Judith Miller Pardoned; Receives Highest Presidential Honor>>Satire

[hang a left]

Judith Miller Pardoned; Receives Highest Presidential Honor
Aug 4 2005 by David Agosta

President Bush announced that New York Times reporter Judith Miller received a presidential pardon for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

The President also announced that Miller will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. "Judy's been a great friend to this Administration and we remember our friends," the President said. "While the rest of the liberal media was busy questioning the existence of WMDs in Iraq, Judy reported the truth as we know it. She deserves special consideration."

When asked about the appearance of a conflict of interest, the President replied, "Look, Saddam is an evil man. These liberal activist judges are evil men. They're supporting the terrorists. Don't you see the connection? I don't see contempt of court as a crime. I have contempt for the courts; why don't they come and arrest me?"

Noting that an administration must be "above the law" to fulfill its mission of protecting America from "the scourge of Islam," the President refused to answer further questions, saying, "Your stories are already prepared. Scotty will get them to your editors. Now go find us some dirt on Barack Obama."

snippy>

http://www.deadbrain.com/news/article_2005_08_04_3454.php

[Fiona]

1. tee-hee

actually, that raises an interesting question -

Could a presidential pardon apply here? I don't think so - she hasn't been convicted of anything. I'm not sure a pardon can extend to contempt of court. Anybody know?

[wli]

3. Dubya could indeed pardon her

He can pardon anyone for anything, except for himself (though he might try to pardon himself). Sitting presidents have to be impeached (indicted) by the House and tried by the Senate with the SCOTUS acting as judges IIRC.

Eliminating presidential pardons and making presidents able to be tried as ordinary civilians would make a fair amount of sense.

ON EDIT: updated presidential prosecution process etc.

[Fiona]

5. I dunno...

I know the pardon power is fairly unlimited - and I've gotten into fights here for saying so. But the question is does the word "pardon" imply a crime? Judith Miller is not imprisoned for committing a crime, per se. She's imprisoned because the courts have the power to compel testimony.

[wli]

6. interesting, that does raise an unusual question

I thought the pardon would apply to contempt of court.

So my first guess is that he could pardon her for prior contempt of court, but all the judge has to do is reaffirm that she's refusing to testify to put her back in instantly.

[Fiona]

8. that would be my guess

but I really have no idea. I'm sure the situation has never arisen.

[TahitiNut]

10. Civil contempt is not pardonable.

Criminal contempt is pardonable. The President has the authority, under the Constitution, to pardon people of (criminal) offenses against the United States, except impeachment.

The pardon power of the President in a case of criminal contempt of court was tested in Ex parte Grossman in which the Court unanimously decided in favor of the Presidential pardon power, but Chief Justice Taft noted in the opinion that he may not pardon for civil contempt.

Judith Miller is being held under a civil contempt finding.

Disclaimer: IANAL

See - http://conlaw.usatoday.findlaw.com/constitution/article03/04.html

[babylonsister]

2. Really good idea to put satire in subject! nt

[hang a left]

4. no kidding

learned my lesson

[babylonsister]

7. I meant that sincerely!

I would hate to be misinformed! :evilgrin:

[Tom Joad]

9. Judith Miller has received the Presidential Finger Award

TomJoad.org is proud to present to Ms. Miller this award for her efforts to support the Bush agenda.

This award is presented to people or groups that have done something special to further the agenda of Bush & Company. We have finally decided upon a special award, one that will be presented by no one less than President Bush himself. We call it the Presidential Finger Award® or, as it is affectionately known, "The Finger".

Judith Miller, New York Times Propagandist
Winner of the Presidential Finger Award®
See the Finger as presented by President Bush himself here:
http://www.tomjoad.org/presidentialfinger.htm

[hang a left]

11. a little comedy.....

for everyone