Bush spares Libby from prison

AP on Yahoo ^ | 7/2/07 | AP

[tophat9000]

Actually this is better then a full pardon for now... the prosecution let alone the conviction was juke from the get go.. it needs to be overturned and repudiated for what it is a political which hunt...

So now the appeal goes on in the light of day without Libby being buried in prison

[jmaroneps37]

Jorge can’t do anything right anymore. He left the 250k fine and two years probation in place. If anyone thinks the 250 k is something that will be winked at, you are wrong. They never let you out from under fines. You can’t bankrupt away a fine. Sure he can run fund raisers, but WHY should this innocent man HAVE to beg for the money to pay the fine this clinton suggested judge put on him. No Libby doesn’t have to go to jail, but once again when the smoke clears we will see that jorge STILL HASN’T DONE THE RIGHT THING!

[Star Traveler]

I see some people saying that Bush will probably pardon Libby later on, but from what I read, Bush says that he only commuted the sentence because he figured that part was excessive and left the other in place as proper. So, that does not sound like a President who will pardon Libby later on...

Regards,
Star Traveler

[Tall_Texan]

"As Independence Day nears, we’re reminded that one of the principles our forefathers fought for was equal justice under the law. This commutation completely tramples on that principle," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said.

Well, you had no problem trampling on that principle when you exonerated Clinton for perjury, you swine.

[Choose Ye This Day]

The cynic in me just sees this as Bush’s attempt to get back in the good graces of the conservative base, after the immigration debacle of the past few weeks.

Maybe he would have commuted Libby’s sentence anyway, but for this to come after the past week, the timing seems too coincidental.

[Paladin2]

Nope. I see that the Bush compound in Maine has a FENCE along it’s connection to the land. I’d like to hear T. Snow explain why.

[Riodacat]

I’d be even more impressed if he also commuted the prison sentences of the two border agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who are now in prison serving 11- and 12-year sentences...

[CONSERVE]

now if he could only do the same for the border patrolmen

[Jeff Head]

I believe Bush will let the normal legal process go on, in the hopes that this rediculous facade of a case will be overturned on appeal...in which case Libby will be free and not have the record.

Then, if it doesn't, if the appeals are exhausted, or apt to drag on past his presidency, I believe Bush will pardon him. As well he should pardon an innocent man who is simply the victim of a political witch hunt.

[BCrago66]

250K is a fraction of the Libby’s lawyer fees.

Nonetheless, Libby is a highly capable man, and the monies involved will not be crippling.

I’m glad that Libby can now get on with his life - and let his lawyers appeal the conviction to clear his name - free of the yoke of the threat of federal prison.

[roses of sharon]

The appeals ct ruled TODAY that he would have to serve time while appealing.

Which is why the commutation came TODAY.

[Son Of The Godfather]

“As Independence Day nears, we’re reminded that one of the principles our forefathers fought for was equal justice under the law. This commutation completely tramples on that principle,” Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said through a spokesman.

Didn't the Clintonistas pardon a whole mess of criminals on their way out?

[STARWISE]

You are cynical. The court just ruled today that he had to report to jail during the appeal process.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Perhaps, but it’s still not a full pardon.

[STARWISE]

"I hope it puts pressure on the president. He's a man of pronounced loyalties and he should have loyalty to Scooter Libby," said former Ambassador Richard Carlson, a member of Libby's defense fund. "It would be a travesty for him to go off to prison. The president will take some heat for it. So what? He takes heat for everything."

~~~~~~~~

Tucker Carlson's been talking about this on MSNBC since it happened with the very crushed David Shuster .. I don't think I heard him mention that Ambassador Carlson is his Dad .. anyone hear anything ?

[TexanToTheCore]

IIRC, most of these guys carry heavy duty legal insurance which should take care of most of the legal costs. Don’t know if it applies to the fines, which seem really excessive to me.

[Nevadan]

re: i just went to scooterlibby.com and made a contribution to help this guy pay his fine/bills.

Thanks for posting the link. The case is such a travesty of justice.

[timydnuc]

The lame AP with it’s commie, garbage reporters are getting this wrong as rain. He, the President, commutted the sentence. He did not pardon the man, as well he should have not (let him win that battle in appellet, and Supreme Court).

[Patrick1]

Bush just announced that he was giving Libby Valarie Plame’s old job at CIA.

“We need an American in that position, not an Al Qaeda operative”, said Mr. Bush.

[rockabyebaby]

It’s about bleepin’ time............