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Doesn’t Colin Powell Owe Scooter Libby an Apology?
Jen rubin explains why in this excellent piece on Colin Powell, Richard Armitage, Vice President Cheney and his Chief of Staff, Scooter Libby.The extent of the dishonesty is quite stunning. In a Cabinet meeting on October 7, 2003, the White House press corps bombarded President George W. Bush with questions about who the leaker was. Bush said he didn’t know, but there would be an investigation to get to the bottom of it. Powell, who had been told by Armitage just days earlier that Armitage was the leaker, sat there next to the president, stone silent. Not very loyal or honest, was it?
Moreover, the notion that Armitage’s slip was somehow inadvertent is belied by Bob Woodward’s taped interview in which Armitage repeatedly mentions Joe Wilson’s wife, evidently doing his best to get Plame’s identity out there. This was no slip of the tongue. Woodward testified that when he spoke to Libby sometime later that Libby never said anything about Plame.
At issue here is not simply Powell and Armitage’s deception and undermining of their commander in chief. There was a victim, one whom neither Powell or Armitage has ever apologized to. The person who ultimately paid the price for this was Scooter Libby. Had the president and the country known about Armitage, a special prosecutor would never have been appointed. Libby was eventually convicted on the basis of a he-said-he-said dispute between his recollection and that of the late Tim Russert. (Charges concerning Libby’s alleged comments to Judy Miller were dismissed, and he was acquitted on the count involving Matt Cooper.) A compelling case for Libby’s innocence can be found in this account by Stan Crock.
Powell may be peeved at being fingered by Cheney. But on this one Cheney has him dead to rights. The Plame is a blot on his record and that of Armitage. Maybe it is time to own up and make amends rather than bristling at Libby’s former boss.
Dick Cheney said that when his book, In My Time, was released that heads would explode in D.C. It appears that Colin Powell’s has and he should apologize to Libby and Cheney for his despicable conduct in the Valerie Plame matter.
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President Bush to Have Colonoscopy – Will Cheney Pardon Scooter Libby?
President Bush, left, is greeted by retired boxer ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard, right, as Bush departs the White House for a weekend at Camp David, Friday, July 20, 2007, in Washington.
News Item: Bush to Have Colonoscopy at Camp David
Yeah, I know, a Scooter Libby PARDON is WISHFUL THINKING.
Technorati Tags: CIA, CIALeakCase, ValeriePlame, JoeWilson, PatrickFitzgeraldScooter LibbyDick Cheney, George W Bush
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Joe Wilson Endorses Hillary Clinton for President
Fmr. Ambassador Joseph Wilson Endorses Clinton
The Clinton Campaign today announced the endorsement of leading Iraq war critic and former Ambassador Joseph Wilson.
“I have known Hillary Clinton for a decade. She is the one candidate who, in my judgment, understands the need to get Americans out of harm’s way and to move this to a political process,” Wilson said. “She knows what to do. She has the leadership. On day one, she will be able to reach out to the international community, and I am delighted to fight the fight with her.”
“I admire Joe Wilson’s courage in standing up to this administration and holding it accountable for the misinformation that led us into the Iraq war,” Clinton said. “I’m honored to have his support as we do everything in our power to bring this war to an end and begin bringing our troops home safely.”
Guess Joe wants another ambassador gig now that his wife, Valerie Plame is retired from the CIA.
Previous:CIA Leak Case Watch: No Prison for Scooter Libby
CIA Leak Case Watch: No Delay for Libby Prison Term
Cia Leak Case Watch: Libby Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison for PerjuryMichael Ramirez on Valerie Plame’s Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Valerie Plame Wilson Sheds Little Light in Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Is it About Something Bigger?
Michael Ramirez on Scooter Libby and Patrick Fitzgerald
CIA Leak Case Watch: Libby Found Guilty in 4 of 5 Counts
Technorati Tags: CIA, CIALeakCase, ValeriePlame, JoeWilson, PatrickFitzgeraldScooter Libby
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Michael Ramirez on Bill Clinton, Pardons, Hypocrisy and Scooter Libby
Clintons accused of ‘hypocrisy’
President Bush commuted the jail term of Lewis “Scooter” Libby, convicted over a CIA-leak case, on Monday.
White House spokesman Tony Snow accused the Clintons of “chutzpah” – Yiddish for brashness – in criticising Mr Bush.
President Clinton issued 140 pardons on his final day in office, including one for fugitive financier Marc Rich.
Mr Bush commuted the 30-month prison sentence but left in place a $250,000 (£124,000) fine, which Libby paid on Thursday, and a two-year “supervised release”, or probation, period. He has refused to rule out a full pardon for Libby.
The White House’s accusation of hypocrisy against the former president and first lady followed a radio interview in which Mr Clinton said the Bush administration viewed the law as a “minor obstacle”.
Mr Clinton, from the state of Arkansas, also rejected comparisons with his own controversial granting of pardons, saying “the facts were different”.
Mrs Clinton, a Democratic contender for the presidential elections in 2008, in turn accused the administration of having “elevated cronyism over the rule of law”.
White House spokesman Tony Snow responded: “I don’t know what the Arkansan is for chutzpah, but this is a gigantic case of it.”
He then referred critics to Mr Clinton’s pardons on the last day of his presidency, 20 January, 2001.
Oh the Hypocrisy……………
This issue with pardons is going to bite Bill and Hillary in the ass again as the race for 2008 heats up.
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Michael Ramirez on John Edwards and the UK Terrorist Bombings
Michael Ramirez on the Apple iPhone
Michael Ramirez on Cameron Diaz and Other DumbASS Celebrities
Michael Ramirez on Iran and the Spread of Islamic Extremism
Michael Ramirez on Hamas and the Destruction of the Palestinian State
Michael Ramirez on Paris Hilton AND Illegal Immigration
Michael Ramirez on Democrat Representative William Jefferson
Technorati Tags: Michael RamirezBill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, George W Bush, Marc Rich
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CIA Leak Case Watch: No Prison for Scooter Libby
Lewis “Scooter” Libby arrives for a sentence hearing at a federal courthouse in Washington, June 5, 2007. President Bush on Monday spared former vice presidential aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby from going to prison for 2 1/2 years for obstructing a CIA leak investigation.
President George W. Bush on Monday spared former vice presidential aide Lewis “Scooter” Libby from going to prison for 2 1/2 years for obstructing a CIA leak investigation.
“I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive,” Bush said in a statement. “Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.”
Bush’s move came after intense pressure from conservatives who demanded he pardon Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff, and saw him as the victim of overly zealous special prosecutor.
His decision to commute his sentence, instead of an outright pardon, was a nod to the fact that the court process for Libby had not yet run its course, but it was unlikely to quell criticism from the left.
The announcement came at the start of the Fourth of July holiday week with Congress in recess and at the end of a day in which the news was dominated by Bush’s high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A federal judge ruled last month that Libby would have to report to prison in six to eight weeks. An appeals court on Monday rejected Libby’s request to remain free while he appealed his conviction.
About time.
But, President Bush wanted to await the outcome of the legal proceedings and not allow Libby to go to jail.
Libby was sentenced to prison for lying and obstructing an investigation into who blew the cover of a CIA officer whose husband criticized the Iraq war. He also received at $250,000 fine and two years probation.
“He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect,” Bush said. “The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.”
The pardon will come next.
Wonder what Patrick Fitzgerald is thinking? Maybe he will resign – We can only hope.
Update:
“After evaluating the facts, the President came to a reasonable decision and I believe the decision was correct.”
Previous:CIA Leak Case Watch: No Delay for Libby Prison Term
Cia Leak Case Watch: Libby Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison for PerjuryMichael Ramirez on Valerie Plame’s Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Valerie Plame Wilson Sheds Little Light in Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Is it About Something Bigger?
Michael Ramirez on Scooter Libby and Patrick Fitzgerald
CIA Leak Case Watch: Libby Found Guilty in 4 of 5 Counts
Technorati Tags: CIA, CIALeakCase, ValeriePlame, JoeWilson, PatrickFitzgeraldScooter Libby
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CIA Leak Case Watch: No Delay for Libby Prison Term
Lewis “Scooter” Libby, former chief of staff to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney after he was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for lying and obstructing the CIA leak investigation. Libby is headed back to court Thursday, June 14, 2007, to try to forestall his 2½-year prison term in the CIA leak case.
Judge Won’t Delay Libby Prison Term
A federal judge said Thursday he will not delay a 2 1/2-year prison sentence for I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, a ruling that could send the former White House aide to prison within weeks.
U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton’s decision will send Libby’s attorneys rushing to an appeals court to block the sentence and could force President Bush to consider calls from Libby’s supporters to pardon the former aide.
No date was set for Libby to report to prison but it’s expected to be within six to eight weeks. That will be left up to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, which will also select a facility.
Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, was convicted in March of lying to investigators and obstructing Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald’s inquiry into the 2003 leak of a CIA operative’s identity.
Will President Bush pardon Libby?
If the President doesn’t, W will be “ABSOLUTELY DONE” with the GOP base.
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Cia Leak Case Watch: Libby Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison for Perjury
Michael Ramirez on Valerie Plame’s Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Valerie Plame Wilson Sheds Little Light in Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Is it About Something Bigger?
Michael Ramirez on Scooter Libby and Patrick Fitzgerald
CIA Leak Case Watch: Libby Found Guilty in 4 of 5 Counts
Technorati Tags: CIA, CIALeakCase, ValeriePlame, JoeWilson, PatrickFitzgeraldScooter Libby
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Cia Leak Case Watch: Libby Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison for Perjury
AP: Libby Sentenced to 2 1/2 Years in Prison
Former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Tuesday for lying and obstructing the CIA leak investigation.
Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, stood calmly before a packed courtroom as a federal judge said the evidence overwhelmingly proved his guilt and left the courthouse without commenting.
“People who occupy these types of positions, where they have the welfare and security of nation in their hands, have a special obligation to not do anything that might create a problem,” U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said.
Walton did not set a date for Libby to report to prison. Though he saw no reason to let Libby remain free pending appeal, Walton said he would accept written arguments on the issue and rule later.
How quickly can you spell PARDON?
If Judge Walton does not allow Libby to stay out of jail pending appeal then the President will be faced with either pardoning Libby or letting him go to jail. However, written arguments are do next week to allow him out on bail pending an appeal and there will be an appeal of Judge Walton’s ruling should he not permit bail while Libby’s appeal is being pursued.
Will Scooter Libby ever go to jail?
Doubtful.
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Michael Ramirez on Valerie Plame’s Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Valerie Plame Wilson Sheds Little Light in Congressional Appearance
CIA Leak Case Watch: Is it About Something Bigger?
Michael Ramirez on Scooter Libby and Patrick Fitzgerald
CIA Leak Case Watch: Libby Found Guilty in 4 of 5 Counts
Technorati Tags: CIA, CIALeakCase, ValeriePlame, JoeWilson, PatrickFitzgerald
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CIA Leak Case Watch: Libby Found Guilty in 4 of 5 Counts
AP: Libby found guilty in CIA leak case
Former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby was convicted Tuesday of obstruction, perjury and lying to the FBI in an investigation into the leak of a CIA operative’s identity.
Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, was accused of lying and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity to reporters.
He was acquitted of one count of lying to the FBI.
Well, you have to tell the truth. But, this is a politically contrived and complicated case.
First, the appeal which will drag on for years and then a pardon if the appeal fails.
Flap doubts Libby will ever see the inside of a jail cell.
Technorati Tags: ScooterLibby, CIALeakCase
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Michael Ramirez on Federal Prosceutor Patrick Fitzgerald and the Scooter Libby Trial
New York Times: Libby and Cheney Won’t Testify, Lawyers Say
How do you spell NOT GUILTY?
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Technorati Tags: MichaelRamirez
