Pardon Me

Or at least pardon Scooter Libby.

Considering that President Bush seems unwilling to use a veto pen, why is he in effect vetoing the conviction? To be truthful, I am not entirely sure what to think about the case. It seems to me that Libby probably did not technically violate the law by revealing Valarie Plame's identity. However, he did lie about it to a grand jury. Considering the importance of national security, I cannot see why Bush did it. While Libby MAY not have technically violated the law, the people at the CIA now think that the government will not protect them. These folks, even those technically not covert, rely on their anonymity to do their job. Libby has threatened that anonymity. In lying to a grand jury, Libby ignored the importance of the law.

Of course, National Review is pointing out that President Clinton granted clemency to Puerto Rican terrorists and that Senator Schumer called for clemency to Jonathan Pollard. None of the above deserved clemency, but that does not change the fact that the President Bush was wrong. It is also telling that Bush has rarely granted clemency, and when he has, it has been for actions that occurred long ago.

This is yet another example of President Bush's tone deafness. If there was any doubt, he is now a lame duck, and one that has stopped quacking.