Dakota

On June 5, Judge Reggie Walton will decide whether Scooter Libby will go to jail immediately, or be released on bail until his appeal. If he's released, it gives our President a short reprieve to work on his popularity . Then he can feel free to pardon Scooter (for lying under oath to a grand jury in order to cover his boss's ass) in broad daylight right under the noses of the forgetful American public. As Dan Froomkin says:

To those of us watching the investigation and trial unfold, Cheney's presence behind the scenes has emerged in glimpses and hints. (The defense's decision not to call Cheney to the stand remains a massive bummer.) But I suspect that people looking back on this story will see it with greater clarity: As a blatant -- and thus far successful -- cover-up for the vice president.

Evidently there have been pleas for clemency written on Libby's behalf , but, of course, his defense team wants them to be kept secret. Marcy Wheeler writes for Guardian Unlimited::

It is not unreasonable to suggest some of these public figures submitted letters to curry favor with the administration or advance their own position within it.

This is particularly true given Dick Cheney's role in the case. The evidence presented at the Libby trial makes a compelling case that Libby obstructed the investigation of the leak of Plame's identity to hide Cheney's role in that leak. Cheney, of course, remains in government. The more lenient Libby's punishment, the smaller the chance Libby will flip on Cheney. So any lenient treatment of Libby would directly benefit Cheney, something those hoping to influence Cheney surely know.

Meanwhile, the enormous Dick was out on the commencement circuit this weekend, having landed the big one at West Point. Grandfather of Sam took the opportunity to trash the Geneva Convention to those graduates who will need it most as they surge into active duty in Iraq. Digby comments on Cheney's speech:

I hope all those new officers at the US Military Academy got the message. Real men don't need those silly protections. When the Vice President of the United States openly derides the Geneva Conventions and the US Constitution at West Point by snidely describing those who demand their protections as "delicate" I think you can assume they are no longer operative. If any of these newly minted officers ever have the misfortune to be captured, they'd better hope they can be blasted out because they surely won't be able to leverage any kind of reciprocation or make any kind of an agreement. You are on your own boys, no "delicate sensibilities" allowed.....

One more thing: the West Point honor code says, "a cadet will not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do." How in the world did they justify having Dick Cheney speak at the commencement?

Here's a version. of his address that has been annotated for projections.

Oh Dick's a man of courage indeed. He had five deferrments during the Vietnam War, He allowed his most trusted deputy to take the rap for his vindictive and treasonous disclosure of Valerie Plame's identity as a CIA operative. Halliburton, Cheney's federal fund sponge in the corporate world, moved to Dubai as soon as it looked like there would be aninvestigation for war profiteering by the Democratic Congress. I'm sure there's much more, but it's been classified

The man may not have courage, but he does have a hellava nerve.

Photo Note: A bumper sticker shot in a blue state

Posted by Dakota at May 29, 2007 02:47 PM | TrackBack