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.
I didn’t realize that at first, but this really seems to be in Libby’s best interest. Now hopefully he can be cleared.
You first!
Good thought..I’m with you...
I think the deal is commute the sentence now, appeal goes forward, and if necessary, full pardon in December 2008.
Bah, that’s nothing. I’ve heard “POS”, “SOB”, hell, on another site someone told the POTUS to F off.
This wonderful news should help stem some of the idiocy. I always believe that the President will do the right thing.
Agree. And that mitigates the effect on the 2008 election.
Good news bump.
dag nabbit. I shoulda known it when Schumer was hailing Fitz.
Oh yeah ... I don’t have the stomach to look, but then they’re so predictable. Which senator will call hearings into presidential authority .. ??? LOL
Wilson’s lawyer on ... they’re just crushed ... YAY !!1
At first glance- this seems reasonable IF Libby wants to go forward and try to clear his name.
At least he’s not going to prison which is GREAT news:)
From DU
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2901632
TheWatcher (1000+ posts) Mon Jul-02-07 07:07 PM
Response to Original message
231.
It should be quite clear to most Free Thinking Americans
That we are living under a burgeoning Mafioso Rule, and a blossoming Police State.
No Rule Of Law, No Justice, No Accountability for crimes.
Our government is completely out of control and the Interests of the People, hell The People THEMSELVES are no longer being represented, we have no voice, we have no choice, and this is merely the latest example of insanity run amok.
Please, all of you, wake up to the reality of what you are facing.
Bush and his cabal are not going to be Impeached, and no one is going to come to our aid.
NONE of our leadership from either party are listening to us.
I know many at DU do not care for me, or people who make statements like this.
But I DO love this country, and we must come to grips with what is unfolding.
This is NOT about Democrats VS. Republicans.
OUR ENTIRE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED US. Both Parties.
Something needs to be done.
There is nothing wrong with holding out hope that somehow, somewhere, someway, that some entity within this out of control government will rise up and do the right thing.
But with each passing day, the atrocities and the trampling of the Constitution and the fabric of our Nation continues unabated, and there aren’t really any signs that it is being resisted.
Even if you think this Post is completely full of shit, most of you, if you are honest with yourselves, know something is very, VERY wrong.
The question is simple: What are we going to do?
Because our leaders have left us.
Glad this happened.
Remember — he wasn’t pardoned; only the jail time was commuted.
Conyers: “Until now, it appeared that the President merely turned a blind eye to a high ranking Administration official leaking classified information. The President’s action today makes it clear that he condones such activity. This decision is inconsistent with the rule of law and sends a horrible signal to the American people and our intelligence operatives who place their lives at risk everyday. Now that the White House can no longer argue that there is a pending criminal investigation, I expect them to be fully forthcoming with the American people about the circumstances that led to this leak and the President’s decision today.”
Update: According to a senior aide at the House Judiciary Committee, the committee is planning a hearing on the commutation, “as early as next week.”
Where was this idiot hack in Jan 01?
No, we would say, "Thank you, Mr. President. Your legacy is secure."
I’m afraid so! I’m waiting to see how many malcontents are going to come out of the woodwork and give GWB an “attaboy”.
chirp chirp...
(just as I suspected...nothing)
How prescient ... Joe Wilson just said this today ... LOLOLOLOL !! Those who are outraged at what happened to Scooter are now “accessories!!”
Wilson: Proponents Of Libby Pardon Are ‘Accessories To An Ongoing Crime’
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/02/joe-wilson-libby-pardon/
David Shuster is tapdancing so well for Chrissy .. LOL. Oh yeah .. Russert’s mentioned by Bob Tyrrell ... YIPPEE!
David Shyster going Bonkers is perhaps the Shortest trip known to man??
Pray for W and Our Troops
I would be a dogfood ugly woman...God in his infinite wisdom knew better
;>)
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