President Bush has commuted the 30-month sentence of federal inmate No. 28301-016 — aka I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, the former White House aide who was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in the Valerie Plame CIA leak case.
The president said the 2½-year prison term was “excessive.” But his action sends this message: Lying by government officials under oath isn’t a serious offense. Misleading investigators isn’t a big deal. Loyalty to friends is more important than the rule of law. And those in high places don’t answer to the same laws as ordinary folks.
How about those civics lessons, kids?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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365 Comments
Tell me, how many lowlifes did slick willie pardon?
Remember Cappy Weinberg – that was Poppy Bush’ claim to fame.
And how many years did Bill Clinton’s friend – Susan – serve of her prison sentence?
As I recall, Bill Clinton when he was governor in Arkansas even had his own brother go to prison for drugs when he could have intervened.
Bush just doesn’t want pretty boy Scooter to sing like a bird when he hits the prison floor for the first time. I can see it now, Scooter wets his drawers, cries like a baby and starts naming names and dates and spilling his guts to everybody who will listen.
How much jail time did Slick Willie do? Or that that matter Slick Hillary?
Bill Clinton granted 395 pardons during his presidency, comparable in number to other recent presidents. However, of that total 140 were issued on his final day in office. His final day pardon of financier Marc Rich, who had fled the country on tax evasion charges, immediately erupted in controversy. There were charges that emissaries of Rich had used personal influence and campaign contributions to win the pardon. Similar charges soon arose regarding other final day pardons, prompting calls for congressional hearings and action by federal prosecutors.
This is absolutely the very best thing that President Bush could have done.
The profound ignorance and bias of the MSM is a case never ceases to amaze me! All of the hogwash about a pardon for Scooter Libby was BS.
First of all, I seriously doubt that Scooter wanted a pardon. I believe he wanted to go through the appeals process and prevail that way if at all possible. Generally the pardon process begins with a request from the person needing the pardon. Scooter did not need a pardon until he had exhausted the appeals process.
By not allowing him to go through the appeal process before being put in prison was entirely unjust and uncalled for. He has a long history of serving his nation and he is not a dangerous person. The judge and the appeals court pretty much asked for the president to commute the sentence.
Now Scooter can fight his conviction without going to jail. Hopefully he will prevail.
Hank
Why would Hillary do time?? She was never convicted of anything to do time for!! [Reality Check]
Bush said: “His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation.”
Gosh, I wonder how many people Bush could have saved from execution in TX, whose families were forever effected by their executions??? Oh, but they werent on his Staff!!! What an idiot our President really is…
Not too long ago, He said he would not intervene until after the appeals had been finished…
this is just bullshit
the man put the entire nation at risk and put a COVERT CIA agents life in peril
it is time to remove this criminal from the office he STOLE
it is time
and don’t bring the clenis into this it is totally different
libby was getting ready to sing like a baby
that is why dimson has done this
and a big FU to justice and America
I love the sound of Democratic whining in the morning. :)
Leave,
Laugh now. Enjoy it. My guess is you won’t be laughing when this is used as a major campaign issue by the Dems in 2008.
Your God (Bush) just gift wrapped a seemingly inexhaustable supply of campaign ad material. Thanks!
Leave get a reality check. He didn’t reveal anything. Richard Armitage did. Fitz knew this and wanted to send him to jail anyway.
What were you doing two years ago today? What exactly did you say to the person you were with?
Crazy isn’t it. That was what he was being ‘punished’ for.
Take a deep breath. Now breath out slowly. It gets easier.
Well that’s no surprise.
So you are okay with lying to a Grand Jury, Grm? So if I were to go before a Grand Jury and lie, you would support a pardon because my memory COULD be faulty?
Hypocrite.
What about Cappy Weinberg and the Iran-Contra Five? Are you okay with Poppy Bush’ pardon of those folks BEFORE a trial?
Hypocrite.
You might need a reality check, Grm – but then again, lying is your specialty.
Nathan,
Scratch your chin, George’s balls are itchy.
KSGRM, you apparently still do not know crime was Libby was convicted of.
Here’s a hint:It was NOT leaking the identity of an undercover agent.
KSGRM, you apparently still do not know which crime was Libby was convicted of.
Here’s a hint:It was NOT leaking the identity of an undercover agent.
LOL delores!!
It’s also worth noting that Bush DID wait until the appeals process was denied (earlier today, by three judges–TWO of which were Republican appointees).
Geo. Bush. You will be remembered in history as the lowest president ever. Proud of yourself? I’m not.
It was having a faulty memory. WS I love to see you melt down. What race are you today?
Yep Delsol… all week now>>>
REPS: He should never have been convicted of outing a CIA Agent cause she wasnt covert…
DEMS: Why shouldnt he be convicted of PERJURY?? You lie in court, you are convicted of Perjury….
And so it will go… on TV… on talk Radio… in the Press… everywhere… even the Blog…
Delsol, you are RIGHT… We MIGHT need to publish the actual VERDICT… Do you think that might help???
Nawww I doubt it!! LOL
No, he wasn’t convicted of having a faulty memory either (that isn’t really a federal crime).
“What race are you today?”
Same as yesterday – still waiting for you to copy and paste where I stated I was a “green-eyed black man.”
Given the availability of search engines, that should be an easy one, right, Grm?
After all, it only takes me a minute to fin, copy and paste YOUR lies.
What was it that the Ten Commandments said about “bearing false witness, Grm?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……………….
So why do you lie like you do?
Hypocrite.
Judging by how much the average politician or political appointee forgets, it seems we’ve elected a bunch of people suffering from serious mental impairment, and they’ve appointed a bunch of Alzheimer’s patients.
DelSol — Sorry, his appeal is still in process… Bush has commuted the prison time, because of the appeals panel on jail time… I hope he loses the Appeal… That would leave the door open for another prison term… AFTER Bush leaves office!!
That “forgetful” claim is SO lame… Those people have secretary’s attached to their elbows, who write down anything said by them and to them… That is fairly well known… He LIED, he was convicted of LYING… I tend to feel he was about to spill the beans on the rest of the story… or threatened to spill the beans… SO Bush commutes the prison time… but left in the Fine and Probation…
Well, some more than others, BFAH. AGAG and his ilk in the Justice Dept., and Libby, they don’t remember much.
Cheney, he just refuses to cooperate because he is above the law.
Bush, he doesn’t know the law, so he makes it up as he goes along, then gets David Addington to write some bullshit legalization of his crimes that AGAG will take credit for (like legalization of torture).
Bush also said it was excessive, and might have bad impact on Libby’s wife and children>>>
“His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation.”
That is a thought Bush NEVER HAD when he sent hundreds to be executed in TX, as governor…
Chas., it was announced yesterday or today that the appeal was denied by a panel of higher-court judges.
http://news.aol.com/elections-blog/2007/07/02/libby-jail-appeal-denied/
I thought that was his appeal of the prison time before the appeal hearing…???
Chas comparing Texas convicted murders to Libby shows your extreme bias and hatred. You’re nothing but a loon who needs to be institutionalized.
Armitage was the source of the leak.
The Democrapic Party encouraged a lynch mob, they got one.
The lynch mob mentality was overturned, case closed.
1) Libby was not tried and convicted on the Plame LEAK….
2) I was not comparing Libby to TX executioners… I was comparing Bush’s “concern for Libby’s family” to his total disregard for families of executed prisoners in TX, in his refusals to commute, or stop executions…
PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU PUKE ON THE PAGE!!!!
“The Democrapic Party”
So Republican appointed prosecutors and judges now take marching orders from the Democrats?
Jeez, that is a stretch worthy of KSGrm.
Excuse making 101 by Chas
or
How to never say you’re sorry, I screwed up.
:)
They spin it any way they can think of, cause they think nobody is watching!!!
Hey, you caricature of a person… I never typed anything to be SORRY FOR!!!
So, now you are going to go for your damn personal attacks again… Well, you wont be doing that CRAP for long… It will SOON CEASE!!!
I guarantee it!!!
Libby’s appeal for a shorter sentence was denied a week-10 days ago.
His appeal of the verdict, which would have bought him some time prior to starting his sentence, was what was denied yesterday.
Watcha gonna do about it Chas, elect a majority of Democrites to Congress so we can have even more pork barrel spending impotent empty promise yahoos there? :)
What’s that smell???
Oh – democrats whining. =) Almost as fragrant as Krispy Kreme doughnuts at 5 am.
Sorry Delsol… I had that time line figured out wrong… cause they said he didnt want to spend time in jail waiting for his appeals hearing…
Just for clarity, I’m going to add too that Bush commuted his sentence, which is a bit different than a pardon: Libby is still guilty of the crime and must pay a $250,000 fine.
I thought the sentence was excessive myself…but I do think he should have served some time. Apparently the judges involved at all levels felt the evidence was “overwhelming,” as Judge Walton originally said.
I don’t know, these pardons are a sticky business.It’s always a self-serving affair, with all of them.
Freaking Nixon got pardoned, too.
Well, gee, If I told you what I am gonna do about — not it – but YOU — then it wouldnt be a surprise, now would it?? LOL
Get a life, man!! PLEASE!!
Making personal threats on the WE Blog Chas?
That’s against the Terms of Service. :)
I dont see any threats… I dont make threats…
I think it just goes to show how much of a class bias there is in our justice system. If you are high-profile enough and commit the “right” crime, you won’t serve a day.
If you’re brown-skinned, poor, or commit the “wrong” crime, they’ll string you up.
I have heard two stories recently where men were wrongly-imprisoned for 19 and 26 years, and the victim’s families still insisted they were guilty despite overhwelming evidence that exonerated them. And what time did the prosectors serve?
Yea, Hey, check out John Grisham’s new non-fiction of the murder cases in Ada, OK… One helluva good read… And the prosecutor STILL says he was right!!!
Republican,
“His final day pardon of financier Marc Rich, who had fled the country on tax evasion charges, immediately erupted in controversy.”
Is Republican calling Libby a liar?
‘GOP lawyer: Facts ‘misconstrued’ in Rich case’http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/03/02/clinton.library” “Did you represent a crook who stole money from the United States government, was a fugitive and should never have been given or granted a pardon by the facts that you know?” snapped Kanjorski.
“No, sir,” Libby responded. “There are no facts that I know of that support the criminality of the client based on the tax returns.”
Libby then said prosecutors from the Southern District of New York “misconstrued the facts and the law” when they prosecuted Rich.
“(Rich) had not violated the tax laws,” said Libby. “
Oh yeah, I heard about that one, too.
Does anyone even know why we let presidents give pardons at all? What’s the point of that, in theory (not counting the massive cronyism most use it for)?
Delsol, I would need to spend a few days research time on the Presidential Pardon thing… Probably need to get into a Constitution law library, and start hunting… But, it would make an interesting post on here..
It seems to be subject to all kinds of abuses, no? I mean, if somebody’s been convicted and the courts say they’re guilty, why should they get off just because they have the right friends? Is that how our system works?
And then there’s ones like Weinberger and Nixon, where they are pardoned prior to the courtroom, argulably even more offensive…
I don’t like it.
“the man put the entire nation at risk and put a COVERT CIA agents life in peril”
Oh, really? Hyperbole much?
The best Constitution Law Library I know of personally close to here, would be at Washburn Univ. Law Library… I am not sure if “normal folks” can get into the Law Library at the Federal Courthouse here in town…
FROM THE PROCESUTER’S OFFICE: “Unclassified Summary of Valerie Wilson’s CIA Employment and Cover History”:
On 1 January 2002, Valerie Wilson was working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) as an operations officer in the Directorate of Operations (DO). She was assigned to the Counterproliferation Division (CPD) at CIA Headquarters, where she served as the chief of a CPD component which responsibility for weapons proliferation issues related to Iraq. While assigned to CPD, Ms. Wilson engaged in temporary duty (TDY) travel overseas on official business. She traveled at least seven times to more than ten countries. When traveling overseas, Ms. Wilson always traveled under a cover identity– sometimes in true name and sometimes in alias–but always using cover–whether official or non-official cover (NOC)–with no ostensible relationship to the CIA.
At the time of the initial unauthorized disclosure in the media of Ms. Wilson’s employment relationship which the CIA on 14 July 2003, Ms. Wilson was a covert CIA employee for whom the CIA was taking affirmative measures to conceal her intelligence relationship to the United States
GMC, come out from your peephole and tell us why presidents are allowed to grant pardons.
Wikipedia–updated on the minute!!!(Republican, this might be too long for you, so go grab a donut a la Homer Simpson.)
Check it out:
“The pardon power was controversial from the outset; many Anti-Federalists remembered examples of royal abuses of the pardon power in Europe, and warned that the same would happen in the new republic. However, Alexander Hamilton makes a strong defense of the pardon power in The Federalist Papers, particularly in Federalist 74. It is worthy of note that Hamilton called for something like an elective monarch at the Constitutional Convention. In his final day in office, George Washington granted the first high-profile Federal pardon to leaders of the Whiskey Rebellion.
“Many pardons have been controversial; critics argue that pardons have been used more often for the sake of political expediency than to correct judicial error. One of the more famous recent pardons was granted by President Gerald Ford to former President Richard Nixon on September 8, 1974, for official misconduct which gave rise to the Watergate scandal. Polls showed a majority of Americans disapproved of the pardon and Ford’s public-approval ratings tumbled afterward. He was then narrowly defeated in the presidential campaign, two years later. Other controversial uses of the pardon power include Andrew Johnson’s sweeping pardons of thousands of former Confederate officials and military personnel after the American Civil War, Jimmy Carter’s grant of amnesty to Vietnam-era draft evaders, George H. W. Bush’s pardons of 75 people, including six Reagan administration officials accused and/or convicted in connection with the Iran-Contra affair, Bill Clinton’s pardons of convicted FALN terrorists and 140 people on his last day in office – including billionaire fugitive Marc Rich, and George W. Bush’s commutation of I. Lewis Libby’s prison term.
“The Justice Department recommends anyone requesting a pardon must wait five years after conviction or release prior to receiving a pardon. A presidential pardon may be granted at any time, however, and as when Ford pardoned Nixon, the pardoned person need not yet have been convicted or even formally charged with a crime. Clemency may also be granted without the filing of a formal request and even if the intended recipient has no desire to be pardoned. In the overwhelming majority of cases, however, the Pardon Attorney will consider only petitions from persons who have completed their sentences and, in addition, have demonstrated their ability to lead a responsible and productive life for a significant period after conviction or release from confinement.[2]
“Go and sin no more” is where it comes from.
Also from pardons that were granted by Royalty.
Pardons are nothing new, been around for thousands of years.
Here’s a link to Federalist 74 for those of you who care…
http://www.vote-smart.org/reference/fedlist/fed74.htm
I love the internet :)let me go read that now.
How was that donut, Republican? :)
What donut?
This is a better source for Presidential Pardons.
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/pardons2.htm
Bush’s stated policy is to not grant pardons until the person has served their time. He has been pretty conservative with his pardons. Though not pardoned, Libby will not have to serve his prison sentence.
Bush obvioulsy has nothing to lose and can poke law abiding citizens in the eye with his disgraceful behavior.
Where is GMC70 to complain that the “they did it, too” defense – is so second grade? I guess it depends on which side is using that inane argument, huh?
Bush promised to hold the leaker accountable.
Libby’s supposed “excessive” sentence was in line with the federal guidlines ordinary citizens are subject to every day. Bush thumbs his nose at the law and hands out a Get Out of Jail Free Card to a man who did his dirty work.
A different system of justice for Bush cronys exists.
Libby committed a serious felony, his old boss lets him out of jail, his rich friends will pay his fines. A virtual pat on the back for exposing a covert agent in order to punish her husband.
There is no way to whitewash this disgraceful act. Congress must reign Bush in! Brownback!! Tiahrt!!!! You remember right from wrong, don’t you? Act like it.
Phone the White House Comment Line:202-456-1111
E-Mail the White House: comments@whitehouse.gov.
Maybe GMC should charge those seeking his commentary by the hour or by the piece, who thinks they should get free legal advice. :)
Republican,
Were you calling Libby a liar?
http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/07/bush-spares-fed.html#comment-74686892
Point of order, Bush did not pardon Libby he commuted his sentence that is a big difference. Libby will unless a court overturns the conviction be a Felon barred from public service and will be disbarred his license pulled.
Another way to look at it, how fair if the real cause of all this gets nothing and the lowly henchman get to go to prison? Where would justice have been served? No I am happy with the outcome, Libby was a lowly soldier following orders. If they hung only the rear gate guard at the death camp and allowed the head of the SS to go free. How would that have set with you?
AS TO how many G.W. will end up pardoning his last day in office may end up reading like a listing of the members of the Administration. He has the power not only to pardon those whom are convicted but also those that have never been charged.
http://www.scooterlibby.com/
Nice try cosmos, in your usual distortion, text taken out of context surrender monkey smearing ways you have managed to tell another lie.
Face it cosmos, everything you believe in and have stood for with your Stalinist shove down every one’s throat tactics have failed.
You are a failure cosmos, own up to it.
Republican,
Post what I took out of context about Libby re Rich — OR admit that you are a LIAR.
Paris Hilton spent more time in jail on a misdemeanor suspended license charge than Scooter Libby serves for felony Obstruction of Justice.
“Another way to look at it, how fair if the real cause of all this gets nothing and the lowly henchman get to go to prison? Where would justice have been served? No I am happy with the outcome, Libby was a lowly soldier following orders.”
Of course, he was lowly soldier, but 1) he broke the law, 2) his sentence was given to him in accordance with federal sentencing guidelines (that you or I would be subject to had we been in Mr. Libby’s position), 3) but because he was a crony of Bush, he was let off lightly. The feds often impose leverage on lower level felons to get to the real felons – which I believe was Fitzgerald’s plan all along. Bush’s interference with that leverage by commuting the sentence for Libby, assured that none of us would really know who the real guilty party was. Was it Bush or Cheney? I am betting one or the other, or both. It is disgraceful that the rule of law means so little to this administration. Republicans, the delusional as well as the sane ones, will be paying for crimes of this administration for some time to come I predict – Remember Jimmy Carter???
Given the above, I guess I am happy with this outcome too. It is a shame you guys have such little regard for your own party. Barry Goldwater is turning over in his grave.
As far as I can tell, a fair outcome. By the time Scooter Libby testified in the grand jury, Fitzpatrick already knew that Richard Armitrage had leaked the Plame identity. That was apparently not a crime. Yet Scooter gets to be Fitzpatrick’s “scalp”.
I’m glad I don’t have to testify what I said to whom, and when, two years ago.
So now Libby still has felony conviction, but gets to pursue his appeal outside of a prison cell.
I love it when the demos have to deal with the fruits of their labor.
David what justice did he obstruct? Armitage did the deed and Fitz knew it before the trial started. That is kinda like saying when did you stop beating your wife when you know the wife was never beaten.
It must hurt to be bested at your own game. Fitz urged the judge to keep out of the trial the fact of Pflames status – covert or not. That is why no one knew until AFTER the trial that she was considered covert. But he was allowed to bring it into the sentencing phase. That was why they justified the long sentence and large fine. Can’t have it both ways even if you are liberals and hate conservatives. Good for Bush. I haven’t been to proud of him lately but he just went up a notch in my book.
And if this was a felony – why didn’t fitz go after Armitage. He knew he outed her.
If you’re brown-skinned, poor, or commit the “wrong” crime, they’ll string you up.
Posted by: delsol | July 02, 2007 at 07:11 PM
Yea, Hey, check out John Grisham’s new non-fiction of the murder cases in Ada, OK… One helluva good read… And the prosecutor STILL says he was right!!!
Posted by: Chas. | July 02, 2007 at 07:13 PM
Only one thing wrong here Chas. The two men in Oklahoma were white men.
Funny you forgot that FACT. Better not do any testifying in front of a grand jury or you might be doing jail time.
Goldwater eh Steven Davis? My Dad remembers him as an arrogant smuck with very few followers. It’s not a wonder no one wanted him in an office of national power such as the Presidency.
ksgrm,
“Armitage did the deed …”
Other people besides Armitage “did the deed”.
Republican,
We’re STILL waiting for you to post what I took out of context about Libby re Rich. Crickets chirping…
‘GOP lawyer: Facts ‘misconstrued’ in Rich case’http://archives.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/03/02/clinton.library” “(Rich) had not violated the tax laws,” said Libby. “
“Armitage did the deed and Fitz knew it before the trial started.”
Armitage did KNOW that Plame was covert, Grm. That is the salient point. Republican appointed Fitzgerald was looking for the directive for leaking the name of a covert agent. Scooby Do lied to protect his boss.
By the way, I am still looking for your copy and paste where I said that I was a “green-eyed black man.”
Lie much, KSGrm?
Hypocrite.
Yes cosmos you are a liar. I quoted a statement about Mark Rich being pardoned and that Mark Rich may have contributed to Clinton’s campaign fund illegally while Rich was still in exile over sears.
You bring up Libby, who was one of Rich’s attorneys that has nothing really to do with the context of Presidential Pardons. Libby may have be a player in the role of history, but if you want to connect the dots cosmos you have a long stretch to do on why attorneys represent clients and Presidential Pardons.
You were trying to be cute cosmos and you just turned butt ugly once again.
ksgrm is correct WSClark.
Fitzgerald even had the presiding Judge issue an order for Armitage not to discuss what he knew about the case, so Fitzgerald could perform his legal lynching on Libby.
Blow it out your fleetwood, Republank, you are just playing games again.
Fitz was a REPUBLICAN appointed prosecutor and the judge was also.
What a partisan hack you are, Blank One.
Republican,
I asked a relevant, simple, and obvious question in my post.http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/07/bush-spares-fed.html#comment-74686892
You replied:”Nice try cosmos, in your usual distortion, text taken out of context surrender monkey smearing ways you have managed to tell another lie.
Face it cosmos, everything you believe in and have stood for with your Stalinist shove down every one’s throat tactics have failed.
You are a failure cosmos, own up to it.”—-
So TELL us what I took out of context re Libby’s defense of Rich.And exactly what “lie” did I tell?
Or do you just post false personal attacks, and lies?
A list of Bill Clinton’s pardons.
http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm
Political affiliation as related to duties of Judges and Prosecutors are irrelevant WSClark.
cosmos,
Get a life, no one cares about your comments but you. Make them and move on.
The context of Libby serving as an attorney to Rich is irrelevant to Libby’s pardon.
What I posted is the number of pardons and who was pardoned by Clinton.
Inputting Libby in there as if he had done something wrong to act as an attorney was out of context to the whole issue.
No one cares what you write here cosmos if you haven’t figured that out.
This assumption that anyone who wasn’t on the legal team or sitting on the bench can make a case for or against someone’s guilt–AS IF YOU KNEW THE EVIDENCE–is absurd.
The fact is, an impartial prosecutor noted for his impartiality, appointed by Bush, believed that Libby lied under oath and developed a strong enough case that its appeal was denied several times.
Please stop assuming that you can make a case for Libby’s innocence based on what was said, or waht was presented at trial–which you were not privy to–or based on who Fitzgerald did or did not press charges against. It’s just ridculous. Stop already.
Leave,
Laugh now. Enjoy it. My guess is you won’t be laughing when this is used as a major campaign issue by the Dems in 2008.
Your God (Bush) just gift wrapped a seemingly inexhaustable supply of campaign ad material. Thanks!
UH…I HATE THIS IMPOSTER OCCUPYING THE WHITE HOUSE.
I wish he were impeached and hung in the hauge
So, fleet and blank, DEFEND the pardons of Cappy and the Iran-Contra Five…… what about the Rule of Law and the “wait until the court system has run it’s course” meme?
Hypocrites.
By the way, Bush has the power not just to “commute” Libby’s sentence–which does not absolve him of guilt–but to pardon him altogether.
Bush chose the former, which implies he accepted the guilty verdict, as did several Republican-appointed judges prior. Libby will now lose his law license, have to pay a $250,000 fine, and still be classified as a felon.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t weep for Scooter. I think he should have served at least some time. But these back-and-forths about whether he was guilty are moot.
how many of Clintons pardons were for traitors.
In the end how many of Bushs pardons will be for traitor.
A traitor commuting the sentence of another traitor.
Why is it that all you Republicanshate America?
Why is it that Republicans find it OK to f$%# America as long as it is a Republican doing it.
“Goldwater eh Steven Davis? My Dad remembers him as an arrogant smuck with very few followers. It’s not a wonder no one wanted him in an office of national power such as the Presidency.”
Goldwater was one of the few repulicans who told the truth, no wonder your family would hate him.
Goldwater on Nixon:”That son-of-a-bitch was even lying to his family.”
Another gem:“I think every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the ass.”
And another:”You don’t have to be straight to be in the military; you just have to be able to shoot straight.”
And one last one for those so envious of Clinton:”If everybody in this town connected with politics had to leave town because of chasing women and drinking, you would have no government.”
Republican,
“Inputting Libby in there as if he had done something wrong to act as an attorney was out of context to the whole issue.”
You seem to be saying that Rich WAS guilty of “tax evasion”, and Clinton WAS wrong to pardon him.
And you seem to be saying that Rich’s “attorney” (Libby) LIED.
Cosmos, you lost it on that last point. Libby probably did lie!!! :)
Sorry, cosmos you have to play alone now, you earned that right by alienating others on the WE Blog.
Your constant “Republican Lied” mantra is old and no one cares.
You are a forgotten poster cosmos. Enjoy your reputation.
Clark,
What about the party of law and order, as well as the Grand ole party of “personal responsibility [so long as we're not talking about OUR law breakers]“?
“Hypocrites” is way too kind for this bunch.
In the end, however, I applaud Bush’s actions today; this party will sink with, and be deeply buried with, this worst.president.ever.
Anybody here surprised Bush commuted the 30-month sentence? Anybody?
If there are . . . psssttt . . . i got a cheap bridge for sale.
And to the morons bringing up Clinton: HE AIN’T PRESIDENT ANYMORE! GET OVER IT! YOUR “DECIDER” BUSH IS. AND HE DECIDED TO COMMUTE THE SENTENCE! BIG FREAKIN’ DEAL!
Karma is the sweetest of God’s creations…everyone sows and everyone reaps…God is generous with His grace.
;>
I like these quotes from Goldwater, Steven
“I am a conservative Republican, but I believe in democracy and the separation of church and state. The conservative movement is founded on the simple tenet that people have the right to live life as they please as long as they don’t hurt anyone else in the process.” (in a 1994 Washington Post essay)”The religious factions will go on imposing their will on others,”"I don’t have any respect for the Religious Right.”
“A woman has a right to an abortion.”
“I don’t have any respect for the Religious Right. There is no place in this country for practicing religion in politics. That goes for Falwell, Robertson and all the rest of these political preachers. They are a detriment to the country.”
Bush was between a rock and a hard place, he had to keep the lid on Libby. He’s also in a position where by not pardoning he might alienate some of his 26%ers, and end up in the teens. So he had nothing to lose, except maybe his freedom if Libby cut a deal with the prosecutor and judge. Bush has guaranteed his place in infamy.Since Libby’s time was commuted, I’d like to see a congressional investigation convened into the Plame leak, and give Libby another chance to refresh his memor, or purjure himself, and be prosecuted all over (even with the same eventual outcome, it would make for good drama, and clearly demonstrate to the 26%ers what scum their leader is).
Okay kids stop the bickering!!!! I really get fed-up reading these immature responses you have towards one another. No wonder our country is so divided–so much hate.
“Your constant “Republican Lied” mantra is old and no one cares.”
It has proven over and over and over and over and over and over over and over and over over and over and over over and over and over over and over and over and ad infinitum so many times that it doesn’t bear repeating.
all gloves are off. I am good and p#%sed and all of you repukes will suffer for the crimes this puke of a pResident this asswipe has committed at our behalf.
When things happen to any repuke I know, I will laugh and say you voted for the phucker
I have had it and I am taking it to the streets
Libby looked like the arrogant bastard he is today. I always thought he acted way too cocky, and was thus pretty sure that there was a pardon in his pocket.
oh congress is out all week…is that why the coward did it today?
or is it because he was afraid libby would talk?
I’d like to see Libby testify that the commutation deal, wasn’t delivered to him in advance, by bush cheney or someone acting in their behalf.
and you know he won’t be paying any of that fine.
he got away with it, they once again phucked the nation
and there are STILL people who will support this crap
There are hundreds of cures for the common cold. None of them are “cures,” however. There is only one cure for appendicitis; cut the sucker out.
Legal and political arguments are like that. And every time the 20-percenters who still worship George WMD Bush come up with their “Clinton did it too!” or “Valarie Plame wasn’t covert!” or “Fitzgerald and the judge were lackeys of the Democrats!” or “Scooter was forgetful” or “there was no underlying crime!” you’re dealing with Dristan and Contac and Nyquil and honey & vinegar and mustard plasters and none of ‘em work.
In the Libby matter, Democrats have a legal and political appendectomy: the surgical truth that cuts straight to the issue.
Scooter Libbey lied under oath to a Grand Jury, was so charged in a court of law and was defended by $2 Million worth of top-flight legal firepower and 12 jurors weighed the evidence at length, acquitted Scooter of some charges and convicted him of committing four felonies.
Republics have no business whining about any miscarriage of justice, real or imagined, as long as they condone a four-time convicted felon from avoiding jail time.
November 23, 1994NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEDavid Phillip Aronsohn D. Minn. 1961 Failure to pay special occupational tax on wagering, 26 U.S.C. § 7203Wanda Kaye Bain-Prentice D. Ariz. 1982 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Antonio Barucco U. S. Army general court-martial 1945 Desertion in violation of the 58th Article of WarKristine Margo Beck D. Idaho 1981 Bank embezzlement, 18 U.S.C. § 656David Christopher Billmaier D. New Mex. 1980 Possession with intent to distribute amphetamines, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Terry Lee Brown E. D. Ky. 1962 Interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312Joe Carl Bruton N. D. Tex. 1979 Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 371Nolan Lynn DeMarce W. D. Wis. 1983 Making false statements to obtain bank loans, 18 U.S.C. § 1014Jimmy C. Dick N. D. Calif. 1976 Conspiracy to manufacture counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes, 18 U.S.C. § 371Edward Eugene Dishman W. D. Okla. 1983 Conspiracy to defraud the United States and Oklahoma counties, 18 U.S.C. § 371Brenda Kay Engle S. D. Ind. 1983 Conspiracy to commit theft from interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. § 371Mary Theresa Fajer D. Oregon 1980 Conspiracy to commit bank embezzlement, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 371Albert James Forte D. Dist. Col. 1973 Making and subscribing false and fraudulent income tax return, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)Fendley Lee Frazier S. D. Ala. 1965 Interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312Robert Linward Freeland, Jr. N. D. Ind. 1983 Forcible rescue of seized property, 26 U.S.C. § 7212(b)Ralph Leon Furst S. D. Calif. 1966 Embezzlement of United States mail (U.S. Code section not cited)Barbara Ann Gericke W. D. Wis. 1984 Conspiracy to introduce contraband into federal prison, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1791Billy Joe Gilmore N. D. Tex. 1982 Mail fraud and aiding and abetting, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2Loreto Joseph Iafrate N. D. W. Va. 1976 Failure to record receipt of firearms, 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(m) and 924(a)Carl Bruce Jones W. D. Mo. 1983 Distribution of marijuana and use of telephone to facilitate marijuana distribution, 18 U.S.C. § 2 and 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 843(b)Candace Deon Leverenz N. D. Calif. 1972 Unlawful distribution of LSD, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B)George William Lindgren S. D. N. Y. 1975 Bank embezzlement, 18 U.S.C. § 656Brian George Meierkord C. D. Ill. 1983 Making false statement to bank, 18 U.S.C. § 1014Jackie Lee Miller N. D. Okla. 1983 Conspiracy to defraud the United States, 18 U.S.C. § 371Joseph Patrick Naulty E. D. Pa. 1980 Carrying away goods moving as part of foreign shipment, 18 U.S.C. § 659Theodore Roosevelt Noel N. D. Ala. 1972 Selling whiskey in unstamped containers and making false statement in the acquisition of firearms from licensed dealer, 26 U.S.C. § 5604(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(6) and 924(a)Mary Louise Oaks M. D. La. 1979 Conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims, 18 U.S.C. § 286Robert Paul Padelsky D. Utah 1980 Misapplication of bank funds, 18 U.S.C. § 656Elizabeth Amy Peterson D. Nev. 1985 Conspiracy to make false statements to bank, 18 U.S.C. § 371Susan Lauranne Prather W. D. Ark. 1975 Causing marijuana to be transported through the mail, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b)Gary Lynn Quammen W. D. Wis. 1976 Misapplication of bank funds, 18 U.S.C. § 656Robert Ronal Raymond D. Conn. 1972 Conspiracy to manufacture, receive, possess, and sell firearms silencers, 18 U.S.C. § 371Elizabeth Hogg Rushing N. D. Ga. 1978 Misapplication of bank funds, 18 U.S.C. § 656Marc Alan Schaffer S. D. N. Y. 1968 Submission of false statements to Selective Service System Local Board, 50 U.S.C. Appendix § 462(a)Roy Aaron Smith E. D. Tex. 1982 Misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4Diane Dorothea Smunk D. So. Dak. 1984 Embezzlement by government employee, 18 U.S.C. § 641Thomas Peter Stathakis D. So. Car. 1976 Selling and delivering firearms to out-of-state resident and falsifying firearms records, 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(3), 922(m), and 924(a)Kathleen Vacanti C. D. Calif. 1979 Conspiracy to defraud the United States by obtaining payment of false claims, presenting false claims to the United States, forging a writing, and aiding and abetting, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 286, 287, and 495Pupi White W. D. Mo. 1985 Making false statement on United States passport application, 18 U.S.C. § 911Charles Coleman Wicker E. D. Mo. 1975 Conspiracy to conduct illegal gambling business, 18 U.S.C. § 371Roderick Douglas Woods S. D. Miss. 1982 Misappropriation of bank funds and aiding and abetting, 18 U.S.C. §§ 656 and 2
April 17, 1995NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEBradley Vaughn Barisic N. D. Calif. 1980 Making false statement to National Labor Relations Board, 18 U.S.C. § 1001Herschel L. Brantley U. S. Air Force general court-martial 1951 Larceny in violation of 93rd Article of WarLinda Bailey Byars D. So. Car. 1975 Bank embezzlement, 18 U.S.C. § 656Patricia Ann Chapin W. D. Mo. 1986 Falsifying prescription for controlled substance, 21 U.S.C. § 843(a)(4)(A) and 18 U.S.C. § 2Ronald Jacobs E. D. Pa. 1967 Theft from interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. § 659Margaret Mary Marks N. D. Ohio 1984 Willful misapplication of bank funds, 18 U.S.C. § 657John Richard Martin S. D. Calif. 1956 Embezzlement of funds from savings and loan association, 18 U.S.C. § 657Earl Thomas McKinney 1. U. S. Air Force summary court-martial 1. 1951 1. Absent without leave2. U. S. Air Force general court-martial 2. 1959 2. Larceny by check, writing check with insufficient funds, and false claims, in violation of U.C.M.J. Articles 121, 132, and 134Shirley Jean Odoms S. D. Tex. 1978 Filing false claim for tax refund, 18 U.S.C. § 287Jack Pakis W. D. Ark. 1972 Operation of illegal gambling business, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 1955Gordon Roberts, Jr. M. D. La. 1977 Interstate transportation of forged and falsely made securities, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 2314Carl Edward Terhune, Jr. N. D. Okla. 1985 Issuing United States Postal Service money orders while postal employee with intent to defraud Postal Service, 18 U.S.C. § 500
December 23, 1997NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEIrving Frank Avery D. Colo. 1984 Possession of counterfeit plates, 18 U.S.C. §§ 474 and 2Billy K. Berry E. D. Ark. 1986 Medicaid and mail fraud, 42 U.S.C. § 1396h(a)(1)(i) and 18 U.S.C. § 1341Clio Louise Carson D. Wyo. 1979 Transmission of wagering information, 18 U.S.C. § 1084Giuseppe Casadei-Severei D. Puerto Rico 1987 Obstruction of justice, 18 U.S.C. § 1503Glen Edison Chapman 1. W. D. No.Car.1. 19551. Removing, possessing, and concealing non-tax-paid whiskey, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5632 and 72062. W. D. No. Car. 2. 1957 2. Removing, possessing, and concealing non-tax-paid whiskey, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5632 and 5008(b)(1)Ralph Wallace Crawford C. D. Calif. 1985 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Aaron Golden W. D. Tex. 1986 Failure to file a currency transaction report, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5313 and 5322(a)Monroe Lee King S. D. Tex. 1973 Making plates for counterfeiting Federal Reserve Notes, 18 U.S.C. § 474Ralph Lee Limbaugh N. D. Ala. 1974 Theft from interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. § 659George Edward Maynes, Jr. D. Canal Zone 1975 Distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Charley Morgan N.D. Okla. 1964 Unlawful possession of still and manufacture of mash, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5179(a), 5601(a)(1), and 5601(a)(7)Linzie Murle Morse W. D. La. 1973 Interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicle and selling stolen motor vehicle, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2312 and 2313Charles Patrick Murrin C. D. Calif. 1988 Bank robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a)Moises Jaurequi Ramos D. New Mexico 1983 Misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4William Ray Richardson W. D. Mo. 1983 Interstate transportation of stolen property, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 2314Raymond Phillip Weaver U. S. Navy summary court-martial 1947 Theft of four pounds of butterBill Wayne West E. D. Miss. 1984 Dealing in firearms without license, 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(a)(1) and 924(a)Anita Glenn Whitlock D. Dist. Col. 1978 Bank embezzlement, 18 U.S.C. § 656Edward Kenneth Williams, Jr. S. D. Iowa 1979 Receiving and selling stolen motor vehicles and aiding and abetting the same, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 2313Larry Edward Winfield W. D. Ark. 1987 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Louis Anthony Winters 1. U.S. Navy generalcourt-martial 1. 19571. Unauthorized absence from duty2.D. So. Dak. 2. 1969 2. Assault with dangerous weapon, 18 U.S.C. § 1153
December 24, 1998NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEHaig Ardash Arakelian(aka Haig Arthur Arakelian)S. D. Calif. 1975 Possession of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 844Estel Edmond Ashworth N. D. Tex. 1974 Theft of mail by Postal employee, 18 U.S.C. § 1709Vincent Anthony Burgio C. D. Calif. 1972 Possession of counterfeit government obligations, 18 U.S.C. § 472Thomas Earl Burton E. D. Va. 1982 Attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846Jesse Cuevas D. Neb. 1984 Unauthorized possession of food stamps, 7 U.S.C. § 2024(b)Harry Erla Fox U.S. Army summary and special courts- martial 1961 Absence without leave, Article 86, U.C.M.J.James William Gardner D. Wyo. 1983 Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1)Alejandro Cruz Guedea U.S. Army general court-martial 1949 Larceny of government propertySebraien Michael Haygood E. D. N. Y. 1982 Importation of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 952(a) and 960(a)(1)Warren Curtis Hultgren, Jr. W. D. Tex. 1982 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1)Sharon Sue Johnson E. D. Ark. 1986 Bank embezzlement, 18 U.S.C. § 656Ronald Ray Kelly U.S. Marine Corps special court-martial 1969 Unauthorized absences, escape from lawful custody, and breaking restrictionFrancis Dale Knippling D. So. Dak. 1985 Conversion of mortgaged property, 18 U.S.C. § 658Michael Ray Krukar D. Alaska 1988 Unlawful distribution of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Michael Francis Larkin D. Mass. 1984 False statements to HUD, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 1001Leslie Jan McCall W. D. Okla. 1988 Use of telephone to facilitate cocaine distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b)Bobby Joe Miller E. D. Tex. 1982 Misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4William Edward Payne D. Ore. 1965 Willful attempt to evade excise tax on wagers, 26 U.S.C. § 7201Robert Earl Radke C. D. Calif. 1981 Willful attempt to evade income taxes, 26 U.S.C. § 7201David Walter Ratliff N. D. Okla. 1981 Making false statement to the government, 18 U.S.C. § 1001Billy Wayne Reynolds E. D. Tex. 1981 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Benito Maldonado Sanchez, Jr. W. D. Tex. 1960 Possession of marijuana without payment of transfer tax, 26 U.S.C. § 4744(1)Vicki Lynn Seals(fka Vicki Lynn Miller)W. D. Tex. 1984 Making a false statement to a federally insured bank while an employee of that bank, 18 U.S.C.§ 1005Lewis Craig Seymour W. D. Okla. 1979 Distribution of Phencyclidine (PCP), 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Irving A. Smith D. Md. 1957 Conspiracy to engage in price-fixing, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1 and 2 (Sherman Act)Darrin Paul Sobin E. D. Calif. 1987 Conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Monty Mac Stewart W. D. Okla. 1983 Conspiracy to defraud U.S. and counties within Oklahoma, mail fraud, and aiding and abetting filing a false income tax return, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 371, and 1341, and 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)Kevin Lester Teker W. D. Wash. 1989 Maliciously damaging property used in an activity affecting interstate commerce by means of an explosive, 18 U.S.C. § 844(i)John Timothy Thompson W. D. Okla. 1986 Use of the telephone to facilitate cocaine distribution, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b)Paul Loy Tobin S. D. Ala. 1968 Interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312Gerald William Wachter E. D. Pa. 1974 Conspiracy to cause stolen goods to be transported in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 371Marian Lane Wolf N. D. Tex. 1988 Misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4Samuel Harrell Woodard 1. U.S. Air Force summary court-martial 1. 1952 1. Absent without leave2. S. D. Ga. 2. 1955 2. Theft from an interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. § 659
February 19, 1999NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEHenry Ossian Flipper U.S. Army general court-martial 1891 Conduct unbecoming an officer
December 23, 1999NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEMeredith Marcus Appleton, II W. D. Okla. 1990 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 846Steven Laurence Barnett E. D. Calif. 1987 Misapplication of bank funds and aiding and abetting the same, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 657Russell Carl Clifton N. D. Calif. 1977 Transmission of a false distress signal, 47 U.S.C. § 325 (misdemeanor)Albert McMullen Cox S. D. Ga. 1987 Bribery of a public official, 18 U.S.C. § 201(b)Bernard Earl Crandall C. D. Ill. 1985 Theft from interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. § 659Eugene Harold Del Carlo N. D. Calif. 1979 Conspiracy and blackmail, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 873 (misdemeanors)Kenneth Lee Deusterman D. Minn. 1991 False statement to HUD, 18 U.S.C. § 1012 (misdemeanor)Frank Allen Els E. D. Wash. 1976 Possession of an unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d)Arthur Neil Evans N. D. Calif. 1954 Protecting and assisting a deserter from the U.S. Army, 18 U.S.C. § 1381Elizabeth Marie Frederick (fka Elizabeth Sigmon) D. So. Dak. 1987 Distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Jackie Lynn Gano N. D. Iowa 1976 Receiving money or benefits through transactions of federal credit institution with intent to defraud while officer or employee of institution, 18 U.S.C. § 1006Daniel Clifton Gilmour, Jr. D. So. Car. 1985 Importation of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 952(a), 960, 963, and 18 U.S.C. § 2Michael Lee Gilmour D. So. Car. 1985 Importation of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 952(a), 960, 963, and 18 U.S.C. § 2Theodore Avram Goodman S. D. Calif. 1981 Unauthorized sale of government property, 18 U.S.C. § 641Michael Charles Jorgensen D. N. Mex. 1981 Misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4Leonard Charles Kampf E. D. Va. 1990 Conveyance of government property without authority, 18 U.S.C. § 641Kenneth Marshall Knull Navy general court-martial 1976 Disobeying a lawful general order, negligently suffering destruction of military property, negligently hazarding two Naval vessels, Articles 92, 108, and 110, UCMJReza Arabian Maleki D. No. Dak. 1984 Conspiracy to make false statements to INS; false statements to INS, and aiding and abetting the same, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 371, and 1001William Ronald McGuire E. D. N. Y. 1978 Income tax evasion, 26 U.S.C. § 7201Freddie Meeks Navy general court-martial 1944 Making a mutiny during wartimeSteven Dwayne Miller E. D. Tex. 1985 Possession of counterfeit Federal Reserve notes with intent to sell or otherwise use same, 18 U.S.C. § 474Jodie David Moreland W. D. La. 1987 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(6), and 846Lloyd Robert Odell E. D. Wash. 1983 Theft of government property, 18 U.S.C. § 641John Richard Palubicki E. D. Wis. 1988 Conspiracy to defraud the IRS; income tax evasion, 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 26 U.S.C. § 7201Patricia Ann Palubicki E. D. Wis. 1988 Conspiracy to defraud the IRS; income tax evasion, 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 26 U.S.C. § 7201Mark Edwin Pixley D. Oregon 1991 Aiding in the manufacture, by cultivation, of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2Theodore Alfred Rhone D. Dist. Col. 1987 Wire fraud and aiding and abetting same, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 1343Warren David Samet S. D. Fla. 1968 Transporting, concealing, and facilitating the transportation of marijuana that was acquired without paying the tax imposed, 26 U.S.C. § 4744(a)(2)Steven Elliott Skorman N. D. Ga. 1972 Distributing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Ronald Marsh Smith Army general court-martial 1977 Stealing mail matter, Article 134, UCMJRichard Beauchamp Steele S. D. Tex. 1989 Conspiracy to eliminate competition by fixing prices in interstate commerce, 15 U.S.C. § 1Christine Ann Summerbell (fka Christine Ann McKeown) W. D. Wis. 1984 Theft of mail by postal employee, 18 U.S.C. § 1709Robert A. Suvino W. D. Ark. 1988 Conspiracy to commit mail fraud and mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1341Daniel Larry Thomas, Jr. N. D. Ohio 1987 Illegal use of a communication facility to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 843Howard Edwin Walraven W. D. Ark. 1968 Theft from an interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. § 659Martin Harry Wesenberg E. D. Wis. 1964 Willfully failing to pay the special occupational tax on wagering, and aiding and abetting the same, 26 U.S.C. § 7203 and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (misdemeanor)Virgil Edwin West N. D. Okla. 1982 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 1341
February 19, 2000NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEPreston Theodore King 1. M.D. Ga.1. 19611. Failure to appear for physical examination; failure to appear for induction into the Armed Forces, 50 U.S.C. App. § 462. M.D. Ga. 2. 1962 (indicted) 2. Bail jumping, 18 U.S.C. § 3146
March 15, 2000NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEGregory Leon Crosby D. Maine 1987 Theft by postal employee, 18 U.S.C. § 1709Everett Gale Dague N. D. Iowa 1982 Conspiracy to obstruct commerce by extortion, extortion, demanding or receiving illegal payments on behalf of a labor union, and demanding or accepting illegal unloading fees from a motor vehicle driver, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 and 1951, 29 U.S.C. §§186(b)(1) and (2)Terry Stephen Duller W. D. Wis. 1990 Engaging in illegal gambling business, 18 U.S.C. § 1955; failure to pay excise tax, 26 U.S.C. § 7262Richard George Frye D. Maine 1973 Knowingly shipping and transporting a firearm in interstate commerce, having been convicted of a felony, 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g) and 924Edgar Allen Gregory, Jr. S. D. Ala. 1986 Conspiracy to willfully misapply bank funds, make false statements to a bank, and commit wire fraud; misapplication of bank funds by person connected with a bank, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 656, and 2Vonna Jo Gregory S. D. Ala. 1986 Conspiracy to willfully misapply bank funds, make false statements to a bank, and commit wire fraud; misapplication of bank funds by person connected with a bank, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 656, and 2Carl David Hamilton E. D. Ark. 1986 Bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 371Charles Edward Kirschner D. Alaska 1993 Theft of bank property, 18 U.S.C. § 2113(b)Charles Douglas Megla W. D. Ky. 1980 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2Owen Neil Nordine D. Ariz. 1963 Interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312William Thomas Rohring D. Minn. 1986 Forgery of U.S. Treasury check, 18 U.S.C. § 510Lawrence David Share S. D. Calif. 1975 Conspiracy to commit securities fraud, sale of unregistered securities, and the use of manipulative devices in connection with the sale of securities, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 2, and 15 U.S.C. §§ 77e(a), 77q(a), 77x, 78ff, and 78j(b)Wayne Cletus Steinkamp N. D. Iowa 1988 Conspiracy in restraint of trade in interstate commerce, 15 U.S.C. § 1Peter John Thomas D. Del. 1978 Conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 846Heather Elizabeth Wilson(fka Heather Elizabeth Calvin)E. D. Okla. 1993 Use of telephone to facilitate commission of drug-trafficking felony, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b)Donna Marie Yellow Owl
(fka Donna Marie Coursey)D. Montana 1988 False statements, 18 U.S.C. § 1001
July 7, 2000NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSECarl Stanley Gilbreath N. D. Ga. 1971 Interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312Claudette Dean Goodson(fka Claudette GoodsonFindeisen)E. D. No. Car. 1986 Aiding and abetting embezzlement of government funds, 18 U.S.C. §§ 641 and 2Dane Robert Hessling S. D. Ohio 1987 Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 846, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Elwood Dwight Hopkins D. New Jersey 1962 1. Theft of government property, 18 U.S.C. § 641
2. Mutilation of coins, 18 U.S.C. § 331Thomas Vernon Jones D. Wyo. 1989 Filing a false tax return 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)Madison Dow Kimball, Jr. W. D. Ark. 1983 Bank robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a)Cynthia Lou LeBlanc
(fka Cynthia Lou Gallagher)N. D. Tex. 1978 Conspiracy to distribute and possess methaqualone, 21 U.S.C. § 846Peter Thomas Lipps C. D. Calif. 1981 Possession of counterfeit government obligation, 18 U.S.C. § 472John Carroll Michiaels N. D. Ind. 1989 Purloining and coverting property of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and aiding and abetting therein, 18 U.S.C. §§ 641 and 2Richard Edwin Sacchi M. D. Fla. 1989 Conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846Horace Carroll Smith D. So. Car. 1992 Conspiracy to violate the federal securities laws, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 2Tammy Lawan Tallant E. D. Okla. 1991 Misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4Carl Dennis Waren W. D. Ark. 1980 Interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles, 18 U.S.C. § 2314Robert Alexander Warr D. So. Car. 1982 False statements, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 and 2James H. Wetzel, Jr. E. D. La. 1981 Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 18 U.S.C. § 371, and 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Diane Mae Zeman(aka Diane Mae Moseman)E. D. N. Y. 1981 Use of a telephone to facilitate importation of hashish oil, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b)
October 20, 2000NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEWilliam Oshel Casto, III E. D. Wis. 1984 Embezzlement by a bank employee, 18 U.S.C. § 656Donald Demerest Hall D. Del 1974 Misapplication of bank funds by an employee, 18 U.S.C. § 656Cheryl Ada Elizabeth Little S. D. Fla. 1978 Conspiracy with intent to distribute a controlled substance, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1)Joe Clint McMillan M. D. No. Car. 1992 Conspiracy to violate the Sherman Antitrust Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1Jeralyn Kay Rust D. Minn. 1990 Wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343 and 2Jane Marie Schoffstall S. D. Calif. 1989 Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (methamphetamine), 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)William Calvin Smith, Jr. E. D. Pa. 1970 Interstate transportation of a stolen motor vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312
November 21, 2000NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEGlen David Curry S. D. Ala. 1982 Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a telephone to facilitate distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 843(b), and 846Dave Meyer Hartson, III E. D. La. 1993 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2Carl Edward Karstetter M. D. Pa. 1992 Conversion of government property, 18 U.S.C. § 641Donald Spencer Lewis S. D. Tex. 1991 False statements to a government agency, 18 U.S.C. § 1001Walter Sidney Orlinsky D. Md. 1982 Extortion under color of official right, 18 U.S.C. § 1951Howard Charles Petersen D. Neb. 1971 Embezzlement by a bank employee and making false entries in a bank’s records, 18 U.S.C. §§ 656 and 1005John Laurence Silvi D. New Jersey 1992 Conspiracy to make unlawful payments to a union official, 18 U.S.C. § 371, 29 U.S.C. § 186Laurence John Silvi, II D. New Jersey 1992 Conspiracy to bribe a union official, 18 U.S.C. § 371, 29 U.S.C. § 186John Donald Vodde N. D. Ind. 1989 Possession and distribution of cocaine, and aiding and abetting, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2Melinda Kay Stewart Vodde N. D. Ind. 1989 Distribution of cocaine, and aiding and abetting, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2Philip Donald Winn D. Dist. Col. 1994 Conspiracy to give illegal gratuities, 18 U.S.C. § 371
December 22, 2000NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEJimmy Lee Allen W. D. Ark. 1990 False statements to agency of United States, 15 U.S.C. § 714m(a)Virgil Lamoin Baker E. D. (now S. D.) Ill. 1959 Violation of the Military Training and Service Act, 50 U.S.C. App. § 462Garran Dee Barker E. D. Ark 1986 Conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 371Nancy M. Baxter W. D. Va. 1990 Tax evasion and filing a false amended tax return; 26 U.S.C. §§ 7201 and 7206(1)Charles N. Besser N. D. Ill 1985 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Harlan Richard Billings D. Maine 1985 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 pounds of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 846Edward Raymond Birdseye E. D. Calif. 1992 Unlawful use of a communication facility, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b)Roscoe Crosby Blunt, Jr. Army court-martial 1945 Fraternization, Article of War 96Charles Edward Boggs E. D. Ark. 1977 Receiving a stolen motor vehicle which was part of interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 2313Terry Coy Bonner N. D. W. Va. 1986 Possession of an illegally made destructive device, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(c)Alfred Whitney Brown, III E. D. La. 1992 Illegal sale of wildlife by allowing hunting over a baited field, 16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(1), 3372(c)(1)(A), and 3373(d)(1)(B), and 18 U.S.C. § 2William Robert Carpenter N. D. Calif. 1991 Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Philip Vito DiGirolamo N. D. Calif. 1984 Conspiracy to import marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 963; willfully subscribing to a false tax return, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)Peter Welling Dionis N. D. N. Y. 1976 Conspiracy, importation, and possession with intent to distribute hashish, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 952(a), and 963, and 18 U.S.C. § 2Darrin Dean Dorn S. D. Iowa 1981 Conspiracy to damage property by means and use of an explosive, 18 U.S.C. § 371Peter Bailey Gimbel S. D. N. Y. 1991 Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 846Philip Joseph Grandmaison D. New Hamp. 1996 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1346Joe Robert Grist W. D. Tex. 1990 Misapplication of funds by a bank employee, 18 U.S.C. § 656LeRoy Kenneth Hartung, Jr. D. Nev. 1986 Interception of wire communications, 18 U.S.C. § 2511(1)(a)Joseph Riddick Hendrick, III W. D. No. Car. 1997 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Judd Blair Hirschberg N. D. Ill. 1991 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Robert Quinn Houston S. D. Miss. 1986 Conspiracy to obstruct commerce by extortion, 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a)Martin Joseph Hughes N. D. Ohio 1987 Aiding and abetting the falsification of union records, aiding and assisting in the submission of false tax records, making false statements to a government agency, 29 U.S.C. § 439(c) and 18 U.S.C. § 2, 26 U.S.C. § 7204, 18 U.S.C. § 1001 (as modified)Jere Wayne Johnson W. D. Okla. 1982 Conspiracy to defraud the United States and Garfield County, Oklahoma, while serving as a county commissioner, 18 U.S.C. § 371Michael Thomas Johnson S. D. Miss. 1987 Filing false tax returns, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)Daniel Wayne Keys S. D. Tex. 1977 Possession with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Larry Ray Killough E. D. Ark. 1985 Unlawful distribution of prescription drugs, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Jack Kligman E. D. Pa. 1985 Conspiracy and mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1341Hector Osvaldo Labagnara D. New Jersey 1976 Conspiracy to transport stolen motor vehicles in interstate commerce, to receive and sell stolen motor vehicles, to transport false vehicle registrations in interstate commerce, and to receive and dispose of false vehicle registrations; receipt and sale of stolen motor vehicles; 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 2313Moses Jubilee Lestz(fka Michael Eugene Lestz)W. D. Ark. 1982 Forgery of United States savings bond, 18 U.S.C. § 495Leon Lee Liebscher W. D. Okla. 1982 Conspiracy to defraud the United States (tax evasion), 18 U.S.C. § 371Pierluigi Mancini N. D. Ga. 1985 Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)John Ross McCown, Jr. D. Neb. 1992 Structuring of transactions to evade reporting requirements, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5324(3) and 5322(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 2Edward Francis McKenna, III S. D. Miss. 1993 Possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, 21 U.S.C. § 333(e)(1)Andrew Kirkpatrick Mearns, III D. Del. 1978 Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841Ralph Eugene Meczyk N. D. Ill. 1987 Filing false partnership and individual federal income tax returns, and aiding and abetting therein, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2Philip James Morin W. D. Tex. 1984 Distribution of cocaine; 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Thomas Edward Nash, Jr. W. D. No. Car. 1988 Conspiracy to restrain interstate trade and commerce, 15 U.S.C. § 1Roger Lee Nelson D. Neb. 1981 Aiding and abetting mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2Jose Rene Pineda-Martinez 1. S. D. Tex. 1. 19831. Entering U.S. without inspection (misdemeanor),8 U.S.C. § 13252. S. D. Tex. 2. 19832. Transporting an illegal alien within the U.S., 8 U.S.C.§ 1324(a)(2)3. S. D. Tex. 3. 1984 3. Transporting an illegal alien within the U.S., 8 U.S.C.§ 1324(a)(2)John Russell Raup Air Force general court-martial 1984 Larceny of government property and wrongful possession of marijuana; U.C.M.J. Articles 121 and 134James William Rogers D. So. Car. 1983 (as modified) Conspiracy to commit racketeering, 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)George Wisham Roper, II E. D. Va. 1974 Conspiracy to bribe public officials and to defraud the United States government, 18 U.S.C. § 371Daniel Rostenkowski D. Dist. Col. 1996 Mail fraud (two counts), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 1346Dean Raymond Rush W. D. Tex. 1993 False statements on a loan application, 18 U.S.C. § 1014Archibald R. Schaffer, III D. Dist. Col. 2000 Violation of the Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. § 622Anthony Andrew Schmidt D. Kan. 1985 Conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846Stanley Sirote E. D. N. Y. 1974 Bribery of a public official, 18 U.S.C. § 201(f)Dent Elwood Snider, Jr. D. Colo. 1981 Use of a telephone to facilitate the distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b)James Lawrence Swisher M. D. No. Car. 1977 Obstruction of a criminal investigation, 18 U.S.C. § 1510Larry Kalvy Thompson N. D. Tex. 1988 Aiding and abetting misapplication of bank funds, misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 4, and 657Stephanie Marie Vetter D. New Mex. 1979 Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Danny Ray Walker E. D. Ark. 1975 Interstate transportation of stolen property, 18 U.S.C. § 2316Thomas Andrew Warren S. D. Fla. 1975 Conspiracy to import marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 963Michael Lynn Weatherford E. D. No. Car. 1986 Aiding and abetting interstate travel in aid of racketeering, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1952(a) and 2Jack Weinstein D. Nev. 1975 Conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 2314, and 2Robert Owen Wilson M. D. Tenn. 1980 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Charles Elvin Witherspoon E. D. Tex. 1977 Embezzlement of bank funds, 18 U.S.C. § 656Charles Z. Yonce, Jr. D. So. Car. 1988 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting therein, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 846, and 841(b)(1)(B), and 18 U.S.C. § 2
January 20, 2001NAME DISTRICT SENTENCED OFFENSEVerla Jean Allen W. D. Ark. 1990 False statements to agency of United States, 15 U.S.C. § 714m(a)Bernice Ruth Altschul D. Ariz. 1992 Conspiracy to commit money laundering, 18 U.S.C. § 371Nicholas M. Altiere S. D. Fla. 1983 Importation of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 952(a)(1) and 960(a)(1)Joe Anderson, Jr. S. D. Ala. 1988 Income tax evasion, 26 U.S.C. § 7201William Sterling Anderson D. So. Car. 1987 Conspiracy to defraud a federally insured financial institution, false statements to a federally insured financial institution, wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 371, 1014, and 1343Mansour T. Azizkhani W. D. Okla. 1984 Conspiracy and making false statements in bank loan applications, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1014Cleveland Victor Babin, Jr. W. D. Okla. 1987 Conspiracy to commit offense against the United States by utilizing the U.S. mail in furtherance of a scheme to defraud, 18 U.S.C. § 371Chris Harmon Bagley W. D. Okla. 1989 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 846Scott Lynn Bane C. D. Ill. 1984 Unlawful distribution of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2Thomas Cleveland Barber M. D. Fla. 1977 Issuing worthless checks, 18 U.S.C. §§ 7 and 13Peggy Ann Bargon C. D. Ill. 1995 Violation of Lacey Act, violation of Bald Eagle Protection Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(1), 3373(d)(2), and 668(a); 18 U.S.C. § 2Tansukhlal Bhatka W. D. Ark. 1991 Filing fraudulent income tax returns, 26 U.S.C. § 7201David Roscoe Blampied D. Idaho 1979 Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 26 U.S.C. § 846William Arthur Borders, Jr. N. D. Ga. 1982 Conspiracy to corruptly solicit and accept money in return for influencing the official acts of a federal district court judge, and to defraud the United States in connection with the performance of lawful government functions; corruptly influencing, obstructing, impeding, and endeavoring to influence, obstruct, and impede the due administration of justice, and aiding and abetting therein; traveling interstate with intent to commit bribery, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1503, 2, and 1952Arthur David Borel E. D. Ark. 1991 Odometer rollback, 15 U.S.C. § 1984Douglas Charles Borel E. D. Ark. 1991 Odometer rollback, 15 U.S.C. § 1984George Thomas Brabham E. D. Tex. 1989 Making a false statement or report to a federally insured bank, 18 U.S.C. § 1014Almon Glenn Braswell 1. N. D. Ga. 1. 1983 1. Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 13412. N. D. Ga. 2. 1983 2. Perjury, 18 U.S.C. § 16233. N. D. Ga. 3. 1983 3. Filing false income tax return, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)Leonard Browder D. So. Car. 1990 Illegal dispensing of controlled substance and Medicaid fraud, 21 U.S.C. §§ 827(a)(3), 843(a)(3), 843(a)(4)(A), and 843(c); 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2David Steven Brown S. D. N. Y. 1987 Securities fraud and mail fraud, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78j(b) and 78ff; 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2; 17 C.F.R. §240.106-5Delores Caroylene Burleson E. D. Okla. 1978 Possession of marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 844(a)John H. Bustamante N. D. Ohio 1993 Wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1343Mary Louise Campbell N. D. Miss. 1988 Aiding and abetting the unauthorized use and transfer of food stamps, 18 U.S.C. § 2 and 7 U.S.C. § 2024(b)Eloida Candelaria D. New Mex. 1992 False information in registering to vote, 42 U.S.C. § 1973i(c)Dennis Sobrevinas Capili E. D. Calif. 1990 Filing false statements in alien registration, 8 U.S.C. § 1306(c)Donna Denise Chambers E. D. Wis. 1986 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a telephone to facilitate cocaine conspiracy, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and 843(b)Douglas Eugene Chapman E. D. Ark. 1993 Bank fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1344Ronald Keith Chapman E. D. Ark. 1993 Bank fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1344Francisco Larios Chavez S. D. Calif. 1986 Aiding and abetting illegal entry of aliens, 8 U.S.C. § 1325 and 18 U.S.C. § 2Henry G. Cisneros D. Dist. Col. 1999 False statement (misdemeanor), 18 U.S.C. § 1018Roger Clinton 1. W. D. Ark. 1. 1985 1. Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 8462. W.D. Ark. 2. 19852. Distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Stuart Harris Cohn S. D. N. Y. 1983 Illegal sale of commodity options, 7 U.S.C. §§ 6c(c) and 13(b), and 18 U.S.C. § 2David M. Cooper N. D. Ohio 1992 Conspiracy to defraud the government, 18 U.S.C. § 371Ernest Harley Cox, Jr. E. D. Ark. 1991 Conspiracy to defraud a federally insured savings and loan, misapplication of bank funds, false statements, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 657, and 1014John F. Cross, Jr. E. D. Ark. 1995 Embezzlement, 18 U.S.C. § 656Rickey Lee Cunningham S. D. Tex. 1973 Possession with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Richard Anthony De Labio D. Md. 1977 Mail fraud, aiding and abetting, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2John Deutch D. Dist. Col. 2001 information Offenses charged in January 19, 2001, informationRichard Douglas N. D. Calif. 1998 False statements to a government agent, 18 U.S.C. § 1001Edward Reynolds Downe, Jr. S. D. N. Y. 1993 Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and to subscribe to false income tax returns, securities fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 15 U.S.C. §§ 78p and 78ffMarvin Dean Dudley D. Neb. 1992 False statements, 18 U.S.C. § 1014Larry Lee Duncan W. D. Okla. 1992 Altering an automobile odometer, 15 U.S.C. § 1984Robert Clinton Fain E. D. Ark. 1982 Aiding and assisting in the preparation and filing of a false corporate tax return, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2)Marcos Arcenio Fernandez S. D. Fla. 1980 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 846Alvarez Ferrouillet 1. E. D. La. 1. 1997 1. Interstate transportation of stolen property, 18 U.S.C. § 2314; money laundering, 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1) (b)(i); engaging in a monetary transaction with criminally derived property, 18 U.S.C. § 1957; false statements to government agents, 18 U.S.C. § 10012. N. D. Miss. 2. 1997 2. Conspiracy to make false statements to a financial institution, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1014William Denis Fugazy S. D. N. Y. 1997 Perjury in a bankruptcy proceeding, 18 U.S.C. § 152Lloyd Reid George E. D. Ark. 1997 Aiding and abetting mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2Louis Goldstein N. D. Ill. 1985 Possession of goods stolen from interstate shipment, 18 U.S.C. § 659Rubye Lee Gordon M. D. Ga. 1974 Forgery of U.S. Treasury checks, 18 U.S.C. § 495Pincus Green S. D. N. Y. 1984 superseding indictment Wire fraud, mail fraud, racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, criminal forfeiture, income tax evasion, and trading with Iran in violation of trade embargo, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1341, 1962(c), 1962(d), 1963, and 2; 26 U.S.C. § 7201, 50 U.S.C. § 1705, and 31 C.F.R. §§ 535.206(a)(4), 535.208 and 535.701Robert Ivey Hamner C. D. Ill. 1986 Conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1)Samuel Price Handley W. D. Ky. 1963 Conspiracy to steal government property, 18 U.S.C. § 371Woodie Randolph Handley W. D. Ky. 1963 Conspiracy to steal government property, 18 U.S.C. § 371Jay Houston Harmon 1. E. D. Ark. 1. 1982 1. Conspiracy to import marijuana, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, importation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. §§ 963, 846, 952, and 841(a)2. M. D. Ga. 2. 1986 2. Conspiracy to import cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960, and 963John J. Hemmingson E. D. La. 1997 Interstate transportation of stolen property, 18 U.S.C. § 2314; money laundering, 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1)(b)(i); engaging in a monetary transaction with criminally derived property, 18 U.S.C. § 1957David S. Herdlinger W. D. Ark. 1986 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341Debi Rae Huckleberry,
(fka Debi Rae VanDenakker)D. Utah 1986 Distribution of methamphetamine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Donald Ray James W. D. Tenn. 1983 Mail fraud, wire fraud, and false statements to a bank to influence credit approval, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, and 1014Stanley Pruet Jobe W. D. Tex. 1994 Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1005, 1014, and 1344Ruben H. Johnson W. D. Tex. 1989 Theft and misapplication of bank funds by a bank officer or director (13 counts), 18 U.S.C. § 656Linda Jones,
(fka Linda D. Medlar)N. D. Tex. 1998 Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, to make a false statement to a bank, to launder monetary instruments, and to engage in monetary transactions in property derived from specific unlawful activity; aiding and abetting bank fraud; aiding and abetting false statements to a bank; aiding and abetting laundering monetary instruments; aiding and abetting engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specific unlawful activity; obstruction of justice; falsifying, concealing and covering up a material fact by trick, scheme, or device; making a false statement; 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 371, 1001, 1014, 1344(1) and (2), 1503, 1956(a)(1)(A)(i) and (B)(i), and 1957James Howard Lake D. Dist. Col. 1998 Illegal corporate campaign contributions (two counts), wire fraud, 2 U.S.C. §§ 437g(d)(1)(A), 441b(a), and 441f, and 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 1343, and 1346June Louise Lewis N. D. Ohio 1991 Embezzlement by a bank employee, 18 U.S.C. § 656Salim Bonnor Lewis S. D. N. Y. 1989 Securities fraud, record keeping violations, margin violations, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78ff, 78g(a), 78g(f), and 78j(b), and 18 U.S.C. § 2John Leighton Lodwick W. D. Mo. 1968 Income tax evasion, 26 U.S.C. § 7201Hildebrando Lopez S. D. Tex. 1981 Distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)Jose Julio Luaces, Jr. S. D. Fla. 1989 Possession of an unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(d) and 5871James Timothy Maness W. D. Tenn. 1985 Conspiracy to distribute Valium, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1)James Lowell Manning E. D. Ark. 1982 Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false corporate income tax return, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(2)John Robert Martin N. D. Fla. 1987 Income tax evasion, 26 U.S.C. § 7201Frank Ayala Martinez W. D. Tex. 1989 Conspiracy to supply false documents to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 18 U.S.C. § 371Silvia Leticia Beltran Martinez W. D. Tex. 1989 Conspiracy to supply false documents to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 18 U.S.C. § 371John Francis McCormick D. Mass. 1988 Racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, aiding and abetting Hobbjay houston harmons Act extortion (five counts), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1962(c) and (d), 1951, and 2Susan H. McDougal E. D. Ark. 1996 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1341; aiding and abetting in misapplication of Small Business Investment Corporation funds, 18 U.S.C. §§ 657 and 2; aiding and abetting in making false entries, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1006 and 2; aiding and abetting in making false statements, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1014 and 2Howard Lawrence Mechanic, (aka Gary Robert Tredway) 1. E. D. Mo. 1. 1970 1. Violating the Civil Disobedience Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. § 213(a)2. D. Ariz. 2. 2000 2. Failure to appear, 18 U.S.C. § 31503. D. Ariz. 3. 2000 3. Making a false statement in acquiring a passport, 18 U.S.C. § 1542Brook K. Mitchell, Sr. D. Dist. Col. 1999 Conspiracy to illegally obtain USDA subsidy payments, false statements to USDA (two counts), false entries on USDA forms, 15 U.S.C. §§ 741m(d), 714m(a), and 714m(b)(ii); 18 U.S.C. § 2Charles Wilfred Morgan, III W. D. Ark. 1984 Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 18 U.S.C. § 371Samuel Loring Morison D. Md. 1985 Willful transmission of defense information, unauthorized possession and retention of defense information, theft of government property, 18 U.S.C. §§ 641, 793(d), and 793(e)Richard Anthony Nazzaro D. Mass. 1988 Perjury and conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1623Charlene Ann Nosenko N. D. Ill. 1990 Conspiracy to defraud the United States, and influencing or injuring an officer or juror generally, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1503Vernon Raymond Obermeier S. D. Ill. 1989 Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, and using a communications facility to facilitate distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and 843(b)Miguelina Ogalde D. Puerto Rico 1981 Conspiracy to import cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 952(a) and 963David C. Owen D. Kans. 1993 Filing a false tax return, 26 U.S.C. § 7206(1)Robert William Palmer E. D. Ark. 1995 Conspiracy to make false statements, 18 U.S.C. § 371Kelli Anne Perhosky
(fka Kelli Anne Flynn)W. D. Pa. 1989 Conspiracy to commit mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 371Richard H. Pezzopane N. D. Ill. 1988 Conspiracy to commit racketeering, mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1962(d) and 1341Orville Rex Phillips W. D. Tex. 1991 Unlawful structuring of a financial transaction, 31 U.S.C. § 5324Vinson Stewart Poling, Jr. D. Md. 1980 Making a false bank entry, and aiding and abetting, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1005 and 2Normal Lyle Prouse D. Minn. 1990 Operating or directing the operation of a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol, 18 U.S.C. § 342Willie H. H. Pruitt, Jr. U.S. Air Force special court-martial 1954 Absent without official leave, UCMJDanny Martin Pursley, Sr. M. D. Tenn. 1991 Aiding and abetting the conduct of an illegal gambling business, and obstruction of state laws to facilitate illegal gambling, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1511, 1955, and 2Charles D. Ravenel D. So. Car. 1996 Conspiring to defraud the United States, 18 U.S.C. § 371William Clyde Ray W. D. Okla. 1989 Fraud using the telephone, 18 U.S.C. § 1343Alfredo Luna Regalado S. D. Tex. 1987 Failure to report the transportation of currency in excess of $10,000 into the United States, 31 U.S.C. § 5316(a)(1)(B)Ildefonso Reynes Ricafort Veterans Administration Compensation and Pension Service 1987 Submission of false claims to Veterans Administration, 38 U.S.C. § 3503(a), now codified at 38 U.S.C. § 6103(a)Marc Rich S. D. N. Y. 1984 superseding indictment Wire fraud, mail fraud, racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, criminal forfeiture, income tax evasion, and trading with Iran in violation of trade embargo, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1341, 1962(c), 1962(d), 1963, and 2; 26 U.S.C. § 7201, 50 U.S.C. § 1705, and 31 C.F.R. §§ 535.206(a)(4), 535.208 and 535.701Howard Winfield Riddle N. D. Tex. 1989 Violation of the Lacey Act (receipt of illegally imported animal skins), 18 U.S.C. § 545Richard Wilson Riley, Jr. D. So. Car. 1993 Conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana and cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 846Samuel Lee Robbins W. D. Tex. 1990 Misprision of a felony, 18 U.S.C. § 4Joel Gonzales Rodriguez S. D. Tex. 1991 Theft of mail by a postal employee, 18 U.S.C. § 1709Michael James Rogers S. D. Tex. 1977 Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846Anna Louise Ross N. D. Tex. 1988 Distribution of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); 18 U.S.C. § 2Gerald Glen Rust E. D. Tex. 1991 False declarations before grand jury, 18 U.S.C. § 1623Jerri Ann Rust E. D. Tex. 1991 False declarations before grand jury, 18 U.S.C. § 1623Bettye June Rutherford D. New Mex. 1992 Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(D)Gregory Lee Sands D. So. Dak. 1990 Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846Adolph Schwimmer S. D. Calif. 1950 Conspiracy to violate the Neutrality Act and export control laws, and conspiracy to export arms, ammunition, etc. to a foreign country, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 88 (1946 ed.) and 371, 22 U.S.C. § 452, and 50 U.S.C. § 701Albert A. Seretti, Jr. D. Nev. 1983 Conspiracy and wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 371, 1343Patricia Campbell Hearst Shaw N. D. Calif. 1976 Armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a felony, 18 U.S.C. §§ 2113(a) and (d) and 924(c)(1)Dennis Joseph Smith 1. U.S. Army summary court-martial 1. 1951 1. Unauthorized absence2. U.S. Army summary court-martial 2. 1952 2. Failure to obey off limits instructions3. U.S. Army special court-martial 3. 1954 3. Unauthorized absenceGerald Owen Smith S. D. Miss. 1956 Armed bank robbery, 18 U.S.C. § 2113Stephen A. Smith E. D. Ark. 1996 Conspiracy to misapply Small Business Administration loans, 18 U.S.C. § 371Jimmie Lee Speake N. D. Tex. 1976 Conspiracy to possess and utter counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes, 18 U.S.C. § 371Charles Bernard Stewart M. D. Ga. 1986 Illegally destroying U.S. mail, 18 U.S.C. § 1703(a)Marlena Francisca Stewart-Rollins N. D. Ohio 1989 Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 846John Fife Symington, III D. Ariz. 1996 indictment; 1997 superseding indictment False statements to federally insured financial institutions, wire fraud, attempted extortion, and false statements in bankruptcy proceeding, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1014, 1343, 1951, 152, 2(a) and 2(b)Richard Lee Tannehill D. Colo. 1990 Conspiracy in restraint of trade, 15 U.S.C. § 1Nicholas C. Tenaglia E. D. Pa. 1985 Receipt of illegal payments under the Medicare Program, 42 U.S.C. § 1395nn(b)(1)(B)Gary Allen Thomas W. D. Tex. 1987 Theft of mail by postal employee, 18 U.S.C. § 1709Larry Weldon Todd W. D. Tex. 1983 Conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States in violation of the Lacey Act and the Airborne Hunting Act, 18 U.S.C. § 371; 16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(1), 3373(d)(1)(B), and 742j-1Olga C. Trevino W. D. Tex. 1987 Misapplication by a bank employee, 18 U.S.C. § 656Ignatious Vamvouklis D. New. Hamp. 1991 Possession of cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 844(a)Patricia A. Van De Weerd W. D. Wis. 1990 Theft by U.S. postal employee, 18 U.S.C. § 1711Christopher V. Wade E. D. Ark. 1995 Bank fraud and false statements on a loan application, 18 U.S.C. §§ 152 and 1014Bill Wayne Warmath W. D. Tenn. 1965 Obstruction of correspondence, 18 U.S.C. § 1720Jack Kenneth Watson D. Oregon 1985 Making false statements of material facts to the United States Forest Service, 18 U.S.C. § 1001Donna Lynn Webb N. D. Fla. 1989 False entry in savings and loan record by employee, 18 U.S.C. § 1006Donald William Wells M. D. No. Car. 1973 Possession of an unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. §§ 5861(d) and 5871Robert H. Wendt E. D. Mo. 1982 Conspiracy to effectuate the escape of a federal prisoner, 18 U.S.C. § 371Jack L. Williams D. Dist. Col. 1998 Making false statements to federal agents (two counts), 18 U.S.C. § 1001Kevin Arthur Williams D. Neb. 1990 Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, 21 U.S.C. § 846Robert Michael Williams E. D. Mich. 1981 Conspiracy to transport in foreign commerce securities obtained by fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 2314Jimmie Lee Wilson E. D. Ark. 1990 Converting property mortgaged or pledged to a farm credit agency, and converting public money to personal use, 18 U.S.C. §§ 641 and 658Thelma Louise Wingate M. D. Ga. 1991 Mail fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2Mitchell Couey Wood E. D. Ark. 1986 Conspiracy to possess and to distribute cocaine, 18 U.S.C. § 371 and 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)Warren Stannard Wood S. D. Calif. 1978 Conspiracy to defraud the United States by filing a false document with the Securities and Exchange Commission, 18 U.S.C. § 371; 15 U.S.C. §§ 78m. 78n, and 78ffDewey Worthey E. D. Ark. 1988 Medicaid fraud, 42 U.S.C. § 1396Rick Allen Yale S. D. Ill. 1992 Bank fraud, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1344 and 2Joseph A. Yasak N. D. Ill. 1988 Knowingly making under oath a false declaration regarding a material fact before a Grand Jury, 18 U.S.C. § 1623William Stanley Yingling E. D. Ark. 1979 Receipt of a stolen motor vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2313Philip David Young W. D. La. 1992 Interstate transportation and sale of fish and wildlife, 16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(2)(A) and 3373(d)(1)(B)
New York TimesFebruary 18, 2001
My Reasons for the Pardons
By WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON
HAPPAQUA, N.Y. — Because of the intense scrutiny and criticism of the pardons of Marc Rich and his partner Pincus Green and because legitimate concerns have been raised, I want to explain what I did and why.
First, I want to make some general comments about pardons and commutations of sentences. Article II of the Constitution gives the president broad and unreviewable power to grant “Reprieves and Pardons” for all offenses against the United States. The Supreme Court has ruled that the pardon power is granted “[t]o the [president] . . ., and it is granted without limit” (United States v. Klein). Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes declared that “[a] pardon . . . is . . . the determination of the ultimate authority that the public welfare will be better served by [the pardon] . . .” (Biddle v. Perovich). A president may conclude a pardon or commutation is warranted for several reasons: the desire to restore full citizenship rights, including voting, to people who have served their sentences and lived within the law since; a belief that a sentence was excessive or unjust; personal circumstances that warrant compassion; or other unique circumstances.
The exercise of executive clemency is inherently controversial. The reason the framers of our Constitution vested this broad power in the Executive Branch was to assure that the president would have the freedom to do what he deemed to be the right thing, regardless of how unpopular a decision might be. Some of the uses of the power have been extremely controversial, such as President Washington’s pardons of leaders of the Whiskey Rebellion, President Harding’s commutation of the sentence of Eugene Debs, President Nixon’s commutation of the sentence of James Hoffa, President Ford’s pardon of former President Nixon, President Carter’s pardon of Vietnam War draft resisters, and President Bush’s 1992 pardon of six Iran-contra defendants, including former Defense Secretary Weinberger, which assured the end of that investigation.
On Jan. 20, 2001, I granted 140 pardons and issued 36 commutations. During my presidency, I issued a total of approximately 450 pardons and commutations, compared to 406 issued by President Reagan during his two terms. During his four years, President Carter issued 566 pardons and commutations, while in the same length of time President Bush granted 77. President Ford issued 409 during the slightly more than two years he was president.
The vast majority of my Jan. 20 pardons and reprieves went to people who are not well known. Some had been sentenced pursuant to mandatory-sentencing drug laws, and I felt that they had served long enough, given the particular circumstances of the individual cases. Many of these were first-time nonviolent offenders with no previous criminal records; in some cases, codefendants had received significantly shorter sentences. At the attorney general’s request, I commuted one death sentence because the defendant’s principal accuser later changed his testimony, casting doubt on the defendant’s guilt. In some cases, I granted pardons because I felt the individuals had been unfairly treated and punished pursuant to the Independent Counsel statute then in existence. The remainder of the pardons and commutations were granted for a wide variety of fact-based reasons, but the common denominator was that the cases, like that of Patricia Hearst, seemed to me deserving of executive clemency. Overwhelmingly, the pardons went to people who had been convicted and served their time, so the impact of the pardon was principally to restore the person’s civil rights. Many of these, including some of the more controversial, had vigorous bipartisan support.
The pardons that have attracted the most criticism have been the pardons of Marc Rich and Pincus Green, who were indicted in 1983 on charges of racketeering and mail and wire fraud, arising out of their oil business.
Ordinarily, I would have denied pardons in this case simply because these men did not return to the United States to face the charges against them. However, I decided to grant the pardons in this unusual case for the following legal and foreign policy reasons: (1) I understood that the other oil companies that had structured transactions like those on which Mr. Rich and Mr. Green were indicted were instead sued civilly by the government; (2) I was informed that, in 1985, in a related case against a trading partner of Mr. Rich and Mr. Green, the Energy Department, which was responsible for enforcing the governing law, found that the manner in which the Rich/Green companies had accounted for these transactions was proper; (3) two highly regarded tax experts, Bernard Wolfman of Harvard Law School and Martin Ginsburg of Georgetown University Law Center, reviewed the transactions in question and concluded that the companies “were correct in their U.S. income tax treatment of all the items in question, and [that] there was no unreported federal income or additional tax liability attributable to any of the [challenged] transactions”; (4) in order to settle the government’s case against them, the two men’s companies had paid approximately $200 million in fines, penalties and taxes, most of which might not even have been warranted under the Wolfman/Ginsburg analysis that the companies had followed the law and correctly reported their income; (5) the Justice Department in 1989 rejected the use of racketeering statutes in tax cases like this one, a position that The Wall Street Journal editorial page, among others, agreed with at the time; (6) it was my understanding that Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder’s position on the pardon application was “neutral, leaning for”; (7) the case for the pardons was reviewed and advocated not only by my former White House counsel Jack Quinn but also by three distinguished Republican attorneys: Leonard Garment, a former Nixon White House official; William Bradford Reynolds, a former high-ranking official in the Reagan Justice Department; and Lewis Libby, now Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff; (8) finally, and importantly, many present and former high-ranking Israeli officials of both major political parties and leaders of Jewish communities in America and Europe urged the pardon of Mr. Rich because of his contributions and services to Israeli charitable causes, to the Mossad’s efforts to rescue and evacuate Jews from hostile countries, and to the peace process through sponsorship of education and health programs in Gaza and the West Bank.
While I was troubled by the criminalization of the charges against Mr. Rich and Mr. Green, I also wanted to assure the government’s ability to pursue any Energy Department, civil tax or other charges that might be available and warranted. I knew the men’s companies had settled their disputes with the government, but I did not know what personal liability the individuals might still have for Energy Department or other violations.
Therefore, I required them to waive any and all defenses, including their statute of limitations defenses, to any civil charge the government might bring against them. Before I granted the pardons, I received from their lawyer a letter confirming that they “waive any and all defenses which could be raised to the lawful imposition of civil fines or penalties in connection with the actions and transactions alleged in the indictment against them pending in the Southern District of New York.”
I believe my pardon decision was in the best interests of justice. If the two men were wrongly indicted in the first place, justice has been done. On the other hand, if they do personally owe money for Energy Department penalties, unpaid taxes or civil fines, they can now be sued civilly, as others in their position apparently were, a result that might not have been possible without the waiver, because civil statutes of limitations may have run while they were out of the United States.
While I was aware of and took into account the fact that the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York did not support these pardons, in retrospect, the process would have been better served had I sought her views directly. Further, I regret that Mr. Holder did not have more time to review the case. However, I believed the essential facts were before me, and I felt the foreign policy considerations and the legal arguments justified moving forward.
The suggestion that I granted the pardons because Mr. Rich’s former wife, Denise, made political contributions and contributed to the Clinton library foundation is utterly false. There was absolutely no quid pro quo. Indeed, other friends and financial supporters sought pardons in cases which, after careful consideration based on the information available to me, I determined I could not grant.
In the last few months of my term, many, many people called, wrote or came up to me asking that I grant or at least consider granting clemency in various cases. These people included friends, family members, former spouses of applicants, supporters, acquaintances, Republican and Democratic members of Congress, journalists and total strangers. I believe that the president can and should listen to such requests, although they cannot determine his decision on the merits. There is only one prohibition: there can be no quid pro quo. And there certainly was not in this or any of the other pardons and commutations I granted.
I am accustomed to the rough and tumble of politics, but the accusations made against me in this case have been particularly painful because for eight years I worked hard to make good decisions for the American people. I want every American to know that, while you may disagree with this decision, I made it on the merits as I saw them, and I take full responsibility for it.
William Jefferson Clinton was the 42nd president of the United States.
If I were a CIA covert operative, I think I would be looking for another career.
this is the best clinton pardon, a former FALN member:
NAME: Luis Rosa
The President commuted the sentence of Mr. Rosa from a total effective sentence of seventy-five (75) years’ imprisonment, to a total effective sentence of imprisonment of four (4) years, seven (7) months, and fifteen (15) days.
Offense: Seditious conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 2384; interference with interstate commerce by threats or violence, 18 U.S.C. § 1951; possession of an unregistered firearm, 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d); carrying firearms during the commission of seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(b); interstate transportation of firearms with intent to commit seditious conspiracy and interference with interstate commerce by violence, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle, 18 U.S.C. § 2312
and your frikin point is ?
asshats like you are so frikin ignorant that you wouldn’t know what is good for you if it frikin bit you in the ass.
This isn’t just about a pardon it is about a miscarriage of justice
but this corrupt administration cares nothing about that. They have proven it time and time again every time they take a shite and wipe their azz on the constitution
FU All repukes
captain_poindexter, your point escapes me.
All Democrats suck!
“In a statement issued today, Senator Joe Biden decried the commuted sentence for former vice presidential chief of staff I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby. “It is time for the American people to be heard,” said Biden. “I call for all Americans to flood the White House with phone calls tomorrow expressing their outrage over this blatant disregard for the rule of law.”
Sounds like a plan to me.
Scooter Libby was indicted by a Grand Jury for lying to them and obstructing justice. He was tried in open court and found guilty of four felonies by a jury of his peers. This four-time felon will never see the inside of a jail cell.
Fortis est veritas.
202-456-1414
here is the number
GEORGE H.W. BUSH: “I have nothing but contempt and anger for those who betray the trust by exposing the name of our sources. They are, in my view, the most insidious of traitors.”
even old man knew what was right
leave —Thanks
Republican,
“Your constant “Republican Lied” mantra is old and no one cares.”Posted by: Republican | July 02, 2007 at 09:40 PM
I asked a relevant question, and posted some quotes from CNN, at 7:14 PM,http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/07/bush-spares-fed.html#comment-74686892
Republican responded by avoiding the question, calling me a liar, and making personal attacks on me.
7:50 PM,http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/07/bush-spares-fed.html#comment-74689680
8:52 PMhttp://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/07/bush-spares-fed.html#comment-74693958
9:11 PM,http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/07/bush-spares-fed.html#comment-74695246
Does Republican = Kansas “values”, and Kansas “mindset”?
None of you has a shred of integrity. None. Not a bit.
You have forefeited your right to be listened to or taken seriously.
Every one of you is the scum of the earth–EVERY one of you.
bwahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
That CF cat is one onery, big old boy!
How’s Washington State CF2K? :)
This commutation of Libby’s sentence will be an albatross around your neck for decades–DECADES–to come.
It cements in the public mind the Republican willingness to PERVERT JUSTICE, and the Republican willingness to fall in, lockstep, behind a renegade President.
No one cares about your vendetta against me cosmos. You have long ago ceased to be noticed on the WE Blog as a reasonable contributor.
(blip) The sound of cosmos being tuned out by everyone.
Republicans have proven they can never–EVER–be trusted to act in the name of the public good when it calls for turning on one of their own.
Republicans, by their support for this President’s abrogation of justice, have proven that they will ALWAYS put loyalty to party over loyalty to the United States of America.
Republicans have shown that they will lie, cheat, and steal elections or whatever they have to in order to maintain power, and that Republican loyalists will support officeholders who do such things.
Republicans have shown that they absolutely have no values, no grounding in reality, no respect for the Constitution they have sworn to uphold.
And, as a group, they have utterly violated their sworn oaths to defend the Constitution.
Republicans, by their support for the actions of their leader today, have shown that they no longer deserve to be called “Americans.”
Their actions, individually and collectively, mark them as enemies to the Constitution, and enemies of the United States.
And, as such, they deserve to be treated by the United States of America as enemies who have sworn to destroy the Constitution and the rule of law.
Sad but true. The only thing worse than the bush admin. is those that still support it!
How does it feel, Republicans, to have put yourself on the side that is opposed to the Rule of Law and the Constition?
CF, please, take deep breath, you are gonna give yourself a stroke or a coronary! That boy is foamin’ at the mouth I tell ya! Libs are melting down all over the damned place.
Sorry–CONSTITUTION.
Mr. SS,
Well, Sir, when the rule of law is directly affronted by a sitting President, REAL Americans should not take kindy to it.
What this President has now shown is his total contempt for the rule of law.
He has shown that lying under oath is acceptable if one does so to protect a President.
Come on CF2K, we are all waiting for your third person “Elmo speak” that you usually do.
We’re waiting. :D
And by inserting himself into the process, this President has shown that he believes himself to be above the law.
In the United States of America, is any man above the law?
You who support him are every bit as bad as he is.
Your continued endorsement of him stains you with his guilt.
And the contagion will not stop there.
This disrespect for the law, demonstrated from on high, can only serve as a further incentive to a widening disrespect for law.
And to a further rending of our social fabric, when those who do suffer the penalties for their misdeeds see that the powerful do not.
And if the powerful do not suffer the consequences, why should anyone be willing to?
The rule of law is delicate, fragile.
It depends on everyone’s willingness to acknowledge it.
…
…meltdown 101 by CF2K…
But when the powerful refuse to grant their acknowledgement, what incentive do the powerless have not to do so as well?
And such a refusal, by many, does not happen slowly.
It happens all at once, when a multitude, seeing that the law does not protect them, may dare to take the law upon themselves.
This is the fate to which this President’s commutation of Lewis Libby’s sentence has exposed America.
We all hope, with all sincerity, that it does not come to pass.
If it does, the fault will be shared by those who, on this board, stood behind a renegade President.
If it does not, it will be in spite of the blind obedience and cynical lies of those who have posted here in support of George Bush’s assault on the Constitution and the rule of law.
I fear that CF’s sanity and health will not survive that last months of shrub’s regime. The shrill, heated rhetoric and the rapid fire, staccatto nature of his posts are becoming worrisome.
Republican,
“No one cares about your vendetta against me cosmos. You have long ago ceased to be noticed on the WE Blog as a reasonable contributor.”
Translation: Republican has ZERO proof for calling me a liar, saying I posted text out of context, etc..http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/07/bush-spares-fed.html#comment-74702294
Not to mention a very small sample of Republican’s other lies,http://blogs.kansas.com/weblog/2007/06/sicko-offers-gl.html#comment-74564578
And for the rest of us, it is our task to see to the impeachment of this President and Vice-President, and to see them brought to justice.
This is the task of our generation, a task that all Americans must share.
SS,
My fear is that none of us will survive the last months of Shrub’s regime. And based on today’s actions, I believe my fear is more likely to come to pass than is yours–with all due respect.
Other than that, it was a good day: pork BBQ for lunch, a Japanese garden, and Copper River salmon for dinner.
repuke,
you 400 lb asswipe, you are the irrelevant one. You are just to stupid to realize it, but then again you still support the bush admin and their corruption so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised
The typical double standard of conservatives. They’ll impeach a Democrat but commute a Republican for the same crime. At least Clinton’s lie didn’t threaten national security.
yup and then they question why people are upset about it
meanwhile they are laughing all the way to the bank, using the consitution as toilet paper along the way.
wait until 2009 when we get a Dem president they will cry foul over EVERY thing he/she does even tho their bushy did way worse
Who would I rather have as a leader of our country:A. Someone who lies about getting a blowjobB. Someone who uses their influence to out a CIA operative (or at very least indirectly influenced it)
Agree with Doug. Will have to ponder the constitutional ramifications of the Shrub’s actions today.
However:
The Shrub SEEMS extremely crazy to me. Let us impeach the bastard today.
Nite, all.
Ksgrm: That post you made a long time back upthread… regarding the OK case in Grisham’s book — The other poster said “brown skinned, or poor, or commit the “wrong crime”"
You noted that the two in the OK case were White… Yes… POOR POOR white folks… VERY poor!!
They still fit the statement…
BTW, have you read Grisham’s book??
We must remember the high standards that come with high office,” he [George W. Bush- Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001] said. “This begins careful adherence with the rules. I expect every member of this administration to stay well within the boundaries [that] define legal and ethical conduct.
apparently Bushy boy needs a definition as well
Well, Leave — THAT statement was sure a big lie (or joke) by Bush… If he believed it then, he sure has changed his mind now!!
My hunch is still that Libby or one of Libby’s lawyers, suggested that prison might loosen some muscles in Libby’s tongue relating to the roles of VP Cheney and others… So, warned it best to at the least, commute the sentence…
We can only hope now that he LOSES his appeal, that is still pending… Or better yet, gets a new trial, and is convicted all over again… AFTER shrub is out of office!!
Now, if some investigative reporter could only PROVE that such a warning was given to Bush/Cheney after the court said Libby had to go to jail, and wait for his appeal…
THEN we would see the lid fly off of the Capitol!!!
If you commit a crime, just make sure you do it while working for the executive branch. What’s sad is that this will actually help Bush keep support with his base.
Question for the apologists: If 30 months was “too harsh,” what makes 0 months “just right”?
Know any other quadriple-felons who could get off with a fine?
see this way, libby can claim the 5th and keep silent and bushy boy and cheney can know he will keep his mouth shut
Scooter Libby was indicted by a Grand Jury for lying to them and obstructing justice. He was tried in open court and found guilty of four felonies by a jury of his peers. This four-time felon will never see the inside of a jail cell.
This isn’t about little ol’ Scooter and big bad Bill. It’s about perjury related to a blow job versus perjury related to intentionally leaking the name of an undercover agent (a treasonous act). It’s a national security issue versus a personal issue. Not only did lil’ ol’ Scooter commit perjury in a far more serious scenario (as far as the consequences for this country are concerned), he did it to cover up more serious “errors in judgment” committed by this administration.
It’s a coverup and it’s obvious
This administration is clearly nothing more than a bunch of fuggin’ crooks. I know you don’t agree because you are so loyal to them but I beg you to be objective just once.
Let’s say Bush’s approval rating is 29% today… That means all of these BUSH supporters on the WE Blog have 71% of the public AGAINST their opinions… Now, in a democracy, that means one thing… THEY LOSE!!!
You guys. By the way, this is a real war we are in, W. has made all the right moves (Tom Cruise) and should be on Mt. Rushmore when his day is done. Er George W. Bush, I mean. How is inflation doing right now? Low? How about that.
Leave, you are asking the Khan, and his gang of kubla’s to be objective… That word is NOT in their vocabulary!!
Duke, could it be that the popularity of a President, and the state of the economy are not nearly as tied together as BushCo wants you to believe???
duke
WTF?
drinking the koolaide a little late right?
joking?
if you are serious, please go check yourself into a hospital cause you are crazy
when someone has a pardon, they have immunity from prosecution, so they can’t claim the 5th. Scooter was convicted of obstructing an investigation that the prosecutor claimed Scooters lies prevented him from concluding. If the prosecutor then attempted to continue the investigation, Scooter could be compelled to testify because he would have immunity from prosecution. He could be tossed in jail for contempt.
But Monkeyboy commuted the sentence instead, so Scooter can now plead the 5th so his testimony won’t incriminate him. Scooter can now continue to stonewall because he’s not immune from prosecution, but his ace in the White House will keep him from being punished by commuting his sentences. Its a foolproof way of circumventing the rule of law & protecting the WH brass.
If this blog is representative of the counrty as a whole then civil war two may be even closer than I had hoped. :)
Sarge, take your damned civil war idea, and shove it somewhere that the sun dont shine… like a hole in the ground… and bury it… Dudes like you are VERY SCARY people!! You sure your name isnt McVeigh???
uh 71% of the nation agrees that this act was wrong, and the same number agree that W is no leader
kind of lopsided don’t ya think?
w
worst EVER
I agree with ya Leave… Its folks like Sgt S that scare hell out of me even more than Bush!!
Senator Sam Brownback (R- KS) – “Perjury and obstruction of justice are crimes against the state. Perjury goes directly against the truth-finding function of the judicial branch of government.”
uh sam remember this???
List of Clinton pardons:
http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm
Chas,
I as sure that my mom’s relatives killed a bunch of turks and persians to secure their freedom. I KNOW that my pop’s ancestors killed a bunch of blue coated yankee devils and I know that somethings are worth fighting, dying and killing for!
Please, grab your “bible”, your depends and go hide under your bed for the duration.
The slaughterific one has spoken!!!
Leave — Bush said that whoever leaked Plame’s identity should be prosecuted to the fullest extent… The NEXT DAY the Radio spin doctors were pounding the air waves with loud complaints that Plame was NOT a covert agent… even though she was… And so, nobody should be prosecuted, cause she wasnt covert, even though the CIA said she was….
That is called Government by Circular Reasoning… and we have had it now since Jan. 2001!!! What a SHAME!!!
No, don’t think I’m crazy. Didn’t you see the news on Saturday? I.e, car bombs that sort of thing. Hmmm tells me we are at war with someone. I will never knowingly vote for another democrat as long as I live!(period)Scoot did nothing wrong.
uh Econ101 you ignorant phuck
this isn’t a pardon, he should be doing jail time
Hell even Paris Hilton who only had MISDEMEANER charges served more jail time than this criminal who was convicted of FELONIES
stop sucking bush’s dick or take a picture so we can impeach
wag the dog duke
Green Tea
O M G!!! Sarge has done declared war on the Republic Leave… what should good freedom lovin northerners do now??? I know… Call on old Honest Abe!!! Ummm no, call on Gen. Grant!!!
not only will I never EVER vote for a repuke, I will never EVER do business with them either
phuck them all
they are all just ignorant phucks
Ooops I forgot… Right wingers, and seditionists dont understand jokes!! my bad!!
Well, I have things to do in the morning… So… Good Nite, Good Luck, and God Bless… whatever you conceive of God to be…
I am done with them
they are ignorant
they are selfish
they are careless
they think they are above the law
they are worthless
me too
am tired
It’s a sad day when Paris Hilton has more balls than Scooter Libby. Both cried the entire time they were faced with prison time but only one managed to get through it. Republicans, how does it feel to be pussy whipped by Paris Hilton?
Man, I’m glad I was away from my computer last night.
It is within bush’s right to commute Libby’s sentence. Bad choice, but there it is; democrats need to live with it.
2 border guards sit in prison for “violating” a drug dealer’s civil rights…Libby gets commuted. Good example of republican values.
It’ll be interesting to see what this “victory” costs republicans and our nation over the long haul.
“2 border guards sit in prison for “violating” a drug dealer’s civil rights…Libby gets commuted. Good example of republican values.”
Two border guards sit in prison are in prison because they shot a man in the back.
Patrick Fitzgerald has responded
“We fully recognize that the Constitution provides that commutationdecisions are a matter of presidential prerogative and we do notcomment on the exercise of that prerogative.
We comment only on the statement in which the President termed thesentence imposed by the judge as “excessive.” The sentence in thiscase was imposed pursuant to the laws governing sentencings whichoccur every day throughout this country. In this case, an experiencedfederal judge considered extensive argument from the parties and thenimposed a sentence consistent with the applicable laws. It isfundamental to the rule of law that all citizens stand before the barof justice as equals. That principle guided the judge during both thetrial and the sentencing.
Although the President’s decision eliminates Mr. Libby’s sentence ofimprisonment, Mr. Libby remains convicted by a jury of seriousfelonies, and we will continue to seek to preserve those convictionsthrough the appeals process.”
Good point Fitzgerald, Libby is a convicted felon.
The ignorance of the law and history of the majority of postings including R Scholfields amazes me. Most presidents have been pardoning friends, criminals, those unjust political convictions, etc as long as I can remember. Your beliefs will mostly lie with your political beliefs.
Take a deep breath, research further back than 6 years and celebrate your blessings in being born in the greatest country in the world. After all you are endowed by your creator not the government. You will find that in our history too if you will take the time to read it.
If you can
Randy…don’t even start on this.Here are some of the comments made about Pres. Bush commuting the prison term of Scooter Libby by a bunch of two faced, lying hypocrites that are leading the Democratic Party some of which want to be our next president. Remember, Bush simply commuted the prison sentence only, but the conviction, and fine remain. Clinton pardoned felon after felon. Here are the numbers and a link to the U.S.D.O.J: Office of the Pardon Attorney website to see for yourself.List of Clinton’s Pardons dates and numbers.* November 23, 1994 41 ea.* April 17, 1995 11 ea.* December 23, 1997 21 ea.* December 24, 1998 33 ea.* February 19, 1999 1 ea.* December 23, 1999 37 ea.* February 19, 2000 1 ea.* March 15, 2000 16 ea.* July 7, 2000 16 ea.* October 20, 2000 7 ea.* November 21, 2000 11 ea.* December 22, 2000 59 ea.* January 20, 2001 144 ea.These numbers maybe off by one or two, but no more, as I had difficulty seeing the many line after line of felony convictions pardoned by ‘Slick Willy’.
Link from to the U.S.D.O.J: Office of the Pardon website:http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm
Comments from a few noble, law honoring Democrats.”This commutation sends the clear signal that in this administration, cronyism and ideology trump competence and justice.” – Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
“Only a president clinically incapable of understanding that mistakes have consequences could take the action he did today. President Bush has just sent exactly the wrong signal to the country and the world.” – former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.
“The Constitution gives President Bush the power to commute sentences, but history will judge him harshly for using that power to benefit his own vice president’s chief of staff who was convicted of such a serious violation of law.” – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
“The president said he would hold accountable anyone involved in the Valerie Plame leak case. By his action today, the president shows his word is not to be believed.” – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“When it comes to the law, there should not be two sets of rules – one for President Bush and Vice President Cheney and another for the rest of America. Even Paris Hilton had to go to jail. No one in this administration should be above the law.” – Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
“Accountability has been in short supply in the Bush administration, and this commutation fits that pattern.” – Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
“It is time for the American people to be heard – I call for all Americans to flood the White House with phone calls tomorrow expressing their outrage over this blatant disregard for the rule of law.” – Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.
“President Bush’s 11th-hour commutation of Scooter Libby’s sentence makes a mockery of the justice system and betrays the idea that all Americans are expected to be held accountable for their actions, even close friends of Vice President Cheney.” – Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
“The arrogance of this administration’s disdain for the law and its belief it operates with impunity are breathtaking. Will the president also commute the sentences of others who obstructed justice and lied to grand juries, or only those who act to protect President Bush and Vice President Cheney?” – New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.
And there were others but I got sick of reading them and gave up.Talk about hypocrisy on the Democrats part.
List of Clinton Pardons…Link:http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm
My, My. The Libs sure are obscene. In full melt down.Tee Hee.Perhaps this will spur you on to the impeachment procedings, but, probably not. That would be too hard. Since you people are 98% French, you won’t try. Quitters.
“Now, I have to go back to work on my State of the Union speech. And I worked on it until pretty late last night. But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I’m going to say this again. I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never. These allegations are false. And I need to go back to work for the American people”
BILL CLINTON! BILL CLINTON!
Pitiful. Just pitiful. And the pardon you all have the biggest hissy fit about is Rich.
And Rich’s lawyer was Scooter Libby. I guess it was just a warm up for his own lying and then commutation.
I love it when the wingnuts do their BILL CLINTON dance about pardons. Every time they post, another democratic angel gets their wings…
Please keep reminding us WHY we should never elect republicans for president.
Republicans on Weblog–When their President is challenged, they bring up Clinton.
Come now, we know that slick willie pardoned puerto rican terrorists and jewish criminals to curry favor with those groups to grease the skids for his carpet bagger wife to run for the senate in New York. As far as I am concerned, nobody namd bush or clinton should ever be allowed to hold public office again in this country, period!
Hey – these were great days: GWB addresses the White House staff at a swearing-in ceremony, Jan 22, 2001.
“[We] must remember the high standards that come with high office. This begins with careful adherence to the rules. I expect every member of this administration to stay well within the boundaries that define legal and ethical conduct. This means avoiding even the appearance of problems. This means checking and, if need be, double- checking that the rules have been obeyed. This means never compromising those rules. No one in the White House should be afraid to confront the people they work for, for ethical concerns, and no one should hesitate to confront me as well. We are all accountable to one another. And above all, we are all accountable to the law and to the American people.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjwLlfFKerU
“This means avoiding even the appearance of problems.”
Well – THAT’S funny.
Big surprise here. Why all the shock and outrage? Did you expect Libby to go to jail? Remember this administration is above the law! They answer to nobody! They excuse their misdeeds by not remembering or side stepping the question completely. This provides another distraction from real issues such as the war in Iraq, millions of missing emails, and the slow demise of our Constitutional rights. The approval rating has never been lower for a sitting president so Bush had nothing to loose. He will go down as the Worst President Ever. His lying and mistruths will come to light before he leaves office. And he will make Nixon look like George Washington. Just a matter of time before the reich wingers will be hearing…..IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH!
“Just a matter of time before the reich wingers will be hearing…..IMPEACH, IMPEACH, IMPEACH!”
You people should get on the phone and ask reid and pelosi to get going. Get them to do something.
The ‘Dems’, and that just what most of the right wing secular progressive Democrats are, intellectually dim, will never get the pleasure of impeachment as they are impotent in accomplishing much of anything except making noise.But, I truly love seeing their distress.
Don’t worry Fleet. Its coming!
“Its coming!”
YA RGT
The dems are too stupid and cowardly to make a move.
I am amazed at the down right ignorance displayed by the extreme left-wing nitwits on this particular thread.
Not one of them can intelligently discuss yhe facts of this case. All we see is a demonstration of extreme ignorance and irrational hate.
Hank
“All we see is a demonstration of extreme ignorance and irrational hate.”
When it’s all you got…
Republicans on Weblog-when they can’t defend, they attack, attack, attack.
One thing I truly do give the Democrats credit for, and will never argue with them over, is their ability to enjoy a wet cigar.
“One thing I truly do give the Democrats credit for, and will never argue with them over, is their ability to enjoy a wet cigar.”
I rest my case, your Honor
I can say as well; “I rest my case, your Honor”, You Took The Bait ‘kscitydude’.You make it so….easy.
There’s one big difference between Clinton’s pardons and Bush’s action. Clinton didn’t pardon people who broke the law on the behest of the Bush administration. Bush is telling his fellow cronies that if you get busted he’ll bail you out.
Bush has pardoned plenty of people in the past but the Democrats never criticized him for it so all you Republicans don’t start whining like this is typical Democrat behavior.
Scooter Libby was indicted by a Grand Jury for lying to them and obstructing justice. He was tried in open court and found guilty of four felonies by a jury of his peers. This four-time felon will never see the inside of a jail cell.
Interesting comments, Doug.
Can you tell me exactly how the actions by Libby that resulted in his conviction helped the Bush administration?
Hank
“That is why no one knew until AFTER the trial that she was considered covert.”
KSGRM, would you clarify something for me? Which trial were you referring to? Libby’s trial or the DOJ investigation into the leaking of Plame’s name?
On May 17, 2007, U.S. District Judge John D. Bates heard oral arguments on Defendants’ Cheney, Libby, Rove and Armitage’s motions to dismiss Joe and Valerie Wilson’s complaint against them, as well as the motion to dismiss filed by the United States. The defendants’ arguments centered around their claim that each defendant is entitled to immunity from suit, because when they put into place their scheme to deliberately retaliate against Joe Wilson by revealing Valerie Wilson’s status as a covert CIA operative, the law was not clearly established that doing so violated the Wilsons’ constitutional rights. They also argued that the Wilsons’ constitutional claims, brought under the First and Fifth Amendments, are not viable. The United States argued that it should be substituted for the common law tort claims against the individual defendants for publicly disclosing private facts, because each of the defendants was acting within the scope of his employment when he revealed, or caused to be revealed, Valerie Wilson’s status as a covert CIA operative. Erwin Chemerinsky, a Duke University law professor representing the Wilsons told the court, “This isn’t a case where the government said mean things about Mr. Wilson. This is about revealing the secret status of his wife to punish Mr. Wilson. In the end, this is egregious conduct that ruined a woman’s career and put a family in danger.” The Wilsons are now awaiting Judge Bate’s decision on the defendants’ motions. It is not expected before the end of the summer.
http://www.wilsonsupport.org/
It’s disgusting that so many Bush apologists want to see justice and constitutionality go away simply because they’re on the same team. YOU are what is wrong with this world. You don’t believe in playing fair, you only care about corruption when it benefits you. ANYONE who still supports Bush and his crimes against the constitution of the USA are TREASONOUS.
The problem here is a significant one, however. Mrs. Libby has said publicly, in no uncertain terms, that if her husband is going down, he isn’t going down alone. The question immediately arises as to whether Harriet Grant Libby has enough bait at her disposal to catch two slippery little weasels. I’m betting that neither Cheney nor Karl Rove particularly wants to risk the chance that she does.
That brings us to the third course of action: A pardon. In granting Libby a pardon, the White House will make every effort to paint him as a martyr to their grand cause, a modern day Joan of Arc being bound to the stake by political partisanship and set ablaze by subversives. What Lewis Libby is, however, is a convicted criminal, not so different from the thug who knocks over a convenience store, if you overlook the $800 suit. He did everything in his power to derail an inquiry into a serious breach involving the nation’s intelligence network.
Interesting comments, political_mom.
Can you explain to me exactly what the actions by Scooter Libby were that resulted in his conviciction? Do you know the nature of his lies?
Hank
Funny, I don’t recall anyone being charged with leaking the name of a Covert Operative, nor of conspiring to do so.
This has nothing to do woth the Clintons. Changing the subject will not make this outrage go away.
Dear leave,
“He did everything in his power to derail an inquiry into a serious breach involving the nation’s intelligence network.”
Interesting comment. Can you explain exactly what Scooter Libby did that derailed this serious inquiry? Can you tell us exactly what Fitzgerald was investigating and how the lies by Libby derailed this investigation?
Hank
“It’s disgusting that so many Bush apologists want to see justice and constitutionality go away simply because they’re on the same team. YOU are what is wrong with this world. You don’t believe in playing fair, you only care about corruption when it benefits you.”Well, ‘political_mom’, that is a two way street, look over your shoulder once in awhile and see the company you keep.
This is a clear signal to the rest of the Bush administration who are breaking the law: “Don’t worry, George has your back.”
listen up you repukes, I am not goign to give you answers to facts you already know. You know he was wrong and you know the truth. you just keep spinning and supporting your criminal and watch the world go down in shit.
Dear leave,
Is it possible for you to have a rational, polite give-take dialog about the Libby case?
What exactly are the ‘facts’ you are referring to?
Hank
Is there one person on the left here that can have a rational discussion about this case? Anyone?
Just wondering.
Hank
Libby was convicted in open court by a unanimous jury of 12 of his peers. Demands by bloggers for “proof” of his crimes have already been met. Anyone with an internet connection and basic Google skills can find the entirety of the government’s case, and Libby’s defense.
Radical “conservatives” keep trying to compare the Libby commutation to pardons issued by former presidents, especially Bill Clinton. We can sit here and argue about his pardons all day, but the fact is this: Clinton didn’t pardon people to keep them from “talking” in the investigations targeting him. Perhaps you’ve all forgotten Jim and Susan McDougal? Have you forgotten that Jim McDougal _died_ in prison?
Clinton could have pardoned the McDougals, but he at least had the sense to realize that pardoning people who were part of an investigation into _his_ activities would be completely improper and would have all the appearance of “I’m paying off political cronies in exchange for their silence.”
Even _NIXON_ didn’t pardon his co-conspirators in Watergate.
I guess I don’t understand the outrage. Did we really think Libby was going to jail?
As president, Bush has the power to do what he did. I don’t like it either, but there it is. Everybody needs to back up and take a deep breath.
Repubs haven’t had much to smile about lately. Let them take what little comfort they can get…I doubt if it’ll last long.
Again, no pardon; a commutation of sentence. The convictions stand, unless reversed on appeal. The fine remains to be paid, unless reduced on appeal, or again, if the convictions are reversed.
One may not like the action of the President in the commutation. It is his power to so do, and he has done it.
XXX,
As President, Bush does indeed have the power to do what he did. But we sure as hell have the right to criticize him and condemn him for his blatant _misuse_ of that power.
The defense in the Libby trial/grand jury investigation was not allowed by the judge to introduce the matter of Plames covertness or not. Eventhough this was the ENTIRE reason the grand jury was called.
Fitz knew going in that Armitage was the leak. He didn’t allow this in. Novak and Armitage were under seal by FItz not to discuss this publically.
But when it came to the penalty phase after Libby was found guilty of perjury for not revealing something he didn’t reveal and forgetting what he said to who, this information was brought to the forefront. This was when we all learned that the CIA might have thought she was covert.
It is a convoluted mess and not one person on the left here knows what it was even about.
It was a sham from the beginning. A clear case of using the justice system for political means.
Agreed, Tom.But squealing like stuck pigs only increases the republican’s pleasure.
Dear XXX,
Comparing the feigned outrage of the liberal sheep on this BLOG to the squealing of pigs is unfair. Generally pigs have a good idea and reason for squealing.
Hank
“But squealing like stuck pigs only increases the republican’s pleasure.”
You are correct. The smell of you people in a rage is a fun smell.
I wouldn’t know, Hank. I don’t speak Pig, LOL!
Guess I’ll have to defer to your expertise.
And, as such, they deserve to be treated by the United States of America as enemies who have sworn to destroy the Constitution and the rule of law.
Posted by: CF2K | July 02, 2007 at 11:09 PM
Listen, I am a Republican. I don;t agree with Bush, or his commuting the sentence, but like it or not, what he did was constitutionally protected action. He didn;t pardon anybody, get that through her head. He was within the law (the OCnstitution) get that through your head, and if you want to treat all republicans as enemies of the state, you bring it on you little asswipe. I served my fkng counry, i serve it now. You want ot bring it on , you sob. File charges, seek me out. Do it or shut the fu up
Hank, it sounds like you are new to this but Libby protected Bush by not revealing his sources as to who committed treason against Plame. He acted to disrupt and ruin the grand jury investigation. Outing the identity of a Plame not only put her in danger but all of her co-workers and contacts in the field. However, this is not considered a serious crime by the Bush regime and certainly not by the neo-con thugs on this forum.
Neo-cons get upset by old land deals where the Clinton’s lose money, but waste millions of dollars, trained CIA agents and investigations into WMD and the neo-cons simply yawn.
This is merely another example of how the neo-cons are amoral and a threat to the security of this nation.
And, as such, they deserve to be treated by the United States of America as enemies who have sworn to destroy the Constitution and the rule of law.
Posted by: CF2K | July 02, 2007 at 11:09 PM
Wow, that might be a little extreme.
Kind of sounds like republicans when they throw around words like “traitor” and “sedition” to describe anyone who doesn’t agree with their “excellent little war”.
“This is merely another example of how the neo-cons are amoral and a threat to the security of this nation.”
Tee HeeCan you smell that smell?
It doesn’t really matter what republicans or democrats think about this.
What does matter is, what Independents think in 2008 when they go to the polls.
XXX, I think they are still upset that Clinton managed to win a war with no American casualties while the neo-cons lost in Afghanistan and Iraq, two nations without a military.
My appointees to the board of pardons and paroles reflect my no-nonsense approach to crime and punishment. They believe people who commit crimes against innocent Texans should pay the consequences; they believe sentences imposed by juries should be carried out. The Texas prison system had become a revolving door earlier in the 1990s, when the prison population had far exceeded the capacity of the system.. I am proud that Texas today has virtually eliminated parole for violent criminals.Source: “A Charge to Keep”, p.151-152. Dec 9, 1999
who said this?
Bush deliberated the commutation: “Should I pardon Libby, and keep him out of jail; or, should I not pardon Libby, and cheney and I will join him in jail.” Hmmmm whatever shall I do, with such a quandry!
It is encouraging to see all of the Republican hopefulls catering to the people that support bush. Completely unaware that slim margin of kooks, will not be deciding the next election. Their day has come and gone. None of the hopefulls will appeal to the majority.
Scooter Libbey lied under oath to a Grand Jury, was so charged in a court of law and was defended by $2 Million worth of top-flight legal firepower and 12 jurors weighed the evidence at length, acquitted Scooter of some charges and convicted him of committing four felonies.
My appointees to the board of pardons and paroles reflect my no-nonsense approach to crime and punishment. They believe people who commit crimes against innocent Texans should pay the consequences; they believe sentences imposed by juries should be carried out. The Texas prison system had become a revolving door earlier in the 1990s, when the prison population had far exceeded the capacity of the system.. I am proud that Texas today has virtually eliminated parole for violent criminals.Source: “A Charge to Keep”, p.151-152. Dec 9, 1999
Scooter Libby was indicted by a Grand Jury for lying to them and obstructing justice. He was tried in open court and found guilty of four felonies by a jury of his peers. This four-time felon will never see the inside of a jail cell.
they are like insolent children and if they don’t like the rules they just change them or assign signing statements saying it is the rules for everyone else but me
disgusting
Dear Doug,
“Hank, it sounds like you are new to this. . .
No Doug, I’m not new to this. I am pretty much aware of the facts of this case.
“. . . but Libby protected Bush by not revealing his sources as to who committed treason against Plame.”
This particular statement is not in agreement with the indictment or the verdict. If by the phrase, “. . .committed treason against Plame.” You mean ‘outing Plame’ Fitzgerald knew that Armitage was the one that originally outed Plame to Novak from the very beginning of his investigation.
“He acted to disrupt and ruin the grand jury investigation.”
How? I’m amazed that Fitzgerald gets away with this BS without ever having to explain exactly what he was investigating and why he gave Armitage a pass.
“Outing the identity of a Plame not only put her in danger but all of her co-workers and contacts in the field.”
Really? If you bothered to read Joe Wilson’s book you would know how ludicrous this particular statement is. How exactly is poor little Valerie in danger as she sits in Arizona in her new house boght with the advance money on her book deal?”However, this is not considered a serious crime by the Bush regime and certainly not by the neo-con thugs on this forum.”
You set up a bunch of phoney straw men, either out of ignorance or disengenuosness, and then attack anyone that disagrees with you as ‘neo-con thugs’.
Shameful.
Hank
“How can parents instill values and morality in their children?” asked a befuddled Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE). “How can educators teach our children? How can the rule of law for every American be applied equally if we have two standards of justice in America – one for the powerful and the other for the rest of us?”
Senate Minority Leader Bill Frist joined Hagel in slamming Bush’s actions, saying the commutation amounted to unfair treatment. “He is not above the law,” said the clearly enraged Republican from Tennessee. “If an ordinary citizen committed these crimes, he would go to jail.”
………………
Fellow Republican Texan Tom Delay, himself indicted, nonetheless issued a scathing attack on the commutation.
“No man is above the law, and no man is below the law,” Delay said, choking back tears. “That’s the principle that we all hold very dear in this country.”
oh sorry, those weren’t about libby were they
see the flip flop
You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!
no they can’t handle the truth cause rush and the fox talking points memo only comes out in the morning and they can’t think for themselves
Libby was gonna talk. Plain. And. Simple.
He was about to roll on the entire TREASONOUS ADMINISTRATION and they weren’t about to let that happen.
Hmmm. . .what to say? I’m not even mildly surprised. As a recall, Libby said his boss, Cheney, authorized the leak.
http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/0414nj3.htm
I also recall that Cheney made an oblique statement of acknowledgement. The pressure was on.
There’s little doubt Scooter would have flipped his former boss in a heartbeat if he had to go to prison.
This is a rarity: Bush has done something really foul that ISN’T trampling on the Constitution (for a change!), e.g., is ACTUALLY LEGAL. It does offend one’s sense of justice, but the system, even when it works, ain’t perfect.
And now there will be hell to pay. This one WON’T go down easy!Smile, folks! Scooter Libby’s scalp is chump change, and this won’t play well in the next elections. . .let the Repubs stupidly gloat over a fresh new scandal!!***P.S Doug, Hank has been blathering in favor of Scooter Libby since the scandal first broke. First, Scooter would never be charged; then, he wouldn’t be convicted; then, he shouldn’t have been convicted!
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
If your concern if about the leak and the outing of Plame where is your outrage that Fitz knew it was Armitage before the grand jury hearings started and didn’t deal with it? He used this to whip the libs into a lather and you followed like good little sheeple.
The truth wasn’t important. It was all about Rove and Cheney. When are you going to get it?
While I think Libbey was used as a substitute whipping boy, he deserved being found guilty and sentenced. Even if the sentence was heavy, he should have served it. Bush should not have intervened. But, I do have a question? Where is the howls that Armitage hasn’t even been tried, or even charged? Fitzgerald knew the leakers identity, why didn’t he charge him? I am not guessing the answer, I haveno idea, but i am asking the questions!
It was Armitage? Nope, even if true, ‘prority’ doesn’t count. Throw BOTH of the bastards in prison.
And Bush and Cheney with them.
P.S. Convenient factually questionable (and irrelevant) attack on Fitzgerald duly ignored.
Armitage was a known gossip with loose lips, Fitz. knew he couldn’t get a conviction with armitage not knowing her exact job either. He is too incompetent to have a securtiy clearance.
KSGrm–
Give that lie a rest, will you please?
You and Hank and Econ and SgtIan all got the same e-mail, but save it.
EVEN GLENN BECK HAS SAID, “when we complained about Clinton committing perjury, the Dems said, ‘but he was only lying about sex.’ And we said, ‘it’s not WHAT he lies about, it’s the fact that he lied.’
We cannot turn around now and say that lying is okay because the lie wasn’t important.”
He’s exactly right. Had Libby told the truth, you might be able to show that Armitage was the only source of the leak and there was no conspiracy.
But with Libby lying, one has to assume that he’s lying to cover something up.
This is what Fitzgerald pursued. Armitage’s inadvertant slip–that he freely admitted–is not a crime. LYING to the Grand Jury is.
A jury found him guilty. Appeals found the process was sound. The judge sentenced within the guidelines.
It is YOU Repukes who claim that the rule of law should only apply to liberals . . .
CF2K is right. The American people can see a disgraceful travesty of justice when they’re hit over the head with one.
And this is now surely one.
Impeach the MFers.
Speaking of Armitage. . .
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/13/politics/main2006236.shtml
“Impeach the MFers.”
Bring it, pussies.
ya all have loads of fun orgasming over your bushy and rove and cheney. I am off to party on my boat for 2 days.
catch ya all thursday
Impeach the MFers.”
Bring it, pussies.Posted by: fleettwood | July 03, 2007 at 03:33 PM
See, why do that? Just intentionally inflammatory for no good reason. Geesh
Oh, that’s just hotwood. “Line noise” (courtesy of JR) is the best description of his posts I’ve seen to date.
“Impeach the MFers.”"
lj-What, pray tell, would you call that?
LeaveYou have absolutely NO class at all, do you?
The rest of you:
NOBODY has been charged with “leaking” anything. Plame was NOT covert. You can’t “out” someone who is already OUT!
Joe Wilson, Plames husband, is a proven and admitted liar. Wilson told the truth, under oath, in the Senate, and to the CIA and Federal investagors. What Wilson told the government, under oath, contradicts what Wilson said in his written Op-Ed statements. There is no criminal sanction for lying in an editorial. (Good thing for you liberals, huh?)
Anyway, Wilson also admitted, to the U.S. Senate, that he “misspoke” about forged documents that he never saw, and had no actual knowledge of prior to his oral (not written) report to the CIA.
Joe Wilson is a fraud, a media gadfly and a known liar. Wilson will NOT be trusted to do government work, ever again, by either party.
Scooter Libby, apparently, didn’t get all of his facts straight, when he was talking to investagators.
However, AGAIN, Libby was NEVER charged with “outing” anyone.
NOBODY WAS OUTED!
Impeach the MFers.”"
lj-What, pray tell, would you call that?
Posted by: fleettwood | July 03, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Not personally so, but it could be construed as such. However, your post was personally name calling, and intentional, after the previous discussion about the word you used. It was used again for no good reason that to inflame those around you. That’s why I called you on it, and mildly at that.
“That’s why I called you on it, and mildly at that.”
What would call some one who talks big (calls for impeachment), but does nothing about it? Would sissy be better?
Well, it might be better received.
“Well, it might be better received.”
I can’t control the pc crowd.I think it’s more the truth hurting than anything else.Men use the “P” word. It has a specific meaning and it has nothing to do with women or vaginas.
Yeah, I know what words men used and how they mean them. It is slang. But, perhaps, just perhaps, in order to invite actual discourse, you could not use slang that is offensive to some? Just a thought. If you notice, the theread then became about you and the words you use, instead of the subject. WE all fall prey to this sometime, but we should try to limit it. And the second time you used it, it was intentionally in your face, just admit it It is, of course, a free country. Blog on
Well, littlejohn,
How long do you put up with the nonsense? On several ocassions I attempted to start civil dialog on this thread. The few simple questions I asked go unanswered. The liberal sycophants are either too lazy to educate themselves on the facts or too irrational to see both sides of an issue.
Their responses range from condescending to profane. Scooter is all they got and he’s slipping away. They got nothing.
Hank
I am leaving for the day. Holiday tomorrow, so I may or may not be around. Anyway, for tomorrow, remember the sacrifices that have been made, by conservative and liberal alike, christian and atheist and “other” alike to give us the great country that we still have today. It cannot be swayed, it cannot be broken, even if poor men hold office for a day.GOd bless America.
Does Fleetwood have a job?
Paul F. Rosell,
“Plame was NOT covert. You can’t “out” someone who is already OUT!”
Rosell really should read this.
‘Plame was ‘covert’ agent at time of name leak’http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18924679/and’Read Plame employment report (pdf)’http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/news/070529_Unclassified_Plame_employement.pdf
Poor, poor Hank, are you neo-cons still trying to claim Plame wasn’t covert? Anyone she’s ever had contact with in the field can now be picked up as a spy and be executed by the state. Apparently that doesn’t qualify as being put in danger. It figures the neo-cons would excuse treason, they relish in it.
Here’s a lovely quote by Bush if someone hasn’t caught it already.
“I don’t believe my role is to replace the verdict of a jury with my own.”– George W. Bush in his “autobiography” A Charge to Keep
Dear Hank,
IF you believe that the guilty verdicts from the Libby’s jury were wrong, then please list the facts that support your opinion.
Doug,
Not to mention that outing Plame probably shutdown most of the WMD intel that her group was working on.
If her job wasn’t covert, why haven’t we seen a damage report from the CIA? I’m guessing because it is too secret, and bush wouldn’t let it be published unless it favored his boy. You can bet a damage assesment was undertaken.
Would be interesting to know how many are in prison or have been executed because of Armitage and Libby’s loose lips. I don’t give a damn if the leaker was Republican or Democrat, conservative or liberal, they should be prosecuted and pay to the full extent of the law for putting our civil servants and their contacts in jeopardy.
This would be funny if it weren’t so sad. The Republicans would be absolutely SCREAMING for treasons charges if a member of Bill Clinton’s administration had done the exact same thing, but because it is the GOP, they want to give them a pass.
Plame was covert – so says the CIA, the only ones that have the authority to make that determination.
Libby lied to the Grand Jury – tried and convicted by a jury of his peers.
Richard Armitage leaked the name of Valerie Plame, not knowing that she was covert, hence the lack of charges.
A Republican appointed prosecutor and Judge tried the case and sentenced Libby.
As I said, this would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
If leaks were punished, a whole bunch of New York Times editors would be in jail!
Valerie Plame WAS Covert, by statements made from the CIA itself… Libby was NOT charged with “outing” Plame… He was charged, convicted, and sentenced on 4 counts of perjury and obstruction of justice… Can you all please get this straight??? All I have been hearing all day long is how poor scooter never committed any crimes…. But, perjury and obstruction are BOTH felonies… BOTH can and should receive prison sentences… Now we have Martha Steewart and Paris Hilton serving more time than Libby will serve!!
Just get the right thing for once today…. PLEASE???
Scooter was NOT tried for leaking anything…. Perjury and Obstruction… Say it over quietly to yourselves, and it might begin to register…
Thank you!!
And add this one to it:
Iraq did NOT bomb the WTC on 9/11…
Wow, and I thought that Santiago and Ed were NUTS!
Dear Mr. Bush,I am enclosing a $10 contribution to the GOP in care of you.I also have some upcoming traffic cases that I would appreciate some *help* on.Thanks.Your Friend,Brian
“If leaks were punished, a whole bunch of New York Times editors would be in jail!”
Say what? Reporters get information because a person or persons does the leaking. The reporters just report what was leaked to them.
Two years probation. If someone illegally copies a DVD they get a harsher sentence. Libby’s fine will be paid off by his multi-million dollar defense fund with plenty to spare.
Anyone remember those old WW2 posters, “Loose lips sink ships”. Thank goodness the neo-cons weren’t in charge back then. They’d reveal intel on the invasion of Normandy and Bush would reward the traitor with a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Thank goodness the neo-cons weren’t in charge back then.”
More properly, it would be, “Thank God the New York Times…”
Nobody was ever in danger. It’s the you people who keep that up. Didn’t she have her name on her parking space?
The CIA said that she was covert, Fleet. Who are you to say differently?
ws-For the moment, let’s say she was covert. Who “outed” her? Armatige. Libby was a dupe. Nothing wrong with that. This Washington game is a blood sport. You people got your blood. Nothing wrong with that. Bush took a little away. Nothing wrong with that. That’s why we love it so.
I’ve read two interpretations of the law regarding covert. Haven’t found the law yet.
One version that any travel overseas during a five year period undercover is covert.
The other version states the agent must be physically residing overseas within that five year period to be considered covert.
To me, the latter makes more sense because CIA Covert operatives are not allowed to operate within the United States borders under official capacity.
Investigation of foreign espionage within the borders of the U.S. falls under the jurisdiction of the FBI.
I think residence and physically residing overseas are the key issues. I couldn’t find any statements what length of time that is needed to reside overseas, only that it has to be done within a five year period to achieve covert status.
I think what people fail to figure out is that Plame herself was not in much danger, but the people she worked in some foreign countries could have been in grave danger. If Abdul was hanging out with Plame in the past, it is revealed that she was CIA, it is quite possible that his ass could eliminated by people not appreciating his past associations. And remember that this theoretical Abdul, was doing us a favor by helping us.
If you have trouble with Wilson, go after Wilson. Doing what was done to Plame was pure chicken shit nonsense & most likely orchestrated by the highest officials in this administration.
It must be very limiting to be so partisan that it is okay to commit a crime if you are of a certain party. If a democrat gets caught like Libby did, I would want this person busted and punished to the extent necessary as stated in the law. To contend otherwise would be the definition of unpatriotic in my opinion.
“If you have trouble with Wilson, go after Wilson.”
It could be said that Wilson outed his own (hot, MILFY) wife by writing the article. I’m not sure if enough attention has been given to him.
“It must be very limiting to be so partisan that it is okay to commit a crime if you are of a certain party.”
If that is not what we do on this blog, I don’t know what it is.
THE CIA HAS NO AUTHORITY TO PROSECUTE ANYONE IN THE UNITED STATES.THEREFORE, THE CIA IS NOT THE LEGAL AUTHORITY ON THE LEGAL QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT PLAME WAS “COVERT”THE LAW UNDER WHICH FITZ WAS GIVEN AUTHORITY CLEARLY STATES THAT PLAME HAD TO BE OVERSEAS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THAT HAD EXPIRED LONG BEFORE. SHE WAS CLEARLY NOT OVERSEAS AT THE TIME OF THE NOVAK COLUMN!PLAME WAS NOT COVERT, ONLY A JUDGE AND JURY CAN SAY THAT LAW WAS BROKEN.HAS NOT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE.WILL NEVER HAPPEN IN THIS CASE.
Paul, you can turn off the caps lock anytime.
The CIA said that she HAD been overseas and that she was covert.
Who are you to decide differently?
Liar.
If one of Clinton’s people had done this you would want treason charges.
Hypocrite.
FleetEXACTLY!If Plame or those Plame worked for were really in any danger, than why in the HELL did Wilson write those lies in his op-ed piece, knowing he would become such a lightening rod?Wilson outed Plame!
WSThe CIA did not say what you attribute to them.The CIA sent DOJ a referral, asking DOJ to look into the matter.The CIA is not competent to make such legal decisions.By law, their opinion holds no weight on the matter even if they had one.They dont.They asked for an opinion.
It makes more sense that Plame was NOT a covert agent than not. I have heard others say as much who know more than the both (three) of us combined. The covert part is a straw dog. And, again, ws, it is not treason, it’ sedition.
Who are you, Fleet, to decide that she wasn’t covert. The CIA said that she HAD been overseas. Do you think that they should give YOU her itinerary?
Christ.
You Republicans make me sick.
What a bunch of hypocrites.
ws-Enough. Everybody knows she wasn’t so covert that other charges would have been charged.TheEnd.
Hey, this conviction was not about whether Plame was covert or not covert; Scooter was convicted by a jury of his peers of perjury, despite the best efforts of his friends in high places! Unless you think perjury shouldn’t be a crime, you got no beef with his conviction.The reason for his commutation is perfectly plain. If he felt abandoned by his friends in government, he might have made new ones in the publishing industry.
From the wiki which proves ‘Often wrong’ Paul wrong again.
Early in November 2005, posting in his own personal blog No Quarter, former CIA officer Larry C. Johnson responds further to the ongoing dispute about Valerie Plame’s status as a CIA NOC:
“There is the claim that the law to protect intelligence identities could not have been violated because Valerie Wilson had not lived overseas for six years. Too bad this is not what the law stipulates. The law actually requires that a covered person “served” overseas in the last five years. Served does not mean lived. In the case of Valerie Wilson, energy consultant for Brewster-Jennings, she traveled overseas in 2003, 2002, and 2001, as part of her cover job. She met with folks who worked in the nuclear industry, cultivated sources, and managed spies. She was a national security asset until exposed.”
From the court decision:”As to the leaks’ harmfulness, although the record omits specifics about Plame’s work, it appears to confirm, as alleged in the public record and reported in the press, that she worked for the CIA in some unusual capacity relating to counterproliferation. Addressing deficiencies of proof regarding the Intelligence Identities Protection Act, the special counsel refers to Plame as “a person whose identity the CIA was making specific efforts to conceal and who had carried out covert work overseas within the last 5 years”—representations I trust the special counsel would not make without support. (8/27/04 Aff. at 28 n.15.)”
The CIA says it, the courts say it but some neo-con nutjobs that don’t have a life say otherwise because they are just sooooo knowledgeable about everything. Neo-cons = Traitors. North Korea might welcome you anti-American nutjobs.
In Libbys case, it matters little whether or not Valerie Plame was covert or not. He was charged, indicted, found guilty of perjury.He is guilty. DO the crime, do the time.
Then I guess Plame’s husband lied.
“In an interview on CNN earlier Thursday before the latest revelation, Wilson kept up his criticism of the White House, saying Rove’s conduct was an “outrageous abuse of power … certainly worthy of frog-marching out of the White House.” But at the same time, Wilson acknowledged his wife was no longer in an undercover job at the time Novak’s column first identified her. “My wife was not a clandestine officer the day that Bob Novak blew her identity,” he said.”
“My wife was not a clandestine officer the day that Bob Novak blew her identity,” he said.”"
Goodness me! The Libs know this to be true, but they refuse to let it go (I’m not blaming you, it’s one of the few arguments you have, you need to hang on to it). The Libby deal is like a lot of the Clinton things I thought we had. Dead to Rights. And he escaped. Time after time. If it wasn’t the Travel Office, it was something else. Damn it!! That’s how you Libs should look at it. We, right thinking Americans lived through it (knowing our charges were real), you people can live with it (knowing your charges are bogus).Ain’t it cool!
Valerie Toensing wrote the law!Toensing says that Plame was NOT covered by the law she wrote:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/16/AR2007021601705_pf.html
Slip sliding away. . .
Slip sliding away. . .
Scooter Libby is all ya got
and he’s
Slip sliding away.
How many of Clintons pardons were for traitors.
In the end how many of Bushs pardons will be for traitors.
A traitor commuting the sentence of another traitor.
Why is it that all you Republicanshate America?
Why is it that Republicans find it OK to f$%# America as long as it is a Republican doing it.
Sandy Berger stuffed documents in his pants.Documents that might well have shown some treason on the part of Clinton, perhaps?
“How many of Clintons pardons were for traitors.”
Do the Puerito Rican terrorist count? If so, then 5.
“Sandy Berger stuffed documents in his pants.”
This story is only one example of why right wing talk radio is alive and thriving.In the old days, BF, (before Rush), do you think we would have heard anything about this?Answer: noThere are too many examples of same.CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, NPR, etc.I’m all for fairness.
Oh I see, if she wasn’t being covert on a particular day it’s okay and the previous years don’t count. That’s just a pathetic excuse. You neo-con traitors are really stretching now. If I kill someone yesterday and I get arrested today then I shouldn’t be guilty because I wasn’t arrested on the day I killed someone. How utterly lame.
DougThe woman who WROTE the law, a law you Libs HATED when it was passed, says the law was not violated, then THE LAW TOESING WROTE WAS NOT VIOLATED!
“if she wasn’t being covert on a particular day it’s okay”
How do you spell T-E-M-P-E-S-T I-N A T-E-A P-O-T?
My mistake Paul, I suppose there wasn’t a judge who convicted Libby then so there wasn’t any point in Bush commuting the jail time. Sheesh, try not to look some moronic so late in the evening.
Hey you asshole cons,It’s spelled PERJURY! That same crime you screamed about being the worst crime of all about eight years ago. Live with it!
We all knew Libby would escape serving his sentence. Well, those of us with working brains, anyway. The only questions was WHEN. Now we know it was sooner than expected, but it WAS expected. No big deal. Just one more small thing in a long, long, long list. Give it a couple of days and the focus will be on some assinine (misspelled on purpose) act by Britney, Paris, Paula, Tom, or take your pick. Scooter will be forgotten by the end of the year, while he works at his new million $ a year job, where he’ll work with others in legal situations where they need to lie without perjuring themselves.
Nothing to see here. Move along.>yawn<
Blogger posts internal White House numbers after 2008 hopeful called for ‘flood’
Michael RostonPublished: Tuesday July 3, 2007
After President George W. Bush commuted the sentence of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, his former adviser and one-time Chief of Staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, a contender for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008 encouraged citizens to flood the White House with phone calls. A blogger raised the ante, and linked to an internal White House telephone directory so callers could reach beyond the White House’s switchboard.
“Last week Vice President Cheney asserted that he was beyond the reach of the law. Today, President Bush demonstrated the lengths he would go to, ensuring that even aides to Dick Cheney are beyond the judgment of the law,” Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), a 2008 long shot, said in a statement he issued after Bush made his move. “It is time for the American people to be heard. I call for all Americans to flood the White House with phone calls tomorrow expressing their outrage over this blatant disregard for the rule of law.”
One blogger followed up on Biden’s suggestion and took it a step further. Lambert Strether at the blog CorrenteWire posted a link to the White House’s full internal telephone directory in a Monday night entry.
“I figure the regular switchboard might be busy tomorrow, but if you�ve got the White House phone directory, you can just work your way down until somebody picks up,” he wrote.
From all over the country, phone calls have flooded Washington in recent weeks. According to various news reports, part of the US Senate’s phone system crashed in the wake of the contentious debate over immigration reform legislation.
“So many Senators’ offices were inundated with calls, mostly in opposition, that the Senate telephone switchboard was shut down,” Silia Brush reported in a June 29 US News and World Report article.
While Strether hoped that individuals in the White House would hear from citizens, he encouraged them to be polite.
“Naturally, if you call the White House to express your disapprobation in the matter of I. Lewis Libby, you will be courteous, and remember that our public servants have important work to do,” he wrote.
At press time, RAW STORY was awaiting feedback from Strether on whether readers were in fact calling individual White House staff.
DougToensing did NOT write the law concerning perjury.Toensing wrote the “Foreign Intelligence Surveilence Act,” I believe.That law, written by Toensing, would have protected Plame if she truly was covered by the act.She was NOT covered by that law, according to the person who wrote that law.
Is that Judge Toesing? Nope. It’s irrelevant. Are you aware that there is a justice system Paul? Are you aware that judges interpret the laws as they are written? If we operated on your ignorance then we could do away with the justice system and the balance of powers because the legislature is the justice system. Man, you are completely and utterly ignorant, thank you for being a Republican.
DougPLEASE read everything you and the other liberals have read on this thread.You have contradicted yourself, especially with your last post.
NO JUDGE and NO JURY has found that ANYONE violated the law that Toensing wrote.
Therefore, Toensing, the woman who WROTE the law, would stand as the HIGHEST authority on what that law really means.
Innocent until proven guilty, remember?
No one has been convicted.
No one has even been charged.
The woman who WROTE the law says the law she wrote was NOT broken.
You lost this one, Doug.
You lost it badly.
Must we rub your nose in it?
Rossell, what was the underlying crime that the Republicans HAD to impeach Clinton for?
WSYou are bringing up Clinton?Just remember this the next time a conservative brings up Clinton!
And — don’t forget, the argument that Doug is blowing so badly today has to do with “outing” a “covert” CIA agent.No outing occured.No one has been charged with that crime.—-Now, back to Clinton, if you INSIST:Special Prosecutor Star was ORDERED to examine the perjury case against Clinton. He had no real choice.Politically and legally, I have always wished that Congress had the brains and courage to go after him for his financial misconduct.Both Clintons are crooks. They have been taking advantage of the elderly and retired people for years, with Castle Grand, Whitewater and now InfoUSA.
http://news.tmcnet.com/news/it/-infousa-says-clinton-services-a-good-deal-/2007/06/06/2693757.htm
Anyway, I never said perjury was OK.I hope that Libby just messed up.I do not like “perjury trap” cases, especially if there was no underlying crime after the investigation ended.
Having said all of that, Bill Clinton was disbared and he deserved it.
That would not have happened without the impeachment in Congress.
Listen… Clinton was NOT CONVICTED of any crime… The Senate acquitted him… He was impeached(indighted) by the House…
LIBBY… was tried, convicted, and sentenced on 4 counts of perjury and obsturuction of justice…
Is there nobody on the RIGHT who can get the difference here??
Convicted versus acquitted??
The Clintons were never charged with any financial crimes… They were exonerated of those claims, made by a bunch of angry Right Wingers… Why cant you people let it go??? He has been out of the White House for a very long time… And Hillary has never been charged with ANYthing!!!
Libby is STILL a convicted FELON… will and should be disbarred as well… cannot legally vote anymore… has to pay a $250,000 fine, and serve two years on probation… so he has to stay clean… or its back inside he goes!!
The Clintons used their power to avoid prosecution.Rose Law Firm billing records.Web Hubble, and on and on.
The Clintons fired US Attorneys who were working against them.
The Clintons waited out the statute of limitations on most of these:
http://users.aol.com/patriot888/clincrim.txt
“Special Prosecutor Star was ORDERED to examine the perjury case against Clinton.”
Starr set the perjury trap for Clinton. He made the crime.
Other than parsing an answer to a question, Clinton has never been charged or convicted of any crime.
And he has his law license back. He was never disbarred – he voluntarily surrendered his license for five years by agreement.
As usual, Rossell, you don’t know shit.
As for bringing up Clinton – it was brought up on the first first post on this thread.
Clinton was even stopped by the Supreme Court, several times, when he tried to cover his own tracks:http://www.dailyrepublican.com/clinton_fumbled.html
http://www.ardemgaz.com/prev/clinton/ZDstarr30.html
WS
The Associated Press says that Clinton was DISBARRED, so, once AGAIN, WS, you are proven WRONG:
http://famguardian.org/Subjects/LawAndGovt/News/ClintonDisbar-011001.htm
Clinton was disbarred from the United States Supreme Court.
Even if his law license has been re-activated in the lower courts, I do not believe that Clinton ever re-applied to the SCOTUS.
Therefore: Clinton was disbarred.Therefore: He remains disbarred.
During one “State of the Union Address” the entire Supreme Court delegation refused to attend, in protest, in disgust at Clintons disrespect for the law.
Even a SOCIALIST website does not think the SCOTUS snub was by accident:http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jan2000/sou2-j31.shtml
Other than your dubious link, Rossell, I can find no other reference that says that the Justices boycotted the State of the Union in 2000.
You just have a hard on for Clinton, Rossell, because your boy is the Worst President Ever.
As for that, Rossell, why haven’t criminal charges been filed against Bill and Hillary? Did they fire all the Republican AG’s and Judges, too?
Even the Starr’s successor issued a report indicating that there was no wrong doing by the Clintons.
So why are you still fixated on Bill and Hillary?
WSLearn something about the law.
NOBODY is ever declared innocent.
No charges were filed because Bill and Hillary are expert at covering up their tracks.
WS
You DO admit, now, that Clinton was Disbarred?
It would be big of you, and totally out of character, but I am giving you a chance to admit you were wrong!
“No charges were filed because Bill and Hillary are expert at covering up their tracks.”
Yeah, they covered their tracks expertly regarding Whitewater – they lost money on the deal.
Hypocrite.
Clinton agreed to a five year suspension of his law license in Arkansas – he now has his license back. The SC suspended him also, as they do when someone losing their license at a lower level.
So why ARE you so fixated on Clinton, Rossell – jealous that he was getting head and you’re not?
WSGo back and check, YOU brought up Clinton BEFORE I did!
Clinton WAS disbarred, I was right, you were wrong.
Also, Whitewater might have lost money, on paper, the true criminal act in that case was this:
The Clintons did not have any money “at risk” in Whitewater.
They were not entitled to take a loss, for tax purposes, but they did anyway.
Realestate is a tricky thing. Lots of investments lose money on paper, but look GREAT when tax savings are calculated.
If you can buy a property for $100K, get “rent” of roughly 10% per year, take a depreciation deduction every year, and then sell the property in 10 years, at $90,000, did you lose money?
Well, that question is complicated enough, since investment loss and deductable tax losses are two different things.
However, Clinton took it one step further: He NEVER paid the bank note on the property!
Clinton should have either paid taxes on the bank loan, as forgiveness of debt, or not taken the “loss” on the property, or paid the debt and then legally take the loss.
This is NOT what Clinton did.
But — the Statue of Limitations ran out before anyone caught them at this game.
By the way, Whitewater and CastleGrand ripped off old people, just like InfoUSA does today. The Clintons have gotten rich off of the elderly and retired people.
Again:A Savings and Loan “paid” the money into Whitewater on the Clinton’s behalf, and the Clintons used their clout to keep the Arkansas Banking regulators from closing down that Savings and Loan.
WSGo back and check, YOU brought up Clinton BEFORE I did!
Clinton WAS disbarred, I was right, you were wrong.
Also, Whitewater might have lost money, on paper, the true criminal act in that case was this:
The Clintons did not have any money “at risk” in Whitewater.
They were not entitled to take a loss, for tax purposes, but they did anyway.
Realestate is a tricky thing. Lots of investments lose money on paper, but look GREAT when tax savings are calculated.
If you can buy a property for $100K, get “rent” of roughly 10% per year, take a depreciation deduction every year, and then sell the property in 10 years, at $90,000, did you lose money?
Well, that question is complicated enough, since investment loss and deductable tax losses are two different things.
However, Clinton took it one step further: He NEVER paid the bank note on the property!
Clinton should have either paid taxes on the bank loan, as forgiveness of debt, or not taken the “loss” on the property, or paid the debt and then legally take the loss.
This is NOT what Clinton did.
But — the Statue of Limitations ran out before anyone caught them at this game.
By the way, Whitewater and CastleGrand ripped off old people, just like InfoUSA does today. The Clintons have gotten rich off of the elderly and retired people.
Again:A Savings and Loan “paid” the money into Whitewater on the Clinton’s behalf, and the Clintons used their clout to keep the Arkansas Banking regulators from closing down that Savings and Loan.
So where are the charges, Rossell and why did Ray clear them?
Still fixated on Clinton, little man?
Get over it.
Bush will give him a complete pardon in Libby loses his appeal to the SC. With the SC justices stacked by bush, he may not have to grant the pardon.
Above the law?The Department of Justice maintains published standards for clemency orders like the one George W. Bush gave Scooter Libby Monday.
Under those standards, a request for commutation is supposed to go the Department of Justice’s “pardon attorney,” who “initiates and directs the necessary investigations and prepares a report and recommendation for submission to the president in every case.” As part of those “necessary investigations,” the pardon attorney “routinely requests the United States Attorney in the district of conviction to provide comments and recommendations” on the case. As the DOJ standards explain, “The views of the United States Attorney are given considerable weight in determining what recommendations the department should make to the president.”
The standards also state that that the pardon attorney “routinely requests the United States Attorney to solicit the views and recommendation of the sentencing judge.”
Oh, and as for timing? The standards are very clear on that: “Requests for commutation generally are not accepted unless and until a person has begun serving that sentence. Nor are commutation requests generally accepted from persons who are presently challenging their convictions or sentences through appeal or other court proceeding.”
Did the president follow any of these guidelines in commuting Scooter Libby’s prison sentence Monday? Not so far as we can tell. He didn’t refer the case to the Department of Justice pardon attorney, who therefore didn’t consult with Patrick Fitzgerald and didn’t ask for an opinion from Judge Reggie Walton. And Bush granted Libby’s request — wait, did Libby even make a request? — before Libby began serving his sentence and while he was still challenging his conviction.
Why didn’t Bush follow the guidelines set by his own Justice Department — guidelines that were meant to put into action the rules laid down by presidential executive orders? Maybe he didn’t know they existed. As the Washington Post reports today, the president’s gift to Scooter Libby represents the first time he has ever commuted a sentence without consulting the Justice Department at all.
http://salon.com/politics/war_room/?last_story=/politics/war_room/2007/07/05/snow
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/news/070529_Unclassified_Plame_employement.pdf