Scooter gets a Dozen and a 1/2

[Animate]

Originally Posted by Kevin

I'll bet Animate was equally pissed after the Clinton pardons.

Probably would have been. But I was all of 10-18 during the clinton years. Can't say I was all too concerned with politics.

[AGDLynn]

President Bush wouldn't rule out a pardon for former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, after sparing him a 30-month prison sentence. But Bush said the $250,000 fine and two years' probation assessed Libby should stand.

Guess Cheney's not planning on running for dog catcher.

[DeltAlum]

OK, I know a lot of Presidents have done it, and I've already said above that it seem excessive to give Libby longer sentences than some of the Watergate conspirators, I think that for any President to do this kind of thing is an affront to our legal system.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

OK, I know a lot of Presidents have done it, and I've already said above that it seem excessive to give Libby longer sentences than some of the Watergate conspirators, I think that for any President to do this kind of thing is an affront to our legal system.

So you think Ford was wrong? Or is it different when you do it preemptively?

Do you not believe in commutations or pardons generally, or just in cases of a political nature? Or just of a political nature involving members of his own administration?

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

So you think Ford was wrong? Or is it different when you do it preemptively?

Do you not believe in commutations or pardons generally, or just in cases of a political nature? Or just of a political nature involving members of his own administration?

Answers:

I think Ford was absolutely wrong. So was Clinton.

I do believe in commutations and/or pardons in some circumstances, but not purely political ones -- especially for members of a President's administration.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Answers:

I think Ford was absolutely wrong. So was Clinton.

I do believe in commutations and/or pardons in some circumstances, but not purely political ones -- especially for members of a President's administration.

Although if I were asked in a hypothetical way about what Ford did, it might creep me out; oddly under the actual circumstances, I think he did the right thing for the country.

I think some of it is in that Ford didn't seem to have much to gain from doing it, where with more recent commutations or pardons there's a sense of either protecting someone for doing your bidding or covering for you or sort of selling your influence.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

Although if I were asked in a hypothetical way about what Ford did, it might creep me out; oddly under the actual circumstances, I think he did the right thing for the country.

I think some of it is in that Ford didn't seem to have much to gain from doing it, where with more recent commutations or pardons there's a sense of either protecting someone for doing your bidding or covering for you or sort of selling your influence.

I met Ford and believe he was a good man, and I might even believe the pardon was for the good of the country.

However Nixon did appoint him Vice President.

To me, though, Nixon got away with a lot.

Which, of course, has nothing to do with the current situation -- except that Libby may get away with a lot, too.