:23 pmIn fact, the only significant dissent the framers argued about with respect to the ability to pardon and commute came in the objection to the possibility that a President could pardon or commute members of his own administration who were involved in treasonous activities. I believe it was George Mason who refused to sign the Constitution he had a hand in crafting because of this objection.
Dissent being the key word. By definition, those were not the framers’ values.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:24 pmBanks generally close around 3:00 pm. Bush did not announce that he was springing Libby until after that hour. And yet you will notice that Libby had already gotten the Cashiers Check from the Bank. Guess the commutation was not a surprise to him.
July 5th, 2007 at 10:47 pmBanks generally close around 3:00 pm. Bush did not announce that he was springing Libby until after that hour. And yet you will notice that Libby had already gotten the Cashiers Check from the Bank. Guess the commutation was not a surprise to him.
Why would or should it have been?
July 5th, 2007 at 10:49 pmRegarding the date on the check, I thought the same thing. Anybody want to contact the bank and find out when this was issued? Dig deeper on this.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:57 amIt’s a real hardship when one’s sentence is suspended and others foot the entire bill, for legal fees and get out of jail free card
effing anti-american criminal douchebags, all of ‘em–libby, the dick, the weasel (w), rove, thompson, etc etc.
no doubt part of the ongoing effort to continue to slience the truth–i.e., obstruct justice–even more than the white house has already done
July 6th, 2007 at 3:02 amThis excercise simply frees Scooter up to be brought back to tesitfy about what he knows about Cheney’s Riggs Bank/BAE embezzlement and bribery involvement. This is just beginning to get interesting. This administration will be leaving in disgrace: hopefullly some will be forced to leave in shame sooner rather than later.
One thing you can count on . . . the American people will eventually take a stand against inside violators of our rights, constitution, and laws. The American people will eventually not tolerate this. Only those who themselves are immoral or ignorant of the truth could possible defend this administration’s blatant disregard for what we stand for as a nation.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:03 ami, scooter libby will go to bed tonight a thankful man, but also a bitter man-knowing that my “friends” left me dangling like a loose, weak thread through that monstrosity they call a trial and of course I had to squeeze my piggy bank for….i think it’s the exact change, yes, Your Honor.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:26 am