Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - libby sentence commuted

irateplatypus · 07-02-2007, 06:57 PM

undoubtedly the recent partial commuting of scooter libby's sentence will provoke a lot of passion on this board and elsewhere. can someone explain to me what all the mania is about?

scooter libby was investigated thoroughly for years and years. the prosecution found NOTHING related to national security leaks for which mr. libby could be held legally accountable.

he was eventually indicted on 5 offenses, all of which supposedly occurred DURING the investigation of a incident for which the prosecution couldn't build a case against him. in the end, he was convicted of 4 of the 5 counts and sentenced to 30 months in prison, 2 years probation and a $250K fine. keep in mind that these punishments were given in response to obstructions during the investigative process... not for being guilty of the crime for which he was being investigated.

so, very recently, the president has decided to partially commute mr. libby's sentence. the prison time was commuted though he will still endure the 2 years probation and the $250K fine. mr. libby has endured years of public scorn and has undoubtedly racked up thousands upon thousands of dollars in legal fees. all these miseries rooted in being suspected of a crime for which a federal prosecutor can't prove he committed.

in the course of all the moaning and groaning to follow, many people will fool themselves into thinking that their indignation is rooted in a commitment to rule of law. in fact, given the historical usage of presidential pardons, this is in fact a very mild application. president clinton pardoned 140 in his two terms. president bush, by comparison, has exercised the privilege less than 115 times.

the list of pardonees is particularly striking. mr. libby is the current president's first notable pardon. president clinton's roster includes 2 democratic congressman, several close business associates (some of whom were dealing with iran during the hostage crisis), and his own brother. pretty big stuff compared to mr. libby pardon of obstruction of justice.

it's plain that given the history of pardons, the current outrage at libby's pardon is entirely a cynical political maneuver. that, or a manifestation of a personal dislike for the sitting president. in any case, it does not take into account a sober judgment of the circumstances of the situation.

the only way to justify outrage is to view this as just another abuse in a long string of abuses. given the absolute silence at some recent examples of pardons being used more liberally, it will be difficult to make that case without employing strictly partisan motivations.

07-02-2007, 06:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
irateplatypus can't help but laugh Location: dar al-harb	libby sentence commuted - why the fuss? undoubtedly the recent partial commuting of scooter libby's sentence will provoke a lot of passion on this board and elsewhere. can someone explain to me what all the mania is about? scooter libby was investigated thoroughly for years and years. the prosecution found NOTHING related to national security leaks for which mr. libby could be held legally accountable. he was eventually indicted on 5 offenses, all of which supposedly occurred DURING the investigation of a incident for which the prosecution couldn't build a case against him. in the end, he was convicted of 4 of the 5 counts and sentenced to 30 months in prison, 2 years probation and a $250K fine. keep in mind that these punishments were given in response to obstructions during the investigative process... not for being guilty of the crime for which he was being investigated. so, very recently, the president has decided to partially commute mr. libby's sentence. the prison time was commuted though he will still endure the 2 years probation and the $250K fine. mr. libby has endured years of public scorn and has undoubtedly racked up thousands upon thousands of dollars in legal fees. all these miseries rooted in being suspected of a crime for which a federal prosecutor can't prove he committed. in the course of all the moaning and groaning to follow, many people will fool themselves into thinking that their indignation is rooted in a commitment to rule of law. in fact, given the historical usage of presidential pardons, this is in fact a very mild application. president clinton pardoned 140 in his two terms. president bush, by comparison, has exercised the privilege less than 115 times. the list of pardonees is particularly striking. mr. libby is the current president's first notable pardon. president clinton's roster includes 2 democratic congressman, several close business associates (some of whom were dealing with iran during the hostage crisis), and his own brother. pretty big stuff compared to mr. libby pardon of obstruction of justice. it's plain that given the history of pardons, the current outrage at libby's pardon is entirely a cynical political maneuver. that, or a manifestation of a personal dislike for the sitting president. in any case, it does not take into account a sober judgment of the circumstances of the situation. the only way to justify outrage is to view this as just another abuse in a long string of abuses. given the absolute silence at some recent examples of pardons being used more liberally, it will be difficult to make that case without employing strictly partisan motivations. __________________ If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. ~ Winston Churchill Last edited by irateplatypus; 07-02-2007 at 07:03 PM..