To Kill A Mocking Blog

[DeSwiss]

To kill a mocking blog
Scooter Libby's lawyer wants to block the publication of pleas for clemency because bloggers may make fun of them.

Comment Is Free
By Marcy Wheeler
May 29, 2007 7:10 PM

In preparation for the upcoming sentencing of Scooter Libby - the Bush administration official convicted of perjury in the Valerie Plame scandal - his defense team solicited his friends and associates to http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070509/9libby.htm">write letters to the judge arguing that Libby deserves a reduced sentence. Last Friday, Libby's lawyer Bill Jeffress submitted a http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/files/libby_no_letters.pdf">filing (PDF) opposing the release of those letters to the public. In it, he writes: "Given the extraordinary media scrutiny here, if any case presents the possibility that these letters, once released, would be published on the internet and their authors discussed, even mocked, by bloggers, it is this case."

<snip>

According to a filing by the government, those who wrote letters in support of Libby include "current and former public officials." It is not unreasonable to suggest some of these public figures submitted letters to curry favor with the administration or advance their own position within it.

<snip>

Further, some of Libby's likely supporters have their own reasons to be thankful that Libby successfully obstructed the investigation. Take http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._James_Woolsey,_Jr.">James Woolsey, one of the public supporters of Libby's defense fund. The former director of the CIA under Bill Clinton, Woolsey has long been a supporter of Ahmed Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress. As such, he was an important broker of Chalabi's shoddy intelligence in the lead-up to the war.

<snip>

And finally, this sentencing, now scheduled for June 5, takes place against the background of the Bush administration's purge of at least nine US attorneys, in at least one case at the behest of Republicans who complained that the US attorney didn't file charges against a Democrat before an election. We have every reason to suspect that Bush's supporters have inappropriately intervened in the administration of justice. Without seeing those letters, how can we be sure the same isn't happening here?

So long as Jeffress knows the names of Libby's supporters, but we don't, we have no way of ensuring that Libby's supporters have no ulterior motive in supporting Libby. Jeffress' invocation of bloggers is a cheap attempt to dismiss precisely what bloggers bring: an appropriate scrutiny of the motivations and actions of those who lied us into war and outed Valerie Plame. In this case, it is Jeffress' mockery that is dangerous, not mine.

more: http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/marcy_wheeler/2007/05/to_kill_a_mocking_blog.html

*** - I have to say that this concerns me. If the judge rules in Libby's lawyer's favor on this and takes our right of mockery away, then there would be absolutely no reason for me to get up in the mornings...."

[dave_p]

1. As if we would ...

I'm sure nobody would dream of making light of Scooter's plight. It's a very serious matter, and he should feel free to tell why he deserves better. We need to know so we can extend our sympathy & warmth in his hour of need.

[DeSwiss]

2. They just don't want us to read....

...a letter with Dick Cheney begging for mercy. He doesn't grovel well. On the other hand, if could be good practice for him....

:evilgrin:

[Berry Cool]

3. Your post was missing something...the hearty BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA at the end.

So I provided it, along with these:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

So now Scooter's afraid bloggers would MAKE FUN OF his buddies' pleas for mercy on his behalf? Oh wow. Has there ever been a more "Call the waaaambulance" moment in the history of this administration?

[DeSwiss]

4. Thank you, I knew I forget something...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

There, now I feel much better...

[SpiralHawk]

5. Bwaa ha ha ha - republicons are sooooo sensitive

The republicons have earned their shame and dishonor the old-fashioned way: though lies, graft, theft, and moral turpitude.

Let the blogs fall where they may...

Let justice be served.

[DeSwiss]

7. I understand....

...they're very sensitive. Hey, maybe he can bunk with David Safavian???

[rasputin1952]

6. Considering the notion that if this was a D in the docket...

they would be calling for an execution, I think Libby and his defense team are grasping at straws.

Strange how whenever the R side gets caught at illegal activities, they immediately get their "supporters" to come forward and say that "all of this is just unfair... "

[DeSwiss]

9. They're not only grasping at straws....

...they're in a bind. Since Libby didn't plead guilty and is still maintaining he's being railroaded for political reasons, his lack of contrition works against in the sentencing hearings under the guidelines.

The only hope he has is:

[Totally Committed]

8. Uh... a man named "Scooter" is afraid of being made fun of?

Only in America, my friends.

TC

[blueworld]

10. Are the authors covert? Are the letters classified? n/t

[medlakeguy]

11. hey scooter

Us making fun of you is the least of your concerns right now.

Oh and btw... your parents suck at picking out names

[gratuitous]

12. Yeah, context is very dangerous

I mean, if there was a handy compendium for the judge or his staff to review of all the letter writers, with speculation on their motives for writing, and the writers' own background, who knows if the judge wouldn't be able to just read and believe the letters on their own? If the judge knew the writer was some corrupt piece of shit, he might tend to think that Scooter is also a corrupt piece of shit, and give him a sentence in keeping with being a corrupt piece of shit. And we can't have that, because overrich white guys are too pretty to go to prison! Prison is for poor people, and people with dark skin, or some other icky characteristic.

Cheer up though, Scooter. Maybe you'll die suddenly just before sentencing, and have your criminal record wiped clean.