Letters to the Editor
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Stick to talking sports, Olbermann
Since you probably have some time off, you may want to spend a few minutes brushing up on the Constitution, Keith.
You will then find that there is established therein a system with three branches of the government, each with its own powers. One of them reserved to the executive is that of clemency.
Clemency has been around for a long time. You may know of the story of the chief butler in the book of Genesis, who was released from prison by Pharaoh, and restored to his former position. And in Roman times, Pontius Pilate would release one person condemned to die at the time of Passover.
In modern days, it has been used to pardon those who have been politically connected, those who stole a wreath at Christmas time, and a turkey every Thanksgiving.
During the Clinton administration, there was much howling and moaning because he pardoned the former spouse of one of his major fundraisers.
The commutation by Bush of Libby's sentence did not absolve him from criminal responsibility, nor did it relieve him from paying a substantial fine. Although you complain that the appellate review is not complete, is it proper to begin punishing someone who has not had the full benefit of the legal system? Certainly, Scooter was not likely to flee the jurisdiction if the judge had allowed him to remain at liberty pending the appeal. Nor is it likely that he would have committed other offenses while on bond.
You say that what was done by Libby was an attempt to discredit Joe Wilson. But that is not what Scooter was charged with. What was said about Joe Wilson was that he was married to Valerie Plame. Something that a reader of "Who's who" or the family mailbox would already know. It did not interfere with national security to reveal that Ms. Plame, who had a desk job stateside, worked for the CIA. The letter of the law was broken by Scooter, according to the jury verdict, but it appears that the spirit of same is still intact. And that was followed by a violation of the first principle of government-speak: if you're not sure about something, say you don't remember, not that it didn't happen. As usually follows, the cover-up is worse than the original infraction.
Certainly, another person would probably have handled things differently than Bush did. But it does not approach treason, although the reference to Madison suggests same. However, there were many things that were said by many people during the constitutional convention. But the ones that became law are the ones that were written down and ratified.
So on this anniversary of our declaration of independence, please stick to more important matters, such as what is the best sauce for the ribs on the grill, or what is wrong with the Astros bullpen.
Tom in New Caney
:-)
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Hornet Driver
"Where was your blathering about justice and fairness when Clinton pardoned terrorists and murderers to help Hillary's senate campaign in NY?"
Was Olbermann even on the air then? It doesn't matter. Go on back to Bush I if you expect real non-existent rage at a pardon. He pardoned EVERYONE involved in Iran Contra who could tie him to it. Like father, like son.
"Lied into war? Have you read Al Gore's words about what a threat Saddam was? John Kerry's? Hillary's? Bill Clinton's?"
Iraq - 9/11. Iraq - 9/11. Saddam - Al Quaeda. Saddam - Al Quaeda. Yellowcake - mushroom cloud. All of these were demonstrably false, and Bush and Cheney knew that at the time. And continued to spread the lies. Chenes is STILL spreading some of them.
As for the Dems. Fine, they were wrong, too. They, of course, relied on what they thought was truthful intelligence from the Administration, so they might be less responsible. But as of now, those who are voting to fund the war are just as responsible as Bush for continuing the war. Not for starting it based on lies.
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Armagednoutahere, I Salute You!
My goodness gracious! I adore Keith Olbermann, but now I know that if (God forbid) President Cheney gets his way and something terrible happens to Mr. O, there's someone who could step into his shoes at "Countdown" instantly. Pretty amazing that you can destroy this Horny, execuse me, Hornet person AND the entire lying, crooked, evil Administration in one letter. Thank you... you and Keith have made my day!
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The quality of Mercy may not be strained, but the BS is getting deep.....
Tom in New Caney,
You might have had a hope in hell of making a point if Bush had ever exhibited even the slightest proclivity to show mercy or clemency to anyone other than a member of his administration who committed crimes for him. But he hasn't.
Bush has consitently shown a disdain for life and for showing mercy that belies any arguement that what he was showing Libby was anything but self-serving.
As for knowing the Constitution, remove the mote from your own eye. After you get it out, do a little research on how sentences are commuted - because what Bush did was no more the "commuting" of a sentence than his Clean Air Act is good for the air, or his Healthy Forests Initiative is good for trees.
Seriously, next time put a little effort into your BS.
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What? You can get a red star for saying "but Clinton?"
Who knew? What is the world coming to?
News flash - Bill Clinton has been out of office for six and a half years. It's time to stop using Clinton as justification for every idiotic thing Bush does.
Clinton lied to a grand jury. Yes he did, about getting oral sex from someone other than his wife. You'd do it too if you figured you had even a one in three chance of getting away with it. Scooter Libby lied about leaking classified information. He should have counted himself lucky he only got 33 months in prison. Anyone else would have been lucky not to be hung.
Clinton pardoned Marc Rich. So what? Did Marc Rich lie to a grand jury about leaking classified information, a crime that has potentially devastating national security consequences? No.
Finally, who was Marc Rich's counsel, who pleaded for his client to President Clinton for the pardon? You guessed it - Scooter Libby. Don't believe me? Check out Marc Rich's Wikipedia page (fifth paragraph down):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Rich
You see, it's not fair to compare what Bush did to what Clinton did. Giving a guy a red star for pulling the lamest neocon stunt in the book diminishes Salon, its editorial staff, and its contributing readers. For shame!