“Scooter” Libby has been sentanced to 30 months and a $200,000 fine for his perjury to both the FBI and the Grand Jury investigating the outing of a covert CIA operative.
It seems fair, I just wish they were able to actually go after the leaker (s) themselves.
My father spent 20 years in the Air Force Security Service. To see someone in the intelligence field used as a political pawn, outed out of hubris and petty revenge has turned an incredibly patriotic and dedicated soldier of the cold war into a rather vociferous voice against these “Mayberry Machavelli’s” as someone lo eloquently put it. I’ve never seen my dad so angry or disapointed in his govenment.
Seems a little light to me. Libby and friends have sent a clear message to any potential covert agents that their security is subject to the political whims of Washington. That’s got to have a chilling effect on recruitment. A sentence of 30 years might be enough to counter that impression.
ONLY if Libby actually served all 30 years. Since I am inclined to suspect that he will be pardoned as Bush leaves office, 30 months is a lot closer to “time penalty as enforced” where 30 years would look like a joke.
I was just commenting on the punishment as per the charges. If they ever hold anyone up for the actual crime of outing a NOC operative, the sentence should include polishing the gold stars hanging on the wall at Langley. In perpetuity.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes out later that known associates of Plame in Iran ended up with 9mm hemorrhages due to her outing. Rove, Cheney and Armitage should get jail time as well.
I think the 30 months was to see if he’ll sing like Sammy Davis Jr. He’s probably not worried over the $250K fine or legal fees as there’s probably a gentleman’s agreement already in place, but nobody’s going to serve the 2.5 years for him and that’s a long time.
It’s often said that “Federal pens are country clubs”. It’s true that minimum security Fedpens are probably paradise compared to genpop in a maximum security, but even if you’re surrounded by a golf course and have access to tennis courts you’re still in prison and you’re still not able to spend the night with your family and having to be locked into a cell at night. If he’s covering for somebody (which anybody with bat brains knows he is) he might crack to get released.
Of course what would be cool would be… any chance you could send him to Gitmo or Abu Ghraib? Or pardon Lynddie England and make her his official guard and or cell-mate?
Why would Bush wait until he leaves office? He is not running for anything, and he isn’t showing any regard for Republicans who are running in 2008 (Iraq, immigration).
Fear Itself,
Because pardons issued as Presidents leave office are common and unremarkable, even if the reasons for the pardons are eyebrow-raising worthy.
In this case, pardoning Libby makes sense–because he’s clearly a loyal fall guy, not the mastermind.
(And 'cause some guy smarter (or at least more knowledgable) than I on this topic said that that’s what he’d expect the timing to be on NPR some time back–like around when the verdict was announced).
That could be a reason too, but kindly show me where I’d have been able to work in Sammy Davis Jr. to routine procedure?
I really do think he’s going to squeal though. Taking a fall is one thing, but would anybody here do prison time to save a boss (even if there’s promise of pardon and compensation at the end of it)?
Are those the guidelines, or is that what Fitzgerald asked for? I thought I heard on the news that the guidelines were 15-21 months. This USA Today story seems to confirm that.
If so, that might give Bush the excuse he needs to pardon…?
But I’d bet against both. Bush has more than enough political problems as it is.
Actually, I’ll bet you an undisclosed (but very small) amount against your option 2. That is something that would bring calls for impeachment – well, more of them.
