Libby to Court Today

[H2O Man]

Libby heads back to court Thursday to try to delay prison sentence
By Associated Press
Thursday, June 14, 2007 - Updated: 05:50 AM EST

WASHINGTON - Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby is headed back to court to try to forestall his 2½-year prison term in the CIA leak case. Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, planned to ask a federal judge Thursday to put the sentence on hold while he appeals his perjury and obstruction conviction. It would be a longshot request before a judge who has already said he sees no reason to grant it.

But even if U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton were to order Libby to prison at Thursday’s hearing, it is unlikely Libby would be taken away in handcuffs. Rather, it would led to more maneuvering in Libby’s legal fight.

If they lose Thursday, Libby’s lawyers have said they asks an appeals court for an emergency order delaying the sentence. Because one of the issues in the appeal is whether Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald had the authority to charge Libby, defense lawyers also could ask the Supreme Court to step in. ....

Libby maintains his innocence and says any misstatements were the result of a bad memory, not deception. To win a delay of his sentence, Libby’s lawyers would have to show there was a good chance they could overturn the conviction on appeal. ....

more at:

http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=1006427

[radfringe]

1. an appeals court for an emergency order delaying the sentence.

Wonder how that will go...?? must be nice to have clout and bucks behind ya

[H2O Man]

2. More .....

Begging Your Pardon
Can George W. Bush afford to let Scooter Libby twist in the wind?
By DONNA MARIE ARTUSO



....Libby will be back in court tomorrow to hear the judge's decision on whether or not he can remain free pending appeal. And he looks and sounds, increasingly, like a man who believes he has been hung out to dry by the people he thought were his friends.

His wife, Harriet Grant, shed some light on this question after the verdict was first announced when reportedly she muttered something like: "We're going to (four-letter expletive) 'em," while fighting back tears and embracing members of her husband's defence team.

I'm guessing "'em" refers to Libby's former employers, none of whom, curiously enough, were ever charged and none of whom testified in his defence -- even though Libby's lawyer had previously announced that they were integral to Libby's defence strategy. .....

more at:



http://winnipegsun.com/News/World/2007/06/13/4256601-sun.html

[texpatriot2004]

30. Would she be referring to the ex-attorneys or to their ex-friends

in the WH?

[H2O Man]

37. That is the question.

Some people think she meant the people who demanded the investigation; others think she meant those who were pleased when Scooter was convicted. But more people think she means those people who worked on the Wilson operation with her husband.

[texpatriot2004]

77. I think she meant the people that hung Scooter out to dry. The

people that worked on the evil plot from the get-go, the ones that threw him under the bus.

[Me.]

31. More

'Perhaps prominent white- collar criminal lawyer and Republican commentator Victoria Toensing said it best when the Washington Post quoted her as saying: "If the president can pardon 12 million illegal immigrations, he can pardon Scooter Libby." (The reference was to a mammoth bill that would have dramatically reformed the country's immigration system but was torpedoed in the Senate last week.)

A cynical observer might suggest that a pardon was promised all along, which if true, is a stunning mockery of the judicial system -- even for America. But the fact remains, the consequences of not letting the administration's one and only fall guy off the hook may be equally staggering. And it's practically inconceivable that the Bush will not move to save his presidency from this farcical and decidedly foul legacy.

And that's no joke.'

[KansDem]

62. What's with the potty-mouth GOPers?

"We're going to (four-letter expletive) 'em,"

First Cheney (Go <four-letter expletive> yourself!)
Then Bush (You <four-letter expletive>ing son of a bitch...I saw what you wrote. We're not going to forget this and <four-letter expletive> Saddam, we're taking him out)
Then Rove (We will <four-letter expletive> him.” Do you hear me? We will <four-letter expletive> him. We will ruin him. Like no one has ever <four-letter expletive>ed him!”)

and now Mrs. Libby?

I can only think of these examples off the top of my head, but I know there's more.

Republicans seemed obsessed with the word <four-letter expletive>.

[wordpix]

72. I certainly hope "em" means BushCo higherups like * &Cheneyfudd

[wakeme2008]

3. Well

:)

[annabanana]

4. Should be an interesting day.

Do you know what time this ought to happen?

[H2O Man]

5. Another prediction ....

Respite for Scooter
An alternative for the president.

By P. S. Ruckman Jr.

...... Today, many are pleased that Scooter Libby might be denied bail and sent to prison during his appeal. In their minds, a pardon is Libby’s only way out. Of course, they would declare such a pardon “unprecedented” and “controversial” right up to Election Day. Meanwhile, Libby’s strongest supporters are clearly disappointed with the president, if not outright angry. In their view, a pardon should be granted right away and the less likely an immediate pardon seems, the gloomier their world gets.

I’m not predicting a cold-water dousing is just around the corner, but that’s not to say there isn’t a very large bucket sitting right at the President’s feet.

The Constitution gives presidents the power to grant “reprieves and pardons.” The U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted that language to include pardons, conditional pardons, commutations of sentence, conditional commutations of sentence, remissions of fines, as well as forfeitures, reprieves, respites, and amnesties. A respite delays the execution of a sentence. It does not address issues of due process or guilt or innocence. It merely suspends sentence for a designated period of time. George Washington granted the first respites in June, 1795, when he delayed the execution of two men who fought in the Whiskey Rebellion — both of whom were eventually pardoned

The typical respite lasts between 30 and 90 days. But many times, initial grants have been followed by a second and third respite, or as many additional respites as were necessary. Woodrow Wilson delayed the six-and-a-half-year prison sentences of two men with nine respites because an “investigation of the facts” had taken “considerable time” — 13 months to be exact. Wilson also delayed the five-year sentences of W.G. and S.G. Simpson with three respites before pardoning them. The men were described as “guilty,” but it was noted they had made a “strong showing” that they had not intended to commit a crime. Howard Showalter lost his appeals, but his five-year sentence was delayed by Wilson for eight months before a pardon was granted over the strenuous objections of the judge and U.S. attorney. Robert Sidebotham’s 13-month sentence was delayed for over a year (with eight respites) because Wilson concluded it was “doubtful” Sidebotham “realized he was violating the law.” A pardon followed. There is, in short, a long history to the use of the respite. ....

(P. S. Ruckman, Jr., a political scientist, is the author of the forthcoming book Pardon Me, Mr. President: Adventures in Politics, Crime and Mercy.)

more at:


http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWY2MzRiNTAwZmE3NjZhMzZmODNhMTcyYjUzYzc4MjQ=

[bigtree]

6. is there anything other than the appeal which could allow him to remain free for a time?

if the ploy to remain out on appeal fails, is there anything else which would prevent Libby from being reprimanded immediately to prison? I heard someone say today that there are procedural issues which could keep him from reporting to prison for a time. Thanks.

[H2O Man]

7. Curious news ....

Obama’s top lawyer advocates pardon for Libby
By Sam Youngman
June 13, 2007

Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) top lawyer publicly made the case Wednesday for a presidential pardon for convicted White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

Obama general counsel Robert Bauer did not ask his boss, a presidential candidate, for permission to write the article, published on HuffingtonPost.com.

But Obama’s campaign said the senator will not ask for Bauer’s resignation, adding that he is “still our lawyer.” ....

more at:

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obamas-top-lawyer-advocates-pardon-for-libby-2007-06-13.html

[bigtree]

10. I think curious is an understatement

it can be a hard ride with candidates we support sometimes . . .

[Vinca]

12. Or used to support.

[H2O Man]

14. Right.

Not a penny more to a candidate with this guy on his staff.

[bigtree]

17. did you see the 'piece' he wrote yesterday?

'The Progressive Case for a Libby Pardon'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-f-bauer/the-progressive-case-for-_b_51983.html

edit: I'm reading it, but it's got a slimy beginning . . .

"To Bush's antagonists on left, a pardon would be only another act in the conspiracy -- a further cover-up, a way of getting away with it. But this is the entirely wrong way of seeing things. A pardon is just what Bush's opponents should want."

[H2O Man]

21. I read it.

It is so full of shit that I will refuse to support Obama if he does not cut his ties to the guy.

[WiseButAngrySara]

52. Thanks for posting. Just more growing evidence to support

my lack of support for Obama.

[H2O Man]

59. I had a

rather heated discussion with someone from his campaign last week. This issue will be the substance of our next disagreement, unless the guy is removed.

[WiseButAngrySara]

63. Good for you H2O Man! ....n/t

[progressoid]

48. Ugh. And this guy is on our side?

But if the President pardons Libby, and by this act makes the case his own, he will have picked up a portion of the cost. Libby will fall back, restored to obscurity. Bush will step forward and take the lead role. He will have to explain himself; he will have to answer questions.


What planet is he on? Since when has a president had to answer for a pardon? Bullshit.

[H2O Man]

58. Right.

It is rather shallow -- at very best -- to talk about the obscure Scooter Libby. The guy was one of the most powerful men on the planet, in terms of his ability to cause wars, human suffering, and create further instability in the Middle East.

And you are EXACTLY right that Bush would not have to explain a thing if he does grant the pardon.

[wordpix]

73. hahhahaha, Gonzo selected Fitz to prosecute Plamegate? lol

I didn't know that :rofl:

[Garbo 2004]

75. No. Comey, Deputy AG, appointed Fitz after Ashcroft (the AG) recused himself

from the investigation.

Gonzales was not at DOJ, he was still at the White House at the time. When Gonzales later became AG, he also had to recuse himself from the investigation.

[mod mom]

18. Obama is on recond saying this: (from FDL)

Obama is on record saying this:

Wright: Another person who enjoys extraordinary privilege in our justice system, Scooter Libby, should he go to jail?Obama: I think that based on the evidence and conviction that he deserves jail time, yes.

Wright: Full sentence?

Obama: Well, I have not followed the case closely enough to want to render a judgment on what would be typical in these types of sentences but what I can say is, he obviously betrayed the basic principle that you tell the truth to investigators to federal investigators. He did not do that and I think that’s a problem.

Wright: And if the President were to pardon him would that be a travesty of justice?

Obama: I think that people expect that if someone breaks the law that they are treated like other people who break the laws regardless of the connections or contacts they have.

-snip
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/06/13/bad-trial-balloons/

[bigtree]

27. I'll say this

Bauer isn't just some casual adviser. He's on the Obama campaign to render critical judgments on very sensitive ethical matters which may involve the law; financing, disclosures, etc. And, Bauer is no lightweight. He's been the Democratic Senatorial Campaign counsel, worked for John Kerry . . . he can't carry such an apparently contrary view about this issue from what Obama has stated in response and stil be expected to render other sound judgments for the senator in his presidential bid and beyond. Bauer isn't just some staffer the campaign can just push to one side.

[loudsue]

50. This trick with Bauer (Obama's legal counsel) is more DLC bullshit

The DLC has mentored Obama from THE VERY FIRST of his national campaign. They pegged him as their shining star way back when he ran for the US Senate, and he has been mentored & supported by the DLC and NDN all along.

The DLC does ANYTHING and EVERYTHING they can to disempower and disenfranchise the BASE of the Democratic party. Where in the hell they think they're going to get their support from is obvious....the corporations.

If you read both of Obama's books, you will see that he is a GLOBALIST, and is very corporate friendly.

This is NOT a candidate that the base can support, even though he is VERY charismatic, and if he had proper counsel, he could very well be the best of the best. But under DLC counsel, he is just another corporate shill.

He's too NAIVE to be our president right now. And he's too beholden to the DLC. And he doesn't get it yet. As opposed to Hillary, who DOES "get it", but is beholden to the corporations anyway, and on purpose.

:kick::kick::kick:

[Me.]

55. With Edwards Attending Bilderberg

where does that leave us?

[mod mom]

68. In fairness to Obama pls read this Black Commentator piece: (Not DLC)

Barack Obama will not be carrying the Democratic Leadership Council’s baggage in his race to become the second Black person to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate. The state senator and professor of constitutional law has told The Black Commentator that he is acting to have his name stricken from the “New Democrats Directory,” a list of several hundred DLC-affiliated elected officials.

“I am not currently, nor have I ever been, a member of the DLC,” said Obama, in a statement that substantially reflects a telephone conversation with



Associate Editor Bruce Dixon, this weekend. “It does appear that, without my knowledge, the DLC…listed me in their ‘New Democrat’ directory,” Obama continued. “Because I agree that such a directory implies membership, I will be calling the DLC to have my name removed, and appreciate your having brought this fact to my attention.”

The statement caps a three-week public dialogue (see links at bottom of page) between and Obama, a veteran progressive organizer who headed the voter registration and mobilization drive that carried Carol Moseley-Braun to the U.S. Senate in 1992 – the first and only such achievement by a Black woman. Obama faces a crowded and richly financed field of contestants for the Democratic senatorial nomination, next year. African Americans make up about a quarter of the Illinois Democratic electorate.



was shocked to find Obama’s name associated with the New Democratic Movement, an affiliate of what Bruce Dixon calls the “Republican Trojan Horse in the bowels of the Democratic machinery” – the DLC. In a June 19 Cover Story that included a letter from Obama, posed three “bright line” questions to the candidate, “that should determine whether you belong in the DLC, or not.”

-snip

http://www.blackcommentator.com/48/48_cover.html

[seemslikeadream]

51. Obama: Well, I have not followed the case closely enough to want to render a judgment

:eyes:

[Straight Shooter]

69. That's right, because treason leading to perjury and obstruction is such a trivial matter.

:sarcasm:

[H2O Man]

8. Bob Novak

Bush: The lame duck waddles
By Robert Novak
Tuesday, June 12, 2007


WASHINGTON -- Just when it seemed George W. Bush's sinking prestige with his Republican base had bottomed out, his stock there hit new lows last week. The president's seeming indifference to the sentencing of Scooter Libby was bad enough. It coincided with Bush's apparent determination to retain his friend Alberto Gonzales as attorney general against congressional pressure to depose him.
Prevailing opinion of the Republican Party's officeholders, contributors and activists could not differ more from President Bush's posture. They regard Libby as a valuable public servant who faces serious prison time, thanks to prosecutorial abuse made possible by Bush administration decisions, with no imminent presidential pardon. They see Gonzales as an embarrassment to the party who presides over a hollow Justice Department, while presidential staffers search for Senate votes to block a no- confidence motion.

The Gonzales-Libby equation is symbolic of Republican discontent with their president. He failed totally to narrow the party's internal gap over his immigration reform. Time is running out -- to less than three months -- on Republican forbearance for Iraq. In the closing months of the administration, key posts are unfilled and what old hands call "children" fill others.

The treatment of Lewis Libby, once Vice President Dick Cheney's influential chief of staff, enrages Bush's fellow Republicans far more than their public utterances suggest. The president's studied distance from the CIA leak case led to appointment of a special prosecutor by then Deputy Attorney General James Comey at a time when he already knew the leaker's identity. That distance has continued with Bush's response from Europe to Libby's conviction, filtered through a deputy press secretary, emphasizing that he had no intention to pardon Libby. ....

more at:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/guests/s_512096.html

[zippy890]

28. what planet is Novak from?

the end of his article:

"What can a lame-duck president fighting an unpopular war -- the fate also of Harry Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson in their closing months -- do about this? Not much, but two possibilities are talked about in Republican circles: let Gonzales go, and pardon Libby. That might drop Bush's approval ratings even lower, but it sure would hearten his base. "

So bush should fire Gonzales & pardon Libby to make his (bush's) 'base' happy, according to Novak. What base is he talking about here? Irrelevant neo-con pundits? Wealthy republican 'friend of scooter' politicos?

What am I missing here, he is making no sense. All these pissed off 'insiders' - are they bush's base? no, obviously.

sheesh what a load a crap that passes for credible writing, I can't believe Novak still gets published.

[displacedtexan]

36. Novak's cilice is too tight.

I'm just being snarky.

[wordpix]

71. this "treatment of Libby" boo hoo BS from repukes makes me puke - they're really crying over

the fact that Fitz is closing in on Cheney and that means BigOil's Big Secret coming out.

[malaise]

9. Well if this makes it to theSupreme Court

Libby walks.

[H2O Man]

11. Doubt it.

I would venture that the US Supreme Court will not take the case. If they do, it would seem that Libby has -- at very best -- about a 5% chance of getting more than one Justice to support his position.

[malaise]

15. I so hope you're correct

H2O Man.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

13. ITA, and the thought of it happening, disgusts me.

I also believe that we'll never see Harriet Miers or Sara Taylor testify either.

[KharmaTrain]

16. Team Libby Goes For The Shutout???

Have they even won a motion in front of Walton? For being such high priced hired guns, Welles and company have lost every major battle in this case and I suspect this will be another one.

Reading Judge Walton's comments last week, you can see he's not glammed onto the Libby cause, and if anything, has a chance to put his own exclamation point on Fitz's conviction by sending Scooter off. It was amazing reading all the "appeals" and not a single one pointed to how the verdict wasn't just or the sentence warranted...it was all about "poor Scooter"...the "fallen soldier".

I'm hoping to see the civil part of this case now get rolling...with this verdict, hopefully the Wilsons can push forward with their case.

[Patsy Stone]

20. At least one.

Walton found in their favor regarding some evidence, but off the top of my head, I don't recall other victories.

This is going to be an intersting day.

[napi21]

47. I haven't been impressed with team Wells AT ALL!

I followed the court activity on FDL every day, and I honestly can't decide if Wells et al are incompetent or they assumed Walton was a push over that they'd win without even trying.

Certainly from all I read, I have no idea how they got a great reputation or are able to comand those high fees!

[loudsue]

53. I think it's because they didn't have any points to win. Libby's case was so obvious

and his guilt was so obvious, that they really didn't have much of a leg to stand on.

Libby not only lied, repeatedly, but he obstructed justice at every turn. Those are CRIMES, and he was found guilty. Guilty as hell.

:kick:

[H2O Man]

61. Libby was

stuck with the lies he told before Mr. Fitzgerald was assigned to the case. He never anticipated that he would actually own those lies.

Team Libby tried to get a plea deal, but Libby rejected it because of the amount of time that Mr. Fitzgerald insisted he would serve. But they knew he was guilty as hell. They were stuck with a guy who they really couldn't help, because of the choices he made from 2003 to 2007.

[malaise]

19. What time is he in court H2O Man?

I have a late morning meeting and don't want to miss this.

[mod mom]

22. Motion hearing @ 11:30 & Sentencing at 1:30 pm

found on FDL:

Motion hearing starts at 11:30 a.m.

Sentencing is at 1:30 p.m.

Courtroom 16

[malaise]

25. Thanks

I should be able to follow on FDL

[mod mom]

44. Pach will be liveblogging from the Courthouse @ FDL. nt

[H2O Man]

23. Good question.

I hope someone from FDL is there.

[DemReadingDU]

40. PS — Pach will be liveblogging

PS — Pach will be liveblogging for us from the courthouse proceedings in the Libby matter this morning, in case anyone was wondering about upcoming coverage.
http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/06/14/the-lawyers-fight-back/

[H2O Man]

41. Great.

Looking forward to it!

[mod mom]

24. Please consider donating to the Valerie Plame/Wilson Defense Fund as a way to say

FU to Libby and his co-conspirators:

http://www.wilsonsupport.org/

[H2O Man]

26. Very important.

The necroconservatives are planning a summer offensive that (again) targets Joseph and Valerie. They want to place the blame for the Plame scandal on them. They hope to distract attention from Scooter and Dick, and instead make Valerie's status and issues relating to Joe's late-1990s trip the center of attention.

By supporting the Wilson Fund, we can say, "Let's put all the casrds on the table."

[mod mom]

32. We saw this yesterday at the contentious Lurita Doan Hearing with Rep Burton

making a complete ass of himself demanding the committee issue Plame a subpoena for lying to congress. The Wax Man quickly shot him down by saying there is no need for a subpoena when an individual who is willing to come forward on their own volition.

[spanone]

29. K&R

[Me.]

33. Called Waxman's Office Yesterday

After Davis called for a subpoena because 'Valerie lied'

I requested that he keep his promise and bring all the truth forward, especially regarded the facts of who sent her husband to Niger.

[WillyT]

34. Hey H20... Have You Seen Any Transcript Of The Libby Sentencing Hearing ???

I posted a that question at Next Hurrah on one of Marci's posts regarding the sentencing, and another poster sent me here: http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/6/8/17398/75179

But I haven't seen anything else so far.

I'm interested in EXACTLY what Judge Walton said to those who don't think Libby should serve time, don't think there was any crime committed, etc.

If you see something, could ya post it, or PM me please???

Thanks!

Oh... K & R !!!

:hi:

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

42. The transcripts are the property of the court reporter.

They must be purchased from the reporter in question, on a per-page basis. It's how the court reporter gets paid.

[WillyT]

45. I Understand That...

Does PACER let you peruse the entire proceeding, and only charge you for the page or two that you actually want???

:shrug:

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

46. No - it is a little more complicated:

There's a very good FAQ at the PACER website. I tried to post it but I keep getting "shrugged".

[WillyT]

70. And From The Link I Posted...

Link: http://www.talkleft.com/story/2007/6/8/17398/75179

"If a major media outlet doesn't publish it, I'm not going to post the whole thing or share it because this is how court reporters make their money and as a practicing lawyer, I don't want to break any rules.

I will read it late tonight and post pertinent excepts."

And I think that that is appropriate.

But if one were to ask me if the way court reporters made their money outweighs the future of this constitutional government...

Then I'd have to say, we need to get these folks a raise.

And a VERY different way of making money!

Just sayin.

:shrug:

[Me.]

35. They've Added New Lawyers To The Team

Supreme Court specialists

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1109480

[Patsy Stone]

60. When they add James Baker

We should all start worrying. :)

[Me.]

64. I'm Thinking That After * Dissed His Committee

He isn't going to be sailing in any time too soon to save the day. Besides, I don't think the *1 people are in love with Cheney and his fellow felons.

[Patsy Stone]

65. So, what you're saying

is that it's taken six years, but * finally made good on his promise to be a uniter? Because it seems that all of us, even the Freepers, are united against him.

Actually, I've envisioned the discussions between Baker and Poppy: "I tried to help, but your kid's an idiot. You know that, right?"

[Me.]

67. He Is A Success At Long Last

:rofl:

[hootinholler]

38. That takes balls, to say Fitz didn't have the authority...

He was proxy for the AG fer christ sakes.

-Hoot

[wordpix]

74. Fitz was selcted by Gonzo! That puts Boosh in a dilemma, I'd say

[hootinholler]

76. Fitz wasn't selected by Gonzo, It was James Comey, IIRC n/t

[dogday]

39. Every one of these pukes cries bad memory

when held accountable for their actions... Now tell me how they got the position in the first place with memories like that... You need to be sharp and on the ball for these positions, not having a bad memory...

[Me.]

43. Does Anyone Know When The SC Recesses For The Summer? n/t

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

49. Via Nolo @ FDL - Motion Hearing time reset:

(There is some confusion as to the time of the actual sentencing - it appears that the whole thing - arguments and decision, begins at 11:30 EDT) -LFR

From the Court website:

Docket Text: Set/Reset Hearings
as to I. LEWIS LIBBY: Motion
Hearing originally set for
6/14/07 at 1:30 pm was reset for
6/14/2007 11:30 AM in
Courtroom 16 before Judge
Reggie B. Walton.

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

54. Update from Courthouse via Pachacutec @ FDL

"Here’s the latest on the schedule today at the courthouse:

Judge Walton has some other odds and ends to deal with this morning. The hearing will begin at 11:30 AM EST. Each side will have 30 minutes. The judge will then break for lunch and come back with his ruling at 1:30. Fitz does not plan to do a presser afterward and no word on the intentions of the defense, though they bolted afterward last week."

That should settle it - apologies for the misinformation.... - LFR

[myrna minx]

56. This will be an interesting day, to be sure. n/t

[BootinUp]

57. Sure would be nice to see our court system work

I am not holding my breath.

[Me.]

66. So How Many Millions Have Been Spent To Keep This Convicted Felon Out Of Jail?

Between lavish fundraisers, lots of pricey lawyers, convoys of SUVs etc, the tab must be adding up. I'm sure that money would go far in providing stamps and calling cards to injured vets at Walter Reed, who barely have anything beyond the pajamas that cover their wounds.