Tweety: Bob Bennet on saying Bush in Dilemna: Pardon Libby Now...

[KoKo]

or have to testify and while he could try to get out of testifying he's made himself part of the case.

He says if Bush pardon's Libby before trial then that will create an interesting situation with the questions that will be asked as to "why did he feel he needed to pardon him."

Bennett is Judy Miller's Lawyer and he's working to get her off the hook by throwing this out there...methinks? :shrug:

[catmother]

1. how stupid do they think we are? the president must have

declassified it!!!:wtf:

2. ever feel like we are just viewing a game of insiders

playing games against each other, and we are just getting to see snippets?

[catmother]

3. yes.

[malaise]

4. Bennett is doing his client some

serious harm here.

[Gabi Hayes]

25. please explain....what I remember is that he's seemed to do a BAD

job for any high profile client he's represented, so that doesn't seem surprising

didn't he represent WJC at some point during the Whitewater/Monica fiasco?

he also comes across to me as just as revolting a creature as his fascist brother

[malaise]

31. He was discussing aspects of the case

on the program which is always bad. He is revolting.

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. To quote Pink, "We're not dumb and we're not blind".

Go for it Georgie! :evilgrin:

[stanwyck]

10. I just listened to her "Dear Mr. President"

"How do you sleep at night? How do you walk with your head held high?"
"Can you even look me in the eye and tell me why?"

[SammyWinstonJack]

23. It's profound, isn't it? I wonder how the little sociopath would respond

if he were to hear this song? I'm sure he wouldn't relate.

[Gabi Hayes]

27. funny you should mention that....check this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=364&topic_id=865943#866785

the header was a ruse to get people to listen...didn't work too well.


''Dear Mr. President''
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/Air_America/Radio.html

Pink/Indigo girls, I think

very moving, beautifully sung...this must have been played here before, but it really got to me

lyrics
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pink/dearmrpresident.htm...

[Zen Democrat]

6. I took that a different way ...

He said that while Bush always had the pardon in his back pocket, the fact that he has now become a player in the case makes it difficult for him to pardon Libby without it looking like he's trying to prevent being called as a witness at trial. In other words, if he pardons now it will look worse than it would have yesterday. Bennet says that Bush will probably be called as a witness for the defense.

What he didn't say is that, if that occurs, Bush would have to be put under oath in a court of law, and we know that Bush would do anything to avoid taking that oath. But, in order to pardon Libby now and avoid that situation, he would invite an avalanche of criticism because the pardon would be seen as self-serving, and perhaps an obstruction of justice. So my take on it was that this has muddied the pardon waters.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. Whoa! Judy Miller's lawyer says Bush pardons Libby now and...

people wonder why -- or he testifies -- or he tries to get out of testifying, and people wonder why. And Bennett says Bush is now part of the case. What do attorney Bob Bennett, and his client, know?

[atreides1]

8. Bush can't Pardon Libby

Because Libby has not been convicted of a crime yet.


Standards for Considering Pardon Petitions

In general, a pardon is granted on the basis of the petitioner's demonstrated good conduct for a substantial period of time after conviction and service of sentence. The Department's regulations require a petitioner to wait a period of at least five years after conviction or release from confinement (whichever is later) before filing a pardon application (28 CFR Section 1.2). In determining whether a particular petitioner should be recommended for a pardon, the following are the principal factors taken into account.


Post-conviction conduct, character, and reputation. An individual's demonstrated ability to lead a responsible and productive life for a significant period after conviction or release from confinement is strong evidence of rehabilitation and worthiness for pardon. The background investigation customarily conducted by the FBI in pardon cases focuses on the petitioner's financial and employment stability, responsibility toward family, reputation in the community, participation in community service, charitable or other meritorious activities and, if applicable, military record. In assessing post-conviction accomplishments, each petitioner's life circumstances are considered in their totality: it may not be appropriate or realistic to expect "extraordinary" post-conviction achievements from individuals who are less fortunately situated in terms of cultural, educational, or economic background.

Seriousness and relative recentness of the offense. When an offense is very serious, (e.g., a violent crime, major drug trafficking, breach of public trust, or white collar fraud involving substantial sums of money), a suitable length of time should have elapsed in order to avoid denigrating the seriousness of the offense or undermining the deterrent effect of the conviction. In the case of a prominent individual or notorious crime, the likely effect of a pardon on law enforcement interests or upon the general public should be taken into account. Victim impact may also be a relevant consideration. When an offense is very old and relatively minor, the equities may weigh more heavily in favor of forgiveness, provided the petitioner is otherwise a suitable candidate for pardon.

Acceptance of responsibility, remorse, and atonement. The extent to which a petitioner has accepted responsibility for his or her criminal conduct and made restitution to its victims are important considerations. A petitioner should be genuinely desirous of forgiveness rather than vindication. While the absence of expressions of remorse should not preclude favorable consideration, a petitioner's attempt to minimize or rationalize culpability does not advance the case for pardon. In this regard, statements made in mitigation (e.g., "everybody was doing it," or I didn't realize it was illegal") should be judged in context. Persons seeking a pardon on grounds of innocence or miscarriage of justice bear a formidable burden of persuasion.

Need for Relief. The purpose for which pardon is sought may influence disposition of the petition. A felony conviction may result in a wide variety of legal disabilities under state or federal law, some of which can provide persuasive grounds for recommending a pardon. For example, a specific employment-related need for pardon, such as removal of a bar to licensure or bonding, may make an otherwise marginal case sufficiently compelling to warrant a grant in aid of the individual's continuing rehabilitation. On the other hand, the absence of a specific need should not be held against an otherwise deserving applicant, who may understandably be motivated solely by a strong personal desire for a sign of forgiveness.

Official recommendations and reports. The comments and recommendations of concerned and knowledgeable officials, particularly the United States Attorney whose office prosecuted the case and the sentencing judge, are carefully considered. The likely impact of favorable action in the district or nationally, particularly on current law enforcement priorities, will always be relevant to the President's decision. Apart from their significance to the individuals who seek them, pardons can play an important part in defining and furthering the rehabilitative goals of the criminal justice system.

But Bush hasn't bothered abiding by the law yet!!!!

[gratuitous]

19. Sure he can -- Ford pardoned the unconvicted Nixon

And Bush the Smarter pardoned Weinberger, Abrams and others just before their criminal trial was about to begin. Bush did it in the dead of night on Christmas Eve 1992 after he'd lost the election to Clinton. Never paid any kind of price, political or otherwise, for it.

Bush can certainly pardon Libby before he's convicted of anything.

[KoKo]

22. Bennett said he could and used example of Casper Weinberger's pardon

before his trial. :shrug: That's what Bennett said and we should believe him because he defended Clinton against Impeachment and is one of if not THE Top Most WIRED LAWYER in DC...

That's why Judith Miller (with funds from NYTimes hired the guy.) :shrug:

It was surprising to hear Bennet say that "legally" Bush could pardon Libby, though. One would think that would be against some law ...so I understand what you were thinking in your post.

[peacetalksforall]

9. Can the lawyers catch Tweety? Tell us what just went down with Bob

Bennett and Ben Ginzburg.

Ginzburg and Bennett devote a lot of time on declassification - this give simple people like myself the impression that he declassfied the status of Plame/WIlson. They barely mention NIE, the go on to say that Cheney was concerned that the had to refute the notion that there wasn't a cause to (declare war).

It seems they are purposely trying to drop a trick here - that Plame was declassified.

It behooves honest people everywhere to confront them and get them to talk straight.

[tridim]

11. On a side note, does anyone else think Ben Ginsberg

is one of those GOP pedophiles? He looks like Kristinn Taylor and Jeff Guckert's love child.

[KoKo]

13. Yes...remember him back from Clinton stuff on Geraldo on MSNBC

and he really does look like someone who would "lurk in the darkest corners." If you get my drift.....:puke:

[KoKo]

15. Somehow I get the impression that Tweety sounds like he's doing

investigative work....the low key drumbeat music ...the clips of how Bush has lied...with photo's of Fitz and clips that give statements and info...yet all of the people he has on that show are either KNOWN "Media Whores" from WAY BACK or lawyers involved with Clinton Impeachement....

I smell a BIG SCAM from Mr. Tweety and since his show is the only one doing this kind of think .....it leads me to believe they chose "Tweety Twist in the Wind" Supreme MEDIA WHORE....to lead the fight to as Fitz would say: "throw sand in the eyes of the Umpire." (I might not have that quote exactly...but think it's close to what Fitz said in the Libby Indictment.)

I think Tweety is "gaming us" by having the "big wigs ...insiders on" and he gives them a total mouthpiece to "re-write" this while he "claims to have been against the war...and so he's "oh so good in following up the story."

I dunno...but my gut tells me there's something VERY FISHY HERE!!!!

[opihimoimoi]

20. There something smelly in the fridge.....crap on ice too long....

Bush is gonna have to resign in disgrace soon....I will cook the pig and serve the wine...

[KoKo]

26. I will be there OPI....

but...I hate to fly...a slow boat to Hawaii, maybe?

:hi:

[opihimoimoi]

29. We got slow boats too, lol...Big Luau should the DAY come

7 pigs, much poi, fish, sashimi, sushi, chop suey, lamb chops, smoked salmon, etc and Hula Dancers too.

Come with bells on... LOL

[warrens]

12. Pardon = Impeachment

The only reason his daddy got away with it is that he was already out the door.

[peacetalksforall]

14. What was really interesting was Bennett saying that this all complicates

Libby's pardon.

[KoKo]

18. So far from watching Bennett was the only one who had anything credible

to say. The rest were Stenographers..... Most of us who've been reading DU and the Links today know more about this than the folks Tweety had on his show! What the hell does that say about the PRESS and INFOTAINMENT in America these days?

This ain't your Watergate Times.....it's all changed. There's almost no help out there except from the folks who speak out here on the Net.

[Gabi Hayes]

28. amen....I said this about the media in H20 Man's excellent post of today

I don't pretend to know the beginnings of the legal intricacies of this case, but it's becoming clearer each day that this thing is far worse for them than even the most informed here can imagine

is a MASS, BLANKET series of pardons going to be the only way out for the BFEE? just how far down the line will he have to go to keep the underlings from squealing the truth, when it's their time to take the fall?

I just hope that when the shitrain starts falling, they don't unleash it on us, meaning the entire country

[kerry-is-my-prez]

16. Even Rita Cosby is beating up on Bush....

n/t

[peacetalksforall]

17. Now it is becoming disgusting for me. Breathless and bowtie are on

there with Reagan and it is all a joke and nothing is a big deal except that that there is a leak accusation against someone who hates leaks. They are trying to tell the public to walk right by this. Nothing to stop for. Least of all breaking the law by disclosing a covert CIA operation.

[KoKo]

21. I had to turn it off when Ron Reagan even seemed to say "Nothing here

just move along." I couldn't take it anymore..

[DainBramaged]

24. Tweety, a complete waste of an Earthly footprint

The Scoreboard: Wednesday, April 5

25-54 demographic:


5p:Hardball:100,000 7p:200,000


SpongeBob:5,836,000

Tweety, more people look at themselves in the mirror at 5 and 7 pm than watch him.

OMG, 14,600,000 families watch Wheel of Fortune at 7PM. Tweety is irrelevant.


http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/menuitem.43afce2fac27e890311ba0a347a062a0/?show=%2FFilters%2FPublic%2Ftop_tv_ratings%2Fcable_tv&selOneIndex=1&vgnextoid=9e4df9669fa14010VgnVCM100000880a260aRCRD

[KoKo]

30. Why does he keep "banging head against the wall" then?

:shrug:

[DainBramaged]

32. Must have compromising pictures of someone

[lovuian]

33. Ford pardoned Nixon but it was political suicide

He never was president after the stepdown...