Bill Clinton Criticizes Bush on Libby Move

New York Times ^ | July 4, 2007 | PATRICK HEALY

[West Coast Conservative]

Former President Bill Clinton criticized President Bush on Tuesday for commuting the prison sentence of I. Lewis Libby Jr. and tried to draw a distinction from his own controversial pardons.

In Iowa to promote the presidential candidacy of his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Mr. Clinton was asked by a radio host, David Yepsen, “You had some controversial pardons during your presidency; what’s your reaction to what President Bush did?”

“Yeah, but I think the facts were different,” Mr. Clinton said. “I think there are guidelines for what happens when somebody is convicted. You’ve got to understand, this is consistent with their philosophy; they believe that they should be able to do what they want to do, and that the law is a minor obstacle.”

“It’s wrong to out that C.I.A. agent and wrong to try to cover it up,” Mr. Clinton added. “And no one was ever fired from the White House for doing it.”

Mr. Clinton pardoned 140 people in the final hours of his presidency, including Marc Rich, the fugitive broker who had been charged with evading tens of millions of dollars in taxes, and who was the former husband of a top donor to Democrats and Mrs. Clinton’s first Senate campaign.

Rather than tread lightly on the Libby commutation, the Clintons have chosen to confront it; Clinton advisers said there was no real alternative, because the news media would bring up the Rich pardon anyway.

Still, the Clintons have not scheduled a news conference during their visit, where they might face tough questioning, nor have they permitted reporters to attend private events, some including as many as 300 people, where people ask Mrs. Clinton questions. All of their public events have been rallies where the two of them speak.

[Screamname]

Bill Clinton pardons the FALN TERRORISTS who bombed New York city not once, not twice, not three times but ONE HUNDRED THIRTY TIMES!!! Al Qaeda could only hope to reach that level! But did this matter to the Clinton cabal? Helll no!

And for what? All so his c*nting of a wife who never lived in that city could have a spring board! The Clintons PUT THE LIVES OF NEW YORKERS IN DIRECT DANGER, WHO STILL ARE IN DANGER ALL SO THIS THING WHO DARES TO CALL HERSELF A HUMAN BEING COULD PLAY SENATOR!

Thread of article written by Freeper Joseph F. Conner whose father was killed by these TERRORISTS!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859909/posts

Another victim who the Clintons spit on all so her "Helliness" could have a spring board:

STATEMENT OF

DETECTIVE ROCCO PASCERELLA

BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

HEARING ON FALN CLEMENCY

SEPTEMBER 15, 1999

Good Morning Senators.

My name is Rocco Pascarella.

On December 31, 1982, I was a police officer assigned to security at Police Headquarters in New York City. I had joined the force at age 21, and in my 13 years on the New York City Police force I had worked in various precincts and assignments. About two weeks prior to December 31, 1982 I had been assigned to the Police Headquarters security detail. On what should have been a festive evening, FALN terrorists were at work in New York City. It was 9:30 p.m. when my colleagues and I heard a tremendous explosion. At first we thought it was fireworks. But soon after, we were told a bomb had exploded at 26 federal plaza which is two blocks from police headquarters. I was directed by my seargent to search the perimeter of the headquarters building for anything suspicious that might be a bomb. As I approached the rear unused entrance to the building I noticed a lot of debris. As I turned to search , the bomb went off.

The blast that shattered my life that night was the work of the FALN. This notorious group of terrorists had been planting bombs for some time--ostensibly to secure Puerto Rican independence. But their criminal activity was not limited to indiscriminate bombing. It also included apolitical crimes such as weapons possession and robbery.

That I or my colleagues was not killed that night is a fortunate coincidence. FALN bombs were placed at locations where it was likely that innocent people would be killed or injured. I suffered the loss of one leg below the knee, severe scarring of my other leg, the loss of hearing in one ear, and the loss of my eyesight to the extent that I am no longer able to drive. I was in the hospital for two months. I underwent six operations for my leg and ears and received over 40 stitches to my face, ears and mouth. I spent a year going through rehabilitation to learn to walk again with myartificiall leg and injured right leg. Because of my injuries I have been unable to return to active duty in the police force. I am on an extended medical leave. The pain and trauma of these disabling injuries were multiplied by the suffering it caused my family: My parents, my daughter, my friends and my colleagues in the New York City Police Department. When you consider all the other whose lives were devastated during the FALN onslaught, the grief and suffering grows exponentially.

Seventeen year later, the insidious cancer that is the FALN again ulcerates American life. Forces have been at work to position these criminals for presidential clemency. Under ordinary circumstances the prospect of their release would be laughable. What could motivate any president to grant a request with the blood of American citizens?

Perhaps everyone in this room, and everyone in America, should review these cases:

They read the United States vs. The defendants, or the State of New York vs. The defendants. Roc Pascarella did not prosecute these cases. You did. The people did. And when it’s done, and just sentences are imposed they should be made to stand, particularly in cases of terrorism. Because when terrorists strike, they are not just maiming me, they are striking at the very foundation of America. Our very freedom makes us particularly vulnerable to the demented minions of terrorists all over the world.

In the press, their supporters describe these FALN terrorists as freedom fighters and political prisoners. That characterization is an abomination. The basis of American Democracy is dialogue and compromise within the political process. Democrats and Republicans do not butcher each other in the streets of Washington, or punctuate their rhetoric with bombs and bullets. The indiscriminate killing and maiming of innocent people to make a political statement is an attack on the American political system and should be dealt with accordingly. Nor do these misfits, as some would imply, represent the goals and ideas of Puerto Rican people, who have democratically rejected Puerto Rican independence, and morally rejected slaughter as a means to a political end.

In this very forum the clamor is heard for more severe sentences for hate crimes. What greater hate than to kill, not because of some demented distaste for another race or ethnic group, but to kill anyone; man, women, or child to make a merely political statement?

And finally, what kind of message does this exercise of clemency send to the world’s terrorists? The United States military is sent halfway around the world to destroy a terrorist’s camp in a foreign nation, while at home, a wile a group of criminal terrorists as exists anywhere in the world is released upon the strength of a hard wrought promise never to engage in violence again. A release, it appears, that is contrary to the recommendations and warnings of every federal agency involved in the investigation, apprehension, trial and incarceration of this group.

You, as elected representatives and as citizens of this nation, have a responsibility to the American people to expose the circumstances and the motivation which led to this assault on the American political system and the American justice system. You owe it to yourselves. You owe it to your constituents. You owe it to me. And you owe it to past and future victims of FALN murder and terror.

Thank you.

AND this POS Hillary DARES to question Bush??

[lowbridge]

Why fight back against the Clintons hanging themselves?

[gov_bean_ counter]

Meanwhile we have Republican Congress critters conservative, moderate and liberal alike who are more concerned about upsetting their Democrat buddies than they are about challenging this mess.

[TheLion]

I’m amazed that the great pardoner would even make a comment!

[AmericanMade1776]

I just don't get it, do Bill and Hill think that we are going to forget that the Bill Clinton legacy was to make the term "BJ" a household word for young children.

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

Because cowardice runs in their veins. They like to fawn over Democrats. Most are weasels.

[K-oneTexas]

I think if we look, Libby got clemency. The rule of law still stands, the convictions and fins still stand. With that conviction I don't believe as a 'convicted felon' that he is able to vote any more. Bill can still vote ... ah but that's right Bill cut a deal and didn't have to admit any wrongdoing. Lost his law license for five years. Bill's such an upstanding citizen everyone wants to emulate him.

Free Ex-Presidential Legal Advice: Pssst! Do it but don't get caught. If you do get caught, lie. Then cut a deal.

[AmericanMade1776]

[HoosierHawk]

Let me slap Bill and you can slap Hillary.

[monkapotamus]

[oldenuff2no]

Bill Clinton didn't give pardons, HE SOLD PARDONS!!!!!!!!

[Hoodat]

“Yeah, but I think the facts were different,”

BUT MONKEY !!!

[eyedigress]

Dick Morris said a NY councilman passed a note to Hillary (2000) pertaining to the release of the FALN Terrorists with “ostensibly”, the promise of the Puerto Rican vote. On The Hannity radio show today.

[pepperdog]

Yes, it’s rich isn’t it? Mark Rich!

[spyone]

My God...I thought I was immune to shock. This guy will always be the ultimate flim flam bastard. Good he said this though. Will help doom them in the election.

[bannie]

I think he would have us killed.

Really.

He’s nuts.

[Seaplaner]

It’s wrong to out that C.I.A. agent and wrong to try to cover it up,” [impeached and disbarred] Mr. Clinton added...

This highly skilled lier (and defiler of White House female staff) IMPLIES that the Bush administration outed Plame, even though he (impeached and disbarred Clinton) knows it was a Dem sting op.

Hillary loves to lie as well, she's just not the mendacity virtuoso as is her impeached and disbarred alleged husband.

[bannie]

Me first! Me first!

[Bronzewound]

[bannie]

Selling his soul is the only explaination I can imagine that could account for his getting away with murder over and over and over and over and over andoverandoverandoverandover...