Comments (70)

jeffgee wrote on July 2, 2007 7:20 PM:

"Please don't send me to jail", Libby whimpered and Bush was only too happy to oblige him.

Jake wrote on July 2, 2007 7:24 PM:

Just as Clinton's pardon of Marc Rich did? Wilson is an idiot -- he's claimed that everyone supporting the commuting of Libby's sentence are "accessories to an ongoing crime":

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/02/joe-wilson-libby-pardon

Talk about a serious client control issue . . .

vox clamantis in red state wrote on July 2, 2007 7:24 PM:

Time to call the troops home to remove the malfeasants from office and return some sort of fair and lawful rule to this corrupt, venal, and corroded govt.
Not one more American soldier should die to preserve this maladministration.

totallynext wrote on July 2, 2007 7:25 PM:

Joe - do you have a defense fund?

Dave wrote on July 2, 2007 7:25 PM:

I think our government has been set up to allow Governors and Presidents to pardon people for their crimes. Yes. I know, this is a commutation and not a pardon, but it's being done in the full light of day.

Libby was convicted. Bush commuted the sentence and has to answer for that. I think it has more impact now, than the stack of pardons that are common in the remaining days of the presidency.

At least people have one more reminder of what kind of person 'leads' their country.

Tom Simon wrote on July 2, 2007 7:32 PM:

re: Bush refusal of clemency for Karla Faye Tucker while governor. As I recall then Governor Bush used the pont that Tucker was convicted by a jury and thus he could not over rule the people's verdict...

Are there any conservatives able to rise above partisan politics to condemn Bush for this act of presidential abuse?

chimp wrote on July 2, 2007 7:37 PM:

I have to wonder if the commutation will energize the base and bring overwhelming calls for impeachment hearings to be held in the house?

poetry wrote on July 2, 2007 7:43 PM:

I guess we can assume that whatever Lewis Libby -- in last-minute desperation -- might have revealed to the U.S. Attorney (Patrick Fitzgerald) in any deal to avoid prison time would have been FAR WORSE for Bush's "legacy" than Bush's pardon will be.

Libby must know some Really Big Stuff that Bush would never want to have revealed.

Sparky on the Hill wrote on July 2, 2007 7:43 PM:

I'm sorry Jake, I must not have followed the Marc Rich scandal closely enough. Remind me when it was that Rich successfully impeded the prosecution of a case of an intentional release of classified national security information which endangered the lives of countless operatives and burned numerous intelligence assets at a cost of unimaginable danger to U.S. citizens and security interests?

Anonymous wrote on July 2, 2007 7:59 PM:

I would love to be on the jury in the civil suit. I would make Joe Wilson a VERY wealthy man. Scooter (what kind of adult has a name like Scooter!) would be paying out the ass!

vieravisonary wrote on July 2, 2007 8:07 PM:

Here is my email to the Speaker of the House:

Speaker Pelosi,

The commutation of former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby for obstruction of justice reflects a total disregard of our justice system. The President's actions are simply deflect the actions of the current administration who used their positions of power for political gain. The recent action by the President expands the cloud of doubt regarding the Valerie Plame outage and no one living outside the Washington "inner circle" would even have gain audience, much less, the attention if they were charged with similar crimes.

A jury of his peers found former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby guilty. That can not ever be removed form the records. It is time for the Congress to stand up and stop this miscarriage of justice. It is time for you, as Speaker of the House, to firmly and strongly stand and confront the President in clear and unclouded terms. It is your responsibility and we expect you to uphold your responsibility not run away from it.

As a Scoutmaster, I recite the Scout Law with my Scouts each week and the first portion of the Scout is "trustworthy." It is clear that trustworthy only applies to ordinary citizens, not whose who are in the President's administration. I strongly encourage you to bring impeachment back onto the table to allow the American citizens to finally see what has been going on during the Bush presidency.

Please feel free to contact me for further discussion and clarification that you and your office would need to establish the information needed to move forward on this situation.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my comments.

Very Respectfully,

vieravisionary

Dave D. wrote on July 2, 2007 8:17 PM:

Commutation today.... But don't worry, there is still time for Bush to issue Libby a full pardon before he leaves office.

electricphoto wrote on July 2, 2007 8:28 PM:

What will the judges do?

Bush has stacked apeals courts with Bushie judges to save his ass when the day comes and it's comming - what do you think they'll do when they see him overrulling the law and judges decisions?

Can you convict a King? We'll see....

Justice wrote on July 2, 2007 8:40 PM:

If Bush was proud of his decision today, he would have announced it in the Rose Garden. Instead, he commuted Libby around the 5 o'clock hour when objecting officials could not make media appearances before the cameras in DC. Bush proved he is a yellow bellied rattlesnake. And I hope the Wilsons and their lawyers nail Bush, Cheney, Libby and Rove's a**es to the wall. Bush's decision and the manner in which he went about it is no more than saying "In your face" to the Wilsons and the American justice system. Pelosi and Reid, have you had your noses rubbed enough in Bush/Cheney dung yet? Wake up, you still hold the impeachment trump cards!

bodicca wrote on July 2, 2007 8:47 PM:

Perhaps Joe Wilson didn't see this coming -- but most of us have by now realized that there is no limit to the extent to which the WH will go in terms of obfuscation, obstruction of justice, secrecy, and dissemination of disinformation. It is said that people get the government that they deserve -- what did I do to deserve this?

Citizen Kane wrote on July 2, 2007 8:48 PM:

Today Bush sealed any doubt that he is above the law. Somebody in DC has got to stop this deranged man. He is not a King and Americans are not his subjects. Get a straight jacket right away!

greg wrote on July 2, 2007 8:52 PM:

Im just numb to this administration. It just never ends. Do we still live in america? Clinton almost got impeached for what?

jim sandrin wrote on July 2, 2007 9:15 PM:

I am outraged and appalled at this clueless president and his henchmen who BELIEVE that they are above the law...the law is just for lower and middle class folks who tend to obey the law! I am ashamed to being an American today...Bush and his cronies need to be IMPEACHED!!! So here's hoping that Pelosi and Reid get some courage and impeach that clan for numerous violations of the Constitution and for lying about the run up to the Iraq War...

victoria2dc wrote on July 2, 2007 9:18 PM:

If you want to do something about this, please join the dailykos-IMPEACH Yahoo group and let's get it done.

I don't want to complain anymore... just action from now on.

Join this group and let's make it happen.

The Oracle wrote on July 2, 2007 9:18 PM:

I'm shaking with rage at Bush letting Scooter skate.

I served in the U.S. Air Force Security Service years ago, top-secret clearance, reporting to DIRNSA (Director, NSA), and saw a whole lot of top-secret materials while serving overseas during the Vietnam War.

If I'd disclosed the identity of a covert CIA agent, blowing her front-company cover, leading to the outing of a whole slew of other covert CIA agents and their contacts (besides endangering their families), I'd have either been shot by a firing squad or would still be serving time in Leavenworth.

But Scooter skates, after participating in a major national security breach, causing irreparable damage to our country. He lied and obstructed justice to hide the criminal conspiracy that originated in the inner, corrupt bowels of the White House, attempting to cover for his criminal co-conspirators, like Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, George W. Bush, David Addington, Ari Fleischer, and a whole lot of other Republicans in the White House who participated in this criminal act.

Of course, Bush will pardon Scooter after the November 2008 elections, along with a whole rotten bunch of Republican officials in his administration. These will preemptive pardons, kind of like the corrupt Kentucky Repulican governor did several years ago.

And this will be the ultimate Bush legacy...getting his name into the Guinness Book of Records for having pardoned more people than any previous president, serving as a testament to how much corruption there actually is in the Bush mal-administration.

victoria2dc wrote on July 2, 2007 9:18 PM:

If you want to do something about this, please join the dailykos-IMPEACH Yahoo group and let's get it done.

I don't want to complain anymore... just action from now on.

Join this group and let's make it happen.

daryl wrote on July 2, 2007 9:19 PM:

Oh! So Jake brings up the name of one Marc Rich who was pardoned by President Clinton. Hey Jake! Guess who was Marc Rich's personal attorney? Does the name I. Lewis, "Scooter" Libby ring a bell?

Mad Mike wrote on July 2, 2007 9:26 PM:

Hey Jake you idiot! Who was the lawyer representing
arc Rich? It was your hero Cooter

Al in Austex wrote on July 2, 2007 9:27 PM:

Patience you all. Pelosi cannot come out and say she is for Impeachment - its not politically viable for her to go public-yet. But my money says that there are active discussion going on with the good Speaker & the Committee Chairpeople.
What we need is some more time to build an airtight case against both POTUS & the VEEP. What we also have is a growing conclusion by the Moderate Republicans - that the Decider , Shooter & TurdBlossom - will be albatrosses around the GOP's neck come September latest- BY THAT TIME A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR SHOULD BE IN PLACE- (with Fitzgerald also still lurking out there too )
We all need a little more patience, and alot more persistence. I wonder who will wind up being
the Howard Baker of this bunch-maybe Sen Hagel - heck Chuck's already been tossing around Impeachment in the Press...

Thomas Shea wrote on July 2, 2007 9:28 PM:

Today, the big criminal Bush granted the little criminal Libby clemency. Bur after the 2008 election and before criminal Bush leaves office he will grant Libby a full pardon. Along with the rest of the criminal pals of Bush

Inj. counterterror vet. wrote on July 2, 2007 9:30 PM:

It's not Pelosi and Reid who won't impeach this band of lying, murderous theives it's the obstructionist, morally bankrupt Republicrooks who will block impeachment. That's why justice will not be served even if Cheney & Bush Lied and So Many People Have Died. God gave us a brain and put us on this earth as a test to chose a path of evil or good. The Republicrooks have definetly failed the test...

Anonymous wrote on July 2, 2007 9:30 PM:

Didn't we ALREADY have a revolution to get rid of King George?!

Clemsy wrote on July 2, 2007 9:31 PM:

"He is not a King and Americans are not his subjects."

Yes he is and yes they are and will continue to be until America starts playing by the new rules of the new game. Impeachment is playing by the old rules.

There isn't time for impeachment. We either do as the Declaration of Independence advises:

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

...or admit that we've lost the republic.

The crazies took this government in a coup. I'm afraid we need to take it back the same way.

JNagarya wrote on July 2, 2007 9:40 PM:

Mr. Moral Superiority writes:

"Just as Clinton's pardon of Marc Rich did? Wilson is an idiot -- he's claimed that everyone supporting the commuting of Libby's sentence are "accessories to an ongoing crime":

"http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/02/joe-wilson-libby-pardon

"Talk about a serious client control issue . . ."

Wilson is correct. But that's because he, unlike you, includes the moral dimension: those who defend a crime are morally complicit in the crime.

"Posted by: Jake
Date: July 2, 2007 7:24 PM"

This is bad news for Bushit, pro-Bushit troll, not for those who are not guilty of a crime, and not morally complicit by defending a crime.

Conn wrote on July 2, 2007 9:43 PM:

The reason Bush is commuting now to pardon later, is that he can still hide behind "the case in still before the court" to avoid answering any questions touching on Plamegate or his own actions.

This is not an administration. It's a junta.

JNagarya wrote on July 2, 2007 9:49 PM:

"I guess we can assume that whatever Lewis Libby -- in last-minute desperation -- might have revealed to the U.S. Attorney (Patrick Fitzgerald) in any deal to avoid prison time would have been FAR WORSE for Bush's "legacy" than Bush's pardon will be."

"guess" "assume"

"Libby must know some Really Big Stuff that Bush would never want to have revealed."

"guess" "assumption"

Not-so-by-the-way: Libby wasn't pardoned; his sentence to jail-time was commuted. Those are not the same thing.

It is important to note that Bushit himself is a defendant in a civil sit involving the very same issue, and both he and the person whose sentence he in part commuted. That act should be null-and-void because based upon conflict-of-interest: one party to the issue cannot absole himself and those who conspired with him in violation of the law.

And I'll bet this gives you another opportunity to get your rocks of bashing the Democrats for "not doing anything" when it has been an impartial Federal prosecutor, and the Democrats in Congress, which has brought about Bushit's additional public subversion of gov't, rule of law, Constitution.

"Posted by: poetry
Date: July 2, 2007 7:43 PM"

george wrote on July 2, 2007 9:56 PM:

Hey Jake, don't forget Mark Rich's lawyer was Scooter Libby...

skyreader7 wrote on July 2, 2007 9:59 PM:

Now we know why Bush sleeps so well at night. He has no conscience.

JNagarya wrote on July 2, 2007 10:05 PM:

""That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.""

And to do that by means other than the litany of abuses by the British. In other words: to do that by means of law.

Further: the "Declaration" has never been the law, or a plan of gov't. It is the Constitution that governs under these circumstances. Impeachment is the means. Want Civil War? And what in hell do you think these fake "conservatives" have been about? Start a Civil War and you -- We the people -- lose.

"...or admit that we've lost the republic."

When you get control of your head again, read the Constitution for how to deal with the issue. The "Declaration" was issued in 1776. The Constitution was ratified in 1789. Impeachment is the newer of the methods.

"The crazies took this government in a coup. I'm afraid we need to take it back the same way."

We take it back by the means contrary to their means: RULE OF LAW. Otherwise and you're as much a criminal as they.

"Posted by: Clemsy
Date: July 2, 2007 9:31 PM"

Chest-thumping and bellowing "righteously" is not reason, or rule of law.

JNagarya wrote on July 2, 2007 10:21 PM:

"Patience you all. Pelosi cannot come out and say she is for Impeachment - its not politically viable for her to go public-yet."

It isn't about politics. It's about ethics and law. Pelosi is next in ling for president after Bushit and Cheney. It would be unethical, a conflict of interest (only after that political), for her to initiate impeachment.

We the peoiple are the ultimate check on gov't -- through Congress. Impeachment must come as a demand from the grassroots -- We the people -- as pressure on Congress. It is bottom-up, not -- Mr. Authoritarian -- top down.

"But my money says that there are active discussion going on with the good Speaker & the Committee Chairpeople."

She is kept briefed of the activities of all the House's Committees. There are several investigations of Bushit, et al., going on, and much other action going on in the House. The question of impeachment is lodged in a Committee -- not in the Speaker's office.

"What we need is some more time to build an airtight case against both POTUS & the VEEP."

That's where the subpeonas are headed: corroborative evidence of that for which Congress already has hard evidence, on which latter those subpoenas are grounded.

"What we also have is a growing conclusion by the Moderate Republicans - that the Decider , Shooter & TurdBlossom - will be albatrosses around the GOP's neck come September latest- BY THAT TIME A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR SHOULD BE IN PLACE- . . . ."

No, it will not happen without votes, also, of Republicans. This commutation is a Bushit Massacre, only it's on a Monday. The fraudlent Seigelman prosecution is also increasingly public, nationally, at the same time it is falling apart under public scrutiny.

Today was Bushit shooting himself in the foot.

". . . (with Fitzgerald also still lurking out there too ) . . . ."

Fitzgerald has never said he has ended his investigation. He hasn't.

"We all need a little more patience, and alot more persistence."

Yes: We the people must demand impeachment. We don't do that by gratuitously bashing the Democrats because "We" don't know that Congress knows more than "We".

Another part of the fall-out is the field of Republican candidates for president: they are between a rock and a hard place, thanks to Bushit: they will have to go on the record about how they view this latest outrage.

I don'y yet know who the Democratic candidate will be; but I know the Republican'ts ain't got a chance.

"I wonder who will wind up being
the Howard Baker of this bunch-maybe Sen Hagel - heck Chuck's already been tossing around Impeachment in the Press..."

There are also a number of fired US AGs continuing to speak out. McKay predicts criminal charges -- which have already been put on the record, by Congress, as reasonable assumptions based upon the hard evidence, and the hard evidence of the public lying.

And as Scott Horton reports, some six US AGs (whether in or out of office I'm not clear) have written Congress urging it investigate the Sieligman prosecution.

The commutation will backfire, blow up in Bushit's face. Soon the hyerstaffed lawyer-up is going to have to sit Bushit down and keep repeating to him the realities until it is evident that they have got through his illusions.

"Posted by: Al in Austex
Date: July 2, 2007 9:27 PM"

Tony D wrote on July 2, 2007 10:21 PM:

This administration has no legitimacy. Period.

Vote fraud was rampant in 2000 and 2004, both Gore and Kerry had won in exit polls.

Lawless leaders should not be allowed to appoint judges or other officials.

With this act, Bush sanctions criminal behaviour that benefited him. Bush has taken exeption to near 1000 US laws.

It's time to remove all of them, by armed marshal if need be, and hold a new vote on paper ballots, and reverse all judicial and legal appointments that Bush has made.

The American People cannot tolerate this criminally insane administration any longer.

piggly wrote on July 2, 2007 10:28 PM:

Well our pres has done a little legal work just like our esteemed senators do with their "suggestions" as to the employability of certain US Attorneys.

Listen folks I've got a few legal problems on my own.

I wonder con you folks help me out ? After the traffic violations maybe we can work on the drug covictions. How about it ? And I promise to vote Republican.

E NUFF wrote on July 2, 2007 11:19 PM:

The DECIDER has spoken... After all, W is the COMMANDER GUY. The judicial system and rules of law do not matter.

The KING has spoken and WE THE PEOPLE do not matter.

If this commute does not smack of corruption and cronyism, then I don't know what does.

Clemsy wrote on July 2, 2007 11:24 PM:

skyreader7,

If the 'rule of law' means nothing to those in power than the rule of law means nothing. Every thing this administration has touched has been politicized for the expressed purpose of maintaining power. 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Justice Department and on and on and on.

They'll continue stringing everyone along as long as the electorate continues letting them. The Democrats will do nothing of substance in the time Bush has left in office... which is a lot of time to do a lot more damage.

Sorry, the rules have changed. If the people take to the streets in numbers then maybe something will happen.

Just revisit this thread a year from now. I truly hope you'll be able to say, "I was right."

Riddle me this: What will happen if we get hit again? Hit big.

George going to lay down and die? Will the people demand his resignation? Or will he be consistent, and use it to his advantage...

And that could bring us to a worst case scenario.

Uh uh. These bozos need to be purged now.

Cheers,
Clemsy

Marc wrote on July 2, 2007 11:25 PM:

This reminds me of the lyrics of a Wackiavelli song written well before the "wheels came off the wagon" of this corrupt Administration:

We’re crying out to our institutions
But they’re bought and paid with corrupt contributions
Some praise the flag yet burn the Constitution
While democracy’s in danger of total ruin

Judgement day is coming
They might not like what it’s gonna say
Judgement day is coming
The holy hypocrites are gonna pay

Sully18 wrote on July 2, 2007 11:33 PM:

I become more and more amazed as these reprobates manage to defy everything I`ve ever believed to be honorable about our government.
These men know no honor.
My anger and my "inner revolutionary scapegoat" that wants to storm the White House, arrest Bush,Cheney,and all the other criminals and restore America to its once held greatness does not always serve me well.
I agree with JNagarya that we need patience.We must do this by the Rule of Law,something for which the Bushcretins have no respect.These grease balls are the scum of the earth.They`ve fucked up everything they`ve done except shredding evidence and deleting emails.I think they`ve probably screwed that up too.I`m praying that this whole thing is going to blow up in their face.We just have to be patient.

Glenn Becker wrote on July 3, 2007 12:31 AM:

Those who would analogize Libby to Marc Rich should recall who was Rich's lawyer: Scooter Libby.
The better analogy is to Bush 41's pardon of the indicted Caspar Weinberger et al., whose accurate testimony (always a hypothetical with Republicans) would have proved that VP Bush had perjured himself in the Iran-Contra investigation.
No wonder Bush/Cheney insist on unsworn "testimony" without transcripts. They have an aversion to telling the truth.

pointus wrote on July 3, 2007 12:46 AM:

We'll have to trust the Great Wheel of Karma to roll over these slimeballs... if not in this lifetime, then the next (hopefully sooner than that!) What goes around will eventually come around. Unfortunately, the bad karma accumulated by this country (especially since 2003) may end up coming back to bite us all in the ass, even those of us who've been opposing the Cheneybush junta from the beginning. Keep your passports up to date, good people.

sc: poison ...yeah

TheOldHippy wrote on July 3, 2007 1:26 AM:

Seriouslly folks - just how do you arrest a man who is surrounded by hundreds of armed guards who's one duty in life is to "PROTECT THE PRESIDENT" not to uphold the Constitution or to faithfully enforce all laws.

And after you have him in custody where do you keep him and who do you turn him into, The Hague? And just how do you get him there?

If anyone has any answers to my questions this Old Hippy will be very greatful.

kjenn wrote on July 3, 2007 2:08 AM:

Scooter Skates!

These two words from earlier in the thread by The Oracle should be the headline of every newspaper tomorrow.

Helena Montana wrote on July 3, 2007 4:03 AM:

Are there any conservatives able to rise above partisan politics to condemn Bush for this act of presidential abuse?

Posted by: Tom Simon

No. Simple answer to simple question.

Sue wrote on July 3, 2007 5:52 AM:

Scooter...just picture a hyena "scooting" away from the scene of the crime. We need someone like Colin Powell to come out and expose these criminals since he was actually there when these crimes were committed. But alas, when we look at the Supremes...they put him in, they aren't about to take him out. We simply MUST make sure we get rid of electronic voting AND counting and stop the "proprietary" source codes that keep us from knowing anything about what they are doing with our votes. Otherwise we are just taking their word for who is the winner.

Anonymous wrote on July 3, 2007 9:53 AM:

I found the commutation to be a good thing, for every individual whom has served on a jury there is a distinct sense that this was wrong. If the insensitive decision to keep Rumsfeld on as Sec. Def. cost the senate race in VA, then the commutation and lack of sensibilities exhibited by this act will make aware the public that these unilateral decisions are an example of groupthink and a contempt for democracy. I don't think a clearer message could have been made to the public about what the GOP stands for. If just one percent or (more) found this act to be at disonance with their expectations that we all be held accountable under the law, then it was a good thing. This is a clean and concise example of what this form of 'leadership' represents and forces the public to acknowledge it. We should all just not pay a traffic ticket, pay taxes, or just pretend that our experiences with jury duty were for just us ordinary people. Plain and simple the 'animal farm' legacy will remin with the public for quite some time. It will also place further scrutiny on how decisions are made by the POTUS and his leadership skills.

Clemsy wrote on July 3, 2007 11:35 AM:

Here's the issue: Every other democracy on the planet has a vehicle for restructuring the government. A vote of no-confidence brings the top crashing down and forces the elected representatives to work together to hammer out something everyone can live with.

Not here. 51% makes the other 49% invisible and impeachment belongs to a slower world.

A previous poster asked why republicans don't cry out against this madness. They do... just not currently elected ones. I was listening to Kevin Phillips (http://www.americantheocracy.net/), former republican strategist, on NPR the other day and he hit the nail on the head. We need new vehicles for holding government accountable because right now they're running away with the farm and not even trying to hide it, unless you ask them for the documentation, of course.

They'll hold on to to power any way they can.

Any way.

Jake wrote on July 3, 2007 11:43 AM:

Thanks to everyone who thought I didn't know that Libby was Rich's attorney. Just as Clinton had the absolute right to issue that pardon, so did Bush.

Jake wrote on July 3, 2007 11:46 AM:

TheOldHippy:

A sitting President cannot be indicted for criminal offenses -- may I suggest impeachment in the House and conviction in the Senate first -- that's not "above the law" IMO since it is all according to the law.

Progressive Patriot wrote on July 3, 2007 11:53 AM:

Our Generals need to bring their troops home now! There is a far greater threat to America within the NeoCon Ranks that has to be dealt with. Unlawful orders are not supposed to be followed and we pay the military to defend our country from all threats Foreign and DOMESTIC!

Jake wrote on July 3, 2007 11:55 AM:

Clemsy:

Why is electing a whole new House and 1/3 of the Senate every two years not "a vehicle for restructuring the government"? There's a Presidential Election NEXT YEAR (in case you didn't know, those are held every four years, and the 22nd Amendment limits the President to two terms). Just because impeachment is too slow (how "fast" would it be if you had 2/3 of the Senate ready to convict?), that doesn't mean it's not a legitimate "vehicle". Too bad you can't prove any high crimes against Bush.

Jake wrote on July 3, 2007 12:06 PM:

Progressive Patriot:

You are advocating a military coup?

Pardon Me wrote on July 3, 2007 12:14 PM:

Jake,

Just because Bush has the power to commute a sentence in a case he was complicit in doesn't mean it wasn't a high crime to do so. Besides, what I learned in the 90's is that high crimes and misdemeanors are whatever congress decides they are.

Jake wrote on July 3, 2007 12:22 PM:

Pardon Me:

Of course, you are correct if Congress wanted to impeach Bush over jaywalking, they could, but that would not be right -- trust me on this one, you're better bet is charging the President with obstruction of justice or witness tampering -- not exercise of a Presidential pardon power. For instance, if Libby bribed Bush for the commutation, that charge would be for bribery not the commutation itself.

Clemsy wrote on July 3, 2007 12:27 PM:

"Too bad you can't prove any high crimes against Bush."

Right. Unfortunately being an incompetent ass with theocratic delusions isn't grounds for removing a sitting president.

An arrogant, autocratic, glib, unimaginative, incompetent dry-drunk of an ass with theocratic delusions.

We really need to tighten up those good old American standards, don't you think?

Anyway, after years have gone by and all those documents that haven't been shredded or deleted finally come out we'll wonder, gosh and begorah, we let them get away with THAT? What? Were we idiots?

That would be, "Yes."

'Why is electing a whole new House and 1/3 of the Senate every two years not "a vehicle for restructuring the government"?'

Gerrymandering.... voter caging... e-voting on machines running proprietary, not public, code....

I could go on.

Too much not to trust. We are way overdue for a constitutional convention which Jefferson, at least, said should be done occasionally.

Jake wrote on July 3, 2007 12:34 PM:

Well, Clemsy, I hadn't heard any allegations that the Democrats illegally stole the House and Senate last Election Day, but if you've got evidence, I'll be glad to pass it along to the appropriate U.S. Attorney office(s).

Pardon Me wrote on July 3, 2007 12:48 PM:

If Bush were impeached, would improper use of the pardon power be one of the counts? Who knows. If so, it would certainly be only one of many.

I do have to say that an impeachment with a single count- abuse of Presidential pardon power- would make for good entertainment.

Clemsy wrote on July 3, 2007 1:42 PM:

"Well, Clemsy, I hadn't heard any allegations that the Democrats illegally stole the House and Senate last Election Day, but if you've got evidence, I'll be glad to pass it along to the appropriate U.S. Attorney office(s)."

No, no. You have that wrong. I would suspect they should have won by a larger margin.

...and Bush should have lost Ohio in 2004.

...and Bush should have lost Florida in 2000.

Besides, the administration has argued that the world moves too quickly for endless debate. That's not wrong. With over a year left of this administration and its lockstep Republican hacks, how much more damage will be done? How many more people will die?

How many more of your tax dollars will be funneled into well connected pockets? or into the black hole of Iraq never to be seen again?

Wait? No. There must be vehicles for quicker action and accountability. We need this administration replaced before the next terrorist event in this country.

Bush, as an agent of global chaos, is the answer to all Osama bin Laden's dreams.

9/11 was an early Christmas present for Bush and company. They may despise each other, but they certainly know how to use each to the other's advantage.

They need to go now.

Linda Bear wrote on July 3, 2007 3:48 PM:

Joe Wilson is a hero. Of all people I have heard talk about Bush and the outing of his wife he is the best. I would believ him above any politician. More people should listen when he speaks.

Sharon A wrote on July 3, 2007 4:08 PM:

Judith Miller should be insulted. She spent time in jail for less cause. Libby spent ZERO time in jail.

Gosh, this looks like there's one rule of law for BushCo and another rule of law for everyone else. We have a bifurcated citizenship program going on here.

Some citizens are super-citizens and above the laws of the land.

Jake wrote on July 3, 2007 7:23 PM:

Linda Bear:

Even though Joe Wilson LIED about his wife having no involvement in sending him on this little trip and about the alleged forged documents?

Al in Austex wrote on July 3, 2007 9:35 PM:

To Jake: Go read the under oath testimony at Congressional hearings when Mrs.Wilson said that one of her CIA peers asked that she please set up a meeting with Mr Wilson -so that the Company might send Wilson to Niger- to find out if Saddam really was buying the YellowCake,.Also Mrs Wiilson stated under oath
that she just as soon her husband not go to Niger as they had two small twins at home.And moreover Jake the Acting Director of the CIA swore under oath that Mrs.Wilson was indeed a NOC -Not only did the VEEP & Scooter blow Mrs Wilson's cover - these NeoCons Geniuses also destroyed an entire intelligence network that Brewster Jennings had built overseas, over many many years.BTW,Jake ONE OF THIS NETWORKS TARGETS WAS THE IRAQI WMD PROGRAM.
Jake the jury found Scooter Guilty - The Judge threw the book at Scooter - The Decider -instructed by the VEEP - in affect gave Scooter a get out of jail free card.
Now Jake - you & the rest of the Republicant Trollers better go ahead and take a deep seat & a deep breath - we are fixing to IMPEACH these very bad maladroits from the Decider on down for Treason and other High Crimes . It will all start in earnest about the first week in September (THATS THIS YEAR) !
We are going to take Our Country & Our Constitution back Jake -no matter how much disinformation you & TurdBlossom spew forth -in this forum or any others Jake !

Al in Austex wrote on July 3, 2007 9:50 PM:

Hello Mr Nagarya,
Thank you for your concise & realistic insights on this thread . Yes Speaker Pelosi has an ethical obligation herself not get aboard the Impeachment Train. But Speaker Pelosi also must now go ahead and take off whatever sub rosa restraints that she has had on Democratic Congressional Members & Staff.
Now is the time to get serious - I am certain that the foundation for at least Impeacment Hearing to go forward has already been put in place.
I do disagree respectfully with you Mr Nargarya- I do fully expect to start seeing moderate Republicans calling for at the very least Impeachment Hearings - that should begin about the first of September. Keep Sen Hagel in focus as the first GOP 'er to abandon the good good ship "SS Duyba's Follies "

ragazzi wrote on July 4, 2007 2:57 AM:

The man who should really be in jail is Bush himself.
And all this talk and analysis is good for nothing. Nothing will happen, because everyone wants to protect their interests, i.e. work, investments, etc.

Al in Austex wrote on July 4, 2007 5:02 AM:

Ragazzi,
Yeah that would be true except the same people who want to protect their investments etc- now see their fellow citizen's coming home dead from an illegal war & those very same investments being put at risk by the Decider- ( we are in hock up to our eyeballs to the Red Chinese -they are buying almost all of our T Bills to pay for the Deciders Indecision in Iraq) .
Ragazzi it wasn't Watergate that brought down Nixon - Watergate was the vehicle for Tricky Dick's ouster- the reason Nixon resigned was the IndoChina Debacle.
"Iraq"-ragazzi -is Arabic for "Vietnam "

Frostokovich wrote on July 4, 2007 10:45 AM:

Not only did Bush ignore the Pope's request for clemency for a woman who'd found God while in prison, the little worm made fun of her in a whiny parody to amuse his staff. Compassionate? You'd get more compassion from a viper...except of course for the one that was installed as Vice.

Ian MacLeod wrote on July 6, 2007 5:21 PM:

"No crime committed", I keep hearing. And this is, of course, why the Bush administration is committing so many crimes to prevent any real investigation, of course.

Ian

Ambassador like Wilson wrote on August 28, 2007 8:26 PM:

Joe Wilson was an Ambassodor? When and where?