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Libby Drops Appeal

Posted: Monday, December 10, 2007 12:50 PM by Countdown

The one and only I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby has dropped his appeal in the CIA leak case. Here's a blurb from the AP: 

"We remain firmly convinced of Mr. Libby's innocence," attorney Theodore Wells said. "However, the realities were, that after five years of government service by Mr. Libby and several years of defending against this case, the burden on Mr. Libby and his young family of continuing to pursue his complete vindication are too great to ask them to bear."

Surely with no further legal proceedings President Bush will be able to comment on the Plame leak case now...right?

Also, tonight we'll be all over the latest on the destruction of those CIA torture tapes, the latest on Rudy Giuliani's meat grinder interview with Tim Russert yesterday, and the latest on the Oprah/Obama tour that may be causing big waves on the campaign trail. 

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Fess up Krista, you wrote this blog page for them, didn't you.

As to President Bush/Cheney commenting on Scooter?  only someone who is doing some really expensive drugs would even think that.  Bush/Cheney will find a new reason to say nothing -- like the case is closed, there is no further need to comment.  

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 1:04 PM)

Carol - it's part of the same old thing.  

Scandal, lies or criminal activity occurs and the administration won't comment on it because it's "under investigation".

Following the investigation, indictment, or criminal charges the administration won't comment on it because they "want the process to continue to it's conclusion".

After everything is done, findings made, sentencing occurred, etc. the administration won't comment because it's "old news".

Rinse and repeat.  

This has been going on since the Reagan (cover-up) administration.  And the media is STILL buying it.

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 1:36 PM)

This administration will say NOTHING!! They will hide under executive privilege; or some pathetic excuse such as Libby may reconsider so they can't discuss it; or, they’ll just say “it's over and we refuse to discuss the case”, etc. etc. etc.  We won't be getting any information from President Stupid or his staff of criminals and cronies!!

The only thing this "TELLS" me is what I've known all along; President Stupid will pardon Libby at the end of his term!! While many experts stated his appeal was pretty weak in the first place, that isn't the reason he "gave up."  He dropped his appeal because the White House has promised him a full and unconditional pardon period!!

I believe this came now because of the news that a.) the CIA destroyed evidence and this administration could be looking at obstruction of justice charges; b.) They don't want this in the media again; they want it over and they have ALOT of illegal activities on their plate right to “digest”!!

DISGUSTED!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 1:37 PM)

Why doesn't this surprise me. As we all knew, now he will be pardoned and El Presidente and Darth Vader
won't have to say a thing about Valerie Plame, as if I believed they would. Just a bunch of spineless wonders, cheaters and liars.

and Oprah stumping for Obama, I didn't think was a good idea in the beginning and still don't.

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 1:39 PM)

new thrad, one comment? i don't think so

O J (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:03 PM)

update thread please.

thank you (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:03 PM)

Here comes the doublespeak. First, they couldn't discuss it because it was still in the judicial system. Now, they won't discuss it because it will be characterized as " Mr. Libby's decision on what is best for him and his family. It would be improper for the administration to make any comment". It's moot, the pardon is already signed. Scooter was a good soldier and will be rewarded as such.

gator,stuart,fl (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:04 PM)

"Fess up Krista, you wrote this blog page for them, didn't you." Carol, Long Valley NJ  (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 1:04 PM) If so, they owe me money! In lieu of a monetary payment, dinner and good conversation with Keith Olbermann will be more than adequate!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:06 PM)

I guess we need to stretch the scope to what Congress knew and when did they know it. What a bunch of ....OK...family site...family site...family site... Can we just put the entire Executive and Legislative branches in an undisclosed secret location, start all over, and forget where we put them?! PLEASE?!

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:09 PM)

"Surely with no further legal proceedings President Bush will be able to comment on the Plame leak case now...right?"

Yes-surely!  I can't wait to hear why he won't comment now...i just hope that the press conference is as brutal as the one on the NIE.  Anyone else think that Ms. Perino will be resigning soon to spend more time with her family?

Sarah, Tucson, AZ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:10 PM)

Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for the Clap-a-thon for Mr. & Mrs. America's Mayor? Maybe a holiday theme? Candy canes would be an especially appropriate decoration, don't you all think?

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:13 PM)

I worry about the SPP.

I'm all for the United States, Canada, and Mexico to work together to enhance Security and Commerce, I can get behind that.

But why do all the Politicos in support of it, (Both Left and Right) pay their own way to attend meetings to bring it about so that they attend as Private Citizens and not as Government Agents?

At this time, I'm not for stopping the SPP, just for more access to what's going on by means other then spp.gov. What are both Dems and Reps hiding by keeping the meetings closed?

David Molinero (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:26 PM)

Look forward to Olbermann spiking this story:
Hillary Clinton Might Be the Least Electable Democrat
http://www.alternet.org/story/69916

I think Molly Ivins was correct:
I will not support Hillary Clinton for president by Molly Ivins January 20, 2006
AUSTIN, Texas --- I'd like to make it clear to the people who run the Democratic Party that I will not support Hillary Clinton for president. "

http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/1/2006/1304



Jules, Palatine, IL (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:48 PM)

If Keith is too busy for the dinner and good conversation, a nicely autographed copy of his upcoming book would be KEWL, too! ;D

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 2:54 PM)

How about a special comment on the tape erase-o-rama, email and file delete-o-rama, computer hard drive wipe-o-rama that started in the Nixon Administration, continued with the Ollie North shred-o-rama that killed any significant investigation in the Iran-contra mess, and has fully blossomed into the get rid of everything in the Bush Criminal Administration.

Isn't this crap against the law?

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 3:10 PM)

I agree with Molly Ivins, I will not vote for Hillary to get the Democratic nomination, but I also will not vote for the Republican nominee in the November election for President.  

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 3:20 PM)

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 3:10 PM)

Yes, Sue, shredding/erasing/wiping/deleting is against the law.  Most likely whatever they are shredding/erasing/wiping/deleting was also against the law.  

407 more day, 407 more days, 407 more days ...

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 3:23 PM)

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 3:20 PM)

Ditto!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 3:37 PM)

Oh really Mr. Wells?  What about my brother and HIS young family?  Are they not good enough?

Whatever Libby!  You made your sorry a$$ bed, now lie in it!  You defended the indefensible, now you have to deal with it!

Disgusting!

Jamie, Lago Patria, Italia (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 3:58 PM)

news hole, 17 comments? Me don't think so.

O J (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 4:14 PM)

I'm not holding my breath waiting for ANYONE from the White House to say anything meaningful about Valerie Plame (or any other topic). It just might mess up the inevitable pardon that Scooter so desires.
Tim Russert gave a "meat grinder" interview with Rudy G.? I'm sorry I missed it. With Republican guests  Mr. Russert usually tosses more softballs than Larry King.
Is Tim okay ? Has he finally started to realize he's a journalist and he doesn't have to be a Republican boot-licker anymore?

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 4:20 PM)

Did you read the text of the NIE?  

scott henderson nv (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 1:36 PM)

I thought the Neocons said the NIE wasn't reliable.  Oh wait, I see, the NIE is only reliable when you can cherry pick the intelligence you agree with, while discrediting the rest.

And I can give a very good reason on why Bush is going after Imadinnerjacket (I won't even try to spell his name correctly), it's quite simple really:  This administration needs a boogey man.  This administration is in desperate need of it's own personal Lex Luthor, it's Green Goblin, because without some sort of 'enemy' to target and crusade against.  

Without Imadinnerjacket, G-Dub is stuck with failing bridges, sub-standard disaster response, horrible border protection, widespread corruption, numerous cover-ups, questionable intelligence (both in terms of personal mental capacity and military data) and no Osama Bin Ladin.

Over the weekend I watched 'V for Vendetta' and was reminded again just how far we've fallen, and how much more we can still fall.

Kevin, Lincoln, NE (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 4:22 PM)

Everytime I say this guys name I can't help but put together Libby - Label, Libby Libby - Label Label. Libby Libby Libby - Label Label Label. Has kind of a ring to it. Someone should make a commercial with that jingle. And if the creators should have anything to do with canned goods they could cram this guy into one of their first cans and ship it to the WhiteHouse as a Christmas Gift. Think Bush might choke after his first bite from a product that he learns came in a can with the Libby Label? Will anyone take me serious anymore on this blog after reading this. God, I must be bored this afternooon, or maybe just tired of hearing about Libby - Label.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 4:46 PM)

Wasn't Libby already pardoned?

I thought this trial was just to 'clear his name'...

WJ

Walter J. Murdock, Cincinnati OH (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 5:09 PM)

Krista 2:06 PM
Krista 2:54 PM

Heck! I'd shoot for both!

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 5:10 PM)

5:29pm; thread up at 12:50pm, seventeen comments posted and two hours without an update,

Heckuva job news hole.

disgustd (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 5:30 PM)

NEWS HOLE TIME TO WAKE UP FROM YOUR THREE HOUR NAP.

UPDATE (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 5:48 PM)

Of course Scooter dropped his appeal. He probably got word through back channels that Bush will grant him a pardon before leaving office. That will likely be Bush's reason for not making any comment about the case...at least for now.

Here's a question. If Robert Novak can be named "douchebag of liberty" for printing a column in which the administration outed Valerie Plame as a covert CIA operative, then what does that make Libby, who lied to invesigators about where the leak came from? Vibrator of liberty?

Samuel, Lincoln, NE (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 5:50 PM)

Samuel, Lincoln, NE (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 5:50 PM)

LOL!! My vote, both!! Thanks Samuel, you always keep me laughing!!

PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:16 PM)

"--Is Tim okay ? Has he finally started to realize he's a journalist and he doesn't have to be a Republican boot-licker anymore?
Bill Rochester NY (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 4:20 PM)"--

Russert is just fine.  He just knows that Guliani is crashing and burning and he needs to find someone else to suck up to by piling on Rudy.  Any guesses whos butt he's kissing now?

Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:18 PM)

Bill Rochester NY (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 4:20 PM)

Bill - I saw it!! It was one heck of a hardball interview!! Rudy was stuttering and stammering so much I thought he was going to hyperventilate!! The questions and lies about when the security began for his wife were the best; poor Rudy - he's toast!!

One lie after another exposed, Russert kept the pressure on and Rudy's bald head was sweating!! I recommend you try to see if anyone taped it!! I watched it twice; again at midnight my time!!

PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:21 PM)

I guarantee the majority of the country could care less if Libby gets pardoned or terrorist interrogation tapes were destroyed.  Why do you Liberals think you need to know everything?  You all can count down the days until the next President takes office, but I will also guarantee the country isn't voting a woman or black President.  Republicans will win big.

Mark, AZ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:26 PM)

Any guesses whos butt he's kissing now?
Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:18 PM)

I would love to hear your thoughts; mine guess is Huckabee!! Whichever way the tides turn; whatever side the bread is buttered on; well, you get it!!

It still was great seeing Rudy sweat like that!!
PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:45 PM)

Libby can afford to drop his appeal. He knows that Bush will give him a full pardon before he leaves the Presidency.

There is nothing that give me a suprise anymore. In order to protect the President and Vice President, Bush has to pardon him. They don't want him telling what he knows do they?

I fully expect to read one day that Libby is sitting on the board of some Fortune 500 company, or working as a highly paid lobbyist.

carol h. San Francisco, CA (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:53 PM)

Laura in Los Angeles (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 5:10 PM) Now...now...'tis the season...I don't want to look greedy. ;)

Krista Swisher, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 7:29 PM)

support Obama! He never supported the Oil War and he's much less corporate than Hillary who brunches with Murdoch in Manhattan and picnics in Baghdad with McCain. enough of bill and his lies and pardons and nafta. support Obama and he can win! he will surround himself with brilliant people and we can unplug ourselves from our oil colony, battle global warming, balance the budget, restore our constitution and stop taxing us for corporate treats and money for the Southern Baptists and Jesus Christ. Obama is the only one besides Bill's wife with the money. Get on the bus and donate what you think sanity is worth.

doomed (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 8:04 PM)

Mark, AZ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:26 PM)

Us "liberals" on this blog will be praying for your bigoted soul.  If the Republican party gets to the White House again in 2008, you better get used to the fact that a living wage, social security and Medicare will be decimated, and the middle class will cease to exist.  Unless and until you make over $500k/year, you  shouldn't be voting for the borrow and spend party.  

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 8:30 PM)

Know what the US is suffering from  ??

Busheimer's disease        I don't remember, I don't recollect, I don't recall.    Katrina who?  Torture --- We don't torture (unless we destroy the tapes).  

texashogfan (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 8:54 PM)

Carol.....Just being realistic.  Call me what you want, I don't care.  Its just the world we live in.  Unfortunately you liberals seem to thrive on negativity which cloud your minds.  Do you want to pay higher taxes?  I don't.  You will with a Democrat in the White House.

Mark, AZ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 8:59 PM)

Mark, AZ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:26 PM)

I think it's time you leave the “Fictional and Myth” section of your local bookstore now!! Turn left, there you go; you're in the right section now; see the heading, "FACT SECTION"!! Ok, read away; until then, as Carol stated, I'll be praying you!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 9:09 PM)

Mark, AZ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:26 PM)

I think it's time you leave the “Fictional and Myth” section of your local bookstore now!! Turn left, there you go; you're in the right section now; see the heading, "FACT SECTION"!! Ok, read away; until then, as Carol stated, I'll be praying you!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 9:09 PM)

texashogfan (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 8:54 PM)

Exactly, good job!! Also, we can't forget the most used line in the history of man/woman from the neo con nut jobs, "It's all Bill Clinton's fault."!!

PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 9:15 PM)

Mark. AZ.You gaurantee that the country will not elect a woman or a black for president and the republican's will win big.Your sadly mistaken their party is collapsing around their ears.The democratic party could run Charles Manson and beat any one of those empty suits

B.T. Paul (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 10:41 PM)

B.T. Paul (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 10:41 PM)

From prison too!!

PEACE!!

Pam Bignardi, San Pedro, California (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 11:00 PM)

Mark, AZ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 8:59 PM)

I know that this is going to be tough to comprehend, bigots have problems with fairness, but let's try any way.

When you "tax and spend", you are living within your income and both the tax payers and the tax beneficiaries are living at the same time.

When you "borrow and spend", you are exceeding your income.  The tax beneficiaries are living now, but the tax payers are still in grammar school, or haven't yet been born.  

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:08 AM)

--"Know what the US is suffering from  ??

Busheimer's disease        I don't remember, I don't recollect, I don't recall.    Katrina who?  Torture --- We don't torture (unless we destroy the tapes).  
texashogfan (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 8:54 PM)"-

OMG Texas - you are soooooo right.  Freedom is on the march ..... right out of the country.  

I think Busheimer's also cuts off the moral parts of the brain and leads to lying, unethical and even criminal behavior as well as the need to wear some kind of costume - like blue jeans and long sleeved shirts with the sleeves rolled up as well as flight suits with enormous codpieces..  

The brain also gets hyper-stimulated by the mere thought of piles and piles of cash - I've heard that even the smell of money causes extreme behavior aimed at obtaining large sums of money.  

There are also delusions associated with the disease - delusions of grandeur, of glory, and of conversations with the diety.  There is also the delusion that they are always right - even when they are proven wrong over and over again.  They simply insist that they are absolutely right and that God is on their side.  

Anyone suffering from Busheimers needs to obtain professional help quickly to limit the damage this disease can cause if untreated.  Call 1-800-BUSH-OUT



Sue, West Allis, Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, December 11, 2007 1:09 AM)

"Bush commuted Libby's sentence Monday [July 2], calling the term too harsh. The president let the convictions stand, along with a $250,000 fine and probationary period Walton had included in the sentence." CNN.com, July 3, 2007
Someone asked if Libby hadn't already been pardoned.  The above is the answer... sentence commuted, but pardon held in abeyance. And, as others here have noted, sure to come at the end of Bush's term!

Linda in Centerville (Sent Tuesday, December 11, 2007 2:03 AM)

Mark of Moronville, a subdivision of Az. You just got taxed more than a trillion dollars to steal oil from colored folks. The debt you owe little boy is $30,000. You owed nothing when the Democrats were in power and we had a $450 billion surplus. Take a fact and shove it up the world YOU live in Mark of Az. You're a racist and a bigot and I suggest you little nut didn't fall far from your Paw-Paw's tree.

doomed (Sent Tuesday, December 11, 2007 9:05 AM)

Mark, AZ (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:26 PM)

I'm not a liberal, Mark, I've voted Republican for probably more years than you've been alive . . . I care a great deal that this administration has been committing criminal activity.  I care a great deal that this President not only believes that he is above the law, but that somehow, he is within his Constitutional duties to MAKE laws (he's not).

What I don't understand is how brain-dead, un-patriotic folks like you continue to believe it's okay.  See, some folks actually care more about their COUNTRY than they do a man and a political club.  You are obviously not one of those folks.

junebug (Sent Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:00 PM)

carol h. San Francisco, CA (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 6:53 PM)

Libby had to drop his appeal . . . there was a big chance that his case would continue PAST the end of Bush's presidency.  Bush couldn't grant a pardon in a pending case.  BTW, if Libby accepts a pardon from Bush, it is an admission of guilt.  An innocent person cannot be pardoned.

junebug (Sent Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:03 PM)



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