Libby's Trial Becomes Cheney's Trial

[babylonsister]

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/020407b.html

Libby's Trial Becomes Cheney's Trial

By Brent Budowsky
February 4, 2007

Editor's Note: Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is presenting a case to prove that former vice presidential chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby committed perjury and obstruction of justice. But Libby's old boss, Vice President Dick Cheney, lurks in the background as a de facto unindicted co-conspirator in a White House scheme that involved disclosing the identity of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame.

In this guest essay, political analyst Brent Budowsky -- who helped Sen. Lloyd Bentsen write the law prohibiting the willful disclosure of covert CIA officers -- looks at how the Libby trial has morphed into the shadow trial of Vice President Cheney:

For the judge and jury, it is the Libby trial. For America and American politics, it is the Dick Cheney trial and the stakes are far higher than reported in the media.

What has emerged in evidence so far, is not surprising, but it is astonishing. Vice-President Cheney was so deeply involved and obsessed with discrediting Joe Wilson that the impact and implications are enormous and underestimated.

The Vice President was choreographer of the attack on Wilson. He acted as though he was the deputy White House political director and the deputy White House press secretary. He was organizing meetings, drafting talking points and assigning which staff would talk to which reporter.

This is not what Vice Presidents do. This is more than an attack on his enemy Wilson. Most of us who have had high government positions have faced these situations, and launching a counter-attack could have been done far more discreetly and professionally.

more...

[H2O Man]

1. Nominated.

Great article. Thank you for posting it.

Should be a heck of a week!

[babylonsister]

2. You're welcome, H20 Man, and I'm looking forward to your posts on it!

:toast:

[Disturbed]

3. It is the Duty of Congress to Impeach VP Cheney!

Why aren't they going to do so?

[babylonsister]

4. Here's Conyers' short answer (more about impeachment towards

the end of the article):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3095298&mesg_id=3095298

[rurallib]

8. Isn't outing a covert agent considered treason?

The only thing that would bother me about an impeachment is that the reich could hand-pick its successor
That and dumdum will pardon Cheney.

[jtrockville]

19. TREASON SQUARED because it was during wartime!

How thoughtless of Dick.

[halobeam]

21. Yes.. agreed.... great article...THANKS!

[Olney Blue]

5. Good article. K and R.

[teach1st]

6. During Nixon's reign, we had a madman at the wheel...

...with V.P. Agnew limited to running alliterative defense. With this administration, it seems we have two sanity-deprived leaders steering the runaway car, no poetry, and much higher stakes.

[mzmolly]

7. Very nice summary.

Speaking of pardons, I don't think Presidents should be able to pardon those who help them commit crimes? In fact, I don't think Presidents should have the power to pardon anyone. Doing so gives one man the power to undo what a court of law has determined, just. But, that's a matter for another discussion.

I look forward to the rest of America awakening to what we here, have known for sometime. The cries for impeachment will grow, I do hope we have time.

[loudsue]

9. I agree: Presidents should NOT be able to pardon any members

of their cabinet or staff for breaking laws, nor should they be allowed to pardon anyone they appointed to office of any kind. That's like "I'll pick you to break this law, and then when we get away with it, I'll set you free". Too much room for shenanigans.

We need a new constitutional amendment to this effect. Now that we know what kind of weasel can make it to the highest office, we need to counter his/her tactics with a hard-hitting law that limits their power to screw the people.

:kick:

[BigBearJohn]

10. I agree!

[mzmolly]

12. Exactcly. What is to fear if the President can pardon his fellow criminals?

All they have to do in such a case is cover his ass.

[H2O Man]

13. That brings up

something important. Let's review the section of the Constitution where the power to grant pardons is mentioned, shall we?

Article II, Section 2, paragraph 1: ".... and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for all Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

Except in cases of impeachment. Except in cases of impeachment. Hmmmm!!!!

[mzmolly]

14. Ah, so he can't pardon once impeachment proceedings are underway?

It seems absurd that criminal penalties can be ultimately decided by one human being unless we impeach? Libby, for example, is already "removed from office." It seems, this situation allows for abuse, and sets us up for the situation we find ourselves in today? Impeachment, to my understanding can only force removal from office. However, Cheney, Bush etc. will not do time for their crimes so long as Bush is protected as he can "pardon." Can the President be tried for treason?

Also - I wonder if civil penalties would be an option at some point as well? I thought I heard Wilson say that he's considering a civil case? What about the people of Iraq?

/rambling nonsense ;)

Seems impeachment is our only real option, however do we have time?

[H2O Man]

15. The Civil Case

was filed last summer. You can read all about it at:

http://wilsonsupport.org/

Those interested can also donate to the cause, either over the internet, or at:
The Joseph & Valerie Wilson Legal Support Trust
PO Box 40918
Washington, DC 20016-0918

Should the civil action result in funds greater than those the Wilson's have invested, all proceeds will be donated to a charitable organization that advocates protecting government whistleblowers.

[mzmolly]

16. Ah, that's right.

Thanks H2Oman, I'm losing track in all this madness. ;)

[DearAbby]

23. If Cheney were to resign

Bush then can pardon him. Congress better get off their butts, and get busy.

[Swamp Rat]

11. k&r

[Alamom]

17. Wow, this article is extraordinary. Thank you for posting. n/t

[spanone]

18. k & R

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

20. Wow, extraordinary...K&R!!!

[Alamom]

22. kick