Tammy Bruce: Suddenly the Rule of Law Matters to the President

Suddenly the Rule of Law Matters to the President

Here's a picture of Valerie Plame, even though what Libby was convicted of had nothing to do with her, just simply because she's nicer to look at than Scooter Libby.

I happen to support the commutation of Scooter Libby's sentence, but I can't help but be amused at the length Tony Snow is going to this morning at a briefing expressing how and why President Bush decided to spare Libby from prison.

One of his explanations? Paraphrasing here, the president did not pardon Libby because he respects the hard work of the jury, and his commutation is within the sentencing guidelines. Well, it's nice to know the president respects the system and what other people think. Now perhaps he can start applying that same theory to us when it comes to closing the border and enforcing our existing immigration laws.

On the Libby topic, I still feel Fitzgerald, the prosecutor, should be himself investigated for continuing for years with the supposed CIA leak investigation when he knew within the first two weeks that it was a gossipy Richard Armitage who revealed Valerie Plame's position in the CIA. Despite having the answer he was charged with finding, Fitzgerald continued, and managed, after spending millions of tax-payer dollars and two years, to convict Scooter Libby of remembering a conversation with a reporter differently than the reporter. When it comes to Plame herself, well, you know how I feel.

Yeah, commute the man's sentence. I would even have supported a pardon. Libby deserved better considering he was the fall-guy for a prosecutor who somehow had to justify his two-year persecution of the Bush administration even after knowing that no one on the White House, no one anywhere deliberately or maliciously "outed " Plame. But the president suddenly loves the 'process' so much he wouldn't wipe that man's record clean. Whatever. (UPDATE: The Wwhite House is now making noises that Libby may in fact eventually get a pardon.)

No one in the EM is happy. The NYT and WaPo think Libby is the devil, and the WSJ think the president should have granted a full pardon. The primary problem in this entire affair is the same foundation problem in the Bush admin--a lack of strength and leadership, inside and out. Every nut out there, ranging from out-of-control Special Prosecutors here at home, to tyrants abroad, feel that have carte blanche in doing whatever they please, without any repercussions whatsoever. Without any contradiction. Without being shamed or exposed. The president lacks insight and leadership on serious domestic issues and the war abroad.

At least he had the courage to spare one man 30 months in jail for being dragged into the muck of the asinine chaos of Washington. All the presidential candidates, of course, have an opinion on the matter as well.

Hillary is condemning the commutation of Libby. That woman is a fraud and a hypocrite. Everyone on the left who is complaining about this, go and swim in the muck of Bill Clinton's pardons. The smell of that man's actions alone requires a gas mask.

Posted by Tammy · July 3, 2007 08:18 AM · Permalink
Crime | Justice/Judiciary | Politics

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A short time ago, I read Kieth Olberman's comments demanding the President's resignation, as well as Hillary's mouth droppings. Incredible. Let's not forget that the President has the constitutional power to pardon Libby, or anyone, and has no obligation to justify it. One can argue that he was unwise or that his decision was counter to the best interests of justice, but to suggest that he should resign or that he in any way did wrong, ridiculous.

And Hillary making any statement about pardons, when the other member of the twofer presidency pardoned unrepentent terrorists and the perpetrator of one of the greatest financial fraud/thefts in American history...well, we shouldn't be surprised, should we?

And by the way, you're the babe, Tammy. No need to search for others to post.

Posted by: Mike at July 3, 2007 10:28 AM

Clearly, in the glaring light of Bill Clinton's hundreds of pardons during his presidency, Scotter Libby doesn't rise to the level of cocaine dealer or armed bank robber, and therefore does not deserve a full pardon.

/sarc off

I so hope that all Clinton's pardons are somehow brought up, for thorough examination, during Shrillary's campaign, but I won't hold my breath... Hillary will dismiss any potential question about her husband's many dalliances with a smug "I'm only interested in talking about the future, not about the past."
Or some such condescending prattle.

Posted by: localmalcontent at July 3, 2007 10:45 AM

Libby's sentence should be pardoned or commuted. The man did nothing. The whole thing was a witch hunt and waste of taxpayer money. Way before his trial started it was common knowledge that Libby didn't "out" Valerie, still the prosecutor went on with the sham trial, convicting Libby of perjury simply because his version differed from the one they chose to believe. The coverage on Fox News Channel was annoying with reporters questioning whether the president was going to pardon or commute all the federal prisoners because this was definitely such special treatment for Libby. Unless "justice" constitutes "special treatment," I don't think there's anything questionable in correcting a wrong before it goes any further.

Posted by: Miss Kathy at July 3, 2007 10:55 AM

Valerie Plame could look like Charleze Theron - a person's ugliness is about more than just their looks, and when it comes to being a decent, honest human being, Plame is a new-school hag.

I used to work with Keith Olberman. His breath (much like his demeanor) used to kill potted plants.

Posted by: PeteRFNY at July 3, 2007 11:26 AM

Bush Wipes Libby's Prison Sentence

Posted by: HutSutRaw at July 3, 2007 12:45 PM

Now the lie that the MSM repeats, that Mr. Libby lied, needs to be addressed. This would stop if every time the conversation about Libby's lying arose the names of MSM reporters Tim Russert and Matt Cooper were brought up.

The question to be asked is: If Matt Cooper, Tim Russert and Lewis Libby remember their 3 year old conversation differently, why was Libby chosen to be the liar and not Cooper or Russert? On what basis? Beyond that who cares about anything said about a CIA secretary?

Posted by: Red Jeep at July 3, 2007 04:11 PM

I agree with the commutation of his sentence, completely. The sad, disgusting and appalling and even gut wrenching part of the whole ordeal? Reading the comments on the MSN discussion board following the news story of the President's actions. The pages numbered in the hundred, and probably well over a thousand now. The hatred that spews forth from our fellow Americans is deplorable. Hence, my feeling of deep hurt at the realization that America, love her as we on the conservative side do, is in DEEP, DEEP, VERY DEEP doodoo. To put it mildly. For there to be so much hatred across the country for someone the commentors don't even know speaks volumes of the condition of America's "heart", the heart of her people, you and me, our "brothers and sisters" across the land. I'm deeply saddened, as I hope are many, to see the degree of hatred for a man that even some enlightened and honest people on the left have admitted, committed no crime. You are correct, Fitzgerald should be investigated with the intensity Nifong was, for his (Fitzgerald's) debacle of missuse of public funds was no less than Nifong's and should maybe have the same outcome as Nifong's. And all this about a woman who wasn't even covert. She had a desk job, right? What should be Mr. Armitage's penalty in all this? Will he suffer no consequences? You are also right, Hillary is a fraud and those who spew their hatred should swim in the stench of Bill Clinton's pardons. Egad. I know there is always hope, but, man the sky is dark these days. God is merciful. That's all I can hang on to. God help us (U.S.). We really don't deserve His Blessing ("God Bless the USA"?), though, thankfully, He's never given any of us what we deserve, know Him or not. Sorry. Better not go there, huh? Not the scope of your site. But He's the only One who can help turn this "Titanic" around from its destructive direction. He birthed this nation centuries ago. He can fix it. Thank you, Tammy, for letting me rant. You "poked a balloon"...apologies. BTW, I agree with Mike, above. About you. God's speed. And the same to all who visit here. Please have a safe Independence Day, may we (U.S.) remain independent from those who would destroy us.

Posted by: Floyd R. Turbo at July 3, 2007 04:32 PM

I know what you're saying Mr. Turbo and sometimes I feel the same way, but the defeat of the Sham-nesty monster last week is a very hope-filled "sign," not to mention the fact that we are talking about these things, sharing ideas, here on this site. Tammy's voice and the fact that people are listening to her and her true colleagues, to truth, really--I believe, all these (and there are more) are signs that we can be very hopeful about. All is not lost. When the chips are down, Americans have always come through. True, only God can help us. And though we don't deserve the help, I trust He is giving it and these things are evidence. God bless us all! God bless, keep and protect America! Happy Independence Day, America!

Tirian

Posted by: Tirian at July 3, 2007 05:25 PM

Thank you, Tirian, for the words of encouragement. I add a heart-felt Amen...

Posted by: Floyd R. Turbo at July 3, 2007 07:14 PM

The hatred and vile from the Democrats is not surprising. There will be much more to come. Must be some form of group insanity.

Posted by: TC at July 3, 2007 09:08 PM

TC, the sad part is, I don't think they're all Democrats spewing hate. Probably the vast majority are, plus some independents and of course, some random "nuts". There are undoubtedly some Republicans who have "lost it" so to speak and joined the ranks of the "spewers". I would dearly hope not, but with the huge numbers of responders on that particular site, I'm sure it's not only Democrats. Deep sigh.

Posted by: Floyd R. Turbo at July 4, 2007 10:09 AM

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