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BiosBlake
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Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Posts: 12
Location: Lincoln
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 Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject: Bush commutes Libby prison sentence |
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Hardly a surprise 
By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case Monday, stepping into a criminal case with heavy political overtones on grounds that the sentence was just too harsh.
Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case. That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.
"I respect the jury's verdict," Bush said in a statement. "But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison."
Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, and Bush said his action still "leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby."
Libby was convicted in March of lying to authorities and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative's identity. He was the highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the Iran-Contra affair.
Reaction was harsh from Democrats.
"As Independence Day nears, we are reminded that one of the principles our forefathers fought for was equal justice under the law. This commutation completely tramples on that principle," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said through a spokesman.
Libby's supporters celebrated.
"That's fantastic. It's a great relief," said former Ambassador Richard Carlson, who helped raise millions for Libby's defense fund. "Scooter Libby did not deserve to go to prison and I'm glad the president had the courage to do this."
A message seeking comment from Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's office was not immediately returned.
Bush said Cheney's former aide was not getting off free.
"The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged," Bush said. "His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant and private citizen will be long-lasting."
A spokeswoman for Cheney said simply, "The vice president supports the president's decision."
The president's announcement came just as prison seemed likely for Libby. He recently lost an appeals court fight that was his best chance to put the sentence on hold, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons had already designated him inmate No. 28301-016.
Bush's statement made no mention of the term "pardon," and he made clear that he was not willing to wipe away all penalties for Libby.
The president noted Libby supporters' argument that the punishment did not fit the crime for a "first-time offender with years of exceptional public service."
Yet, he added, "Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable."
Bush then stripped away the prison time.
The leak case has hung over the White House for years. After CIA operative Valerie Plame's name appeared in a 2003 syndicated newspaper column, Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald questioned top administration officials, including Bush and Cheney, about their possible roles.
Nobody was ever charged with the leak, including Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage or White House political adviser Karl Rove, who provided the information for the original article. Prosecutors said Libby obstructed the investigation by lying about how he learned about Plame and whom he told.
Plame believes Libby and other White House officials conspired to leak her identity to reporters in 2003 as retribution against her husband, Joseph Wilson, who criticized what he said was the administration's misleading use of prewar intelligence on Iraq.
Attorney William Jeffress said he had spoken to Libby briefly by phone and "I'm happy at least that Scooter will be spared any prison time. ... The prison sentence was imminent but obviously the conviction itself is a heavy blow to Scooter."
B*STARDS!!! |
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whatistruth
Minor Poster
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 27
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:04 am Post subject: Re: Bush commutes Libby prison sentence |
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| BiosBlake wrote: | Hardly a surprise
By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case Monday, stepping into a criminal case with heavy political overtones on grounds that the sentence was just too harsh.
Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case. That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.
"I respect the jury's verdict," Bush said in a statement. "But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison."
Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, and Bush said his action still "leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby."
Libby was convicted in March of lying to authorities and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative's identity. He was the highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the Iran-Contra affair.
Reaction was harsh from Democrats.
"As Independence Day nears, we are reminded that one of the principles our forefathers fought for was equal justice under the law. This commutation completely tramples on that principle," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said through a spokesman.
Libby's supporters celebrated.
"That's fantastic. It's a great relief," said former Ambassador Richard Carlson, who helped raise millions for Libby's defense fund. "Scooter Libby did not deserve to go to prison and I'm glad the president had the courage to do this."
A message seeking comment from Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's office was not immediately returned.
Bush said Cheney's former aide was not getting off free.
"The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged," Bush said. "His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant and private citizen will be long-lasting."
A spokeswoman for Cheney said simply, "The vice president supports the president's decision."
The president's announcement came just as prison seemed likely for Libby. He recently lost an appeals court fight that was his best chance to put the sentence on hold, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons had already designated him inmate No. 28301-016.
Bush's statement made no mention of the term "pardon," and he made clear that he was not willing to wipe away all penalties for Libby.
The president noted Libby supporters' argument that the punishment did not fit the crime for a "first-time offender with years of exceptional public service."
Yet, he added, "Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable."
Bush then stripped away the prison time.
The leak case has hung over the White House for years. After CIA operative Valerie Plame's name appeared in a 2003 syndicated newspaper column, Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald questioned top administration officials, including Bush and Cheney, about their possible roles.
Nobody was ever charged with the leak, including Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage or White House political adviser Karl Rove, who provided the information for the original article. Prosecutors said Libby obstructed the investigation by lying about how he learned about Plame and whom he told.
Plame believes Libby and other White House officials conspired to leak her identity to reporters in 2003 as retribution against her husband, Joseph Wilson, who criticized what he said was the administration's misleading use of prewar intelligence on Iraq.
Attorney William Jeffress said he had spoken to Libby briefly by phone and "I'm happy at least that Scooter will be spared any prison time. ... The prison sentence was imminent but obviously the conviction itself is a heavy blow to Scooter."
B*STARDS!!! |
I cannot believe this has occurred within the United States today.Its an absolute disgrace that Libby got away with this,where Bush has trampled over every Constutional Law.This man is an absolute physcopath where his entire administration is above the law.
What pisses me off even more is that I don't see any Democrats calling for this scumbags head.They are just as bad as that scumbag and by sitting back twindling their thumbs with their heads up their asses is pretty much saying to the people who founded the country "Well F*** You"."We are above you all-all few hundred of us",while the 303 million civilian Americans get to do time for meaningless offenses and must obey the laws setup over many Ammendments to the Original Constitution.the media are not up in arms cause there is no longer a seperation between Church & State or Religion & State.There is just a country that has been under a dictatorships through the years since JFK.
There is no Law in the United States anymore.These people are no longer accountable for any action they do and we as American People lap it all up.Whats even worse is what the hell are the CIA going to do about this decision today.Absolutely squat!!!...The Entire Adminisistration,the entire Democratic Adminisistration,the CIA,the FBI & NSA,the Media are a bunch of gutless byproducts of society.I am so ashamed to be an American today and as and from today I and my family are going to be leaving this dispicable land of tyranny and corruption and giving up our citizenship.
I am so sadened at what way my country has gone.I am so ashamed of all the American people who do nothing and continue to sit back and await the arrival of the New World Order.A stronger effort to uncover these crettens for what they really are is more feasible outside of America.I owe it to my Mum and Dad to help get the country to return to its former glory of the 40s & 50s when FDR defended the Constitution to the hilt.A man that was confined to a wheelchair who had more balls than everything that came after him.
I think that today is the worst day in the history of the country and it will pass millions of americans by which must be treason to the forefathers ideas of Liberty and Justice for All.If this is democracy then I will take tyranny any day over this.303 million Americans sit back with their heads so far up their asses and I count everyone young and old who do nothing.I guess it just goes back to when countries were founded by a few where everyone else was either too scared,too stupid or too lazy to do anything about it.
Americans are well able to sit outside music stores in their thousands awaiting a f***ing iPhone or concert ticket but when it comes defending their civic liberties they say "f*** the constution..it doesn't concern us".What the Constitution says now is Liberty and Justice for a few hundred politicans who earn more in one month than 90% of the population earns in a lifetime..and who pays and allows these salaries to them..the 90%
I feel so sick inside.....Its like a bad nightmare that just gets worse and worse and worse and then having to listen to idiots who defend these men and their ideas across the media,across website forums and across general life.This must be how the forefathers felt before they enacted the Constitution,how Gandhi felt,how all the great individuals felt who fought for the freedoms against oppression,hate,dictatorship and war.
How much worse does it have to get before American people realise the position they have got themselves into..no one else to blame.You can't blame Bush,you can't blame Cheney,you can't blame Hitler,you can't blame Goebbels,you can't blame Sadaam Hussein..you blame the foolish people who let them dictate and trample all over their civic freedoms and for what MONEY,MONEY and MORE MONEY.While 5-8% of the population grow richer,the other 90% grows poorer.Whats the difference between Iraq and America.None...The only sad thing is that no country is strong enough to capsize it like America has done to Iraq.The civilians of America will have to do it....will they do it....No because they are too dumb.too stupid who live in dreamworlds within the confines of their TV sets and I for one don't want to listen anymore to the Bull*** that I have heard from friends of mine...not friends...slaves.No longer are there just Black slaves living in america-its now Black & White Slaves. |
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whatistruth
Minor Poster
Joined: 15 Jun 2007
Posts: 27
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 12:05 am Post subject: Re: Bush commutes Libby prison sentence |
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| BiosBlake wrote: | Hardly a surprise
By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case Monday, stepping into a criminal case with heavy political overtones on grounds that the sentence was just too harsh.
...................
B*STARDS!!! |
I cannot believe this has occurred within the United States today.Its an absolute disgrace that Libby got away with this,where Bush has trampled over every Constutional Law.This man is an absolute physcopath where his entire administration is above the law.
What pisses me off even more is that I don't see any Democrats calling for this scumbags head.They are just as bad as that scumbag and by sitting back twindling their thumbs with their heads up their asses is pretty much saying to the people who founded the country "Well F*** You"."We are above you all-all few hundred of us",while the 303 million civilian Americans get to do time for meaningless offenses and must obey the laws setup over many Ammendments to the Original Constitution.the media are not up in arms cause there is no longer a seperation between Church & State or Religion & State.There is just a country that has been under a dictatorships through the years since JFK.
There is no Law in the United States anymore.These people are no longer accountable for any action they do and we as American People lap it all up.Whats even worse is what the hell are the CIA going to do about this decision today.Absolutely squat!!!...The Entire Adminisistration,the entire Democratic Adminisistration,the CIA,the FBI & NSA,the Media are a bunch of gutless byproducts of society.I am so ashamed to be an American today and as and from today I and my family are going to be leaving this dispicable land of tyranny and corruption and giving up our citizenship.
I am so sadened at what way my country has gone.I am so ashamed of all the American people who do nothing and continue to sit back and await the arrival of the New World Order.A stronger effort to uncover these crettens for what they really are is more feasible outside of America.I owe it to my Mum and Dad to help get the country to return to its former glory of the 40s & 50s when FDR defended the Constitution to the hilt.A man that was confined to a wheelchair who had more balls than everything that came after him.
I think that today is the worst day in the history of the country and it will pass millions of americans by which must be treason to the forefathers ideas of Liberty and Justice for All.If this is democracy then I will take tyranny any day over this.303 million Americans sit back with their heads so far up their asses and I count everyone young and old who do nothing.I guess it just goes back to when countries were founded by a few where everyone else was either too scared,too stupid or too lazy to do anything about it.
Americans are well able to sit outside music stores in their thousands awaiting a f***ing iPhone or concert ticket but when it comes defending their civic liberties they say "f*** the constution..it doesn't concern us".What the Constitution says now is Liberty and Justice for a few hundred politicans who earn more in one month than 90% of the population earns in a lifetime..and who pays and allows these salaries to them..the 90%
I feel so sick inside.....Its like a bad nightmare that just gets worse and worse and worse and then having to listen to idiots who defend these men and their ideas across the media,across website forums and across general life.This must be how the forefathers felt before they enacted the Constitution,how Gandhi felt,how all the great individuals felt who fought for the freedoms against oppression,hate,dictatorship and war.
How much worse does it have to get before American people realise the position they have got themselves into..no one else to blame.You can't blame Bush,you can't blame Cheney,you can't blame Hitler,you can't blame Goebbels,you can't blame Sadaam Hussein..you blame the foolish people who let them dictate and trample all over their civic freedoms and for what MONEY,MONEY and MORE MONEY.While 5-8% of the population grow richer,the other 90% grows poorer.Whats the difference between Iraq and America.None...The only sad thing is that no country is strong enough to capsize it like America has done to Iraq.The civilians of America will have to do it....will they do it....No because they are too dumb.too stupid who live in dreamworlds within the confines of their TV sets and I for one don't want to listen anymore to the Bull*** that I have heard from friends of mine...not friends...slaves.No longer are there just Black slaves living in america-its now Black & White Slaves.
When all these crettens including the ones within the Democratic organisation are brought to justice then the few can sleep peacefully,but will I ever request my citizenship back...never....a country that has got that dumb in such a short space time ain't worth returning to.When the NWO is made void then every other country across the world will sleep easily rather than feel threatened by a bunch of lunatics who oppress a bunch of sheep who allowed this to grow into what it is today....Bush talks about Iraq with WMD's and yet its Bush the terrorist who the American people should have been worried about with his WMDs'.They should have been worried about Clinton,they should have been worried about Senior Bush,Reagan....specifically all the way back to JFK and even he had tales of his own.They should have researched beyond the realms of their TV sets.Its no different to 50 year episode of the Twilight Zone.
Remember this every American citizen who think they are invincible.If Russia,China,India,UK feel that America is going to initialize the NWO,then who would give a flying f*** about 303 million dumb americans.You do the math 303 million against 6.6 billion the American people are just passengers on airliner that is hovering very close to thinking not unlike the German people under Nazi rule that Bush/Hitler has a right to obliterate countries outside of it.So if the s*** does hit the fan and nothing can be done where the citizens can't save the country,well at least my family will live on outside this dump I use too call my home.... |
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Roger the Horse
Moderate Poster
Joined: 02 Jun 2006
Posts: 159
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:59 am Post subject: |
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This is an total and utter, truely sickening disgrace. Not unexpected but still a disgrace.
_________________
Only sheep need a leader. |
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Linda
Validated Poster
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 558
Location: Romford Essex
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| Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.rense.com/general77/crashed.htm
White House Switchboard
Crashed Over Libby
From Tom Buyea
7-3-7
Call the regular and special inside the White House numbers here and lets the SOBs Know what you think!
Contacting the White House -
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone Numbers -
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD
Comments 202-456-6213
Visitors Office 202-456-2121
````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Call These Inside the WhiteHouse phone numbers !
Here are the inside the Beast phone numbers to call if the main
switcboard is overloaded. (or even if it isn't)
http://www.correntewire.com
````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Please send your comments to comments@whitehouse.gov. Due to the large volume of e-mail received, the White House cannot respond to every message. For further up-to-date information on Presidential initiatives, current events, and topics of interest to you, please continue to use the White House website. Vice President Richard Cheney: vice_president@whitehouse.gov
Communications With Other Federal Government Agencies
Corrente | Boldly shrill ...
Address:http://www.correntewire.com/ |
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Me
Moderate Poster
Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 431
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| Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:07 am Post subject: |
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You know how conservatives have often conflated Bush's commutation of Libby with Clinton’s pardoning of Mark Rich? Well how's this for a strange twist? I couldn't have written a more ironic story myself. You don’t hear either side talking about this very much if at all.
Mark Rich’s lawyer was once the now infamous Scooter Libby. It’s hard to even find verification of this fact on the Internet. What a tangled web that has been woven in Washington. Both parties suck!
http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0707/03/ldt.01.html
| Quote: | | President Bush is being assailed by Democrats for commutation of Libby's sentence just as Clinton was criticized by conservatives for his pardon of Mark Rich. And this only befits the beltway Scooter Libby, Kitty, who was once a lawyer for Mark Rich in Washington. |
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