Ann Woolner: Bush Bailout for Rumsfeld, Torturers Might Be Next

[marmar]

Bush Bailout for Rumsfeld, Torturers Might Be Next: Ann Woolner
Commentary by Ann Woolner


Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The season of forgiveness is here, and federal felons everywhere are hoping some of it will alight on them.

The period from about Thanksgiving until precisely noon on Jan. 20, is prime time for pardons in a president’s last term.

Junk-bond baron Michael Milken wants forgiveness, ex- WorldCom chief Bernard Ebbers a shorter prison term. More than 2,000 applications have flooded the White House and the Justice Department, most from run-of-the-mill crooks.

Then there are those people not yet charged, much less convicted, who nervously look for pardons, too. Suspecting the future might bring indictments, those within President George W. Bush’s administration who may have broken laws to carry out Bush- Cheney policies could use the boss’s protection.

Beyond the wiretappers, the perjurers, the obstructers of justice in the U.S. attorney firings are those who promoted the notion that torture isn’t torture, and even if it is, it isn’t necessarily illegal.

Will Bush preemptively pardon them? If he doesn’t, what are the chances some of them might wind up behind bars?

It would be pleasant to turn our back on the shame of the recent past, fervently denounce torture as un-American and, with a new president and a world eager to trust him, say it won’t happen again.

There is something to be said for forgiving the excesses of public servants, some of whom were risking their lives, who believed they were protecting their nation even if skating close to the law’s edge. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=a5d6rDFL9ILk&refer=home

[opihimoimoi]

1. The Guilty must pay the price....a few will escape...that much is a given..but..most cannot have the

Free Jail Pass.....they must Pay....with time...

[pscot]

2. Aren't preemptive pardons

an admission of guilt? And once you've been pardoned, you can't refuse to talk on fifth amendment grounds, can you? Enquiring minds want to know.