heard that... Burgler was the last straw for me.
Posted on 07/02/2007 2:45:21 PM PDT by ConservativeMan55
Edited on 07/02/2007 3:05:31 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Foxnews alert.. libby sentence commuted
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STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today rejected Lewis Libby’s request to remain free on bail while pursuing his appeals for the serious convictions of perjury and obstruction of justice. As a result, Mr. Libby will be required to turn himself over to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his prison sentence.
I have said throughout this process that it would not be appropriate to comment or intervene in this case until Mr. Libby’s appeals have been exhausted. But with the denial of bail being upheld and incarceration imminent, I believe it is now important to react to that decision.
From the very beginning of the investigation into the leaking of Valerie Plame’s name, I made it clear to the White House staff and anyone serving in my administration that I expected full cooperation with the Justice Department. Dozens of White House staff and administration officials dutifully cooperated.
After the investigation was under way, the Justice Department appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald as a Special Counsel in charge of the case. Mr. Fitzgerald is a highly qualified, professional prosecutor who carried out his responsibilities as charged.
This case has generated significant commentary and debate. Critics of the investigation have argued that a special counsel should not have been appointed, nor should the investigation have been pursued after the Justice Department learned who leaked Ms. Plame’s name to columnist Robert Novak. Furthermore, the critics point out that neither Mr. Libby nor anyone else has been charged with violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act or the Espionage Act, which were the original subjects of the investigation. Finally, critics say the punishment does not fit the crime: Mr. Libby was a first-time offender with years of exceptional public service and was handed a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury.
Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable. They say that had Mr. Libby only told the truth, he would have never been indicted in the first place.
Both critics and defenders of this investigation have made important points. I have made my own evaluation. In preparing for the decision I am announcing today, I have carefully weighed these arguments and the circumstances surrounding this case.
Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.
I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.
My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.
The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby’s case is an appropriate exercise of this power.
it was important for the drive by media see Libby go to jail BECAUSE when he appeals and Fitzie is found out to have operated like Nifong and for the same interests,well from jail is crying Jesus from a gotcha moment.
Wanna bet Andea Mitchell and Tim Russert have the butterbean farts right now ?
I have no problem with No Child Left Behind, something has to be done with education and the fact that the teachers unions hate NCLB indicates to me that it’s something we conservatives should like. :)
I give him a C+
Welcome to America, where the judicial branch legislates, the legislative branch executes wars, and the executive branch metes out justice.
I don’t think all is well. All certainly is not forgiven.
But, Libby did not deserve to serve a prison sentence due to the political agenda of the Left. Any more then Delay deserved what was done to him. Prosecutions and convictions of people just because they are conservative or have an “R” by their name or work for an “R” cannot be allowed to continue.
I haven’t read the details yet as to whether this offers Libby the chance to continue his appeal. If it does, costly or not, I prefer this choice. It offers possible redemption by a third party and a rebuke against those that have ill treated our Justice system; Nifong is a good example, though if denied I do believe he should receive the full pardon.
On principle, I’m going to vigorously defend this action by the President because it was the right thing to do, been awhile since I’ve been able to say that about actions coming down from the W.H. I honestly had my doubts he would show the same loyalty to Libby, that he expects others to give him. In this instance, my doubts were not rewarded. I’m happy about that at least.
Coming from someone that is very angry at the President still and likely will remain so, thank you President Bush for commuting Libby’s sentence. And to the Left, I just feel pity.
heard that... Burgler was the last straw for me.
Why not a pardon? Shame on Bush.
you forgot to give him the GOOD for economy after 911, WOT, ENRON/WORLDCOM, Inherited Recession, Katrina,
I give him a B overall...
So? Suits me. Nothing against Libby (he never should have been charged), but Ramos and Compeon put their lives on the line for this country and are now in danger of getting shanked everyday.
Mr. President, do the right thing by these men!
It was a half measure.
Now he has to step up to the plate and do the same for those two Border Patrol Agents.
We shouild name these a Sandy Berger decision. No one who commits a lesser crime than Berger should get a stricter sentence.
Better than nothing, but with a lousy statement that doesn’t exactly stand behind Libby. Bush is still trying to placate his enemies rather than support his friends.
“OK... now how about those border patrol agents...”
I totally agree.
Because a pardon looks like he’s covering something up. By commuting, he allows Libby to clear his name in court.
you would be wrong .The details tell the story. Bush was nice to the jury,the verdict and communted time Libby was lawful to do......Now think appeals........In fact think Nifong. The president has access to the best legal minds alive and knows what Fitz did and did not do.
We will know soon,and with Libby doing it,getting his good name back, the road was just paved......
Know who knows this the most ? Andrea Mitchell and Tim Russert who lied in court.....
I hope this isn’t a stupid question! Can he still appeal to clear his name?
Well done, Mr. President.
The liberal kooks are going CRAZY over this.
For that reason alone, WELL DONE, Mr. President!
In January 2009 Libby will be Pardened on Bush’e last day!
Agreed. Credit where credit is due.
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