Top Items:
CNN:
Bush commutes Libby's prison sentence — WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Bush commuted Monday the prison term of former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, facing 30 months in prison after a federal court convicted him of perjury, obstruction of justice and lying to investigators.
Discussion:
At-Largely, The Moderate Voice, Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler, PoliBlog (TM), All Spin Zone, TalkLeft, Liberal Values, New York Times, Captain's Quarters, Patterico's Pontifications, Sentencing Law and Policy, Political Radar, The Daily Whim, The Impolitic, Political Insider, The American Mind, Taylor Marsh, Dr. Sanity, KnoxViews, The Newshoggers, Donklephant, The Anonymous Liberal, Happy Furry Puppy Story …, The Next Hurrah, The Democratic Daily, Brilliant at Breakfast, Jay Currie, Rook's Rant and Blue Crab Boulevard
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White House:
Statement by the President — The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today rejected Lewis Libby's request to remain free on bail while pursuing his appeals for the serious convictions of perjury and obstruction of justice. As a result, Mr. Libby will be required to turn himself …
Discussion:
Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Don Surber, All Spin Zone, The Gavel, The Politico, JustOneMinute, Democrats.com, New York Times, Democratic National Committee, FRAMESHOP, About U.S. Politics, CNN Political Ticker, The Anonymous Liberal, GINA COBB, JURIST, DownWithTyranny!, Economist's View, The Raw Story, LiberalOasis, UrbanGrounds, TalkLeft, Discourse.net, Bluey Blog and Macsmind
Speaker Pelosi / The Gavel:
A Betrayal of Trust of the American People — The President's commutation of Scooter Libby's prison sentence does not serve justice, condones criminal conduct, and is a betrayal of trust of the American people. — The President said he would hold accountable anyone involved in the Valerie Plame leak case.
Sheryl Gay Stolberg / New York Times:
Bush Spares Libby 30-Month Jail Term — President Bush said today that he had used his power of clemency to commute the 30-month sentence for I. Lewis Libby Jr., the former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, who was convicted of perjury in March and was due to begin serving his time within weeks.
Emptywheel / The Next Hurrah:
Fitz Speaks — Via email from his spokesperson: … For the record, when I said almost the same thing on Hardball, I hadn't gotten this yet in the email. Glad to see that my feeble mind is thinking along the lines of a great mind. — Update: Oh wait, I think I said the bit about the fact …
New York Times:
Bush Spares Libby 30-Month Jail Term — President Bush spared I. Lewis Libby Jr. from prison Monday, commuting his two-and-a-half-year sentence while leaving intact his conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice in the C.I.A. leak case. — Mr. Bush's action, announced hours …
Michael Abramowitz / Washington Post:
A Decision Made Largely Alone — President Bush limited his deliberations over commuting the prison term of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby to a few close aides, opting not to consult with the Justice Department and rebuffing efforts by friends to lobby on Libby's behalf, administration officials and people close to Bush said yesterday.
New York Times:
Soft on Crime — When he was running for president, George W. Bush loved to contrast his law-abiding morality with that of President Clinton, who was charged with perjury and acquitted. For Mr. Bush, the candidate, "politics, after a time of tarnished ideals, can be higher and better."
Discussion:
Wonkette
CNN:
Libby commutation: Washington responds — WASHINGTON (CNN) — Following are reactions to President Bush's announcement Monday that he has commuted the sentence of former vice presidential chief of staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby: — Melanie Sloan, legal counsel to Joe and Valerie Wilson
Discussion:
The Left End of the Dial v2.0, MyDD, protein wisdom, A Tiny Revolution, TalkLeft and Sentencing Law and Policy
Opinion Journal:
Bush and Libby — The commutation is a profile in non-courage.
Bush and Libby — The commutation is a profile in non-courage.
Discussion:
Gay Patriot
Washington Post:
Too Much Mercy — IN COMMUTING I. Lewis Libby's prison sentence …
Too Much Mercy — IN COMMUTING I. Lewis Libby's prison sentence …
Discussion:
Sadly, No!
Brad DeLong / Grasping Reality with Both Hands:
Jeff Lomonaco, Please Report to the Department of Pre-Crime
Jeff Lomonaco, Please Report to the Department of Pre-Crime
Discussion:
The Democratic Daily
Paul Kiel / TPMmuckraker:
Bush Commutes Libby Sentence
Bush Commutes Libby Sentence
Discussion:
Firedoglake, Needlenose, Daily Kos, Washington Monthly, Obsidian Wings, Campaign for America's Future and MyDD
Spencer Ackerman / TPMmuckraker: Wilson: Congress Should Investigate Bush's Participation in Obstruction of Justice
The Poor Man Institute:
Justice — Bush, today, on overturning the sentence of a traitor to the United States:
Justice — Bush, today, on overturning the sentence of a traitor to the United States:
Discussion:
Booman Tribune
Sheryl Gay Stolberg / New York Times:
For Bush, Action in Libby Case Was a Test of Will
For Bush, Action in Libby Case Was a Test of Will
Discussion:
ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES
The Independent:
Terror plot hatched in British hospitals — A suspected secret cell of foreign militants, believed to be linked to al-Qa'ida and using British hospitals as cover, are being questioned over the terrorist attacks in London and Glasgow. — Five of the eight people under arrest last night are said to be doctors.
Discussion:
Brisbane Times, The Strata-Sphere, Unqualified Offerings, Tim Blair and Secular Blasphemy
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Susie / Suburban Guerrilla:
James Capozzola, 1962-2007 — Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, — Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, — Silence the pianos and with muffled drum — Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come. — "Funeral Blues," W.H. Auden. — My friend Jim died this evening.
New York Times:
U.S. Says Iran Helped Iraqis Kill Five G.I.'s — Agents of Iran helped plan a January raid in Shiite holy city of Karbala in Iraq in which five American soldiers were killed by Islamic militants, an American military spokesman said Monday. The charge was the most specific allegation …
Byron Dziva / Telegraph:
Mugabe's 'inflation police' raid shopkeepers — Plain-clothes police sought to enforce Zimbabwe's new price controls by raiding shops yesterday as President Robert Mugabe's regime waged a desperate struggle against soaring inflation. — They roughed up shop owners and staff and arrested 20 businessmen.