Lie Like Libby

George Bush's decision to commute the sentence of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby for lying about his role in outing a covert CIA operative should come as no surprise to anyone who has watched this administration.

Considering the Bush got into power by manipulating the vote in Florida, his administration then manipulated the facts to get the country into deadly war that may harm us for generations, it is no surprise that Libby got a pardon, well a commutation today and probably a pardon in December 2008.

As the Washington Post pointed out, faced with a difficult ethical decision, Bush apparently didn't even bother checking the legal aspects, commuting the "sentence without running requests through lawyers at the Justice Department."

As the Vice President's Chief of Staff, Libby took part in the efforts to take down Joe Wilson, a critic of the administration, who had the audacity to point out that the administration was lying, which in the administration's mind was unacceptable.

For if the true intentions and true actions of the administration had been exposed in 2003 it is extremely doubtful Bush would have won the 2004 election. The administration's whole goal was to push the investigation and outcome past the 2004 election, allowing them four more years to wreck havoc on the country.

Wilson probably had the best observation of the administration, that they are "corrupt to the core."

Bush has not responded to questions on the case before, saying that it was a pending matter. No doubt he will now say that it is time to put this incident behind us and not comment further, an attempt to eliminate any accountability of his administration.

Despite the commutation and impending pardon, Bush said Libby's punishment remained "harsh," in part because his professional reputation "is forever damaged." However since Libby acted like a good soldier and didn't sing, therefore helping hide the adminstration's actions, it is doubtful that he will suffer much, if at all.

One can only hope that the public, the true victims in this case, will look at the joyous reaction on the right and Republican presidential candidates and offer their own form of justice.