The Scooter Libby Pardon: a CYA Maneuver?

Question

Yes, it was Effectively a Pardon.

The "Rule of Law" and "Equal Justice Under Law", Are Only Pretty Words.

Apparently, Only you, TheLeft Isnt "RIGHT", Have a Problem Understanding "CYA".

STEVEN F, I'm Sorry, but you Are Mistaken.

Wayne, I See you Tchnicality, but EFFECTIVELY a Pardon.

Please Excuse Misspelling Above.

Answer 1

Yes. But he won't be pardoned for 1 1/2 years. He knows where the bodies are buried. No way Bush would not reward him for taking the fall for Bush and Cheney.

Answer 2

Just a couple questions, rather than an answer:

If the US Attorney General Gonzales fired 8 democratic judges supposedly based on their "performance", why is it necessary for President Bush to "commute" Libby's sentence at all? Why not just fire the judge that passed down the sentence? Why does the US even have federally appointed judges if the President can just override and adjust any sentence given by these officials? Why would this be necessary if there wasn't a little a$s covering required here? Doesn't this make anyone wonder who/what else is involved here?

In the case of Scooter Libby:

Commute=no jail time=jail time pardoned =abuse of power, discrimination for "friends of the current administration", and perhaps a little a$s covering.

$250,000=slap on the wrist without a dent in Libby's bank account=Lying (aka, a major felony) is OK...or at least not that bad.

Hey, but who knows? Perhaps Libby's education, position, and money prevented him from being aware of the consequences his actions would bring.....words, *drip*, *drip*, *dripping* with sarcasm...

Answer 3

I doubt anyone thinks it was anything BUT a maneuver. Yet, saying it's "effectively" a pardon is like saying if I pluck one guitar string, I'm "effectively" playing an musical instrument. STEVEN F is absolutely correct. If this were effectively a pardon, there would be NO NEED FOR A PARDON DOWN THE ROAD, which we can count on. I agree much with what Pooka said, however, the sentence wasn't harsh. It was totally within the limits of the crime of obstruction of justice; it was NOT excessive in any legal status. That's not to say that these weasels aren't all in collusion. What are we, as individuals, doing about it? Sitting around with our thumbs in our ears? The guy responsible for the leak, compromising the security of the country, (because Bush got in a snit about what Wilson said), is doing just fine, thank you very much. So, Bush lied when he said he'd fire anyone who who "leaked" anything. Surprise surprise.

Answer 4

Are folks REALLY going to tell you that a $250,000 fine is a terrible awful sentence when you're playing in a ballpark where W's supporters regularly come up with millions out of their slush funds? Commutation IS pardon! No sentence whatsoever is being served or will be. Appeals have not been exhausted and a full pardon is altogether likely before Bush leaves office if he and Cheney aren't impeached soon enough. Neat little political two-step. Protect the real crooks.

Answer 5

Yes, that's exactly what it was. Effectively a pardon. You realize this was all planned from the beginning. Libby took the blame for Cheney and was told Bush would commute his sentence if he got any jail time. The court was told on the sly to give him a very harsh sentence so that Bush could claim it was "excessive" and have an excuse for the pardon and at least spin it somewhat so it doesn't look like the total parody of justice that it is.
It's sad that we've lost such faith in our government and become so accustom to these abuses of power that the people just shrug cynically at these actions. Bush must feel like a kid in a candy shop, going;
"Oh boy, what can I get away with next?!?!"
Now that presidential power has been allowed to be used in such an abusive way, the question is will we ever have a president again who doesn't act this way?

Answer 6

It is rather sad that so many people do not understand what has really happened in this case.

Libby was charged with purgery, lying. In this case it was a major felony. He was found guilty of the crime. He was then sentenced.

$250000 fine; convicted felon looses all rights to practice law, be employed by state or federal governments and may ohter restricts; and was sentenced to 30 months in a federal facility.

President Bush commuted ONLY the 30 months of detention.
The balance of his sentence will still be carried out. He will have to pay the fine; and his rights as a citizen convicted of a felony will be restricted.

HE WAS NOT PARDONED. As Old Salt pointed out there is a considerable difference.

Answer 7

of course ....... I can almost hear the conversation.... "Scooter we need a guy to take the fall here but will guarantee no jail...... we will pay the fine and make sure you have a cushy job for the rest of your life what do you say?" and before we leave office you will have a full and unconditional pardon "

Answer 8

It was NOT effectively a pardon. He is still subject to a $250,000 fine and loss of his law license. Even if the ENTIRE sentence was removed, he is a convicted felon. That makes him unable to vote in many states. It also permanently bars him from owning a firearm. ONLY a FULL pardon is effectively a pardon.

Answer 9

Yes of course it was. The actual Pardon will probably come on the last day of his Presidency.

Answer 10

he committed no crime he was set up, remember what the government did to him they can do to you. Look out watch your a-s