. . . and Justice for All

I've been following the headlines about what President Bush has done for Mr. Libby. I find the commentary from the other politicians, just priceless. About four words into the quote, you can immediately tell the party of the individual. I'd really like to sit down and talk to Nancy P. She is so clearly partisan, that frankly, her point is lost. These people need to remember just 8 short years ago, their favorite fund raiser was accused and impeached for lying to a grand jury. Now, where did Nancy stand on that issue? And of course, the republicans that wanted blood from democrats, find jail too harsh for one of their own. Well, I have a few non-partisan observations that I just need to get off my chest.

The party that felt Libby should not go to jail, also believes in harsh, harsh sentences for uncommitted, but potential crimes. Most of the republican party is also in favor of the ultimate punishment for crime. Now, just a side note, in case there are any evangelicals reading this blog. Only a theocratic government that maintains the laws of Torah can morally use the death penalty. Any non-theocratic government using capital punishment is simply an arrogant group of murderous heathens. But back to this harshness of a 2 1/2 year sentence.

The democrats act like Libby had committed high treason or something. Get real, he was just covering his boss, which under the circumstances, should be held to some accountability. Libby clearly took heat for this entire administration, and they clearly let him. The democrats can be caught with money in their freezer, big money deals on inside info, and whatever else, they, as politicians can manage to get away with, just like the other side of the aisle. But, when it comes to "one of their own" they don't want any accountability or consequences, either.

In reality, every criminal case in this country in which a guilty verdict is rendered, there is someone that believes the sentence is too harsh and someone that believes the sentence is not harsh enough. And as we have also seen there are some that "should" simply get preferred treatment for a myriad of reasons. There will always be someone that thinks the present justice system has failed in some way, and it does, but it's the one that holds 300,000,000 citizens to account. If the sentences are too harsh, then change them for everyone. If someone shouldn't serve their sentence, then don't find them guilty. If there was no crime discovered, then no one obstructed justice. It gets pretty ridiculous, but I saved the most ridiculous for our leader. His quote was from the Opinion Journal of the Wall Street Journal.

"My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. . . . The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting." I chose to print his quote in orange; a blend of republican red and non-courage yellow. If Libby does not deserve prison, then he doesn't deserve a harsh punishment. If he's guilty and the punishment is prison, then how is getting out of his sentence, harsh punishment? But you know, I can see Bush's point here. Libby is just a pawn anyway, so why not get a dig in at the dems, and remind us all of his unaccountable power at the same time. On the other hand, what does he have to lose? His faithful, think he can do no wrong, and the rest of us wouldn't have changed our opinions, regardless of what he did, so why not throw that executive power around a bit, he knows where he stands. Too bad Martha Stewart wasn't on better terms with Cheney and the White House. Or if Libby had only been sentenced to 5 months, would that have reduced the harshness enough that he would have to serve? See, we'll never know what the real deal is, but that's politics in America, and we're doing our level best to spread this around the world! I read one other quote in the Washington Post, from a former Wyoming senator:
Many letter writers expressed frustration over the Libby saga's conclusion. Former senator Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.) wrote that he "shall always remain eternally puzzled how the situation ever 'came to this.' Some are of the opinion that he has 'fallen upon his sword' and yet, it is my perception that the sword has fallen upon him!"

And it is my opinion and perception that he was thrust upon the sword!

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to YHVH. a Proverb of Holy Scripture