UPDATE: BUSH COMMUTES LIBBY'S SENTENCE -Courts can't touch Libby.

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Nov 5, 2001
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he got a commuted sentence instead of a pardon because this way Libby can still plead the 5th. If he'd have been pardoned, he wouldn't be able to.
 

randym431

Golden Member
Jun 4, 2003
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This is good news for the American people.
The new official rule of the day...
LIE, CHEAT,STEAL.

If anyone still wondered if this Bush was nothing but a liar, cheat and scumbag,
Well now you have officially gotten the memo.
(And you thought those crack pots that say Bush was involved with 9/11 were just crack pots... hummmm)
 

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
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Originally posted by: TallBill
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DonVito
Wow - just wow. Just when I think President Bush can't get more arrogant and shameless, he manages to exceed my expectations. I honestly wouldn't have thought he'd do this, with this much time left in his presidency. Look for his approval ratings to sink to their lowest yet.

It'll be interesting to see how the R candidates respond to this - he really has become an incredible embarrassment to his party.</end quote></div>

Yet another reason to push away from the mainstream parties. One person gives all new Republican candidates a bad name. Thats not right.

Perhaps all the Republican candidates should be publicly excoriating Bush instead of agreeing with the commutation of Libby's sentence. That might give the candidates a 'better name'.
 
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: DonVito
Wow - just wow. Just when I think President Bush can't get more arrogant and shameless, he manages to exceed my expectations. I honestly wouldn't have thought he'd do this, with this much time left in his presidency. Look for his approval ratings to sink to their lowest yet.

It'll be interesting to see how the R candidates respond to this - he really has become an incredible embarrassment to his party.

Well.. Here is how Fred Thompson reacted:
From NBC's Joel Seidman
Likely presidential candidate Fred Thompson (R) released this statement: "I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children. While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the President's decision. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."
Link :roll:

Note to Fred: Think before you speak.
 
Feb 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DonVito
Wow - just wow. Just when I think President Bush can't get more arrogant and shameless, he manages to exceed my expectations. I honestly wouldn't have thought he'd do this, with this much time left in his presidency. Look for his approval ratings to sink to their lowest yet.

It'll be interesting to see how the R candidates respond to this - he really has become an incredible embarrassment to his party.</end quote></div>

Well.. Here is how Fred Thompson reacted:
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>From NBC's Joel Seidman
Likely presidential candidate Fred Thompson (R) released this statement: "I am very happy for Scooter Libby. I know that this is a great relief to him, his wife and children. While for a long time I have urged a pardon for Scooter, I respect the President's decision. This will allow a good American, who has done a lot for his country, to resume his life."
</end quote></div>
Link :roll:

Note to Fred: Think before you speak.

That's certainly not the way I would have spun it if I were a R running for president.

The Ds have been handed an amazing gift - the only question is how, specifically, they will manage to screw up this opportunity.
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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Well at least Scooter Fibby is on probation for another two years. And as far as I know, as a convicted Felon, can't work for the Federal Government ever again. There is always talk radio---the preferred route for such rats as Ollie North, G. Gordon Libby, and druggies like Rush Limbaugh.

But getting back to the probation thing, its somewhat luck of the draw on what probation agent Libby will get. Its just possible that Libby will luck into a Judge Sharica type for a probation agent. And if Libby tries to blow off the terms of his probation, he could well find himself inside a jail cell while he begs GWB&co. to save him yet again.

Call it sour grapes if you will---but I do want to give poetic justice a chance to work. Time may heal all wounds---but sometimes time wounds all heels.
 
Feb 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: Lemon law
Well at least Scooter Fibby is on probation for another two years. And as far as I know, as a convicted Felon, can't work for the Federal Government ever again. There is always talk radio---the preferred route for such rats as Ollie North, G. Gordon Libby, and druggies like Rush Limbaugh.

But getting back to the probation thing, its somewhat luck of the draw on what probation agent Libby will get. Its just possible that Libby will luck into a Judge Sharica type for a probation agent. And if Libby tries to blow off the terms of his probation, he could well find himself inside a jail cell while he begs GWB&co. to save him yet again.

Call it sour grapes if you will---but I do want to give poetic justice a chance to work. Time may heal all wounds---but sometimes time wounds all heels.

No way. He'll be on his best behavior for the next year and a half, and he'll be pardoned after the 2008 election. He'll spend the rest of his life, including the next two years, as a highly-paid political consultant or something along those lines.
 

Darwin333

Lifer
Dec 11, 2006
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I love how everyone is shocked that President Bush commuted Libby's sentence. Personally, I am a little surprised that he didn't outright pardon him but this, at least for Libby, isn't far from an actual pardon. At least this was actually "constitutional".
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
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Originally posted by: DonVito

That's certainly not the way I would have spun it if I were a R running for president.

The Ds have been handed an amazing gift - the only question is how, specifically, they will manage to screw up this opportunity.

Sure, that might not be the way to run for President, but at least he sticks with what he believes. He was the major role in Scooter's defense fund all along, so its not suprising that He'd put out a statement like that.

 

Jhhnn

IN MEMORIAM
Nov 11, 1999
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I doubt that Scooter's terms of probation will be restrictive, at all. It's not like being in a halfway house or on parole, at all. He's not that kind of criminal, anyway. Drug test? no sweat. Let the probation officer know of your whereabouts? His PA can handle that. Check in once a month, at first, maybe? sure. Not get busted for anything criminal? Like I said, he's not that kind of criminal.

Probation officers are very busy people, and whoever gets assigned to Libby will realize that the guy's likely to sail on through, put another plus in their win column, and they'll let him, rightfully so. Their usual lot is hopeless fuckups and dumbshits, so Libby will be a refreshing change. It's really just one of those pro forma deals, everybody knows it.
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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Originally posted by: Aimster
"This was the best move for our country as we can now focus our attention on the war on terror. I stand by the decision of the President. I have been good friends with him for 25 years and I can tell you he does not easily hand out pardons."
-ProfJohn
The fact that you guys talk about me so much must mean that I am doing something right.

BTW I'll make sure to do this fake quote thing on the next Iran thread we have :)
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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I think this will Bush when it comes to the ?base?
The people who listen to talk radio etc who felt that 30 months was to long for the crime he was convicted of.
I highly doubt this has any long term affect on Bush, the people who are going to not like this already hate him anyway.
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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Originally posted by: Moonbeam
One thing I am absolutely convinced of is that we could have quickly gotten to the bottom of this rotten crime and cleaned out the criminals responsible for this treasonous act fast if instead of being questioned by Fitzgerald he'd have been water boarded in Guantanamo like the terrorist he is.
Ummm we knew the original leaker right from the start?
 
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: ProfJohn
I think this will Bush when it comes to the ?base?
The people who listen to talk radio etc who felt that 30 months was to long for the crime he was convicted of.
I highly doubt this has any long term affect on Bush, the people who are going to not like this already hate him anyway.

Other than putting the last nail into the coffin of his legacy, this isn't about Bush. This action goes way beyond Bush. The Ds now have a red meat issue they can beat to death until the '08 elections. And they will play it like this:

Republicans (not Dubbya... Republicans) wheeled out a sacrificial lamb to take the fall for the administration (nevermind the dubious connections and Armitrage) and then let him off the hook once everything was done. Culture of Corruption(tm) and all that. Investigations, subpoenas... etc.

If the Rs have half a brain they will immediately counter that Dub was looking out for one of his friends... One guy, who happens to be a Republican and happens to the President. NOT the republican party and certainly not "me". That's not how I would have handled things... blah blah blah.

I would DEFINITELY NOT take the Fred Thompson approach and greet this with applause.

But don't think this stops with Bush. This reflects on the entire party as an example of how far the corruption rises in the R party. No... the Ds are going to have a field day with this. If they can find their ass with a flashlight and a map... they can take advantage of this in the presidential race and the corresponding congressional races.
 

Phokus

Lifer
Nov 20, 1999
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I just realized something, Martha Stewart had a much harsher punishment than Scooter Libby for lying to investigators and obstruction of justice for basically a petty crime... Libby lied to investigators, obstructed justice, AND perjured himself in front of a grand jury and this was related to treasonous actions by the administration.

How conservatives are not frothing at the mouth is beyond me.
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
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I love George Bush. He shows Americans how impotent they really are, how lame, and how big of chumps they are. He has tremendous talent. He's probably killed as many Americans via apoplexy as he's killed Iraqis.
 

1EZduzit

Lifer
Feb 4, 2002
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Originally posted by: ajf3
Hell... his approval is only at 30% - what's he got to lose... the libs will whine about it for a few days, but it's not really going to impact him at all.

Damn man, you few remaining hard core Bushies are dumb as doornails.
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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Originally posted by: Phokus
I just realized something, Martha Stewart had a much harsher punishment than Scooter Libby for lying to investigators and obstruction of justice for basically a petty crime... Libby lied to investigators, obstructed justice, AND perjured himself in front of a grand jury and this was related to treasonous actions by the administration.

How conservatives are not frothing at the mouth is beyond me.
umm Martha went to jail for insider trading as well, the rest came out of that charge.
 

ProfJohn

Lifer
Jul 28, 2006
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Maybe I am wrong, but I don?t see this as a long term thing Democrats will be able to use against Bush etc.
They have their own problems ala William Jefferson.

Two weeks from now we will be back to talking about Iraq and funding etc etc and no one will even remember this.
 

1EZduzit

Lifer
Feb 4, 2002
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Originally posted by: DonVito
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TallBill

Yet another reason to push away from the mainstream parties. One person gives all new Republican candidates a bad name. Thats not right.</end quote></div>

Your point is well taken, but the President's party enjoys enormous benefits as well - they have to take the bitter with the sweet when he's a complete bonehead.

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but I really am just . . . stunned by this development. The shamelessness of this commutation is just unbelievable. President Bush is SO transparent and flagrant in his dereliction of duty that it's like he's trying to get himself impeached.

Just like his Texas Air National Guard duty.

Did anyone REAL:LY expect anyhing better out of a bottom feeding lowlife like Shrub? He thinks that only suckers actually care about this country and it's future. Bush and his few remaining supporters are only playing the game for the money.
 
Feb 10, 2000
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<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ProfJohn
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Phokus
I just realized something, Martha Stewart had a much harsher punishment than Scooter Libby for lying to investigators and obstruction of justice for basically a petty crime... Libby lied to investigators, obstructed justice, AND perjured himself in front of a grand jury and this was related to treasonous actions by the administration.

How conservatives are not frothing at the mouth is beyond me.</end quote></div>
umm Martha went to jail for insider trading as well, the rest came out of that charge.</end quote></div>

She was acquitted of insider trading.

EDIT: Strike that - the insider trading charge was kicked out by the judge for lack of evidence.
 
Feb 10, 2000
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Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Maybe I am wrong, but I don?t see this as a long term thing Democrats will be able to use against Bush etc.
They have their own problems ala William Jefferson.

Two weeks from now we will be back to talking about Iraq and funding etc etc and no one will even remember this.

You also predicted the Republicans would hold both houses of Congress last year.
 

chowderhead

Platinum Member
Dec 7, 1999
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Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ProfJohn

I would DEFINITELY NOT take the Fred Thompson approach and greet this with applause.

Fred Thompson is on the advisory committee for the Libby Legal Defense Trust and has raised money for that fund. He openly advocates a full pardon for this man.

I would love to see Thompson try and run as an outsider with his lobbyist-laden history.
However the mainstream media might fall for it so I take that back.