Arbitrary Justice, Hidden Truth: Libby v Rita

[malaise]

http://commonsense.ourfuture.org/arbitrary_justice_hidden_truth?tx=3

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Victor Rita’s case highlights the injustice. Rita entered the Federal Bureau of Prisons on nearly the same date that Libby’s prison term disappeared. Except for the result, the two cases are eerily parallel.
# Similar crimes. Both Libby and Rita were convicted of obstruction of justice and lying under oath.
# Similar punishments. Both were sentenced under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Libby received 30 months in prison. Rita received 33.
# Personal history. Both Libby and Rita had served their country. Rita served 24 years in the Marine Corps, including tours of duty in Vietnam and the first Gulf war, where he earned over 35 medals and awards.
# Personal present. Both Libby and Rita are getting up in years with devoted families and supportive networks who begged for mercy. Rita’s personal health is failing.

All of Rita’s requests for relief were denied. Libby received relief before his case even finished in the courts.

Wednesday the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, no longer under Republican control, held a hearing on these matters. Little new information came out, but then Scooter Libby wasn’t on the stand. Neither was Dick Cheney or Karl Rove. The only person to serve time on this matter was Judith Miller, the reporter for The New York Times who refused to reveal her sources.

The committee hearing was one small step towards holding the administration accountable for its misbehavior. One small step towards the American people regaining control of our government. Let’s hope it’s not the last.