Prison for Libby in Leak Case

[Chadman]

No big deal to some...I'm satisfied that the former Chief of Staff to Dick Cheney was convicted of lying and obstructing justice, and was sentenced strongly - for overwhelming guilt. I think (unlike some, right or wrong) it is important due to how this came about, why it came about, and why it shouldn't go unpunished. The fact that Cheney's right hand man is a convicted liar and justice obstructor definitely brings the cockroaches into the light a bit. I'm sure Dick, Karl, and George are above all of this activity, right? It was ONLY Scooter that did anything wrong - all by himself - right?

Prison for Libby in Leak Case

Jun 5 11:59 AM US/Eastern
By MATT APUZZO
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) - Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Tuesday for lying and obstructing the CIA leak investigation.
Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, stood calmly before a packed courtroom as a federal judge said the evidence overwhelmingly proved his guilt.

"People who occupy these types of positions, where they have the welfare and security of nation in their hands, have a special obligation to not do anything that might create a problem," U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said.

Libby was convicted in March of lying and obstructing an investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

The highest-ranking White House official convicted in a government scandal since the Iran-Contra affair, Libby has steadfastly maintained his innocence.

"It is respectfully my hope that the court will consider, along with the jury verdict, my whole life," Libby said in brief remarks to the judge.

Walton fined Libby $250,000 and placed him on probation for two years following his release from prison. Walton did not immediately address whether Libby could remain free pending appeal.

With letters of support from several former military commanders and White House and State Department officials, Libby asked for no jail time. His supporters cited a government career in which Libby helped win the Cold War and the first Gulf War.

"He has fallen from public grace," defense attorney Theodore Wells said. "It is a tragic fall, a tragic fall."

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald called on Libby to serve up to three years in prison.

"We need to make the statement that the truth matters ever so much," Fitzgerald said.

 

[kosar]

Libby is a fall guy, for sure, but this whole thing is bullshit.

Fitzgerald is every bit as bad as Ken Starr.

He couldn't get shit on the serious charges on anyone, so he goes with this. Sounds VERY familiar.

 

[Chadman]

Again, agree to disagree on how important the initial issue was, both to an agent of the CIA, her contacts, and the reason it became an issue for her in the first place. You can argue it was not a crime to do the thing, I get that. But the reasoning for it to have happened, that is straight out of the admin playbook - and reprehensible, to say the least. Playing around with our country and going to war is pretty serious stuff, IMO.

But, I respect your take on it, more than some.

 

[The Sponge]

Libby is a fall guy, for sure, but this whole thing is bullshit.

Fitzgerald is every bit as bad as Ken Starr.

He couldn't get shit on the serious charges on anyone, so he goes with this. Sounds VERY familiar.

Well Kosar they could have tried to torture him and see if he might tell the truth. when a bunch of people are lying and keeping their mouth shut i don't know what you want Fitzgerald to do. Waterboard? What happen here is treason. Not for Libby but that pig of a Vice President who knows this was his deal but i guess he was to busy linking Iraq with 9/11 to remember anything about this. This to me is a total disgrace to do something like this to one of our CIA agents.

 

[bryanz]

They got the wrong guy.

 

[bryanz]

Scooter Libby falls on the sword for this ****ing administration. I have to say, He's a stand up guy , but a ****ing idiot like the rest of them. The thing I find fascinating about this hole thing is ,the right wing / anti American crowd cries about the liberal press and their boy Dick Cheney supplied the script. The biggest leaker of all time our VP. The Anti NY TIMES group on the right should look at the connection between Judy Miller and the white house and shut the **** up !!!! If they ever find Bush or Cheney with a bullet in their heads, the investigators will be talking to Judy & Scooter. For anyone who thinks there is a left and a right. Go look up Judy Miller, the voice of my boy Dick Cheney. Look at who she went to school with, look at her connection threw marriage. These neocons / anti American bastards were born and bread in the most liberal institutions our country has to offer. There is no Conservative anymore in America. All these ****ing people go to these Ivy schools, how the **** can you come out of any of these places thinking right ???

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

---and your thoughts on billy bob getting off scott free on same charges--and continueing to serve---
--before you start remember my stance was both guilty both get same sentence--but we knew that wasn't going to happen--

Lets call it the scales of justice

in addition to above you have
R Janklow runs through stop sign kills man--resigns -gets jail time
Kennedy(in one of few miscarriage of justice greater than OJ's) kills women--leaves scene--doesn't even report it till next day--gets life time term as liberal icon--

Foley sends email to Paige and resigns--
Barny punks the paige and get lifetime term.

Would you say these circumstances are a relection of values of liberals vs conservatives ??

---and speaking of liberal values-checl out your other liberal arm the 9th district court of appeals--
When reading remember there are times each will have to live--and die--with their covictions--

By Bob Unruh
? 2007 WorldNetDaily.com


A Christian organization fighting on behalf of religious and speech rights is going to the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge an appellate court decision that found municipal employers could censor words such as "marriage" and "family values" because they are hate speech and could scare workers.
At the same time, those municipal officials for the city of Oakland, Calif., were allowing employees to exchange epithets such as the N-word, the appeal said.

"To allow the lower court's ruling to stand exposes every public employee to outright censorship by a municipal employer for merely mentioning words such as the 'natural family,' 'marriage,' 'and 'family values,' issues which are at the forefront of national debate," said the appeal prepared by the Pro-Family Law Center.


Richard D. Ackerman, of the Pro-Family Law Center

"In fact, the lower courts' decisions could preclude a public employee from so much as mentioning the birth of one's child or the fact that they were just married because this might theoretically offend a co-worker," said the file in the case argued at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals level by Richard D. Ackerman, of the Pro-Family Law Center, as well as Scott Lively.

"We are simply unwilling to accept that Christians can be completely silenced on the issues of the day ? especially on issues such as same-sex marriage, parental rights, and free speech rights," Ackerman told WND.

"If we fail to get U.S. Supreme Court review, however, it will be up to each individual Christian in the United States to stand up for their rights to be heard on the issues of the day. If we choose to be silent, silenced we shall be," he said.

The case involves the Good News Employee Association and two women, Regina Rederford and Robin Christy, who wanted to launch the organization among co-workers. They put up an announcement on an Oakland city bulletin board asking those interested in those "family" issues to contact them.

 

[bryanz]

---and your thoughts on billy bob getting off scott free on same charges--and continueing to serve---
--before you start remember my stance was both guilty both get same sentence--but we knew that wasn't going to happen--

Lets call it the scales of justice

in addition to above you have
R Janklow runs through stop sign kills man--resigns -gets jail time
Kennedy(in one of few miscarriage of justice greater than OJ's) kills women--leaves scene--doesn't even report it till next day--gets life time term as liberal icon--

Foley sends email to Paige and resigns--
Barny punks the paige and get lifetime term.

Would you say these circumstances are a relection of values of liberals vs conservatives ??

---and speaking of liberal values-checl out your other liberal arm the 9th district court of appeals--
When reading remember there are times each will have to live--and die--with their covictions--

By Bob Unruh
? 2007 WorldNetDaily.com


A Christian organization fighting on behalf of religious and speech rights is going to the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge an appellate court decision that found municipal employers could censor words such as "marriage" and "family values" because they are hate speech and could scare workers.
At the same time, those municipal officials for the city of Oakland, Calif., were allowing employees to exchange epithets such as the N-word, the appeal said.

"To allow the lower court's ruling to stand exposes every public employee to outright censorship by a municipal employer for merely mentioning words such as the 'natural family,' 'marriage,' 'and 'family values,' issues which are at the forefront of national debate," said the appeal prepared by the Pro-Family Law Center.


Richard D. Ackerman, of the Pro-Family Law Center

"In fact, the lower courts' decisions could preclude a public employee from so much as mentioning the birth of one's child or the fact that they were just married because this might theoretically offend a co-worker," said the file in the case argued at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals level by Richard D. Ackerman, of the Pro-Family Law Center, as well as Scott Lively.

"We are simply unwilling to accept that Christians can be completely silenced on the issues of the day ? especially on issues such as same-sex marriage, parental rights, and free speech rights," Ackerman told WND.

"If we fail to get U.S. Supreme Court review, however, it will be up to each individual Christian in the United States to stand up for their rights to be heard on the issues of the day. If we choose to be silent, silenced we shall be," he said.

The case involves the Good News Employee Association and two women, Regina Rederford and Robin Christy, who wanted to launch the organization among co-workers. They put up an announcement on an Oakland city bulletin board asking those interested in those "family" issues to contact them.

billy bob is a scum bag . You don't get it. I'm not for the left or the right. I'm for America !!! I'm not like you. I call it like it is. If the left gets the white house, you will hear the same from me, because they are all the same.

 

[bryanz]

---and your thoughts on billy bob getting off scott free on same charges--and continueing to serve---
--before you start remember my stance was both guilty both get same sentence--but we knew that wasn't going to happen--

Lets call it the scales of justice

in addition to above you have
R Janklow runs through stop sign kills man--resigns -gets jail time
Kennedy(in one of few miscarriage of justice greater than OJ's) kills women--leaves scene--doesn't even report it till next day--gets life time term as liberal icon--

Foley sends email to Paige and resigns--
Barny punks the paige and get lifetime term.

Would you say these circumstances are a relection of values of liberals vs conservatives ??

---and speaking of liberal values-checl out your other liberal arm the 9th district court of appeals--
When reading remember there are times each will have to live--and die--with their covictions--

By Bob Unruh
? 2007 WorldNetDaily.com


A Christian organization fighting on behalf of religious and speech rights is going to the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge an appellate court decision that found municipal employers could censor words such as "marriage" and "family values" because they are hate speech and could scare workers.
At the same time, those municipal officials for the city of Oakland, Calif., were allowing employees to exchange epithets such as the N-word, the appeal said.

"To allow the lower court's ruling to stand exposes every public employee to outright censorship by a municipal employer for merely mentioning words such as the 'natural family,' 'marriage,' 'and 'family values,' issues which are at the forefront of national debate," said the appeal prepared by the Pro-Family Law Center.


Richard D. Ackerman, of the Pro-Family Law Center

"In fact, the lower courts' decisions could preclude a public employee from so much as mentioning the birth of one's child or the fact that they were just married because this might theoretically offend a co-worker," said the file in the case argued at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals level by Richard D. Ackerman, of the Pro-Family Law Center, as well as Scott Lively.

"We are simply unwilling to accept that Christians can be completely silenced on the issues of the day ? especially on issues such as same-sex marriage, parental rights, and free speech rights," Ackerman told WND.

"If we fail to get U.S. Supreme Court review, however, it will be up to each individual Christian in the United States to stand up for their rights to be heard on the issues of the day. If we choose to be silent, silenced we shall be," he said.

The case involves the Good News Employee Association and two women, Regina Rederford and Robin Christy, who wanted to launch the organization among co-workers. They put up an announcement on an Oakland city bulletin board asking those interested in those "family" issues to contact them.

Are you still talking about Kennedy ? tit for tat / come on ! who cares ???? who ****ing cares ??? your guy did wrong, so they point out your guy ****ed up. where are we going with this bull shit ??? I want to be a republican. I'm a man without a party.

 

[smurphy]

Are you still talking about Kennedy ? tit for tat / come on ! who cares ???? who ****ing cares ??? your guy did wrong, so they point out your guy ****ed up. where are we going with this bull shit ??? I want to be a republican. I'm a man without a party.

Very well said.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Where am I going with it?

The scales of justice that pertain to each party--I thought I made that perfectly clear. :shrug:

 

[s_dooley24]

I think this line says it best about the Libby case/situation, "...he was convicted of lying about a crime that the prosecutor can't even prove was committed."

 

[The Sponge]

I think this line says it best about the Libby case/situation, "...he was convicted of lying about a crime that the prosecutor can't even prove was committed."

when did perjury become okay? If he tells the truth he doesn't go to jail. If he tells the truth the right people he is protecting go to jail. He protected a bunch of assholes who led us into a war for their own greedy agenda with lies. fuk him let him rot but im sure he will get Pardon. Then we all can see what a phony Bush is because it was him that said someone will be held accountable. this sympathy reminds me of the Oliver North sympathy. Jeez right now im starting to feel sorry for Jeffries or is it Conyers? I cant tell the two apart and either can Fox news who once again pulled a fast one and has to apologize. Nice so called news organization.

 

[Chadman]

Three points/questions...

1. Wayne: my thoughts on Billy Bob are irrelevant to the case we are discussing, as are most of the situations you bring him up in here are. I know it's difficult for you to focus on negative situations brought on by the people you support, but some here can see through it. Clinton has nothing to do with the Libby case. Again.

2. SDooley: Is it okay for a defendant to lie to a grand jury? In my mind, if a person lies to a grand jury, and obstructs justice, it's a crime. What was he lying about? Why was he lying? Why didn't his attorneys convince the jury that there was no underlying crime? Obviously, this jury, this judge, and these defense attorneys, felt differently than those of you saying otherwise (who weren't in the courtroom). Maybe it will be overturned on appeal. Until then, we have to deal with the facts and how it was adjudicated. Forgive me for giving the people involved in the case more credence than others who were not there. And, before this starts, I do think it merits some thought as to what the crimes are people are lying about, and how much time should be served, etc.

3. Wayne...are you saying that throughout history liberals have avoided justice because they are liberals, and conservatives have been convicted and sentenced more harshly because they are conservatives? Is this across the board? In all jurisdictions? Another clarification needed here before more discussion.

 

[s_dooley24]

Three points/questions...

2. SDooley: Is it okay for a defendant to lie to a grand jury? In my mind, if a person lies to a grand jury, and obstructs justice, it's a crime. What was he lying about? Why was he lying? Why didn't his attorneys convince the jury that there was no underlying crime? Obviously, this jury, this judge, and these defense attorneys, felt differently than those of you saying otherwise (who weren't in the courtroom). Maybe it will be overturned on appeal. Until then, we have to deal with the facts and how it was adjudicated. Forgive me for giving the people involved in the case more credence than others who were not there. And, before this starts, I do think it merits some thought as to what the crimes are people are lying about, and how much time should be served, etc.

My point or motive was not to assert any level of innocence on Mr. Libby's part in all of this. Just to bring to light the irony I see in this investigation and subsequent prosecution.

1. Fitzgerald doesn't find a crime has been committed or not nearly enough evidence to bring prosecution for the actual crux of the initial investigation.

2. But during the investigation Libby deceives/lies or what have you the prosecutor (not defending this or debating the merits of the perjury charge as we as outsiders are not privy to the specifics of the case)

3. Libby ends up going down for lying to the special prosecutor (a definite crime) about an event/action that cannot be proved was a crime

 

[gardenweasel]

Libby is a fall guy, for sure, but this whole thing is bullshit.

Fitzgerald is every bit as bad as Ken Starr.

He couldn't get shit on the serious charges on anyone, so he goes with this. Sounds VERY familiar.

you`re getting those pistachios if i have to drive to cleveland or florida to deliver them personally...

clinton`s impeachment was purely political...and was the precursor of all this political crap we`re currently living through(along with howl gore being a bad loser in 2000).....

the strange thing is,fitzgerald knew who leaked plame`s name early on in the investigation...

plame wasn`t a covert agent under the statute....and if she was,no one was convicted of outing her....

and if she was,how did richard armitage not get prosecuted?....

they were after cheney or rove....just like the republicans were after clinton during the impeachment debacle....

the sad thing is,this ,man will serve 30 months in prison for not remembering conversations that ja
happened years ago....he has a family...this isn`t a game...

ironically enough,journalists testifying in this case also could not remember conversations from that same time...

my question to bryanz,chad and the rest....why is this "fall guy" doing 30 months...while clinton...and even more so,sandy berger,got no time at all?......

how is sandy berger walking around after removing AND ADMITTEDLY DESTROYING classified documents from the national archives during the 9/11 hearings?....

about 10 times more egregious an offense than anything libby did...

c`mon chad...i`m calling you out....

you!....

 

[kosar]

Serious question here for anyone, and please don't take this as defending Scootalicious.

Has anyone really been able to ascertain what exactly, specifically he lied about?

I have no doubt that he lied about something, but what was it? Like some sort of screwed up timeline of when he talked to one reporter or another, or something like that?

It became pretty confusing after all the attention turned to Libby.

It's all but certain that Richard Armitage was the first person to leak Plame's name. It's still not clear whether she was even covert. I know, I know, depending on what side you're on, you're 100% sure that she was or wasn't.

Was he not high up enough in the admin for Fitzgerald to bother with?

Then failing to get Cheney or Rove, Fitzgerald got as close to them as he could with Libby?

 

[kosar]

you`re getting those pistachios if i have to drive to cleveland or florida to deliver them personally...

clinton`s impeachment was purely political...and was the precursor of all this political crap we`re currently living through(along with howl gore being a bad loser in 2000).....

the strange thing is,fitzgerald knew who leaked plame`s name early on in the investigation...

plame wasn`t a covert agent under the statute....and if she was,no one was convicted of outing her....

and if she was,how did richard armitage not get prosecuted?....

they were after cheney or rove....just like the republicans were after clinton during the impeachment debacle....

the sad thing is,this ,man will serve 30 months in prison for not remembering conversations that ja
happened years ago....he has a family...this isn`t a game...

ironically enough,journalists testifying in this case also could not remember conversations from that same time...

I hadn't seen your post before my last one. They are frighteningly similar. I'll take the pistachios, but I might have to re-evaluate a few things. Therapy might be on my agenda.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Interesting Scales of Justice for posters also--

From Chad
The fact that Cheney's right hand man is a convicted liar and justice obstructor definitely brings the cockroaches into the light a bit.

From Sponge--when did perjury become okay?

--aren't these the same guys that been defending Bill for years:142smilie

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kudos Matt--your consistant from both sides of fence.

 

[gardenweasel]

Serious question here for anyone, and please don't take this as defending Scootalicious.

Has anyone really been able to ascertain what exactly, specifically he lied about?

I have no doubt that he lied about something, but what was it? Like some sort of screwed up timeline of when he talked to one reporter or another, or something like that?

It became pretty confusing after all the attention turned to Libby.

It's all but certain that Richard Armitage was the first person to leak Plame's name. It's still not clear whether she was even covert. I know, I know, depending on what side you're on, you're 100% sure that she was or wasn't.

Was he not high up enough in the admin for Fitzgerald to bother with?

Then failing to get Cheney or Rove, Fitzgerald got as close to them as he could with Libby?

let me take a whack at the armitage thing.....he was colin powell`s boy....

their anti-iraq war positions were well documented....

and we all know the devisiveness that the debate on this war engenders....

there would be no political gain involved in sullying powell or armitage....

but taking down anyone directly connected to the administration is a win....

that`s my opinion...and let me add,that the door swings both ways,ala the bogus clinton impeachment....