LOL! "You knew Libby was in trouble when his lawyer read a character reference -- from Wolfowitz."

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Standing by Their Man
By Dana Milbank
Wednesday, June 6, 2007; Page A02

You knew Scooter Libby was in trouble at yesterday's sentencing hearing when his lawyer decided to read the judge a character reference -- from Paul Wolfowitz.

Wolfowitz, the soon-to-be-former World Bank president, has been in need of some character references himself since he lost his job because of a raise he arranged for his girlfriend. But in a letter dated 11 days after he announced his departure, a selfless Wolfowitz urged "maximum possible leniency" for his friend, who was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in the Valerie Plame leak case....

***

Judge Reggie Walton was clearly unimpressed with this and the five other letters Wells chose to read aloud. "I have read all the letters," he said, interrupting Wells....Walton gave Libby a stiff sentence of 30 months in prison and hinted that he won't grant bail to the former aide to Vice President Cheney while he pursues his appeal. In doing so, the judge rejected not only the wishes of Wolfowitz but also a brief, poignant plea from Libby himself.

"I realize fully that the court must decide on punishment," the wiry defendant said. It was the first time he spoke in court during the trial, except for a "Yes, sir" response to a question from the judge early on. In a gentle voice, he continued: "It is respectfully my hope that the court will consider, along with the jury verdict, my whole life."...

***

Fitzgerald, true to form, made his argument in eight succinct minutes. "Truth matters above all else in the judicial system," he argued. "One's station in life does not matter."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/05/AR2007060502412_2.html?hpid=topnews

[DeSwiss]

1. "Truth matters above all else in the judicial system"

And everywhere else.

K&R!!! :)

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Thank goodness for Fitz, standing for the rule of law...

as opposed to these Bushies, who have no respect for it -- or simply think they, themselves, are above it.

[Hamlette]

3. loved this from the end of the article

Walton finally arrived at his destination: "Mr. Libby will serve 30 months."

It is a harsh sentence, to be sure. But there's no telling how much worse it might have been if Libby's lawyer had read aloud the testimonial from Donald Rumsfeld.

snark

[DeepModem Mom]

4. Good point! nt

[lonestarnot]

5. "Truth matters above all else in the judicial system," And there you have it!

[Atman]

6. This IS your "whole life," Mr. Libby.

Somewhere along your journey you were presented with two paths (more like, three or four paths); down one path was a life marked by honesty, truthfulness, a good income, a happy home life, a partner who loves you, service to your country. In other words, all the things you'd have needed to lead the proverbial "good life," finally delivering you into to the arms of the God to whom you've devoted your life to serving. But there were other tempting paths before you. They were dark and ominous-looking, but promised untold power and wealth along their course, with other paths branching off into the sultry pleasures of the flesh, or greed and villainy, or any number of other deviant routes mapped out only by the limits of imagination.

You chose the dark paths, Mr. Libby, and all along your journey the blood of innocents pools in the shallow impressions left by your wing tips.

This DUer has no sympathy for Scooter Libby. In fact, let's use the same unsympathetic tone with Libby as the republicans are so quick to direct at others -- "You made the choices, Mr. Libby, and now you're learning that your choices have consequences."

.