Bill Clinton Criticizes Bush on Libby Move

New York Times ^ | July 4, 2007 | PATRICK HEALY

[West Coast Conservative]

Former President Bill Clinton criticized President Bush on Tuesday for commuting the prison sentence of I. Lewis Libby Jr. and tried to draw a distinction from his own controversial pardons.

In Iowa to promote the presidential candidacy of his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Mr. Clinton was asked by a radio host, David Yepsen, “You had some controversial pardons during your presidency; what’s your reaction to what President Bush did?”

“Yeah, but I think the facts were different,” Mr. Clinton said. “I think there are guidelines for what happens when somebody is convicted. You’ve got to understand, this is consistent with their philosophy; they believe that they should be able to do what they want to do, and that the law is a minor obstacle.”

“It’s wrong to out that C.I.A. agent and wrong to try to cover it up,” Mr. Clinton added. “And no one was ever fired from the White House for doing it.”

Mr. Clinton pardoned 140 people in the final hours of his presidency, including Marc Rich, the fugitive broker who had been charged with evading tens of millions of dollars in taxes, and who was the former husband of a top donor to Democrats and Mrs. Clinton’s first Senate campaign.

Rather than tread lightly on the Libby commutation, the Clintons have chosen to confront it; Clinton advisers said there was no real alternative, because the news media would bring up the Rich pardon anyway.

Still, the Clintons have not scheduled a news conference during their visit, where they might face tough questioning, nor have they permitted reporters to attend private events, some including as many as 300 people, where people ask Mrs. Clinton questions. All of their public events have been rallies where the two of them speak.

[West Coast Conservative]

PARDONS GRANTED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON

[advertising guy]

the Devil’s Advocate speaks

[rockrr]

STFU klintoon, you slimy bass-turd!

[leenie312]

POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK ---ALERT!!!

[AmericanMade1776]

Bill Clinton criticizing President Bush on pardoing Libby, has more irony than a black fly in a glass of milk.

[NorCalRepub]

....Bill must have thought he was on a Saturday Night Live comedy skit....ok, Bill, enough, I’m on the floor holding my sides.....

[K-oneTexas]

Oh, Bill. We shouldn't get into a 'Clemency/Pardon Pi**ing' Contest.

 

[AwesomePossum]

Depends on what the meaning of pardon is...................

:}

[bill1952]

>Bill Clinton Criticizes Bush on Libby Move

Christ, this late at night and I need another keyboard. - That is outright hilarious!

And I don't need to see the words "Clinton" and "Bush" together in the same sentence ever again...

[digger48]

"Yeah, but I think the facts were different,” Mr. Clinton said. "

Like not getting paid 6 figures in return for the pardon

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Wow ... I’m really surprised that the impeached former president had the gall to make a statement like this. Then again, maybe not. Gotta get back to the White House so that he can diddle Hillary’s interns.

[AmericanMade1776]

Bill Clinton pardoned his OWN half brother... Roger Clinton

[bannie]

Does anyone else wanna’ slap clinton...or is it just me?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Rather than tread lightly on the Libby commutation, the Clintons have chosen to confront it; Clinton advisers said there was no real alternative, because the news media would bring up the Rich pardon anyway.

No, the bloggers and talk radio are bringing up Rich and the other scumbags pardoned by Slick, that is why the Xlintons had no choice but to address the issue head-on.

And Xlinton knows that most people never heard of Marc Rich anyway and the MSM will just gloss it over as old news. Man I wish the Bush administration had the stones to fight back against these mofos.

[spald]

Mr. Clinton pardoned 140 people in the final hours of his presidency, including Marc Rich, the fugitive broker who had been charged with evading tens of millions of dollars in taxes, and who was the former husband of a top donor to Democrats and Mrs. Clinton’s first Senate campaign.

Interestingly enough, Scooter Libby was Marc Rich's long-time lawyer.

[eyedigress]

“It’s wrong to out that C.I.A. agent and wrong to try to cover it up,” Mr. Clinton added. “And no one was ever fired from the White House for doing it"

Armitage, you're fired!

[beaversmom]

“Yeah, but I think the facts were different,” Mr. Clinton said. “I think there are guidelines for what happens when somebody is convicted. You’ve got to understand, this is consistent with their philosophy; they believe that they should be able to do what they want to do, and that the law is a minor obstacle.”

How this man can say this stuff and not be afraid of lightening bolts is amazing. I guess he figures he's gotten away with it for this long.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

These people are unbelievable.

[MarkL]

Wow! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

Bill Clintongave pardons to Mel Reynolds, the child molester, who now works for Jesse Jackson, to FALN terrorists, who were convicted bombers, and... Ta Da! Marc Rich! Interestingly enough, it was Scooter Libby who worked FOR Rich at the time, trying to get his pardon... And it was Fitz who was trying to keep Rich from being pardoned...

Anybody think it was a bit of a “come-uppance?”

Mark

[bill1952]

"Yeah, but I think the facts were different,” Mr. Clinton said. "

Notice how he did not say; "the facts were different!" ?

A typical clue to spot a lie spoken by a liar - and he didn't even notice it.

I'll bet a whole lot of dectives and judges just did.

[UglyinLA]

Why is it that we never hear a peep out of our Republican Senators.

[USMA '71]

Only every time I see his sorry mug. And I am convinced that if you did slap him in the mouth, he would cry like a little baby. What a despicable excuse for a human being.

[Mumbles]

Clinton’s right. There should have been some money passed to a relative, like $400K to a ... er well let’s forget that one. Perhaps Mark Rich could have his wife, errr let’s forget that one. Hmmmm, OK Clinton is no one to castigate someone else, but he sure knew how to make money from those pardons & heck, Mark's wife was on the funeral pyre as well.

[crashthe24]

“Yeah, but I think the facts were different,” Mr. Clinton said

Yeah, GW didn’t collect any cash from Scooter.

[leenie312]

He got away with and is still getting away with it...with the blessings of many a lemming....sickening that so many out there cannot see him for what he really is...

[kallisti]

It’s not just you, there is a very long line.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Still, one has to marvel at this pure sociopath.

[doc1019]

For an opportunity to get back into the White House and all the benefits therein, Bill will do and say anything. Besides, he has probably sold his soul to the devil (hitlery) … “help me and your philandering will continue to go unnoticed”.

[VRWC For Truth]

Put some ice on it Bubba.

[KoRn]

"It’s wrong to out that C.I.A. agent and wrong to try to cover it up,”

Libby didn't "out a CIA agent" you dumbass!

Now that simple fact is out of the way, how does this commutation compare to your PARDONS??

[Darnright]

Bubba doesn’t think anyone remembers his record for pardoning terrorists, criminals and scumbags.

Go find a bimbo, Bill.

[gov_bean_ counter]

It truly is amazing how this sh%t just rolls off his tongue.

[SMM48]

The Bush Admin & the MSM never say a damn thing! That is why Bill and Hill feel free to make these moronic sanctimonious statements.

The Bush high road hasn't worked so far so why not try a shot across the bow of Clinton Inc?

[peggybac]

What an absolute a**hole. God, how I detest that man. There really is something psychologically wrong with him.

[CaptainK]

I need to take an aspirin and lie down.

[K-oneTexas]

“Yeah, but I think the facts were different,” Mr. Clinton said. “I think there are guidelines for what happens when somebody is convicted." Guidelines for what happens when someone is convicted. All 400 or so of yours were convicted. Or maybe your thinking of your friends, Henry Cicneros, Sandy Berger et al.

You’ve got to understand, this is consistent with their philosophy; they believe that they should be able to do what they want to do, and that the law is a minor obstacle.” Do you really want to talk about the law. As an obstacle or something that doesn't pertain ... to you or your party either evidently. Lets think here ... Jefferson of LA.

Lawbreakers come in all shapes, sizes ... and political party. Some just aim higher at what they break.

But lets not anyone talk about a rabid out of control prosecutor ... unless his name is Starr? Is that it Bill? You and Sandy and Henry and others are innocent ... even when proven guilty. Somebody stick a fork in him, I do believe he's done.

[lowbridge]

This particular action by the president is one more piece of evidence in their ongoing disregard for the rule of law that they think they don't have to answer to," she said.

Hillary Clinton Slams Bush Over Libby Maneuver

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The Bush high road hasn't worked so far so why not try a shot across the bow of Clinton Inc?

That'll happen when Hell fields an NHL franchise.

This is my biggest disappointment of Bush. No fighting back against Dem lies and BS.

[george76]

PARDONS GRANTED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON

http://www.usdoj.gov/pardon/clintonpardon_grants.htm

[PISANO]

Pot calling kettle black!!

NO SHAME exists in the soul of Bill & Hill CLINTON, only arrogance and selfishness!!

They epitomize the ME GENERATION!!

[Screamname]

Bill Clinton pardons the FALN TERRORISTS who bombed New York city not once, not twice, not three times but ONE HUNDRED THIRTY TIMES!!! Al Qaeda could only hope to reach that level! But did this matter to the Clinton cabal? Helll no!

And for what? All so his c*nting of a wife who never lived in that city could have a spring board! The Clintons PUT THE LIVES OF NEW YORKERS IN DIRECT DANGER, WHO STILL ARE IN DANGER ALL SO THIS THING WHO DARES TO CALL HERSELF A HUMAN BEING COULD PLAY SENATOR!

Thread of article written by Freeper Joseph F. Conner whose father was killed by these TERRORISTS!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859909/posts

Another victim who the Clintons spit on all so her "Helliness" could have a spring board:

STATEMENT OF

DETECTIVE ROCCO PASCERELLA

BEFORE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

HEARING ON FALN CLEMENCY

SEPTEMBER 15, 1999

Good Morning Senators.

My name is Rocco Pascarella.

On December 31, 1982, I was a police officer assigned to security at Police Headquarters in New York City. I had joined the force at age 21, and in my 13 years on the New York City Police force I had worked in various precincts and assignments. About two weeks prior to December 31, 1982 I had been assigned to the Police Headquarters security detail. On what should have been a festive evening, FALN terrorists were at work in New York City. It was 9:30 p.m. when my colleagues and I heard a tremendous explosion. At first we thought it was fireworks. But soon after, we were told a bomb had exploded at 26 federal plaza which is two blocks from police headquarters. I was directed by my seargent to search the perimeter of the headquarters building for anything suspicious that might be a bomb. As I approached the rear unused entrance to the building I noticed a lot of debris. As I turned to search , the bomb went off.

The blast that shattered my life that night was the work of the FALN. This notorious group of terrorists had been planting bombs for some time--ostensibly to secure Puerto Rican independence. But their criminal activity was not limited to indiscriminate bombing. It also included apolitical crimes such as weapons possession and robbery.

That I or my colleagues was not killed that night is a fortunate coincidence. FALN bombs were placed at locations where it was likely that innocent people would be killed or injured. I suffered the loss of one leg below the knee, severe scarring of my other leg, the loss of hearing in one ear, and the loss of my eyesight to the extent that I am no longer able to drive. I was in the hospital for two months. I underwent six operations for my leg and ears and received over 40 stitches to my face, ears and mouth. I spent a year going through rehabilitation to learn to walk again with myartificiall leg and injured right leg. Because of my injuries I have been unable to return to active duty in the police force. I am on an extended medical leave. The pain and trauma of these disabling injuries were multiplied by the suffering it caused my family: My parents, my daughter, my friends and my colleagues in the New York City Police Department. When you consider all the other whose lives were devastated during the FALN onslaught, the grief and suffering grows exponentially.

Seventeen year later, the insidious cancer that is the FALN again ulcerates American life. Forces have been at work to position these criminals for presidential clemency. Under ordinary circumstances the prospect of their release would be laughable. What could motivate any president to grant a request with the blood of American citizens?

Perhaps everyone in this room, and everyone in America, should review these cases:

They read the United States vs. The defendants, or the State of New York vs. The defendants. Roc Pascarella did not prosecute these cases. You did. The people did. And when it’s done, and just sentences are imposed they should be made to stand, particularly in cases of terrorism. Because when terrorists strike, they are not just maiming me, they are striking at the very foundation of America. Our very freedom makes us particularly vulnerable to the demented minions of terrorists all over the world.

In the press, their supporters describe these FALN terrorists as freedom fighters and political prisoners. That characterization is an abomination. The basis of American Democracy is dialogue and compromise within the political process. Democrats and Republicans do not butcher each other in the streets of Washington, or punctuate their rhetoric with bombs and bullets. The indiscriminate killing and maiming of innocent people to make a political statement is an attack on the American political system and should be dealt with accordingly. Nor do these misfits, as some would imply, represent the goals and ideas of Puerto Rican people, who have democratically rejected Puerto Rican independence, and morally rejected slaughter as a means to a political end.

In this very forum the clamor is heard for more severe sentences for hate crimes. What greater hate than to kill, not because of some demented distaste for another race or ethnic group, but to kill anyone; man, women, or child to make a merely political statement?

And finally, what kind of message does this exercise of clemency send to the world’s terrorists? The United States military is sent halfway around the world to destroy a terrorist’s camp in a foreign nation, while at home, a wile a group of criminal terrorists as exists anywhere in the world is released upon the strength of a hard wrought promise never to engage in violence again. A release, it appears, that is contrary to the recommendations and warnings of every federal agency involved in the investigation, apprehension, trial and incarceration of this group.

You, as elected representatives and as citizens of this nation, have a responsibility to the American people to expose the circumstances and the motivation which led to this assault on the American political system and the American justice system. You owe it to yourselves. You owe it to your constituents. You owe it to me. And you owe it to past and future victims of FALN murder and terror.

Thank you.

AND this POS Hillary DARES to question Bush??

[lowbridge]

Why fight back against the Clintons hanging themselves?

[gov_bean_ counter]

Meanwhile we have Republican Congress critters conservative, moderate and liberal alike who are more concerned about upsetting their Democrat buddies than they are about challenging this mess.

[TheLion]

I’m amazed that the great pardoner would even make a comment!

[AmericanMade1776]

I just don't get it, do Bill and Hill think that we are going to forget that the Bill Clinton legacy was to make the term "BJ" a household word for young children.

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

Because cowardice runs in their veins. They like to fawn over Democrats. Most are weasels.

[K-oneTexas]

I think if we look, Libby got clemency. The rule of law still stands, the convictions and fins still stand. With that conviction I don't believe as a 'convicted felon' that he is able to vote any more. Bill can still vote ... ah but that's right Bill cut a deal and didn't have to admit any wrongdoing. Lost his law license for five years. Bill's such an upstanding citizen everyone wants to emulate him.

Free Ex-Presidential Legal Advice: Pssst! Do it but don't get caught. If you do get caught, lie. Then cut a deal.

[AmericanMade1776]

[HoosierHawk]

Let me slap Bill and you can slap Hillary.

[monkapotamus]