Will Bush Commute Barry Bonds’ Potential Prison Sentence?
Will Bush Commute Barry Bonds’ Potential Prison Sentence?
Yesterday, baseball home run king Barry Bonds was indicted by a federal grand jury on five counts of perjury and obstruction of justice for his testimony about his use of steroids. He faces up to 30 years in prison. White House spokesman Tony Fratto immediately rushed out this statement:
“The president is very disappointed to hear this,” Bush spokesman Tony Fratto said. “As this case is now in the criminal justice system, we will refrain from any further specific comments about it. But clearly this is a sad day for baseball.”
The White House response to Bonds’ case recalls their reaction to the indictment of Scooter Libby. Libby too was charged with five counts of perjury, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. Bush said, “We’re all saddened by today’s news.” Cheney expressed his “deep regret” that Libby had to resign.
Libby was of course found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 30 months in jail, but before he served a day in prison, Bush commuted his sentence. Tony Snow claimed that Bush’s commutation order was issued on the “basis of principle.” So will the White House now operate on that same principle and also consider commuting Bonds’ sentence if he is convicted? And if not, why should he be treated differently?
Rick Mease writes in the Baltimore Sun:
So what makes Bonds different? … His biggest mistake? Breaking a record. And maybe not looking quite enough like Scooter Libby.
If Bush — who has excused steroids use in the past — wants to practice “Scooter Libby justice,” let him explain why Bonds doesn’t deserve the same treatment.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
First thing I thought of when I heard Bonds’ charges. Can we get this talking point into the hands of Democratic politicians and the media – who seem incapable of making such connections?
November 16th, 2007 at 11:32 amPoor bondie, he was doing a heckuva job too.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:35 amIt wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
The Bush administration celebrates WINNING.
Whether you cheated in order to win is simply irrelevant.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:35 amDangerous picture, a chymp with a baseball bat, and no talent. For anything except fu(king up everything he touches.
Betcha anything he was the last kid picked when teams were choosing up. Every time.
That would certainly cause a kid to want to shove lit firecrackers up frog asses.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:36 amDuh… he won’t be pardoned. HE’S BLACK!
November 16th, 2007 at 11:41 amHello? McFly?
All Bonds has to do is ignore the subpoena. They can’t get him as long as he does that, right?
November 16th, 2007 at 11:43 amPuh-lease… Where is Rafeal Palmero’s Indictment? Remember him waving his finger at CONGRESS then testing positive just a few months later..
Oh wait.. he’s white and a former Bush Employee
November 16th, 2007 at 11:50 amLet him explain why ANYONE doesn’t deserve the same treatment.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:51 amNope the only black person Bush would commute, or pardon, is Condi Rice.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:52 amCondi Rice isn’t black. That’s makeup.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:53 amOf course Bush would pardon Bonds, even though he got caught roid-handed.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:55 amBill Clinton didn’t need the commutation Scooter Libby got, contrary to what you hear on talk radio Bill was acquitted.
http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/02/12/senate.vote/
November 16th, 2007 at 11:56 amSo what makes Bonds different?
Let me see……. LYING.
But clearly this is a sad day for baseball.
Not for real fans of baseball. It is a great day. Bonds can rot in jail.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:58 amPuh-lease… Where is Rafeal Palmero’s Indictment? Remember him waving his finger at CONGRESS then testing positive just a few months later..
Oh wait.. he’s white and a former Bush Employee
Oh wait.. he’s white and a former Bush Employee
Comment by crackpotpress — November 16, 2007 @ 11:50 am
Actually, Rafael is Cuban. And he immediately blamed Miggy Tejada for that, something about Miggy giving him a “shot in the ass”. Not sure how Miggy felt about that little bit of information.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:58 am“Puh-lease… Where is Rafeal Palmero’s Indictment? Remember him waving his finger at CONGRESS then testing positive just a few months later..
Oh wait.. he’s white and a former Bush Employee
Comment by crackpotpress ”
Palmero lied to Congress, which doesn’t matter appearently. By the way, isn’t he hispanical? Maybe bush got him mixed up with fredo.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:59 amCaption – “Pitch me another kitten.”
Libby = White corrupt bushie = no time
Bonds = Black steroid using liar = hard time
You do the math.
Buck Fush
November 16th, 2007 at 12:01 pmthis looks like a job for…
dreamcrusher!
(sic ‘em dc)
November 16th, 2007 at 12:01 pm“So what makes Bonds different?
Let me see……. LYING.
Comment by Nature Rules”
Scooter didn’t lie? Isnt’ that what consititutes perjury?
November 16th, 2007 at 12:01 pm“So what makes Bonds different?
Let me see……. LYING.
Comment by Nature Rulesâ€
Scooter didn’t lie? Isnt’ that what consititutes perjury?
Comment by Bobwurst — November 16, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
My error Bobwurst. I guess what Rick Mease is saying is that Bush has set a president where anyone committing perjury gets a get out of jail free card.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:05 pmBush will only pardon Bonds if Bonds had been a HUGE campaign donor. Otherwise, forget it.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:08 pmBetcha anything he was the last kid picked when teams were choosing up. Every time.
That would certainly cause a kid to want to shove lit firecrackers up frog asses.
Comment by RUCerious
LOL. Look at the 3rd picture down. It’s a photo of little Georgie in his Little League uniform, posing with his hands on his hips. What kind of athlete cocks his hips that way and poses with his hands on them? And as the photo caption indicates, Bush was a “catcher”, not a “pitcher”.
http://www.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/052100wh-gop-bush-bio.html
November 16th, 2007 at 12:08 pm“So what makes Bonds different? … His biggest mistake? Breaking a record. And maybe not looking quite enough like Scooter Libby.”
Hmm, that Bonds swats baseballs for a living and Libby was a public servant in the Bush administration.
This is terribly thin. By the end of this kind of ‘argument’ are we to cite the race card?
“If Scooter had been black and Bonds white, these decisions would have been reversed…”
Americans take sport too seriously and politics too lightly, the coverage this Bonds story is getting on cable news certainly demonstrates the truth of that statement.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:15 pmWell DUH, because Bonds hasn’t been convicted yet.
If Bonds is convicted then of course Bush should immediately step forward and commute Bonds’ sentence.
To do otherwise would leave the Bush administration looking like complete and utter hacks. Liars of the first order. Thieves pillaging the Treasury. If Bush does not commute Bonds’ conviction it leaves the door wide open for some people to claim that George Bush is a Warmongering Bigot.
But Bonds has got to be convicted first before anybody could say such things.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:18 pmI would support Bush having an * placed next to his name in the history books, to acknowledge that Cheney made all the decisions.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:21 pmBush used the juice? Where is the musculature to show for it? All I see is a flabby gut and zero biceps.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:28 pmAnd as the photo caption indicates, Bush was a “catcherâ€, not a “pitcherâ€.
Comment by Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver
Why that doesn’t surprise me, if you know what I mean? ;)
November 16th, 2007 at 12:30 pmwouldn’t ya just love to “kiss him upside the cranium with an aluminum baseball bat”?
November 16th, 2007 at 12:31 pmre :21
He looks like he’s auditioning for a role in the village people.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:33 pmThis is a real thread? Worry about Bonds having a sentence commuted by Bush because a spokesman says “Its a sad day for baseball”?
You will notice that Bonds hasn’t been convicted of anything yet, much less sentenced.
Lets see here…I have a horse and a cart, which comes first…hmmm.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:35 pmAnd you’re right in the middle, just like the horse’s ass…hmmmm.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:36 pmBush only commutes the sentences of traitors.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:37 pmAnd you’re right in the middle, just like the horse’s ass…hmmmm.
Comment by Bobwurst — November 16, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
I would only be in the middle if the horse came first, though that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:39 pmPalmero… my bad… But between the roid’s and the Viagra one thing is clear…
This guy is laying a lot of wood.
But he’s still a former Bush employee…
People still beat up on Bonds because that can’t face the truth about their beloved Clemens or Gagne, McGwire, Sosa
November 16th, 2007 at 12:42 pmOoooh, dayum! As Tyra would say, he looked FIERCE in that picture!!
Ew. I just threw up a little in my mouth…
November 16th, 2007 at 12:51 pmBonds hasn’t done anything worthy. Unlike Libby, he isn’t a genuine public servant.
Nice of TP to keep their standards low and make this a race issue. I sense a conflict of interest by Faiz in writing this post.
Race opportunist, Faiz?
November 16th, 2007 at 12:55 pmDoes Barry have something on the Prez? If so, he’ll walk.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:59 pmracist much, UL? Is that all you have in your quiver, girlie-man? Libby was a genuine public traitor, which is why he was convicted. the fact that he was white is why he was pardoned. there’s your racism, jerkoff.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:01 pmComment by Minotaur — November 16, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
Comment by Usual Leftist — November 16, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
minnie, ul, you boys are good, real good but neither of you is….
dreamcrusher!
(ul, you changed your name back from chl… why?)
November 16th, 2007 at 1:01 pmComment by joe cantwell — November 16, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
“chl”
Be more specific, fellow leftist.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:06 pmbtw,
does anyone here notice the mistake in gw’s bat grip?
November 16th, 2007 at 1:10 pmComment by Usual leftist
I am still waiting for you to define victory in Iraq. It’s been almost a week, that’s enough time, even for a slow thinker to come up with an answer.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:11 pmI have a new question too, why did Bush cut and run from Afghanistan
in 2003?
Comment by Lefty Patriot — November 16, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Yep, predictable robotic leftist reponse. How does a leftist avoid responsibility in life? Call it racist. Watch it put its degree in Professional Victimhood to use.
Here’s a recap, smafdy: Libby has a Law degree and has served our Government honorably for many years. Bonds does Steroids and dresses like a woman. Libby went above and beyond in paying his price.
I look forward to a full pardon, as it’s with complete merit.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:11 pmBonds hasn’t done anything worthy. Unlike Libby, he isn’t a genuine public servant.
Comment by Usual Leftist
Uh, you forgot to ad that Libby is a convicted felon. The commuting of his sentence didn’t change that fact. But then maybe criminality is how you determine his “worthiness” in your little backwards conservative world.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:11 pmComment by troll buster — November 16, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
I’m still waiting for you to salute your shorts.
Ever notice you’re ridiculed by both sides here? You’re a complete joke. Not even your average leftist cares to fit you in their schedule.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:13 pmWhy can’t you answer a simple question troll?
November 16th, 2007 at 1:14 pmComment by Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver — November 16, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
A pardon will, as he deserves it.
This is a race issue you’re trying to make, and you know it. Bonds can file an application with the President as to what makes him a candidate for a commutation/pardon if he is convicted.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:15 pmWhy can’t you answer a simple question troll?
Comment by troll buster — November 16, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
And why can’t you simply flag him and ignore him, instead of filling threads with your demands that he act in a logical manner?
November 16th, 2007 at 1:17 pmComment by troll buster — November 16, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
I feel so bullied. It just called me a troll.
Wah.
“troll buster” = leftist bum.
I have an update for you, son: We’re winning in Iraq.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:18 pmBe more specific, fellow leftist.
Comment by Usual Leftist — November 16, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
well you don’t have to be a rw prick about it ul.
you could have wrote, “hey joe, back off will ya? this between me and my cousin/wife, ok?!”
i would have understood, everyone here at tp would have understood: you need your space.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:18 pmComment by Usual Leftist — November 16, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
so you don’t know the difference between a convicted felon and an accused steroid user? I’m not surprised, i guess that racism you live in has blinded you to the way the law works. Libby is a traitor, and if Bush weren’t another traitor, Libby would be in prison for life, where he belongs, alongside most of the Bush administration, with the exception of those that will hang, including Bush. And yuor weak attempted takedown of troll buster just shows to everyone how deluded you are, if you think you’re not laughed at every day by everyone who has any contact with you. But that’s to be expected when you are a tool of the treason party. Thaks for ‘06, and don’t forget to renew your passport, because after ‘08, you’ll need to find a new idiocracy to live in.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:18 pmComment by gummitch
November 16th, 2007 at 1:20 pmI have flagged him dozens of times and have written a few letters to the site that included a list of his racist comments. I also donated to this site after TCDon was tossed.
It seems this question usually makes him leave the thread.
I have an update for you, son: We’re winning in Iraq.
Comment by Usual Leftist — November 16, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
and i have news for you… swampland in florida!
(send me a check)
November 16th, 2007 at 1:20 pmComment by Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver — November 16, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
That picture is hillarious. What a little girl.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:20 pmI have an update for you, son: We’re winning in Iraq.
Comment by Usual Leftist — November 16, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
we? cowards like you aren’t helping the cause any, and, in fact, Iraq is lost, and will never be won, mainly because of chickenhawk pussies like you. YOU have lost Iraq, and we won’t let you forget it.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:21 pmComment by Starve-A-Bush_Feed-A-Beaver — November 16, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
A pardon will, as he deserves it.
This is a race issue you’re trying to make, and you know it. Bonds can file an application with the President as to what makes him a candidate for a commutation/pardon if he is convicted.
Comment by Usual Leftist
Libby deserves prison, and YOU know it. He lied under oath and obstructed justice, repeatedly. The major difference between these two is that Scooter Libby is a convicted felon. Since you are rather dense, I’ll shout it out for you: A CONVICTED FELON. A jury of his peers sat through days of testimony and the introduction of evidence and, after extensive deliberation, 12 people unanimously determined beyond a reasonable doubt that he committed one or more FELONIES. Get it?
November 16th, 2007 at 1:21 pmThat picture is just perfect, a fat, weak, scared moron just hoping that nobady actually throws a pitch…classic! Anybody who follows that loser is hopelessly antiAmerica. it’s a good thing there are so few these days.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:24 pmul, i like you.
that’s why i’m telling you something that know one else will. while you’re busy typing your comments here, upstairs, out in the street…
your car is being towed away.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:26 pmdid Usual Racist run off? when the going gets tuff, the right runs and hides, like Bush on 9/11.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:28 pmHurry up Bonds!
Better make that HUGE GOP contribution.
We know how politicians prefer $$$ to actually doing their job.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:29 pmCaption:
November 16th, 2007 at 1:35 pm“So I put the Constitution on my cloths line, and took my bat just like this…”
Comment by joe cantwell — November 16, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
ok.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:38 pmjoe cantwell sez:
Let’s hope the tow truck driver waits until UL’s in the car before he tows it away…
November 16th, 2007 at 1:38 pmIn order to have a sentence commuted, the GOP requires the original charge to be related to activities that have damaged National Security. Bonds has only damaged the National League.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:55 pmComment by Reese
Sure, but he can still go for the Presidential pardon, IF he backs up a dump truck full of $$$$…
November 16th, 2007 at 2:00 pmIts just baseball, people, not rocket science. He used performance enhancing drugs and lied about it. Big deal ! These drugs are in our high schools with any coach that is pushing for the winning team. Don’t kid yourself. These drugs only injure the person using.
November 16th, 2007 at 2:42 pmHow about going after real criminals that lie, cheat and refuse to answer investigative questions. Funny how that never happens.
I find the timing of this story very suspect….Is the corporate media this desperate in finding distraction? A distraction to hide the obvious corruption being uncovered? The OJ simpson case has not gained much interest… Hilton and Spears is not a top story…
November 16th, 2007 at 3:03 pmAnd a worse fear and maybe a bit paranoid but could it be corporate MSM, that we know is in Bush’s back pocket, is looking for a story to hide or help dilute what is to happen?…. like bomb Iran?
Of course, the one big difference is that Scooter did it to protect Bush. Bonds didn’t do it for Bush.
OTOH – I would like to think that justice is equal (and I also believe in the Hannukah Bunny). If one wants equal justice, all Bonds did is protect a lot of folks with bulging biceps who will probably develop heart disease from their Steroid use. Scooter did much more harm by destroying faith in the government and demolishing national security by participating in Outing a covert agent and protecting the folks who did it.
November 16th, 2007 at 3:13 pmUsing ‘performance enhancing drug’ and lie about, it can get you 30 years in prison.
In sports these days enhancing drugs,is the talk of the day.
It is not limited just to baseball,but in all kind of sports from wrestling,to running,to football..etc..etc..and Bond is not the only baseball player that used enhancing drugs.
BUT
Start a war, you walk free….mmmm !!
November 16th, 2007 at 3:18 pmOne criminal commutes the sentence of another.
** yawn **
November 16th, 2007 at 4:13 pmthe race card shouldn’t be played. He should be saying something “Just because I am an asshole, people are persecuting me”
I think this should be a the next excuse for everything…
The assholes in the world are always being bombblasted for something.
It’s really not fair. It’s the last front of bigotry. People who hate assholes.. assholesicsm.
Call the ACLU!
November 16th, 2007 at 5:07 pmI have one word for Barry Bonds achievefments. “*” Same for our Fearless Leader
November 16th, 2007 at 7:30 pmI have no ideal how that “f” appeared. : )
November 16th, 2007 at 7:35 pmBonds is to Libby as Martha Stewart was to Ken Lay.
There has got to be a really geeky way to say that with New Math.
November 17th, 2007 at 4:40 am