Bush commutes Libby sentence

[kandrathe]

The outing of CIA agents, either out of revenge or stupidity, is a much larger issue. If well-connected people close to the President are willing to perjure themselves about it, the punishment should be severe indeed. That Bush would see fit, after a lifetime of giving almost no clemency, no pardons, no communtations to anyone for even the most airtight reasons, to commute Libby's sentence because it was too harsh is absurd cronyism.

First, I believe it has been determined that Ms. Wilson was not outed by Libby, although it turns out he made a somewhat obscure reference of her to Judith Miller. Judith Miller never wrote an article from her interview with Mr. Libby. What came out in the trial? Ms. Wilson's "secret" was the worst kept one in Washington.

Let me say two things. Number one, I am not speaking to whether or not Valerie Wilson was covert. And anything I say is not intended to say anything beyond this: that she was a CIA officer from January 1st, 2002, forward. I will confirm that her association with the CIA was classified at that time through July 2003. And all I'll say is that, look, we have not made any allegation that Mr. Libby knowingly, intentionally outed a covert agent. We have not charged that. And so I'm not making that assertion. -- Special Prosecutor Fitzgerald

Dick Armitage admitted that he was the one who outed her to Mr. Novak. No one was ever charged with the "crime" of outing her. No one is trampling on Novak for being the stupid journalist who published the article that destroyed her "covert" career.

It looks to me like a political fishing expedition that caught Mr. Libby in the justice net. Everyone else had their get out of jail free cards ready. He could have been just a little more forthright and obscure like the others and walked. But, he chose to take a stand that his position in the Executive Branch would protect him. That is until the slavering wolves get too close, and you are the slowest runner. This reminds me very much of Ollie North and Iran-Contra. I'm frankly a little tired of both sides using something as sacred as Justice as a political weapon.

I would think the easiest thing in the world would be to catch a politician lying. Is it any wonder that the smart ones take the 5th and hope for the best? Put anyone on the stand for months on end and see how long they can hold their story consistent. Is this news to anyone?

'We're not saying we didn't think Mr. Libby was guilty of the things we found him guilty of, but it seemed like he was the fall guy. ... tasked by the vice president to go and talk to reporters." -- Denis Collins Journalist and Juror#9