Is 30 months a fair sentence for Lewis "Scooter" Libby?

Question

Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months in prison for lying to investigators looking into the leak of a CIA operative's identity.

He also was fined $250,000. Libby was convicted March 6 of four counts in a five-count indictment alleging perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements to FBI investigators.

The 30-month sentence was for the obstruction of justice charge. Libby received shorter sentences on the other counts, to run concurrently.

Some people are saying it's too much. I feel like it's about right and even could be longer.

Here's what the judge said: "People who occupy these types of positions, where they have the welfare and security of the nation in their hands, have a special obligation to not do anything that might create a problem."

I think people should be talking about this instead of Paris Hilton's jail time.

Is Rove next??

Answer 1

Libby’s sentence was fair. He obstructed justice in a very important investigation into a national security leak. The reasons for going to war in Iraq are also involved in this case.

Fitzgerald pointed out that this was a very serious investigation of high-ranking government officials who, in response to Joe Wilson’s political criticisms of the reasons for going to war in Iraq, “had deliberately, recklessly or negligently compromised her [Valerie Wilson’s] identity as an intelligence agent, posing risks to intelligence assets and operations."

I think Fitzgerald’s words were very carefully chosen. A negligent outing of Valerie Plame may not have been punishable under the Intelligence Identities Protection Act but Libby’s very deliberate lying impeded a full investigation into what really happened and why. Libby deliberately muddied the waters. The judge apparently agreed with the prosecution.

Fitzgerald also emphasized that there are still many unanswered questions regarding this entire matter. Special Counsel Fitzgerald has stated that there is a “cloud” over the office of the Vice President.

Answer 2

It would be hypocritical for me to criticize this. After all, I was happy when Bartlet pardoned Toby... Seriously, I'm not convinced that we're seeing the whole case. Libby and everyone else involved seem to be caught up in some sort of grudge match that, apparently, has been going on for years. There has to be more to this case than "Scooter Libby is a bad bad man and should go to jail for a long long time." Maybe, despite his apparent myopia, President Bush can see through this case and knows that it bears elements of the ridiculous. This sends the message that our media doesn't - or can't - report all the nuances of a story, that people don't always tell the truth, and we don't all draw the same conclusions from a particular set of circumstances. Our government structure has not deteriorated. It isn't a perfect system, but it has withstood dishonesty and inappropriate behavior for a long time, and will continue to do so. However, our moral judgement has deteriorated. We shriek and scream at the hint of scandal in Washington, and we wax poetical on ethics and standards, but we would be appalled if someone tried to hold us to those same standards. Instead of shrieking and screaming, let's work on ourselves. Teach your children to tell the truth. Support those who are ethical. Be honest. Have you ever fudged details to make yourself look better? Don't. Let's change the ethical standards of this country by changing ourselves.

Answer 3

How can any sentence be "fair" for conviction of a non-crime?

The fact is that there was no underlying crime to be investigated. It simply isn't possible to Obstruct Justice in such a matter. Since Perjury also requires that the false statement be about a Material Matter, that, too requires there to BE a material matter, which there is not when there is no crime.

I agree, people should most certainly be talking about this, and comparing the result to Sandy Berger.

Answer 4

If you buy into the theory that he was perjuring himself at the command of Dick Cheney and Karl Rove, it is a bit harsh for the loyal fall guy. But fear not, they will stretch the appeals out and come January 2009, Bush will pardon him.

In the meantime Novak, Cheney, Rove, and Armitage will go unpunished for the crime that Scooter was convicted of obstructing the investigation of.

Answer 5

No. He should never have been tried. There was no crime, therefore he could not have obstructed justice. All that was proved is that a Republican can't get a fair trial in DC.

Answer 6

If his sentences is right, the Sandy burger should get more for theft of National Secured Documents and files!

Answer 7

whehn bush leaves office he will pardon him, thats less than a year
so if he's out on bail in appeal, he wont spend any time in jail

Answer 8

no, not fair at all seeing as how there was no crime committed for him to perjure himself on...now joe wilson on the other hand...

Answer 9

it is to much, he was a fall guy