Fleischer: Scooter Libby was ‘justly convicted’ for perjury.
Fleischer: Scooter Libby was ‘justly convicted’ for perjury.
In March 2007, a federal jury convicted Scooter Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, on four charges of lying and obstructing an investigation into the leaking of undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame’s identity. At the time, conservatives claimed that the trial “should not have resulted in perjury and obstruction-of-justice charges against Libby.” But on MSNBC’s Hardball last night, former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, who testified during Libby’s trial, disagreed, saying that the jury made the right decision:
MATTHEWS: Do you believe that Scooter Libby was justly convicted on the charges he was convicted of? That’s another point in the book.
FLEISCHER: I do.
MATTHEWS: Because you believe he did lie under oath and he obstructed justice. You believe that.
FLEISCHER: I do.
Watch it:
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This arrogant reich-wing prick really irritates me.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:56 pmTime to buy stock in bus manufacturers! Lots of buses needed for all these weasels to throw each other under.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:00 pmIt would be a terrible decision to indict Ari though, wouldn’t it? Agreeing with the conviction, in the administration’s mind, helps preserve the status of Libby as the fall guy.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:02 pmOh, wait — because we criticized Ari before, that means we have to reject what he says now… isn’t that how it’s supposed to go, trolls? All or Nuttin’?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:03 pmRat Sightings! Rat Sightings! More are leaving the sinking SS BushCo every day.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:03 pmSometimes, in the process of covering your own a**, you have to uncover someone else’s…..
May 29th, 2008 at 4:03 pmHey Ari –
We don’t need you to speak to us. Everything that comes out of your mouth is intended for politically expediency.
What’s in this for you, right?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:04 pmBut it’s IOKIYAR anyway with Ari
May 29th, 2008 at 4:05 pmMaybe in a couple of years, some isolated wingnut will acknowledge that the California Supreme Court correctly decided the issue of same-sex marriage, based on the state constitution and legal precedents.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pmShorter Ari: As long as Libby experiences no consequences whatsoever, he was justly convicted.
Hey, Ari!! How’s that Freedom’s
May 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pmRunsWatch website workin’ for ya?Ari, a paragon of truth, must have been in an expansive mood. While I cannot stand to watch Tweety anymore, I wondered if he asked a follow-up question: “Was the Scooter, to Ari’s knowledge, sheltering Voltamort”.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:10 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
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Oh, wait — because we criticized Ari before, that means we have to reject what he says now… isn’t that how it’s supposed to go, trolls? All or Nuttin’?
Can you see any validity to the criticism that when you blast someone when you disagree with them but laud them when you like what they say, your consistency seems a bit suspect?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:13 pmLess than 24 hours earlier, Fleischer described himself as “heartbroken” over Scottie’s revelations.
Yet, he admits what SM said is true. So what exactly was he “heartbroken” over? Obviously, the simple fact that Scottie publicly exposed the Bush Administration rather than keep his mouth shut. Not because he felt his book was full of lies.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:17 pmHere, let’s make it easy to understand –
1. Scooter lies and is a criminal
2. Rove lies and is a criminal
3. Cheney lies and is a War Criminal
4. Bush is a lying War Criminal who belongs in prison
5. Republicans are scum sucking, knuckle-dragging, christofascist, neanderturd fcukheads
There that is much easier to understand.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:17 pm‘Justly’…an interesting word.
Was Valerie Plame ‘justly’ outed as a NOC CIA operative? We know it’s treasonous to out an undercover CIA agent, but, in this case, Ms Plame was ‘justly’ outed?
Bush’s war propaganda has been ‘justly’ outed by McLellan, but the wingnuts are bellering like stock cattle.
Has Scooter been ‘justly’ punished? How much jail time did he do?
Has Ari Fleischer been ‘justly’ punished for lying himself?
Ari, don’t play with the word or derivatives of Justice. It makes you look like the little neocon whore you are.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:17 pmKeltoi Says:
Can you see any validity to the criticism that when you blast someone when you disagree with them but laud them when you like what they say, your consistency seems a bit suspect?
I can see validity to calling someone like Ari out when he lies, covers up, and spouts propaganda, then commending him when he speaks the truth. Folks around here are pretty consistent about that.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:19 pm…federal jury convicted Scooter Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, on four charges of lying and obstructing an investigation into the leaking of undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame’s identity.
One thing you won’t hear the media ask any administration defender re the Libby case, even if they agree he was justly convicted: Why did he do it? Why did he perjure himself and obstruct justice? That’s really what’s at the root of the whole matter, but is given very little attention.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:21 pmAnd in other news, Dana Purina commented that “this isn’t the Ari Fleischer that we all know. We’re very puzzled.”
Asked for their comments, Dumbya pronounced himself “puzzled”; Cheney said “it’s a puzzlement”; Andy Card stated that he was “puzzled by Fleischer’s remarks”; and Grampy McSame noted “my friends, I think I just saw a rainbow!”
May 29th, 2008 at 4:23 pmprogressive homeschooler Says:
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Keltoi Says:
Can you see any validity to the criticism that when you blast someone when you disagree with them but laud them when you like what they say, your consistency seems a bit suspect?
I can see validity to calling someone like Ari out when he lies, covers up, and spouts propaganda, then commending him when he speaks the truth. Folks around here are pretty consistent about that.
But if he lies, covers up and spouts propaganda, how can he ever be trusted as a valid source of information? In other words, his trustworthiness and integrity are totally conditional on whether you agree with what he says. I would think the more consistent position would be to totally dismiss anything he says in all cases.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:24 pmAnd, so, commuting the sentence of someone ‘justly’ convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice, … what about that? High crimes and misdemeanors, perhaps? Madison thought so. How about Ari?
When do we get to pursue the ‘justice’ that was obstructed? Wasn’t the elimination of the punishment further obstruction?
These seem like pretty basic follow-up questions. Perhaps someone should ask Nancy them.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:25 pmJebus. There must be a kink in the Kool-Aide hose!
Somebody fix it, QUICK!!
May 29th, 2008 at 4:26 pmRats abandoning a sinking ship. So much for Rove’s dream of a permanent Republican majority.
http://progressiveworldreview.com
May 29th, 2008 at 4:29 pmI wonder why the only other BushCo BS Slinger hasn’t spoken up yet, Tony Snow-job?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:29 pmIt sure seems like the facade is cracking. If McLellan is more than a “9 day wonder” more insiders will see the attraction of being the “savior” who uncovers the bodies. You know that there must be more “traitors” in the pack of rats that run Washington. The big questions are: when will the next one blab? and, will they close ranks till January?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:30 pmKeltoi Says:
I would think the more consistent position would be to totally dismiss anything he says in all cases.
There is that one dimensional “facts be damned” republican philosophy leaking through your talking points again, Kel.
Sounds really kind of lame.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:33 pmCrap, Keltoi! Obfuscate much?
Why do the police use snitches? I mean, they’re CRIMINALS, right? Why do they use informants? They’re criminals, too. Bad guys.
Because they’re useful, and they help convict the BIGGER bad guys. Duh.
We recognize the truth – and it’s value – when we see it, no matter *where* it’s coming from, eh?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:33 pmLook whose talking? A moron!
Memo to Ari: Libby’s sentence was commuted thanks to the Commuter-in-chief! Hello! And you received immunity from Fitzgerald for testimony!
May 29th, 2008 at 4:35 pmDid Ari specify that he already believed that Libby was justly found guilty before McClellan’s book, or was he convinced by the book?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:36 pm——————————————————————————–
Wayne Says:
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Keltoi Says:
I would think the more consistent position would be to totally dismiss anything he says in all cases.
There is that one dimensional “facts be damned” republican philosophy leaking through your talking points again, Kel.
I don’t agree. If the guy gets eviscerated for an opinion in one thread and then held up as straight shooter in the next for stating an opinion that fits the Progressive fact set, that to me seems pretty lame.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:39 pmThis subject just won’t die, will it? It’s haunting, a poltergeist. It’s Blind Justice knocking her head on the tomb wall trying to be freed from years of imprisonment by this entire administration.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:39 pmI would think the more consistent position would be to totally dismiss anything he says in all cases.
That’s rich, coming from a believer of every hair-brained excuse for invasion that the administration trotted out.
I mean, you’re calling him untrustworthy?
It is to laugh.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pmJane E. Schneider Says:
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Did Ari specify that he already believed that Libby was justly found guilty before McClellan’s book, or was he convinced by the book?
I saw the interview and definitely got the impression it wasn’t the book that convinced him.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pmAnd I’m sorry to say that Ari is from my neck of the woods. Yuch!
May 29th, 2008 at 4:41 pmI agree, Keltoi (who’da thunk I’d ever say that?), that’s the impression that I got. Hmmm, it would be very interesting if he told all that he knows about this maladministration.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pmkeltoi said:
Actually I do not see an inconsistency in the position. It takes a little commonsense. Look at the motivation of the speaker. Are they speaking in support of a position in which they (or their employer) has an interest? Is there a history of dissembling or lying with the speaker? Is the current statement under examination contrary to the speaker’s interest? This is particularly relevant given the penchant for retribution that comes out of the Reich White House.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:44 pmbarfly Says:
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I would think the more consistent position would be to totally dismiss anything he says in all cases.
That’s rich, coming from a believer of every hair-brained excuse for invasion that the administration trotted out.
I mean, you’re calling him untrustworthy?
No, I am saying he was an untrustworthy flack a couple of threads ago when he was saying something bad about the guy who said something bad about Bush. Now he says something good about the guy who said something bad about Bush and he is praised. I see a contradiction there, Ralph preemptively challenged Trolls to point it out, so I obliged.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pmIf there was ever a better reason to NEVER cooperate with an investigation. NEVER answer ANY questions and always remain SILENT that is the key.
JJ
May 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pmUltimate-Anonymity
so, what bushco rat is next in line to publish a Tell-Us-What-We-Already-Know book? is Powell about to pull a Feith (”not my fault!”)?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:46 pmKeltoi Says:
“Now he says something good about the guy who said something bad about Bush and he is praised.”
who praised the rat?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:50 pmKeltoi Says:
Can you see any validity to the criticism that when you blast someone when you disagree with them but laud them when you like what they say, your consistency seems a bit suspect?
No one here is lauding either Ari or Scotty. We are all pissed at them for keeping their mouth’s shut until it was too late to stop the war or to have Rove and Cheney convicted of treason.
The difference betweeen you and us is that we saw the truth all along, while you and the rest of the Bush apologists kept your heads buried deep in your own asses.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:50 pmFrankly, no. I don’t like Ari Fleischer any more now than I did when he was spouting the administration’s propaganda, nor do I like Scott McClellan any more than I did when HE was spouting the BushCo line.
But it’s stupid to demand that if I criticize someone based on what they say then I must always criticize them no matter what they say forevermore.
Just stupid.
If someone says something false or disingenuous or wrongly-informed, I will criticize it. If someone says something I think is reasoned and correct, I will praise that.
How do YOU operate?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:54 pmCertainly would save a lot of wear-and-tear on one’s brain; wouldn’t have to distinguish between truth and lies. So I can see your point.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:59 pmLividLib Says:
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Keltoi Says:
“Now he says something good about the guy who said something bad about Bush and he is praised.”
who praised the rat?
I inferred praise for his comments in this post
ralph the wonder llama Says:
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Oh, wait — because we criticized Ari before, that means we have to reject what he says now… isn’t that how it’s supposed to go, trolls? All or Nuttin’?
Which I should not have done. It is something Ralph and I debate often though. There does seem to be a whiff of hypocrisy, but maybe I am being too absolutist, something I often encounter here and criticize, so I leave the field to you unless Ralph himself would like to respond.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:59 pmralph the wonder llama Says:
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If someone says something false or disingenuous or wrongly-informed, I will criticize it. If someone says something I think is reasoned and correct, I will praise that.
How do YOU operate?
May 29th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Kelt Boy blindly agrees with the worst administration in US history and their 427 weak-ass excuses on why they illegally invaded and occupied a sovereign nation without cause or provocation in hopes of receiving a Medal of Freedom ; just like a majority of other underserving Chimpy sycophants have…………
May 29th, 2008 at 5:01 pmYes, Keltoi, in my opinion, you are being too absolutist.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:03 pmSorry about the length. I’m going to paraphrase a gentleman I heard on the radio. I’m afraid I didn’t catch his name:
“the reason there haven’t been trials is that, with Bushco still in power, they can’t promise immunity/protection/secrecy to witnesses and make it stick.”
“In Bush’s Justice department, you don’t know who reports to whom.” “Congress doesn’t know who, if anyone, they can count on to enforce the law”. “All it will take is one of the principals to realize the only way out is to cut a deal”. “Nothing of note will happen before the Justice Department is fumigated”.
O.K. He didn’t say “fumigated”, but, you get the gist. He made a lot of sense in a borderline conspiracy nut sort of way. And though he wasn’t talking about Ari, he also said that “testimony will be worth what we pay for it with this group”. And that’s exactly how we should view any revelations they make.
In McClellen’s case, it doesn’t seem that he connected any dots that pretty much everyone hadn’t already connected. What’s surprising is the number of things he confirmed. And, as many have pointed out, no one is claiming Scotty lied.
And Ari is irrelevant. He might say a few “shocking” things to insure he gets paid to appear but that’s about all.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:04 pmKeltoi is a good blogger. Not to be disrespectful, but the arguments are usually thoughtful. I am trying hard to determine just what good Libby’s conviction did for this country. Keltoi, certainly you agree that the truth should be the expectation – and not the exception, right?
May 29th, 2008 at 5:06 pmStratRat Says:
Keltoi, certainly you agree that the truth should be the expectation – and not the exception, right?
Well, of course, who wouldn’t agree to that? But in practice, in my lifetime, the reverse has been true in politics at the National level. I expect to be lied to by all politicians of both parties and they rarely let me down.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:12 pmAdmitting that my comment is shallow and irrelevant, I ask if anyone else thinks Fleischer has aged many years since he was last in the daily spotlight? I suspect that carrying the load of Bushit is wearing.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:13 pmMarie Says:
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Admitting that my comment is shallow and irrelevant, I ask if anyone else thinks Fleischer has aged many years since he was last in the daily spotlight?
Definitely. No more glasses, either. My favorite Ari encounters are when he goes on the Daily Show, you can tell Stewart loves baiting him but respects his debating skills despite himself.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:16 pmHey Keltoi, when we’re in the mood to split hairs, we’ll call you m’kay. This isn’t a language arts blog and we’re not here to discuss semantics. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
May 29th, 2008 at 5:23 pmCan you tell that Keltoi, really? You must have mistook us for people who give a sh*t.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:24 pmKeltoi Says:
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StratRat Says:
Keltoi, certainly you agree that the truth should be the expectation – and not the exception, right?
Well, of course, who wouldn’t agree to that? But in practice, in my lifetime, the reverse has been true in politics at the National level. I expect to be lied to by all politicians of both parties and they rarely let me down.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
So claims the retard who has brazenly attempted to push every administration excuse , 427 of them , on their idiotic and illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq ; you’re such a disingenuous dope…………..
May 29th, 2008 at 5:41 pmKeltoi Says:
But if he lies, covers up and spouts propaganda, how can he ever be trusted as a valid source of information? In other words, his trustworthiness and integrity are totally conditional on whether you agree with what he says. I would think the more consistent position would be to totally dismiss anything he says in all cases.
That’s why we have brains, Keltoi. If what he says lines up with observable facts, he’s believable.
And with flacks like this, if they’re spouting the party line or the catch of the day, it’s a safe bet they’re lying like a rug. If what they say is in contradiction to the daily talking points, they have a lot more credibility.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:44 pmKeltoi Says:
May 29th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
If it makes you feel any better, not all of us are buying Snotty’s schtick.
Black and white much…?
May 29th, 2008 at 5:56 pmMarie Says:
“Admitting that my comment is shallow and irrelevant…”
May 29th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
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Keltoi Says:
Definitely. No more glasses, either.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
When we we watching this last night on Countdown, I joked to Wayne that the area around Ari’s eyes looked like they had a permanent imprint of the outline of eyeglasses. ;)
May 29th, 2008 at 9:24 pm