Libby's sentence under powers granted by the U.S. Constitution? Furthermore, how many people understand that Libby is still guilty? I'm a liberal and I genuinely don't understand the uproar. This happens all the time . . .
2007-07-03 03:44:22 · 15 answers · asked by CHARITY G 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
He followed the Constitution and is allowed by law to give a pardon to anyone he wants. The person could be a mass murderer, but if he is a friend of the President, the President could give a pardon to him. It's not right, but its the law.
2007-07-03 03:47:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 5⤋
Libby was the only person charged and convicted in connection with the attack on Joe Wilson that revealed that his wife was a covert CIA agent. The underlying reason for the attack on Wilson was that he publicly criticized Bush’s reasons for going to war in Iraq. Other CIA agents were hurt by the revelation of her identity because they also worked for the phony CIA front employer, Brewster-Jennings & Associates, that supposedly employed her.
It has been speculated all along that no matter what sentence Libby received, he would not go to prison because he knows all of the inside information about who ordered the attack on Wilson and the leaking of Plame’s identity. Now that speculation has been shown to be true.
Special Counsel Fitzgerald has stated very explicitly that, “The allegations underlying this investigation were serious” and that “Mr. Libby lied about nearly everything that mattered,” and that Libby’s lies made an accurate evaluation “impossible.” He further stated that, “Mr. Libby’s lies corrupted a truth-seeking process with respect to an important investigation.”
Fitzgerald had previously said that “There is a cloud over the vice president…” He also stated in regard to the damage to national security:
“And the damage wasn't to one person. It wasn't just Valerie Wilson. It was done to all of us.”
I don’t know what more Fitzgerald could have said to show that this entire matter was very, very grave and that there is a lot more that has not been unearthed here.
We will probably never know the truth of what happened. As a result of this commutation, there is no longer any pressure whatsoever on Libby. Bush’s outrageous commutation of Libby’s sentence leaves no remedy. Libby has successfully obstructed justice and Bush has spared him the severe consequences.
2007-07-03 11:31:20 · answer #2 · answered by tribeca_belle 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
People understand that although Bush has the power to do what he did, HE FAILED TO FOLLOW THE RULES SET OUT BY THE DEPARMENT OF JUSTICE WITH REGARDS TO COMMUTATIONS/PARDONS. He continually ignores the rule of law. This is what pisses me off and I am an independent.
Rules set out by the DOJ
1)Petitioner has to have gone to jail
2)The pardon request has to be made at least FIVE(5)years after the date of the release of the petitioner from confinement or, in case no prison sentence was imposed, until the expiration of a period of at least FIVE(5) years after the date of the conviction of the petitioner. Generally, no petition should be submitted by a person who is on probation, parole, or supervised release.
3)No petition for commutation of sentence, including remission of fine, should be filed if other forms of judicial or administrative relief are available, except upon a showing of exceptional circumstances.
There were no exceptional circumstances. Libby was convicted of three (3) felonies and one (1) misdemeanor. He was sentenced with the parameters according the to the Federal sentencing guidelines. It was not excessive.
Federal max for perjury-10 years per count. Min- 21 months. He was convicted on 3 counts
Federal max for making false statements- 5 years. Min-21 months.
The excuse used was pitiful. Little stoogie could not go to jail, it was hardship. Please.
These are the same guidelines that this same President holds up as his yardstick when it comes to the 2 Border Patrol agents who actually WERE doing their job, protecting our borders, yet they cannot get relief.
gimme a break
2007-07-03 11:06:29 · answer #3 · answered by thequeenreigns 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Bush has done a lot of dumb things that were legal. It would be different to me if the GOP stopped saying that he wasn't guilty of anything, and that is why his sentence was commuted. I have a problem with Bushg deciding that the 'sentence' was too tough. Just pardon the man, don't fence sit with politics. I would rather he try to appease us with working together on the WAR...immigration, the 'commuting' of a sentence are just diverters from the real mandate set forth by the american people in November. BRING OUR TROOPS HOME
2007-07-03 10:56:32 · answer #4 · answered by hichefheidi 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why is everyone missing the point here?
It doesn't matter what you think of the case, the point is Libby was found guilty by a grand jury. Why are all the conservatives trying to make excuses like "Well, he wasn't even guilty anyway." He had a trial. And it was already in the appeals process.
GW let him off the hook so he didn't have to pay out his sentence because he was one of his friends.
2007-07-03 10:55:03 · answer #5 · answered by nellbelle7 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
He can do it, it's in the Constitution. Is it fair? Hell no. It won't be fair either when Bush pardons himself and/or Cheney when they are brought up on criminal charges. It would be unprecedented, but Nixon had briefly considered the option before leaving office and never did. His lawyers, however, totally made the case and I do not expect Bush & Team to be any different.
2007-07-03 10:59:29 · answer #6 · answered by Sangria 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The question is WHY did he commute Libby's sentence? If you can't do the time then don't do the crime.
Perhaps, Bush is afraid Libby will start talking/writing a tell-all book while serving time in prison?
I don't know, but it smells fishy to me.
2007-07-03 10:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by Global warming ain't cool 6 · 7⤊ 3⤋
I fully understand what was done.
I just think it was 100% wrong, stupid, immoral, and un-american.
And this does not happen all the time. I honestly cannot recall the last time someone found guilty in a case involving national security/classfied information and was pardoned/commuted. (b4 anyone says it Nixon broke law...did not have to do with national security and classified intelligence)
2007-07-03 10:52:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋
I understand it all too well........ Some in our country can break "ANY" law they want and not worry about the so called justice *ha* system doing a damn thing to them.
Others can get caught smoking a marijuana cigarette and have their whole world turned upside-down.
Good old equality........ sense of fair-play and even handed justice. Makes one proud to be a part of it all, doesn't it?
2007-07-03 10:55:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Just the sound bite liberals, just mention Bush and the Moveon.org talking points come a flying..... Facts are not an issue or Previous administrations doing the same thing on a grander scale
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pardonchartlst.htm
2007-07-03 10:51:55 · answer #10 · answered by garyb1616 6 · 3⤊ 6⤋