All of my readers know William Kristol as the editor of the influential Washington-based political magazine, The Weekly Standard. Kristol used to be one of the Kool-Aid flavors most favored by Neo-Conservatives. On June 5th last, he wrote this about the misleader of the free world:
I feel terrible for Scooter Libby's family. Millions of Americans feel terrible for Scooter Libby's family. But we can't do anything about the injustice that has been done. Nor can we do anything to avert a further injustice looming on the horizon--Judge Reggie Walton seems inclined not to let Libby remain free pending appeal.Breaking up is so hard for Neo-Cons to do. Paul Wolfowitz is having the same problem with Shaha Ali Riza.
Unlike the rest of us, however, George W. Bush is president. Article II, Section Two of the Constitution gives him the pardon power. George W. Bush can do something to begin to make up for the injustice a prosecutor appointed by his own administration brought down on Scooter Libby. And he can do something to avert the further injustice of a prison term.
Will Bush pardon Libby? Apparently not--even if it means a man who worked closely with him and sought tirelessly to do what was right for the country goes to prison. Bush spokeswoman Dana Perino, noting that the appeals process was underway, said,Given that and in keeping with what we have said in the past, the president has not intervened so far in any other criminal matter and he is going to decline to do so now.So much for loyalty, or decency, or courage. For President Bush, loyalty is apparently a one-way street; decency is something he's for as long as he doesn't have to take any risks in its behalf; and courage--well, that's nowhere to be seen. Many of us used to respect President Bush. Can one respect him still?
The skins are being peeled off this rotten onion.
ReplyDeleteMy best guess is that Bush will pardon Libby in the closing days/hours of his term in office. Bush just does not want to make another issue for the media to examine too closely. Kristol's words about injustice are funny given how the repubs went into spasms over Clinton and how they wanted to impeach him for a few BJ's in the oval office, which got no one killed. Can't say that about Lil' Bush and friends.
ReplyDeleteNeoCon love is unnatural. NeoCons ought to be sterilized.
ReplyDeleteUnlike "all your readers", I am only remotely familiar with William Kristol, based only on a few TV appearances of his that I witnessed. His performances, despite of his perpetual friendly grin, never failed to unnerve me, mainly because his steadfast belief in the great leader and his cause. And now this!
ReplyDeleteAm I right assuming, that G.W. has broken the "neoconservative omerta" by not taking care of the made man, Scooter? In my mind, the boy president is as loyal as any dog anywhere and thus I put my money on Bush doing the "right" thing to his core supporters by pardoning Scooter.
Kristol thinks he is heir supreme and he has pushed the beauty of Bush for 7 years, so why should anyone care about his backward spew now.
ReplyDeleteI feel terrible for the families of the people Kristol killed in Iraq with his "neocononial" war.
ReplyDeleteDubya is a Christian Fundamentalist and Fundies believe in moral absolutism. As a result Bush views Libby as a transgressor who betrayed God and Country by violating the law of the land, and worse by getting caught and implicating his own hallowed self. I do not for one minute think he will pardon Scooter. As for William Kristol I have never liked him and I don't like him now. He is a raging neo-con who, like the rest of the neo-cons, poses a serious threat to the stability of the nation and the world.
ReplyDeleteMike, I'm not sure if I feel Bush is a fundamentalist. I think he's using ultra conservative Christianity to keep his agenda and ultrarightwing supporters.
ReplyDeletePekka, be grateful you're not familiar with Kristol. He's another evil bastard. I think Boris has the right idea.