Comments (33)

Crust wrote on July 2, 2007 7:49 PM:

"Speaking as friends, we hope that our system will return a final result consistent with what we know of this fine man."

What an interesting way for Cheney *not* to say he thinks Libby is innocent.

PC127 wrote on July 2, 2007 7:50 PM:

I felt since the beginning that Scooter Libby was never in any real legal jeopardy and that pardon was a certainty. Even though I knew this was coming it in no way lessens the sting.

mo2 wrote on July 2, 2007 8:00 PM:

Jury of peers = final result, dipshit.

parrot wrote on July 2, 2007 8:02 PM:

Cheney was never deeply saddened that Valerie Plame's cover was blown and a section of America's covert anti-proliferation directorate at the CIA was thrust in the limelight to damage the credibility of any who opposed Cheney's reasoning for a pre-emptive war of aggression to seize Iraq's oil fields. In doing this, he also made sure that none of is friends, nor relatives, were actually serving in harm's way. Now he expects us to feel sorry for Scooter Libby? Who, when faced with prison time for his "loyality" to his masters has his prison time commuted?

I ask the Congress to get to the bottom of precisely how craven Cheney and Bush are. I ask that they do it soon. And I ask that there be a restoration of faith in fairness and justice, both for government employees who are trying to protect us from tyrants such as Cheney and his ilk appear to be. For, there are weapons of mass destruction, and domestic targets of political oppression, and when the former cannot expect to be found if it is inconvenient to go after the later, then we are not safe in our homes, our persons, nor should we expect to be. I, for one, do expect that we should hold our government to the highest standards of decency and conduct. And, while I appear to be in the majority, it does not appear that the King and his Men, take notice, nor do they fear the consequences of their tyranny.

Impeachment should be right on the table now and it should be placed on the floor of the House as soon as it can be arranged. For, the consequences that are coming are not just the destruction of the Republic, but the stability of the world if these criminals are permitted to continue their mad grab for the world's resources and the reins of American might to do it.

Kevin wrote on July 2, 2007 8:03 PM:

utterly disgusting. The Jury found him guilty. The judge found him guilty. The three judges hearing his plea to stay out acknowledged his guilt.

Mary wrote on July 2, 2007 8:12 PM:

Anyone bothering to get a statement from that paragon in a uniform, Hayden?

Node of Evil wrote on July 2, 2007 8:18 PM:

The contrast between Republicans and Democrats is now blindingly obvious. Those who currently occupy the White House and sit on the Republican side of the aisle are doomed to wither on the vine of history. As we progress towards 2008 the Bush Administration again and again demonstrates why it is unfit to lead, and the Republican candidates for office and those running for reelection demonstrate why they're unfit to lead. Why anyone would follow them off the cliff is beyond me. Impeachment just got a swift jolt -- we are much closer to President Pelosi now than we've ever been. I pray that it happens in an orderly manner without incident. I put the odds of this Administration lasting through 2008 at about 20%, right down there with their approval rating. Such a dramatic move is the only option for Republicans who wish to separate themselves from the disaster that is the Bush Administration.

desmoulins wrote on July 2, 2007 8:44 PM:

If he accepts the commutation, is that tantamount to an admission of guilt, the way a pardon is? Would that not make it nearly impossible for him to appeal? Is there a criminal defense attorney that can answer this?

Jim Coughlin wrote on July 2, 2007 8:47 PM:

I watched "Hardball" tonight, the editor of
"American Spectator" said it is OK and went into that bullshit routine about no crime was committed. Pat Buchanan said just about the same thing, whatever that's worth from an idiot like him. All of which proves their are still rats on the sinking ship. The Democrats had better get their shit together, obviously Bush thinks they are too gutless to do anything. Dont expect Spector, Warner, Lugar, McConnell or any of the other rubber stampers to do anything to serve the interests of the people, go after the weak ones facing reelection in 2008. THEN DUMP HOJO, that whiny little senator from AIPAC.

Wretched Refuse wrote on July 2, 2007 8:49 PM:

Fortunately Dick, we know that you MUST die one day. Some of us pray that that day comes today others are willing to wait for tomorrow, and still others, more like your ilk, are willing to wait until the Rapture. I pray for today.
You FUCKING TRAITOR!

Frankel wrote on July 2, 2007 8:58 PM:

Shorter Cheney: Amnesty for Scooter, but not the people who clean his house.

georgia wrote on July 2, 2007 9:36 PM:

Beelzebub is a "fine man" compared to Cheney. He's not what you'd call an extraordinary character reference.

The Skeptical Cynic wrote on July 2, 2007 9:46 PM:

Instead of candy-assed Democrats wringing their hands in despair and whining, "Oh, what to do? Oh, what to do?" The should start (only figuratively,\[nudge, nudge, wink, wink] of course, lest the Secret service be on my ass in a heart beat)wringing some, no that many necks(you know, like a Lott of necks. (pun intended). If they don't they may just find themselves competing in a primary race with a small d Democrat ready to kick some ass.

daCascadian wrote on July 2, 2007 9:48 PM:

parrot >"Cheney was never deeply saddened that Valerie Plame's cover was blown and a section of America's covert anti-proliferation directorate at the CIA was thrust in the limelight..."

Of course not

It was done on purpose as part of the continuing sell out of the public for reasons known to the Brotherhood of Petroleum. This is simply a continuation of the deal with Iran that included Iran-Contra but of which there is much much more

You might want to wake up to reality soon

Crime is thicker than any other bond

(code = cord as in pull the cord as long as there is more to unravel)

"The wind blows over the surface of the lake. In this way, the effects of the invisible are made visible." - I Ching

Jack wrote on July 2, 2007 10:00 PM:

Libby was just a fall guy anyhow. The remaining question is "What did the President know and when did he know it." Time for Congress to take the gloves off and go to Court to restore some integrity to our wayward government.

Anonymous wrote on July 2, 2007 10:07 PM:

If Bush would have just told us from the jumpstreet that he was not going to let anyone guilty of these crimes serve a day he could have saved the taxpayers a lot of money.
code word: roll
As in heads will roll. Then again, maybe not.

Mikey wrote on July 2, 2007 11:23 PM:

Anyone notice that Cheney's statement is almost identical to the statement he made before Libby was sentenced? How high could he regard Libby if he just rehashes an old speech and doesn't bother to change the words?

Tony Prentakis wrote on July 2, 2007 11:27 PM:

As best I can read the Constitution, the POTUS has the absolute power to pardon _anybody_. So here's a bet: Cheney's new Libby, David Addington, has already drafted a memo for Gonzo to sign, explaining that Dubya has the power to pardon, pre-emptively, not only Deadeye Dick, but even himself.

Think about that. The US Constitution seems to say that "the President" is essentially immune to the law. (Republicans think "the President" means "Dubya". Imagine their shock if they ever look at the actual text.) If the President can legally pardon his own crimes, then the _only_ check available against a 4-year autocracy is impeachment.

So listen up, Mrs. Pelosi: either put impeachment on the table, or propose a Constitutional amendment to limit the President's power to pardon himself. One or the other will come in handy someday.

-- TP

jesus wrote on July 2, 2007 11:30 PM:

fucking piece of shit asshole.

Anonymous wrote on July 2, 2007 11:35 PM:

Is this for real, or a mistake?

This is the identical statement Cheney released when Libby was sentenced a few weeks ago. No mention of the commutation, pro or con.

What's he afraid of? If this is such a great idea, why won't Cheney endorse it?

Something (else) stinks here.

Writergrl wrote on July 2, 2007 11:54 PM:

Leave it to jesus to tell us how we really feel.

The Constitution? Just a piece of gutter-trash for Bush/Cheney to continue pissing on.

Oh, and Mr. Cheney? Go *uck yourself.

Code word: WASTE. You go with it...

anon wrote on July 3, 2007 12:13 AM:

...propose a Constitutional amendment to limit the President's power to pardon himself...

Hmmm. Well, if Congress passed a bunch of laws complicating pardons that would get their attention. Of course, Bush will go ahead and pardon but it would be nice if each pardon came with, say, a Congressional hearing and a bunch of discovery-type paperwork. I suspect they might be able to, shall we say, gum the works a bit even if they can't stop pardons short of a constitutional amendment.

Rob K wrote on July 3, 2007 12:54 AM:

In your wisdom Sir
I am afraid that
I am skeptical

Mr. Libby lied to us
to the American people
in the face of direct questioning.
I fear his lies were only
so that he could to shield you
or
your vice president
or
your administration

I am not a fool
I am not blind
nor Sir are the majority of the citizens of this great land

He was found guilty of nothing more than lying and deception
I suppose

a small crime in some minds
in some places

But most of us see past this Sir
We see that we are being lied to
We are being deceived.

This man is a traitor to the Constitution
and America as a whole

He is a shallow
lying man
of poor character
who would deny his own God if it fit his plans
or perhaps the plans of his superiors

this is neither noble or admirable

and yet you Sir, will defend him
and commute his sentence

you Sir will let him walk free.

When I read that you said
"I respect the jury’s verdict"
I felt with a heavy heart
That this was a bold faced lie
a cold - calculated - heartless attempt
to again
bend the minds of those you are charged to serve and protect.

Few Sir, if any true Americans
or Christians will respect your thinly concealed "decisions".

I fear that the respect you seek
the adoration you crave
is only for what you hope to find
within the inner circle of your confidants, supporters and friends.

You Sir have turned your back on the American people
You have chosen the gains and adoration of your piers
over your Constitutionally mandated paternal responsibilities
to us the American people

You have allowed deception deceit and depravity to reign in the hallowed halls of the White house.

You have failed in your charge to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America.

I sit here tonight afraid for our future

My future and the future of my children
Afraid because of the total lack of true leadership that I see.

Is there a truth I am failing to see?
Amidst the glaring distortions and lies that confront me daily on the lips of your defenders and supporter?
In the now rapacious, repetitive, worthless, glossy headline news
I try to block out of my life…
am I missing some beautiful undiscovered kernel of Devine inspired wisdom?

I fear not Sir, nay
I know not

You have failed us all Sir
You have chosen personal gain
over your true responsibilities.

History will long remember this betrayal
There will be no glorification of the deceit

and yet still...
even when I feel that it is too late to repair that which has been undone

I hope
I pray

I implore you Sir
on the face of all that is true and just
in the name and Spirit of the teachings of Jesus Christ
face your opposition
face your adversity
face the failures of the past
stand tall

and speak truth to the darkness

do what is just and right
with conviction and purity of purpose

Defend, Protect and Elevate the office that you hold
For those who came before and those to follow
In the spirit of the Founding Fathers
Make you mark upon history

and speak truth to the darkness

Emily wrote on July 3, 2007 1:02 AM:

IMPEACHMENT is our (America's) only option. Use it or lose it; forever. There is no longer any excuse for not doing so. None. Maybe it's time to try for a general strike if our 'leaders' refuse to do their jobs.

Slippery Slope wrote on July 3, 2007 1:10 AM:

"...we hope that our system will return a final result consistent with what we know of this fine man."

Our system of Law has. And Dumbya just pissed all over it!

You do know. You put him there and you are next.

psyopswatcher wrote on July 3, 2007 1:16 AM:

"...intellect, judgment and personal integrity -- a man fully committed to protecting the vital security interests of the United States and its citizens."

A man fully committed to taking the fall for his friends, more like it.

What's security interests have to do with it? He LIED about who really compromised national security and covered up everything he knew.

This is the payola dear folks, right out in broad daylight. Libby really must have the goods on them.

TP, Pelosi's being coy. Of course she won't promote herself as POTUS, that's hardly humble. But I think she make a terrific running mate for Hil. Or replacement for the shrub any day now.

syracuse wrote on July 3, 2007 5:46 AM:

didn't they leave out...

"Scooter has dedicated much of his life to public service at the ... Secret Society for World Domination(SSWD)...

?

jonathan wrote on July 3, 2007 8:30 AM:

"Scooter is also a friend, and on a personal level Lynne and I remain deeply saddened by this tragedy and its effect on his wife, Harriet, and their young children."

3000 people losing their lives in a terrorist attack is a tragedy.

Watching one of the most historic of American cities sink underwater like Atlantis is a tragedy.

The daily bloodshed and physical destruction in a region of the world that the Bible claims as the location of the f***ing Garden of Eden is a tragedy beyond all words or hope.

The trial and conviction of an administration official by a jury of his peers on substantiated charges is not a tragedy.

It is, how do you say, the rule of law.

donviti wrote on July 3, 2007 8:58 AM:

isn't it just great that this happens 2 days before fuc@@@ INDEPENDENCE DAY

I think I will wipe my a@@ with the flag tomorrow

BECAUSE I CAN!

Big D wrote on July 3, 2007 10:00 AM:

This adminstration continues to hold itself to a lower standard than the people it serves.

Xman wrote on July 3, 2007 11:06 AM:

Libby always had the cocky, smirky body language of a man who held the ace in the hole. We all know he has the goods on Bush, Cheney and Rove.

VietVet67 wrote on July 3, 2007 11:39 AM:

Yo, Dead-eye Dick, how about the harm done to Valerie Plame and her family?

Pierre LeClerk wrote on July 4, 2007 3:43 AM:

When you have truly had enough America, you will wake up and see the destruction caused not only by the insatiable appitite of the powerful, but from your own apithy.
How far down this dark road will you travel like sheep to the slaughter.

Rise Up, "Now is the time for all good men, to come to the aid of their Country"