Then...
They said cigarettes didn't cause cancer.
They said blacks shouldn't be able to vote and or marry whites.
They said that if we didn't keep fighting in Vietnam, the Commies will invade California.
Now ...
They say Global Warming is a hoax.
They say Valerie Plame wasn't a covert agent hunting WMDs.
They say that if we don't occupy Iraq, the Muslims will invade Hoboken.
What will they say next?
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Thursday, July 05, 2007
The Hole in the Commutation/Pardon Plan
Any otherwise legal act becomes a crime when done in an act of bribery, in obstruction of justice, or in the commission of other crimes.
For example, it is perfectly legal for you to drive a car. But if you knowingly drive a car transporting a bank robber away from his crime, you are guilty of a crime.
Libby's acceptance of the commutation was in furtherance of obstruction of justice, and in exchange for his silence. That's 2 new crimes for him, not covered by the commutation, and 2 new crimes for Bush.
In addition, the pardon power at the time the constitution was drafted did not cover the furtherance of a conspiracy to protect the Executive from future prosecution. It was intended to be an act of mercy for past crimes not related to the person granting the pardon. Just as no man may be a judge in his own case, no executive may grant a pardon in a matter that had put him in legal jeopardy.
For example, it is perfectly legal for you to drive a car. But if you knowingly drive a car transporting a bank robber away from his crime, you are guilty of a crime.
Libby's acceptance of the commutation was in furtherance of obstruction of justice, and in exchange for his silence. That's 2 new crimes for him, not covered by the commutation, and 2 new crimes for Bush.
In addition, the pardon power at the time the constitution was drafted did not cover the furtherance of a conspiracy to protect the Executive from future prosecution. It was intended to be an act of mercy for past crimes not related to the person granting the pardon. Just as no man may be a judge in his own case, no executive may grant a pardon in a matter that had put him in legal jeopardy.
A Priest, a minister, and Scooter Libby ...
... walk into a bar.
Pretty soon they're all wasted and start busting the joint up.
"Oh, my!" said the minister, "I broke a table. But Jesus will forgive me in the morning."
"Oh, my!" said the priest, "I broke a chair. But I can give myself absolution right now."
"Oh, you are such losers!" sneered Scooter Libby. "I can break every law in the book, and George W Bush will pardon me in November!"
... walk into a bar.
Pretty soon they're all wasted and start busting the joint up.
"Oh, my!" said the minister, "I broke a table. But Jesus will forgive me in the morning."
"Oh, my!" said the priest, "I broke a chair. But I can give myself absolution right now."
"Oh, you are such losers!" sneered Scooter Libby. "I can break every law in the book, and George W Bush will pardon me in November!"
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