He just commuted Scooter Libby’s 30 month prison sentence for perjury in the CIA leak case. Maybe Bush thought that no one would pay attention the day before the July 4th holiday. Fortunately, Michigan Congressman John Conyers says that hearings on the commutation will be forthcoming. They won’t change anything, but at least maybe they’ll bring some attention.
[Speaking of the CIA, have you checked out their “family jewels” yet? They’re showing them off.]
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In the weeks before the execution, Bush says, a number of protesters came to Austin to demand clemency for Karla Faye Tucker. “Did you meet with any of them?” I ask. Bush whips around and stares at me. “No, I didn’t meet with any of them”, he snaps, as though I’ve just asked the dumbest, most offensive question ever posed. “I didn’t meet with Larry King either when he came down for it. I watched his interview with Tucker, though. He asked her real difficult questions like, ‘What would you say to Governor Bush?'” “What was her answer?” I wonder. “‘Please,'” Bush whimpers, his lips pursed in mock desperation, “‘don’t kill me.'” I must look shocked–ridiculing the pleas of a condemned prisoner who has since been executed seems odd and cruel–because he immediately stops smirking.
Tucker Carlson interviewed Bush for Talk Magazine September 1999
One thing I didn’t hear in all the analysis on NPR and the BBC this morning was mention of how high a value the Bush administration places on loyalty. Libby’s commutation is a message to any other lackey asked to stick his neck out: if you do it, we’ll do what we can to back you up if you’re ever asked to face the consequences. They don’t care if it looks bad because supporting loyal cronies is a higher value than even the negative impact on public opinion.
I think Fred Thompson is going to announce his candidacy soon. Given his weathered southern twang and TV persona, I think he has a decent shot.
If there’s a bright side to all this, maybe all of his fundraising for Libby will help cement his tight relationship with the House of Bush in the public’s mind.
Otherwise, the only thing that’ll stop Thompson is if there’s a massive public movement to recruit Sam Waterston to run against him.
Great quote, Taint. It’s funny how, in cases where a prisoner’s life hangs in the balance, he doesn’t want to step in and set asside the finding of the court. But, when it’s a croney who’s lied for him facing time in prison, it’s a different story.
And you’re right, Scott. I was thinking the same thing… It also occurred to me, however, that Scooter could have sent the signal that he’d talk if he didn’t get the the sentence commuted.
I was shocked! Up until now, the Bush Administration has been so above board on everything. I can’t even imagine why they would do such a thing.
Hey, you know, this isn’t a cut and dried issue. There’s a lot of disagreement on this. Some people have been in favor of the sentense and some have been against it. So it’s hard to say. Sure, the one’s in favor of it are all judges…
I’m reading through the Metafilter discussion on this right now. My favorite comment went something like this:
“Bush’s balls have now blocked out the sun.”
I think Hillary put this as accurately as possible when she said that this was a case of where “cronyism and ideology trump competence and justice.”
The hearing of the Judiciary committee will take place on July 11.
The Daily Kos take on it.
Looks bad? Looks like business as usual to me.
From Howard Dean:
Republican principals are like ricepaper skyscapers.
To understand Christian rightwing “ethics” you need to understand that within their church community the 10 commandments and the golden rule abide … in the secular world, my world, it is the domain given by God to Satan, and anything goes. Schitzo, duplicitous, “etcetera, etcetera, etcetera,” to quote the King of Siam. Watch your back, Robert.
Are you threatening me me, Ed? ;)
Ha, ha, ha, ha.
Get to church early Sunday mor ing. Sit in the back pew. And be nice to the ushers. Or else.