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.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2901632
I’d prefer to see two imprisoned Border Patrol agents pardoned and reinstated.
HILLARY IS ALREADY SINGING - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1860004/posts
I’d rather see the ridiculous charges against the Haditha Marines dropped.
Good job Sir. Now what about our Border Patrol agents?
Speaking of delusional leftists, the NY Times has weighed in with a typically pompous and fatuous editorial:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1860005/posts
They still lack any grasp of the basic facts of the matter, but they are quite certain that if their panties were not twisted so tightly, Scooter Libby would have personally put said panties over the heads of each NY Times editor.
Yeah, ping me when that happens.
Good job. Again. And so quick. (Do you write these things in advance?)
k...you got that one right Bush, now what about Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, where exactly the same thing can be said has happened to them...actually, worse....as your lackey Sutton has already shown himself to be less than honest in prosecuting them.....and these fine men are in prison for a dozen years, getting beat up/in solitary???????
Nope. I had a little time in between pulling up floor tiles, so I made use of it.
Pulling up tiles? Did you find what you were looking for? ; )
Psst...it’s symbolic lingo to illustrate an obvious point about Bush haters. Whether on the left or on the right.
Their lives are being ruined because they were doing their jobs, and because they're not BOB (buddies of Bush).
Sutton and Gonzo should be fired, and Bush should resign in shame.
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.
WOO HOO! I love how the President takes a swipe at Fitz and Walton in his statement.
Hopefully now, Libby can concentrate on his appeal and win. But if not, I believe that he will be pardoned before President Bush leaves office.
Great news!
It’s pretty surprising that it took nearly 250 posts before this good news turned into an immigration bash President Bush thread. That may be a record of some kind??
Pray for W and Our Troops
Right on! Now to let the libs in on this. Hee hee hee.
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