WITH THIS KIND OF ATTITUDE:

"I just cancelled taking my grandsons to 4th of July fireworks. There is no longer any reason to celebrate. Our country is broken–and no one does a damn thing about it. What a sad, sad day in history. Posted By Karen Clark, Sacramento, CA : July 2, 2007 8:24 pm”

If we all thought like you, there would be no reason to celebrate our FREEDOM because we WOULDN’T HAVE ANY. But fortunately we all don’t think like you. And I for one WILL NEVER let the actions of ONE MAN make me forget the sacrifices, bravery and courage of the many men and women who made it possible to say I’m a FREE AMERICAN. That is the most pathetic post I've ever seen on any blog board - SHAME ON YOU! You are a horrible example for your grandchildren.

I'm amazed at the number of people who are misled by the low numbers for the Bush administration. Realize that he's got 16 more months and that the majority of pardons for every administration occur near the end of their last term since there isn't as much chance for backlash.

It's called checks and balances morons.

[...] Cold Fury, JURIST, New York Times, About U.S. Politics, Democratic National Committee, FRAMESHOP, CNN Political Ticker, The Anonymous Liberal, The American Mind, GINA COBB, Economist's View, The Raw Story, [...]

Uh, please remember that it was ARMITAGE who leaked the information. Not Libby. Not that it excuses Libby's obstruction of justice, it doesn't. But for those who have posted here to say that Libby was the leaker, you are just plain WRONG.
Also, Sandy Berger committed much more serious crimes (stealing and destroying national archive records????) and got a slap on the wrist.
Bush was right to commute the sentence (he DID NOT pardon him).

How much longer will the citizens of this country stand by and watch as our freedoms are squandered. Bysh, Chenet and EVERYONE who supports them should be held to the test. Fred Thompson and Rudi just threw away their political futures. The amount of housecleaning, the amount of reconcilliation necessary can only be handled by Obama or Hillary. Line from a movie states "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore." Althought I am 100% disabled, I just gave my pledge for a monthly pledge to support Hillary. Elect her and we get Bill also. Two for the price of one. I make it a daily routine to write at least two political comment letters per day and send them to Washington. I am old enough, I don't woory for myself. I am freightened to the core about what lies ahead for my children and their children. We are headed in the same direction as pre-war Germany. To simply sit back and expect others to fix our problems is so wrong. Call or write your representatives at least twice a day. Eventually even the deaf and blind in Washington will understand and begin planning the space to incarcerate GWB and his bunch of cronies who lie at the first chance given them.

Look at the numbers, Bush is conservative in his pardons and sentence commuting. I'm sure no one will make a big deal out of how many pardons Clinton dealt out.

Libby was handed an unusual sentence for the crimes he committed. He still pays a $250,000 fine, and the felony stays on his record. His reputation is shattered and he will never work "this side" of town again. He is not off the hook.

Libby has paid dearly for his misdeeds already. And it is not justice if the same kind of crimes historically have much lesser punishments given.

My question is, if Scooter is just a fall guy, then who is
the one who gave away Ms. Plame's cover. If government can't produce the one responsible, how can
I believe that there is anything but a cover up. President
Bush should be called "King George" . Why isn't
Dick Cheney or "doughboy" Karl Rove being put on the
hot seat? I can't wait for this administration to be gone.

When are the American people (all of them) going to realize that both political parties are flawed. It doesn't matter if they are Democrats or Republicans - they all smell the same - just like rotten food.

We to have a way to start over in this country while there are still people who believe in the REAL American Way.

It's outrageous that this president is allowed to get away with yet another mocking of our system of laws. I guess there is nothing we as common citizens can do but wait till the next president is elected. I hope we learned from this coward not to make the same mistake.

It's ironic that the ONLY person convicted in a case where a CIA agent was outed had nothing to do with it. The prosecution was on a witch hunt. The president was correct in commuting the sentence.

I am personally glad to see the president use this power the right way this time. This was truly a case that should have never been brought to the courts in the first place. It amazing the number of people who are not educated about the facts of the case. All presidents, democract or republican, have used this power when they felt it was needed. I support this case and in fact was angry that Bush allowed it to go on this long. I still believe a full pardon should have done but Bush doesn't have the guts for that.

Just another example of Empirer "Dick" Cheney's lapdog choosing not to comply with the law because they "are above it".
This is not a democratic government it is more of an empirical government of "do as I say not as I do".
Don't blame 'W' for this as he doesn't have the intelligence to think this up, rather blame his partner in crime "Dick".

Wake up boys and girls. We all knew President Bush would pardon, or commute his sentance.

He is beyond being a lame duck President.

Was anyone really surprised, if you were, what planet have you been living on?

Paris Hilton went to jail for God's sake. What the hell is going on with the White House. Scooter Libby IS convicted of obstruction in the judicial system. This was a Republican prosecutor and a Republican judge but they don't know as much as Bush? The process wasn't even finished. They were in the appeal process and stil are! What about all the other people who have been convicted? What about their families? What about the two border guards, Campios and Ramos who are jail — railroaded by Johnny Sutton? Where was Bush's compassion on that issue. These people are such babies. They can do the crime but not the time.
There is one bright side — now the prosecutor can give Libby full immunity to spill his guts on the real story — who orchestrated this cover up in the WH. And when he refuses he will go to jail then… good booty food for the prison population *s*
I am so sick of this government. What happened to a country that believes in following the law.

"Illegal" people get a free pass for entering illegally, forging documents, stealing identities? But what about ordinary Americans that don't have big lobbyist to back us up? We get "F)&(&ed" and we don't even get kissed.

Why would any other country believe that we speak with the tongue of democracy when we lick our lips with the abuse of power, and corruption.

The Bush Administrations legacy continues. Start a war that has no merit, lie to the people, claim executive privilage when you have paper that will convict you, claim that anyone who does not agree with you is unpatriotic, and now let someone who commits high treason off the hook. When future historians read how the American people have voted for our leadership, they are going to vomit. How we let this corrupt administration continue to bully over us and do what they please is beyond me. We as a people need to come together and rise against the government and toss them out on their butts. We are supposed to be the example to the rest of the world how a government is supposed to run. We are not in a democracy, we are in a dictatorship. Bush does whatever he wants to do and nobody stands up and says "The King has no clothes!". Well, I'm saying it. Bush is a criminal. He eas killed over 3000 American soldiers in a war that was started because "Saddam had weapons of mass destructions". When it turned out that there were no WMD's, Bush's comments on live TV, "So, don't you think that the world is a safer place without Saddam Hussein?" Sorry George, The world will only get safer when you sir are out of office. Then the WAR PIGS WILL HAVE NO POWER.

What happened to a government by the people. Shouldn't we have all voted on this first.

what a shocker, i cant wait to see him OUT of office!

This is what happens when you have a clueless and shameless President. This proves even more that there is no such thing as an HONEST POLITICIAN and who says crime doesn't pay. Its a real blessing that the BUSH ERA is SHAMEFULLY COMING TO AND END. GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Thank you baby bush you just gave the democrats the white house in 2008!!! Whoopee

There was never a doubt in my mind that Libby would ever serve a day in prison. There was a deal from the beginning that he wouild take the fall, and then Bush would either pardon or commute his sentence. Bush has absolety no regard for the laws of our country. He does whatever he wants to do. Too bad we have to put up with him till the end of his term.

I think the much more interesting number is, How many Presidents stepped in for people who worked for their adminstration and prostituted our justice system in their behalf?

It's not the Constitution that's wrong; it's the Presidents who pardon their own to avoid justice who are wrong.
And they should be separated out from the pack so we know who they are.

this just adds to the impression around the world that the u.s goverment is a big-boys-club that elevates its self over both justice, truth and people.

im sad on your behalf.

js

The President has righted a terrible wrong.
The above figures reveal this President has exercised pardons and commutations at a rate that is 11th out of the 11 Presidents listed. Check out my analysis, one that CNN won't do, due to their political leanings.

Libby was less guilty than the man who gives the orders in the White House. Yes- Dick Cheney is the one who deserves a prison term.

What a horrible mistake the Bush administration is and always will be. I'm sitting at home with my 3-month old baby while my husband fights a war based off these cowards and their lies. I will be forever proud that I did not vote for these incompetent traitors of our country. Let freedom ring and learn from our mistakes my fellow Americans!

Border Agents Compion and Ramos are still in jail and Scooter gets a "free pass" What a travesty of justice!!

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN BEFORE THE BUSH CRIME FAMILY IS HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR ANYTHING!!! I am so OUTRAGED I can hardly contain my self. Bush continues to be the arrogant little dictator and ignore the AMERICAN people's will. The republicans should be ashamed that this is the man that represents thier party. But we all know that will not happen. The decider seems to think that he and the rest of those liars in the white house are above the law and should not be accountable for any crime. I really think that he is planning to turn this country into an empire and he will be president for life. He claims to be doing what the American people what but which American people is he talking about. I think I know, rich white neocons. God help us all.

At first I was outraged, then I saw the list of presidential pardons, and shoot, its a bit of a tradition. Yes, Libby committed a crime (lesser compared to leaking US spy info), yet Bush has the right to commute or pardon him. Its the way it goes in the Beltway.

These are the times that try mens soul's. And our president just kicked democracy in the face.

Bush is a traitor to this country, plain and simple!

This is beyond partisan politics, in my opinion. This is one of the President's most audacious abuses of power yet. Of course, I'm not shocked. I hold the Democrats equally responsible. They were voted into majority power. Implicit with this victory was the expectation that this administration would finally be taken to task, but it was off the table as soon as the election took place.
Of course the President felt empowered and invincible.
It's time for checks and balances, folks. Forget the politics. When our foundational laws fall, guess what happens next?

Libby was convicted for lying to investigators. Help me remember…how much jail time did President Clinton serve for lying under oath?

I am flat out disgusted and completely disenchanted with this country and the greedy men that have amBUSHed it. The Bush administration has done this to me and many. Their corruption knows no bounds it seems and they could care less who knows it. The untouchables.

I am flat out disgusted and completely disenchanted with this country. The Bush administration has done this to me and many. Their corruption knows no bounds it seems and they could care less who knows it. The untouchables.

SO CORRUPT. CHENEY IS THE ONE WHO BELONGS IN JAIL. AS SOON AS THE GUY WHO TOOK THE FALL FOR THEM EXHAUSTS HIS APPEAL, THE LET HIM WALK.

UNBELIEVABLE!

I wonder what Scooter Libby had on Bush and/or Cheney that would make them willing to take the political fallout that will inevitably result from commuting his sentence?

why don't we just expose all undercover officers true identity and put their lives in danger and do nothing to the people who expose them. a felony is a felony. there are several people from past administrations or friends of presidents who were sent to prison for comitting crimes. what a place we live in when our leaders are expected to lead us equally and fairly and their neither equal or fair. i was a bush supporter but maybe he went to far with this incident.

Since our liberal bloggers here are so 'smart' (apparently smarter even than the Founders of the Constitution)why don't they stop whining and start a movement for an amendment to the constitution to limit the President's powers? But do your homework first and see how many pardons have been doled out by past democrat presidents. Anyway, Bush would do well to also pardon a couple of Border Patrol agents. Maybe justice system reforms need to start in the 'lower courts' based on the Founder's actual intentions.

what a shocker! they should all be tried for treason, war crimes and the like. sometimes i feel like we're in oz, "dont pay attention to the man behind the curtain"….inundated with images of party girls gone bad, while the country's leaders make a mockery out of the "democracy" …question is, will the people arise from the oil fume haze before its too late?

How much more proof is needed until Americans realize America is a failed state? The president has too much power! He declares war without any justification, lies to Americans again and again, and now this. Well I have had enough. I'm leaving.

30 months too long?????????

The victom's "sentence" was for life.

It's one thing to pardon someone. Quite another to pardon someone who has evidence against you.

those numbers don't tell the whole story

Libby's new nickname should be "skater".

This administration has just surpassed Nixonian levels of corruption. Will any of these guys ever except personal responsibility for their crimes? Can they be held accountable for anything?

Now, that President Bush has commuted the sentence for Scooter Libby he can finally do what is right for those 2 border patrol officers. If Libby can stay out of jail because of all the good he has done in the past….surely these officers can be treated fairly and equally.

Wayne Witherspoon, Phoenix, Az needs to stop drinking the kool-aid. There are young men and women being killed everyday because of the lies of this administration. Their blood is on your hands and those who keep this conquest going.

Is anyone really surprised by this? This sort of thing is so typical of this administration(and really most politicians). I would have been surprised if Bush had not pardoned or commuted Libby. I can't wait to see the outcome of the next presidential election. The Republicans can only do so much damage control…

This "investigation" was political theater. This network as well as the rest call this trial "the cia leak trial." It was a travesty of justice. The special prosecutor knew A YEAR before Libby was charged who leaked the name and that even then it was not a crime. The only reason he went on was to find anything else they could make look like a crime. Democrats screamed like stuck pigs when the clintons were investigated like this. Starr was ripped to shreads because the only charges were seperate from the reason for the origional investigation.

It was all political, and it is fitting to have a political conclusion. Libby should have never been charged, much less sent to prison. Bush did the absolutely correct thing! Good Job!

The important thing is to look at the numbers and not the case…god it is good to be an American where STATS are everything and contents is of NO value.

He is more corrupt than Nixon.
Lets hope the democrats grow some
and have him and the vp serve
scooters time

Unbelievable. Just when I think that there is a shred of justice remaining in our system (and I say a 'shred' because Libby was nothing but a fall-guy who got a slap on the wrist), I am reminded of just how arrogant the current administration is. Today, Bush single-handedly reaffirmed the growingly obvious truth that the 'right people' really can buy (or is it: "lie") their way out of prison. Despite all of the questionable ethical practices that the current White House has been accused of, for me this surely takes the cake so far. Finally a scenario where someone from an administration which is far from perfect would be subjected to a small degree of accountability, and that prospect has been stolen away from us. But, can we really blame the Bush? He, like all presidents, will get away with as much as the people allow him to.

If Paris Hilton had to do her time, then why not "Scooter" Libby (and his cohorts)? Once again, in America we've proven that being in the white house still has its privleges and our judicial system is but a thin veil over a double edge sword. Consequences can be set aside/diminished/commuted for the haves whose sentences seem "too harsh". Perhaps Mr. Libby had an extreme case of claustrophia more so than Paris. However, Club Fed is a far cry for the county jail. My comments aren't meant to diminish the need for someone to correct a judicial wrong. I believe that it is still needed because our system isn't perfect. Yet, abuse of power is still abuse by any other name.

IMPEACH NOW. Cheney then Bush. Save the USA from these criminals.

OUTRAGE AND SAD AS AN AMERICAN….!!!

GEORGE W. BUSH IS A THUG AND A CRIMINAL. WHAT HE DID TODAY IS WRONG. I WILL SWITCH PARTY AND WILL NEVER VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE EVER AGAIN.

BUSH HAS LOST HIS MINDS. THE NATIONAL DEBT IS OUT OF CONTROL, AND NOW THIS.

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!

It's simple, The President stated that he would want to see whomever found guilty of this prosecuted to the full extent of the law, then he says forget the judge, forget the jury I decided that the punishment is too severe. George Bush President of the United States, what a joke! I'm simply embarrassed to be an American. So is he going to start reviewing all cases now and interpreting the law and deciding the length of jail time to be served for all citizens.

Why can't Scotter take his punnishment
like Paris Hilton did. Does this mean
that Paris has more BALLS than Scotter?
This is just one more nail in their coffin, I hope!

IT'S CALLED AN ELECTION. LET'S DEAL WITH IT THERE. IT IS JUST TOO BAD GOOD CANIDATES WILL PAY FOR THIS BLUNDERFILLED INEPT ADMINISTRATION.

Wayne Witherspoon is one reason why this country is in serious trouble.

It would be more appropriate to list a new class of pardons which forgives the same Administration's own political operatives. I believe President Bush plowed virgin ground here.

A sad and unfortunate excuse of a government. How can we be the lighthouse of democracy if our government itself is so fundementally flawed?

I am not in slightest bit surprised. This is so typical of this government. I am disgusted and embarrassed. How much longer before the MORON is out of office and can no longer cause harm to Americans?

CNN let's stay on topic. Don't try to distract your readers from the real topic. We can't do anything about past presidents. We can do something about this one. Bush and Cheney have no respect for the law or the citizens of this country.
It sure looks like all the GOP bloggers are sweating hard tonight trying to save face for their king.

[...] Quarters, Outside The Beltway, No More Mister Nice Blog, The Reaction and Shakesville, Althouse, CNN Political Ticker, Don Surber, The American Mind, Daily Kos, JammieWearingFool and Riehl World View, HotAir, [...]

Executive powers not withstanding, President Bush has now demonstrated another reason why his popularity is declining. Shame on the President, shame on Vice President Dick Cheney, shame on Scooter Libby and shame on the American people who have tolerated this President this long. President Bush, you are absolutely, no longer worthy.

Michael Diamant, MD

The President was given the pardon power because the Founders realized that sometimes police, prosecuters, and juries get it wrong. Anyone who doubts that should look at all of the men over the years that have been exonerated by DNA evidence.

Many of the pardons granted in the Civil Rights era were for convictions based on people who exercised their rights to free speech, or were convictions based solely on race. There are still plenty of people arrested for "driving while brown" and similar non-offenses.

Believe it or not, this is a democracy and if the President over steps common-sense then the people can vote(and encourage others to vote) and hold them and their party responsible.

Personally, I think Scooter Libby is a traitor and think that the Bush administration cares more about power and not being questioned, than it does about national security and the rule of law. However, before everybody starts going nut case about the power of the President to pardon they should think about the full reprecussions of leaving the fate of unpopular individuals and groups to the unfettered whims of the easily inflamed masses.

This country can survive bad Presidents. But you start messing with the Constitution on the basis of the actions of one bad president, and the country won't last for long.

LET'S NOT PRETEND SURPRISE. THIS IS THE SAME PRESIDENT THAT LIED TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT A NEED TO GO TO WAR (ALMOST 4 THOUSAND AMERICAN LIVES LOST), WOULD GIVE AMENSTY TO 12 MILLION OR 20 MILLION ILLEGAL ALIENS (BUT WHO'S COUNTING), BACKS THE ILLEGAL FIRING OF JUDGES BY ALBERTO. WE COULD GO ON AND ON BUT WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

"I won't talk, if you get me out of jail…"

I await the investigation and indictment of those that leaked the warrantless wiretapping, the secret CIA prisons, and the financial tracking systems. I'm sure if we jail enough reporters (now that the MSM, salivating at the chance to attack Bush, has cheerleaded us into the precedent) we can get their sources to pony up, or at least perjure themselves.

Sandy Berger got no time and a 5x smaller fine for an actual national security crime that he was actually guilty of, so this is probably about right.

Thank You Mr. Bush for confirming every nasty rotten thing ever said about you. Impeaching you and your cronies is the only way to give this country back any honor.

Clinton pardoned 16 convicted terrorists.

PARDON OUR BORDER AGENTS, IMPEACH BUSH, CHENEY

Wayne,
If you had read that story that you linked, you'd be aware of a couple of key differences. First, Clinton lied in a deposition, not in front of a grand jury. At the grand jury point, Clinton came clean, whereas Libby did not.

Second, why are people comparing a lie about a marital indiscretion with lies regarding national security. It obviously shows that some people have their priorities a little out of order.

Lastly, why should CNN dig up articles from 6 years ago to spread the news, especially within 2-3 hours of the event. They're a news channel, not a "News Compared and Contrasted with History" channel. I thought that this little chart was even more than they needed to do to illustrate to people that this isn't new.

Now, for those of us who live in the grey world, as opposed to the black & white one some are stuck in, if only they listed what convictions each of the pardons and commuted sentences were erased rather than just listing stats.

I just cancelled taking my grandsons to 4th of July fireworks. There is no longer any reason to celebrate. Our country is broken–and no one does a damn thing about it. What a sad, sad day in history.

hey wayne - at what point of clinton's 'transgressions' did he leak the identity of a CIA agent, or purposefully sacrifice national security for political gain? There's no correlation + if you believe in the myth of liberal media dissemination, you have a short memory. Clinton getting a BJ = months of 'hysteria'. Bush's pardon? a disgraceful action that will fade in 2 weeks due to some new, appalling example of government ineptitude.
Bush deserves all the criticism he gets for this one.

Scooter lied and now we know that Bush lied when he said he would hold anybody in his admin who was involved responsible. Truth: President lied to the American People about a treasonous act.

Juat another disgusting dedision by the decider. What about the 2 men being held in jail in texas protecting our border. It makes my stomach turn.

Consider this: Had the president pardoned Scooter Libby, would he be able to invoke the Fifth if he were called before congress to testify? I don't think so.

Since he was not pardoned and his case is still under appeal, he should still be able to take the Fifth if called to testify about his activities and others in the VP's office.

Hate to say it but that was a pretty smart move by the Prez. Make it appear like he's taking a "middle of the road" approach while actually insulating himself and Cheney from any further testimony by Libby.

We are in a state of danger. We are no longer respected in the international community. We have an administration that lacks pragmatism and a value for the law. It is ironic that an adminstration that campaign on the bible. Violates some of the most basic moral principles, and uses deceptful tactics to wield its way. God would be embarrased to know that George W. Bush, says he represents his way. In the end, Bush may have set his party back 20 years or more. Which is a lesson we can learn from.

That trial was a set up right from the start.The judge gave libby to much jail time. So now that libby's sentence was commuted, The judge comes out smellig like a rose, Scooter comes out smelling like a rose and who cares about president Bush. He's still going to be MUD from here on in !

I hear you Bob, but the problem is we only have 2 MAIN political parties to choose from. Independent candidates have never been that formidible. I hate to put it this way, but it's like choosing the 'lesser of two evils.' That would be the Democrats in my opinion.

I remember a quote by Thomas Jefferson (not sure of the exact wording) did say at one time; "a little revolution now and then is good for a country."

People seem to have forgotten all about Mr. Armitedge.

(or however you spell it. this is the dude that actually lied…)

While the president has the "right" to commute or pardon, he and his cronnie-packed staff surely don't care about appearances. With his approval rating dropping daily, and this sure to add to his unpopularity, it makes me believe that neither he nor the V.P. care about their constituents, the common man.

Seems that the administration would rather add to their woes than to have Scooter tell all. What kinds of "deals" are being made daily that we never hear about?

We, the people are sunk, with no help and no consideration from our government. What's next?

QUID PRO QUO

Keep Scooter out of jail so he doesn't write a tell all book and expose Cheney.

Stop George Bush and Dick Cheney.

Impeachment NOW!!!

THE PERFECT EXAMPLE–IT DOESN'T MATTER–REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS–THE AMERICAN PUBLIC CAN'T TRUST EITHER ONE.
160 YEARS (TEARS) OF REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT CRIMES ARE ENOUGH!
Time for a rEVOLution!
STOP BAD GOVERNMENT! NOW!!

The ability to pardon or commute a sentence should be a right stripped from the president's sole discrection. Clearly it has been abused in the past and it continues to this day. I would like to see the reasons behind all of the pardons and that persons relationship to the presidents.
Our government is a sad mockery of what it was orginally intended at every level.

Gee, What a surprise.

OUTRAGE, OUTRAGE, OUTRAGE…!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT HAS THE U.S. BECOME????