Oops, now read it’s the same as trial judge. Bummer.
Kangaroo court... kangaroo sentence.
If Bush wants to try to get back on the good side of his base, he will pardon Libby immediately.
I’m afraid it would be too little, too late, though...
I just don’t have a good feeling about this.
When will Chappaquiddick Kennedy be sentenced for DUI manslaughter, leaving the scene, obstruction of justice, and perjury? When will Kerry be sentenced for treason?
In order to balance the scales of justice, they'll throw the book at Libby.
Be interesting to see how many times we hear or read “Scotter Libby Sentenced” as compared to “William Jefferson Indicted.”
The real media bias is in what is and isn’t reported.
Unfortunately it's deadly serious for not only Scooter, but every other person whoever works for an (R) administration.
Our press are the criminals.
Perjury isn’t a farce, no matter what the case was behind it. But given the circumstances I do hope Libby gets a relatively light punishment.
Libby will get a pardon as soon as Fred Thompson is elected. But to get a pardon you have to admit you were guilty, so I don’t know if he’ll accept one.
This is simply an outrage.
If the judge is a dem, clinton appointee, Scooter gets some serious time.
‘Hopefully the sentencing judge knows a farce when he sees one.’
I think thats wishful thinking.
The President should pardon him this afternoon.
It's sobering to think that very few citizens could afford to bring Mr. Libby's level of financial and legal resources to fight such frivolous charges of obstruction of justice and perjury -- charges derivative to the original mandate of the prosecutor which turned out to be an investigation of a crime that did not even exist; if Mr. Libby cannot win, then who can?
I find it ironic that on this day , DU is down for server upgrades! It’s gonna be ugly! ;-)
The lefty Firedoglake is blogging the hearing.
Here’s the latest from them:
Jeffress: [continuing on IIPA] If there had been a violation of IIPA, I’m sure the govt would have charged it.
Walton: I always hear lawyers say indictment doesn’t matter. The fact that someone is indicted, I tell people not to take that seriously. The fact that someone isn’t found guilty, that’s stronger than the fact that they weren’t charged.
Jeffress: Govt has never shown that the offense was committed.
Walton: The objective behind cross-referencing as it relates to obtstruction is that it’s envisioned when law enforcement officials start an investigation and they go to citizenry to find out whether an offense has been committed, it is the obligation of the citizenry to cooperate, when a person is put on notice of what the govt is investigating. I think that’s what this cross-referencing provision is designed to reach. You only look at whether a legitimate investigation was taking place, it’s my view the x-referencing does apply, as it relates to the obstruction. I may not reach wrt the perjury conviction, I have questions whether it would apply.
Jeffress: I would point out two things. Not a single of these cases is in DC Circuit. [Shorter Jeffress: Silberman won’t buy this argument]
Walton: I’m looking at it from a social policy perpsective. If the circuit wants to take a different position, they have that prerogative. If a person can keep the ability of govt to investigate by obstructing the investigation.
Jeffress: speaking of policy, the defendant may go to prison for twice the time than the case that was being investigated.
Walton just mentioned responsibility again… (that is, why hasn’t Libby taken responsibility)
Walton if you come to me in reference to very serious social offense, there’s a difference. Cross-reference for obstruction does apply. We still have issue of … govt never presented any evidence that Libby knew what her status was. Either negligence or recklessness that resulted in that being disseminated to press.
10:10
Hopefully Bush will have to guts for an immediate pardon, but I doubt it. He’s too busy putting border guards in combat soldiers in prison.
Now what did Mr Clinton get for his perjury?
Why does this seem excessive in comparison........
Could it be the dreaded (R) factor? Naaaaaah.......move along, nothing to see here.