Captain's Quarters -

Which is why, deep down, Hillary really just wants this whole mess to go away. She had to say something to appease the base, but the more this comes up in the press, the worse things look for her candidacy.

Yet another illustration (did we really need another?) of the utter comtempt in which our betters hold us. People like Hillary really do believe themselves to be superior beings to whom rules do not apply, and whose only definition of truth is "whatever I'm saying at the moment." That the media is absolutely complicit in this--providing our betters are of the liberal persuasion--only helps perpetuate this kind of national tragedy.

And Libby didn't even donate anything to the President! This is outrageous. Why it cheapens the entire pardon selling process!
What will the next Democratic President be able to charge once everyone realizes that pardons can be gotten for free?

The arrogance of the scumbuckets knows no bounds. And Hillary Clinton and her husband epitomize scumbuckets.

Nice post Ed. Just don't question Hillary's patriotism.

I almost pity her. She couldn't not attack the pardons because that would infuriate the base, but attacking them simply reminds everyone how awful she and her husband are.

It can't be easy being Hillary.

"Which is why, deep down, Hillary really just wants this whole mess to go away. She had to say something to appease the base, but the more this comes up in the press, the worse things look for her candidacy."

Eric's comment is right on the money. That's why a couple weeks from now, this will vanish. It has to. The longer this story sticks around, the more damage the Clinton camp takes, and by logic, the more damage the Democrats take. Harry and Nancy have been given their orders on this, and while the committee hearings will be sound bites next week, by the end of the month it'll be a distant memory.

You *cannot* accuse the President of cronyism or corruption without applying the exact same standard to Bubba and his wife, who are looking to get right back in the White House with the same crew of thugs and misfits. By extension, this goes straight to Al Gore's role in all the Clintonian corruption, so you better believe the moonbats will get told to shut it sooner rather than later.

This administration has made its share of mistakes, but it was tame compared to the real criminal acts Clinton got away with. America remembers the Dems were much, much worse and they aren't going to be fooled by Hillary for a second.

But please, moonbats. Bring up Presidential pardons as often as you can, so we can remind everyone why America threw the Democrats out of office six years ago.

Don't forget, Bubba also pardoned Marc Rich's partner (Pincus?) He also pardoned his former business partner, Susan McDougal, for rolling over for him (in court I mean LOL)

I wasn't paying as close attention in 2001 as I should have due to Clinton Fatigue, but I was shocked to see how many names were on the Clinton pardon list. Not only did there seem to be a larger than expected number of folks from the "pharmaceutical sector" (sarc/ ON), but I also wondered about all the people he pardoned who had been caught turning back automobile odometers.

My only conclusion is that the odometer perps were people who had altered Arkansas government vehicles to cover up Bubba's "travels" when he was Governor. Get my drift?

Clinton also has the baggage of the pardoning of the FALN "freedom fighters" terrorists from prison and the decision to pardon those Jewish New Yorkers resulting in an entire village voting for Clinton, not one vote against her.

I think the MacDougal pardon best epitomizes a pardon to "protect the Presidency", and it also helped protect the First Co-Conspirator on Whitewater. This enabled said person to become the junior Senator from new York, so the pardon was given to protect two politcal butts.

Was it one of last week's polls that indicated that 52% of likely voters (or some such) would never vote for Hillary? That disrespect, contempt, and real hate for the woman explained this? I can't imagine, given all we have seen, heard, and come to know over the last 14 years, that the number is that low. Should she ever win (good God forbid), it is my fervent hope and prayer that she never finishes her term.

I don't think "propriety" and the name "Clinton" belong in the same sentence. This is a woman who, in the hours after her husband was accused (accurately) of having an illicit relationship with a White House intern, chose to appear on national TV and assert that the allegations were the work of a "vast right wing conspiracy". I have never been able to decide which is the more frightening thought: that she honestly believed this OR that she knew the truth when she said it.

Nothing she has ever said since has stunned or surprised me. She is either the mostly completed deluded woman who ever lived or she is the most cynical. Either way, not a good choice for President. I hope anyway.

Joe,
Exactly right about the FALN terrorists. They set off around 120 bombs, killed four people, and Clinton stil pardoned 11 of them.

Scooter should at least get his fine reduced to no more than Clinton adviser Sandy Berger is supposed to pay for smuggling classified documents out of the archives in his socks and underwear.

There's no chance that I'm going to defend Hillary... no chance at all.

But let me point to one significant difference. Those pardoned by Clinton had not been convicted of crimes related to his administration's term in office.

Isn't this a case where the executive branch has nullified attempts by the judicial to hold it accountable for its actions? I can't imagine a larger or more notable difference- and perhaps a disturbing one as well.

bayrum said

"Those pardoned by Clinton had not been convicted of crimes related to his administration's term in office."

LOL. Clinton taught you to parse well. Why did Henry Cisneros get a pardon?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Cisneros

"I have never been able to decide which is the more frightening thought: that she honestly believed this OR that she knew the truth when she said it." Actually, Bennett I sense your comment is rhetorical.

Hillary may be cold, devious and deceptive but she is not altogether stupid. Of course she knew the truth; and immediately kicked into "lie my ass off, go for the academy award to save my political future" mode. It is ingrained in her and it is the reason she is so disgusting. A truthful statement is anathema to her.

Like I said above "scumbucket".

And if you press me, I'll tell you how I really feel!

bayam,

One huge difference is that this was not a pardon. A pardon wipes the slate clean. No fine. No probation. Nothing. Mr. Libby still must pay a $250,000 fine and serve two years probation. President Bush's rationale is that the prison sentence was excessive. Mr. Libby is still convicted of a federal crime and is being punished.

In the case of President Clinton's pardons, he PARDONED terrorists, the husband of someone who donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to his library, drug trafficers, his half-brother, and his brother-in-law.

Although the President has the Constitutional power to grant commutation or a pardon, it is a reflection on the individual as a man. In President Clinton's case, it is apparent that he was repaying favors. Why in the world he would pardon terrorists and drug dealers is beyond me (unless you want to get into the Mena, Arkansas affairs).

In the Libby case, it seems that Mr. Libby was set up. Mr. Fitzgerald knew who "leaked" the relationship between Ms. Plame and the CIA prior to Mr Libby ever being questioned. He also knew that revealing this relationship probably was not a crime, thus the actual "leaker" was never prosecuted. Either in an effort to make a name for himself by tying some crime with the White House, or as revenge for Mr. Libby's previous defense of Marc Rich, which had infuriated him, Mr. Fitzgerald continued an investigation which should have ended when Mr. Armitage admitted that he had revealed the Plame/CIA relationship to the press.

The President, in commuting the prison sentence, is giving Mr. Libby and his defense team time to continue to work on his appeal. And if you read the various legal pundits, Mr. Fitzgerald may be liable for prosecution for unethical and possibly illegal behavior in prosecuting the case.

Del Dolemonte,

You don't really think that Susan McDougall only rolled over for Slick Willy in court do you? : )

Please drop by the Blog, read, post a comment, bookmark us, and have a Happy 4th of July.

Regards,

Dale

Just thinking, here...

Since Libby has a felony conviction, that pretty much means he doesn't have a law license anymore....

Is there any reason for him to keep quiet about the circumstances of the Rich pardon?

Just dropping a hint that he MIGHT talk about it should shut Hillary up in a hurry.

Marc Rich didn't betray his country, Libby DID.

Steve? Rich trading with Iran during the hostage crisis wasn't betraying his country? Trading with Saddam in the 90's wasn't betraying his country?

SteveJ,

For that matter, how is making an incorrect statement in a case where the person who leaked the name was already known (and the leak wasn't a crime in the first place), considered "Betraying his country".

Pot..Kettle..Black - What about the pardon of Roger Clinton for cocaine trafficking? Me thinks Hillary stepped into it big time. Of course the MSM will do nothing to point out the hypocrisy

"Marc Rich didn't betray his country, Libby DID.

Posted by: Steve J. at July 4, 2007 12:08 AM "

Then tell me good Buddy what did Dick Armitage do? If you want Libby dropped into a deep hole, what penalty do you deem the man who actually did the deed deserves??

Didn't Hillary have a hand in pardoning some Puerto Ricans in a situation where Clinton Inc. would benefit politically?

Of course, she is an exempt entitled child of the '60's, so that might be an unfair question.

Didn't a movie producer named Geller in Hollywood, a long-time supporter of the Clintons, make a remark about the general veracity of their statements?

Again, I ask this knowing that the normal rules for politicians don't apply to this entitled exempt duo.

daveinboca: Close. David Geffen, and no rock-ribbed pubbie, he: ""Everybody in politics lies, but they [the Clintons] do it with such ease, it's troubling."

What???? Presidential pardons are politically motivated? Wow, NEWS SHOCKER.

It's the same old story for every president at the end of his term: lots and lots of ridiculous pardons. To complain about one party without acknowledging the other party does the exact same thing is complete and utter bullsh**.

And to suggest that Democrat presidential pardons are any worse than Republican ones is really, really funny.

Dave Rywall:

Go to the Justice Department website and read the 21 printed pages of persons PARDONED by your boy Clinton, THEN come back and try your foolish argument.

Byron York, who incidentally attended and extensively reported on the Libby trial, discusses the appropriateness of presidential clemency-- especially in cases where politicization is a major factor in special investigations.

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=M2RjNDYzNGIwNDNiOGUwOTMyODZhZDJmYzZhNDhkMGU=

The pardon/clemency powers are an effective means of decriminalizing the criminalization of policy disputes.

Clinton does it , Bush does it, the bottom line is that pardons are a great way to “reward” political loyalty when one of your supporters goes too far in helping you. Regardless of who is in office the belief that if caught there will be no consequences and therefore no restraints on your actions is the problem. I will be interested to see who Bush pardons at the end of his term, after the election is over and there is no chance of adverse political fallout.

mistercalm -

1. You don't think BOTH Republican and Democrat presidents make ridiculous political pardons? You clearly don't know the first thing about politics.

2. I never said Clinton didn't make bullsh*t pardons. He had many, many, many. You clearly can't read.

I think the comparison we should make isn't to Clinton's pardons actions. Bill Clinton committed perjury and obstruction of justice, and all he got was a fine and a suspension of his law license.

At least Scooter Libby lost his job. Bill Clinton got to keep his.

I think the comparison we should make isn't to Clinton's pardons, but to his actions. Bill Clinton committed perjury and obstruction of justice, and all he got was a fine and a suspension of his law license.

At least Scooter Libby lost his job. Bill Clinton got to keep his.

At this point I think the only proper thing to do is for President Bush to pardon Libby, and then the Senate can pass a resolution censuring Libby so the country can "move on."

Does no one remember why it was that President Clinton was not indicted for perjury and obstruction the day after he left office? It was (almost certainly) because he was threatening to pardon himself, so rather than precipitate a constitutional crisis, the independent counsel cut a deal. A wise use of prosecutorial discretion, if you ask me, but it stank to high heaven nonetheless.

If Fitzgerald and the media displayed even a hint of interest in punishing Armitage, I would have some sympathy for their complaints about Libby. But as it stands the hypocrisy is blinding.

And Berger? Has there been even a raised eyebrow from the media about what he actually stole?

"There isn't any doubt now, what we know is that Libby was carrying out the implicit or explicit wishes of the vice president, or maybe the president as well, in the further effort to stifle dissent."

Wow! Why didn't Hillary testify to all of this knowledge?

Where's Fitz? We need to reopen the investigation NOW!

Writes Lightwave, "But please, moonbats. Bring up Presidential pardons as often as you can, so we can remind everyone why America threw the Democrats out of office six years ago."

Hate to break the news to you, but George W. squeaked by on the strength of Florida's electoral votes, and the insufferable Algore won the popular vote. That's hardly "throwing the Democrats out of office."

In point of fact, probably 50% of those who even bother to vote make up their minds at the last minute, based entirely on what ittle they see on TV between ballgames and sitcoms, i.e. on who they 'like'. The other 50% pay more attention, but at least half are voting Democrat because their parents did and they still think the Democrats are "for the working man" and would never vote for a 'rich' Republican.

I doubt if even 1% of the 2000 electorate even thought about the Clinton pardons and other scandals in what was certainly the most corrupt administration in my memory, and maybe in American history. The Clintons, of course, perfected the art of skating over and minimizing outrageous scandals that would have doomed any president less adept. If anything, Bill Clinton earned the public's admiration for being such a loveable rogue. He didn't earn the nickname 'Slick' for nothing.

/Mr Lynn

Steve wrote:
Marc Rich didn't betray his country, Libby DID.

Perfect example of liberal overreach and smear. Because Libby was not found guilty of outing a CIA agent. He was found guilty of perjury, yes, but it wasn't a question of he lied about outing a CIA agents identity. As you well know, NOONE not Rove, not Libby, not Cheney, and not even Armitage who is the non partisan gunslinger who actually was Novaks source has been found guilty of outing a CIA agent because as is readily appearent there is no underlying crime there.

The left is really big on denouncing people for Mccharthyism and smear tactics, but what is this whole case but one big smear tactic.

If you are so outraged at the betrayal of the country why in addition to your outrage taht Libby's sentence was commuted are you not mad taht Armitage wasn't sentenced at all or that say Sandy Berger stuffled documents from the national archives down his pants. I notice he served no jail time either. (Also remember Clinton laughing it off as just how Sandy is "That crazy Sandy, he's so forgetful".

Seriously, if you guys were half as jonesed about calling for charges to be brought againt Armitage for being the obvious main source of Novak, who's story started this whole mess, then we might take your outrage seriously.