(no subject)

[geekchick]

As jmhm points out, George Bush then:

I don't believe my role is to replace the verdict of a jury with my own, unless there are new facts or evidence of which a jury was unaware, or evidence that the trial was somehow unfair. [from A Charge to Keep: My Journey to the White House]

and George Bush now:

I respect the jury's verdict. 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 30 months in prison. [Statement by the President On Executive Clemency for Lewis Libby]

I am Jack's complete lack of surprise. Or something.

[Edit:] The New York Times July 3 editorial piece ("Soft on Crime") concludes with this bit, which I think was probably the first thing lots of us thought:

Presidents have the power to grant clemency and pardons. But in this case, Mr. Bush did not sound like a leader making tough decisions about justice. He sounded like a man worried about what a former loyalist might say when actually staring into a prison cell.

Comments

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I'd be astounded except I'm not, not anymore. I wish I were surprised >:(

[carpee-diem.livejournal.com]

unreal.. but not suprising at all.. sad to say. Libby will get a full pardon by Dec 2008.. its a no brainer.

[geekchick]

Libby will get a full pardon by Dec 2008.. its a no brainer.

I only disagree on the date; I expect he'll get his full pardon on January 19, 2009, along with anyone else in the administration who may require one by that point. A final "f*ck you" to the country as his parting gift, as it were.

[crouchback.livejournal.com]

The primary use of the Presidential pardon and commutation power nowadays seems to be to pardon Presidential minions for the crimes they committed, and it's been that way since Reagan, at least.

I think there needs to a lot of Constitutional change, and one of the things I'd like to see done to the President is that his pardons would need Senate approval.