DisSuggs4u

So, after months of working its way through the judicial system, the case “U.S. vs. I. Lewis ‘Scooter’ Libby” (pdf) has come to a dramatic close after 43 stepped in and commuted Mr. Libby’s 30-month prison sentence because he, the President, thought it was “excessive.” As you can imagine, this made major headlines.

Hooray! Justice prevails!

Now, I realize that commuting the sentence is not the same thing as being pardoned because “Scooter” still has to pay a fine and his reputation is “damaged.” So, it was not a total giveaway. (I guess he has learned his lesson. Bad dog, Scooter! No biscuit!)

Many past Presidents, both Elephant and Donkey, have utilized the power of the pardon to forgive individuals of various issues. This commutation is not as forgiving as a full pardon, so I guess this should translate into 43 being tough on criminals? After all, the trauma of a public investigation and trial is the same as serving out a 30-month sentence for lying under oath regarding issues of national security, right? So, why not commute the sentence? He’s served his time.

The President said it best: “I respect the jury’s verdict.  But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive.”

How can you argue with that?

I mean, being involved (directly or indirectly) with the divulging of the identity of one of our intelligence operatives within the Central Intelligence Agency — whom some might argue are our most valuable national assets — for political reasons and then lying about it under oath is not a bad thing. right?

How bad can it be? It is not as if the Executive branch skewed intelligence to falsely make the case for an unnecessary invasion of a foreign country, and then ratted out the name of one of our intelligence operatives to a less-than-upstanding news reporter for political gain after statements the President made during a State of the Union Address were proved wrong through an investigation by an officer (who happens to be related to the agent whose name was revealed) of the Central Intelligence Agency.

All I know is that the President sent a very clear message to the rest of the world: Selling out our nations most valuable assets — while simultaneously destroying years of hard work and endangering countless lives in the intelligence community — is fine as long as it is for political gain in the short term.

Quite the leader he is, doing what is best for our country… one associate at a time.

Anyone who says differently should be tried, convicted, and then commuted. That’s justice, after all.