CSNbbs

By MATT APUZZO - Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON(AP) President Bush commuted the sentence of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby on Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term that Bush said was excessive.

Bush's move came hours after a federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA leak case. That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

"I respect the jury's verdict," Bush said in a statement. "But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison."

Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, and Bush said his action still "leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby."

Libby was convicted in March of lying to authorities and obstructing the investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative's identity. He was the highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the Iran-Contra affair.

Bush said of Cheney's former aide: "The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting."

Wow. Didn't see that coming. Surprising move on Bush's part. He didn't completely exonerate him!! Effin' politicians. Both sides. Is it possible for any politician to serve prison time? What do you think it'll take?

Lush Wrote:Is it possible for any politician to serve prison time? What do you think it'll take?

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/polit...tenc5.html

gruehls Wrote:

Lush Wrote:Is it possible for any politician to serve prison time? What do you think it'll take?

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/polit...tenc5.html

Of all the stories you read about high profile people getting into trouble, greed and sex are usually the two main reasons. You would think a person 64 years old would be past all that. I'm 64 and I can't think of anything I could do with a few million or a young woman. I've already did everything I want to do in life. If you haven't got what you want by the time you are 64 you should just forget it. Don

If I understand this case correctly,
1) Libby leaked nothing
2) Plame's identity was not confidential
3) Armitage leaked Plame's name and this is not a breach
4) Libby was convicted of lying to a grand jury?

Huge waste of time and money.

I know a guy, from S. Boston a Southie, who opened a liquor store in the early 80's. He and his wife put $80,000 into this renovation. During the first week of the opening the local Southie Mob took over his opeartion. He called the FBI, who at the time was in bed with these Mobsters, and they did nothing. 15 years later, when the bad FBI agents were outed, during a trail vs. the Mob this guy was called to testify against the Mob and he lied his ass off so he would not be killed. He was convicted of perjury.

Bush threw Libby under the bus. Somebody was going to take a fall.
Clinton pardoned some of his buddies at the end of his second term too.
It's a joke.[/i]