Fred Thompson, Friend To A Felon

The Nation: By Identifying With "Scooter" Libby, Ex-Senator Shows His True Colors

(The Nation)  This column was written by John Nichols.

---

Here is the latest from the front page of the Scooter Libby Legal Defense Trust, the group that has been shaking down Republican donors for the money needed to maintain the convicted felon's silence until an appropriate moment arrives for him to be pardoned by President Bush:

"Former Senator Fred Thompson, a member of the Advisory Committee for the Libby Legal Defense Trust has graciously offered to host another fund raiser for the Libby Legal Defense Trust. We will be providing additional details in the coming days."

Thompson's schedule is getting busier and busier these days, as the man who reversed Ronald Reagan's career trajectory by going from the Senate into acting prepared to bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

But, hopefully, Thompson will find time to further identify himself with Libby, who the TV attorney identifies as "a man with nothing to hide."

The Thompson-Libby relationship, particularly Thompson's recent statements regarding it, tells Americans everything they need to know about the man who seeks to replace George W. Bush in the Oval Office.

Thompson is either a longtime acquaintance of Libby or someone who rushed to the side of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff when he determined that an injustice was being done.

According to a February 23 report by Associated Press, "Trust spokeswoman Barbara Comstock says Thompson knew Libby from serving on the Senate Intelligence Committee and dealing with top White House staff."

According to Thompson, in a speech delivered May 12 to the Council for National Policy, "I didn't know Scooter Libby, but I did know something about this intersection of law, politics, special counsels and intelligence. And it was obvious to me that what was happening was not right. So I called him to see what I could do to help, and along the way we became friends. You know the rest of the story: a D.C. jury convicted him."

Whatever the facts of their relationship, however, there is no debating Thompson's loyalty to Libby. He is the leading proponent of a presidential pardon for the convicted felon. And he regularly uses his prominence as a TV lawyer to accuse the man who brought Libby to justice, special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, of "perverting the rule of law."

In the faux-conservative circles that define the modern Republican Party, Thompson is more closely associated with the defense of the disgraced White House aide than with any particular stand on the issues facing the nation. That's one of the reasons why so many of the true believers in the Bush presidency are so very enthusiastic about Thompson's now likely candidacy to replace Bush.

Since Libby was convicted in March on four counts of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements about how he learned the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame — the wife of former Ambassador Joe Wilson, who was targeted for attack by Cheney's office after he exposed the administration's manipulation of intelligence when it was lobbying for war with Iraq — Thompson has maintained that special counsel Fitzgerald, the federal judges associated with the case and the federal grand jury that decided it were all part of "the Beltway machinery" that railroaded an innocent man because "he worked for Dick Cheney."

"The Justice Department, bowing to political and media pressure, appointed a Special Counsel to investigate the leak and promised that the Justice Department would exercise no supervision over him whatsoever — a status even the Attorney General does not have," Thompson explained in his May 12 speech. "The only problem with this little scenario was that there was no violation of the law, by anyone, and everybody — the CIA, the Justice Department and the Special Counsel knew it. Ms. Plame was not a 'covered person' under the statute and it was obvious from the outset."

Thompson was, of course, speaking as an experienced player in courtroom dramas on NBC.

Here is what an actual prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, said in the 18-page Libby sentencing memorandum released two weeks after Thompson asserted that "everybody knew" Plame-Wilson was "not a covered person" under the rules that protect covert agents: "[It] was clear from very early in the investigation that Ms. Wilson qualified under the relevant statute (Title 50, United States Code, Section 421) as a covert agent."

Fitzgerald also detailed how Libby had blown Plame-Wilson's cover in conversations with reporters and White House aides, and explained that, "Mr. Libby kept the Vice President apprised of his shifting accounts of how he claimed to have learned about Ms. Wilson's CIA employment."

To all of this, Thompson says, "In no other prosecutor's office in the country would a case like this one have been brought."

Fitzgerald says: "To accept the argument that Mr. Libby's prosecution is the inappropriate product of an investigation that should have been closed at an early stage, one must accept the proposition that the investigation should have been closed after at least three high-ranking government officials were identified as having disclosed to reporters classified information about covert agent Valerie Wilson, where the account of one of them was directly contradicted by other witnesses, where there was reason to believe that some of the relevant activity may have been coordinated, and where there was an indication from Mr. Libby himself that his disclosures to the press may have been personally sanctioned by the Vice President. To state this claim is to refute it. Peremptorily closing this investigation in the face of the information available at its early stages would have been a dereliction of duty, and would have afforded Mr. Libby and others preferential treatment not accorded to ordinary persons implicated in criminal investigations."

This is, frankly, a better debate than any that will broadcast during the course of the presidential race.

Thompson, a career politician who plays a prosecutor on TV, says that it is wrong to prosecute someone who knowingly used a position in the White House to punish critics of the Bush administration and then lied about his abuses of authority and the public trust.

Fitzgerald, a career prosecutor who tends to avoid the cameras, disagrees.

Thompson is preparing to seek the presidency as the standard bearer of the wing of the Republican Party that turns a blind eye to official misconduct.

Fitzgerald is preparing to return to his work as one of the nation's most trusted enforcers of the rule of law.

Here is a real contest for Americans to decide. They can choose between two tickets: Thompson/Libby versus Fitzgerald/Rule of Law.

[macusweil]

What a joke.. they are making fools of us all!!

GOP = Greed Over Principle

[terrapin78]

Birds of a feather .....

Guilt by association.

Another GOPer who wants to skit national security laws.

This CANCER RIDDEN Republicon candidate is not ever going to get my vote.

He looks sick from the cancer if you ask me. Look at the face of the man. Tell me he will live another 5 years. He looks like he WILL DIE before then to me.

[bobebenson]

COUNT 'EM YOURSELF FOLKS!! A ONE-HUNDRED-WORD RUN-ON SENTENCE!! My English teacher would flunk me. Just read it out loud (as she would, in front of the whole class), and you'll see what I mean.

"Since Libby was convicted in March on four counts of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements about how he learned the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame %u2014 the wife of former Ambassador Joe Wilson, who was targeted for attack by Cheney's office after he exposed the administration's manipulation of intelligence when it was lobbying for war with Iraq %u2014 Thompson has maintained that special counsel Fitzgerald, the federal judges associated with the case and the federal grand jury that decided it were all part of "the Beltway machinery" that railroaded an innocent man because "he worked for *** Cheney."

[rip_pockets1]

Ron Paul 08

[ezillyamused]

You have to hand it to him, he is a good actor. To be able to spew all of that garbage and still keep a sraight face, well, that deserves an Oscar!

[afmca]

This shows just how bare the Republican cupboard is. He is a second rate actor, just like Reagon but with none of the convictions or depth. He was a lazy Senator and would be a lazy President. He would have to hire neo-con groupies like King George to keep government working. He would continue to decimate the middle class and hand morality over to the Christian Taliban. After Bush, we need someone of integrity, compassion, intelligence, and most importantly, secular. Maybe then we will regain our standing in the world.

[keeblers69]

I am so sick an tired of this Government, when are they going to do stuff for the people. Do we need the days of pitch forks. I even heard that Newt was going to run for Pres. He is such a cheater, as he was impeaching Clinton in congress he was having an affair himself. We always seem to forgive everyone because they end up in rehab from the alcohol made them do it. I did hear on varius web sites that people are trying to get to Washington DC and picket the government anybody else heard this ?(I am guessing this is when US workers actually have time off to do anything). Becuase we are doing jobs that Amercians have to do to live.

[soldat44]

Birds of a feather .....

Guilt by association.

Another GOPer who wants to skit national security laws.

This CANCER RIDDEN Republicon candidate is not ever going to get my vote.

He looks sick from the cancer if you ask me. Look at the face of the man. Tell me he will live another 5 years. He looks like he WILL DIE before then to me.
Posted by Terrapin78 at 01:21 PM : Jun 01, 2007

Attacking/ridiculing a person's health condition is about as low as I've seen a poster go. Have you no decency sir/madam?

Peace be with you.

[jbb333]

Excellent article! I'm voting for Fitz/Rule of Law.

[jbb333]

BobEBenson, I teach writing at a local college. A LONG sentence does NOT make it a "run-on" sentence. The punctuation is perfect, and all the subjects and predicates are in the right places.
This English teacher flunks you.
(And, I bet you think the word "Democrat" is an adjective.)

[terrapin78]

Have you no decency sir/madam?

Not when it comes to replacing the Commander in Chimp!

[mike71067]

This far-fetched, grabbing-at-straws article by the liberal Nation magazine indicates one sure thing: Dumbocrats are afraid of Mr. Thompson. This is encouraging.

[mike71067]

"After Bush, we need someone of integrity, compassion, intelligence, and most importantly, secular."
-Posted by afmca at 02:21 PM : Jun 01, 2007

Uh, hate to tell you this, but secular humanism is a religion. It was recognized as such by the U.S. Supreme Court back in the 1960's. You athiests are just as religious as the Christians, and you wish to impose it on the rest of us - exactly the same accusation you make of the Christians. I guess having a worldview is ok as long as it is YOUR worldview.

[macusweil]

"Thompson is preparing to seek the presidency as the standard bearer of the wing of the Republican Party that turns a blind eye to official misconduct." ~Is there any other wing ??

The "Culture of Corruption" GOP All-Stars ***
* Tom Delay indited on fraud
* Newt G. the hypocritical adulterer
* Mark Foley the congressional page molester
* Duke Cunningham's defense contracts scams
* Bob Ney guilty of public corruption charges
* Tom Reynolds covers up Foley's perverted antics
* Senator Bill Frist `seeing eye` blind trust

[jolsonbear]

Look at the photo. He looks like the old demon-preacher in Poltergiest who was burning in hell along with his minions while singing the old hymn "God is in His holy place".

[mudrose-2009]

The "Culture of Corruption" GOP All-Stars ***
* Tom Delay indited on fraud
* Newt G. the hypocritical adulterer
* Mark Foley the congressional page molester
* Duke Cunningham's defense contracts scams
* Bob Ney guilty of public corruption charges
* Tom Reynolds covers up Foley's perverted antics
* Senator Bill Frist `seeing eye` blind trust

Posted by macusweil

Diane Feinstein and Military Contracts
Harry Reid and his real estate deals
Nancy Pelosi and her husband's real estate deals
William Jefferson and the $90,000 icebox
Hillary Clintoid and Whitewater
Bill Clintoid and Monica, et al.
Al Gore and the Chad Race
Valerie Plame the Uncovert Covert Agent

The Culture of Death, The Donkey All-Stars.

[infidel_us]

Big deal....all of Clinton's cronies were/are felons. I'm sure that's just alright with you bedwetting, two faced libs, though.

[mudrose-2009]

This far-fetched, grabbing-at-straws article by the liberal Nation magazine indicates one sure thing: Dumbocrats are afraid of Mr. Thompson. This is encouraging.
Posted by mike71067

Ya took the words right outta my mouth. Not only the Dumnos, but the media, too. I hope Bush pardons Scooter.

[terrapin78]

The man will die of cancer before the election. I'm betting in Vegas on this.

[marcodele]

Diane Feinstein and Military Contracts (what about them?)

Harry Reid and his real estate deals (Yes, sometimes people sell their real estate)

Nancy Pelosi and her husband's real estate deals
(Yes, her husband sold real estate)

William Jefferson - score 1.

Hillary Clintoid and Whitewater (Excuse me? But your friend Ken Starr spent sixty million of your taxpayer dollars and six years trying to find something illegal about a twenty year old Arkansas land deal: NOTHING. But it gets repeated so much to necon lemmings by the hypocrits at Fox, Limbaugh, and Coulter, that eventually the poor neocon lemmnings begin to think there was actually a verdict!!! Too funny!)

Bill Clintoid and Monica. He got laid. Get over it.

Al Gore and the Chad Race (Would you contest an election where the only voting irregularities happened to be in the same state that other candidates brother controls? Did you know there were voting rights violations cited in the congressional investigation? You don't find putting police vehicle safety inspections in front of minority precincts on election day a little suspicious. And by the way, Gore won the popular vote by a large margin, so why shouldn't he contest that rigged election?)

Valerie Plame: Where's the scandal here? Her identity was revealed, her security jeopardized by the Bush Oil Bullies because her husband shined the light on Bush lies for going to war.
Is that a "Valerie" scandal, or did Rush Limbaugh tell you that.

[Razzl]

"In the faux-conservative circles that define the modern Republican Party, Thompson is more closely associated with the defense of the disgraced White House aide than with any particular stand on the issues facing the nation."

It would seem Republicans are desperate for somebody to rally around, but Thompson is not going to be the one. I really have to wonder what most of these Republican candidates would campaign on after the primaries, given that virtually every position they have on everything runs counter to popular sentiment, but not in a principled way (except for McCain, who seems sincere but confused).

[marcodele]

I'll bet they make Jeb Bush Thompson's running mate. Tick Tock Fred! I don't think I'd ride in any convertibles in Dallas.

[tejasdemo]

Who in the hell wants to vote for this old gezzer+ anyway ?

[terrapin78]

Thompson is from the south.

And as we all know, (thanks seven-pesos),

NOTHING GOOD COMES FROM THE SOUTH!

[ioweign]

Evidently Fred (Law and Order) didn't learn anything from Watergate - and from some of the postings here a few others are lacking also.

[bluestardad]

STICK A FORK IN HIM HE IS A REPUBLICAN! THEY COULD NOT GET ELECTED TO DOG CATCHER! EVEN IN SO CALLED RED STATES! AMERICA HAS WISED UP!

[mudrose-2009]

Part I

Diane Feinstein and Military Contracts.
Made a mint before she was discovered that being on the committee was a conflict of interest.

Harry Reid and his real estate deals.
Whether you make a profit or a loss on a land deal you've got to put that transaction down so the public, voters, can see exactly what kind of money is moving to or from a member of Congress. He didn't. And the deal was very not upfront.

Nancy Pelosi and her husband's real estate deals.
Lucrative contracts for development are being awarded to individuals with significant links to both Pelosi and hubby. It also appears that Nancy was involved in transferring The Presidio from the Army to the city, where it would eventually come under control of the commission with lucrative contracts going to firms staffed by Pelosi confidants, as well as family.

[mudrose-2009]

Part II
William Jefferson - score 1.

Hillary Clintoid and Whitewater - Yeah that's why McDougal and friends went to jail.

Bill Clintoid and Monica. He got laid. Get over it. Classless, mindless, pig who would rather get off than protect his country. Shows tremendous character and lies in front of the entire nation about it.

Al Gore and the Chad Race (Would you contest an election where the only voting irregularities happened to be in the same state that other candidates brother controls?

Yeah, that's why he counted chads in the Florida districts of his choice until the Supremes told him to stop it.
Part II

Valerie Plame: Where's the scandal here? She had a desk job. Her husband outed her 10 years ago, she recommended him from Niger and lied to the Judiciary Committee that she did not and she made a campaign contribution to Gore's campaign and gave the name of the organization that was a front for her supposed "cover".

But somehow these people always escape media attention. Wonder why? Couldn't be that they are biased when it comes to the Dumnos that lie, cheat, steal, and abandon their responsibilities. They, you see are always above the law.

[mudrose-2009]

and if he thinks that The Presidential Pardon is good legal practice then he doesn't seem to understand what justice is. He is a good fit. Hang on tight to your new candiadte Republicans!!!

Posted by mascarpon

Rich's crimes included tax evasion, fraud and "trading with the enemy" -- Iran, during the hostage crisis.

Yet, Clinton had no problem pardoning him. So, please, don't throw stones when you people have enough garbage in your own back yards.

[cl__]

WOW! This is an amazing example of zero research. Outright quote one side and not even supply basic facts for the other. I would have been ashamed to publish.

First, w/out making this 3 pages long, Thompson's position is legitimate and well-founded, but I leave you to research and pick a side.

Second, Nichols indicates (very overtly) misinformation on Thompson.

1. He is an experienced attorney and Senator. Not merely a TV prosecutor.

From minority counsel credited with the clincher statement in the Watergate Investigation, to practicing lawyer, to steward of appointed Supreme Court Justice, etc.

2. He DOES NOT defend many Bush policies. In fact, he's the "Non-Bushly" conservative we've been waiting for.

He opposes many facets of Bush's Immigration, Enviro, Fiscal, and Foreign Policies, as well as infringements of Federalist principles.

His stances won't please many liberals, but they are principled, well-researched, and devoid of the Bush politics that often prevent either progress or real conservatism.

3. Thompson IS known for his positions on national issues. The Libby case is one of many very active Thompson opinions and hardly what he is known for.

For some examples in addition to voting records, etc., sample a few of his recent articles at:

http://www.grassrootsvoter.com/gallery.html


This Nichols article could be picked apart for pages, but I should retire and simply encourage all readers to be wary of misleading sources such as this.

[cl__]

WOW! This is an amazing example of zero research. Outright quote one side and not even supply basic facts for the other. I would have been ashamed to publish.

First, w/out making this 3 pages long, Thompson's position is legitimate and well-founded, but I leave you to research and pick a side.

Second, Nichols indicates (very overtly) misinformation on Thompson.

1. He is an experienced attorney and Senator. Not merely a TV prosecutor.

From minority counsel credited with the clincher statement in the Watergate Investigation, to practicing lawyer, to steward of appointed Supreme Court Justice, etc.

2. He DOES NOT defend many Bush policies. In fact, he's the "Non-Bushly" conservative we've been waiting for.

He opposes many facets of Bush's Immigration, Enviro, Fiscal, and Foreign Policies, as well as infringements of Federalist principles.

His stances won't please many liberals, but they are principled, well-researched, and devoid of the Bush politics that often prevent either progress or real conservatism.

3. Thompson IS known for his positions on national issues. The Libby case is one of many very active Thompson opinions and hardly what he is known for.

For some examples in addition to voting records, etc., sample a few of his recent articles at:

http://www.grassrootsvoter.com/gallery.html


This Nichols article could be picked apart for pages, but I should retire and simply encourage all readers to be wary of misleading sources such as this.

[marcodele]

I can't possibly respond to all of mudrose's neocon regurgitation of Fox News and the Rush Limbaugh show, but the people who went to jail during the Whitewater Lynching did so because they refused to testify for a bunch of right wing neocon nutjobs pushing Democrats around because they happened to win the white house.

The Bush years are a disgrace. We'll be paying for Junior's arrogance in blood and taxes for decades.

[opfor311]

CL__ :

You forgot to mention that Fred Thompson was "assistant U.S. attorney 1969-1972" (c.f.
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=t000457)

As a Former assistant U.S. attorney, I would trust his judgement as to Plame's status at a higher level that the current prosecutor who is in the process of trying to obtain the maximum sentance in a pending case. After all, it is Fitzgerald's job to present the evidence in the case and in the sentancing as to obtain a conviction and the greatest possible sentance, just as it is a car salesman's job to get the most money possible in a car deal.

[terrapin78]

For a 63 year old, he looks as healthy as Alan Greenspan.

I think Fred will die before the election in 2008 of cancer that is already growing inside of him.

[frb01]

I don't know how old the author is, he needs to go back to the Watergate investigation and find out about Fred Thompson. Fact is if there is going to be a pardon, GWB will do it in his last days in office, count on it. And if something were to happen to GWB, *** Cheney would do it now.

[bigcanoe2]

Here is yet ANOTHER CLASSIC EXAMPLE of CBS bias against conservatives. Where was this reporter and his story when people were raising money for the Clinton defense fund? He didn't find that worthy of a story simply because Clinton is his man.

This reporter is a liberal democrat and he is using his position as a so called "reporter" to trash a potential republican candidate pure and simple. His only problem is that most people recognize it now.

Reporter my axe. He and his CBS network are democrat political hacks who wouldn't know fair and blanced if it ran over them in a Mack truck. They are attempting to do what Dan Rather did in the last presidentail election. It didn't work then and it will not work now.

[menofoz]

Fred Thompson water seal, just another hollywood ******** like that former vegetable Reagan and that moron Swartz nagger.

[menofoz]

They attack us because we've been over there. We've been bombing Iraq for 10 years. ... We've been in the Middle East," Paul said in explaining his opposition to going to war in Iraq. "Right now, we're building an embassy in Iraq that is bigger than the Vatican. We're building 14 permanent bases. What would we say here if China was doing this in our country or in the Gulf of Mexico? We would be objecting.
"They are delighted that we're over there because Usama bin Laden has said, 'I'm glad you're over on our sand because we can target you so much easier.' They have already now since that time they've killed 3,400 of our men and I don't think it was necessary," he continued.
%u2022 Did You Miss the Live Broadcast? Click Here to Watch the Entire Debate on FOXNews.com.


"That's really an extraordinary statement," Giuliani said, interrupting FOX News panelist Wendell Goler. "That's really an extraordinary statement, as someone who lived through the attack of Sept. 11, that we invited the attack because we were attacking Iraq. I don't think I have ever heard that before and I have heard some pretty absurd explanations for Sept. 11. I would ask the congressman withdraw that comment and tell us that he didn't really mean that."


"Blowback" is a CIA term first used in March 1954

[menofoz]

Ironic the Bush bootlickers are against illegal immigration. Yet it's GW that worked with that corrupt Mexican President Vicente Fox. Mexico has one of the most corrupt governments in the world. The US is being invaded by the poor Mexican people because their own corrupt government and wealthy owners of their society have stolen all of the peoples wealth and resources. What's frightening to most working Americans is that the US Attorney is a Hispanic of Mexican origin and the most corrupt AG in US history. While Bush bootlickers whine about Cindy S, the Republican elitists keep ramming their GW boot up their Ares.

[menofoz]

Freddy T wants to become President of the United States the guy was a C list actor in Hollywood. Just because GW has been the VP for the last six years, don't qualify that knucklehead

[menofoz]

Critical questions for detecting bias

What is the author's / speaker's socio-political position? With what social, political, or professional groups is the speaker identified?
Does the speaker have anything to gain personally from delivering the message?
Who is paying for the message? Where does the message appear? What is the bias of the medium? Who stands to gain?
What sources does the speaker use, and how credible are they? Does the speaker cite statistics? If so, how were the data gathered, who gathered the data, and are the data being presented fully?
How does the speaker present arguments? Is the message one-sided, or does it include alternative points of view? Does the speaker fairly present alternative arguments? Does the speaker ignore obviously conflicting arguments?
If the message includes alternative points of view, how are those views characterized? Does the speaker use positive words and images to describe his/her point of view and negative words and images to describe other points of view? Does the speaker ascribe positive motivations to his/her point of view and negative motivations to alternative points of view?

Mush Bimbo
Sean Vanity
Fox news
to name a few

[menofoz]

They pollute the the airwaves day after day, night after night. Who are they? The phony NEO-CON talk show hosts. A neocon is basically a phony conservative who supports George Bush and the Iraq war, and who receives most of their "information" from mainstream news sources such as Fox News, and these robotic NEO-CON blabbermouths.

[menofoz]

Sean Hannity: another robotic Republican party spinmeister. Having been at one time a bartender, he is quite experienced at pretending to be someone who cares, while he is just there to rake in the bucks. His mission now is to keep neo-cons drunk on his yelping lap dog wannabe Rush Limbaugh "conservatism". Being a blatant hypocrite is key to being a sucessful NEO-CON talk show host.

Bill Bennett's gambling and *** predilections were exposed; after demagogic Rush Limbaugh stands accused of being a multiple marriage, doctor-shopping, pill popping felon, after Bill O'Reilly's phone *** scandal .Michael Savage: While he's more entertaining than Limbaugh because apparent drug abuse in his earlier years,(I'm referring to the days when his name was Mike Weiner and he spent his free time hanging out with pen pal Allen Ginsberg, writing poetry and teaching botany at the University of Hawaii) . .after all this, and more, their loyal listeners still refuse to see the truth. So as long as there's another buck to squeeze out of this tired old routine, these pretenders will continue flapping their lips, and fooling the fools. Eventually, hopefully, they will eventually be seen for what they are. But until then, block your ears, and hold your nose

[menofoz]

Not enough make up in Hollywood to clean up that ugly mess. Looks like the GOP poster for ill-gotten gain.

[firststate]

bigcanoe2
There was a clue that offered a hint that this wasn't an attempt at objective news reporting. That carefully concealed hint that it was less objective reporting and more the author's opinion of events is it's location in the opinion section. In the future you may save some of your indignation about biased reporting for cases when the article isn't labelled as an "opinion" piece.

To answer the typical Republican excuse for their crimes, the "but Clinton did [blank]" talking points, it is worthy of note that Clinton wasn't convicted of multiple felonies when his legal defense fund was raising money. Libby's fund would be more accurately called a criminal justification fund, since he is a convicted felon. They are trying to justify Libby's crimes by attacking the evil, Republican-hating special counsel. The problem in this case is, that he is a Republican appointee with an impeccable reputation as a prosecutor. It makes no sense, but blaming everybody else for their criminal conduct is standard procedure for the current junta.

Mr. Thompson's contempt for the law and its impartial application speaks volumes, there'd be no fair and impartial DOJ under his watch if he were elected to the presidency. His character on the TV series expresses a respect for the law more appropriate to a presidential hopeful.

[firststate]

bigcanoe2
There was a clue that offered a hint that this wasn't an attempt at objective news reporting. That carefully concealed hint that it was less objective reporting and more the author's opinion of events is it's location in the opinion section. In the future you may save some of your indignation about biased reporting for cases when the article isn't labelled as an "opinion" piece.

To answer the typical Republican excuse for their crimes, the "but Clinton did [blank]" talking points, it is worthy of note that Clinton wasn't convicted of multiple felonies when his legal defense fund was raising money. Libby's fund would be more accurately called a criminal justification fund, since he is a convicted felon. They are trying to justify Libby's crimes by attacking the evil, Republican-hating special counsel. The problem in this case is, that he is a Republican appointee with an impeccable reputation as a prosecutor. It makes no sense, but blaming everybody else for their criminal conduct is standard procedure for the current junta.

Mr. Thompson's contempt for the law and its impartial application speaks volumes, there'd be no fair and impartial DOJ under his watch if he were elected to the presidency. His character on the TV series expresses a respect for the law more appropriate to a presidential hopeful.

[sparks224]

The neo-cons just want somone who can read his lines better than W.

[mommajomma-2009]

BILL CLINTON : FELON PARDONER,(and sweat-hog lover)

[effallah]

"In the faux-conservative circles that define the modern Republican Party, . . ."

Here's a tortured phrase, bereft of meaning, that shows the "faux-intellectualism" of John Nichols and the media in general.

[fixitdamnit]

I would like to know why Mr. and Mrs. Plame and Sandy Bergler haven't been at least indicted for actually committing crimes?

I would like to know why Johnny "Abscam" Murtha, Willie "Frozen Assets" Jefferson, Dianne "Walter Reed" Feinstein, Alcee "Da Judge" Hastings, Harry %u201CJackpot" Reid and other unnoteworthy Dems are still on the Hill. Perhaps, Dems are indeed above the law? Those backroom D.C. deals must be extraordinarily extraordinary.

http://www.metroactive.com/metro/03.21.07/dianne-feinstein-resigns-0712.html


http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Harry_Reid


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/31/AR2006083101460.html