So Scooter Libby can’t get away with lying to the FBI, perjury before a Grand Jury and obstructing Justice. A jury found him guilty and an independent Judge passed sentence a 30 month and a $250K fine. This sends a strong message that abuse of power and betrayal of trust by governments and their operatives cannot be tolerated.
Undoubtedly there will be an appeal but that does not mean Mr. Libby will escape jail time pending an appeal. That is the next question before the Judge. Stay tuned – this is not over. My money says he does time pending an appeal.
This trial and the result is one more example and reason to be thankful for an independent judiciary. Former Prime Minister Mulroney, as mentor to current Prime Minister Harper reaffirmed this important cornerstone of democracy recently. Hopefully “our man” Steve is still listening to Brian and will cease and desist from further manipulation of the judicial review and appointment process. His recent interferences threaten this all important independence of the judiciary, one of most important protections a citizen has against the power of the state.
The Libby trial testimony according to media sources exposed the White House allegedly deeply involved in managing the news, manipulating reporters and exaggerating intelligence on Iraq’s WMD program. This is all laced with sufficient irony to make one cry, both in and for a free country and a once proud democracy.
Will Dubya do the Presidential Pardon thing? Given this, his tanked approval ratings and hubris he will likely see now down side. There will be a down side to a Presidential Pardon for Libby? Not for Dubya, he is already toast! But the Office of the President of the United States will no doubt suffer…as if Bush cares – or ever did about such matters.
One wonders if this will embolden the pursuers of presidential impeachment aimed at Bush 43?
I find it absolutely absurd how you could possibliy tie the Libby trial to the judicial independence and appointment process in Canada.
ReplyDeleteI do, however, find the anology with the digusting corruption exhibited by the LPC for the past decade much more rational and logical. Libby will be punished as well the LPC.
Tying the Libby trial to judicial independence in Canada - and anywhere in the world - is absurdly EASY Eric.
ReplyDeletePowerful people have to be subject to the same law as the rest of us. We hold them to a higher standard of behaviour and that was reflected in the Libby sentence.
An appeal is appropriate but if it fails a Presidential Pardon by Bush would be politically unpardonable.
Sometimes that higher standard is unfair to the individuals involved but politicians and public officials know that going in. If they don't know that, they are to naive for office.
I can go further ...and I think I will. I applaud the military judges on the recent dismissal of two Guantanamo Bay detainees - one of them a Canadian citizen who was a minor when he detained FIVE YEARS AGO by the way.
Harper and the Liberals before him - did not lift a finger to help, never mind protect this Canadian's rights.
Sure there is some well founded angst over the family and the father's ties to terrorism and their well publicized beliefs on many contentious issues.
But if only nice citizens get protection who decided who is nice enough to be worthy...Steve Harper?
The military judges in the context of a war-crimes tribunal showed enormous independence in applying the rule of law in the face of abhorent political interference by the Bush administration.
If the judges are beholden to or worse yet, if they are loyal to a President or a Prime Minister we ordinary citizens do not stand a chance.
Harper and his Cons-men need a reality check. They are to focused on power and not enough on governing.
Stay away from any more tampering with judicial independence Prime Minister Harper.
And while you are at it - bring back the Court Challenges Programme too!!!