Libby judge says Bush sent wrong signal (worries about perception of inequality in justice)

[sabra]

Source: journal sentinel

Walton worries about perception of inequality in justice

When President Bush erased the prison term of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, he reinforced some Americans' perception that status can affect justice, according to the judge who sentenced Libby.

...

"The president has that authority and exercised it, and that has to be respected," said Walton, who is to speak Thursday in Milwaukee at a literacy event.

"The downside is there are a lot of people in America who think that justice is determined to a large degree by who you are and that what you have plays a large role in what kind of justice you receive. . . . It is crucial that the American public respect the rule of law, or people won't follow it."

...

Walton, who said he and his family were threatened after he handed down the sentence, said the time he gave Libby was at the low end of federal sentencing guidelines.

"I believe firmly you apply the law and apply it strictly," Walton said from his chambers in Washington. "I don't give white-collar criminals a pass."

Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=745289

[ck4829]

1. Libby's sentence was within the federal government's guidelines. K&R.

[BOSSHOG]

2. He and his family were threatened

Obviously conservative members of the party of responsibility don't want any of their fellow travelers to be held responsible for anything. Sad commentary on the scum they are.

[acmavm]

3. "...there are a lot of people in America who THINK that justice is determined to a large degree

by who you are and that what you have..."

No your honor, we KNOW that it does.

[H2O Man]

4. Nominated.

Judge Walton handled the case well. The president showed how corrupt his administration is.

Nominated.

[indepat]

17. Not only corrupt, but corrupt to the rotten, filthy core!

:D

[cascadiance]

5. I still don't trust "State Secrets" Judge Walton....

I think there's a reason that Bush nominated him to the FISA Court not too long ago.

On multiple occasions he's helped shut down Sibel Edmonds' civil litigation for the horrendous crap that's going on behind closed doors at the FBI and other bowells of our government (Marc Grossman = treason).

His financial history has been redacted and kept secret a lot moreso than other judges at his level, which also has me question his true agenda/motives.

[defendandprotect]

14. Not good news on his actions re Sibel Edmonds . . . !!!

[Demeter]

6. You Think?

In this bought and paid-for Potempkin nation, size does matter.

[ShortnFiery]

7. Yes, and SC Justice Antonin Scalia believes that TORTURE is not punishment.

God DAMN *many* within our Judiciary!?! :grr:

[defendandprotect]

15. Like many others he suffers the arrogance of authoritarianism . . .

obviously part of his authoritarian Catholic background . . . !!!

Who ever said that religion is good for mental health --- ???

[Indenturedebtor]

8. Perception HAH

There is very little justice in America. Our country is so fucking broken it's rediculous.

[Dogtown]

9. disgraceful

k&r

[williesgirl]

10. No, Judge, not perception - it's REALITY in today's US. Disgusting. rec'd

[Supersedeas]

23. - the Oligarchy will not be denied: this is more than a 'partisan' truth

[Preston120]

11. There are two kinds of justice in this country.

One for poor folks and another for the rich and influential. So much for one nation under law, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. But hell, it's just the constitution we're trashing.

[Supersedeas]

20. true and here is more evidence of that

[Mandate My Ass]

12. Not to worry. he's been sending that same message for 8 years now

We had it all figured out before he commuted Scooter's very light but well-deserved sentence.

Bushco serves the haves and have-mores; the rest of us are useless eaters. See:Katrina.

[defendandprotect]

13. Unusual now to see comments like this --- they'll get him . .. !!!

Our legal system is now more corrupted than ever by decades of GOP appointments ---

And, now we have a Supreme Court stealing elections, renewing racism, sexism ---

their glory days, back again --- !!!

[wilt the stilt]

16. Bush will not be attending the conference

he is functionally illiterate.

[Lost4words]

18. when has dimson ever sent the correct message!

8643

[struggle4progress]

19. We need a constitutional amendmenr limiting the pardon authority:

pardons should be offerable only after conviction and sentencing, should not be offerable to a person who (at time of offense) served under the President offering the pardon, should not be offerable in the six months preceding the next inauguration, and should be subject to at least minimal reporting standards

[Uncle Joe]

21. On the other hand a sixty year old man in Hawaii got twenty years for growing pot. n/t

[Doctor_J]

22. Umm...the horse is out of the barn on that, judge

until the traitors in the * admin are being waterboarded, unequal justice will be considered a FACT

[rocktivity]

24. Candidate for this month's "You Call This NEWS?" Award

"The president has that authority and exercised it, and that has to be respected..."

TRANSLATION: Libby told Bush, "You keep me out of jail or I'll go before Congress and make George Galloway's testimony sound like a recitation of 'Mary Had A Little Lamb!!!'"

:headbang:
rocknation